Pasadena Independent from Pasadena, California • Page 15

-Slor-Ntwi vtMMni. inn, uii. nunntiM 'And My Old Man Makes a to Walk a Mile to School Big Thing of His Haying When He Was a Kid Editorial FCC in Another Blunder Public Protected? Crim inal Insanity AN UPSET LADY just left ray office. Her concern was proper because of the traumatic experience she had endured. She runs a shop oh Colorado: Boule-: vard in Pasadena.

Sadly, her experience could have happened in any commercial or residential area in Star-News Coun-, try- Here is her story, slightly paraphrased: "Ah attempted rape of a middle-aged owner and two young married employes one very pregnant took place at her store in broad daylight with heavy foot trafiic and people waiting-at the bus Stop near the front door. "The assailant, a well-dressed, well-spoken Caucasian turned out to have been prematurely released from A' mental institutionHe had previously committed similar attacks. A notebook he left behind, set forth plans for future assaults." Assuming ail the acts are. completely accurate, it is a frightening story with implications which must be carefully examined if our society is not to become a jungle. The lady shop owner strong! believes her experience was caused by "the false economy of reducing funds to state mental institutions, depending instead upon a larger police force for protection.

She says that the "had better find out why those sick committed for crimes of violence are prematurely re' leased time and time again to repeat their odious acts in which they know no boundaries of age, creed or time of day. The lady's, concern should be extended from premature release of violently inclined mental patients to prematurely Murphy or politically active Shirley Temple Black? Nearly all these films were made before any of them, including Ed. Nelson, were running for any political office. And they are all entertainment, speeches or statements of political philosophies. Does the FCC ruling mean that If a candidate for political office is involved in some newsworthy event, such as a crash, court proceeding or public appearance in line with his occupation, that news coverage of the event cannot be shown on television without giving equal time to all his opponents? Muny candidates for various city councils could have a dozen opponents and many of them are in the limelight as educators, judges, police officers, etc.

If by chance they were captured in the events of the day on a television newscast, having nothing to do with their council races, would we have to suffer through talks by a dozen of their opponents on the problems of West Overshoe? A suit against the FCC lias already been filed in Court of Appeals by comedian Pat Paulsen, who was on the ballot for U.S. president in the New Hampshire primary. Because of that activity, he has been barred from television appearances. Paulsen demands that the FCC be prevented from enforcing Its equal time ruling against him. when he makes a "nonpolitical professional appearance." The Star-News has long felt that the equal time ruling in itself is grossly unfair and discriminatory.

These new inci The latest ruling by the Federal Communications Commission on equal time for politicians is one of the more absurd a series of inane rulings on the subject by the commission. The FCC, in all its benumbed glory, has in effect, forced a professional actor, Ed Nelson of San Dimas, out of running for the San Dimas City Council by dictating that television networks must give political opponents of the actor equa time whenever he appears on the tube in any capacity. Nelson appeared in a dramatic role last week. He is scheduled to appear in a major role on NBC on March 20, NBC has said that in light on the newFCC ruling, it cannot screen the two-hour show Nelson appears in if he is a political candidate. Under this pressure.

Nelson dropped out of the San Dimas race in order to preserve his career as an actor. Nelson is up in arms over the FCC ruling, and well he should be. He makes his ir.living as an actor. His playing a role in a has no bearing on his political convictions. He plans to work through the Screen Actors Guild for changes in the FCC policy.

"I would hope that this episode has at least focused attention on this problem 'so that others in my position can participate as first-class citizens in their government in the future," Nelson has stated. We agree completely with him. Candidates such as doctors, lawyers, business- men, ditch diggers, secretaries, waiters or whatever, are not deprived of their right to make a living if they nin for pub- lie office. Why should the door be closed on actors or other persons who make their living, directly or indirectly, in the broadcast industry. If the FCC ruling is to run full course, then are all the movies featuring Gov.

Ronald Reagan to be banned from television unless we watch reruns of old speeches by Jess Unruh or ex-Gov. Pat Brown? And what of the movies which contain performances by ex-Sen. George Readers' David Lawrence dents which see the FCC banning actors from television and preventing them from earning a living proves our point. The equal time ruling should be dropped immediately and firm steps taken to prevent the FCC from humiliating itself any further with any more bumbling 'rulings. The right to run for public office is guaranteed by the U.S Constitution and is one of the cornerstones of our democracy.

