Page 4 -The Michigan Daily- Friday, January 24, 1992 Ghbe £ijigau 1aiI - J I I ff I - - 1.. .1. 0 ~UCi0~ _ _ " 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Edited and Managed by Students at the University of Michigan ANDREW K. GOTTESMAN Editor in Chief STEPHEN HENDERSON Opinion Editor V.' 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. vr, SF.. ~Y,..,....4L,..:..A. . ...1{! .....~.1..............:...*... 'A::.{";;;.:.* 4J:*.*:.*Jr:r . *44.:. 4" v .**. . L.. .rs. . .." . . 4.. .. J..Sn .:n "' "Y:.. ."?. . :''.:"" .............f"r ".. r.JJ} ....r" ~{:F . t., ."1. "r..t........*..*.. . ..u": . . r: " .".rr... ",:.,.r.:%:%...i: .:%°r:?L::.:".".r....:.....a. ................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...".. .FF. .f .:." Y:.".":: J~~~....... ..... ..... ..... ..... .... ?.~... ............v .. }.% "}}:.... a.:ti:}:"? :vr".".:S"::}:":}:fi"}'Sn :v.." .,.r.. . . .r..... . . . ...:...... .}".. . . . . . .r...... .."}.... .r. .".%.. . ?r? . ..; .i %%. r ,4~it .. } Sr.F.": ":}::'"::":.";.;:;..".;..%:"?. - ."4;.:: v: v.:.Y. * ?. .:."r... :. . .S"..... . . .. . . .. ...................44......":}": }:h.."....."....... *......i.;. "' .{S.}C'...... . . .SSSVS.'4t.V o.:t"y;.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J. . r......r -S~~~~~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *.. .... .. . . . .{ . i. ' : :{"; r J rr. .""":x . . : :.. . ".. . . . . . r* . x?:t " Free slush Icy sidewalks pose inconvenience to disabled students s4 * . T to "- mrt ° e; i "i y4 Last week, ice and snow covered the entire campus, leaving students slipping and sliding on their way to class. One would think a university grounds crew with a $3.4 million budget that is armed with the latest in snow-fighting equip- ment could tackle the problem. After all, students are currently paying a $50 maintenance fee per term. Granted, the storm was one of the worst to hit the area in recent memory. But it was no surprise, and the grounds crew had plenty of time to prepare to salt and plow the Diag and walkways around campus. Instead, the grounds crew seemed to pre- fer the classic "wait for it to melt" technique of snow removal. While traversing the ice and snow covered paths was difficult for many people, it was espe- cially difficult for those with disabilities. Just as a car has difficulty driving on snowy roads, students in wheelchairs have trouble cross- ing snowy paths. Fortunately, there are special buses available to help disabled students get around campus. But this system is not without its problems. To get help with transportation, students must go through the Services for Students with Disabili- ties Office. Special buses pick up and drop off students, often at a considerable distance from their classrooms. But students must still use the icy sidewalks to get to class. One must not forget, however, that students with disabilities includes not only those students needing wheelchairs, but also those with hearing and sight impairments. In addition, students with temporary handicaps, a broken leg for example, must also meet the snow on unequal terms. Considering all these groups, a big storm and an insufficient clean-up effect a lot of people. It is puzzling how the same grounds crew that was so effective last year in removing chalk- writing from the Diag during the deputization movement has suddenly become ineffective with the onslaught of snow. It seems the grounds crew prefers free slush to free speech. If the University is serious about its pledge to increase student safety on campus, perhaps it should start by simply making sure students, including those with disabilities, can get to classes without slipping the entire way. r, d p. 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N.4"AVJA"!T}.4Y: JAYA11t1Y. /L Y All the king's furniture Brater and Engler spend on selves, not enough on community 3 he citizens of Ann Arbor have recently been dealt a double-blow of greed and hypocrisy by their state and city governments. As Michigan residents, citizens of Ann Arbor included, tighten their belts for the winter, Ann Arbor Mayor Liz Brater and Gov. Engler are engaging in extrava- gant spending. In spite of spending cuts averaging six percent across all city departments, Mayor Liz Brater and the Democratic City Council majority have in recent months increased their own pay by 10 percent, increased their travel expense budget by 23 percent and doubled the mayor's secretarial staff. Most recently, Mayor Brater requested and received a brand new car assigned full-time to her office, even though Brater's is only ahalf-time job. Such self-serving appropriations, however, pale in comparison to those taking place in Lansing. As part of a $62 million Capitol renovation project, the legislature has designated $800,000 to pur- chase antiques and furniture for its ritzy new of- fices. Not only is the legislature appropriating big money for its own amusement, but it is getting some pretty bad deals. Among the most illustrious furnishings are a $62,100 set of committee room chairs, a $6,000 table, a $3,000 bookcase, and more chairs for $2,000. One of the driving forces behind the restoration project's passage through the Senate was its former majority leader, current Gov. John Engler. This is the same Engler who claimed that there was nothing left in the state's pocketbook, and promptly cut off general assistance for thousands of Michigan residents. This is the same Engler who has slashed virtually every state social program, from funding for the arts to mental health care. This is the same Engler whose office will now sport a $5,600 television set at the expense of Michigan tax dollars. For this information on the governor's culpabil- ity, we must