Sun Spots

By David Fenton

The State of the Union, so says Our Ford, is grim. He doesn't expect applause, not while the polls show 75% of those asked dissatisfied with his handling of economic affairs. What else did he expect, anyway, after continually contradicting his own policies? First a tax increase, then a tax bonus, first save fuel, then buy a car -- with things cascading downwards for those who run America through its economy, a move in one direction is quickly followed by a move in the other, as the present economic system is swept up in a web of contradictions too tight to allow escape in ANY direction.

Except, perhaps, the historical solution to slackened production and rising unemployment -- WAR! After all, war brought us out of the last Great Depression. War against Indochina stimulated the economy to no end in the mid to late sixties. The $100 billion "defense" budget maintains a hefty portion of the Gross National Product. Why not extend it? Get involved in Indochina again if Congress can be ignored, step up arms sales to ALL SIDES in the Middle East, maybe even send in the Marines to seize those Arab oil fields!

If this scenario seems implausible, consider Henry Strangelove's recently uttered threats to the Arab world contemplating armed intervention by the United States. Listen to Eric Sevareid pondering the possible inevitability of such conflict. Reflect upon, as we do inside this issue of the SUN, the new liberation offensive in Cambodia and the southern part of Vietnam, threatening the last vestige of US-backed power holed up in Saigon and Phnom Penh, surrounded by people's war throughout the rest of those two beleaguered nations.

To shed some light on the oft-confused subject of just who is who in the Middle East conflict, we've reprinted a piece by MIT professor Noam Chomsky, one of the earliest and most articulate critics of the American debacle in Indochina. To bring the possibility of increased military activity home to Ann Arbor, we take a look inside at ROTC's recently renewed request for academic credit, and at the state of electronic warfare and other military research right here at Jerry Ford's alma mater.

Off the warpath, this second SUN of the new year also examines the dangers and benefits of the costly white powder known as cocaine. We take a look at Ann Arbor's lengthening food stamp and unemployment lines in Paper Radio, a version of local news you won't find in the Ann Arbor Blues... We offer inside your last chance to Win a Pound of Colombian Marijuana (yes folks, we've copped the pound), reviews of SUN RA at the Savoy, a book by one of the founders of Ramparts magazine, and other hopefully tasty tidbits of information. If this bi-weekly mix is satisfying or else perplexing, please let us know through our reader input page on the left.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Our backs are not only against the wall, but slammed there. " - Ann Arbor's doomed Mayor James Stephenson as quoted in a recent Michigan Daily, reflecting on next April's election, Help keep him there. Register to Vote!

LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Ann Arbor Recycling Station on S. Industrial Highway will no longer be open on Wednesdays. To find out their new hours, or to volunteer needed help, call 761-3186... Looking for a job? Ann Arbor has just received a federal grant tor a block of public service jobs. Applications are available at the CETA office at 212 S. Fourth Ave, office 7, or by calling 994-9016.. Zen Master Phillip Kapleau will speak in Aud. 3 of the Modern Language Building on January 24 at 4pm. The following day he'll give a workshop at the Union Ballroom...

THE FRIENDS OF THE SUN INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES is presenting its fourth flick on January 29 with the screening of Costa Gravas' superb film, "State of Siege". The film is based on the true story of an Agency for International Development official who was kidnapped by the Tupamaro guerillas of Uruguay. Dan Mitrione, the AID official, was once a Richmond, Indiana police chief, then served as a "public safety advisor" in Uruguay. After that nation's President Areco refused demands for the release of 150 political prisoners, the Tupamaros executed him. The musical score for State of Siege was written by Mikis Theodorakis, who also did the score for Costa Gravas' Z. Franco Solinas, of Battle of Algiers fame, wrote the screenplay. The AID official is played by Yves Montand, who played the deputy in Z. See State of Siege, MLB 3 at 7 and 9pm, Wednesday, Jan. 24.

MUSIC NEWS: WNRZ-FM is changing its call letters to WIQB, 103 FM. It's expected back on the fm with "progressive rock" by about March 1 ... Herbie Hancock has been booked into Hill Auditorium for February 22nd, following a series of lower-key acts from UAC... WCBN-FM has moved from 89.5 to 88.3 on the radio dial, at FCC request, to make room for EMU's radio station of the same name. If the new CBN frequency is coming through with interference, please call them at 761 - 3501.

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen have signed a new recording deal with Warner Brothers, which should greatly aid their efforts to Ozone America. A new lp is due out shortly... George Krayne, the Commander himself, recently rescued a fellow band member from electrocution during a performance... Soul singer Bobby Womack is working on a film presentation of the life of the late, great, Sam Cooke... Don't miss the TRIBE at the Blind Pig next week, nor the Blues Jam at the Union Ballroom on Friday.

Speak to you again next on Friday, January 31st, when the next SUN hits the streets.