Ehe Mt ianpt t Seventy-eight years of editorial freedom Edited and managed by students of the University of Michigan School Endorsements: Board Candidates 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Mich. News Phone: 764-0552 Editorials printed in The Michigan Doily express the individual opinions of staff writers or the editors. This must be noted in all reprints. 4 I FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1969 NIGHT EDITOR: JOEL BLOCK Nixon at Colorado Springs... "THE AGGRESSORS in this world are not going to give the United States a period of grace in which to put our do- mestic house in order - just as the crisis in our society cannot be put on a back burner until we resolve the problem of Vietnam." Yes, play it again Sam. We have a Pres- ident whose logical abilities are not yet fully developed. Mr. Nixon is affirming his critics' belief that he does not possess the capacity to bring our house to order, and, that it will be a mess for quite a while- His commencement address at the Air Force Academy Wednesday brings f e w surprises. He is intent, of course, upon continuing the Ruskian brand of foreign policy. You know, the empty phrases and tired cliches: a continued emphasis upon the "honoring" of American commit- ments abroad (what about at home?); the portrait of an international Communist monolith ever-anxious to exploit t h e slightest weakness among the "free world;" no possible reconciliation w i t h the Soviet Union until Communist aggres- sion in Southeast Asia ends (did the Rus- sians send volunteers?); and, finally, a very firm insistence upon continuing de- fense spending lest the smallest budget- ary cut bring nuclear devastation. After all, our destiny demands that America take no respite from making the world over in our'own ugly image. HIS SPEECH reveals a politician heavily committed to the art of rhetoric - senseless verbiage really - whose o n 1 y utility derives from the fact that it may very well prevent the common man and the suburb people from seeing his wide- spread logical errors, his tendency to skirt he subject in question, and his con- fused, muddled thinking. However, Mr. Nixon undoubtedly feels that the demagogic charisma of John F. Kennedy defeated h i m in 1960 and is making every attempt to become one in his own right. Hence, the old homilies, clinched-rhetoric, and d u11 dogma are paraded before our eyes in order that we might better appreciate the intense bur- dens our valient leader carries upon his shoulders. And you think Portnoy suf- fered? Mr. Nixon straightfordwardly a s k s what "America's role in the world" shall be, "what responsibilities of a great na- tion toward protecting freedom beyond its shores are," and whether "we can ever be left in peace if we do not actively as- sume the burden of keeping the peace' (nothing more t h a n comic-book melo- drama and suspense), only to discredit dissent and despair as a weariness of the f0. ON SUNDAY President Nixon journeys to Midway Island in the Pacific for a "peace" conference with President Thieu. It is not yet clear what is the exact pur- pose of Nixon's meeting with Thieu. Some believe that the meeting is mere- ly a good-will mission to keep Thieu in line with the eight-point American peace plan. But there are others who tell us administration sources have been hinting that Nixon's visit is to inform Thieu of our intentions to withdraw 50,000 Ameri- can troops in the near future. Either way, the meeting is likely to contribute little to a quick end to the Vietnam war. Past conferences in the Pacific attend- e4 by Nixon's predecessor have been nothing m o r e than political gimmicks. Johnson went to Honolulu in 1965 to take the spotlight off Fulbright and to Manila, in 1966 to convince the folks that their, President was doing everything in his power to advance the cause of peace.- Nixon's visit appears to be one of these grandstand efforts - like his European trip - to attract publicity that is both plentiful and favorable. JUNKET TOURS to the Pacific staged in{ the interest of theatrical diplomacy do not constitute movement toward peace.{ After Thieu's trenchant remarks in Ko- rea that he will "never" accept a coalition government, there seems to be little rea- son to confer with him now. The problem t in Vietnam is not lack of communication.j On the contrary, our position and Thieu'si position are too clear -and too similar.E The very fact that Nixon finds it nees-i "weight of free world leadership that fell upon us in the wake of World War II" His image of the world political struggle tells him that if America were to become a "dropout in assuming the responsibility for defending peace and freedom in the world . . . thekind of peace that suffo- cated freedom in Czechoslovakia would settle over this planet." The Russians aren't going to like that, for they made this deal (tacit consent is the same as the shaking of hands) with the West that they'd respect our sphere if we'd respect theirs. Hence, no Russian troops in Vietnam. However, Mr. Nixon's "hard-line" raises high the ugly specter of isolationism (the concept we were all taught in school that brought about World War II) in order to bring us "for- ward together." REPRESENTATIVE Gerald Ford stalked into the political arena with the very same sort of speech a few weeks back, telling us that critics of ABM and of the military were seeking to disarm t h e country, t h a t isolationism would bring damnation and ruin. Mr. Ford, you may recall, scrambled back to his comforting House cronies, tail between 1 e g s, after even Ev Dirksen dismissed that approach as less than the truth. Apparently Mr. Nixon has the courage to disregard, a busted "trial balloon" in order to present his "urgently needed" conception of the national interest, and hence, g a v e this speech, informing the blind unwitting dupes that we are, how it really is., You see, Mr. Nixon will not sacrifice his paranoic need for defensive security (ABM) for the wise political recognition that he will lose what little credence he now possesses if ABM is shoved down the throats of the Senate. This