9 Page 4-The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, December 11, 1990 ~E Chk4dFanUaQli EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 View r. - x IN /\/ ."a Ulu f/l -1i III _ _J - . .r .- ..--....---. ---. _..- ..-- ------- L //I!' VIJA . \! 1 - -..Fj - ,ti . I -- U~j L- '1 I I I L 77 -us.. I - NOAH FINKEL Editor in Chief DAVID SCHWARTZ Opinion Editor r r I iiQ IRAGQ lQ- I 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. IIT- MI MS Anti-war movement Don't let focus expand beyond the Gulf crisis AS THE THREAT OF WAR IN THE Persian Gulf looms ominously on the horizon, students around the University are grappling with their own personal opinions as to the feasibility, wisdom, and morality of the impending conflict. While there is some support among students for our government's actions in the Gulf, the growing anti-war movement on campus clearly has begun to sweep the campus. And it should. The anti-war movement is justified in its criticism of possible U.S. military action in the Gulf. But problems arise when the anti-war movement, neces- sarily a broad coalition, begins to lose its focus and becomes preoccupied with alternate issues, however valid. This danger is evident in the current movement on campus., Inherent in the idea that the campus movement is an anti-war movement is the notion that it is primarily motivated against a war. Just as a speech loses credibility when it digresses from its topic, a movement is strongest and most credible when it concentrates on the single issue that is its stated focus. The leadership of the anti-war coali- tion has, to a large degree, allowed members of the Palestine solidarity movement to associate their cause with the movement against the war. And, as valid and important as the demands for Palistinian self-determination are, the connection between pro-Palestinian leaders and the anti-war effort will only serve to damage the latter. Anti-war sentiment on campus is quite strong. However, it would be in- credibly naive to assume that all of these students also support a free and independent Palestinian state. A con- nection between the two groups would likely lead to the alienation of many students who are against the war, but don't necessarily take a pro-Palestinian stance. The alienation of those people weakens the anti-war cause. In fact, the connection between the anti-war cause and Palestine solidarity could have even more dire effects. Imagine two opposite anti-war groups, one sponsored by Zionists, the other by supporters of Palestine.' The leaders of the anti-war coalition on campus must act responsibly to pre- vent any split in the ranks. By concen- trating on one issue, and avoiding close association with any other, the move- ment against U.S. action in the Persian Gulf can only flourish. 10 a D SAN4TA BUSH! . . . .. . ...: . * :.*.: -. :-. . :: 4- >. A S 4' - 41 3 ~~4 I' Gun bill New legislation does nothing but aid the NRA THE MICHIGAN STATE LEGISLA- ture adopted anew firearm legislation package last week which, if signed by bovernor Blanchard, will even further water down the already thin require- ments for purchasing guns. The first of three bills prevents local governments from increasing require- ments for the purchase of firearms. It states that no local government can pass laws regulating the sale of hand- guns that would be stronger than any statewide gun-control legislation. For dxample, no local government could han pistol sales, since this would sur- pass state law in strength. One notable lbcaf law which would be struck down by the new state preemption bill is De- ttoit's Gun Safety Training Require- mtent. This law requires that anyone purchdsing a firearm in that district would have to enroll in a safety course. While local governments would still Dave some jurisdiction over the regula- tion, of discharge, use, and possession of firearms, the right to control their sale is lost. This bill only capitulates to the massive lobbying power of the Na- tional Rifle Association (NRA) which finds it much easier to lobby one state legislature than to approach many local governments. The second bill, would require Orospective gun buyers to take an un- failable test before purchasing a hand- gun. The legislation calls for the cre- ation of a Pistol Review Board which Would create a "Basic Safety Question- naire" for all who wish to purchase a handgun. The questionnaire would at- tempt to test knowledge in such safety procedures as the loading, storing, and cleaning of handguns. Implementing a safety test is an important first step in regulating handgun use. This test, however, will be worth- less in terms of regulating handgun purchases and instructing users on safety. If an appli ant gets less than 70 percent of the questions correct, they are informed of which questions they missed and then may take it again - immediately. If the applicant is still struggling with this rigorous exercise, they needn't worry - there is no limit to the number of