4 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, November 7, 1994 Efw £kIitgn &ilg I & 0 APl MP M Oft 0 00 AWA, 2 2 AIVA M 0 - I Ib 110 DI hl 41~f V1 ~ U: I I 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 1