Page 4--The Michigan Daily- Wednesday, March 11, 1992 Wkg £i4Jau&n1Chi Edit in ChIi et T 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 764 - 0552 MATlHIEW D. RENNIL Opinion Editors YAEL CITRO GEOFFREY EARLE AMITAVA MAZUMDAR Edited and Managed by Students at the University of Michigan e Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Daily's Editorial Board. All other cartoons, signed articles, an(letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. *Due to the overwhelming amount of letters that have been sent to the Daily, today's page contains only levers. Editorials will return tomorrow. The Daily encourages responses from its readers. All letters should not exceed 150 words and should be mailed to: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Or via MTS to: The Michigan Daily, Letters to the Editor. 1t r''c~~a! AILY IcZ. Eiqualize conditions, not people To the Daily: acquaintance rape. This would * I am writing in response to probably be accompanied by some the Insight "Rape and women's form of self defense training. Now self reliance" (1/23/92). Mr. with well trained girls, men and Cohen seemed to be addressing women can walk together in two issues within the article. joyful bliss. .First, he states that the public Mr. Cohen also states that must become aware of friend- women are giving up their associated rape. I agree that we freedom to walk with male need to destroy the misconception protectorate. I, for one, don't think of jBlack men raping white I can stop a knife or bullet any women. Secondly, he states that better than a women. Mr. Cohen's men make attempts at "pro- arguments also seem funny feminism" by offering to walk because I have had a number of women home. Women, by girls walk me home. Does that apepting this invitation or asking mean I'm giving up my identity in for company, are admitting the face of feminist superiority? physical weakness in the face of Finally, what about women mole superiority. This is where walking together? Aren't they Mr. Cohen loses focus and begins giving up their singular freedoms his rash rambling. to those of a group? Someone is The articlemay be pertinent to trying to make us all equal. Don't some cases, yet there are also get me wrong I am all for equality. ulterior motives which haven't We need to equalize conditions been sided. First, did Mr. Cohen though, not people. Some men are ever think about why men and better at things than women and women offer to walk with each vice versa. The same also applies other? If he hasn't noticed yet to racial minorities. Give everyone there is a certain appeal to equality of opportunity, but don't members of the opposite sex. Mr. hold someone back or restrict Cohen could very well counter them in order to equate us all. If my statement by saying that that that is what you want, buy a farm is.xactly how acquaintance rape and start a commune. happens. I already answered earlier though I feel that there is a Kreg Nichols need to develop awareness of LSA first-year student Race not an issue To the Daily: It had to happen. Someone was bound to cry "racism" when Mike Tyson was found guilty of rape. After all, William Kennedy Smith was white and was acquitted, while Tyson was Black and was convicted. This is racism, right? Wrong. t The Tyson trial had nothing to do with color, and had everything to do with acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The accuser was Black, most of the witnesses were Black, and the jury had several Black members. It is therefore extremely disap- pdinting to hear Black leaders denounce the proceedings as racially biased. Such unfounded, knee-jerk acusations lessen the impact of accusations of real racist behav- ia, which is indeed a pressing problem in our society. So if these foolish leaders wish for the American public to sympathize with their cause, they would be wise not to cry wolf about racism in the future. Vince Wilk LSA senior If Jeffries, then KKK To the Daily: I am appalled that the Univer- sity, with its carefully delineated policy on discrimination and discriminatory harassment, would allow Dr. Leonard Jeffries a forum for his vicious racist attacks against Jews. Why is it that discrimination and harassment at my now politically correct alma mater only applies to students of color? If Jeffries is welcomed by the University, why not invite the grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan to speak? Perhaps Ms. Corle Morman of the Black Student Union would even introduce the grand dragon by reiterating her moving rationalization, "There are many alternatives to many issues. There is nothing wrong with hearing another one." Linda Goudsmit Class of '69 Hate Mail To the Daily: I hate Macaulay Culkin. Jeremy Katz LSA sophomore Release Kennedy files To the Daily: As a member of a generation just now reaching its mid- twenties, it is somewhat difficult for me to understand much of the resistance to the recent inquiries which various editorialists, filmmakers and researchers have made regarding the assassination of President John Kennedy. I, and many others who have grown up in the wake of Watergate, the Iran/Contra affair, the savings and loan fiasco, and the BCCI investigation, and are exposed daily to both credible and incredible investigative journal- ism through various media sources, are inured to many of the most probing and embarrassing questions which our government now faces. This journalistic environment has helped produce citizens and future leaders who already have no illusions about the transpar- ency of