4 --The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 22, 1996
$Iw £1d1!aN Dalig
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan
RONNIE GLASSBERG
Editor in Chief
ADRIENNE JANNEY
ZACHARY M. RAIMI
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.
FROM THE DAILY
Get out the vote
Students should exercise right in Ann Arbor
"NOTABLE QUOTABLE
'The '80s, and so far the '90s, have been an age of
repression, an age of conformity.... I look to the newer
generation because that's where the brains lie, that's
where the hopes lie.'
- Film director Oliver Stone, speaking at Hill
Auditorium on Wednesday
Jim LAssE RSHARP As TOAST
START( NG -"o
c'MONto... 6.
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7200 AM W
BOB DOL E 's CAMMIGN
L rTUTE
LETrERs To THE DffoR
Earlier this week, Bob Dole (R-Kan.)
clinched the Republican nomination for
president - and he did it without the input of
mostUniversity students. While student turn-
out in the Michigan primary on Tuesday may
have been low because only Republicans
were on the ballot, it is indicative of the larger
problem of University student voting. Stu-
dents and the city should work together to
better involve students in the democratic
process in Ann Arbor.
However, the ultimate responsibility for
solving the problem of low student turnout
rests with students. They should register to
vote early, and go to the polls and cast ballots.
One ofthe biggest decisions for students who
do register to vote is where to register. Many
students retain their hometown registration
for good reasons. These students remain ac-
tive in the politics of their hometowns, even
while in Ann Arbor. However, many other
students retain their hometown registrations
but consistently neglect all but the largest
elections, and sometimes they even fail to
vote in these. For students who are not regis-
tered to vote, they should register in Ann
Arbor. Students who are registered at home
should consider switching their registration.
Ann Arbor politics greatly affect students
- the city government deals with issues
from crime to off-campus housing. Clearly,
students should have a say in these matters,
and should take the initiative to exercise their
opinions. Furthermore, students are more
likely to have contact with their elected rep-
resentatives in Ann Arbor than in their home-
towns - the University community is con-
ducive to student interaction in politics and
government. In addition, nearly all students
spend the majority of a given year in Ann
Arbor.
The city should also do its part to foster
student voting. At the local level, electoral
districts often have a pattern drawn that di-
lutes student power. For example, ward lines
for City Council seats divide students into
several wards. Ann Arbor officials ignore the
fact that students live within a fairly well-
defined area of the city. They should try to
ensure that the student vote is not needlessly
diluted by questionable electoral districts.
Students comprise an integral part of the
Ann Arbor community. They should take the
initiative to become more involved in city
politics. While some students have a good
reason to be registered to vote at home, many
others would be better served by voting in
Ann Arbor. And the city ofAnn Arbor should
make an effort to integrate students into local
government, particularly by redrawing dis-
trict lines to avoid diluting the student vote.
Locals may believe that students are just
passing through the city, but the University
remains an important part of the community.
Wedding vows
State should not ban same-sex marriages
Many Michigan lawmakers are attempt-
ing to pass legislation that would se-
verely restrict homosexuals' civil rights. Two
bills before the state Legislature would ban
same-sex marriages in Michigan and pro-
hibit the legal recognition of such marriages
performed in other' states. The debate sur-
rounding these bills is highly charged with
emotion - but emotional arguments must
not overshadow common
sense, civil rights or the Con-
stitution./
Much of the legislation
stems from a 1993 Hawaii
Supreme Court decision, >?
which stated that the denial ,
ofmarriage licenses to same-
sex couples was discrimina-
tory, unconstitutional and a,
breach of equal protection'
under law. Furthermore, the
Supreme Court has ruled that
marriages taking place in one j
state must be recognized in
all ofthem. Since the Hawaii
decision, conservative groups nationwide
have taken up the issue, in an attempt to ban
gay and lesbian marriage under the guise of
"family values."
Proponents of the bills claim the laws
would prevent added economic strain to in-
surance companies andpension plans. Oppo-
nents argue that huge financial costs are
associated with same-sex marriages. Just as
heterosexual spouses get benefits from their
marriage partners - like health insurance,
Social Security coverage and joint tax re-
turns - advocates believe it is wrong for
same-sex marriage partners to receive the
benefits. However, same-sex marriages
would be treated as equal to heterosexual
marriages; anything less is unequal treat-
ment and an
MATT WIMSATT/Daily
infringement on people's civil
rights.
Rep. Deborah Whyman
(R-Canton) introduced the
bills before the Legislature
ostensibly for economic con-
cerns. Yet her words indicate
she is mixing messages of
hate and fear within the eco-
nomic concerns. She said,
"Insurance is what's driving
their marriage fascination.
Because of the increased
cases of AIDS in that com-
munity, the survivors want
the insurance, health and re-
tirement benefits." Whyman
and others have taken fears
Schor is
competent
leader
TO THE DAILY:
I am writing in response
to your rather uninformed
editorial concerning Andy
Schor's presentation before
the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Higher
Education ("70% representa-
tion: MSA reps. slight out-
of-state students," 2/23/96).
