4 OPINION _ Page 4 Wednesday, September 17, 1986 The Michigan Daiy Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan College Dems plan future Vol. XCVII, No. 10 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Daily's Editorial Board All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. Drug busting The Reagan administration and Congress' sudden war on drugs is actually a misguided and attention hungry campaign passing as a solution to a serious problem. The House passed legislation Thursday and Reagan signed an executive order Monday providing sweep- ing and expensive drug control measures. Unfortunately, the money for these measures could be used for better proven methods to fight drug abuse. Because drug abuse is such a damaging problem which encompasses the entire nation, dissent is rare. In an effort to mobilize for this "national crusade against drugs," Reagan evoked memories of the Civil War and the young soldiers buried at Normandy in his television address Sunday. The first Lady emotionally read a description of a baby born to a cocaine user. Representative Jim Wright (D-Texas) fears the climate in Congress is degenerating "into some petty quarrel over who hates drugs more than the other person does." The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a branch of the National Institute of Hei reorts regularly on the national drug problem and now says drug abuse has decreased. Statistics have documented seroius drug problems in low- income areas for years yet this administration has consistently cut the narcotics control budget. While the drug problem is unfortunate, claiming there is a new "epidemic" is a misrep-. resentation. The November elections are crucial to Republican control of the Senate and incumbents of both parties need a "moral' and strong issue to support. Arguing against any drug legislation in this atmosphere would be harmful to a congressman's career. This unquestioned drug hype accomodated passage of some dangerous measures which violate civil rights and would be opposed in a more responsible atmosphere. Both the House bill and the executive order legalize un- precedented search and seizure without 'probable cause which gallows presentation of illegally collected evidence in court. Reagan's executive order allows administrators to test federal employees for drugs if there is "reasonable suspicion" they are users. As many as one million other federal employees in "sensitive" positions will be randomly tested. This testing is proven unreliable; the more expensive the test, the more accurate the results. Not only does this testing violate the worker's rights, .it can be manipulated in a work situation. Both pieces of legislation contain a harmful provision, not for drug pushers but for human rights advocates -the death penalty for murder convictions in some drug cases. Finally, the House bill requires massive military personnel, equipment, and arms to police U.S. borders for drug smugglers. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger said this is "absurd" and made the point that it will weaken national defense. Military experts warned the House before the vote that this is a highly inefficient use of the military. Reagan proclaimed in his Sunday address that, "Drug abuse is a repudiation of everything America is." If this was true, there would not be. such a huge problem; the reality which drives people to drugs- poverty, unemployment, and lack of education-must be eradicated. Taking drugs away from the users, catching workers on drugs, and imploring television audiences not to use are simply treating the symptoms, not the disease. The money used for these programs should be spent on the homeless, to restore welfare cuts; to replace recently abolished job programs, and to better care for the mentally ill who are being released from treatment early. Disturbing media stereotypes have dominated recent coverage of drugs: the growers are Latin Americans, the pushers are black, and the victims and anti- drug crusaders are, of course, white. Many Latin Americans and poor U.S. blacks do turn to drugs to create an economy where they have none. Only when the president and Congress stop denying that these dimmer aspects of America exist and institute programs to address the poor in both North and South America will they significantly strike down the origins of drug abuse. Ironically, most of the money. for this new crusade is already being used for education and other federal drug programs. The major difference is that the new legislation shifts money away from these existing programs and pours it into more publicized methods such as testing and military force. Only two hundred million of Reagan's nine hundred million dollar plan goes to schools to fight student drug abuse and to states to upgrade treatment facilities. - The House bill requires two billion dollars more than originally budgeted for their antidrug plan. Because most of these measures are not addressing the problems in an effective, lasting manner, U.S. citizens are unwillingly con- tributing an extra two billion dollars to Congress' upcoming election campaigns. By Linda Cipriani, Matt Green and David Rose In response to the policies of the Reagan Administration the 1980's have seen a resurgence of political awareness and activism on our campus. Its policies toward South Africa and Central America have inspired student demonstrations on college campuses nationally. More recently, the University College Democrats have formed to offer a channel for students to express their beliefs. In turning to the College Democrats, students will find a medium through which to communicate their political ideas and work toward furthering these beliefs within our party framework. Our diversity does not limit our ability to take a strong stand on issues we believe in. Despite surveys which have shown that