thank Ann Arbor's own Rep. Perry Bullard who, it might be noted, also voted to approve the expenditures. It is simply absurd for a government to be cutting programs that Michigan residents depend on while simultaneously buying antique furniture for the capital. Such aristocratic tendencies, especially during tough economic times, do not speak well for our leaders. The voters would do well to remember them in the next round of elections. Make course readings available To the Daily: I have been struggling with my reading assignments for both English and political economy. The readings have been difficult because they are illegible. Both assignments are in coursepacks. My English coursepack was made at Accu-copy and the print is so faded I have worn both my contact lenses and my glasses to try and discern the words. My political economy coursepack was made at Dollar Bill Copying. The employee who laid out the pages on the photo- copier must have a different understanding of right angles than the rest of us. The first word of each line is consistently cut off. My problems with my books have been even greater than with my coursepacks. At least I have my coursepacks. One book I need for my political economy class is titled, "Understanding Capital- ism," second edition. Shaman Drum Bookstore, which is responsible for having this book, has explained to me several times that the author is late in publishing the second edition and therefore is not yet available. In the meantime, I will have to continue to read the not yet published "Understanding Capitalism," second edition, which is being held on reserve at the Benzinger Library. I do not know whether the bookstores or the professors are at fault. It is, however, the responsi- bility of the professors to have legible coursepacks and the required books available before the semester is over. Daniel Morton LSA junior Human rights To the Daily: Although I am encouraged that the University sponsors MLK day events which deal with many different minority groups, I am afraid that even at such a diverse campus as ours, many students fail to realize the widespread oppression of both minority and majority group members worldwide. As we focus on the empow- erment and inclusion of minority groups within the United States, we seem to forget about the overpowerment of unfair govern- ments in much of the world. While I am concerned about African Americans, I think that it is equally important to work for the human rights and dignity of our brothers and sisters in Africa who have to deal with frequent arbitrary imprisonment, unfair trials and torture. Amnesty International works to end these abuses of human rights worldwide. This semester, the campus chapter of Al is working on an "Action for Africa" campaign. I challenge students and University members to follow through on the values promoted by Martin Luther King, Jr. by joining Amnesty International in the peaceful struggle for human rights. Ingrid Hogle Al Events Coordinator Homeless plight To the Daily: I would like to reflect a little on the stabbing of two homeless residents of Ann Arbor, one at Westgate mall'and the other in front of the Union. First of all, I want to discuss the Westgate death. They say that Daniel, the one that was found in the alley, was refused entry because he appeared under the influence of alcohol. Well, I have a question. Isn't the Shelter Association there to help and rehabilitate the homeless? If Daniel was a known and chronic alcoholic, why didn't the shelter refer him to a source of help? I don't know if the Shelter Association or any other organi- zation is aware of this, but the United Way does publish a compiled list with addresses of where to get relief of social problems. One would think that if the shelter had a little more time and compassion they would have taken Daniel in and referred him to a source ofdrelief. If they had a little more professionalism in their policies, then maybe Daniel would still be alive today. As far as the Union goes, would they prefer if all of the homeless were frozen to death on the streets or be humane and let them in out of the cold? I also feel that the shelter board of directors should be questioned on their day shelter closing on weeckends during the winter season. I also want you to know that you could very well be next to be homeless. You don't have a promise of holding onto your money or your homes. In bad times there are sure economic insecurities. Don't be naive enough to think that the homeless will go away. It's not that simple, thanks to our own apathy and greed. The homeless population will climb and be here for years to come. The American homeless simply will not go away. Col. Charles D. Tackett Ann Arbor it ' ' f ., ' t 3 N ! 1 i { P } { ,A r f i { a} 7 1 t I , # Y 1 f . 3 e i ,r3. ,' State of the state Thanks to Gov. Engler; the people of Michigan will suffer T uesday night, Gov. John Engler gave his state of the state address to the residents of Michi- gan. Unfortunately, Engler's Kevin Costner mono- tone delivery and his cliched rhetoric produced a speech lacking in emotion and any real substance. Engler began his speech, stating that "Michigan is a state of change." Change is correct. Today, the Detroit Institute of the Arts fights for survival, after suffering a callous and vicious budget cut. Engler said that such recreation should be supported by charity. The multi-million dollar service to the people of Detroit - young, old, rich, and poor - is being left to the vultures. There has been change. 