times a person can retake the quiz. The final piece of this legislation attempts to ban the manufacture and importation of "cop killer" bullets that can penetrate bullet-proof vests. Unfor- tunately, there are major loopholes in this bill. The bill ignores any regulation of the use, sale, or possession of these bullets. It also prohibits the prosecution of gun dealers by stating that the law does not apply if "license revocation" will occur. The bill would only effect basement and back alley ammunition dealers. Currently, Michigan's gun laws are already quite weak, considering their fragmented nature. There are no re- strictions on the purchase of shotguns. There is no mandatory waiting period to purchase a pistol. Convicted felons are the only people barred from pur- chasing handguns, and there is no ef- fective mechanism to check up on who is and who is not a convict. This new package does nothing to improve on these lax requirements. ' Governor Blanchard should veto this legislation. It will prove ineffective in improving handgun safety and will stem progress by undercutting local gun control. Don't dream it, be it To the Daily: I wouldn't normally write a letter to the Daily regarding a movie, but I felt compelled to after reading Mark Binelli's idiotic and narrow minded review of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (11/29/90). It would be impossible to convince him of the music's strength, however. Failing to take note of Tim Curry's incredible per- formance as Frank-N-Furter and disregard- ing the hilarious campy quality of the movie reveals Binelli's inept abilities at tackling movie criticism. The movie's dialogue is meant to be "stupid," the acting deliberately overdone. He overlooks the originality and the "message" behind the movie - it is so popular because it allows people to escape, to do something they might nor- mally be reluctant to do - if that means a male wearing fish-net stockings so be it. As one songs states, "Don't dream it, be it." If Binelli ever thought to open his mind, as do the characters Brad and Janet, he would find an amazing open world out there that rises above and "deviates" from the standard, "everyday" life. I urge him to see this on the silver screen - it was meant for this format be- cause it is larger than life. This movie, would not be popular with so many peo- ple simply because it affords them the op- portunity to act obnoxious. It is popular because it speaks to a large number of young and old individuals who want to flee from this stifling, conformist society. It shows one that it is acceptable, and great, to deviate in order to make the most of life. Joe Miller LSA senior Israel won't negotiate To the Daily: The story that ran about the Arab coun- tries' decision to stop trying to remove Is- rael from the United Nations, entitled "Arabs end attempts to rid UN of Israel" (11/20/90) included a serious misstatement concerning Israel's negotiation stance on the occupied territories. The article claimed that Israel has "expressed willingness to negotiate over some of that land in bilateral talks with its neighbors." I wish that were so. The current government of Israel is committed to maintaining Israeli sove- reignty over the area. Prime Minister Yitz- hak Shamir reiterated that just a few days ago. Public opinion polls might show an Israeli public more willing to negotiate land for peace - but the current right- wing coalition government has firmly re- jected it. And as to talking with neighbors, that only applies if you ignore Israel's imme- diate neighbors - the Palestinians. Israeli governments have consistently rejected any discussion of Palestinian statehood since at least 1967, when Israel gained control of the occupied territories. It's important to make news stories ac- curate on an issue like this. All of our per- spectives on who is "rejectionist" and who is "reasonable" rest on beliefs concerning who is willing to negotiate in good faith. I don't believe that the current Israeli gov- emment has indicated any real willingness to do just that. Michael Appel LSA sophomore Readers comment on GulfT To the Daily: Despite recent peace initiatives, war in the Middle East remains imminent. Cer- tainly, every reasonable effort should be made to resolve the current conflict. But the more important question is: should the U.S. continue to play this kind of role in the world, and are we psychologically pre- pared to relinquish it? Let's face it, we are fast becoming a second-rate economic power (perhaps we already are...) and there is little that can be done in the short run to change this. Should we (foolishly) choose to con- tinue to brandish the "big stick" world- wide, then we will also rely increasingly on the same type of mercenary payments we have extracted from our allies in the context of Desert Shield. This sad state of affairs only serves to underscore the in- congruence of our emerging economic stature and our desired role in world affairs. One might