4 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, November 7, 1994
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420 Maynard
Ann Arbor, M1 48109
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan
Jessie Halladay
Editor in Chief
Samuel Goodstein
Flint Wainess
Editorial Page Editors
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.
'I now begin the journey that will lead me into the
sunset of my life. I know that for America there
will always be a bright future ahead.'
- Former president Ronald Reagan, who has Alzheimer's disease.
WHO HAS N'7TH ET0.CASE -
oF iiE3RY S ELECTON
NX *
, . :.
121
Split your ticket
. Vote Fischer; Waters for
T cket-splitting is not necessarily negative.
Voters value independence, andparty iden-
tification often tells only part of the story.
There are, of course, exceptions to any rule. In
1992, Regents Laurence Deitch and Rebecca
McGowan rode Bill Clinton's coattails into
the Fleming Building, and the University com-
munity has been served well by their outstand-
ing contributions.
In the 1994 race for two seats on the Board
of Regents, though, voting a straight party line
would be a mistake.
On the Republican side, we warmly en-
dorse ANDREA FISCHER. Currently atrustee
at Oakland University, Regent Fischer could
be aneeded voice for student concerns. Fischer
bluntly told the Daily she would "completely"
support open meetings, and her record at Oak-
land supports that contention. She promises to
fight to include a non-voting student regent on
the Board, a change that almost everyone
appears to be willing to voice support for, but
no Board member has so far gone to bat for. In
addition, Fischer has expressed willingness to
amend the Statement of Student Rights and
Responsibilities into a more student-friendly
document. And student accessibility would be
a paramount concern for Fischer, who has
plans to look for an apartment in Ann Arbor if
she emerges from Tuesday victorious.
On one important issue, we take vehement
exception to the words of Andrea Fischer. She
would have voted against amending Regents'
Bylaw 14.06 to include sexual orientation
because she believes it is fiscally irresponsible
to include a new group in the benefits pool.
Yet, even if both Republican candidates won,
Fischer would still be a minority regent, pow-
erless to change back Bylaw 14.06. Moreover,
she is not intent on pro-actively working to do
so.
But beware, forFischer's merits should not
translate into a Republican sweep. Hailing
from Grand Haven, Daniel Horning is a dis-
ciple of the radical right. He opposes teacher
tenure in all levels of education - including
the University. He was much more vociferous
than Fischer in his opposition to amending
Bylaw 14.06, as he told the Daily Editorial
Board that "what someone does with there
own sexual persuasion is on their own time ...
the Board of Regents
Those people should be lobbying their legisla-
tors, not the Board ofRegents." Horning would
certainly bean ally ofright-wing Regent Deane
Baker, and stands to be a partisan and divisive
regent.
Maybe if Dan Horning was grounded in
principle his ideas would have a little more
credence, even if we happened to differ on
those opinions. But during the campaign,
Horning was quite willing to piggy-back the
answers of Andrea Fischer as he vacillated on
a number of issues. He told Daily news staffers
that he would only support a non-voting stu-
dentregent if the student was elected on a state-
wide basis, which would require the wholly
impossible task of amending the state constitu-
tion. Twenty minutes later, he followed
Fischer's lead, and told the Daily Editorial
Board that a non-voting student regent sounds
like a good idea. He continued this flipping and
flopping on a number of issues.
Clearly, the choice for the second seat on
the Board of Regents is between incumbents
James Waters and Paul Brown. Both men have
served on the Board for 24 years, and both have
been inaccessible as well as passive. They have
done little if anything to fight tuition raises, and
both participated in the illegal presidential
search that chose James J. Duderstadt.
Nevertheless, it is apparent that JAMES
WATERS is the better candidate, and has the
ability to be a regent working for positive
change in the future. Waters understands the
importance of having a heterogeneous student
body, and wouldn't object to having a non-
voting student regent on "issues important to
the students." In addition, he said the regents
would consider student amendments to the
Code if the established amendment process
continues to fail to provide a quorum.
Paul Brown, who resides in far-away
Mackinac Island, actually headed the commit-
tee that illegally picked President Duderstadt.
He has serious reservations about a non-voting
student regent, and he has proven to be a rubber
stamp for decisions made by University execu-
tive officers.
The choice on Tuesday is clear: elect Re-
publican Andrea Fischer and reelect Democrat
James Waters to the University Board of Re-
gents.
Stereotypes
furthered in
car acking'
story
To the Daily:
I am shocked and outraged
by the late news regarding the
two small children, Michael
and Alexander, in Union, South
Carolina who were allegedly
"carjacked." The almost con-
vincing tears and pleas for
mercy by the mother moved a
nation. Unfortunately, the news
that their mother, Susan Smith,
committed this atrocity will
only diminish another crime
that was committed for the last
week. The claim that the
carjacker was a Black male
only perpetuated a despicable
stereotype.