It is one of the basic rights which our nation has fought wars to preserve. We must not let this right be abridged by the FCC. Status Quo Tlie foregoing may be tile beglnninf of a long-range effort to do away with alliances and military commitments that have hitherto resulted in international entanglements. It would not be surprising ultimately io find no American ground troops anywhere in Asia but perhaps a naval fleet present in Pacific-waters. Certainly arms-control agreements are often talked about, but lew of them are made.

If tlie Vietnam war is ended and nil military forces of the United States are withdrawn from Asia, tlie expectation would be thai the major powers would not maintain large standing armies in other areas, since tire whole emphasis would be on a peaceful set-up. A5 the nations are reassured concerning America 's intentions to pull back its troops when tensions are relaxed in Asia, surely there will be an clfort made tD do the same with respect to the soldiers that have been kepi in Europe, too. President Niwin's hope is that action of this kind will be taken not only by the government in Peking but by the governments in Moscow and other world capitals so llial Asia and Europe need no longer he regarded as potential territory for big powers to seize. Forum the public to appreciate its collection or.lo tailor the collection to' liiect 1bc aesthetic and educational needs, of the community. MRS.

JANE DE BONO, Pasadena Political Money Tree Mrs. Thomas J. Boner' (Forum, March 3) wrote of the trouble Mr. Itfuskle and other Democratic candidates were having 'in finding (he "money trees." She states that the Demos have not paid the bills carried over from the 1968 election. That, if true, is unfortunate and possibly some sympathy is due the stumbling, and bun-gllng Demos.

But if they have not found out where that' "money tree" Is located, after reading the reports of the last tew days concerning the ITT and our own Justice Deoartmcnt in the present Republican administration, then they should be disqualified on the grounds of dumbness. Neither of- Jhc Justice Deparlmenf officials who Woiildhandle this kind of deal admit lo knowing aiylhing about it. And tlie lofibyist wlio-was the main push in the deal, and who also reported the deal closed, was, alter a vigorous and thorough search, found in a Denver hospital suffering with a heart attack. There will probably be severe headaches throughout the administration in' power at tllis (hue. And me? I fuel a sick lo (lie stomach.

E. SCOTT, El Monte Drug Propaganda The recent report of the blue ribbon committee in New York that heroin addiction and the colossal crime rate be countered by putting the drug 011 prescription also includes mention that Hie British "seemed" to be effective in (heir approach to tlie prebtem. "Soem" is a waffling word. Within their terms of reference, (he British lave been highly successful. Poignancy would have been added to Hie report of the blue ribbon committee if it had noted the fact that large numbers ol the herein addicts in Britain were from North America! I have a suggestion.

Surely if President Nixon can end 2S years of enmity by shaking Mao's hand, of all people, and then bring back acupuncture, why wouldn't tlie president of the AMA go shake the Imnd of 'he president of tlie British Medical Association, ending 23 years of propaganda and misinformation', and Ihen re-Hirn to America with a few more recent ideas than yang and ROY BEGLEY, Sierra Maura Tlie clinical pralessor of psychiatry at George Washington University describes the looting as "due lo an irrational impulse. This is shown by the indiscriminate vandalism. "Tlie origin of what is taken is important. Its value does not matter. "Curiously enough, this behavior does not suggest disrespect.

It is an indication of admiration. "Unfortunately, this is a group phenomenon. Man may behave badly il given the opportunity, and especially so In a group where liis behavior is less ethical and without a trace of restraining guill or self-consciousness, fr is, incidentally, a good thing that hordes of visitors are no longer allowed into the center. The widespread publicity would have increased the vandalism, not reduced it." For 1tiis. the psychoanalyst blames the impulsive, narcissistic behavior that in this country is socially approved.

It is a sport to see how much one con get away with, lo get as muuli as you can, each mail for himself. "Such public behavior would be unthinkable in countries where there I5 more respect for lhe past or far society in general. Here we have no such traditional respect for the past, or even the present." Dr. Chodriff noted 1hat, In Moscow, where there are any humbor of monuments to fho bygone and discredited Czarist days, even the slightest vandalism Is unthinkable. The society would not sland for it, even if these arc relics of a lialcd past.