the majority of U.S. citizens disagree with specific policies of the president, Congress has been intimidated into taking pro- Rose is Vice President of the College Democrats, Green is Secretary and Cipriani is Editorial Chairperson. administration stances. We stand firm in our opposition to U.S. involvement in Central America and, specifically, to our the funding of the Contras in Nicaragua. We oppose the president's weak stand against the racist regime in South Africa, and his refusal to support a policy of divestment. On a state level, we are concerned with the environmental crisis that faces Michigan. While not a primary goal on the political agenda for many, the fact that Michigan is second only to New Jersey in the number of toxic waste dump sites needing clean up, points out that action is needed quickly. On campus, we support such programs as SAFEWALK, which enhances safety at night. We oppose the Student Code for Non-academic Conduct. We oppose classified military research and Star Wars research on our campus. We enthusiastically support economics graduate student Dean Baker who is challenging Congressman Carl Pursell (R-Plymouth). The College Democrats have already had a particularly promising and encouraging start. With an endorsement from Senator Riegle and national officers we were able to attain certification with the National College Democrat Organization. National affiliation compliments the role we have taken on a local level and puts us- in contact with other College Dems across the country. Our initiation of the Student Regent Proposal with the support of the County Party took us to the Democrat's State Convention in August. This start has fueled us with many ideas for what looks to be a very active fall. On Thursday, September 18th we welcome all interested student to our general membership meeting at 7 p.m. in the Michigan Ballroom of the Union: On Saturday, September 20th we will be having a tailgate fundraiser for Gov. Blanchard and the College Dems in the Crisler Arena parking lot--all are welcome! Future speakers include Senator Carl Levin on October 14 and Senator Don Riegle on November 17th. The philosophy of the College Democrats is one which accepts our Democratic Party roots but also seeks to provide students with a greater role within the Party. For too long the Democratic Party has taken its youth for granted, and now it is finally coming to realize the importance and necessity of the group for its future. Wasserman MAy UTILITY BILL Ms C7W U--- 1-~N ~W A q4 LNZs tN \ 4 BU T T VE . E . L LCN S ( V I H A W~ AT ABIO U T ZtELA O F S P y MD N C C C9 OUR, US~TOMERS I rP\T w&Y ER? r' UNIT 7OU SUM W 'tkT 6~)I 4 i c i a I. j vt . , ca wi. rI LETTERS: Propaganda drains kitchen creativity To the Daily: The dorm cafeterias are swimming in sewage, and typical University students (those "lucky" enough to have cars) are stocking up on beer, California Coolers and stacks of bologna at the local Kroger, or "eating all their meals out." This is the rather disconcerting picture we get of the Ann Arbor student body's nutrition scene from the two articles , "Students stake (steak?) out markets" and "Stockwell serves food during sewage leak."( Daily, 9/15/86) The driving force behind this unwillingness to spend time, effort, or creativity in the kitchen? "Most students don't have the time to prepare a sit-down meal." So those living off-campus and graced with their own kitchens usually don't even use them. No, making a "I don't have time to cook-I'm too busy studying or working or god-knows-what" has been brainwashed into you by the myriad of consumer prop- aganda. The countless fast food outlets and pre- packaged, pre-prepared food companies would like you to believe that cooking is some mystical process only to be attemped for special occasions like during a flood or earthquake when you can't get out to Taco Hell. Why put yourself through it? In Monday's Daily, Kleine brings up the concept of "The Problem Of Eating." Eating is only-a problem if you allow the propaganda to brainwash you into making it one. In fact, you don't need a car, you don't need specialized equipment, and you don't have to make any compromises. Someplace like the People's Food Co-op -em r _.+ - - ;- .& 1, -11 +1 etarian section (many Indian cookbooks are exclusively vegetarian) The days of malnourished vegetarians are over. These new-wave foods (which are actually thousands of years old) supply more and better protien, vitamins, and complex carbohydrates than any meat, vitamin tablet, or cereal box, and with a fraction of the toxins ( assumingthatdyou don't live too close to Midland or Kiev). The lowly potato becomes a source of great entertainment. Boring milk becomes transformed into fresh soft white cheese or digestion-aiding yoghurt. Dark green; ugly lentils become vivid flourescent yellow and orange when you check out the Indian lentils called "Dal" available at a place like Manna (These lentils, along with milk nrodiidts and cick-nea flour foreign students. Many of them haven't been- programmed by Consumer Propaganda, and will tell you that they love to cook their ethnic cuisine at least every day. It's simply a part of life, like brushing your teeth. So obtain a decent cookbook (riot some faddy propaganda fror the expensive "health" food industry), clean the molding dishes from the sink, organize some spices, flours, rice, and dal in a cabire near the stove, visit your parents and when they're ndt looking grab Mom's dusty wok from the back of the kitchen closet (if you cap procure a pressure cooketi you can save substantial time and energy preparing Dal= but make sureit's a safe onef the early pressure cookers had the reputation b? sometimes causing unplea' antries in the kitchen), and start- ni avii n yaround- ,1 no Ji~ w ..." Y"e'.:..:V....5::".:-.{ -'..:.....::..::.::.".:,::y::v::".:a".c.>.. ....-v.