As a young Black male
myself, I am angered that the
throwaway racism displayed
in the South may have nega-
tive repercussion for all Black
males. 'Why? How many re-
member the story of Charles
Stuart in Boston several years
ago? He was the white male
who murdered his wife, shot
himself and then frantically
called the police while claim-
ing a Black man had commit-
ted the crime. The result was
an intense manhunt where nu-
merous Black males were
rounded up and intensely ques-
tioned, their only crime being
the pigmentation of their skin.
Eventually, the truth came out
and yet no apology was forth-
coming to those severely bur-
dened by the racist notion that
all young Black males are
criminals.
I hope that the American
people will be able to rise above
the blatant racist ignorance dis-
played in South Carolina and
understand that racist allega-
tions help no one. I pray for the
souls of those innocent chil-
dren caught in this terrible web
of lies. And I wish that the
mother receives the maximum
penalty available under the law.
David B. Cade
2nd Year Law Student
1 ,r - - P - --A .
enthood of Michigan.
Dave Monforton has been
up front on where he stands on
the issues before the
Washtenaw County Board of
Commissioners. Vote for the
Democratic pro-choice County
Commissioner - Dave
Monforton.
Fiona Rose
LSA first-year student
Daily story on
E. Quad
homeless hits
the mark
To the Daily:
I'd like to compliment the
Daily and Jennifer Harvey on
the special report concerning
the homeless problem at East
Quad and in the city overall.
Not only was the article well
written and informative, it pre-
sented every side of the issue.
Most important was that she
actively interviewed the home-
less people themselves. Ask
yourself: How many times do
you walk down State Street or
down South University and pass
a man or woman asking for
money? And how many times
do you walk right by, eyes
straight ahead, ignoring the fact
that a human in need is four feet
away from you? I admit to it.
And I know I am not the only
one who does it. Which makes
it even more wrong. The article
turned these people into human
beings in the eyes of Ann
Arborites, rather than apiece of
Ann Arbor scenery: the Bell
Tower, the State Theater Mar-
quee and the beggar under
Nickel's Arcade. We forgetthat
these men and women are fa-
thers and mothers, uncles and
aunts, and soldiers. We ignore
the possibility that, despite our
college education, economic
forces beyond our control may
one day wipe out our means of
survival. We overlook that like
us, these men and women are
humans.
Adina Lipsitz
LSA Sophmore
Disruption of
about careers of University of
Michigan Law School alumni,
not necessarily to seek out ajob
with the CIA. While the dis-
rupters certainly have a right to
speak about their views, it was
incredibly rude not to allow
Mr. Vegatospeakatall. Icame
to this university expecting a
liberal atmosphere in which all
persons are able to speak about
their views and experiences,
not just those who can yell the
loudest. I would also like to
point out that many of us who
wished to speak to Mr. Vega
were able to talk after the meet-
ing, but it was unfortunate that
we were not able to do so at the
originally scheduled talk.
Liesl A. Strieby
First Year Law Student
Bowen
screams
racism with
no backing
To the Daily:
I'm responding to Eugene
Bowen's commentary on
Herrnstein and Murray's
newly-released study "The Bell
Curve." I have not read this
book so I do not claim to be an
expert on it, though I am aware
of its rising popularity attribut-
ing from its documented asser-
tion that the average white per-
son is 15 percent more intelli-
gent than the average Black.
Mr. Bowen, an African-
American, screams "racism"
or "bigotry" no less than six
times in his editorial. This
doesn't shock me, since I have
seen similar printed tempertan-
trums emitted by him before.
But I challenge Mr. Bowen to
produce quotes from "The Bell
Curve" which illustrate that
Herrnstein and Murray really
do think that Blacks "are ge-
netically too dumb to succeed
academically" andthat"Blacks
can never achieve academic
greatness, even if given an equal
chance." Where are the "racist
lies which point to Blacks as
intellectually pathetic?"
What does the 15 percent
differential mean? Since higher
percentages of Blacks enjoy
little or no access to decent
education than do whites, such
a discrepancy is believable. Mr.
Bowen refutes the study, but
neglects to discuss it.
Anyway, the study is of
no consequence because
Blacks have as much potential
to learn things and succeed as
whites. If you need evidence,
just look at Thomas Sowell,
Walter Williams, Starr Parker,
Clarence Thomas, Martin
Luther King Jr. (all of whom
were born into poverty) and
the two-thirds of Black Ameri-
cans who are considered
middle-class or above.
Of course, Mr. Bowen
ASB and Cuba
I had difficulty writi~ng this col-
umn. I hate criticizing groups doing
positive work. There are so many cor-
rupt, useless organizations that to las1
out on a contributing, group is not only
unproductive, but mean.
However, as I've watched Project
Serve's highly competitive selection
process for Alternative-Spring Break
(ASB) programs, I've felt compelle
to say something. Somebody should.
ASB is one ofmany greatvoluntee]
opportunities Serve offers. It give
something useful to do for studen
who otherwise might idly spend thei
February break watching T.V. It give
students - usually mired in too muc
school work (or at least under the guis
oftoo much work)-an opportunity t
use this week-long escape to make
some kind of mark.
