4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, November 2, 1994


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We feel it's a slap in the face to all the hard work
we've been trying to do.'
-LSASG President Ryan Boeskool, speaking about Republican congressional candidate
John Schall's decision not to attend last night's debate at the Law School

420 Maynard
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan

Jessie Halladay
Editor in Chief
Samuel Goodstein
Flint Wainess
Editorial Page Editors

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Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of a majority of the Daily's editorial board. All
other articles, letters, and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.

Anybody but Abraham
Bob Carr would better serve Michigan's interests

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like a nice

I f this page could draft its ideal senator, the
composite would not have much in com-
mon with Rep. Bob Carr (D-Lansing). A card-
carrying member of the National Rifle Asso-
ciation with a shoddy environmental record,
Carr is far from being aprogressive. Neverthe-
less, in the midterm elections of 1994, the
question before voters is fast becoming a
referendum on the institution of Congress
itself. Voters need not choose utopian candi-
dates. Instead, they must choose between those
that would rollback the moderate gains of the
past two years, and those that would plunge
the nation back into Reaganomics; between
those that continually disparage the institution
they yearn to become a part of, and those
cognizant of the fact that to govern is to
compromise - indeed, the election to replace
Michigan's retiring Senator Don Riegle is of
the utmost importance in that battle.
When Al Gore's tie-breaking vote pro-
pelled President Clinton's 1993 budget deal to
victory, naysayers on the Republican side of
the aisle argued that the U.S.'s economic
house had been razed. The affluent, they ar-
gued, as not a single GOP vote was cast in
favor of the budget, would be so fundamen-
tally squeezed by the tax increase that eco-
nomic growth would be impossible. Since
then, the historical record has solidified, and
the President's allies can point to the creation
of more jobs in two years than four years of the
Bush administration to back up their initial
assertions. Michigan's Democratic candidate
for senator, Bob Carr, voted for the budget
deal.
Still, it's the economy stupid has since
become somewhat outdated. Voters, feeling
more secure in employment and sensing poli-

01

cies that have begun to face the decline in the
average worker's real wages, have turned to
crime. Democrats for years have been painted
as too liberal on crime, and the only crime issue
in which they fell along the lines of popular
opinion was in respect to gun control. Seem-
ingly, Bob Carr was indicative of the worst of
these trends. But when it came time to turn
rhetoric into policy, NRA member Bob Carr
courageously took a deep breath, and voted to
outlaw a significant number of weapons of
mass destruction. His support of the crime bill,
however flawed it may have been, proved that
as the going got tough, he would buck special
interests if need be and vote his conscience.
And that brings us inevitably to health care.
Health care reform Clinton-style may be dead,
but the crisis isn't. Large corporations, joined
by a diverse coalition of policy wonks and the
working poor, continue to beg for reform and
economically - if not morally - it is neces-
sary. A new study by Public Citizen Health
Research Group shows that it is not merely a
crisis of insurance, it is a crisis of care - 86
hospitals in 22 states refused to treat emer-
gency patients for nonmedical reasons in 1993
and the first quarter of 1994. Senator Bob Carr
would fight to right these wrongs.
Implied in this look into the record of Bob
Carr is Republican Spence Abraham's failure
to address these problems. Repeatedly, he fol-
lows the obstructionist line: it's my way or the
highway. And my way continues to mean
resorting to the failed policies of the past.
Students need to look to the future when
they cast their ballots next Tuesday. That fu-
ture would be much brighter with BOB CARR
representing the needs of Michiganders in
Washington.

I

Abraham

Meter-maids receive more
support than safety measures

Tothe Daily:
In the real world there is
talk and there is fact. In the past
few weeks I have heard a lot of
talk from the public safety
branches of both the city and
the University. From what I
hear, they are going to make
the city safe. Maybe I am
living in a parallel universe,
but when I look around Ann
Arbor for proof of this com-
mitment to safety what I see
disgusts me.
At 10:00 at night, when I
look out of my window at the
street outside, I see nothing.
The swarming pack of meter-
maids are at the station seeing
how close they are to their two
million dollar goal. What is
left is a street that is pitch black.
I guess just because a street is
importantenough to have park-
ing meters doesn't mean it is
important enough to be lighted
at night.
At 9:30 on a cold rainy
night I see a University police
officergetting out of his cruiser
just long enough to deposit a
parking ticket on a grad library
patron who decided to park in
one of the four empty Univer-
sity vehicles only parking

spaces instead of walking
through the Diag or the Arch. I
guess it's better to walk several
blocks on the dark streets to get
to the Night Owl stop. In the
paperI seethe president ofMSA
come up with the brainy state-
ment that streetlights are ex-
pensive. Her comment was
soon to be over - shadowed
by the mayor's brainstorm.
Have people put their porch
lights on. I guess on top of the
overinflated rent paid by stu-
dents for their shacks, we should
pick up the tab for illuminating
the city.
Last but not least, I see
Safewalk, students spending
their time and energy to safely
escort others to their destina-
tion for free. Itguess if the city
donated some money to
Safewalk, they wouldn't be able
to enforce noise ordinances so
well. When I close my eyes I
still hear the rhetoric of our
University's and city's com-
mitment to safety. It is just
strange that when I open my
eyes to see facts, all I see is a
commitment to money.
Edward Van Rossen
Engineering senior