much is clear. "One school of though holds," he told us Wednesday, "that the road to under- standing with the Soviet Union and Com- munist China lies through a downgrad- ing of our own alliances and what amounts to a unilateral reduction of our arms in order to demonstrate our good faith." Since when does not building the ABM lead to unilateral disarmament? Even if it were, after Vietnam we des- perately need to show to t h e world as many acts of good will (devoid of good 'ole' American paternalism) as we can. "It is open season on the armed forces," he cynically ,tells us. So be it. Let it also be open season on fools that through na- tional prostration and accident have come to enjoy the levers of power. -DREW BOGEMA and at Midway block to peace: that Nixon still regards the Thieu regime as the legitimate gov- ernment in Vietnam. It is impossible toI express our support for free elections in Vietnam when we continue to regard the Thieu-Ky clique as legitimate. Diplomatic gestures of goodwill a n d statements of purpose for Vietnamese self-determina- tion are meaningless as long as we con- tinue to support a disreputable, authori- tarian regime that has made it perfectly clear that its intentions are not peace or self-determination - but self-perpetua- tion. THERE HAS BEEN no change in the at- titude and policies that led to our ad- ventures in Vietnam. Nixon s t i11 sees America intervention as justified, as a war necessary to c h e c k the spread of communism and to make good our global commitments. Without a fundamental revision of these basic assumptions un- derlying our foreign policy, there can be little hope for a rapid a n d permanent peace. Most of the efforts of the Nixon admin- istration have not been directed to find- ing a settlement to the war. Nixon seems content to search for a level that the war can be reduced so it is no longer finan- cially and politically detrimental to his administration. It is only necessary to look to the state- ments of Melvin Laird to see the tragic unconcern for a quick settlement of the war. When Laird announced a reduction in B-52 raids in Vietnam, he quickly add- ed that they could be resumed if budget inrrancP.- n m ,.thrnfo hci orl .4 James Anderson, Jr. Henry Johnson James Anderson Jr. not only has excellent qualifica- tions to serve on the Board of Education, but he has a clear vision of what must be done to improve the school system and how the system's resources can better be used. Anderson understands both the necessity and diffi- culties of financing the school system and supports the 6.67 mill proposal and the bonding issue for a new jun- ior high school. However, Anderson also realizes that tax reform and responsible budgeting by administrators are necessary along with increased funding. He favors. establishment of a broader tax base in Ann Arbor and increased state aid to schools. Recognizing the responsibility the school system has for all students. Anderson acknowledges the need for vocational education classes within the system. He in- sists, however, that programs not bind a student into one curriculum but allow him to move between the vocation- al and more academically oriented lasses. A former chairman of the Human Relations Commis- sion and chairman of its education committee, Anderson recognizes the importance of developing black studies courses throughout the entire system. He is aware that one hour or one week programs scattered throughout the school year are inadequate and ineffective. Although somewhat cautious in his willingness to let at least high school students have more say in their aca- demic life, Anderson believes school authorities "must recognize the contributions made by students and give them an opportunity to participate in decision making." Other candidates: Henry Johnson, currently the director of group care and counseling at W. J. Maxey Boys' Training School in Whitmore Lake, can bring to the Ann Arbor Board of Education the important understanding of student needs and how they should be met. Johnson would like to see student input into the school board and increased student involvement in cur- riculum planning. He also favors establishing a system that would permit teachers to vary from traditional class room procedures to meet the needs of each student. Supporting the 6.67 mill proposal, Johnson acknow- ledgesthat increased funding is necessary to maintain the present quality of Ann Arbor's educational system. To improve the school system, Johnson says more pro- grams aimed specifically at mentally and physically handicapped students are needed. Vocational education programs should continue, Johnson adds, but he believes more competent counselors and progrram administra- tors must be hired to change the negative psychological attitude -which surrounds the existing program. Although Johnson favors the inclusion of black studies in school curricula, he says he would prefer to see black contributions to America included in standard history books. He believes the present sex education program is beneficial and should be continued. Calling the police in student protests is "an abdica- tion of responsibility, on the part of school administra- tors," Johnson says. No student should be suspended for causing disruption if he has a valid grievance, he maintains. Dr. Ronald Bishop Dr. Ronald C. Bishop, chief of services at the Veterans Administration Hospital and professor of internal medi- cine, understands the responsibilities of school ad- ministrators to maintain effective educational programs in Anh Arbor and to utilize the systems' resources. Although Bishop is not inclined to seek educational innovations, he' does acknowledge the need to support the bonding issue and the two millage proposals neces- sary to improve school facilities. Supporting the present sex education program, Bishop would like to see it developed further in all elementary schools. In addition, he believes vocational programs should be hired to help students make the best pos- sible curriculum choices. "We have to ,make vocational education worth doing," Bishop says. In favor of black studies programs that are offered to all students, Bishop feels these programs can 'en= courage academic segregation if only black students en- roll. He believes more should be done to regular history courses to make specialized courses unnecessary. The education process "needsd some sort of ordered environment," Bishop says. Somewhat cool to student power, he believes students should have a say in their academic life, but, he strongly believes the board is re- sponsible for maintaining an ordered academic environ- ment. Bishop believes there must be some means of punish- ment for rule breaking, but "I don't think suspension is the best way," he says. Bishop is emphatically opposed to academic punishment, and would like to see student grievances heard before any punitive action can be taken. 