4A - The MichiganDaily -_Monday, April 15, 1996

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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
'This is a good contract, but it still doesn't guarantee a
living wage for our members, and some of them will have
to take a second job to make ends meet.'
-John Curtiss, a member of GEOs bargaining team, describing
his reaction to the University's contract with its GSIs
Jim LASSER SHARP AS TOAST

Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily's editorial board A//
other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily
FROM THE DAILY
Boyctt Burma


MKAICVlMP( jL


City Council should
T onight, the Ann Arbor City Council is
scheduled to vote on a resolution to
ban the city's involvement with the oppres-
sive: Burmese military government. The
proposal would ban the city from purchas-
ing any Burmese products or products made
by companies that operate in Burma - and
that support the military regime. This reso-
lution would show that Ann Arborites have
an interest in human rights for the global
community. The City Council should pass

support resolution
1980s movement regarding the apartheid
government in South Africa. Many cities
passed resolutions and ordinances to forbid
cities from purchasing products made in
South Africa.
Local governments also prohibited prod-
ucts from companies that continued to oper-
ate in conjunction with the apartheid gov-
ernment. Ann Arbor joined this fight and
passed an ordinance in 1986 to eliminate all
city business involvement with South

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the resolution.
In 1990, Burma experi-
enced its first democratic
election when Aung San Suu
Kyi and her National League
of Democracy party were
elected by an overwhelming
majority to lead the nation.
However, the military inter-
vened and took power while
placing Aung San Suu Kyi
under house arrest. The mili-
taryforced other elected offi-
cials to flee for safety,

MA2 T I
MATT wiMSA

Africa. City Council members
would be hypocritical not to fol-
low their own precedent.
The resolution before the
City Council is based on one
passed last year in Berkeley,
Calif. Cities like Santa Monica,
Calif., and Madison, Wis., have
adopted similar ordinances to
ban civic investment in Burma.
Larger cities - such as New
York, Chicago and San
M/Oaily Francisco - are considering
similar resolutions.
South Africa is an example of purse-

,it

I. *1

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

renamed the country and instituted a harsh
regime described as one of the world's most
cruel. The United Nations regularly sanc-
tions the military government for offenses
such as forced labor and institutionally
sanctioned rape and torture. For her pro-
democracy efforts, Aung San Suu Kyi won
the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.
Burma is a poor nation. The military
regime is actively pursuing international
inve'stment. Companies - such as PepsiCo,
UNOCAL and ARCO - still operate with-
in Burma. The military junta functions so
that businesses cannot operate at any level
without military rulers' approval.
Companies remain there despite the world-
wide pressure to pull out of Burma.
The movement to ban local governments
from Burmese dealings is similar to the

string pressure effects. International finan-
cial withdrawal helped quicken the demise
of the apartheid regime by making invest-
ment in South African bad business. The
same could happen in Burma. If companies
that cooperate with an oppressive govern-
ment refuse to pull out on principle, cities
like Ann Arbor can provide financial pres-
sure that makes investing in Burma unprof-
itable.
Tonight's resolution is a drop in the
bucket. It will not singlehandedly topple
military oppression in Burma.
However, it would be a principled effort
that - when combined with other efforts
worldwide - would become a significant
hometown action toward ending a faraway
tragedy.

The four-year plan
State colleges should follow CMU's lead

T he price of higher education continues
to rise without restraint. Degrees are
more difficult to earn in only four years.
Both students and prents are feeling the
pinch..In an effort to offset these factors,
Central Michigan University will join only
three other public universities nationwide
next year, by introducing the Degree
Partners Plan. The program is innovative
and promising. Other colleges and universi-
ties should explore such programs.
The option to take part in the Degree
Partners Plan is open to all incoming first-
year students next year at CMU. Under the
pl, students would meet with an adviser
to map out a four-year class schedule in the
students' prospective concentrations.
Students would agree to meet certain
requirements, including: a minimum num-
ber of credits each semester and at least a
2.0 GPA. They also must meet with their
adviser each semester to chart their
progress. If, after following these guide-
lines, students have failed to earn a diplo-
ma, CMU will pay for the additional
required classes.
If participating students break the provi-
sions of the contract, CMU would terminate
the contract. For this reason, CMU officials
say the program will not cost the university
any extra expenses. Paying for additional
classes would come from situations in
which classes are filled and students cannot
register for required courses.
Many schools across the country have
seen a trend where many students fail to
rinAiinte within fAr vers At CMI I for

within the standard four years. Students
often need to spend more time on the job to
make ends meet - which leads to fewer
classes taken per term and extended time in
college. The program offers students an
opportunity to work consistently with an
adviser and plan an efficient time table.
The program's drawback is that students
must choose a concentration before begin-
ning college. Should students want to
switch their concentration, CMU officials
said they would try to be flexible, but do not
promise to honor the agreement.
Many argue that a true education is rich
in its diversity of subjects. However, a col-
lege degree is a necessary career step.
Many consider a true liberal arts education
a luxury. The Degree Partners Plan is
appealing to students who know what they
want out of college, but perhaps cannot
afford to meet the requirements in four
years.
The program is voluntary. Those who
enjoy participating in many extracurricular
programs might find the program disadvan-
tageous because of the minimum credit
requirement.. Someone who holds a full-
time job might also find the program diffi-
cult. But for students on a tight budget, the
choice is compelling.
For universities, the Degree Partners
Plan is a low-risk program - students
agree to meet certain requirements and the
university simply provides the classes. For
students, the program offers an additional
education option. The program is not for
everyone. But it merits exploration by other