To touch the least of them would be considered "niekntuniy" a mixture of un-cflUlh and uncultured. 11 llic Unlied States, such behavior might ha viewed as indicating a further breakdown in humanistic and cultural values. Everyone is invited to send opinions on matters af'public interest to Readers' Please be brief. Each, letter must carry the writer's signature ami address, but the name will be withheld lor adequate reason. However, no address, other than the city, will he published.

The Star-News reserves the right to condense all letters, JVo poetry, please. Panama Canal Danger It is very difficult to understand some of our Icadei-s, particularly tliose wire, want to give away parts of our delensive line, Negotiations are going very slowiy In Washington regarding the Pananns Canal. Panamanian leltisl students and professors are goading their government, with tlie aid of Soviet arid Chinese Communist propaganda, to insist on full sovereignty and effective control over tlie entire Catiul Zone and tlie canal itself. At present the U.S. terms include the surrender of 30.000 acres in the zone (this includes commercial piers and housing in'Solon and Balboa) and the cession, of judicial rights (0 Panama.

The question-uf whether or not Panama joins in a "joint" defense (with what?) of tlie canal remains unsettled. General Torrijos, the leftist Panamanian dictator, has warned the U.S. that lie will publish details of the deadlocked secret trealy negotiations to either pressure Washington or make political hay Panama and also to bring tlie mal-ter before the United Nations to get all lie wants. We are truly in a bad spot because of our too many politicians wlio lean lar, lar left and advocate Dnly appeasement. While the mobs in Panama daily demonstrate, our people seemingly do not know that the negotiations for a possible takeover ol (lie canal is in progress.

BARNEY HEALS, Pasadena Art Critic I read with interest your editorial asking for support of the Pasadena Art Museum. I am a "returning native," having spent the last 10 years in New York and in Europe where I visited most of tlie heller known galleries, traditional and modern. Yet, willi this background, accompanied by a certain amount of art study, 1 for one fail to understand or appreciate much of the Pasadena collection. I think that I am most "turned off" by the single' color, almost wall-sized canvases. What do they represent thai a painted wall does not? Perhaps tlie Museum needs either to educate John Wykert cosliim.es and hits of sln.o sets.

AH sail and pepper shakers, much china, glassware, silver and linens were casually snatched from three restaurants. Tlie ingenuity of il all Even the brass covers on electrical outlets were not safe from being pried off. Some shocked observers viewed this behavior as tlie ultimate sign of the breakdown of audiori-ly, decency and self-eontrol. It seemed as if hordes of vandals had descended on a new monument and treated it as if they were Nazi soldiers in an occupied conquered country. At any rate, how is one 10 try lo understand or explain such incredible misbehavior? "The vandalism at tlie Kennedy Center seems a kind of innocent and impulsive desiruc-tiveness," according to Dr.

Paul Chodoff, a psychoanalyst in orivate practice in Washington, D.C. "It also appears lo be rather poignant. Tliese thousands of people came to the Kennedy Center to become par; of the place, lo identify with tlie potent Kennedy mystique. "To take something anything with llioin not only helps them lo identify with the place, it lifts lhe vatnlals 110111 Ihelr personal insignificance and perhaps, in a sense, makes lhe Kennedy Center part nf Hiern. "It is a paradoxical manner of partaking of Fomething tha( the vandals admire.

It. does not seeni me that those people are out lo destroy the building." Taiwan NOW THAT THE United Stales ha sent emissaries to various governments in Asia to explain the meaning of the joint communique covering "the conferences between the Poking government and tire President of the United States, it is interesting to note that there has been no adverse result. In the informal discussions, American officials have dealt with many points diat have attracted attention in the Asian countries. Thus, for instance, it was observed that the Mainland Chinese did not request tliat the defensive treaty which tlie Unlied Slates lias with Taiwan be abrogated or that diplomatic relations with Nationalist China be terminated. The governments which have been interviewed by American envoys understand that there is no intention la change the Taiwan situation at present.

