P ae 4 Sotirdov October 27. 1979-The Michigan Daily
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Developing
SWSREESS, because prices seem too high; such ram-
pant consumerism serves only to encourage
At last week's national conference of the notions of increasing consumption for con-
North American Studentsof Cooperation sumption's sake (which isone major fallout
(NASCO), Ralph Nader emphasized the need from the corporate perspective). It is one
for an alternative framework through which thing to complain if prices are illegitimately
consumers could make decisions and inflated; it is quite another (and a wrong)
evaluations. A new assertiveness could idea to complain when you just don't like the
emerge to challenge the present structure of prices. Thus, tax opponents like Howard Jar-
business transactions; by a refusal to accept vis (Proposition 13 in California) are justified
the unclear guarantees, the poor safety or ef- only if they aim to maximize the government
ficiency of various products, the low nutrition services they receive for their taxes. Ob-
of many advertised foods, etc. This new breed viously someone must pay for government'
of consumer would be conspicuous only in his and for people to blindly jump on these ban-
or her demand for proper information and dwagons with only the short-sighted goal of
salesmanship, and in the rejection of the less taxes is to really miss the point of
present, tendency towards consumer legitimate consumerism. We all have to pay
meekness, which has been encouraged by .for our energy, food and government-there
what Nader called 'the corporate perspec- can be no avoiding this fact. What we must
tive." Yet Nader's idea of a consumer per- make sure of is that we are getting our
spective can be developed and extended money's worth in a safe and intelligent man-
beyond the basic marketplace. Citizens are ner.
consumers of government, sincethey pary THIS NEW AWARENESS can befostered
(indirectly through taxes) for certain ser- at the central or local levels. Everyone
:vices such as basic protection or social realizes that housing in Ann Arbor is a
:welfare programs. The present perspective of problem. There is not enough, and what is
-.government's consumers demands, at most, available is often overpriced and poorly in-
~some form of accountability from our sulated. The present attitude of "housing con-
,leaders. Yet it is clear that we must do more sumers" is usually one of grumbling accep-
than this; we must reset the agenda and style tance. We should harness these grumbles into
Hof decision-making by formulating and then productive energy through organization and
,,effectively advocating the public interest. education. There are groups available (Try
This' new perspective demands the par- PIRGIM's Housing Task Force) with feasible
°-ticipation of all, for it places the responsibility goals to legislate or* implement through
for scrutiny and change upon each individual. united action. "Tenant privacy" and "just
r" This new assertiveness can develop at any cause" eviction are two areas that proposed
level we choose. Yet it should not derive sim- legislation is addressing. Coalition-buildjng is
'I
0
r a new consumer perspective
t
T
Z
C
By Daniel Carol
also occuring among Ann Arbor tenant
groups. This sense of organization will invite
new commitment by others,.so an alternative
perspective can begin to take shape.
In energy, the need for a new consumer at-
titude is vital. The energy shortage impels us
to efficiently determine how to distribute our
energy. Is Exxon's profit increase of over 100
per cent really justifiable, if the rise in oil
prices forces the poor and the elderly to
decide between food or heat this winter?
Clearly, there must be a middle ground here.
It would seem that we cannot depend on
government alone to scrutinize the corporate
sector (witness oil deregulation). Business'
lobbyists are an integral part of the present
day decision process, providing both the
"expert-testimony" on which Congress relies
upon as well as a steady diet of effective
pressure. We need- to organize to match this
strength, and groups such as Nader's
Congress Watch are the nucleus of such effor-
ts.
CONSUMER ACTION in the energy sphere
can take both positive and negative tacks in
the fight to achieve recognition and con-
sideration of its views. The high price of elec-
tricity and other utilities has stimulated at-
tempts to develop local energy projects such
as solar or wind power to circumvent the
present dependency on large utilities for
energy. Maggie Kuhn of the Grey Panthers
has helped initiate a solar greenhouse in the
German#own section of Philadelphia. The
technology for decentralized energy alter-
natives does exist. But again, real
organization must precede such efforts. The
formation of capitol, the acquisition of
technical know-how, effective planning-these
are crucial prerequisites to any such
movements. But they can be met.
Organized protests may also serve to effec-
tively represent the consumer interest in
energy. Again it must be emphasized that
protests against price hikes are poorly
motivated if the hikes are essentially
justifiable. But if a utility pursues a policy
that one opposes, whether it be on the grounds
of economics or safety, then protests or
strikes may be necessary in order to voice the
consumer perspective. Protests are impor-
tant in enhancing public awareness and in
their impact on legislation. Strikes on utility
payments are an attempt to influence utility's
policies by withholding payment of bills until
one's views are aired before the utility and
perhaps the Public Service Commission as
well. Such a movement exists in Michigan
against the Detroit Edision and Consumer's
Power companies, largely for their activities
in nuclear construction. Yet it too must
properly organiz° and set specific goals before
it can hope to succeed.
