Tuesday, March 3, 1964 University Daily Kansan
Page 3
The People Say: Military Ball Furor Continues
Ball Betrays Military
Editor:
On a campus of 12,000 students it is hardly surprising that there is a divergence of opinion on basic social, moral, and economic issues. And on a campus with a vigorous ROTC program it is difficult to imagine any criticism of that program without swift rebuttals. Therefore Mr. Traylor's letter came as little surprise in addition to the many verbal comments that have reached me in regard to my letter last Wednesday.
The fact that I consider war and therefore military forces immoral was not exactly the central thesis of my original letter. My principal objection to our ROTC program, as given in my letter, was the occurrence of the military ball which is extremely deceptive in appearance. The comparative morality of nationalized killing is not at stake here — the fact remains that the ball is in no way related to the function of the ROTC program or the military in general except as a social "extra" that helps make the program more attractive to both present and prospective members. Thus the ball, being so overwhelmingly deceptive, should not be held under its present auspices.
Editor Editors
It is virtually impossible to debate the actual value of the military on this or any other campus. When any discussion about such a program is initiated, the local military leaders immediately jump to its defense by affirming what to them are the self-evident basic truths about the need for a military force. I don't propose to have the absolutely correct alternative to the military, but I feel that this is an area which could be successfully explored.
editor Roy Leta Cor-
nager tising tising Mgr.
As of now the members of the ROTC program at KU appear to be unwilling to look at any other possibilities for order in the world and thus a true discussion of the military in general and the ROTC program in particular with one of its members reminds me somewhat of trying to run a race with a man on a different track. It can't be done very successfully.
I continue to maintain that the military ball is a deceptive function, betraying the true nature of the military forces, and that it has no place on this campus under its current auspices.
Tim Miller Wichita junior
Irrational-Immoral
I. too, would like to voice my opinion of the ROTC program. Mr. Miller suggested that it was time to discuss and evaluate the purposes of the annual Military Ball. I would like to carry his evaluation a little further.
Personally, I have nothing against the military ball itself. Likewise, I understand the so-called "necessity" of preliminary military programs. My main objection is the general grounds upon which many college men are drawn into the ROTC program.
Who has not read the signs which imply that the service is glory, honor, prestige, money, and an easy way to see the world? The reasons many boys give for joining ROTC are financial need, desire to enter the service with office, and (unadmittedly) a psychological need for prestige and togetherness. These all appear to be valid reasons.
BUT WHY laud the man who can put his gun together in twenty seconds flat? That gun is a weapon—not a toy. Why draw pictures of fancy officer's clubs, flying for fun and money, beautiful women being attracted to uniforms? War is dirt and blood and guts.
The primary purpose of ROTC and military units is to organize with precision and perfection an undefeatable, lethal unit of humanity whose main goal is to obliterate some other segment of humanity.
We all agree that war is bad. We must all agree that under the circumstances, some wars have seemed necessary. But the real problem is the circumstance. War is preventable.
If ROTC can draw men into its ranks with the honest, forthright presentation of facts—the facts that war is hell and that peace is possible—with a clear concept of not
only war, but also its alternatives—then I say okey.
If ROTC cannot build its ranks honestly, then I suggest that it is time each and every one of us made an honest evaluation of the situation for ourselves.
Marion Gray Kansas City sophomore
Not Murderers
The letter appearing last week which discredited the ROTC program serves merely to illustrate its author's ignorance of the true purpose and function of both the ROTC and the armed forces, as well as his gross misconception of the relationship between the military establishment and our society.
ROTC cadets are not apprentice murderers. They are young men interested in safeguarding the security of their country by active participation in their nation's defense program. They are taught the principles of leadership which keep our defense efforts operating smoothly, and thereby maintain the independence and well-being of this country.
Before criticizing their participation in the ROTC program, it would have been well for the author of the letter to have considered the position of the ROTC cadets were our country attacked by an enemy. In such a case, by defending the country as officers in the armed forces, they would be voluntarily placing their lives in jeopardy on the nation's behalf. The author is evidently unaware of this.
The essential question here is not whether the military establishment is good for the society, but, can the society do without it? One of the conditions necessary for the maintenance of an independent society is that it be able to prevent its absorption into a larger or more powerful society. How long could the U.S. survive as an independent nation without a system of defense against Russia or Red China? Will an alternative method of preserving our national integrity suggest itself? I think not.
Unwritten Rules
Patrick J. Neuman Oklahoma City junior
KU Student Court ruled this week that students cannot park cars on the white markings of parking stalls under campus jurisdiction.
The white lines are 'no man's land' as far as the court is concerned. Once one tire is parked on a portion of the white stall markers, you are breaking an unpublished law and are subject to a blue ticket if a campus policeman discovers your dreadful sin.
At least two cases before the court were ruled guilty because the person had allowed one of the tires of his automobile to rest on a white line.
Ignorance of such rules is no defense, even if the only parking place left causes you to park with part of one wheel on a white stall line. You are guilty, knowingly or not, and may well be subject to a regular traffic ticket.
White-line violation is just one of the regulations not listed in "Parking and Traffic Regulations."
which is the only list of car rules available to students.
All of the court's unlisted car rules are not known, just this one to date. It is hoped for the economy and "safety" of the 65 percent of the student body that register automobiles at KU that said students may some day learn all the rules that apply to car-driving students.
Revising the car handbook might be suggested for the "safety" of the students.
T. S. Moore McAllen, Tex., sophomore
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