80,000 residents of Michigan, trying to survive during the worst reces- sion in ten years, were thrown off general assis- tance. Engler's transformation of Michigan didn't end there. Engler cut government support for mental health programs, leaving Michigan residents who suffer from mental disorders with nowhere to turn. There has been change. Can we afford much more? The jobless rate in Michigan is one of the highest in the country. Yet, American manufactur- ers, after years of waste and undeserving pay- hikes, were left unscathed at the close of the governor's speech. Instead, Engler called-up the specter of the mythical Japanese threat. After re- minding the audience that one out of every four cars in the United States is Japanese, he said, "Just think of the jobs we could have had - building those cars." Education, too, was on his agenda. Michigan 2000, the reform bill Engler sent to the legislature last September, is his solution to the state's educa- tion problem. Without describing the proposal's contents, Engler insisted that, "It is time our schools stood behind their students the way we expect our automakers to stand behind their cars." Let's hope we strive for a little more. Must we remind the governor of his record on education? The MichiganEducational Trust (MET), one of the nation's most progressive attempts to help families pay for college, was slashed merci- lessly. Michigan just didn't have the cash, Engler told us. The governor, however, did do everything he promised the people of Michigan. He cut and slashed the Michigan budget, leaving hatchet marks on every agency and department door. Engler did balance the budget. But, at whose expense? The jobless, the homeless, the artists, the mentally ill, the students - at the expense of the people of the state of Michigan. The state of the state address was less an analy- sis of the state of the Michigan, than it was a list of reasons why Michigan should regret electing Gov. John Engler. 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" . rrnuoe" ". r....r.....L ." "r." o ."."r."."}.":%ri }:" r'i'i'i:} %}:..... r. ". {%fiy:%... i s{ :.:.^}:"}Yrer "."."rr:... .r.:"r.11:..~. ..r.:e.".%":%%}Sr."."r".", . %" V , M ". . LL".... ' r'{"}:".1"}'M {"."}'{Y}'":?{L.. 1. . }r " 1":: Mr,"rJ 1{u "," M.M " J M " ,{" 'M W M: 11" " r "r LL{M M:" h':r": N.Mr.":~: rr "rt LL:Vrr: rr ':??:'J "'}:{{':'}L:'r :":V '}:Y}:{? may;{:"{{; ?:... .,{ . f +{% ..1 " ":?":":?vf.1"$:}%J:{L fihs"} . . r.~ ..:.. r . . }k . Y..{11«.0. . r.. . r... . {"rr.. .r. .~{ Ct ..."... ..L. . r... :{" 4C{?";"r :::.:?:"...,:::.,.".r....v:.: :..L:v:v::?M.1 ... ..,.,v,":.L. r .:v... rr.4. $}:>: n .e....:A....:4_. r. Ar.. ...?...... r ............. }... r........ r... r' ,r .ti 'y ,v ;f _.. Hopes for true Algerian by Fazlur Rahman Zahurullah I would like to direct your attention to recent events taking place in Algeria. In the first free election that Algeria has ever witnessed, in which 49 political parties participated, the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) won 188 seats out of the 231 decided in the first round. The FIS was expected to win an unprecedented two- thirds majority in the second round of elections. The National Liberation Front, the ruling party for Algeria's three decades of independence and overseer of the elections, came in a dismal third. Clearly, the Algerian people wanted a change and were eager to voice their wishes in peaceful, democratic manner. When the overwhelming support for an Islamic order became evident, a military coup was staged. This move's sole purpose was to deny the freedom of expression of the Algerian people. The army intervened and cancelled the results of the election, halted further elections, and installed an unconstitutional "council" to oversee the country. Hundreds of top FIS officials have heen arrested the nartv itself mentalist" FIS as a threat to democracy. Thus, the council took it upon itself to impede the democratic will of its people and to install a "democracy" that is more to its liking. The actions taken by council are an act of bigotry against the people of Algeria, Muslims everywhere, and all those who claim to adhere to the principles of democracy. A threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. Despite the magnitude and seriousness of the current crisis, democracy domestic papers have no informa- tion whatsoever on Algeria. Furthermore, we have yet to see one major publication with an editorial recognizing the serious- ness of this situation. This all leads us to question an editorial process that keeps its readers (especially its domestic readers) woefully uniformed about events and issues so central to democ- racy and the freedom of the press itself. We, the Muslim Students Association, are saddened, concerned, and angered over the y ,4 r# 9 q A threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. the Algerian situation has failed to gain appropriate actions from both regional and distant govern- ments. Many of these same governments, the United States in particular, poured billions of dollars to restore the family ruled, government of Kuwait. Clearly, if the United States felt that the Kuwaiti call for assistance in preserving its monarchy was worth answering, then the American government cannot turn a deaf ear to the A1!erin neonle recent events in Algeria. We are equally troubled by the apathy shown by western governments and media. Indeed, an Islamic state has a different approach to the organization of society and economy. Nonetheless, the critical issue is that it is the choice of the Algerian people. This is undeni- able. While the will of the Algerian people is raped by a group of corrupt generals, it seems the Anerican vovernment and media $0' ,4 Nuts and Bolts IHwfk1 ,N ? OK-.Gc5s. I'TO 8RM(5 NICE7 C'I "YtwI I ii NKE (N " AH HOULD ME Tao...I I... UH, NtNK"".WE Jt:5i3S. SNUtx. ... by Judd Winick' [OULP YO GOY5 L ISI .4 I