The trip I went on two years ago t
Philadelphia not only served to ope
my eyes to urban injustice, it got m
thinking about ways I could contribut
to looking for solutions instead of jus
hiding from the city in fear. Since the
I've repeatedly recommended ASB t
friends.
But this year, I've watched i
amazement as friends and housemate
(500 applied in all) carefully proofrea
their applications, stressed over hog
many interviews they would receive
nervously interviewed for a spot and
then waited excitedly for the phone to
ring, hoping they'd be selected.
Unfortunately, there were far mor'
applicants than spots available (even
though the number of trips doubled
since last year). This is not Serve'.
fault. The number of applications is .
strong endorsement for our generatio\
(we're not nearly as morally devoi
and self-absorbed as they say we are
and Serve has been an instrumenta
part on campus in furthering this spiri
of helping others. However, this year's
selection process turned into a com
petitive, nerve-wracking, I'd-rather
apply-to-med-school nightmare.
I understand that Serve is urgin
those students it turns away to forn
their own trips and volunteer despit
rejection. But at this point, after all the
frustration, who has the energy to de
that? I really hope rejected applicant
do follow-up on further activities, es
pecially new students. But for the fu
ture, I would urge Serve to reconsider
their selection process. Wouldn't alot-
tery or a first-come, first-serve systenr
be more fair? I'd hate to think therd
were people turned away from doing
good work because of that sense o
rejection that comes from feeling you
not good enough to PAY to voluntee
for one week in winter.
So whydidn't I get involved wit
ASB and help them instead of jus
criticize? This brings me to the second
thing I want to talk about in this col
umn: the stupidest Federal law ever.
This is the Federal law I hope to u
Spring Break to violate: the one that
says U.S. citizens - even though we
live in the land of the free - aren'
allowed to travel where we want to.
Recently, I've been exploring op
tions, looking for ways to visit Cuba
My parents can't understand this ob
session I have with this tiny island ne
the coast of Florida and the topic has
become one of many that we avoid
during civil discussions. But I have
never been able to understand why itis
that this nation - not even the size of
most U.S. states - has managed to b
the largest thorn in the side of eve
U.S. president since Kennedy. The
are no other Latin American govern
ments, unfriendly to U.S. interests, that
our government has not successfull
overthrown with little effort. But the
Cuban revolution has managed t
perservere despite the Bay of Pigs in
vasion, the missile crisis, the economic
catastrophe caused by the fall of the
Soviet Union and countless docu-
mented assassination attemptsonFide
Castro by the CIA.
How this has happened, I can't say.
But I do know it's time to give up this
pointless Cold War mentality and re-
establish relations with Cuba. If capi
talism is as strong as they seem to think
it is, the now-poor Cuban socialis
state is no longer a threat.
r
Il
Election 1994
Make your preferences heard, vote tomorrow
r
O n November 8, students will have the
chance to evaluate and influence life in
Ann Arbor, Michigan, America and the world.
Tomorrow we will be voting, selecting candi-
dates for local, state and national government,
and the choices we make will greatly effect
our future. It is a great opportunity, so great it
would seem that everyone would want to vote
- but this is hardly the case.
Many people believe that there is no point
in voting, that it will not accomplish anything.
They see that there are 220 million people in
this country and think the odds are better that
they will be hit by a bus on the way to the polls
than that their one vote will make any differ-
ence. They look at the bewildering number of
elections and become overwhelmed by the
choices. Many just don't care, believing that
what happens on election day will not effect
their lives. These mistakes are understand-
able, but this attitude misses the import of
elections in the democratic process.
Many polling places are located right in
student dorms, making it possible to vote
without ettino foot outdoors .Frthermore.
what happens on election day effects everyone.
This week we will be selecting a new mayor,
several new city councilmembers, a congress-
man, a senator and a governor. They will be
making choices in the coming years that will
make areal difference in our lives. Choices like
whether or not to allow women to have access
abortion clinics. Choices like whether or not to
put more street lights on Washtenaw, which
don't seem that important now, but will if you
ever find yourself walking down a dark street
at night.
Being a citizen is sort of like being the
chairperson of a major corporation, which is in
a sense what this country is. We have a number
ofjob openings to fill and a number of employ-
ees. We make our rounds and check out who's
doing what and how well, and we make our
choices. In four years or so, if it doesn't work
out, we hired them, we can fire them. It's a
great deal of power and a major responsibility.
Students have an opportunity this week to
make theirconcerns heard, and select agovern-
ment that will meet there needs. They should
take advantnap of it
Montorton fr Vega's speech
0
County
Conmssioner
To the Daily:
Dave Monforton has been
our Washtenaw County Com-
missioner since 1993, and he
deserves our support at the polls
on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Dave has
paid attention to his student
constituents form the begin-
ning. In early 1993, when a
county budget process recom-
mended ending funding for a
was appalling
To the Daily:
This letter is in response to
the article you ran on the dis-
ruption of the talk given by
Michael Vega of the Office of
the General Counsel of the
Central Intelligence Agency. I
was present at the meeting and
was appalled by the conduct of
the people present who at-
tempted to disrupt the talk.
Mr. Vega had returned to
A
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