The MichiganDaily - Tuesday, November 1, 1994 - 3 .Authors to give benefit readings to fight hunger tomorrow By JENNIFER LI For the Daily Charlie Baxter, a University En- glish professor, is concerned about the plight of the hungry. Baxter, who has taught English at the University for five years, is par- ticipating in the Writer's Harvest, a national benefit reading for the hun- gry along with several other local authors. As co-chair for the organization of the nationwide reading, Baxter is Shahak calls Israel policy on occupied lands unjust 0 Hebrew University professor is a concentration camp survivor By MAGGIE WEYHING Daily Staff Reporter Calling many of Israel's policies toward non-Jews discriminatory, a Hebrew University professor ad- dressed about 50 students and faculty members Sunday night. Israel Shahak, a survivor of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and professor of chemistry at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, spoke about his recently published book, "Jewish History, Jewish Religion, the Weight of Three Thousand Years." Shahak's book focuseson the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Shahak said he believes that Israeli policy is heavily influenced by ,what he called Jewish classical ideol- igy- pethe perod in Judaism immedi- ately before modernity. "I believe that the state of Israel is still heavily influenced by classical ideology and it is this ideology which determines the policy of Israel. Fur- tiermore, this policy is not demo- atic," Shahak said. -Shahak asserted that Israel's poli- cies includes blatant discrimination' against non-Jews, a system he called "apartheid," in the West Bank. He said that while American me- dia use the term "Israeli settlement" when speaking of the West Bank, it is not one. "A Palestinian living in the West Bank sees 70 percent of the land de- nied to his people. Seventy percent of the land is set aside for Jews only. The same is for Americans who wish to *rent land in the West Bank, if they are not Jewish, they cannot." This activity, which Shahak deems "racism," is tied to the tradition of classical Judaism and is unjust, he said. This system, he said, is detri- mental to the quest for peace. "I think that the peace process could go on if the empty land which the Israeli government has confis- .cated was returned to Palestinian farm- ers," he said. He asserted that Israeli policy makes it almost impossible for those prisoners who have killed Jews to be set free, while other prisoners are often freed. "Right now, the democracy in the West Bank can be described in two ways: a democracy that is accepted only if it does not conflict with security, anda democracy whose values are sub- ordinate to the values of Jewish tradi- tion. This is not only wrong, but it is unrealistic as well," Shahak said. working to get people involved. Baxter said his writing allows him to express himself in front of a larger audience. "Writing is viewed as a solitary or private activity," Baxter said. He also said writing gives people the oppor- tunity to "break out." Baxter is the author of highly ac- claimed novels, usually stories set in the Midwest. His most recent novel, "Shadow Play," was published in 1993. He is also the author of "First Event to be held on 200 college campuses, locally at Rackham Rackham Amphitheatre at 7:30 p.m. The proceeds from ticket dona- tions of $5 for students and $10 for non-students will go to local organi- zations fighting hunger, including Food Gatherers. In addition to the reading, SOS and American Express will launch the second Charge Against Hunger, an awareness, fundraising and volunteer campaign. From Nov. 1 to the end of the year, three cents will be donated to SOS, with the goal of raising up to $5 mil- lion each time an American Express card is used to make a purchase. Joining Baxter are Betty Louise Bell, Alice Fulton and Laurence Goldstein, who will also read from their works. All three are University faculty members and noted authors. WTickets will be available at Borders Books and Music and at the door. For more information about the event, contact Andrea Beauchamp at 764- 6296. Light," which includes such works such as "Relative Stranger" and "Imaginary Paintings." Last year, the University raised $1,500 in conjunction with the Writ- ers Harvest to fight hunger. Sponsored by Share Our Strength (SOS) and American Express, the Writer's Harvest will be held at 200 bookstores and college campuses across the United States