Computers May Soon Take Over As Top Political Speechwriters
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A hit in Peoria Computers may soon take over as top political speechwriters " ... The United States is not a failure. have put their brains together to create the on the survey results, designed to please the For 200 years we have provided the world, perfect speech to be given to the Silent most listeners and offend the fewest. An through the great experience of democracy, Majority. In other words, it will "play in introduction, a conclusion and transitions a model-a model that the world is free to Peoria" better than any other foreign policy between points were the only parts of the follow, but one that we will not impose. speech. speech written by humans. Ideally, we would prefer merely to be this And you can take the reference to "The computer did a good job," says model. Unfortunately, the pragmatic realities Peoria, the fabled symbol of Middle Dr. Shields. "It should be a challenge to of the international scene force us to play America, literally. The speech is based on a candidates' speechwriters to come up with a other roles." survey taken in Peoria earlier this year to more acceptable foreign policy speech for Pay attention, all you aspirants to determine just what foreign policy messages Peorians." national political office. What you're reading play well there and which ones don't. The speech covers a number of is not just your average, garden-variety "It's approaching 1984," Dr. Shields different political issues, including the CIA, campaign speech. Add the text above to the says. "All the candidate would need would Angola, the Middle East, China vs. Taiwan, kind of booming, authoritative delivery you've be a good delivery." The speech, he Latin America and foreign grain sales. The practiced, and what you get is the opening observes, is totally independent of common denominator is the power-politics statement of the ultimate campaign address candidate, party and time in the campaign. theme, since the survey revealed strong for Middle America. Theoretically, no matter who delivered it or negative reactions to Cold War messages The author of this text is an IBM 370 when, it would be greeted with tremendous and even stronger ones to neo-isolationist computer, operated by Dr. Donald C. enthusiasm. statements. "If neo-isolationism were a play, Shields, UMSL assistant professor of speech Through the survey, which was it would probably close the first night," communication, and Dr. John Cragan of sponsored by the two universities and the observes Dr. Cragan. Illinois State University. During a year of National Speech Communication While isolationism turned out to be heavy campaign rhetoric, the three of them Association, the researchers discovered that virtually nonexistent in Peoria, the Cold War U.S. foreign policy is viewed as a drama of drama is on citizens' minds there, but it was "power politics" by those in the test market. rejected for the speech because of a In gathering their information, Dr. polarizing factor. There were as many Recommendations Shields and Dr. Cragan used 60 foreign people who strongly supported Cold War policy messages from news articles and politics as those who strongly disagreed with by CBHE editorials that appeared in the mass media it. in the first half of 1976. The statements One good example of the polarization Sidelines On Monday the Coordinating Board viewed the nation's involvement in syndrome is the Panama Canal issue. for Higher Education adopted two budget international affairs from three perspectives: Ronald Reagan's statements on the subject recommendations for 1977-78, the first of the politics of Cold War, neo-isolationism bombed in Peoria. "That was a well-chosen Teaching awards which constituted a $20,206,744 increase and power politics. issue if you're thinking in terms of how to get for higher education over the current year. A sample of 60 Peorians ranked the impact and create tense feelings and get the The UMKC Alumni Included would be an increase of statements on a scale from "most reflective" press play. It's not a good issue in terms of Association has presented $8,304,577 for UM over the current a"oca to "least reflective" of their personal views of how to please most Peorians," says Dr. awards to three faculty tion of $127 million for 1976-77. the U.S. role in world affairs. These data Shields. members for excellence A separate motion by Mr. Eugene were then analyzed by a computer. Better selections for Reagan's Cold in undergraduate teaching. Strauss approved by the board would The electronic speechwriter then War stand would have been the CIA, the Dr. Oscar R. Eggers, provide UM an additional $3.8 million for spewed forth a series of messages, based (continued on page 3) associate professor of further salary and wage improvements. SOCiology, and