The consumer perspective must also be
cultivated with regards to government. We
pay large amounts of taxes, and it is our
responsibility to take an active role in deter-
mining how this money is to be allocated (or
else we have no real right to complain). The
service of the public interest must be a major
criterion in our decision-making, as well as
the consideration of the interests of gover-
nment and business. Clearly one deter-
mination of the public interest is unlikely to
be agreed to by all of us. What is important
however, is the creation of a forum for this
determination and the process of deter-
mination itself. Thus, while we may not be
able to agree specifically what issues and
goals are universally in the public interest,
we can agree that the need for the attempt at
determination does exist.
A new assertiveness must take hold among
the consumer-citizens of this country.
Through public interest representation and
organization we can begin to provide real in-
put into the areas we must deal with, whether
they be an automobile showroom or the halls
of Congress. This new perspective must
derive from a desie to take responsibility for
the world around each of us. Through
organization we can shape the structures and
policies that seem so distant, and shake off
our illusory feeling of helplessness. Itjis time
to realize that the citizenry can and must set
the public agenda. In such a new context, the
politicians will be forced to respond to this
agenda, or face the consequences come elec-
tion day. Only then may we place some of our
faith in our representatives as represen-
tatives, and allow ourselves to relax our need
to scrutinize.
The Pirgim A vareness column,, which
appears weekiv. is designed to raise con-
sumer a wareness and to advocate the
public interest in business and govern-
ment.
- I
Ninety Years of Editorial Freedom
Pro-choice must be protected
Vol. LXXXX. No. 45
News Phone: 764-0552
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan
-nrinthnn M rwil
SOMETIMES THE University
administrators contend this is a
state institution. Other times, they go
eut of their way to assert their
autonomy and independence from
state control.
It all depends on the particular case,
And what is at stake. If what they want
pan be gained by associating them-
selves with the state, they'll pursue
that course. If independence is needed,
they'll use other arguments, such as
academic freedom, to bolster that
position.
The' most recent case of University
craftiness developed Thursday when
University lawyers contended that a
former University humanities
professor can not sue three, faculty
members and the Regents for
Oamages because the eleventh amen-
dment to the U.S. Constitution bars a
federal court from hearing an action
by a citizen against a state.
The professor,' Jonathan Marwil,
argues he was unfairly denied a tenure
review by department officials. He is
seeking either reinstatement at the
University so that his tenure may be
reviewed, or damages of more than $1
million.
Beyond the merits of this case, the
University can not be classified as a
pure state institution. While it receives
substantial allocations from the state
legislature, they only amount to one-
.quarter of its entire budget. In ad-
ition, it is the University bureaucracy.
Which eventually decides how to
4istribute those funds.
r Article 8, Sec. 5 of the Michigan Con-
stitution of 1963 provides that the
]hoard of Regents at the University of
Michigan "shall have general super-
Jsion of its institution and the control
gnd direction of all expenditures from
the institution's funds."
In the past, University officials have
ifidicated their eagerness to receive
Mtate funds for the new University
'iospital replacement project so that
they can better serve the medical
needs of the state's residents. It was'a
difficult lobbying battle with the state,
uring which the University felt it im-
perative to demonstrate the plan's
potential benefits for all state citizens.
The legislature obviously agred, and
supplied the necessary funds.
i But when it came to disclosing
faculty salaries, the University
pleaded University employees are.
-nrivate citizens and not subject to the
"AA LV&044L Tvv 1
of University/State relations, but
essentially the University has found it
more feasible to flip-fop than clearly
state it's function in the state of
Michigan.
By asking for a dismissal, the
University lawyers are only requesting
that the financial element in the suit be
dropped, while Marwil's appeal for
reinstatement be maintained. Yet, if
the judge dismisses that part of the
suit, Marwil would most likely file a
new suit against the faculty members
and Regents as individuals.
Turning to the case itself, the
evidence clearly shows that Marwil
deserves a tenure review. Not only are
such guarantees implied in the
generally accepted standards of
procedural fairness, but he was also
given no indicatiops that he would be
denied such a review.
As a member of the Engineering
College, Marwil was- subject to the
school's "Promotion-Tenure
Procedure," approved by the College's
Executive Committee on November 26,
1974.