tomorrow. In Ann Arbor, the event will be held in ME AND MY BAGS OF LEAVES Rain fizzles out 'green' lobby's Halloween rally JOSH KOLEVZONIDaity Gabe Schwarts, LSA first-year student, poses with garbage bags full of leaves on the corner of Hill and Washtenaw. e D e Wolpe says Ener economis means low wages for workers By SCOT WOODS Daily Staff Reporter A pro-environmental lobbying group used the Halloween holiday to mourn the death of several pieces of "green" legislation that failed to pass the 103rd Congress. The Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) even mocked up headstones for bills such as the Clean Water Act, the 1872 Mining Act and the Endangered Spe- cies Act for its 11 a.m. rally on the steps of the Graduate Library. The grim reaper (really John Mank, a PIRGIM volunteer) stood watch. But after a lack of publicity and a steady drizzle, the event, which was to focus on the environmental records of the candidates for Michigan's 13th congressional district, fizzled. 'The rain and gloom is almost appropriate." said Tom Geiger, PIRGIM's campaign director, adding that there was little for PIRGIM to celebrate this year. The rally instead became a peti- tion drive, with a half-dozen volun- teers speaking to students as they en- tered and exited the library. Geiger said the non-partisan orga- nization, which has an annual budget of about $60,000 and 15,000 mem- bers statewide, is trying to alert the public about the state of environmen- tal legislation at both the state and national levels. "The last Congress was long on tricks but short on treats for the envi- ronment," Geiger said in a written statement. This fall, PIRGIM is attempting to get candidates from both parties to sign on to a promise to support 16 individual pieces of "green" legisla- tion if elected. In addition to the bills in its legislative "graveyard," PIRGIM advocates measures including a na- tional bottle deposit bill, government purchasing of recycled materials, pol- luters-pay laws and wetlands preser- vation. Both candidates for Michigan's 13th district responded to PIRGIM' s survey. Democrat Lynn Rivers agreed to support all 16 pieces of legislation, Her opponent, Republican John Schall, agreed to nine of them. 'Those are issues I think there are solid, substantive reasons to support that legislation," Rivers said. "As 1 work through legislation at the fed- eral level, the environment will al- ways be in my thinking." A spokesman for Schall's cam- paign said the Republican candidate chose to support measures that he felt had the best impact on the environ- ment with the least damage to the economy. PIRGIM has not been able to get responses to its survey from either Democrat Bob Carr or Republican Spence Abraham, who are running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. DETROIT (AP) -- Democrat Howard Wolpe got a polite reception before the Detroit Economic Club yesterday when he laid out his vision for a Michigan economy that includes high wages for highly skilled work- ers. Wolpe said an economy built on poorly paid workers is shortsighted. "John Engler's agenda really is an agenda that points to lower wages," he said. "You do that, you begin low- ering the standard of living for all our state. Somebody's got to buy those products." Wolpe received polite applause at the end of his speech, but was not interrupted with applause once while he delivered it. About 450 people came to hear Wolpe, compared to about 1,300 who heard incumbent Gov. John Engler earlier this year. Polls have shown Engler with a hefty lead. At a news conference be- fore his speech, Wolpe pulled out a press clipping from the eve of the election four years ago showing Low business formation rank cited in speech to Economic Club Engler trailing incumbent Democrat James Blanchard by double digits. "I feel very good. There is a tre- mendous amount of energy and grassroots activity that I've not seen in a lot of elections," he said. "Volunteers are coming out of the woodwork." The challenge for his campaign in the last days before the Nov. 8 elec- tion is to persuade Democrats that the cause can be won, Wolpe said. "I'm finding that people are just being made angry by the constant drumbeat (of Engler's lead). ... Get- ting out the vote is going to be the key," he said. Wolpe tried to persuade his audi- ence to look beyond the current re- bounding auto business and into the future. He said national studies have given Michigan low grades for new busi- ness formation and only average