accessible to
students
To the Daily:
It is ironic that Mr. Way's
letter would appear in the daily
on Oct. 31st because he plays
trick or treat with the truth and
we are left with mostly cheap
tricks. Mr. Way criticizes Ms.
Lamer for the shallowness of
Spence Abraham showing up
at tailgates, yet never dared to
criticize Howard Wolpe's
similar attempt in the MUG
recently. To say that few stu-
dents attend these games, one
would assume Mr. Way has
never gone to one. You can
reach more students at a foot-
ball game than you can in the
MUG. Mr. Way was also not
present when Spence came, so
how does he know exactly what
he did?
I know that Spence person-
ally talked to several students
when he came. I have not seen
Bob Carr come anywhere near
this campus yet. As for issues,
we were involved in a student
election '94 informational just
a couple of days ago where we
explained what Republicans
stand for, and I would be happy
to explain Mr. Abraham's po-
sitions on issues with anyone.
Meanwhile, Mr. Way talks
about all those evil junkets
Republicans take, yet one of
Bob Carr's biggest problems
is that he himself has taken
many junkets to Las Vegas
and other places that are ques-
tionable. Mr. Way in his dream
world believes that Republi-
cans are interested in breaking
down social institutions, but
that is totally wrong, remem-
ber Dan Quayle and his speech
on the value of two parent fami-
lies?
We are sometimes the only
ones attempting to bolster in-
stitutions in society that are
increasingly under attack from
liberals like Mr. Way. If the
truth is what Mr. Way truly
seeks, he has a long way to go!

orgasm?
Well, Friday the 4th of Novem-
ber will be a red-letter day on my
calendar. That is, if I am able to find
my red pen. I last saw it this morning
on the dresser in its accustomed plac4
next to the Tylenol No. 3 with Co-
deine and the Antibiotic capsules.
Might be one of the cats decided to
play with it.
They like shiny things, and how
they glimmer and sparkle in the morn-
ing light. And this blasted pen is just
their cup of cat-nip, dammit.
This is not a pleasant matter t4
relate, and dwelling on it causes one
of my favorite teeth to tingle ner-
vously. But old Hippo offers it as a
cautionary tale for you youthful Im-
mortals who have the notion that you
can go on forever,'regardless of in-
toxicating adult beverages and recre-
ational chemicals which you pour
and pump into your bodies. Then
later stagger into the street as Hipp4
makes his way in to work around
midnight.
Take care of your snappers and
they will take care of you. Or do to
you.
In my case, the culprit was a nice
cut of lean beef-steak, and no "I-told-
you-so-faxes" from the Vegans ou
there, thank you very much. Ilikem
rice and beans, in their place, side by
side with Jerked Pork.
I guess I did not marinate the
beast quite long enough, for as I bit
down, one molar decided to Do The
Wild Thing. Screaming in agony, I
bolted from the table, frightening the
door dog out of his addled wits, and
sending cats fleeing in all directions
The initial shock was over in min-
utes, and all was well for a day or
two. Then it came back, in Spades.
Since I once read that Real Men
don't eat quiche, endure pain stoicly
and sometimes beat on tribal drums
on primitive retreats, I took it all in
stride. I worked as best I could, until
the dentist could see the biggest cow-
ard in three states.
The last night of Summer Exams
was the worst. The Ugli's air condi-
tioning was on full blast. The cold air
seemed to drive nine-inch nails (NOT
the band!) into my jaw. I lasted a bit
over two hours, the final straw com-
ing when I stopped for a pleasant
chat with Jim Toy, who commiser-
ated with my plight, wedging word
in between moans.
Sometime around ten the next
morning, all pain ceased. And with
the aid of prescribed chemicals (and
a wee shot of Brandy) all was well.
Managing to schedule the Root
Canal for the morning of the Ides of
September (that's the 15th for you
Engineering Majors), I happily madg
it away to Canada for a week's rest
between terms. Pain pills and antibi-
otic accompanied. So did the dog.
My stay was painless and restful,
enjoying the rural life, the excellent
Canadian beers and the nearby city
of Kingston, Ontario. When I re-

turned home, I brought with me four
good books, eight bottles of Ontario
wines, two cases of Connor's Bes4
Bitter Ale and the stomach-bug that
has run through my family the way I
do during Close-Down at the Li-
brary.
As the Great Day neared, waves
of nausea made it clear that I should
not be able to undergo such delicate
dental work. My dentist's motto is
"WE CATER TO COWARDS!"
How appropriate. The work was put
off. As this is written, well in ad-
vance of the New Great Day (Dead-
lines being Deadlines), all is well in
Hippoland.
lam reallyas serene as serene can

