4A - The MichiganDaily - Thursday, April 11, 1996
I1E £ilig§&UT &lg
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
NOTABLE QUOTABLE,"
'On the path to adulthood, most people
pause to get drunk.'
- Psychology Prof. John Schulenberg, explaining that binge
drinking in college is not necessarily a permanent trend
MAn WIMSAT MOKIE's DILEMMA
Uinless otherwise rated, unsigned editorials relect the opinion of the majority of the Doily s editorial hoard. All
other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily
FROM THE DAILY
Celebrating the Earth
Students must get involved in environment
. _ _ . _. .. _ _.. _ _ __ _ 1
Earth Week- '96 addresses issues that
affect all students. Earth Week started
Monday with "Recycling." The planned
activities stressed how the environment
affects each student. Focusing on a different
theme each day, Earth Week highlights the
linkage of environmental issues to social
problems, demonstrating their increasing
importance to upcoming political cam-
pfigns. It is no longer possible to be
involved in the political and social arenas
while remaining detached from environ-
mental issues. In fact, the week is intended
to show that every environmental issue
overshadows students' lives.
, Tuesday's theme, "Environmental
Justice," stressed how pollution has caused
underprivileged people to suffer. The num-
ber of landfills and incinerators located in
minority or low-income neighborhoods is
not proportional to more privileged, all-
white areas. Residents of polluted neighbor-
hoods are continually threatened by many
toxins.
For example, high concentrations of lead
affect the water supply of these areas, con-
tributing to serious health problems.
Students must understand the magnitude of
environmental health issues that affect low-
income families in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and
Detroit.
- Yesterday, Earth Week activities under-
scored the importance of the Endangered
Species Act and the invaluable protection it
provides to wildlife. However, many mem-
bers of Congress are currently attacking the
act. A moratorium on the endangered
species list watered down the act, which
was passed last year. By preventing the
addition of any endangered species to the
list, the ban undermines the act's initiative
- and its effectiveness.
Today, the activities are scheduled to
focus on "Environmental Legislation,"
including discussions on current and future
trends in environmental legislation. Among
other guest speakers, state Rep. Liz Brater
(D-Ann Arbor) will encourage student
involvement in promoting such legislation.
Students can participate in letter-writing
campaigns; the newly formed student group
Campus Greenvote recently organized one.
Student involvement in these campaigns is
crucial to maintaining the effectiveness of
existing - but threatened - legislation,
such as the Environmental Protection Act.
Tomorrow, participants will gather on
the Diag for "Community Organization."
Saturday will be "Hands On the Planet"
day, which encourages students to address
environmentalism through devoted
activism. Students can volunteer to partici-
pate in a wide variety of issues, including
recycling, non-native-species clearing,
parks cleanup, toxic pollution and river
health. The culmination of Earth Week
activities will be a "Party for the Planet,"
held Saturday evening. Proceeds will go to
local environmental groups.
Environmental issues transcend the
political and social arenas to which students
are intimately connected. Earth Week has
attempted to promote environmental educa-
tion through service. Students should sup-
port the goals of Earth Week with their
voices - as well as through action.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Con sequences
Immigrant bill would increase crime
Despite common-sense objections, a
portion of the U.S. government has
decided money is more important than both
a child's education and American citizens'
well-being.
Next week, the Senate will debate a
House immigration bill that would allow
states to deny public education to illegal
immigrants. The bill, which Sen. Bob Dole
(R-Kan.) heavily supports, has caused a
split between conservative and moderate
Republicans. The legislation, backed by
House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and
Rep. Elton Gallegy (R-Calif.), sailed
through the House.
Many members of Congress continue to
support the bill, despite strong pressure
from some of the nation's largest police
organizations to drop the proposal. Police
argue that, if enacted, the bill would lead to
more crime. Police organizations - includ-
ing the major police union, Fraternal Order
of Police, as well as the Chicago Police
Department - wrote to Dole last week urg-
ing him to reverse his position. In the letter,
police claimed "forcing young people out
of school and onto the streets would have
disastrous long-term effects on public safe-
ty." And the police are correct.
Supporters claim that states should not
be required to provide education to illegal
immigrants because it is an unfair burden.
Proponents apparently feel this burden is
heavier than the weight that comes with a
major crime increase - a result practically
guaranteed by police organizations - and
the stunting of millions of young lives.
Without an education, immigrant children
will virtually have no means to climb the
socioeconomic ladder. The bill would
enlarge the underclass - a poverty for
which the states would be forced to pay.
Dole, the likely Republican presidential
candidate, has opposed past attempts to
allow states to deny education to undocu-
mented aliens. But now that he is in the
national spotlight, his position has changed.
This issue brings together a number of hot
political topics that the 1996 presidential
campaign will no doubt focus on: illegal
immigration, crime and education.
Dole knows it is an election year. By
including the education provision in a bill
that the Clinton administration otherwise
supports, Republicans are creating a no-win
situation for the president. Despite this,
Clinton has vowed to veto any immigration
bill that contains the education-prohibition
amendment.