government. Even though an assassination theory which indicts key govern- ment agencies of the time seems somewhat implausible, when one takes into account the lengths government has gone to inhibit investigations into past impropri- ety, it does not seem to be a blind leap of reasoning to pose the possibility of a coverup when the alternatives may have shaken the very foundations of democracy in the United States. Therefore, it is encouraging to note recent agreements to provide more access to records once barred from the public. Even so, one still wonders if any documents would ever be released which would seriously challenge the Warren Commission's report and threaten the credibility of those organiza- tions which released the materials. I would hope that leaders within these organizations will realize that in order to prevent future problems like the ones we have seen since the Kennedy assassina- tion, full disclosure, though painful in the short term, is crucial for the health of our democracy. Patrick J. Dirker Rackham graduate student Great Crested Grebe To the Daily: We are outraged by the misinformed claims of Peter J. Schweinsberg that the Great Crested Grebe, better known as the Don Juan of the Grebe community, would even consider homosexual pursuits. Its excep- tional boom-and-bust growth rate leaves no room for speculation as to the sexual intent and reproduc- tive success of these frisky podicipediformes. Anyone versed in the study of animal reproductive behavior would know that Desmond Morris, otherwise known as the Kitty Kelly of the animal behav- iorists, has built his fortunes upon the ruthless slanderings concern- ing the sexual habits of the animal kingdom, perhaps in a vain effort to cover up his own. You are certainly noble in your concern toward human rights, Mr. Schweinsberg, but what of the rights of the Great Crested Grebe? Perhaps you should stick to your musical endeavors and leave biological and civic issues to the profession- als. Peter Grant, Jr. Josh Marler Rackham graduate students Don't blame Yoko To the Daily: Usually, I find your reviews informative and entertaining. But your review of Shonen Knife's album 712 pissed me off. Not because I am a Japan basher who doesn't think Asians should be included in your paper, but because it is blatantly wrong. Let me explain. Yoko Ono did not cause the break up of the Beatles. Paul McCartney was the first to leave the group officially and permanently. He was distrust- ful of the manager the other three of the Fab Four had hired. His wife persuaded him to let her father and brother be his manag- ers. They formed Wings (and sucked bad). Paul also had quite an ego, and might have been jealous of John's attention to Yoko, but I think greed that thinking that he could be a bigger star on his own led to Paul leaving the group, not this jealousy. All four Beatles and all of their close friends have denied that Yoko Ono was the cause of the breakup of the greatest group ever, and any real Beatles fan would have known that. If you want to blame one particular person for the split, blame Paul or Linda McCartney. If you want to read up on this matter, try "The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles" by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. They give a detailed description of the events leading up to and the actual breakup of the Beatles. I have read this book and many others on the subject, so I know of whence I speak. Cristy S. Cardinal LSA first-year student Passover trivia To the Daily: I would like to correct an inaccuracy in your article con- cerning refunds being given by ° the University's Housing Division for Muslim students fasting during Ramadan. The article mentioned that "Refunds are also given to Jewish students who fast on Passover." Jewish students do not fast on Passover; rather, they eat a special diet during this holiday consisting of only food processed with unleavened bread, in commemo- ration of the Jewish exodus from Egypt in which the Jews had insufficient time to allow their bread to leaven. Many Jewish students who have a dorm meal contract are unaware that the Housing Division offers a refund opportunity for students observing this holiday. Thus, I encourage more Jewish students to inquire about this opportunity with the Housing Division. Evan Albert LSA senior Don't Generalize To the Daily: In response to Robert Ranen's letter "Stop stereotyping" (2/5/ 92): How can you say fraternity men have higher grade points than non-fraternity men? What is it about a fraternity that you think makes men smarter? Project Outreach reaches out 9 To the Daily: Your article about the reorga- nization of Project Outreach ("University Cancels Social Change Class," 2/5/92) contained several pieces of partial or misinformation. The social change section was not, as implied, singled out for cancellation in the reorganization. In fact, five of the current 10 sections of the course will not exist in their present form in the fall.The decision to integrate the concepts and placements of the social change section into every section of outreach was hardly intended to lessen the historic concerns of that section. To the contrary, the intent was to expose all outreach students to the critical roles of social causa- tion and change in working with all populations and problems of concern. No placements should be lost as a result of this process, and it is expected that new sites will be added. The social change section's special focus on issues and placements related to racism, sexism and