01

.J

Lynn Rivers for Congress
Rivers represents the future, John Schall the past

Both Lynn Rivers and John Schall have run
spirited campaigns for the Congressional
seat vacated by outgoing Representative Bill
Ford. (D-Ann Arbor). Both are intelligent,
articulate and have provided the voters with
clear, distinct policy preferences. The ques-
tion for voters is simple: do we want to move
forward or go backwards? While Schall, the
Republican candidate, is far from a Newt
Gingrich-like conservative, he nonetheless
represents a return to the days of Ronald
Reagan-voodoo economics, increased mili-
tary spending and tax benefits for the rich.
While Rivers, the Democrat, is hardly the
perfect candidate, she signifies a more hopeful
future, a chance to further the modest reforms
of the past two years. We encourage voters to
support LYNN RIVERS for Michigan's 13th
Congressional seat.
When voters cast their ballots two years
ago, the economy was far and away the most
important issue. President Clinton's 1993 bud-
get package, which passed by the narrowest of
margins, has propelled the country forward
economically. Growth is high, inflation is
under control and the deficit, for now, is
falling. Schall, by signing the Contract with
America - the legislative agenda promised
by the G.O.P. should they gain control of the
Congress -has shown a disconcerting will-
ingness to throw these gains away. The Con-
tract outlines such misguided measures as a
reduction in the capital gains tax, a balanced
budget amendment and a $500 tax credit for
each child in a family. In supporting these
measures, Schall has shown himself to be too
willing to reverse course and return the coun-
try to the days of Reaganomics, where the

tion that this will spur economic growth suffi-
cient to cover the decrease in tax revenues. In
contrast to these attitudes, Rivers has indicated
a willingness to support the continuation of
fair, progressive economic policy.
The economy, however, is not the principal
issue on the minds of voters this year. Instead,
crime, health care reform and welfare reform
command the spotlight. On the issue of health
care reform, Rivers has shown a willingness to
support comprehensive reform up to and in-
cluding some aspects of a modified single-
payer system. Schall, to his credit, supports
more progressive reform than most of his Re-
publican cohorts, promoting insurance subsi-
dies for the working poor. When the new
Congress convenes next year, health care will
once again top the legislative agenda, and
Rivers' support of unqualified universal cover-
age is encouraging. On the related issue of
abortion, Rivers supports a woman's right to
choose, while Schall is a staunch abortion
opponent. Voters interested in seeing abortion
funding included in any future health care bill
should take this into account.
Without a doubt, both candidates would
pursue a seat on the Education and Labor
Committee, which Rep. Ford currently chairs.
Both candidates support recent student loan
reforms, allowing students to borrow directly
from the government, and both understand the
importance of higher education to the commu-
nity. Ultimately, the important difference be-
tween the two boils down to whether voters
want to see President Clinton continue to push
for economic responsibility and progressive
social reforms, or whether you want to see the
country return to the economic and social abyss

Homecoming Author gets

'94 was a
great success
To the Daily:
I am writing in regards to
the Homecoming parade
which took place this past Fri-
day afternoon (10/28/94). I
am disappointed to see that
there was no recognition of
this event by the Daily. Per-
haps Saturday's upset is the
reason, or perhaps it was just
a large oversight.
Regardless, I would like
to take this opportunity tocom-
mend the Homecoming '94
parade planning committee.
As someone who was around
during the committee's first
stages, I know that there was
an unbelievable amount to be
done in preparation. And, in
the end, it turned out wonder-
fully.
Kudos to all who devoted
so much time to this event. It
was refreshing to see mem-
bers of several different orga-
nizations come together so
well to bring a tradition back
to U of M as well as the Ann
Arbor community.
I am very impressed with
the work done by the commit-
tee as a whole. Also, on behalf
of RHA, I would like to per-
sonally thank David Cho and

the facts
wrong on
Satanic rituals
TotheDaily:
The Ann Arbor speech by
"journalist and author" Daniel
Ryder about Satanic ritual
abuse, reported in the Daily on
Monday, Oct. 31, was, to put it
kindly, misleading. On the
same day, the New York Times
reported a responsible study
establishing that claims of
widespread infant and animal
sacrifices, blood-drinking and
cannibalism - like those re-
lated by Ryder - are almost
always figments of the imagi-
nation.
These tales are most often
told by highly-suggestible
people who have been influ-
enced, sometimes under hyp-
nosis or drugs, by incompetent
or irresponsible therapists.
They emerge from therapy be-
lieving that they have suddenly
recovered long-repressed
memories of terrible events,
events that never really hap-
pened.
The Satanic ritual memo-
ries are not unlike other false
"recovered" memories such as
abductions by alien spacecraft.

Mark Fletcher,I
U of M College
Republicans

President

Cartoonist
should
apologize
Toths Daily:
I feel that you used ex-
tremely poorjudgement in pub-
lishing the O.J. Simpson car-
toon on Friday Oct. 21. In a city
that is already racially polar-
ized, more tasteful cartoons
could be developed. Moreover,
neither O.J. or Michael have
been convicted of a crime. In
Michael's case, the evidence
clearly points to an extortion

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