Ironically, a country founded by immi-
grants has a government threatening to
strangle the rights of all modern-day immi-
grants. Some politicians claim to know
more about the causes of crime than police
officers do. The same politicians are willing
to throw away the lives of millions of youths
to save money - and save face. In the inter-
est of all American citizens, Congress
should strike down this proposal. It's only
common sense.
strikes are
educational
experiences
TO THE DAILY:
I was disappointed to read
the statements of a graduate
student instructor and several
students about the Graduate
Employees Organization
walk-out Monday and
Tuesday ("Mediation follows
2-day work stoppage,"
4/10/96). 1 find the idea that
a two-day walk-out of GSIs
damages anyone's education
off the mark.
Strikes are, to the con-
trary, educational experi-
ences. In two days serving
lunch to graduate students, I
got to talk to graduate stu-
dents, staff, undergraduates,
community activists and
other people I might never
have met.
I also learned that work-
ing in food services is hard
work, and gained a new
respect and sympathy for
people who work on their
feet all day.
Students that have any
interest in real education -
that is, learning about the
world around them and the
people that inhabit it - cer-
tainly learned a lot over the
past two days. Those that
chose to sulk and complain
that they were not getting
their parents' money's worth
of education should pack
their bags and go home - if
they think that education con-
sists solely of sitting in a
classroom, taking notes, and
regurgitating material back
on an exam are the only '
forms education takes, they
are just not ready for college
yet.
Russ OLWELL
UNIVERSITY STAFF
JAP' column
perpetuates
stereotype
TO THE DAILY:
Reading the Daily on
Monday, we were taken
aback and dismayed at Kate
Epstein's column titled
"Crossroads of oppression:
The JAP."
The title alone sets the
tone for this article as one
that takes itself way too seri-
ously and drastically overdra-
matizes the "plight" of the
so-called Jewish American
Princess.
While misogyny and anti-
Semitism are undoubtedly
pressing issues that must be
dealt with and addressed seri-
ouslywithin our society, the
concept of the JAP is wholly
different. Epstein's elevation
of the issue to such an
After two years at the
University, we have undoubt-
edly come into contact with a
significant number of Jews,
as well as non-Jews, in addi-
tion to females, as well as
males. All parties concerned
find the condescending and
self-indulgent attitude of cer-
tain people within our
University population, who,
at times, happen to originate
from Long Island, N.Y., and,
at times, do not want to, to be
revolting, and thus warrants
no defense under the guise of
attacking anti-Semitism as a
whole.
ALLISON N. ZAMECK
JEREMY S. HAUSMAN
AMIT D. NAFTALI
LSA SOPHOMORES
Rosenberg's
racism is
subtle
TO THE DAILY:
It has been a recurring
phenomenon in American
society for the dominant cul-
ture to ignore the voice of
minorities. As a Mexican
American, I have frequently
experienced the harsh disre-
gard of those in power when
screaming for the end of dis-
crimination and racism.
In the past, racists and
their acts of this malicious
mentality were overt about
their opinions. If you were
white and hated blacks, you
openly displayed this attitude.
In no way am I justifying this
behavior nor saying it is right
but at least they were honest
with their emotions and
beliefs. However, as time
changed so has the racist's
manners.
Nowadays, the racist is
hard to recognize and their
actions even harder to identi-
fy. This is clearly illustrated
by Michael Rosenberg's col-
umn "Racism?" (4/4/96).
Rosenberg is a prime
example of this modern-day
form of racism. Rosenberg's
article contains a great many
fallacies and ineffective
points. Rosenberg displays
his vast ignorance of race
relations when saying that
those who oppose racism are
a "certain contingent of peo-
ple ... that likes to protest."
Obviously, he cannot make
the distinction between a per-
son who complains about an
incorrect exam grade and
those who are fighting for
respect and equality.
I do accuse the Daily of
institutional racism. If this
publication encourages,
defends and publishes arti-
cles and cartoons with racist
overtones, then in fact you
are a part of this institution
of racism. Also, if you
assume that hiring more
minorities on your staff will
America follows to deceive
themselves that they have
eliminated the problems of
racism.
Hiding behind the free-
dom of speech to display
your racism is a cowardly act.
Now I agree with Rosenberg
that "everyone has the right
to protest but not everyone is
right to protest." I also feel
that everyone has the right to
free speech but everything
you say is not right.
Allowing the presentation
of racism in the Daily
because of free speech is the
same as allowing drive-by
shootings because of our
right to bear arms.
If the Daily would like to
end this reputation of racism
and gain the prominence of a
respectable publication, I
suggest you no longer toler-
ate these racist articles and
attitudes. The abolition of
racism can only occur when
racism is recognized and
properly shunned.
FELIX FLORES JR.
LSA SOPHOMORE
No elite 'U'
societies
TO THE DAILY:
Brent McIntosh complete-
ly missed the point of Abe
Bates' e-mail message
regarding secret societies at
the University in his column
("Secret societies: Don't
'Michout' on all the fun and
excitement," 4/5/96).
