KANSAN Comment
Editor in Chief, Ron Yates
Editorial Editor Alan T. Jones
Edition Editor Robert Entriken Jr.
News Editor Joanna Wiebe
Sports Editor Bob Karney
A primary injustice
"Society is unfair! Demonstrate! How can anyone be conservative when there are so many social injustices in the world?"
The question is asked often. There are so many social problems in this country-even at the University of Kansas-that one really does wonder how the older, more conservative, generation can virtually ignore the problems. But are the problems simply being ignored or is there a reason for shucking responsibility for American social injustice?
A question that might be asked in return is: why don't the demonstrators hit at one of, if not, the major reason that turns youthful idealists into middle-aged quasi-conservatives? That reason is a tax structure that discriminates against the ordinary and favors the well-to-do.
If one were to carefully examine each problem in America and analyze it down to its base, that base would most-often be funds.
Some ideally good programs have been installed by the government in the last decade, programs aimed at correcting social injustice. A majority of these programs have not solved the problems they were intended for, many because of mismanagement or lack of funds.
The voters in Columbus, Ohio, voiced their disapproval of taxes last year by voting down a school bonding proposal. One of the few places where voters have a choice in expenditures, the bond issue forced closing of the Columbus schools from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
When the taxpayer sits down to figure his income tax return and sees how much of his money is taken by the government,
and then used, in his eyes, for the programs he hears are so poorly managed, he may think twice the next time he goes to vote for a liberal candidate.
When a taxpayer figures his return this year, finds he gets a refund, then discovers he has forgotten the 10 per cent surtax and ends up paying $100, it could easily cause him to think of the corporations and millionaires who must pay 93 per cent but don't.
Why should that taxpayer vote for a liberal, who he thinks will cost him more money, while the men who can afford the luxury of social programs are protected from oppressive income taxes by oil depletion allowances, and other loopholes that percentage-wise give them a far better rate than they deserve according to law.
Yes, demonstrators, why don't you aim at the real social injustice that turns so many people against you in the first place. If every time a new social program was installed it didn't add to the income tax payment, there might be a better chance to "enlighten your enemies." (ATJ)
As you know, on the campus the "name of the game" is: REVOLUTION! And, as with most institutionalized professionals, some of our mentors are afraid that they are not staying in the "main-stream." You know, the old "professional soldiers need a war now and then so they can get promoted" bit. In this regard, I overheard the following conversation between Professor Histiseven and Polysi the other day.
Readers'write
To the Editor:
HIST: "You were at UC, Columbia, and San Francisco State, weren't you?"
POLS: "Yeah. It was hell and I don't want to talk about it."
HIST: "Please tell me, Old Veteran, did it really aid your career?"
POLS: "Well, I'll have to admit that my picture on TV at San Francisco State result*ed in a fat government grant."
POLS: "Why don't you grab a grant and go to Berlin. Plenty going on there."
HIST: "Man, if I don't see some action soon I think I'll go crazy!"
HIST: "I've already had my Fulbright. Not a damn thing happened while I was touring Europe."
POLS: "Latin America then."
HIST: "I couldn't go down there without experience. Man, most of those professors have chalked-up ten and fifteen revolutions. They give me an inferiority complex."
POLS: "Looks like you're compelled to get something going here. Have you tried the standard classroom remarks? You know, 'This country has never had a really good social, economic and political revolution.' I'm in complete sympathy with campus activists.' 'Free enterprise failed and everybody knows that socialism has had a greater impact upon society.' 'The Constitution was written by an aristocracy of slaveowners.' 'That reactionary remark sounds like something your father would say.'"
HIST: "Tried them all. I just can't get these mid-west dullards to react."
HIST: "I'm going to have to do something. I've got a book coming out in a couple of months and if I don't get at least one revolution under my belt, it will never sell."
POLS: "Well, there's always the Black Panthers. See if you can't get them moving. They've got a cause you can exploit."
To the Editor:
It's a quiet September morning at the University of Kansas. Hardly a soul is to be found walking Jayhawk Boulevard, but a short jaunt to O-Zone will find the entire, 40,000 strong student body amassed at the required Fall indoctrination rally.
All the representatives of higher academia are perched on a small wooden platform, surrounded by electronic microphones. The new Chancellor seems fidgety, but no one notices. All eyes are fixed on the newly-appointed state Coordinator of Educational Affairs.
The first few speeches pass slowly; History and Philosophy
Edward J. Paris
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe was recently overheard talking about the proposed new classroom building which will be named after him. The Chancellor said he is probably the only man in the country with a hole in the ground named after him.
One staffer seems quite amused by the antics of the Kansas Legislature. In what other state, he asks whimsically, could a legislature legalize abortion while considering a bill to reinstitute prohibition?
Graduate Student, History
Reporters Notebook
"Men will confess to treason, murder, arson, false teeth or a wig. How many of them will own up to a lack of humor?"
Frank Moore Colby
The bomb that exploded, narrowly missed a model of an old sailing ship in the office. One student, associated with the new left at KU looked at a picture of the damage and said, "If it had been any of the old guard, at least we would have sunk the ship."
Commenting on the recent bombing attempt at the KU Military Science Building, Maj. Jon A. Stuebue, USMC, said, "The attack wasn't very well planned or executed."
'Don't think of it as being strapped. Think of it as carrying a big stick.'
Profs. mostly expounding something about Thomas Jefferson and freedom. Some of the more liberal still raise the name of a Mr. King, a negro librator. The students, standing in uniform rows nod appreciatively and grin amiably at the ring of police surrounding them. Finally the Coordinator, wearing the black uniform of the Intelligence Division of Campus Security, steps to the podium.
The Chancellor warmly shakes the Coordinator's hand after his speech. And then draws the rally to a close, asking the students to remain quiet and follow the assigned routes to their respective living groups. As the lot began to clear in an orderly fashion a high-ranking police official makes a short explanatory statement that the two girls who had been executed were members of SFT (Students for Free Thought).
"People of the University of Kansas," he yelps, in a drawn nasal tone. "You have been brought to this institution at the generosity of the state. As your new coordinator I will serve as your representative in all matters, academic or otherwise."
Two girls in the very back rows attempt to raise a small red, white and blue banner, but are immediately arrested and tried by security police. Some of the students in close proximity pretend not to hear the shots behind New Robinson. The Coordinator drones on, ignoring the disturbance. "And furthermore any resistance to the regulations of the University or laws of the state will not be tolerated. But I do not want to give you the impression that you are not free to study and learn as individuals. I have gone so far as to institute a new course, LAS 100-Individual Duty to the State." Most of the students are awed and grateful. They had been expecting a stern Coordinator, such as the ones at Harvard and Mizzou.
Frank Sheldon
Kanan Telephone Numbers
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