Page 4-The Michigan Daily- Friday, February 21, 1992 Ee idioaun&iii Ediior in Ch'Iief 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 764 - 0552 MAYTHEW D. RENNIE Opinion Editors YAEL CITRO GEOFFREY EARLE AMITAVA MAZUMDAR Edited and Managed by Students at the University of Michigan Unsigned editorials represent a majority Qf the Daily's Editorial Board. All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. Violence has its roce for everyonev. O.KAk c- INAtL-ED CLNTO\FN. pIOC4-§NOWVCAN tvCg E >SFAME= p9 E.t.. .Y ID $As t 1 Ass9.. .A-4 9.. ... A)Et..cL, HAT S *A F, tv . C "' . *1 SW hether police or protesters threw the first punches outside yesterday's deputization hearings makes little difference at this point. Once the confrontationbegan, it was clear thatboth sides were shoving, punching and kicking equally and without discretion. What's more importanttoday is thatthe Univer- sity Board of Regents and the student protesters draw the appropriate conclusions from the melde. The regents need to understand that their un- flinching disregard for student concerns undoubt- edly contributed to the problem. From day one, the board has refused to address students' legitimate gripes about deputization on any terms but its own. Student leaders have consis- tently been shut out of the process and the broad- based, prolific demonstrations have been ignored. Even the spirit of this week's mandated public hearings was callously violated; on both days, the regents retreated from public forums to hold the sessions behind closed doors. The frustrations students expressed outside the Fleming Building were the understandable culmi- nation of years of cold regental neglect of their needs. If the regents truly want to end the embar- rassment and danger that accompanies these dis- ruptions, then they will include students in the decision-making process. Students themselves should take the lessons of yesterday's brawl to heart as well. The leaders of the anti-deputization movement need to recognize the implications of using violence as a means to achieve their goals. Violence as a means of political expression often carries a high price; jail time, physical injury and the alienation of more moderate participants only begin to describe the potential results. Moreover, once-the movement takes a violent turn, the already slim chance for successful nego- tiaton becomes obsolete. The regents would never Overlookig the L ast week, professional boxer Mike Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington, an 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant. He now faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. Upon hearing the conviction, New York developer Donald Trump suggested that Mike Tyson receive a more lenient sentence. In exchange, Trump added, Tyson would do- nate a large sum of the money generated from future Tyson fights to Washington and other rape victims. Trump is trying to create a double standard within the U.S. legal system. Trump has helped promote several of Tyson's fights in the past, hopes to profit from the boxer in the future. Tyson was convicted of rape. He should not be able to buy his way out of punishment because he is a popular sports figure. The fact that Trump would even suggest this plan makes it clear that he fails to acknowledge how barbaric rape truly is. This same failure occurred in the Washtenaw Circuit Court last week. Ypsilanti resident Wayne Renaldo Smith was accused of dragging a woman is ., ....,." ............. .........,................ .::". .'. ::.4':.*..L::": s. ".i,*.::"*,*,: i:: t.,i.,,":i...4.4 YM": ...1 h \1: ": ': : :.:::, r., ..:.. ,L ;:.:: ::::i:t " ":::"". .... . .......r,.... .4 ".r.\.....*,1,r..*1,*... Union must consider rights of non-smokers BHIAN CANTONI/Daily even consider leaving the battlefield to come to the bargaining table. If the movement's leadership wants to pursue violent means to its end, then it ought to at least acknowledge the high risks and potential losses that come with that decision. There's an undeni- able possibility that a violent movement won't serve the long-term desire of ridding the campus of deputized police. The fact that students and police came to blows yesterday is a disturbing reminder of how large and volatile the rift between students and the regents has become. We can only hope that both sides learn something from this unfortunate experience, and act to ensure that yesterday's mistakes aren't re- peated in the future. horror of rape from a supermarket parking lot to a nearby woods, and raping her while holding her with a baseball bat to her throat. Assistant Public Defender Walter White, Smith's attorney, asked that Smith receive the minimum sentence of three to six years for the crime, which was his first offense. He claimed that this was only a "typical" rape since there was no apparent psychological or physical injury. It is outrageous to ever consider anything as heinous as rape "typical." A weapon was used in the crime. The defense had the audacity to argue that the victim was actually relieved that she was "only raped" because she thought that she was going to be murdered. This is by no means a situation in which Smith has any