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Student protests, 1969
1969-10-15 ""The New Prairie Primer"" Page 13
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New Prairie Primer, October 15, 1969, Page 13 attend this festival because I felt that rather than be declining or withdrawing, I could make a stronger point by standing in the White House--- I would hope in the presence of the President-- and reading from a work of mine entitled Hiroshima Robert Bly/ James Dickey Bly. When Mr. Dickey visits college campuses for readings, he makes clear his wholehearted support for the Vietnam war. Edward Albee/Arthur Miller Q: And what do you think of Arthur Miller's recent refusal to come to the White House because of his disagreement with the President's policy on Vietnam? Albee: Oh, if he's shut up, he might write better Truman Capote/ Robert Lowell Capote: Robert Lowell is a friend of mine and I have the greatest respect for him as a man and as an artist, but I think he was mistaken to publicly announce what by any standard of good manners should have been a privately conveyed regret. William Inge/ Arthur Miller Q: Do you have any particular feeling about Arthur Miller's refusal to go to the White House? Inge: Do you mean Robert Lowell? Q: No, I mean Arthur Miller has also come out against the Vietnam policy... Inge: I have often wondered about Vietnam, and I honestly don't know what to think. I don't know if I know enough as an individual to form an opinion. One day I will think we should be out of there, and another day I think, well maybe we shouldn't. Norman Mailer/Norman Mailer Mailer: You see, my fellow Americans , it is Sunday, and we are burning the body and blood of Christ in Vietnam. Yes we are burning him there, and as we do, we destroy the foundations of this Republic, which is love and trust in Christ Mailer on Mailer: He was silent. Wow A Washington Post reporter on Mailer: Mailer is a Jew. John Updike/Norman Mailer Updike: Unlike Mailer and Bellow, I don't have much itch to pronounce on great matters. William Buckley, Jr. A Buckley admirer: Say something profound Bill! Buckley: These (Vietnam critics) are men whose patriotism isn't exactly in question, but whose arguments against our involvement in South Vietnam have so obsessed them that they cannot stand aside with the detachment necessary to recognize that for all intents and purposes they have become arguments for a victory of the Vietcong. Terry Southern I should think (that for a United States' Bicentennial in 1976) the most appropriate commemorative, under present circumstances, might be a gigantic memorial wrought of concrete, shit, and blood -- representing the battle of David and Goliath. While the work is still in drawing board stage, we must keep in mind the two possible outcomes of the (Vietnam) conflict -- and closely follow the Paris peace talks and the body count bulletins from Saigon, in trying to anticipate the winner. But, in any case, we will certiainly know which of the two contenders should be dressed in the Stars and Stripes,forever. John Steinbeck I am against this Chinese-inspired war. I don't know a single American who is for it. But.... you ask me to denounce half a war, our half. I appeal to you to join me in denouncing the whole war. Allen Ginsberg But travelling in countries like Cuba and Vietnam I realize that the people that get the real evil side effects of America are there -- in other words, it really is like imperialism, in that sense.. The general idea of revolution against American idiocv is good... and I guess ruthless imperialism of the U.S.S.R. with the earnest and unselfish assistance extended by the U.S.A. to nations in distress. Noam Chomsky Three years have passed since America intervention in a civil war in Vietnam was converted into a colonial war of the classic type. Paul Goodman We claim that we have no imperialist aims in Vietnam -- though we are building air bases of some very heavy concrete and steel. " DID ANYONE EVER TELL YOU, YOU TALK LIKE A COMMIE?" R.COBB John Dos Passos (Our politicians) don't dare make the rational estimate of the operation of Russian or Communist imperialism needed to understand the situation in Vietnam for fear someone will raise the old scarecrow of that other McCarthy Arthur Miller (McCarthyism is) part of a paranoia which we haven't escaped yet. Good God, people still give their lives for it; look what we're doing in the Pacific Mary McCarthy "The Vietnamese must choose for themselves, " the Americans repeat, having done their best to deprive them of the power of choice during thirteen years of American military assistance that slowly turned into a full scale American invasion -- there is no other word for it. The Americans pretend that this was something forced on them; in reality, it was forced on the Vietnamese, as is clear from the low morale of their troops. "They just