This guideline shows a pattern in
which those eligible for tenure-such
as Marwil who had just completed his
sixth year-would be given a depar-
tment review. At that time, they would
be granted tenure or notified that their
stay at the University would be ter-
minated. Marwil was also given verbal
assurances from department officials
that his case would be heard, and then
suddenly told to pack his bags.
The Senate Advisory Review Com-
mittee-the board in charge of
reviewing such cases-ruled that
Marwil has a valid point. SARC ruled
that since Marwil is in his sixth year,
he must be given a tenure review;
"department procedures cannot
block his access to the tenure review
process created by College
procedures.
The Senate Assembly, however,
refused to produce a resolution calling
for the Engineering College to reverse
its earlier decision. They argued that
any supporting resolution would be
improper since the court case is now
being heard. While many have given
support to Marwil, the refusal to pass a
formal resolution' on his behalf in-
dicates many professors fear that the
University would tighten its tenure
procedures if the faculty got tough on
this issue.
Michigan is targeted by anti-
abortionists who seek gover-
nmental interference in family
planning. Anti-choice fanatics
are attempting to destroy
women's legal right to chooige
when to have a child. Choice AC-
TION WEEK, Oct. 21-28, is a
nationally designated week to in-
form and educate the majority
who support a woman's right to
choose that our personal rights
are jeopardized. These activities
will culminate in a PRO-CHOICE
RALLY on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 2:00
p.m. in Lansing where men,
women and children will demon-
strate their support of women's
right to choose. -
In 1973, the Supreme Court
ruled that government cannot in-
terfere with a woman's decision
to bear a child or to abort since
that time, pro-choice supporters
have assumed that the fight was
won. Choice Action Week will let
the majority know that a small
special interest group has per-
sistently and at times
dangerously attempted to whittle
away the legal right to abort. It is
time men and women stood up to
say "We will not allow the gover-
nment or this special interest
group to force us to have un-
wanted children." Without our
collective and persistent effort
poor women will be forced to
have either a dangerous and
medically unsafe abortion or to
bear an unwanted child.
THE DECISION to abort is not
easily made by any woman. She
usually decides after long, ar-
duous discussions with her mate,
friends, family, and clergy.
Sometimes an abortion is chosen
because a woman's life is en-
dangered or because pregnancy
resulted from a vicious rape or
incest. Sometimes a woman or
man is economically and
psychologically unprepared to be
a parent. Without perfect
technology and utilization, un-
wanted pregnancy occurs from
contraceptive failure. Or abor-
tion is chosen because the fetus
has a genetic abnormality such
as Tay Sachs disease. Parents
may understandably decide to
abort (and later conceive a
healthy child) rather than give
birth to a child you will watch die
before s/he is old enough to learn
the alphabet. Should the gover-
nment insensitively intrude and
force women to bear children un-
der such circumstances? The
majority of us says no.
Pro-choice advocates celebrate
life. We fight for legislation tha t
improves the quality of life for all
people-children, the elderly, the
poor. We fight just as hard to en-
sure the right of women to bear
children and to have adequate
fogd, shelter and clothing for all.
children. Contrast this with anti-
choice activities which if suc-
cessful, will ultimately increase
the size of our population because
they do not believe in family
planning. This is the same group
which pressure legislators to
reduce governmental services to
the elderly, children and the
poor.
The participants in CHOICE
ACTION WEEK include many
groups and represent a wide
range of political, social,
economic and religious positions.
This is not true of anti-choice ac-
tivists. First they represent the
opinions of only 22 per cent of the
country according to a 1977
CBS/N.Y. Times poll. Second, 85
per cent of this minority are
Catholics. In 1977, 98 per cent of
the funds for the National Com-
mittee for a Human Life Amen-
dment were raised from
Catholic Dioceses and arch-
dioceses. Third, according to a
poll commissioned by this anti-
choice group, "65 per cent of the
Catholics polled disagreed with
the statement "Abortion should
not be allowed under any circum-
stances."
So now we see that this small
but vocal special interest group is
attemtping to put into law the
religious convictions held by a
minority of that religion. In
Michigan, the Religious Coalition
for Abortion Rights organized
because these religious leaders
believe that women should have
the legal right to choose to abort
and to ensure the separation of
church and state as mandated by
the . U.S.. constitution.
WHAT ELSE are anti-choice
activists doing? First they are
pressuring our legislators
because the courts consistently
rule in favor of choice. They have
called for a constitutional con-
vention that would make all abor-
tions illegal. (This effort is
sometimes done under the guise
of calling for a convention to
balance the federal budget.)
