POLICE

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ABOVE: "BATHROOM ATHLETE" by Art-Bob 1611 N Ave 56 Los Angeles 42, Calif. 8x10 print $1.50. 3 different prints $3. 6 prints $5. Catalog of two-dozen drawings, and Art-Bob model photos $1. Art Bob will appreciate your suggestions for new drawings.

IT'S YOUR AMERICA

We have received a number of indignant letters from veterans who ask why they were asked to lay down their lives for the principles of individual freedom in America only to return and find a number of officials in office who now want to deprive them of that freedom in such fields of nebulous interpretation of what is "acceptable" in art, photography, etc. Clearly this great country was founded on the principle of freeof expression of even minorities so long as that freedom is not abused to present a clear and present danger to the state. All too often selfish pressure groups cry out "Danger!" merely because their own set of personal standards are not accepted as divine doctrine. But who is wise enough that he may set himself up as judge of what is suitable for others. Censorship groups are convinced that without their valiant efforts, the country would disintegrate into an orgy of unbridled sensuality. They have faith in the discrimination of our adult population to free choice of literature, movies etc., nor in the ability of intelligent parents, youth consulors, leaders etc. to properly guide our young people. feel the best solution is violent legislation and supression to include every aesthetic expression that might even remotely be misinterpreted by the weak-minded. Politicians and certain officials whose love of demagoguery far exceeds their devotion to American democracy are only too glad to join in the purge which if successful could lead us to a condition of State-controlled thought such as Hitler fondly dreamed of. But remember, its YOUR America, and the politicians and officials are your servants, not your masters. When they are guilty of wrong doing or of yielding to selfish pressure, criticize them through letters to them, as well as to your newspaper and magazines. Your voice will be heard! Join one of the many ethical, patriotic groups which study the behaviour of their representatives and hold them responsible.

They

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"CAUGHT SHORT" is the title of the Art-Bob drawing above. We trust that the mischief of these young prangsters will not be interpreted as encouragement for any delinquents at heart to show gross disrespect to vested authority. Not to say that such contempt is not sometimes wellearned. Greedy communities tolerating speed traps in isolated areas, corrupt and dishonest police willing to purjure themselves for the sake of convictions have made many good citizens regard their police force as an enemy. But it should be remembered they are our public servants requiring our understanding and cooperation. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union carefully watch the activities of police groups least they exceed their function and develop into a Frankenstein Monster overwhelming their creator. In large cities it is particularly difficult for a police force to function free of corruption. Outmoded and unrealistic laws (many of purely religious origin, but certainly not enjoying the support of truly religious men) present problems of enforcement which if effectively pursued would require a ten-fold increase in personnell. Hence pay-offs, favortism, rotating arrests etc., are inevitable. When will we be willing to face reality? The boys in this drawing had been guilty of speeding which is often wrongly credited with being a prime cause of accidents. Certainly an accident occurring at a high speed will be considerably more fatal than one at a slower speed, but on proper roads away from hazards, speed of itself has little significance in causing accidents, and most slow speed limits set up in such areas are done so to enrich the city's coffers and not with any consideration to making our highways safer. The real villains of almost every accident are thoughtlessness and/or SELFISHNESS---porticuarly lack of courtesy and consideration. Two solid objects cannot possibly occupy the same spot at the same time, and if every driver would be just as willing to "give in" to the other fellow and always give him the benefit of any doubt, the percentage of fatalities would drop sharply---Remember "Courtesy is contageous" and everytime you go out of your way to be extra friendly, the recipient feels compelled to pass on your warmth of feeling. Unfortunately the reverse is often true and a discourteous unfriendly act will trigger a mentally immature person to a revenge reaction. Shall we then generate chains of goodness-or chains of evil? Page 17