The American forces on that Island will, of course, be reduced as our uxiops in Vietnam are gradually pulled out. In tlie communique, die United suites promised eventual withdrawal of its soldiers from Taiwan when tensions are relaxed. Sonic day, when the leaders in Taiwan and Peking get la-gel her, tlie time will come for a recognition of (lin removal of those tensions. Marshal Green, assistant U.S. secretary of state, who was in Taipei iast Friday 10 reassure Nationalist China of continued American support, said that his mission "was successful for both sides." The Nationalist Forehjn Ministry issued a statement that it had received "a further understanding of the clarifications and assurances" of tire United Stales and indicated that the Taiwan government is satisfied with these; THERE IS A BELIEF here that One Ol the effects of the Peking conference is that the Soviet leaders may have noted particularly this declaration in the communique: "Both sides are or lhe view Uint it would be against the interests oj the peoples of tlie world for any major country to collude with another against other countries, 'or for major countries to divide up the world into spheres of interest.

Bernard J. Ridder Publisher Kay W. Johnston General Manager Elwood R. Williams Assistant to Publisher Business Manager Charles Chtrnlsa Ray MeConrtell Editor Executive Edirnr Waller Stiles Frank Gwynn Advcjiiiing Director Circulation Manager frisk Paddocx Production Manager Member: Asccratcit Trev, North American Newspaper Alliance, "I lie Nsw Ynrk Tirucs NtM iicrvice, Ciiy News Service JFK Center Looting Lessons released convicts who have been ad judged legally sane, but whose anti-so-' cial acts go beyond the bounds nf sanity; and public responsibility to which most of us adhere. People politically opposed to Ronald Reagan are making a huge case out of.

his cost-cutting programs in the state's, mental institutions. The governor's advisors in this field have demonstrated to. his satisfaction that tlie many advances" in treatment of mental cases, particular-'. ly thruiigh medication, have made it pos- sible to release many patients who formerly would have required institutional confinement. If the governor's advisors are is morally as well as fiscally sound to follow that course.

His opponents, however, claim that current policies not only encourage premature release of dangerous mental pa-, tients, but also deprive those not released of needed care. The situation begs immediate and thorough re-examination. Treatment and release of the mentally ill must not be a subject of political gamesmanship. Measures and regulations which are too harsh are counterproductive and inhumane. Measures and regulations -which- are too soft wrongfully endanger individ-' ua! citizens and tear at tlie fabric of so- ciely.

A balance must be maintained. Currently, I am not convinced that anyone really knows what that balance is, much less how to maintain it. THE SAME MUST be said of our state' penal system and such highly controversial aspects of current policy such as allowing furloughs to felons in anticipation of their release. This to say nothing of the constant complaints (unjustified and justified) of law enforcement officers and others that our courts- and parole system are too easy in administering criminal justice. Basically, the question is the same-, throughout these situations.

Are individual citizens and society as a whole being properly protected by our current laws and public policies? If the answer to that is affirmative, the proof has not been properly presented to the public. If the answer is negative, the time that something must be done bas long since passed. AS A PARTING SHOT, the lady shop owner remarked, "I believe that something good can come out of the bad thing which happened to me if the public can Le aroused." She is right, of course, but my observation, is that the public is aroused. Our elected officials at all levels of government and our judicial system must now' come to the realization that the public is demanding and deserves answers as to why it is not better protected from the depraved and criminally inclined, AT THE AMERICAN Association Tor the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting recently, one of the topics discussed was ripping off the few archeologlcal treasures that remain. "Looting the Past: An International Scandal" was the topic and covered were India, Anatolia, South America, and surprise Middle America.

"In rcconl years," noted 1he co-sionsoring Society for American Archeology (SAA), "(lie wanton looting and illegal trafficking of antiquities, including significant national treasures, has reached unlielievalile proportions throughout the world. "Tlie expanding markets, domestic and foreign, for these archeologicat objects, combined with tax law enforcement, encourages the continued destruction of archeological sites and the scientific conlexl from which these objects were derived. "Tlie situation is having serious consequences for professional arclieolo.qists and scientists in general. Since the United Stales is one of the largest markets for these stolen goods, several foreign countries lire openly threatening to ban professional foreign archeologlsts from excavating their land." Wanton souvenir gathering has destroyed mnny an American Indian site or a carefully preserved Western "ghost town." But the leading vandalism news comes from this nation's capital, at the new John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Aits 'lie one thai malicious critics have called America's newest railroad station.

The place Is literally walking. Or was, until it was closed to the looting public. Visitors, some six to 20.001) daily, stripped the rryFtals from (lie chandeliers, cut swatches from nigs and curtains, pried off faucets, stol.