grades for things such as physical infrastructure and work force educa- tion and training. His own administration would in- vest more state pension funds in Michigan businesses, provide a re- search and development tax credit for small businesses and more technical assistance for new and small busi- nesses, he said. Wolpe also repeated his criticism of Engler's tax record, claiming the governor is masquerading as a tax- cutter despite having raised taxes on liquor, tobacco and long distance tele- phone calls. He also accused the gov- ernor of planting a "$1 billion time bomb" under Michigan schools. Wolpe contends the Proposal A school finance plan approved by voters in March is underfunded by that amount. En virorunental Pledges The candidates for the 13th District Congressional seat were asked to sign a pledge by a local environmental group. Here are their responses. Schall / / Rivers / National Bottle Bill to promote recycling. / Require 50% recycled content in newspapers and packaging and government purchasing of recycled products. Poland opposition party leader to speak TRACEY ROGERS For the Daily Jacek Kuron, an influential Polish politician who was instrumental in the breakdown of Communist rule in his country, will speak tonight at 7:30 in the West Conference room at Rackham Ampitheatre. The University's Copernicus En- dowment and the Ann Arbor chapter of the Polish-American Congress are sponsoring the event. Kuron is the deputy chairman of Poland's largest opposition party and has a long personal history of in- volvement in political affairs. In 1964, Kuron was sentenced to three years in prison and expelled from the Communist Party for his criticism of the government. Later on, he formed the Com- mittee to Defend Workers (KOR), which went on to join with Soli- darity. In 1982, he was accused of plotting to overthrow the govern- ment and sent back to prison. Af- ter receiving amnesty in 1984, Kuron continued his active role in politics by participating in talks to terminate Communist rule in Po- land. After the official breakup of the Communist government, Kuron served as minister of labor and social policy, and was elected a member of parliament in 1989. / / / / / / / / / / / / .1 / / / / Moratorium on new solid wasted incinerators until 2000 Strengthen Safe Drinking Water Act, Expand public reporting on toxics Clean up hazardous waste dumps Require more fuel efficient cars to curb global warming Move away from nuclear and fossil fuels to renewable energy. Stengthen Endagered Species Act. Strengthen wetlands preservation Designate Arctic Wildlife Refuge as wilderness area Stop new offshore drilling Set standards for grazing Stop giveaways of destruction of public lands. Eliminate subsidies for polluting industries. V I Group Meetings U U-M Gospel Chorale Rehears- als, School of Music, Room 2043, 7:30-9:30 p.m., 764-1705 U. Alianza Meeting, Trotter House, Mail Lobby, 7 p.m., 764-2677 Q Thai Students Association Plan- ning Meeting, Michigan Union, Michigan Room, 6 p.m., 663- 7299 U Orthodox ChristianFellowship, Michigan Union, CrofootRoom, Events~ UInformation Meeting About U- M Study Abroad Program in Spain, Modern Language Build- ing, Room Bi116,5-6 p.m., 764- 43111 Ingrid B. Sheldon, Michigan League, Henderson Room, 6:30 p.m., 668-4664 U "Middle East: Inside the Peace Process: Water, Economy, Boundaries," Speaker Dr. Elizibeth Barlow, International Center, 603 E. Madison, 12 p.m. Q "The Future of NASA" and "The Romance of Space Travel," Prof. Eric S. Rabkin, Dental Building, Room G378, 7:30 p.m., U "UnveilingUzbekWomen: Cen- tral Asian History Without Ide- ology," Speaker Marianne Kamp, East COnference Room, Rackham Building, 4 p.m. QI "An Interview With JIack War,"phot exhibit by AmirPasic University Art Lounge Q Antonya Nelson, reading from hei work, Rackham Amphitheater, 4 stu&nt services U Career Pathways In Asian Stud ies, Panel Presentation, Student Activities Building, THird Floor Conference Room, 6-7:30 p.m. 763-6093 Q 76-GUIDE, peer counseling line call 76-GUIDE, 7 p.m.-8 a.m. U English Composition Board Peer Tutoring, Angell Hall Courtyard Computing Site, 7-11 p.m. U Campus Information Center, Michigan Union, 763-INFO; events info 76-EVENT of Stu ent fetrmeei are here!. Dormitory residents may pick up a Directory in their hall lobby this week (one per room, please). if you don't live In a dorm, don 't despair... On-campus Directory distribution: *Wednesday, Nov. 2 Diag 10am-Ipm eFriday, Nov. 4 Michigan Union 10am-2pm -, I