justification to ask for leniency. Tyson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, and Smith will spend eight to 15 years in prison. Jack Simms, assistant prosecutor in the Smith case, claims that "we have lost our capacity to be horrified by what people can do." If these two cases are any sort of example, sadly he may be right. To the Daily: I was shocked and annoyed by your article regarding the smoking policy in the MUG. I am outraged by the current steps our society is taking toward a total smoking ban. As a smoker, I am constantly subjected to the pretentious coughs and unjust stereotypes that non- smokers love to place on us. It is a question of rights - I have a right to smoke, just as every non-smoker has a right to not be exposed to this smoke. When the two rights conflict with each other, as they so often do, the finding is invariably for the non-smokers. I do not feel that the Union has This Bush is not for us To the Daily: The 1992 election year has arrived. We think it is important that students have the following facts at hand. Four years ago, the president promised the American public that he would create 30 million new jobs. Since that time, less than one million new jobs have been created. This does not include the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost during his term. In the last four years, the United States has experienced the slowest economic growth, the smallest economic gains, and the fewest number of jobs created since the Hoover Administration. Ten years ago, the American workers had the world's highest wages, while today, the United States is ranked tenth. Perhaps it is time that we consider the economic policy that our presi- dent has mapped out. As we witness the continuing erosion of the middle class, we believe it is time for American voters to take a closer look at how well off they are as compared to four years ago. Do you really want to go through another four years of false promises and trickle down economics? However, maybe if you are into extended recessions, this Bush is for you. Dan Friedenzohn LSA junior William Kolakowski Engineering junior thoroughly thought out the smoking issue. The placement of the smoking areas in the MUG is such that a non-smoker can distance him or herself from the smoke while eating. I almost agree that the placement of the first smoking section in the area where food is purchased may be wrong, but why not change it instead of banning it? What about the Tap Room? This room could be changed into a smoking area, isolating it even further from the non-smoking sections. Go to the MUG sometime during lunch or dinner. The smoking sections are invariably full. I, as well as a vast majority of my fellow smokers, will no longer patronize the businesses of the MUG ifI am no longer allowed to smoke there. I cannot believe that the Union would allow such a large proportion of their consumers to go because of a few hyper- sensitive anti-smokers. It is time for smokers to unite against their oppression instead of passively allowing events such as this to happen. We need to respect each others rights - smokers and non- smokers alike. Thomas Shelton RC sophomore University must help homeless To the Daily: In response to the Daily editorial on the homeless (2/4/92), I agree that the University is being distinctly uncaring toward the less fortunate. I know that the University is actively involved in community service, and the efforts of the students in this area have not been meager. I commend the University for its excellent community service program. However, I think that when it comes to the homeless, or other people huddled on sidewalks, we all tend to look away. This tendency of human beings to sometimes pretend other human beings lying on the sidewalk don't exist has been evident on campus, not to a great degree. But there is one example that stares us in the face every day. At the front of East Quad- rangle, there is one spot with benches and a heat vent built into the concrete and brick. A group of "homeless regulars" meets there. There are different people at different times in that spot, but they have one thing in common: they are all homeless. I don't know who these people are, or where they go when evening comes. They always leave that spot vacant in the evenings. But in broad daylight they are there, and try though we might to ignore them, they are there. It should be noted that this letter is not directed at anyone in East Quad. I myself am a resident, and I share in this indirect contribution to the ongoing plight of the homeless. With the economy as poor as it is, anyone could find them- selves homeless. We students are more fortunate than we know to live the way we do. Perhaps that's why we are uncomfortable in the presence of these people. When the problem looks us directly in the eye, we as humans sometimes shy away. We can't change human nature, but we can do something to help other humans. I have spoken once to one of the people who meets there every day. She spoke to me first and asked me for money so she could get medication to help her fight alcoholism. She said she didn't want to live this way anymore. What could I do? I gave her some