According to Bates' mes-
sage, these "secret societies"
aren't legitimate declared stu-
dent organizations that have
applied for funding through
the usual means. These
groups enjoy privileges
denied other student organi-
zations, with student tuition
possibly footing the bill. The
Freedom of Information Act
request that has already been
filed regarding the leases of
the upper floors of the
Michigan Union should bring,
any misappropriation of stu-
dent funds to light, if indeed
there have been any.
My own offense to these
groups has little to do with
elitism, racial homogeneity
or secrecy, traits that could
describe the Ku Klux Klan
and even the Freemasons.
Rather, what bothers me is
privilege denied to other stu-
dent groups, for reasons
unknown. We can only spec-
ulate what kind of connec-
tions these students have with
the administration and what
other special favors these
connections have brought.
The fostering of an old-
boys network at a public uni-
versity by its administration,
in this day and age, is not
only totally reprehensible, but
unforgivable. Throw the bas-
SHAxiUNG iHE TREE.
Beware of what
you are eating
V IRGIN ISLANDS - As I was
snorkeling oft the coast of St.
John last week, I was amazed at the
natural beauty of marine life.
Thousands of
orange, fluores-
cent and neon fish
of all sizes darted
about through
coral caverns and
interacted withr E
the colorful
sponges, sea 4
urchins, sea brit-
ties and starfish in ;
the clear blue
water,. ivdaKATIE
They lived in a HUTCHINS
natural ecosystem
without disturbances except for occa-
sional bungling tourists poking around
in curiosity.
The best find of the day was two sets
of lobster eyes poking out of the hol-
low in a huge, purplish sponge. My
brother poked at them and asked me if
he should catch them for dinner. I was
shocked that anyone would want to
destroy such a magnificent creature.
These lobsters were healthier than the
ones you see in aquariums in seafood
restaurants; they were graceful and
beautiful in their dark orange hue,
with cute little beady eyes.
My brother eventually acknowl-
edged my protests and left them alone.
When we returned to the house, it
was a "Rocky Horror Picture Show"
scene. My family gathered around a
freshly caught lobster, gazing and
poking as Frankenfurter's followers
did when he unveiled the newborn
Rocky. To my disappointment, the lob-
ster had been selected for our dinner.
Our neighbor had caught the prize,
and he held it gingerly as he showed
my dad how to cut it and cook it.
Without a second thought, he clipped
off a leg and dropped it in the pot. But
the lobster was still alive and moving.
Not so big a deal, right? But it is a
big dea to disrespect life so callously
and habitually. As a vegetarian, I know
that, but I'~m also desensitized after
years of attending Thanksgiving din-
ners and other barbaric events. I was
appalled. I envisioned my sister being
held aloft anddismembered bya
group of giant lobsters as she
squirmed and screamed helplessly.
"God, I love human. Check out this
leg."
"Watch out, Larry. Don't get your
antenna too close to its head - it'll
bite the tip off."
And so on.
Of course I got sick and couldn't eat
with the family at dinner that night.
The interesting part was that my mom
and sisters, veteran meat eaters, could-
n't eat either. Not after seeing the lob-
ster alive as it was being ripped apart.
What makes a live, dismembered
lobster different from a McDonald's
hamburger? Nothing. Meat eaters
think nothing of buying "cold cuts" at
a deli,nbut lose their appetite when
they find a vein of chicken (or the
impersonal "drumstick").
In a column, I can't tell you why you
shouldn't eat animals - that's a spiri-
tual, personal issue. But I can tell you
that you damn well better know what
you're doing. Shutting your eyes to
taking a life won't make that fact go
away. Just as we depersonalize the
"enemy" in war so we can mobilize to
kill thousands, we make animals into
disposable "things" so we can feel less
guilty. In a politically correct world,
dehumanizing animals gives us one
less thing to worry about.
A woman in my psychology class is
running an experiment on rats. It's a
potentially valuable study, but it
requires that she administer injections
and later kill them. She strongly sup-
ports animal experimentation as a nec-
essary evil for scientific knowledge
and improving human lives; she's hav-
ing difficulties because, regardless of
ideology, it's hard to end life.
She feels that if she's going to be a
staunch supporter of animal experi-
mentation, she better know what it's
about. It seems overly noble and lofty,
but it's an example we should follow.
The same principle holds for meat
eaters, and the key word is awareness.
If you want to argue that you're at the
top of the food chain and you deserve
to kill animals because you were
somehow granted that power and that
makes it OK: fine. Plenty of non-reli-
gious meat eaters will say the Bible
says it's OK. Many people who know
nothing about evolution will suddenly
start citing Darwin when forced into a
defensive corner by a vegetarian.
But if you want to know what you're
talking about when you continue to be
a supporter of systematic animal
slaughter, at least go to a factory farm.
See the animals cooped up, force-fed
chemica, andi nulling at each others'
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HOW TO CONTACT THEM
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REP. LIZ BRATER (D-ANN ARBOR)
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 53RD DISTRICT
P.O. Box 30014
LANSING, MI 48909-7154
SEN. BOB DOLE (R-KAN.)
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
U.S. SENATE
WASHINGTON D.C. 20510