Reagan, Mondale spar again on religion The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 7, 1984 - Page 3 Local firm opposes nuclear free zone WASHINGTON (AP) - Walter Mon- dale and President Reagan each con- demned bigotry as they continued their debate on religion yesterday, but the Democratic challenger accused the Republican incumbent of encouraging an(. "extreme fringe" bent on imposing its religious views on all Americans. "All intolerance is ugly, whether it wears the sheets of the Ku Klux Klan or spreads the slurs of the Christian Voice," a conservative California group, Mondale told a convention of B'nai B'rith. THREE HOURS later, Reagan told the same Jewish audience, "The ideals of our country leave no room what- soever for intolerance, anti-Semitism or bigotry or any kind-none." It was exactly two weeks ago that Reagan told a prayer breakfast in Dallas that "religion and politics are necessarily related" and touched off a lgng-distance debate over the s.paration of church and state. But the president only addressed that question briefly during his speech, con- centrating instead on the Middle East and pledging that "we will never at- tempt to impose a solution on Israel." REAGAN RECALLED that four years ago "peace was eluding the Mid- dle East. It still does. But now we and the state of Israel have far greater cause for hope." Mondale chose the B'nai B'rith meeting as the setting for a detailed ex- pression of his views on religion and politics, and he lashed out at the in- fluence exerted by Christian fundamen- talists at the Republican National Con- vention last month. "Most Americans would be surprised to learn God is A Republican," he said. THE FORMER vice president named the Rev. Jerry Falwell, head of the Moral Majority, as among those who were part of "an extreme fringe poised to capture the Republican Party and tear it from its roots in Lincoln." He added that "they are not disap- pointed in the performance of their Republican candidate." Missing from Reagan's remarks was an appeal for a constitutional amen- dment to permit voluntary prayer in public schools. Many Jewish leaders oppose such an amendment, for which Reagan earlier this week reiterated his support. AFTER BOTH Mondale and Reagan had addressed the group, Geral Kraft of Indianapolis, Ind., international president of B'Nai B'rith, said he was "not reassured" by what Reagan had to say on the issue of separation of church and state. He expressed satisfaction with Mondale's remarks. However, the Rev. Bob Grant, chairman of Christian Voice, said in a statement that Mondale "owes an apology to all conservative evangelicals, Catholics and others who want to protect our traditional values. Mondale should be ashamed of himself for this desperate attack on Bible- believing Christians." Mondale appeared later at a meeting of the National Baptist Convention and told the 10,000 delegates that Reagan planned to "undo the work of a generation" in civil rights. By GEORGEA KOVANIS A local company which regularly ac- cepts work from the Department of Defense has filed a suit requesting that a proposal which could make Ann Ar- bor "nuclear free" be stricken from the city's Nov. 6 ballot. The Environmental Research In- stitute of Michigan, located at 3300 Plymouth Rd., filed suit Wednesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court charging that the proposal, which could ban all nuclear weapons research on the city if it is passed,. violates con- stitutional rights. THE SUIT filed against the city. charges that the proposal violates freedom of speech, interstate commer- ce laws, and due process provisions. "We have filed the suit because we feel the procedure followed is in violation of Michigan law," said Mar- vin Holter, ERIM executive vice president. Petitions calling for a nuclear freeze were signed by about 8,000 people and city clerk Winifred Northcross, who is also named in the suit, in late July. The signatures were declared valid and the proposal was put on the November ballot. HOWEVER, ERIM's suit contends the issue is a zoning issue and that the procedures used to get the proposal on the ballot did not follow state law. "Since we filed the suite, we believe we have a sensible case," Holter said, adding that he is convinced the judge will rule against the proposal because improper procedures were followed in getting the proposal on the ballot. "Our view is in addition to the procedure being illegal ... the wording of that specific amendment is in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution. IF PASSED the amendment would create the first nuclear free zone in an area which does nuclear research. The proposal reads in part: "No per- son, corporation, university, laboratory, institution, or other entity shall engage in any work a major pur- pose of which is the' design; research; development; testing or production of nuclear weapons.' In addition, the plan prohibits work on delivery systems for nuclear weapons, and command, com- munication or control systems for such weapons. prisonment and a fine of $500. According to ERIM, the city is over- stepping its authority by placing the question on the ballot. "The city has no authority to enact the proposed amendment, because it relates to matters of national defense which are beyond municipal concern and because it impermissibly prohibits and interferes with the legitimate business of research for the United States government," the suit charges. AMONG OTHER things, the suit charges that the amendment would, by prohibiting certain business activities, "deprive the company and other citizens who have substantial property interests in their businesses, of property without due process of law." The suit also charges that the amen- dment would deprive Congress of its power to provide for the common defense because it interferes with federal defense activities. The proposed amendment would violate the free speech