small change. I'm not mentioning this so that others will praise me. I'm only mentioning how close to home an issue can sometimes be. I remember that woman's words too well. I think that to some extent it's their choice to live this way, but society is also respon- sible. It's time we began taking a different kind of attitude toward the homeless. Students at the University protest. Don't let this situation go on. You may have limited power to change it, but you can still make a difference. Kristin Johnson LSA first-year student 0 0 Schools miss chance to feed youth tudy after study has shown that young children parents work. Schools must pick up the slack in the United States have not been receiving where parents leave off. All too often children get adequate nourishment. Children come to school left by the wayside. hungry and are often unable to function or learn Schools that choose not to offer the breakfast because their parents can't afford or don't have the program cite the logistical problems as reasons for time to fix them a decent breakfast. not implementing it. School administrators claim Often times, the obstacle to solving the prob- that bus scheduling, breakfast supervision, and lems of hunger is a lack of resources or funding. increased staffing necessary for an extra meal However, this is not the case for children in make the program not feasible. But these minor Michigan's public schools. More than half of the bureaucratic obstacles can be easily overcome if public schools across the nation have passed up made a priority. These are not acceptable reasons federal funds available for a school breakfast pro- for passing up an opportunity to feed needy chil- gram. Michigan ranked among states with the dren. Even if the program costs the statein the short lowest participation in the program. Only four run, the federal subsidies will help produce along- states were ranked lower nationwide. Allowing the lasting solution to a very serious problem. opportunity to improve the health of children to Public school administrators definitely need to escape is an inexcusable move. reassess their priorities. If the choice is between Children from low-income families would rearranging bus schedules and providing the nutri- qualify for the program which would provide a tion which could improve the quality of life for nutritional breakfast before each school day. Un- many low-income children in Michigan, many of fortunately, many children in this country would them have obviously chosen incorrectly. otherwise start the school day on an empty stom- When facing a grave social ill such as hunger, ach. Decent nutrition is a minimal requirement for a solution seems elusive. But in this case, there is children to be able to learn. It is unfortunate that no reason for schoolchildren to be hungry. It is such a responsibility must fall on schools. But, even more pathetic that children go needlessly today's economy frequently demands that both hungry, when the funds are available to feed them. "Nuts and Bolts by Judd Winick i { ....................... ...::..::1":.....:":..:::..::::::....:::L"."..L" iL: : .;i:" t.::h".".:::::"::i:.:::1Y~Y": U adminstration just doesn't get it by Jeff Sheran problem - there needn't be a risk of inciting already-angry If you missed all the fireworks public hearing to debate this students by ignoring them further? surrounding the deputization statement. So if these well- Then they heard those who had hearings yesterday or Wednesday, educated, elected officials know signed up in advance to speak at don't worry - there will be more they have such a problem, why the hearings - the majority of issues, more protests, and more must they persist at befuddling whom argued in favor of absolute frustration soon enough. every controversial decision they deputization. Do they really The location may be different, as make? believe they heard an accurate mix may be the coalitions and chants, but one thing will remain con- stant. The regents will have acted in the most counterproductive way possible. The issue of deputization is a heated one, both its proponents and adversaries make strong arguments. But I challenge anyone to make a strong argument for the way the regents have handled the hearings. If there were 10 ways to carry out these hearings, they picked If there were 10 ways to carry out these hearings, they picked the 10th best way. 0 President Duderstadt is no exception. Ever since his appoint-. ment - yet another regental snafu - this chief executive has implemented his policies with such little regard, not only for how the students will receive them, but for how they will receive him. Duderstadt and the regents of viewpoints of those who wished to speak? What the regents must recog- nize is that genuinely listening to students can only help. If, as the regents claim, the transfer of deputization authority is such a good idea, then the result of open debate will still be the transfer of deputization authority. ! li.E NE~trsEVYEN t 114E5 ltXR 4EZ StH S m~LL C upAGAINST uN SLAPOUNThWLM dO5AND oR 3OMt-?lN' SrAl th fo~ 5t mrr -MMES -tO 10 ZLF-U& RtFNIH tE)41. 1 ) kECO RY4 &CF'COR E-'S. MY wi£~3LL FAM CENM1 EAR w11 EES OPEN . i I 0