Page 4-The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, January 27,1993
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Editor in Chief
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
764-0552
MATTHEW D. RENNIE
Opinion Editors
YAEL CITRO
GEOFFREY EARLE
AMITAVA MAZUMDAR
Edited and Managed
by Students at the
University of Michigan
Unsigned editorials represent a nmajority of the Daily's Editorial Board.
All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily.
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0
'U' cuts might cost
While President Bill Clinton has wisely re-
stored U.S. support to the United Nations
Fund for Population Activities, the University has
axed its Department of Population Planning and
International Health (PPIH). The Executive Com-
mittee of the School of Public Health (SPH), led
by Dean June Osborne (who is rumored to be a
candidate for a top Clinton administration job),
voted in December to close down PPIH by 1995.
This decision appears to represent an ill-consid-
ered blow to University profitability and leader-
ship in this important field.
Pointing to budgetary constraints and an antici-
pated shortage of professors, Dean Osborn chose
PPIH as the sacrificial lamb on which to balance
the school's budget.
According to PPIH administrator Sandy Tho-
mas, Osborne admitted in a recent School of
Public Health faculty meeting that she failed to
follow proper procedure for closing down the
department. These procedures require establish-
ing an impartial group, including a faculty mem-
ber of the affected department, to investigate the
proposed dissolution.
None of Executive Committee members are
PPIH faculty. Clearly, someone from the depart-
ment should have had a role in the decision before
- not just after - it was made.
PPIH appears to be an asset, not a drain, on the
University budget overall. Next year alone PPIH
will bring in $5-6 million from private and public
sources, including the U.N. fund. The overhead
cost is less than half the revenue that the depart-
ment brings in. The Provost's office is now assess-
ing whether the University stands to lose a lot of
money from the program's demise.
In addition to their fiscal value, these research
and training grants represent the government and
scientific community's recognition of the
department's worth. Population Planning and In-
ternational Health makes the University a world
leaderin a crucial area. Its students learnto evaluate
and manage family planning programs, particu-
larly in developing countries. Department gradu-
ates have been extremely successful in attaining
employment with prestigious world health agen-
cies.
The department also contains the Population-
Environment Dynamics Program, the only inter-
disciplinary program of its kind in the country.
Working with other schools which have been more
supportive than SPH, this program is heavily in-
volved in the widely-acclaimed Global Change
Project. In addition, it was recently awarded a large
grant to conduct a symposium in Japan on the
effects of population, health and the environment in
an urban setting.
SPH admittedly has a very difficult job in trying
to slash its budget by the requisite two percent a
year (as does every school). Associate Dean
Marshall Becker estimates that by June 1995, SPH
would have to replace six PPIH faculty members at
a cost of $350,000. According to Becker, none of
PPIH's grant monies feed into the school's budget.
But Population-Environment Dynamics Pro-
gram Director Gayl Ness reports that SPH does, in
fact, receive some of these monies. The specific
amountis negotiated withProvost Gilbert Whitaker.
If SPH is unable to support the department oa its
own, perhaps the amount SPH receives could be
augmented.
PPIH is a prestigious, cutting-edge program
which should not be abandoned casually. This is
particularly true if the department benefits the
University financially. If the Executive Committee
does not reverse its decision, the University -- not
to mention the underdeveloped countries it serves
- will suffer.
Daily ignores "Raise
the Red Lantern"
To the Daily:
I am an eager reader of the
Daily's film reviews, which I
usually find more enlightening
and reliable than those of most
other papers and magazines. In
the case of the "Daily 'stop 10
films of 1992," (1/14/93),1I agreed
with most of the critics' choices.
However, I was a bit disap-
pointed that none of the lists
contained the Chinese movie
"Raise the Red Lantern," the story
of a young woman's life as the
fourth wife in a wealthy house-
hold. I think it deserves to be
mentioned as it is a masterpiece
perfectly matching form and
content. The director Zhang
Yimou is acknowledged as one of
the true masters of contemporary
cinema, and the main lead, Youn
Li, is a ravishing beauty and a
great actress. I am already
anticipating their next movie
which will be China's entry for
Best Foreign Picture at this year's
Academy Awards.
I really encourage those who
have a chance to see "Raise the
Red Lantern" and hope they'll
appreciate this work of art.
Paolo Magnani
Visiting Researcher
Bush did not put people first
To the Daily:
Given the state of our country
today, it is hard to believe that
anyone, even a Republican like
Matthew Kliber, still maintains
that Ronald Reagan and George
Bush were good for America
("Liberals falsely tarnish
Reagan-Bush Legacy," 1/21/93).
It took 12 years for the people to
understand, but they finally
discovered the truth behind the
Reagan-Bush legacy, and that is
why the era is over.
