4- The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 2, 1996 llie S rI(igiau ?§acg 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 the 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 Losing the message MSA campaign style keeps voting low NOTABLE QUOTABLE 'We've got work to do in terms of how we view women in this society.' - Greg Harden, the moderator of the Interfraternity Council's seminar on violence against women on Sunday. MATT WIMSAT[ MooIUE's DILEMMA y-r 'I' LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Last week, during mad last-minute cam- paigning for Michigan Student Assembly elections, names and faces assaulted students all over campus. The walls and corkboards of the Fishbowl were plastered with reams of paper - torn and crumpled posters littered the halls and blew around the Diag. Yet the posters did not convey information about the issues or the campaign itself. Perhaps the candidates' failure to inform students contributed to the abysmally low voter turnout. As the polling results clearly illustrated, students were not compelled to participate in MSA elections. While this closely follows MSA's election history, turnout for last week's election was the low- est the assembly has seen in recent years - only about 10 percent of the student popu- lation cast ballots in the presidential race. The candidates and assembly alike should note this student apathy and make efforts to take collective responsibility for the good of MSA and the student body, instead of the current rash of individual pursuits. This year, presidential candidates from all six parties proclaimed the necessity of student involvement in MSA. They swore to educate the student population about the issues - indeed, "educating the students" was the buzz phrase for this MSA election. However, the posters covering campus said little about the issues - or anything, for that matter. The posters displayed large, ingratiating photos, which, in many cases, offered no useful information to potential voters andexcluded information as basic as the election dates. Students need more than a slick photo and snappy font to make an informed deci- sion. Without a working knowledge of the candidates and their platforms, students do THlE ERASABLE LIEN 1 not feel compelled to vote. If the candidates had been as interested in promoting the elections as they had been in promoting themselves, voter turnout may have been higher. In past years, MSA members have post- ed signs and banners reminding students to vote - including information about elec- tion dates and polling locations. This year, MSA did not post any public-service announcements of this nature. MSA should note that the most effective reminder is non- partisan; this was evidenced in last week's election, when candidates stood on the Diag and thrust flyers into the hands of passersby - saying "Vote for me," instead of "Vote in MSA elections." MSA should bring back the nonpartisan messages encouraging stu- dents to vote. MSA must also be more prepared with materials and polling sites. During last week's election, many prospective student voters were turned away at the Fishbowl polling site due to a ballot shortage. Many students in South Quad were not able to vote at all - the polling site opened late and its hours were limited, due to miscom- munication. Several polling sites across campus offered only sporadic hours of operation. It is impossible to estimate the number of lost votes due to MSA's lack of preparation. Inefficient and ineffective MSA elec- tions are nothing new - for many years, candidates have been self-serving, the MSA administration has been ill-prepared and students have been apathetic. Students' lack of attention can be attributed partially to the assembly and candidate shortcomings. Adequate voter turnout in future elections requires major campaign and election clean up on the part of the candidates. Paying the toll Gas-tax increase is an innovative idea Are improved roads and bridges worth an extra few cents to the average Michigan driver? One state senator believes they are. State Sen. James Berryman (D- Adrian) recently proposed raising the gas tax to help pay for road repairs - a long- overdue proposal for improving the state's crumbling roads and bridges. The bill, introduced last week, calls for a two-step increase in the state gasoline tax to repair roads and bridges. Under Berryman's plan, the 15-cents-a-gallon tax on gas and diesel fuel would increase by 8 cents - 4 cents in May 1996 and another 4 cents in October 1996. The 6-cent discount on diesel fuel to commercial truckers would end Jan. 1, 1997, under this proposal. Also, the legislation would divert 1.7 percent of the Single Business Tax revenues to help in repairs. The bill would provide necessary fund- ing for infrastructure improvements. In all, the proposed changes in the gas tax would generate more than $100 million addition- ally for the current fiscal year and more than $450 million in the fiscal year begin- ning Oct. 1, 1996. Costs to drivers would be minimal. Berryman claims that Michigan drivers who average 10,000 miles per year would pay approximately 77 cents per week under the proposal - hardly significant compared to the costs of ruined tires and other road-related damage, currently paid by many motorists. Berryman's bill is logical as well as fair. It levies a tax on those who abuse Michigan more damage to highways than does a nor- mal passenger car. Yet under the current gas