conclude that American pros- perity of the last 50 years was more an anomaly than a birthright. Like nouveau riche children, we have squandered our inheritance in rampant ma- terialism rather than re-invest it in the mechanism which originally generated our great wealth. Eventually, our indebtedness overtakes us, and we are stripped and enslaved by our creditors. The pitiful shell of our nation's former grandeur mocks us cruelly. With this as our future, would you expect anything different of the ad- ministration than to ascend the "bully pulpit" for one last hoorah? W. Clayton Hubner, Jr. Rackham graduate student No peaceful solution To the Daily: I am becoming increasingly distressed. with the proliferation of opinion page arti- cles emphasizing the need for a peaceful solution to the Persian Gulf crisis. Specif- ically, I am referring to talk of a "negoti- ated settlement," possibly including a res- olution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. People think that a "face-saving" solution should be sought to allow Saddam Hussein to withdraw his forces from Kuwait. This is exactly what the U.S. should not allow to happen. Any settlement that appears to com- pensate Iraq in any way would, in effect, reward aggression. The basic ingredient of any settlement must be the humiliation, or at least the absence of even a shred of success, of Saddam Hussein. Allowirig President Hussein to claim a victory in the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as any overt compensation, would do just that. The world can't afford to allow an indignant Iraq, armed with chemical and nuclear weapons, to undertake similar ven tures in the future. Any such aggression must be discouraged now, when the world has the will (I hope) and the means to d6 so. Unfortunately, this limits the resolu- tion of the conflict to two scenarios: either. Iraq unconditionally withdraws in disgrace, or it is forced out by-sanctions or military: force. Since the chance of Saddam Hussein} willingly withdrawing his forces is near, zero, the only acceptable outcome would be his forcible expulsion, from Kuwait. Will it be peaceful? I wouldn't bet on it. Brians Parillo LSA senior PLO supports Iraq To the Daily: As Arab civilians and soldiers attack Is rael from Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, the silence of those who are anti-Israel is deaf; ening. The steadfast support the Palestin' Liberation Organization (PLO) has shown" for Saddam Hussein in words has now turned to actions. Hussein and the PLb use their supporters to attempt to draw Is- rael into battle by attacking from all sides. By attacking Israel, Hussein and the PLC'S hope to draw attention away from tl' atrocities they are committing in Kuwait and weaken the alliance opposing Iraq. ' The hypocrisy of those who criticize Israel while not protesting what Iraq and its supporters have done to- Kuwaitt schools and school children is noted. Why doesn't MSA send a fact-finding delegation to Kuwait? Perhaps the Palestine Solidar- ity Committee shanty now littering the Diag should represent those killed, tor- tured, and brutalized in Kuwait. As the PLO once again demonstrates its true colors by supporting the enemies of the West, Americans have come to un- derstand what type of terrorist organization the PLO is. Instead of assisting in the peace process, the PLO has chosen to sup- port the Butcher of Baghdad. As American soldiers return from the Gulf in body bags' let us remember the PLO's support of Saddam Hussein. b 4 ;. i ,' a :, i n C d 's~JG cJO? .. fd il ) BEH1 0 A4 Gi A tf oNoRAR°\. tY NAME. 114 C. Aji (,K are white males and one is a white woman. How does this represent a solution to problems like racism? I don't believe it is a solution at all, but rather a possible cata- lyst for more conflicts. We must fight the installation of this force before it gets out of hand Brian Feller LSA sophomore Letter proves bigotry To the Daily: Though Michael Corbin would have readers believe otherwise, in his piece enti- tled "Gay discrimination is right for U.S. forces" (12/6/90), the U.S. Constitution ? does not mention sexual orientation, nor' Richard Jacobs Business graduate student widespread discrimination against bisexn41 als, lesbians, and gay men. We belie any lesbian, gay man, or bisexual wishs to join the armed services should have same right to do so as heterosexuals. Corbin seems to be a bitter young man, who needs to realize that if he chooses to be homophobic, (yes, we be- lieve it is a choice, not a tendency from birth) then he should accept the conse-, quences of his actions; that he is partici- pating in the oppression of a significant part of the population that includes people from all walks of life, including servike men and women who have managed'to escape detection. Corbin needs to see that he is welco ' to his sexual orientation, but the fact mains that 10% of the population is g Corbin should just accept it and stop m ----.1 r/ .9tFIcr 4N L40 > IPPO I 4, I