Page 4-The Michigan Daily- Tuesday, October 6, 1992 rhi bE Swcigan ailg 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 764-0552 Editor in Chief MATYIIEW 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 of the Daily's Editorial Board. All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. An old theater returns to town .o DAY'S PLUNGE /N HE S'7OK MR /7T HAPNEo WHEN JEVERYON& OA/PV,-V/1 &S-TR FY ~-'' FPRUAKE1) OUT" UPON gEA I Z ING& HOWA,?"NE I _ - / 5L1I6HTEST'4MOVEM1ENT W /ANY F/IC E T CFLIFE .. CAULSES -lE s-oCK ?-f$RKETr To PLUN6C-.., a" wtf o o L j . CP/1 M+ M U . ......,..:.i.': .':Y: : ":.......". ... ",,,,,,,,.,:"'":::,':.Y,:V":'::t:::..:,~4.1.t",:..1.4..a4".42iis:i:::1/i.S:""4:: " Coming this Halloween, the State Theatre will be opening its doors for the first time in three years. For long-time Ann Arbor residents and students alike, the theater's reopening may be like the return of an old friend. More importantly, however, there will be a new opportunity to catch good films without having to trek to Briarwood and dishing out $12.00 for tickets, a drink and popcorn. With the construction of modern movie "mul- tiplexes," a trip to the movies has lost its traditional splendor. New cinemas, such as the ShowcaseAnn Arbor, tend to resemble airports more than movie theaters, complete with passenger loading/unload- ing lanes and an announcement of when movie "arrivals" are seating. Fortunately, the new State Theatre will try to bring back as much of the old tradition as possible. This may mean that there will be no art gallery in the lobby (filled with paintings of Elvis, Marylin Monroe, and dogs playing pool). But the State Theatre does promise a traditional curtain and a neon marquee. The State Theatre also promises to be cheaper. By showing second-run movies, the State Theatre's prices will be under $3.00. Additionally, the theater will offer coupons and student discounts. Overall, their rates are far more reasonable than the $5.75 it costs to watch classics like "Universal Soldier" at the Showcase. The State Theatre will also be within walking distance from campus. Unlike the Showcase or even Briarwood's theaters, students who don't have cars will not have to pay an additional trans- portation cost to get to the movies. Everyone should remember that the Michigan Theater on Liberty has been around since early in the century and still offers the same conveniences and old-time aesthetics. But since the two theaters will cater to different tastes, the two together should offer a balanced variety of films for Ann Arbor residents. Term limits limit democracy ince the emergence of the anti-incumbent sen- timents during the 1990 mid-term elections, voters throughout the country have found term limitations to be an attractive solution to the prob- lems of gridlock and entrenched politicians. Now, a bill to limit the terms of members of the state legislature and U.S. Congress, Proposition D, is pending a vote in the State house. Passing such legislation into law would be a grave mistake, causing a myriad of problems, and solving rela- tively few. Because of the complexity of Congressional rules, the most effective lawmakers tend to be those who have the knowledge and experience to manipulate them for the members' constituents benefit. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) is well-known for his ability to direct federal funds to his home state. Sen. Edward Kennedy, whose ideological constituents include women, minorities and the handicapped, managed to forge a difficult com- promise that resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1991. New members would rarely be able to ac- complish such tasks. Especially if the president holds far more clout than any given member. Experienced members always offer a welcome check on the president's influence. The recession has hit Michigan harder than most other states. Unemployment has reached as high as nine percent. Michigan residents probably don't want to sacrifice the job-creating projects its experienced representatives can bring home. Even in the Michigan legislature, freshmen are far more vulnerable to the pressure of big lobbyists than experienced politicians. Proposition D won't even solve the problem of ineffective government in Lansing. In fact, it may make the problem worse. This doesn't mean, of course, that entrenched politicians do not pose a problem. But there is another solution - mainly, the ballot box. This year, even before the November election, the turn- over rate in Congress is greater than it has been since World War II. Most of the out-going members have either lost primaries, or have chosen to resign, fearing an expensive loss. When the new session of Congress convenes, Washington D.C. may welcome up to 120 new members. The Constitution has provided an automatic term-limiting mechanism: If a member isn't per- forming adequately, elect a new representative. The premise of term limits is that the American people haven't the ability to choose on their own who ought to represent them in government. Such paternalism flies in the face of democratic theory. More important is the constitutional question. All citizens have by right the freedom to vote for whomever they please. Restricting the choice on the basis of experience is not only ludicrous, but against the spirit of the Constitution. Some cite the term limits imposed on the president of the United States as constitutional