When Vice-President Spiro Agnew made his celebrated November speech attacking
the television industry, experts speculated that the talk was indicative
of things to come. Four and a half months have not only proved the experts
correct but time has added new dimensions to the administration's position.
Since November, the executive branch of our government, with Mr. Agnew carrying the torch, has persisted in its attacks on the entire news media and on practically anyone who dares to disagree with its policy. It has now become evident that the administration's attacks are on' the truth itself.
In President Nixon's November 3 foreign policy speech, lie said, "I believe that one of the reasons for the deep division about Vietnam is that many Americans have lost confidence in what their government has told them about our policy. The American people cannot and should not be asked to support a policy which involves the overriding issues of war and peace, unless they know the truth about that policy."
That statement could have been better left unsaid. Nixon has not only failed to close the credibility gap but has substantially widened it.
While claiming credit for de-escalating the Vietnam war it has escalated the war in Laos and refuses to release the facts about it. Senator George McGovern's claim that bombing in Laos has equaled the air attacks on North Vietnam have gone unanswered.
Republican Senator Mathias of Maryland admitted on national television March 1st that Congress gets a frightening amount of its information from the press because of executive "secrecy." Not more than a month ago, a political prisoner in South Vietnam was sentenced without trial to a 20-year jail sentence for opposing President Thieu. Not until the news media publicized the situation was the man in question granted a trial. The press reported the incident despite government intimidation.
Mr. Leon Panetta's "resignation" from HEW's school integration department makes it clear that administrative "secrecy" has gone beyond foreign affairs. While the courts are saying one thing, the nation executives are obviously thinking another.
President Nixon is confident that what the public doesn't know won't hurt them. It's beginning to be painful, Mr. President.
While Student Council performs many worthwhile projects during the year (dances, pageants, spirit, etc.), it has been virtually inactive in striving to improve the actual educational processes of the school. Student demonstrations around the nation for more say-so in their education are not merely passing fancies. It is the opinion here that Student Council can and should provide Gradyites a greater voice in their education.
About this time last year, speculations centered around a Student-Faculty board. Although this program never materialized, we maintain that this is a step in the right direction.
One should not consider it such a "radical" idea for a student panel to help form the year's curriculum. This is perhaps the best answer to the complaint that education lacks relevancy.
Student Council has never before ventured into the field of education. The SOUTHERNER feels the time is now and hope that our new co-presidents will agree.