They introduce legislation
which may whittle away the im-
plementation of the Supreme
Court decision. Senate Bill 157
currently being considered in
Senator Pierce's Health '& Social
Services Committee, would
prohibit funding of medicaid
abortions. HJR "N", section 54,
prohibits state funding of abor-
tions for poor women except to
save the woman's life. (This ex-
cludes pregnancy which is the
result of rape or incest!).
National Health Insurance
Programs do not include
provisions for reproductive
surgery.
Or they introduce legislation
which makes it more difficult to
perform abortions. Examples of
this are bills which mandate a
waiting period between confir-
mation of pregnancy and an
abortion being performed. Or the
provision of funds to family plan-
ning organizations that counsel
on abortions. Thty even attempt
to prohibit fetal research.
Second, they sometimes resort
to violence to prevent women
from exercising their right to
choose. (On February 15, 1978 a
professionally-constructed bomb
which had failed to explode was
found in front of a plexiglass win-
dow of the St. Paul, Minnesoat
By Amy Perrone
Planned Parenthood Clinic). Ac-
cording to the National Abortion
Rights Action League, "anti-
choice fanatics, bent on
destroying women's legal right to
choose abortions, have unleashed
a storm of violence against abor-
tion clinics and contraceptive
counseling gacilities across the
country. Theses attacks which
include burnings, bombings, and
even threats against the children
of clinic personnel, show a
systematic disregard for human
life and property."
WE CANNOT count on our
political leaders to help stop this
dangerous movement. President
Carter has said "There are many
things in life that are not fair,
that wealthy people can afford
and poor people can't. But ;
don'tbelieve that the federal
government should take action to
try to make these opportunities
equal particularly when there is
a moral factor involved."
In Michigan, Governor
Milliken has protected all
women's right to choose. But
should he be succeededsby Lt.
Gov. Brickley that protection
would cease. Brickly is anti-
choice.
It is essential that those in sup-
port of the right to choose become
aware of the jeopardy to all oqr
personal rights and become in-
volved. Choice Action Week is
one way people canstand up fwr
their beliefs. Come to the rally 41
Sunday, October 28th. Buses wgl
be waiting in front of the union it
12:30 p.m. to tansport Ann Ar-
borites to Lansing.
A my Perrone is coordinato
of Choice Action Week.
m
I
Did Soviets cooperate with Chile coup?
To all-those who went to hear
Hayden and Fonda and Ralph
Nader, you have got to hear this
man! If you think that the evils of
capitalism can be exorcised
peacefully, without smashing the'
power of our rulers who have
murdered millions world-wide
(and who are preparing to mur-
der millions more in World War
III), then you have to come hear'
Jorge Palacios speak. In Chile, in
September 1973, our rulers
unleashed a coup d'etat that
drowned the Chilean people's at-
tempts to change society in blood.
30,000 were slaughtered! And this
was 3000 miles away! Just think
how much more their wealth and
power mean to them here.
For all those who think that the
U.S. is not an imperialist country,
__I -- L. . . . ... . _ L L
By The Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade ruling class unleashed the fascist
military takeover in Chile which
Chilean fascists' hit list since into a frenzy-the Communisty overthrew the "government of
1973,Cand who the U.S. gover- Party, U.S.A. and the Sparticist Salvadore Allende and murdered
nment tried to prevent from League, in particular. The for- 30,000 Chileans. Only a few
coming to this country to make mer has torn down posters for the months earlier the CP had joined
this tour? Jorge Palacios is a event, and, in other parts of the with the right in passing a gun
revolutionary leader of the country, has attempted to control law that allowed the ar-'
Chilean people, a founder and organize a boycott o Palacios' med forces to disarm the people
leader of the Revolutionary speech. The latter is planning to 'before they attacked them, and,
Communist Party in Chile, an bring its whole midwest cadre to in addition, right before the coup,
organization that is actively disrupt the program with their the CP commanded its members
organizing the resistance "jack-in-the box" (dominate the to turn in whatever guns they
- , na tand'anwer n tp.ac- might have left.
movement to help lead the
Chilean people in overthrowing
the fascist junta. Jorge Palacios
is the author of a new book, Chile:
An Attempt At 'Historic Com-
promise' (The Real Story of the
Allende Years), which, for the
first time, exposes how what
hnn--a:in Pilp wnqnot
quesi~(I n a w uoii
tics. Why does the mere mention
of Jorge Palacios drive these
people into a rage? Because, he
rips the so-called "socialist" or
"progressive" mask off the
Soviet Union and its flunkeys
around the world and shows how
thev set the Chilean neonle un for
While the revisionist CP is
begging the generals to let them
play the game of
"democracy '-and the
revisionist CPUSA holds phony
"snliririty" programs telling
A stronger sign of support for Marwil