October 1967
A Series of Strikes and Their Consequences
In order to grasp America correctly, one has to keep in mind its vast continental space. This fall is marked by a series of strikes. At the beginning of the school year, the teachers in the states of New York and Michigan went on strike. Simultaneously the teamsters, the steel truckers joined the walk-out of the Ford Motor Company work force. What are the consequences of these large strikes? Apparently the overall American economy is hardly affected by them. America is big enough to cope with strikes of this magnitude. By the loss of production at Ford, the other automobile companies hope for a larger profit.
October 1967
Foreboding Signs of the Coming Presidential Election
The Vietnam War and the racial unrests in the big cities are already the foreseeable dominant issues of the presidential election 1968. The criticism of the government is becoming so scathing that it will be difficult for President Johnson to hold out through the campaign. The governors of New York and California, Rockefeller and Reagan, have already appeared on the scene as salient candidates of the opposite party. Not without good reason, the G.O.P. is sensing a chance to win, although the electorate usually entrusts the sitting president with a second term in office.
[Nelson A. Rockefeller (1908-79), Governor of New York, 1959-73; Ronald Reagan (1911- ), Governor of California, 1967-75. G.O.P. (Grand Old Party) is an epithet of the Republican Party.]
South Bend, October 18, 1967
Landing on Venus
The soft landing of a soviet space probe on Venus caused great admiration in the United States. It is generally praised as an historic accomplishment that proves again the lead of the Soviet Union in space technology. This will without a doubt spur the United States to further efforts in space exploration. In view of the expected budget cuts, this development is not inopportune for NASA. But aside from the race for the dominant role in space technology, which is only a matter between the United States and the Soviet Union anyway, this achievement of the soviet space program deserves undivided respect. Our knowledge about Venus has increased tremendously so that this mythically shrouded planet is now seen in a much more realistic light.
South Bend, October 21, 1967
Anti-War Demonstrations
Over this weekend about 50,000 young people, for the most part students from colleges and universities, gathered in Washington, D.C., in order to participate in the demonstration against the Vietnam War. They marched united on the Pentagon. The government had to mobilize the military to protect the capital from violence. This protest movement certainly attracted attention, but it hardly upset the interior of the country. Here in the Midwest people are much more interested in which team is winning in college football. Still, the pent-up anger at the way the war is being carried out in Vietnam, where at this time nearly 500,000 American troops are deployed, cannot be ignored any longer. President Johnson will have to take decisive steps to end the war before next year’s election if he wants to continue staying in office.
South Bend, October 21, 1967
Little Interest in Europe
The situation in Central Europe is of little concern for the average American. It is particularly noticeable that there is little interest in the German reunification. Also, the endeavors for European integration are hardly taken seriously. One has gotten accustomed to the status quo and has adjusted to it. While the cultural heritage of Europe or the Old World is highly appreciated, the political events in Europe are hardly noticed.