don't want to fight," American officers say with an air of puzzlement. If the Vietnamese want to be rid of the Americans, they must turn toward the NLF -- a hard decision for some French educated idealists, who, despite their experience with the American brand as an export product, still have hopes for democracy. Staughton Lynd May I inquire why it is immoral to desire a Vietcong victory? I had thought that, just as during the American Revolution there were many Englishmen who hoped for a victory by the American colonists, so it would be only natural to expect that some sincere opponents of the Vietnam War should actively sympathize with the National Liberation Front. Dwight MacDonald ( I think Dean Rusk is an) idiot, (but) Ho Chi Minh doesn't turn me on either. Harrison Salisbury There was no one is Asia -- myself included-- who could see that the United States had taken effective steps toward erecting a strong, politically stable government in Vietnam. Indeed, I felt that when the fighting ended on the battlefield the shaky pseudo government of South Vietnam would simply collapse. David Halberstam No one becomes a reporter to make friends, but neither is it pleasant in a situation like the war in Vietnam to find yourself completely at odds with the views of the highest officials of your country. Irving Howe, Bayard Rustin, Michael Harrington, Lewis Cozer, and Penn Kimble We believe that the present United States policy in Vietnam is morally and politically disastrous. Truman Capote I think both sides, Hanoi and Washington, are terribly, tragically wrong. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. I have told my sons that they are not under any circumstances to take part in massacres, and that the news of massacres of enemies is not to fill them with satisfaction or glee. Walter Lippman I cannot help feeling that a display of common sense by a proud and imperious nation would be a good moral investment for the future. Lawrence Ferlinghetti And to any and all who kill & kill & kill for Peace I raise my middle finger In the only proper salute. THINGS and THINGS and THINGS Iowa City DRAFT COUNSELING Draft Information 204 Dev Building, Iowa City Blackhawk Draft Info Center, 818 Seerley Blvd, Cedar Falls American Friends Service Committee, 4211 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Ia Iowa State Draft Center Memorial Union, ISU Grinnelll Information Center Grinnell, Iowa Drugs Sundries Berg's College Drug Toiletries Cosmetics.
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New Prairie Primer, October 15, 1969, Page 13 attend this festival because I felt that rather than be declining or withdrawing, I could make a stronger point by standing in the White House--- I would hope in the presence of the President-- and reading from a work of mine entitled Hiroshima Robert Bly/ James Dickey Bly. When Mr. Dickey visits college campuses for readings, he makes clear his wholehearted support for the Vietnam war. Edward Albee/Arthur Miller Q: And what do you think of Arthur Miller's recent refusal to come to the White House because of his disagreement with the President's policy on Vietnam? Albee: Oh, if he's shut up, he might write better Truman Capote/ Robert Lowell Capote: Robert Lowell is a friend of mine and I have the greatest respect for him as a man and as an artist, but I think he was mistaken to publicly announce what by any standard of good manners should have been a privately conveyed regret. William Inge/ Arthur Miller Q: Do you have any particular feeling about Arthur Miller's refusal to go to the White House? Inge: Do you mean Robert Lowell? Q: No, I mean Arthur Miller has also come out against the Vietnam policy... Inge: I have often wondered about Vietnam, and I honestly don't know what to think. I don't know if I know enough as an individual to form an opinion. One day I will think we should be out of there, and another day I think, well maybe we shouldn't. Norman Mailer/Norman Mailer Mailer: You see, my fellow Americans , it is Sunday, and we are burning the body and blood of Christ in Vietnam. Yes we are burning him there, and as we do, we destroy the foundations of this Republic, which is love and trust in Christ Mailer on Mailer: He was silent. Wow A Washington Post reporter on Mailer: Mailer is a Jew. John Updike/Norman Mailer Updike: Unlike Mailer and Bellow, I don't have much itch to pronounce on great matters. William Buckley, Jr. A Buckley admirer: Say something profound Bill! Buckley: These (Vietnam critics) are men whose patriotism isn't exactly in question, but whose arguments against our involvement in South Vietnam have so obsessed them that they cannot stand aside with the detachment necessary to recognize that for all intents and purposes they have become arguments for a victory of the Vietcong. Terry Southern I should think (that for a United States' Bicentennial in 1976) the