guarantees of the first amendment to the United States constitution because it would prohibit all activities relating to nuclear weapons research and design, according to the suit. DANIEL AXELROD, a University physics professor and nuclear freeze activist, said the Campaign for a Nuclear Free Ann Arbor will continue to fight for a nuclear freeze. "I think the campaign by the op- position will be. full of distortions and very well-funded." However, he added tha the fight for a nuclear free zone will be tough a one. "Nothing (the opposition does) would surprise me," he said. Axelrod said the suit's claim tha a nuclear free zone would violate the Fir- st Amendment is absurd. . i' D ear Nancy. . . Associated Press First lady Nancy Reagan, as part of her efforts to curb drug and alcohol abuse, offers advice and encouragement to sixth graders yesterday at William Knight Elementary School in Canby Oregon. Controversy continues over Dunn's defeat (Continued from Page 1) Progressive Student Network, a because there is a potential conflict of h ttd interest between his job as a regent and his lobbying for public schools. "THE BASIC and fundamental question is the application of a conflict of interest to be operating in both capacities," Massaron said. "It's not a question of liking Geral Dunn." Massaron also enthusiastically sup- ported Lansing. "She is a very im- pressive lady," he said. "It's not like she is a political hack or anything." Dunn, however, said there was "ab- solutely not" any conflict of interest between his jobs and the UAW would have brought the issue up when he first ran for regent if they were really con- cerned about it. OTHER REGENTS on the Univer- sity's board said they are somewhat concerned that the selection of regents may become more political. Regent Thomas Roach (D-Saline) 'The real reason behind Mr. Garrison's view- point is to silence anyone who has an op- posing point of view.' - Regent Gerald Dunn student , group wcn as pres issues such as military research and University budget cuts. Nederlander and Lansing will square off against two Republican nominees in the Nov. 6 election. The Republicans are holding their state convention this weekend. USE DAILY CLASSIFIEDS said although Lansing is highly qualified for the job, "athe (UAW) leadership was concerned about some of (Duni's) positions, not on the board, but in Lansing." He stopped short of saying that the system should be changed, however. "IT'S A SYSTEM that has served the University for about 125 years...In general, they have done very, very well for the University." Regent Paul Brown (D-Petoskey) echoed Roach's concerns."The (UAW) felt that Dunn's positions in Lansing conflicted with their own positions in Lansing."d Also at the convention, Regent Robert Nederlander (D-Detroit) easily defeated David Miklethun for the second party nomination. Miklethun, a senior at the University last year, was one of the founders of the IF THE amendment is passed, violators could face up to 90 days im- Lansing plans to fight for liberal concerns By ERIC MATTSON By more than a two-to-one margin, Marjorie Lansing captured one of two nominations for University regent at the recent state Democratic conven- tion. If she wins in November, she seems unlikely to break radically from the moderately liberal policies the present board as established. -A 68-year-old professor of political science at Eastern Michigan Uniersity, Lansing is nationally known as the originator of the term "gender gap." She describes herself as a "strong feminist" who would encourage affir- mative action at the University and push for 10 percent black enrollment - a goal which the University set for itself in 1970 but has never met. IN ADDITION, Lansing said the University should establish programs to lower the attrition rate among black students which is currently more than 50 percent. She added, however, that "it's difficult to build a support net- Work" for minorities because "there's elitism at Michigan." Lansing said she will also take liberal stances on issues such as divestment from South Africa, of which Gerald Dunn (D-Garden City) was a leading proponent. Lansing added that she would fight to hold the line on tuition costs, and would oppose the Solomon amendment, which requires men to swear they have registered for the draft before they can receive federal aid for college. A graduate of Columbia University she has written numerous books, in- cluding Women and Politics: the In- visible Majority (1980), which she co- authored with University Professor Sandra Baxter; and Women and Politics: The Visible Majority (1983). Lansing, who received her Ph.D. in political. science from the University, said she will retire from her post at EMU if she is elected, which would quell critics' claims that being a regent while working for a school competing for state funds is a conflict of interest. Lansing has also been an outspoken critic of the Reagan administration's record on women's rights and higher education because "Reagan has been so devastating to higher education." Lansing ... captures nomination -HAPPENINGS Highlight The Ark opens the season in its new home at 637 S. Main St. with a per- formance by Michael Cooney at 8 p.m. Films Mediatrics - Breaking Away, 7 & 9 p.m., Nat. Sci. Performances Eclipse - concert, David Murray Octet, 8 & 10 p.m., Union. Meetings F rosh smarter than ever (Continued from Page 1) The admissions office has increased the number of publications sent to pr- spective students, organized meetings around the country where alumni and interested high schoolers can meet and talk, and even made personalized phone calls to try to ease the nerves of students during applicaton time. The system has worked, Sjogren said, and applications were up 17 percent from last year. BUT ALTHOUGH admissions has confidence in the highly touted class en- tering the University this fall some say they are not an unusual crop of studen-