homophobia will not be lost in the reorganization. Instead this focus will be fully incorporated into the new section entitled "Race, Gender and Society." I respect the point of view that argues that the Social Change section should have been re- tained. We have elected, how- ever, to take this opportunity for a much broader reshaping of the entire Project Outreach course. We will be working very hard between now and the fall, and through the fall term, to make the reorganization a success. Jerry Miller Project Outreach Faculty Coordinator ~~~~1~~ -- State of the President is O.K. Open letter to Forrest Green To the Daily: true. In his "Notes from Under- As far as the Review is ground" (2/6/92), Forrest Green concerned, either you accidenta III called the Michigan Review his erred in your column, in which "own pick for what is truly the case a retraction and an apolog most regressive, white suprema- are in order, or you succumbed cist publication in Ann Arbor." your political passions and Those are strong allegations, opinion carelessly, in which ca Forrest, and you know, just as you betrayed your paper, your anyone familiar with the Review readers and, most ironically (gi knows, that your assertions are your column's emphasis on th utterly false. "social responsibility" by whic Although I would delight in journalists are bound), yourself hypothesizing what you might But then again, maybe you wer have been thinking - if indeed exactly right, although you did you were thinking - when you bother to substantiate your claim wrote so naively about the when you made them. Review, I will refrain from such You know, Forrest, we at t conjecture for the moment and Review have long felt that the instead pose the following cure for stupid, hateful, bigoted challenge: prove that your speech of all kinds is more, not allegations are accurate. less, discussion. So here is you r The Review willprint, . 1,000-word soapbox. Start unedited, an essay written by you, writing. of up to 1,000 words, which seeks Adam DeV to demonstrate that your vile editor in c twaddle is even approximately The Michigan Re tally gy dto ase riven e ch f.L ;re Snot ims he d t r lore -hie view To the Daily, I found your article titled "State of the President" to be below even your usual lack of journalistic integrity. You obviously failed to properly research the topic beforehand. Halcion is a perfectly fine drug if it is used properly. Many of the possibl side effects you listed do occur but only in a minute percentage of the population. For example, during research of the medica- tion it was found that only 0.5 percent to 0.9 percent of the population suffered from confusion. I have to believe that when the President of the United States takes any medication, he is under very close observation by the finest staff of doctors. I do not think anyone at the Daily has the medical, political and personal knowledge about President Bush to make inferences about the state of this country in connection with Homelessness effects To the Daily: Since statisticians cannot, let me help you find the true home- less. They can be found in vacant lots, countrysides, caves, sub- ways, bus terminals, 24-hour restaurants, shelters, welfare hotels and University properties. In winter such places as sewage openings and heat ducts of large buildings provide necessary warmth. Our own children are cast out into the streets of America, due to domestic confrontations with their parents. The homeless have been sterotyped as skid row bums, drunks and useless parasites of society. Our millionaires doubled in the eighties from 475,000 to 945,000. During a recession, those that are at the top rung of corporations are still being paid as usual and pardon the term, business as usual. But, in this process, the poor still get poorer because all the money is hoarded tin by t*Iha Ao.t- niu..arnti their his use of Halcion. You made it clear that in your opinion someone with medical or psychological problems should not be allowed in a position of leader- i ship. If this theory was applied more broadly, we could reach some startling conclusions. Take, for example, a woman on the first day of her menstrual cycle, which is often a grumpy day for many women. By your argu- ment women should not be allowed to be leaders or make important decisions because of that! I think most of the Daily staff, and myself as well, would strongly argue against this idea. I think that it would be in everybody's best interest to let the president and his physicians decide what is best for him - they ought to know! Jeff Blasius Engineering sophomore Judge yourself first To the Daily: In light of Leonard Jefferies' campus visit, I wanted to remind my fellow "hymies" that stereo- types and bigotry stem from within our conunity as preva- lently as they do from outside of it. I went.to high school with Khalada Farrakhan (Yes!-Louis' daughter), who was far more accepting of me than many of my relatives would be of her or any other African American. I feel the need to remind the Jewish community to be as critical of ourselves as we are of others. Joel Freehling LSA senior Dailyis no Review To the Daily: I don't read the Daily on a daily basis. For me, your paper should take on some other name like 'I'm going to cafeteria alone and need some entertainment.' T Thom n n f thosclaw- ivcT saw a :s F 2 I 1 l/G lrnwiruufr IIUVA Nuts and Bolts WAIN I,)AT5ON!I W AkuPILMAN 11 TIM1 smu- 4 QJTAN'U IAN', 1NINGS ACG:N BAD.rn S11 TARTIA TO.7r by Judd Winick COULZWrO JtSr SEE SNAKES Uk A NORMAL IPERSON. w. I