most appropriate commemorative, under present circumstances, might be a gigantic memorial wrought of concrete, shit, and blood -- representing the battle of David and Goliath. While the work is still in drawing board stage, we must keep in mind the two possible outcomes of the (Vietnam) conflict -- and closely follow the Paris peace talks and the body count bulletins from Saigon, in trying to anticipate the winner. But, in any case, we will certiainly know which of the two contenders should be dressed in the Stars and Stripes,forever. John Steinbeck I am against this Chinese-inspired war. I don't know a single American who is for it. But.... you ask me to denounce half a war, our half. I appeal to you to join me in denouncing the whole war. Allen Ginsberg But travelling in countries like Cuba and Vietnam I realize that the people that get the real evil side effects of America are there -- in other words, it really is like imperialism, in that sense.. The general idea of revolution against American idiocv is good... and I guess ruthless imperialism of the U.S.S.R. with the earnest and unselfish assistance extended by the U.S.A. to nations in distress. Noam Chomsky Three years have passed since America intervention in a civil war in Vietnam was converted into a colonial war of the classic type. Paul Goodman We claim that we have no imperialist aims in Vietnam -- though we are building air bases of some very heavy concrete and steel. " DID ANYONE EVER TELL YOU, YOU TALK LIKE A COMMIE?" R.COBB John Dos Passos (Our politicians) don't dare make the rational estimate of the operation of Russian or Communist imperialism needed to understand the situation in Vietnam for fear someone will raise the old scarecrow of that other McCarthy Arthur Miller (McCarthyism is) part of a paranoia which we haven't escaped yet. Good God, people still give their lives for it; look what we're doing in the Pacific Mary McCarthy "The Vietnamese must choose for themselves, " the Americans repeat, having done their best to deprive them of the power of choice during thirteen years of American military assistance that slowly turned into a full scale American invasion -- there is no other word for it. The Americans pretend that this was something forced on them; in reality, it was forced on the Vietnamese, as is clear from the low morale of their troops. "They just don't want to fight," American officers say with an air of puzzlement. If the Vietnamese want to be rid of the Americans, they must turn toward the NLF -- a hard decision for some French educated idealists, who, despite their experience with the American brand as an export product, still have hopes for democracy. Staughton Lynd May I inquire why it is immoral to desire a Vietcong victory? I had thought that, just as during the American Revolution there were many Englishmen who hoped for a victory by the American colonists, so it would be only natural to expect that some sincere opponents of the Vietnam War should actively sympathize with the National Liberation Front. Dwight MacDonald ( I think Dean Rusk is an) idiot, (but) Ho Chi Minh doesn't turn me on either. Harrison Salisbury There was no one is Asia -- myself included-- who could see that the United States had taken effective steps toward erecting a strong, politically stable government in Vietnam. Indeed, I felt that when the fighting ended on the battlefield the shaky pseudo government of South Vietnam would simply collapse. David Halberstam No one becomes a reporter to make friends, but neither is it pleasant in a situation like the war in Vietnam to find yourself completely at odds with the views of the highest officials of your country. Irving Howe, Bayard Rustin, Michael Harrington, Lewis Cozer, and Penn Kimble We believe that the present United States policy in Vietnam is morally and politically disastrous. Truman Capote I think both sides, Hanoi and Washington, are terribly, tragically wrong. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. I have told my sons that they are not under any circumstances to take part in massacres, and that the news of massacres of enemies is not to fill them with satisfaction or glee. Walter Lippman I cannot help feeling that a display of common sense by a proud and imperious nation would be a good moral investment for the future. Lawrence Ferlinghetti And to any and all who kill & kill & kill for Peace I raise my middle finger In the only proper salute. THINGS and THINGS and THINGS Iowa City DRAFT COUNSELING Draft Information 204 Dev Building, Iowa City Blackhawk Draft Info Center, 818 Seerley Blvd, Cedar Falls American Friends Service Committee, 4211 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Ia Iowa State Draft Center Memorial Union, ISU Grinnelll Information Center Grinnell, Iowa Drugs Sundries Berg's College Drug Toiletries Cosmetics.
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