A History
by Michael Steiner
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Year 1 (9/68–5/69), Part 4 The most challenging and fun part of the year no doubt happened in a span of time from after the Presidential Election through the beginning of the Second Semester- as 1968 ended and turned into 1969. Disappointment, frustration, and anger over the election results spurred Jack on to what started as an Anti-UH Administration statement and turned into an “in – your- face” gesture of “obscenity” and “libel” that would change the well-known phrase “President – Elect” into the infamous “President – ERECT” The planning of the Editorial page consisted of a cartoon with Corinthian Columns. The caption for this cartoon – the “obscene” one finger salute with the finger having the head of a penis – was to read on a flying banner underneath “UH Administration”. For reasons to this day known only to Jack; the caption was changed to read: “Richard M Nixon”. John Zanzel agreed to draw the cartoon for the November 8, 1968 edition of the paper. Immediate responses ranging from humor – to puzzlement(some didn't know what the finger was supposed to be) to outrage filled the campus that Wednesday morning. Apparently; there were some in the State and Federal Attorneys' office that were not amused. Action was taken on the following Sunday that were in line with that of “Alice's Restaurant and Massacree” that was on the campus radio that Sunday as well. So Jack – as Editor; Ben as the paper's Publisher and John Zanzel as the cartoonist were all arrested – found in the Cafeteria – all but Ben who was doing his laundry(rather than all having a Thanksgiving Dinner that couldn't be beat). The charges – at first thought to be for obscenity; were actually for libel. They were summarily dropped against John and Ben; while Jack was eventually found guilty.(The charges were dropped years later). Meanwhile; the UH Administration tried to demand a retraction and threatened Suspension; but through the agreement reached with Prud'homme no actions were taken.
[ UH NEWS Liberated Press | A History ] Presentation created and maintained by Hank Mishkoff
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