4 A Mary Jane Shoultz One must question the sincerity of Mrs. Mary Jane Shoultz's candidacy. Basing her campaign against "literacy" and against "slave training" in schools, Mrs. Shoultz favors including the "five f's" in the curriculum-Philosophy, Psy- chology, Poetry, Phenomenology, and French- instead of the "three R's." Mrs. Shoultz has some good, innovative ideas. She strongly believes in allowing students at every educational level to express themselves more freely in learning situations. She believes students must be equally valued and not sub- jected to any grading scales. Presently a consultant with the University's Child Development Consultant Project and a former director of WRAND Day Care Center in Willow Run, Mrs. ,Shoultz has excellent cre- dentials for the board. Despite her background, however, Mrs. Shoultz seems to be a victim of her own rhetoric. She is unable at times to pin down what she means by "literacy," what she means by slave training ,and what she would do either within the present school system or in an entirely new one, to implement her futuristic ideas. Cecil Warner is running for the Ann Arbor Board of Education on a platform of law and order, preservation of the system, and respon- sibility to the public. He has no ideas that would improve the educational system, and he has quite a few that could be detrimental. Warner opposes the 6.67 mill proposal, claim- ing Ann Arbor's "quality education" can be maintained without increased funds despite op- posite claims by school officials. Elementary French is the only program which would have to be eliminated, he says. Warner believes the first responsibility of a school official is to maintain the order neces- sary for the proper functioning of the system. In case of a disruption in a high school, he says he would call the police immediately. "That's what they're there for," Warner explains. Warner is not opposed to black studies pro- grams but he contends that black students need basic skills first-"the three R's-to achieve self-respect." Ivan Kemp shys away from innovation in the educational process, and concentrates instead on streamlining the school system. Kemp opposes the 6.67 mill proposal, claiming small increases in class sizes and discontinuing the elementary French program would eliminate the need for extra funds. He also believes ex- penses can be cut by hiring more clerical work- ers and redefining the teacher's role. Kemp strongly opposes the sex education program in elementary schools. "Moral stan- dards," he says, "cannot be separated from sex John Cruz, a bachelor, is running for the board of education to win representation for the left-out residents of Ann Arbor. Although this is a commendable goal, Cruz seems to have an insufficient :knowledge of the workings of the Ann Arbor school system to be an effective board member. Cruz says the board has consistantly been composed of "married men with children which seems to be the necessary prerequisite." He would like representation for people without children like himself and for senior citizens "who have already done their part." The prime thrust of Cruz's campaign em- phasizes tax reform and financial responsibility by administrators. Cruz believes, for example, that senior citizens should be given tax relief. Cruz favors improving vocational education programs and improving methods for giving students a choice between curricula. He also would like to see the current sex education pro- gram continued. Yet Cruz is presently unwilling to support the millage proposal administrators say is cru- cial to fund these programs. John Schneider is an interested, taxpaying citizen running for the Board of Education as the "power to the people" candidate. Unfor- tunately, though, Schneider lacks a deep enough undeistanding of essential problems in the school system to by an effective board member. Opposing the 6.67 mill resolution, Schneider says the school system can get along with 3.37 mill assessment, a renewal of current millage. Schneider says taxpayers ."are tired of stories" that present a need for increased funding. Schneider believes that vocational education programs should be continued, but does not see the need to provide more highly trained coun- selors to advise students on the best curriculum choice. Contrary to some students' contentions, he maintains that no students have ever been pushed into vocational programs in Ann Arbor. "They've had to fight to get in," he claims. Reluctant to give students any say in aca- demic matters, Schneider says students are not capable of making such decisions. "If they are capable," he says, "they should be the teachers." A. Gerald Gottleib would like to run the Ann Arbor school system like an industry. His man- agerial approach calls for a highly structured educational system in which "the teacher knows what she is expected to teach, and the child knows that he is expected to learn." The ostensible result of Gottleib's approach would be the complete suppression ,f students' ideas. Gootleib would give high school students no say in their own curriculum planning. He believes a wide choice of electives should be available, but he claims anything beyond this could jeopardize students' basic training. John Cruz A 4 Cecil Warner John Schneider I , .: . I i i