How can Mr. Kliber claim
that Bush never compromised his
beliefs for political gain? I am
sure he knows that Mr. Bush was
once pro-choice, but mysteri-
ously became pro-life to be
Reagan's running mate. He also
labeled Reagan's economic plan
"voodoo economics," but had to
recant for the same reason. He
compromised his beliefs to such
a degree that no one could
determine where he stood on
anything, even after four years as
president.
Also, the pardons of the Iran-
Contra "patriots" only proved
that government officials are
above the law. They committed a
serious criminal offense, and
they got away with it because of
Bush. That does not seem like
the behavior of a man of the
"highest moral and ethical fiber."
The end of the mnocents
believe it contrary to any standard of decency costly lega
to execute someone who is actually innocent." monstrably
While this principle plainly should be enshrined as lost.
a primary tenet of any civilized society's legal The ma
system, the author of this sentiment, Justice Harry York, whi
Blackmun, is actually in the minority on the U.S. require th
Supreme Court. The Court - by ruling that death whatever
row inmates who discover new evidence suggest- victing an
ing innocence are not entitled to a hearing - has sible stand
again sacrificed defendant's' rights for the sake of recognize
expediency separate c
This decision rein-
forces the strongest argu-
ment against capital pun- FELEO, HIMEIft UIF
ishment: innocent people HE N1W[VEN( rIIW iMG Tt
are killed. While a pris- IUNOCIUCE OF 1 OEA11 MW
oner serving a life sen- ONVIC T M SHALLt U T
tencemaylaterbesetfree HIM D
if proven innocent, an ex-
ecuted convict cannot be
brought back to life. If
the Court insists on up-
holding this barbaricpun-
ishment, it must at least / f
give convicts every
chance to demonstrate
innocence.
Chief Justice William RI
Rhenquist conceded in
his iajority opinion that the Eighth and 14th sions hav
Amendments prohibit executing an innocent per- sent by th
son. Yet he reasoned that if the Court took every harsher.
precaution to avoid convicting an innocent per- Blackn
son, the law enforcement system would be para- people whi
lyzed. perilously
In short, the Court weighed the possibility of the Supre
Widfal for abortio
resident Bill Clinton, on the 20th anniversary fetal-tissu
of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, signed research o
a series of executive orders and memoranda that ease, diab
reversed 12 years of backward and restrictive The R
abortion policies. With a few strokes of a pen, search can
Clintonlifted the gag rule, legalized essential fetal abortion,
tissue research, and moved toward allowing RU- administra
486 - the promising French abortion pill - into sider by o
the country for research and eventual personal miscarriag
use. His swift and incisive action is cause for complaint
celebration and signifies a bright future for abor- tissue wo
tion rights in the United States. reversal o
Clinton's most far-reaching, decision was his exhibited
repeal of the gag-rule, which barred doctors prac- ing aborti
ticing in federally-funded clinics from counseling Anothe
- or even informing - their patients about the military fi
abortion option. Therule, which President Reagan tals, but t
imposed in 1988, was not only an infringement on lifted the 1
.. o . .. ... f _. - 3- ,._ .. ..... - : s.n l h ra 2 ..
al delays against the probability that de-
y innocent people will die. The innocent
ajority opinion cited Patterson v. New
ch holds that "Due process does not
at every conceivable step be taken, at
cost, to eliminate the possibility of con-
innocent person." While this is a defen-
dard for most crimes, the Court fails to
that the death penalty is an entirely
ategory of punishment that deserves a
Deal with pressure at CCRB ...
V M L
1ffE
I
{
ICH CH0110aily
more liberal standard for
appeal.
In lieu of a new hear-
ing, the Court recom-
mended executive clem-
ency as a safeguard
against "miscarriages of
justice." This is a dubi-
ous comfort. Few gover-
nors are willing to endure
the political conse-
quences of setting a con-
victed murderer free -
especially in death-happy
states such as Texas, from
which this case origi-
nated.
As recent Court deci-
e moved further to the extreme, the dis-
he vanishing moderate wing has grown
mun summed up his dissent, "To execute
ho can prove their own innocence comes
close to simple murder." To these depths
me Court has sunk.
ights
e research hampered progress in medical
f Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dis-
etes and leukemia.
eagan administration's ban on the re-
me to symbolize its stalwart opposition to
even when put to humane use. The Bush
ation countered scientists' pleas to recon-
ffering to create a fetal tissue bank from
ges. President Bush callously ignored
ts from the research community that such
uld be damaged and useless. Clinton's
f this ban is equally symbolic. He has
to the country his dedication to preserv-
on rights.
er Reagan-era policy kept women in the
rom obtaining abortions in military hospi-
hat policy, too, has fallen. When Clinton
ban, he simply returned to female soldiers
-..,.lot. v..:ia+t
To the Daily:
I don't understand the point of
your article about women in the
Central Campus Recreation
Building weight room ("Women
feel weight of intimidation at
CCRB," 1/23/93).