Incredibly, your editorial
came to the conclusion that
Andy is unconcerned about
out-of-state students. This is
erroneous for two reasons.
First, Schor is an out-of-
state student. Obviously, he
understands the needs of
these students - particu-
larly their financial needs.
Secondly, Schor was
never solicited at all for his
opinion regarding this
matter. At the time, he was
busy representing the needs
of all University students
before the National Associa-
tion of Students for Higher
Education, an organization
that represents student
interests at the federal level.
I can only wonder in
amazement at the journalis-
tic standards that were
involved in crafting this
piece.
Schor has worked
extensively to represent the
needs of all students, both in
state and out of state.
Frequently and often without
assistance, he has lobbied
local, state and federal
governments to preserve
financial aid programs for
students, which are a crucial
component necessary to the
education of all students.
In an atmosphere of
apathy, the University
community should applaud
the hard work of Schor and
his tireless efforts on behalf
of the entire student body. It
is largely because of the
leadership of Schor that the
MSA External Relations
Committee has grown in
respect and become a
powerful voice representing
students on this campus.
Andy is a student leader
of the highest caliber, and
his efforts deserve both the
support of the Daily editorial
staff and the students of this
University.
MATT S. CURIN
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
MSA REPRESENTATIVE
Hockey
coverage is
sparse
TO THE DAILY:
I was shocked at the
knew that the basketball
team, not to mention the
football team, just wasn't
good enough this year.
Yet the Daily spends
more time on these sports
than on hockey, which is our
best chance at winning a
national title (not that I am
ignoring swimming or other
varsity teams, but it's just
not the spectator sport that
hockey or basketball is). So
why don't you start giving
credit where credit is due
and show a little support for
our hockey team!
Good luck, guys, in the
NCAA tournament!
TAMARA SLOAN
LSA JUNIOR
Michigan
Party leaves
legacy of
nothingness
TO THE DAILY:
The time has finally
arrived. With the warm
winds blowing from the
west come change and a
new perspective on campus
politics.
The Michigan Party
reign will end. Oh, yes it
will. Like every ineffective
government in history from
the dictatorships of Sulla to
Stalin, its structure will
collapse, revealing that its
base was simply a house of
cards waiting to fall into
ruin.
No one will miss
(Michigan Student Assem-
bly President) Flint Wainess
when he steps down, just as
no one missed (former
presidents Craig) Greenberg
or (Julie) Neenan. He and
his party with him will be
remembered as do-nothing
administration kiss-ups, who
were in it for themselves.
And does Flint care? No
way. He's got his recom-
mendation letter from the
regents, and he is off to the
grad school of his choice.
Did he ever care? Maybe.
Does it matter anymore?
You, as the potential
voter, will be approached at
some point in this campaign
by the Michigan Party. They
will come to your frat, e-
mail you, or even have the
gall to talk to you. What you
have to realize is that it is up
to you to keep the institu-
tionalized party in. If you
want things to change, you
vote for the candidates
interested in change.
I just want to inform you
that the Michigan Party tells
the same story every year,
and things just get worse.
Tuition hikes, dorm hikes,
restriction of civil liberties,
increasing incidences of
crime and assault, and a
MSA needs
to improve
its image
To E DAILY:
I've heard that only about
9 percent of the student body
votes in Michigan Student
Assembly elections. The
most probable reason people
don't vote is apathy.
Why are people apa-
thetic? It's not because
voting is difficult. Students
don't vote because they
don't see any purpose in
voting.
Very few people (if even
9 percent) on campus know
what MSA does and how
voting can change anything.
Sure we know that MSA
distributes money back to
student groups, but what else
does it do? People will not
vote or take an interest in
something that doesn't affect
them.
Assuming MSA is
important and does affect
students, who's at fault for
the student's apathy? MSA
public relations and The
Michigan Daily. If MSA
public relations does
anything, I don't know much
about it. I think I saw one
newsletter that described
what's going on. I've seen a
few advertisements. That's
about it. Lately, all I read in
the Daily about MSA is
gossip.
Freedom of expression
gives you the right to print
bad and useless coverage,
but it does not excuse you
from responsibility for it. All
you print in your paper are
discussions of who's being
recalled from what position
and who failed to be recalled
and who is running for what
and who doesn't like who.
Who cares? Tell me what the
issues are. Tell me what
candidates stand for.
MSA is only a joke
because you treat it like a
soap opera. The only people
that care about the in-
fighting are those who are
directly involved with MSA.
The general public does not
care.
Want proof? Ask a
random person on the street.
Chances are, the person will
have no clue what's going on
in MSA. If there are issues
out there, tell us. Leave the
personal attacks and gossip
to the National Enquirer.
DANIEL ROBINSON
RC SOPHOMORE
Epithet, not
To ThE DALY:
The subtitle of the March
19 front page story, "Law
School react to racial
McInoS Cimcsa
How to win in
MSA, the NCAA
andGnek Week
Y ou've probably noticed that there
are very few people attending your
classes lately. There is an explanation.
