Page 4-Friday. July 7, 1978-The Michigan Daily
michigan DAILY
Eighty-eight Years of Editorial Freedom
420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Mi. 48109
Vol. LXXXVIII, No. 38-S News Phone: 764-0552
Friday, July 7, 1978
Edited and managed by students
at the University of Michigan
RIMN guilty a ever
W HEN RICHARD NIXON resigned nearly
four years ago, many argued that the
former president had already suffered too much
humiliation to justify the public agony of a spec-
tacular Nixon trial. Since Gerald Ford reckoned
this way, Nixon went free.
Unlike his former associates, the 65-year-old
chief-executive-turned-author came out of
Watergate with a record fairly clean of criminal
activities. Thus he has been free to lay a much
greater claim to honesty then he probably deser-
ves.
But until last Sunday it could at least be said
that Nixon was staying a respectful distance
from microphones and cameras, unless someone
was offering him a bundle of money for his time.
It was last Sunday that amnesty came back to
haunt us.
An enthusuastic crowd of 4,000 in Hyden, Ken-
tucky enjoyed a speech that, according to the
United Press, "at times had the sound of a foot-
ball rally and ... was repeatedly interrupted
with shouts of approval from a loyal crowd."
Nixon certainly ought to be judged as a former
public official and his supporters undoubtedly
feel they have reason to cheer his past accom-
plishments and current theories. Nixon, fur-
thermore, has the right to go where he pleases
and to damn the Soviets with all his might.
What troubles us is that Nixon may beon his
way to martyrdom. We feared the public might
absolve Nixon of the crimes for which he was
never convicted, blaming the scandal-happy
press for scooping him out of office.
We are not expressing regret that Nixon
wasn't made to suffer enough, we are only ad-
vocating justice for all and some final answers to
questions raised by the Watergate scandal.
Nixon was guilty, but because he was never
held legally accountable he can still proclaim
his innocence and discredit his accusers with
impunity. His return ton public life reminds us
that the pardon made a mockery of the doctrine
that "all men are equal before the law."
Carter must guide
a purposeless U. S.
By Michael Arkush
The rocket's red glare, bombs'
bursting in air. The slices of ap-
ple pie and an afternoon softball,
game - that was the way
America celebrated her 202nd
year last Tuesday. Gorgeous
fireworks displays sparkled
across the land to symbolize the
gaiety of the occasion. The
nation's youth poured out in
throngs to celebrate Independen-
ce Day.
But America has lost its pur-
pose. The nation is torn by
disputes and contradictions in its
policies. In fact, there seems to
have been no American unity sin-
ce the days of Pearl Harbor and
Normandy.
America's purpose has been
lost in such useless conflicts as
Korea, Vietnam, and
Watergate The nation has
had no straight direction since
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
declared war on Japan after the
shocking invasion of Pearl Har-
bor. The theory of containment,
initiated by President Truman to
"keep the commies out" was a
self-destructive way of
prolonging the ultimate. It led to
the death of thousands of
American youths in the bat-
tlefields of Korea and Vietnam.
And it led to the cold war policy of
cautious co-existence with the
Russians.
But after two aimless wars and
a national scandal, America has
still not mended itself to launch a
new and proper pursuit. The
country is directed by a former
peanut farmer who has failed
even to crack the shells of any
serious problems. The am-
bigious, mysterious and
hypocritical candidate, Jimmy
Carter has remained the same af-
ter nearly two years in the Oval
office. Granted, he has managed
to arrange a Panama Canal
treaty and has carefully moved
forward in securing an arms pect
with the Soviets, but the nation is
still bungled up in explosive
domestic and foreign dangers.
Domestically, the nation is still
mired in an economic slump in
which inflation and unem-
ployment are at increasingly
dangerous levels. There is no
Carter refuses to point the
way in american foreign and
domestic policies.
coherent energy policy at a time
when the energy supply is being
rapidly consumed. Prominent
economic experts are bewildered
at the inconsistency in the Carter
administration's economic
proposals. Does the government
consider unemployment or in-
flation as a more serious
problem?
Even more perplexing is the
American foreign policy. It is
even difficult to tell who wields
influence over it. Some say Vance
while others say Brezinski. Some
even look toCronkite.
Concerning the Russians, the
administration has occassionally
demonstrated strong support for
the human rights cause in the
Soviet Union. Carter has praised
the activities of noted physicist
and dissident Andrei Sakharov
and critized the Kremlin for sen-
tencing dissident Yuri Orolv. But
human rights has been placed in
the corner, hidden behind the
crucial goal of disarmament.
Carter has attempted to renew
diplomatic relations with Cuba
while simultaneously chiding the
country for its involvement in
Africa. He has insisted Cuba
played a major role in the Zaire
conflict but maintains total
diplomatic contact. He has been
just too timid to assume a strong
role, always waivering between
the extremes.
In the Middle East, Carter has
been playing his confusing game
in top form. He has castigated the
Israelis for their intransigence
and called for the establishment
of a Palestinian homeland. But
when asked to define
"homeland" he seems unclear as
to whether or not he really means
a recognized Palestinian State.
Both Egypt and Israel are left
puzzling over Carter's intentions.
The middle road politics of the
chief executive have placed all of
America's friends, allies and
citizens in confusion. This
American consensus is reflected
in the latest public opinion poll,
showing only 29 per cent of the
country approve of the way he's
handling the job.
Carter has not followed any
consistent direction in operating
American policy. He has voiced
support for the ideals of
democracy and liberty but his
hypocritical actions have blurred
that goal. America has failed to
keep its role as thespokesman for
democracy. The once-famous
purpose of U.S. policy, which
Woodrow Wilson so frequently
relied upon, that the country
must protect democracy
everywhere has eroded.
America needs an experienced
politician who knows the at-
titudes and objectives of the
public, needs him desperately to
steer the country in a consistent
direction, before America spins
right off the road.
Michael Arkush is a Daily
staff writer and resident Car-
ter critic.
LETTERS TO THE DAILY:
NOW heads for the Capitol
To the Daily:
On Sunday, July 9, thousands of women, men, and
children from all across the country will march on
the U.S. capitol in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate
their support of the Equal Rights Anmendment and
extension of the deadline for ratification of the
Equal Rights Amendment. In a reenactment of the
suffrage marches, marchers will dress in white and
wear tri-color sashes of purple, white and gold
carrying replicas of the early suffrage banners. The
march will be held on the first anniversary of the
death of Alice Paul, the author of the Equal Rights
Amendment of 1923.
The Washtenaw County Chapter of the National
Organization for Women (NOW) is offering char-
tered bus service to the rally leaving An Arbor
Saturday night, July 8, and returning early Monday
morning, July 10. The cost per person is $35.00. Sin-
ce night travel is involved, there will be no lodging
first served basis and can be made by calling the
NOW office at 995-5494 or Iris Fauri at 971-7052.
Checks may be sent to NOW at 1917 Washtenaw,
Ann Arbor 48104. Come and join us as we make
history!
-Harriet Behm, President
Washtenaw County National
Organization for Women
Rally
To The Daily:
I very much enjoyed the Revolutionary Com-
munist Youth Brigade's anti-Bakke rally on the
Diag (last week) - it was a diverting way to spend
one's lunch hour, the weather couldn't have been
better, and the fellow on the skateboard was really
quite good.
-Thomas Mudge