tax, these semi-trailers receive a 6-cents-a- gallon discount on diesel fuel from the tax. As a result, much of the gas-tax burden falls on the average motorist. The bill would shift more responsibility to the trucks that inflict the majority of the damage on our roads. Both Republicans and Democrats in Lansing have tossed around the notion of a gas-tax increase for the past few years, but neither side has taken action. While politi- cal disagreements over tax appropriations endure, state roads have continued to dete- riorate. Gov. John Engler claims state road projects need to receive a greater percent- age of the gas tax than they do now. While his contention may have some merit - because there are so many local and state roads and bridges that need attention - how the money is distributed between the. two is merely semantics. His reasoning against the gas-tax increase is shaky. Although Engler appears to be engaged in a battle of state versus local power, he is also hesitant to raise taxes for political rea- sons. A tax increase might tarnish his repu- tation, and diminish all of the tax cuts he has made. His politicking is wrong because it hurts the state, which needs the gas-tax increase. As Berryman said last week, "Smoother roads and safer bridges should not be a par- tisan issue." Engler should remember that he is still Michigan's governor - not a vice Ann Arbor News unfair to judge To THE DAILY: On March 15, the public was dealt a great injustice by the supposedly neutral and informative media. An article on the front page of The Ann ArborkNews, titled "Judge's remarks anger rape victim," by Susan Oppat, viciously and inappropriately attacked Judge Donald E. Shelton. First, it states that the vic- tim was unhappy with how she was treated by Shelton, though it neglects to mention the cause of her frustration and disappointment was due more to misperceptions and confusion than to any action by the judge. The situation was complicated by the mis- calculation of the sentencing guidelines, which should be determined by counsel before appearing in court. In addition, the article alleges that Shelton was dis- appointed to learn "that (the victim) was unhappy about the sentencing agreement ...' However, he was sorry to learn the victim was unhappy with the sentence by reading it in Sunday's News, not that he was distressed about her disappointment. Shelton inquisitively listened to the victims' impact statements and attempted to understand and consider their perspec- tives as best he could. Unfortunately, it is neces- sary that the public take what they read with a grain of salt, understanding that the mere fact that something appears in print does not render it accurate or void of personal prejudices. As a witness to (the) hearing, I can state that Oppat's version is an inaccu- rate portrayal and distortions of judicial proceedings are forms of injustice. BRADLEY E. KARLIN LSA SENIOR Same-sex benefits are necessary To THE DAILY: I would like to respond to Mark Fletcher's letter of March 29 ("No benefits to same-sex partners"). First, Fletcher does not speak for me, and I highly doubt he speaks for the majority of the University's population or the "American people." The majority of the "American people," as Fletcher so blithe- ly puts it, are not as conserv- ative as Fletcher and the Republicans would like to believe. It amazes me that he behaviors immoral, so what? At certain times in this coun- try's history, the majority has supported slavery, segrega- tion and the denial of basic rights, such as the vote to women. The majority's sup- port does not, however, make these actions right. Fourth, what exactly does Fletcher mean by "anti-fami- ly?" Gay and lesbian couples are fighting in Hawaii right now for the right to marry, and will very likely win. In many states, gay and lesbian couples have won the right to adopt children, as well. Hmm, a loving couple, with children ... sounds like a family to me. In this age of a 50 percent divorce rate, why should two people who care about each other be denied the right to marry as a demonstration of their com- mitment? Fifth, Fletcher is wrong in saying that "students and fac- ulty would be able to obtain the same benefits without any commitment." This is simply untrue, as the University has strict rules on what constitutes a commit- ment in order to receive same-sex benefits. Finally, gay and lesbian couples are not destroying traditional families. In case Fletcher hasn't noticedso- called "traditional" families are doing that all on their own. KRISTIN ADAMSK LSA SENIOR Alianza's statement about theft To THE DAILY: Alianza believes these speculative allegations to be a component of the witch- hunt against active students of color at the University. Alianza understands why people may feel that the University and The Michigan Daily are complicit in creat- ing a racist atmosphere on campus. Alianza has always opposed racism and cultural supremacy. Alianza has always contributed to creat- ing a multicultural environ- ment in social, cultural and political realms. We will con- tinue. NoRA SALAS CO-CHAIR OF PUBLuC OPINION, ALIANZA LSA dean applauds articles through departmental curric- ular initiatives, increased fac- ulty attention to instructional innovation and new program- matic offerings in the first two years, in addition to the important topics covered in your series. We thank you for bringing this information to students' attention, and we hope that you will continue this valuable