Dr. Malcolm Mr. Strauss's motion was for a total ad E. linville, assistant pro ditional -recommendationot $1"O71~'9;000 - fessor of political science, for all higher education. received the $1,000 Amoco If both CBHE recommendations Foundation awards, and Dr. prevail, the total increase to UM would be Several important changes David N. Atkinson, profes approximately $12 million-up about 9.4 sor of political science, per cent from the current year. received the $1,000 Shelby The fi rst recomrmendation for UM Storck Award. $8.3 million-represents an adjustment in in student aid programs the CBHE formula to recognize unique assignments which created cost factors Recently approved revisions in thus making the loans more attractive to Emmons appointment student financial aid programs increase the banks and other local lenders. Second, the which the formula previously had not in Dr. Ardath Emmons, availability of grants, part-time jobs and government now will pay interest on the cluded. vice president for research, student loans, while boosting federal loans while the students from families with The CBHE also approved a capital has been appOinted to the funding and extending the life of the adjusted annual incomes of up to $25,000 improvement request for UM totaling board of directors of Oak programs four to six years. are in school. The previous ceiling was $8,715,000. It includes physical plant Ridge Associated Universi improvements of $3,150,000; an addition The maximum for Basic Educational $15,000. Opportunity Grants (BEOG) will be raised Mr. Purdy explains that while the ties. That body Is a group of to UMC's journalism complex, $695,000; major Southern universities UMR heating plant improvement, from $1,400 to $1,800 a year, beginning with lender may now receive more interest on the the 1977-78 school year. The program student loan from the government, the allied with the Oak Ridge $4,670,000; and agriculture experiment National Laboratory to per station improvements, $200,000. ensures that every high school graduate interest rate to the student will remain at 7 has-at present-a $1,400 financial base on per cent, beginning nine months after form research and other With reference to the CBHE actions, educational programs in the Dr. James C. Olson said: which to plan post-secondary education. If graduation. one's parents cannot provide the $1,400, National Direct Student Loans (NDSL) natural sciences, partic "I am pleased that the coordinating ularly nuclear science. then the BEOG program will make up the are continued at 3 per cent annual interest, board has adjusted its formula to provide Dr. Emmons is also on deficiency. If, for example, the student's repayable after graduation, for students with a base level of support which includes the board of directors of the parents can provide only $500, then the high financial needs who must borrow, Mr. recognition of special institutional assign Argonne Associated Uni BEOG program will provide $900. No BEOG Purdy says. Again, parents' financial ments of the University of Missouri. In versities, a university con grant, however, may exceed one-half the statements are required. addition, approval of Mr. Strauss's motion sortium affiliated with the total of an institution's fees, book costs and Another major change in the student to recommend an additional appropriation Argonne National Labora in recognition of the salary and wage room and board. loan program tightens up on loan Eligibility for grants, according to Mr. repayments. Effective September 1977, he tory, Chicago. problem is most encouraging. The University of Allan W. Purdy, director of University system says, the law will prohibit the inclusion of "At the same time, I must observe Missouri is an institutional financial aid services, is determined through student loan notes in bankruptcy that the recommendation of the coordinat member of both consortia. ing board falls short of meeting the Univer evaluation of a financial statement from proceedings for five years following sity's request. students' parents. Applications for next graduation except in hardship cases. Under "The Board of Curators' request is year's grants will be available after Jan. 1. the present system, some borrowers have Task force an effort to provide salaries and wages Part-time jobs of 10 to 15 hours a filed for bankruptcy before even trying to which will enable us to be more competi week will be continued under the new law, find employment. Dr. Everette E. Nance, tive with comparable institutions and Mr. Purdy says, and funds for the work-study The new law also carries criminal director of UMSL's Midwest markets for personnel. We are requesting program will be increased from $450 million penalties for forgery, fraud, theft and Community Education De an 11 per cent increase to recover some in fiscal 1977 to $720 million in fiscal 1982.