precedent. The legal prece- dent may exist, but the 22nd Amendment was a vindictive act against Franklin Roosevelt, rather than a sound electoral reform. The precedent is not a healthy one. Democracy relies on the responsibility of its citizenry. If the American people want to re-elect the same Congress and State house every two years until the members die, that's fine. If the represen- tative performs poorly, throw the bum out. Passing such paternal legislation as term limits unduly relieves the American people of the responsibility to choose. Self defense can help To the Daily: In the Daily, there was a story of a woman who had been raped at a local park ("Woman raped at local park; city police lack suspects," 9/29/92). My head and eyes hurt from crying for this woman, for myself and for every woman that has been or will go through this. How ironic it is that we have "Take- Back-the-Night" rallies and we cannot even walk alone during the day. This is not just woman's problem. It could be your mother, sister, wife, or girlfriend that this happens to next. There is something that can be done. Self-defense classes may not be the cure-all but they have a lot to offer. If you have been attacked, self defense can help you to regain your confidence. If you are one of the lucky ones, self defense can help you to learn skills to prevent an attack. The classes help you to get in touch with your power, your strength, and your anger at being victim- ized. Melisa Buie Engineering graduate student Calvin & Hobbes To the Daily: In the previous three years, the only real value that the Daily had was to line a bird cage or provide real humor through the comics. Nuts and Bolts and Calvin and Hobbes were an essential part of many students' day. Now, Judd Winick has graduated, leaving us with only one true reason for picking up the Daily. So, where is Calvin and Hobbes this year? We want it back. Paul C. Tackett LSA senior Chris Willis LSA junior Open government in Michigan needs your help. In the summer of 1991, the Ann Arbor News published a groundbreaking series on secrecy in Michigan's judicial system. At the State Bar of Michigans's annual meeting, the Ann Arbor News series and its author, Tina Lam, received the Wade H. McCree, Jr. Advancement of Justice Award. In her series, Lam focused in part on the operation of Michigan's criminal- expungement law. It is extremely difficult simply to get information on the operation of the expungement law. Among othe: things, the law gives crime victims no right to participate in the expungement process. As a result, often victims will not even realize that the crime against them has been erased from court records. Last May, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bills 5688 and 5689. These bills, which I sponsored, correct the problems with Michigan's criminal-expungement law. These bills: Require courts to keep records on the types of crimes expunged, specific crimes expunged by individual judges, and the race, gender, age, city or township of residence, and attorney of those getting expungements. Limit the prohibition on disclosure of information con- cerning an expunged conviction - now applicable to members of the press - to public employees who obtained the information through their public employment. Add language protecting newsgatherers from being forced to disclose their sources or being sued under the expungement law. For serious assaultive crimes, require that the victim (or the victim's family) be notified when an application for expungement is made, and have a right to participate in the expungement proceeding. In the Michigan Senate, the bills were referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator William Van Regenmorter (R - Jenison). I have written repeatedly to Senator Van Regenmorter requesting a hearing on these bills. Nevertheless, and despite his reputation as an advocate for crime-victims' rights, I have yet to receive any assurance from the Senator that he will schedule House Bills 5688 and 5689 for a hearing. I am concerned that senator Van Regenmorter will refuse to hold a hearing on these bills, so necessary to press coverage of the criminal-expungement process. I am also worried that the Senator may tie consideration ofthese bills to advancement of his Senate Bill 908. Senate Bill 908 would prohibit police detectives and prosecuters from releasing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of almost all crime victims except under a court order or when the victim testifies in open court. It would be a tragedy if the price of enacting bills to open the criminal-justice process were the enactment of a bill that closes the system even more. Left to themselves, ordinary politicians or bureaucrats will never support increased openness in government. Eternal vigilance is truly the price of liberty. I urge you to give this issue your attention in the days and weeks remaining in our 1992 legislative session. Perry Bullard Chair, House Judiciary Committee Open letter from Perry Bullard 0 # Thomas-Hill, one year later VW........................ When you gotta go, you gotta go "...for now America can only sit and wait for time to tell us the answers to questions that Clarence Thomas should have answered in the Senate cau- cus room two weeks ago." - Daily editorial (10/16/91) Tt is a year ago this week that Clarence Thomas andAnita Hill played out their drama before the American viewing audience - spurring anger, confusion, discontent and disgust among the pub- lic. During the past year, answers to the questions about Thomas have become more clear. The effect of the melodrama of the hearings process has become more defined. It is clear that our reserva- tions about Justice Thomas were valid. Thomas has proven that he does not deserve his seat on the w Court. But it is equally clear that Anita Hill's courage has inspired and energized women across the nation. A year ago, we asked, "How can the Senate show its confidence in a man who, based on his testimony before the committee, apparently has no views at all?" Thomas, through his decisions as a Supreme Court Justice, has failed to contribute to the Court's legal dialogue. On a majority of the decisions made by the court this year, including the Pennsyl- vania abortion case and important criminal rights cases, Thomas has voted almost exclusively with Justice Antonin Scalia. In lieu of devising an independent opinion, Thomas has instead become a lackey of right-wing stalwart Antonin Scalia, take on harassers - in person and in court. There is little doubt that the issue will remain in the forefront of public attention for years to come. Furthermore, and perhaps most notably, the Senate's indifference to Hill's story has prompted women to step forward and take on the political old-boy network. More than a hundred women have made runs for House and Senate seats this year in the major parties alone. In California, there is a good chance that Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein will make up the first all-female Senate tandem in U.S. history. In Illinois, Carol Moseley Braun dedicated her U.S. House campaign to right- ing the wrong perpetrated against Hill. As a result, she rose from anonymity to defeat incumbent Sen. Alan Dixon (D-Ill.) in the March Democratic pri- mary. Time has revealed the answers to the questions about Clarence Thomas. Time has also shown the effect of Anita Hill's courage. But what we've learned from them is less clear. In this politically charged election year, it may be difficult to separate the lessons from the politics. But for now, America seems to have grown a year later. And if that growth continues, we may never again have to face a fiasco similar to the one we faced a year ago. Self control-as defined by the powers thatbe-is overrated. Never let them tell you otherwise. You see, I am recovering from low self control, an addictive, in- curable condition which results from having a mind of one's own. Back in grade school, my happy report cards were repeatedly marred by low marks-in self control. The comments sec- tion of my report card would in- variably say & something like, "Katherine is a _ _ _ very lively little Katherine girl, showing Metres high enthusiasm for her studies and her peers. How- ever, she needs to learn not to talk so much." They must have wanted more of those zombies who only speak in class to ask the teacher's permis- sion to go potty. Which brings me to describe an incident of insolence in my pre-recovery past. In third grade, I was caught using the teachers' bathroom. There I was, peacefully reliev- ing myself in the neat private stall attached to the irrk' rom. I'd ai- "Don't you know that's The Teacher's Bathroom?" Obviously not, but there was no use attempting to defend myself for such a heinous crime. Never mind that there was no sign on the door indicating that it was for the use of teachers only. I guess a more self- controlled child wouldhaveknown. Public school was bad enough. When I matriculated at a girls' Catholic high school, my lack of self control became shockingly obvious in contrast with my ultra- compliantpeers. You see, self-con- trol is the hallmark of the good Catholic and the good girl - a double whammy for those of us afflicted by both conditions. God forbid that females should be al- lowed to express themselves freely. Within three weeks of begin- ning high school, I was sent to the dean. The librarian had pegged me for impertinence. I had dared ask her a follow-up question on how to find some information I needed. After she practically bit my head off, I replied "Okay" in an insuffi- ciently deferential tone of voice. I was angry. I guess having been raised in one of those pinko- Commie families where mnntl But socialization is like erosion, and the desire to get along wears away at one's free spirit. Like this summer, in pursuit of upwardly- mobile social graces, I went so far as to read an etiquette book. And it worked! Now I am totally self cen- sored. I can hardly open my mouth without running through a mental checklist: "Is it appropriate?" "Is it polite?" I'm selfcontrolled but mis- erable.,The main difference is now when I'm rude to someone, I imme- diately feel guilty, whereas before I lived in blissful ignorance. Seriously, though, what is this self-control thing all about? I've al- ways acted of my own volition, lit- erally controlling myself as I saw fit. But what they really mean by self control is other controlled - intimidated by authority into socially correct behavior. Many people have pondered why today's young people seem so su- perficial and self absorbed, more concerned with their spring-break plans than with the future of society. Where are the idealists, those who will stand up for a principle or de- fend someone unfairly attacked? I know that our generation has manv such serinu and enurinznne