service in future semesters. EDIE N. GOLDENBERG LSA DEAN 'U' should support GEO To THE DAILY: As a graduate student instructor in French and as a dedicated teacher, I wanted to comment on the Graduate Employees Organization's work stoppage for April 8 and 9. It was a very difficult decision to make, and we understand fully that it will disrupt students' lives in the short term. But by refusing to bargain on a living wage and by refusing to do what is clearly right for international GSIs, the University is dis- rupting our lives in a radical way, in a permanent way and on a daily basis. It's a real shame that the University has pushed us to this position, but we can't wait forever for a contract. We have rent to pay now. If we don't get a contract signed this semester, 60 to 70 IGSIs will have to go through training this summer without pay, without access to hous- ing or health insurance and without a guarantee that they will even be hired. GEO is working for change at this university. We are working to create a better environment for teaching and learning. It is in the long- term interest of the under- graduates, despite the tempo- rary inconvenience. In a recent article in the Daily, (University chief nego- tiation) Dan Gamble said. "We can achieve a contract before mediation,"'("GEO votes for 2-day walk-out, 3/27/96). I find this surpris- ing coming from someone who stated that on principle, the University wouldn't sign anything before mediation and even questioned the use- fulness of meeting between now and April 10. They've stopped negotiating. I don't know why. But it leaves GSIs with no other choice but to stop work. The University team has an oblig- ation, and they are not meet- ing it. They have the power (and the responsibility) to sign a fair contract this semester, and they can do it before State laws must uphold the right to marny for every citizen Tast week, more than 150 lesbia Sand gay couples in San Francisc got dressed up, went downtown and were pro- nounced legally. morally and forev- er after ... domes-3 tic partners. Mayor Willie Brown,who presided over the ceremony, asked couples to pledge JEAN to be "committed TWENGE to a relationship of loyalty and mutual caring." At its con- clusion, however, he could only pro- nounce them "domestic partners" - current California law does not allow gay or lesbian couples to marry. More and more, the question is becoming, "Why not?" Hawaii' Supreme Court soon will be forced t answer that question. In a suit filed by three gay couples in 1991, Hawaii will have to prove a "compelling reason" not to grant same-sex couples marriage licenses. Since all states recognize marriage licenses issued in other states, a gay or lesbian couple who ties the knot in scenic Hawaii would be considered legally married in any state. Some states are already moving t prevent this possibility. Idaho, Sou Dakota and Utah have passed laws bar- ring same-sex marriages, and legisla- tures in 15 other states - including Michigan - are considering passing similar prohibitions. Here in Michigan, some legislators have even proposed withdrawing funds from state institutions, such as the University, that offer benefits to the domestic partners of students employees. The battle could eventually split the country in half, with some states rec- ognizing gay marriage and others out- lawing it completely. This possibility is fairly likely, since no one seems able to answer the question put to Hawaii's courts: What are the compelling rea- sons against same-sex marriages? There really aren't any. The freedom to marry has long been recog- nized as one of the per- sonal rights essential to pursue happiness As columnist Ellen Goodman points out, marriage in the 20th century is ne solely about producing children - if were, infertile couples would be legal- ly required to divorce and post- menopausal women would not be allowed to marry. As it is, some gay and lesbian couples already raise chil- dren. Some people - usually religious conservatives - claim that homosexu- ality is evil and "immoral"; I suppose because it's equated with commitment- free, child-free sex. If that's true, you'd think they woul welcome gay marriage, which would allow homosexual couples to make a permanent commitment to just one partner. If the state has any interest in mar- riage, it must be to encourage' stable, long-term relationships among its citi- zenry. Although all of the causes aren't clear, statistics show that married men are less likely to drive drunk, commO crimes or die in auto accidents. Other public health issues, such as the spread of AIDS and other STDs, might also benefit if same-sex marriage were legalized. In addition, it is not clear why the beliefs of some religious groups should effect the laws of a state or country. The United States was found- ed on the separation of church and state, and not all religious groups a opposed to homosexuality. The opponents of same-sex marriage may be fighting a losing battle for another reason: Barring people from marrying is most likely unconstitution- al. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized the right to marry as a unique civil lib- erty in the 1967 case of Loving vs. Virginia - the case that legalized another kind of union once outlawed several states: interracial marriage. "The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital per- sonal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness' said the Court's majority opinion. The case erased