These days, everybody's skipping to
get prepared forthe upcoming Michigan
Student Assembly election. A couple
dozen people are also skipping class to
watch the NCAA basketball tournament
or to participate in
Greek Week, but
most are cutting
class for the elec-'
tion.
I've never been
in an MSA elec-~
tion. Being an in
dependent, I've)
never been in
Greek Week. For .,
some odd reason, BRENT
I've never been in MCINTOSH
the NCAA basket-
ball tournament.
These qualifications make me an
ideal expert to let you, the reader, in on
the secrets to winning these three com-
petitions.
You may ask what qualifies me to
hold forth on the NCAA tournament,
with the millions of people who pre-
tend to expertise. Remember: Larry
Bird, who knows a lot about basket-
ball, never won a NCAA title. I, too,
never won an NCAA tournament; thus
I know a lot about basketball.
Of course, winning the NCAA tour-
nament is easy. One in every 64 invitees
wins it. Winning NCAA tournament
pools, on the other hand, is difficult.
So, along with Greek Week and MSA
elections, I'm going to give you the
key towinningtournament pools. Let's
get started.
U GREEK WEEK: First of all, let's get
one thing straight: "Greek Week" is a
great name. It rhymes so well. Who-
ever decided to change the title from
"A Terrific 10-Day Excuse for Frater-
nity and Sororities to Skip Class" was
not only a masterful spin doctor, but a
pretty darn good poet. Forget that few
pf those people are really Greek, and
that the Week is 10 days long; rhym-
ing is crucial.
The key to winning Greek Week isnot
the Jello Jump, as most Greek Week
experts would have you believe. The
most important Greek Week event is the
Spelling Bee, held today on the Diag.
Perhaps you think the whole idea
that the Greek system would have a
spelling bee is a tad ironic. Banish this
thought from your mind: My friends
who are Greek assure me that Greeks
have higher GPAs on average than
independents. True or not, it proves
that some Greeks can spell GPA, which
is more than I used to give them credit
for -- although they may have an
unfair advantage, in that GPA is a
three-letter word like AX1 or AKE.
Before anyone gets all excited, I
should assure you that I'm joking. But
I can tell you that the best way to win
the spelling bee is to inquire ofpoten-
tial brothers and sisters during rush,
"So, won any national or international
spelling bees lately? No? Well, I'm
sure I Felta Thigh down the street is
still giving bids."
U NCAA TOURNAMENT POOLs: Like
Greek Week, the NCAA tournament
is a great reason to skip class. Greek
Week, however, will probably be won
by a team from Michigan.
Despite that, the tournament can be
an obsession. The key to true enjoy-
ment is making money off it. And
unless your name is CBS, the best way
to snag the fat bucks is to win an
NCAA tournament pool.
The conventional wisdom here is to
pick the team with the tougher mascot
in each game. This is nonsense. Wer
it true, would the Orangemen of Syra-
cuse really have beaten both Grizzlies
and Dragons in the same week?
My tip: Only pick teams that are
actually in the tournament. Teams like
London School of Economics and
Washtenaw Community College are
bad choices.
N MSA ELECTIONs: The parties here
are all highly concerned with our wel-
fare - as they post a couple millio
tree-killing fliers all over campus. This
is most true of the Students' .Party,
which has pasted 4,570 copies of
Jonathan Freeman and Olga Savic's
photo in Angell Hall alone. And what
a photo it is! If you haven't seen it, run
into the hall and look at it. What comes
to mind? Yes -"Wheel of Fortune":
Freeman looks every bit like a friendly
yet businesslike Pat Sajak, with the
Vanna-esque Savic affectionately grip-
ping his shoulder.
This cutesiness, however, is not the
key to winning MSA elections. The
key is to lie. A lot. With promises no
one could ever keep.
For example, promise to abolish the
presidency of the University. Then
and used them to further intolerance, claim-
ing to adhere to "family values."
Whyman is calling for heterosexuals to
"show their solidarity to the traditional fam-
ily unit." Instead, she should call for an
upholding of civil rights and an end to intol-
erance. Each state shouldrecognize Hawaii's
same-sex marriage laws.
How TO CONTACT THEM
CYNTHIA WILBANKS
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
6084 FLEMING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
ANN ARBOR, MI 48109-1340
763-5554
ANN ARBOR CITY COUNCIL
TOBI HANNA-DAVIES (0-1ST WARD), PATRICIA VEREEN-DIXON (D-1ST WARD),
DAVID KWAN (R-2ND WARD), JANE LUMM (R-2ND WARD), JEAN CARLBERG (D-3RD WARD),
HEIDI COWLING HERRELL (D-3RD WARD), PATRICK PUTMAN (R-4TH WARD),
STEPHEN HARTWELL (D-4TH WARD), ELISABETH DALEY (0-5TH WARD),