TNT" M1J6 li ~2 THoy F'U) OUT AMP j MP - AM el6E Ve ! "i'W T- .^-./ Yrd 1 [ 4 Fl" s P -A ^ vq.41 0Wf 'f+, J oU (A)HY ' TIQ6N Ac ' UN- IF YOU WTE LOMF 25 L CARE? The Michigan Daily Edited and managed by Students at the University of Michigan Friday, July 2, 1976 News Phone. 764-0552 Letters to The Daily 1 I A ime to forgeon to America' next century r11HE NATION'S SECOND CENTURY is almost over, and it is with the greatest relief that we realize the Bicentennial hoopla is drawing to a close. From license plates to fire hydrants to souvenir glasses to special airline rates to red, white, and blue Chevy Vegas, the Bicentennial stares us in the face at every turn, blinding us with commercial intensity to the values we ought to examine. The two-hundred-year anniversary of the United States is indeed a time for reflection, but the gaudy, tacky celebration about to gasp its last breath has stolen the opportunity the occasion provides. Yet it is not too late. There is still time to applaud what is good in America and pledge ourselves to cor- rect what is bad. At the risk of sounding like some American Legion newsletter, we point out that citizens here have much to be proud of. Despite a government whose arms have reached too far into the privacy and civil rights of many citi- zens, we live nonetheless in a society in which free- dom of speech, religion, travel, and assembly are the highest standards of conduct. We are dismayed again and again by failure of members of the federal execu- tive branch, the legislative branch, the intelligence community, and the private sector to meet those stand- ards, but at least these failures provoke outrage - a reaction far preferable to the apathy and resignation of other nations. BUT SATISFACTION in these things has too often taken the edge off determination to improve our lot. Too many are deprived of the opportunities others enjoy, too often the wealthy have neglected to help the poor. Too many Americans live the misery of the un- employed, too many die from insufficient nutrition and from illegal handguns and from lack of sufficient health care. The sentiment wsilch has been encouraged this Fourth of July seems to be the celebration of what is past, of the country's greatness. Yes, let us take quiet satisfaction in our accomplishments, but the time is nigh for a forging on. Note what is good and press for what is better. The excess energy of the Bicenten- nial should now be channelled to accomplishing what. we will celebrate one hundred years hence. To The Daily: My little twelve-year-old sister waited all year long to visit me at t ful University of Michigan. She g ecstatically at the Michigan Union bu was eager to see the campus, so I cut across the Diag, pointing out t sights. What a harrowing experience first approached by two pathetic-lo handlers who were persistent in obta money from us. Next, my sister was to our beloved Dr. Diag who gave lightening speech on sexuality. A few we encountered a strange flute playe a weird leather mask who eerily ser This was to be out-done by the five youths we somehow picked up under neering Arch who, while making lewd tried to get better acquainted' witho Needless to say, my sister was ter seeing her reaction, I suddenly beta of how much I tolerate while gettin cation here in Ann Arbor. Ann While June 19 To The Daily: In the past few weeks a new p has been added to the Ann Arbor str thing that adds nothing to the cit beauty and charm. With the warm, new breed of men-folk have been ad street scene, men who find great p taunting women passing by. There be no limit as to how explicit these get when expressing their opinions on appearance. Hassle is the name of t When they sit in groups I sometim if they keep score; who can get th actions? Never before have I heart unprintable "compliments used so ing one stroll down State Street. Ut they do not limit themselves to t Car windows serve as another facet o pus-wide sounding board, To speak to them, or to become yell back would be falling into thei only hope is that one or two of t can and do read a newspaper. M will realize how absolutely aggravat sting, belittling, and child-like this su behavior is. M. Friedm June 13 hassled coming together in Philadelphia not to celebrate, but to demonstrate. People from all around the country will be anxiously coming. Vietnam Veterans Against the War (one he wonder- of the groups sponsoring the demonstration) have reeted me had first-hand experience with some of the most is stop and destructive aspects of "American democracy." decided to After being forced or tricked to fight an un- he various just war, they've returned to find no jobs and .iWe were that they have to fight again for their bene- oktng pan- fits. ining some introduced There will also be workers from the Unem- us an en- ployed Workers' Organizing Committee who have steps later been collecting hundreds of thousands of signa- er sporting tures on their petition demanding "Jobs or In- enaded us. come Now!" obnoxious Students, who have been struggling for yea:s the Engi- to end U.S. interference in other countries, and comments, who are trying to make education available in our bodies. lower income and minority people, will also be rified, and there. ame aware Coal miners, who last year walked out 50, g my edu- 000 strong to demand the right to strike and safer conditions, meatcutters from Milwaukee, steelworkers from Washington, autoworkers from Michigan, and many others will be gathering in Philadelphia. We will all be united around the same slo- henomennon gan, "We've Carried the Rich for 200 Years- eets, some- Let's Get Them Off Our Backs!" From the very y's overall beginning the common people of this country weather, a have built up everything and are responsible Ided to the for the tremendous wealth that exists today, but pleasure in for 200 years the rich, from the slave-owning seems to Founding Fathers to the Rockefellers of our age, e men will have run this country. Two of the most glaring a woman's examples of what their rule has meant for the heir game. American people have been the constant ulcer tes wonder of unemployment and the innumerable wars e most re- that have been fought to defend their profits d so many Our response is to demand "Jobs or Income often dur- Now" and to express our determination that nfortunately "We Won't Fight Another Rich Man's War. he streets, if this cam- n July 4th, while the whole world's eyes are focused on Philadelphia, we will be there angry and to reach out to the millions of Americans wh r trap. My will be watching; we can show that there i Iese males a movement of people who are getting together Aaybe they to fight the way thigns are run, that it is possi- , infuri- ble for us to do something about the conditions tinmerntime we face. And, on the 5th, when unemploymeit and inflation go on rising and as our leaders an talk more and more about the possibility of new wars, we will have reached thousands of people with our ideas, and united thousands in action against our common enemy. There will r backs be many battles facing us after the 4th, but out of our organizing, we will be in a much ito its last stronger position for what lies ahead. spent many Join us in Philidelphia. For more informa- red, white tion, call us at 995-8957. e "Land of The Revolutionary Student Brigade paint can't A member of the Rich Off Our Backs- re. And so, July 4th Coalition Rich off ott. To The Daily: The Bicenteninial blitz is going i lap. By July 4th the rich will have millions of dollars trying to paint a and blue picture of life in this, th Opportunity." But a thin coat of cover up conditions as they really a on July 4th, many thousands of peo ple will be July 1