You make it sound as if
women and men cannot coexist
without women being a bunch of
intimidated, frightened victims. If
you are trying to be sensitive to
feminist issues, then I disagree
with your methods.
Women don't need to be
... women must
To the Daily:
Try to remember back to your
first days of kindergarten or pre-
school. While walking to school,
one of your hands was held by
your mom (or dad). In your other
hand you carried a brand new Big
Bird lunch pail with a Bert and
Ernie thermos inside.
Everything was fine until
Mom let go of your hand and
pushed you forward to that
teacher who stood with a class-
room of strange kids who you had
never seen before. Feeling scared
and intimidated by the unknown,
you did what you knew best -
you cried and demanded to go
home.
Of course you made it through
that day and the next. Eventually,
mom or dad didn't have to hold
your hand and walk you to school
anymore.
I reminisced over those days
after reading Byrn Mickle's
"Women feel weight of intimida-
tion at CCRB" (1/23/93) in which
some female students complained
of being intimidated amongst the
"large numbers of men" in the
Central Campus Recreation
Building (CCRB) weight room.
A s afemales tident who
called victims, or to always be
worrying if some man is looking
at them. Not that I have the final
word on feminism, but I really
don't think the men are at fault ...
yet (just kidding- some feminist
humor there, a rare thing).
Really, the women may have
to just deal with it, if the men
aren't doing anything offensive.
Please get it straight - women
shouldn't need to be constantly
protected from the other half of
the population.
Amelia Natoll
School of Art sophomore
help eachother
LSA juniors Manpreet Bagga and
Jennifer McManus might feel
towards exercising in the weight
room. Walking into the room and
lifting the first few times is
uncomfortable - as your first
days in school.
But people can only hold your
hands for so long. The University
and other public institutions will
only do so much to keep a person
healthy and wise; but there is a
point where becoming healthy
and wise is not always comfort-
able.
As a fellow student and as a
female, I have two points of
advice for women in Mickle's
article:
Wisen up. In times of
budget deficits and job lay-offs,
the likelihood that the University
will set aside money and space for
a small percentage of women
interested in weight lifting, when
the necessary equipment that
already exists, is slim.
Shape up. If you are
sincerely interested in exercising
and weight lifting, bring a large
group of female friends with you
and work out together in the
weight room. You might find it
tr..p tha tp is .. r noth in
Finally, the Reagan-Bush era
did not invalidate liberalism; on
the contrary, it demonstrated the
colossal failure of conservatism.
Reagan's economic boom has
turned out to be a bust, and yet
Mr. Kliber praises it profusely.
The truth is that Reagan mort-
gaged our future.
I can use my credit card to
surround myself with luxuries,
and for a time, I can marvel at my
incredible wealth. But eventually,
inevitably, the bill arrives.
Reagan's "credit card economics"
was nice for awhile, but the bill
has come due. And our generation
must pay.
Republicans must realize that
there are human beings out there
who just cannot get ahead no
matter how hard they work. And
all they heard from Bush was,
"things aren't so gloomy; we're
the United States.'
Mr. Kliber's "admiration" of
Bush for his ignorance is shock-
ing. He was a man who was
simply out of touch. President Bill
Clinton will show us what
government is really supposed to
do. Above all, government is
supposed to put its people first.
Jeffrey Kaplan
LSA junior
U-M Students for C inton-
Gore
Daily shows ignorance
over gun control laws
To the Daily:
I am amazed that The Michi-
gan Daily, which hides behind the
shield of the Bill of Rights, would
crusade for the destruction of one
of those rights. Your anti-gun
editorial ("Gun-of-the-month bill
is a start ... but U.S. needs stricter
laws," 1/20/93) is sadly indicative
of the liberal, urbanite/suburban-
ite view of gun ownership.
How many members of the
editorial staff have shot a firearm?
How many of you own a firearm?
How many of you come from an
urban or suburban background?
My guess is that you an-
swered: "none," "none" and"all"
to these three questions.
In urban and suburban life,
guns are associated with the
violence caused by thugs who
have no respect for human life
and prey upon the innocent and
each other. As a result, anti-gun
sentiment in these areas is strong.
But if you get away from
urban centers and the dense
suburbs you find that firearms are
replaced with respect. Every
household has a gun (I personally
cannot think of a single relation or
friend who does not own at least
one gun).
Children are taught early on
not to touch any gun found in the
home. Yet, children are also taken
out and taught how to responsibly
handle the family firearm so as to
instill in them a respect and love
for them.
It is from these people that the
National Riffle Association
(NRA) garners it's support. This
image is completely at odds with
the popular portrayal of a typical
NRA member as being a ma-
chine-gun toting, cold-blooded
monster.
Hopefully President Bill
Clinton will realize that the kind
of legislation anti-gunners want
will be an annoying and expen-
sive hurdle to those who try to
obey the law in obtaining a gun,
but will not even be an after-
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