Effects of
line-item veto
are minimal
TO THE DAILY:
I am writing in regard to
the line-item veto editorial
published April 4 ("Veto
power: Clinton must refuse
line-item bill"). The Daily
editors should really take
things in perspective before
they start writing about how
the line-item veto will cause
horrible changes in the power
structure of the U.S. govern-
ment.
You say in the first para-
graph that the president can
only line-item veto a spend-
ing item which affects less
than 100 people. Then you
go on to say how NEA,
defense and student aid are in
danger. Get real. There are
more than 250 million people
in this country, hundreds of
thousands of students receiv-
ing federal aid, thousands of
NEA grants and hundreds of
thousands of workers in the
defense industry. I doubt
highly that this line-item veto
is going to have any effect on
anyone. How much is spent
every year that affects less
than 100 people? Even the
Senate could vote themselves
a raise and the line-item veto
couldn't stop it.
The Daily also complains
about how special interests
will take over if he line-item
veto is passed. What is your
definition of special inter-
ests? Mine is an extremely
small group of people, say
less than 100. So I ask you,
editors of The Michigan
Daily, how is this bill going
to put too much power in the
president's hands'?
CRAIG JACOBS
ENGINEERING SENIOR
Don't toss
'homophobe'
label lightly
TO THE DAILY:
I write this concerning a
topic that was brought to
mind after reading another
letter to the editor April 1.
That letter was written by a
Zachary Shirkey
("Homophobic e-mail sent")
and in that letter, he refers to
homophobia.
Most people who are
labeled as homophobes are
not such. A simple study of
the Greek language would
show one that a phobia is a
fear. Personally, I couldn't
care less about homosexuali-
ty. I don't practice it and I
never will. I also don't fear
homosexuals. I don't out-
wardly persecute them, but I
disagree with their choice of
lifestyle based on my own
faith Now the simnle fact

people who claim to be so
open and so accepting have a
nasty habit of labeling people
just like those people you
accuse. I'd hate to think that a
silly name-calling conserva-
tive like myself might actual-
ly have good reason to call
you a name such as "hyp-
ocrite." As for the recent
"protest" known as Jeans
Day: the premise is ludi-
crous. Suppose that I hadn't
known about the protest. I do
not back homosexuality. Yet
since jeans are a very com-
mon mode of dress, especial-
ly by college students, I
would be very likely to wear
them on that day. Pardon me,
but the idea is just plain stu-
pid. Those who thought up
the idea are practically forc-
ing others, who really proba-
bly couldn't care less about
the whole issue, to be viewed
as supporters of homosexual-
ity. It seems pretty inane.
MATTHEW STEELE
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Coordinator
didn't advise
TO THE DAILY:
In your editorial ("A
Potent Mix: MSA employees
must remain non-partisan,"
3/29/96) you said that MSA
employees and political par-
ties must not mix.
I agree with you totally.
The Wolverine Party has
never involved any office.
staff member in their political
dealings.
I am friends with Lou
Stefanic and have been since
we were in class together. As
you stated, evidence that Lou
and the Wolverine Party have
collaborated has yet to be
established. The reason for
that is that we didn't collabo-
rate. The Wolverine Party has
never used MSA resources.
As I have said before, I
have asked him advice such
as, "Do you think that this
poster is good?" Now this
does not violate the election
code. And if it does then no
one could ever say anything
at MSA because all anyone
ever talks about there is polit-
ical stuff.
My last comment is that
Lou is a student. Is he
responsible to be totally non-
partisan all the time (includ-
ing when he is not at work)?
This takes away his right as a
student to voice his opinions
about his student govern-
ment.
He was not always at
MSA, and should not have
been limited to his job 24
hours per day. If he did offer
the advice (which is still
unsure), then he can do this
as a student. Once again,
though, the Wolverine Party

has never used MSA
resources in a campaign.
ANDY SCHOR
WOLVERINE PARTY
LSA JUNIOR
Accountable
for racism
TO THE DAILY:
The Top Ten things that
Mr. Michael Rosenberg
should know ("Racism,"
4/4/96):
I. There is a very large
contingent of students that
finds fault with the Daily -
very large.
2. Why is that? The Daily
is shoddy mediocre journal-
ism, rife with kindergarten
errors.
3. Of the 8,000 newspa-
pers (free newspapers might 1
add) that were liberated, it is
my educated guess that 7,996
would have been left unread.
It would be safe to say that
the majority would have only
done the crossword.
4. Nick Kirk, president of
the College Republicans and
I do have some things in
common. Primarily, an
intense disdain for a newspa-
per that doesn't represent the
majority of the students at
the University. The Daily is a
group of random people, an
insider's club, with a lack of
insight and journalism skills.
5. The trash and error that
you continue to print and
believe is an example of why
there is continued racial divi-
siveness on this campus and
in this country.
6. Oh, and yes it is possi-
ble to be "liberal" and still
"censor people of color," e.g.
The Michigan Daily.
7. Your newspaper has
deeply offended me; you are
racist. That is your preroga-
tive, but face the truth.
8. We don't ask that each
day the Daily only print our.
opinions. However, it is your
responsibility as our newspa-
per to at least give us a voice.
You have continually cen-
sored us! Now you have had
a taste of your own medicine!
And now you don't like it?!
9. Despite your assertion,
we have the right and are
right to protest!
10. Scare you silent? A
nice, useless tidy conclusion.
To you, Rosenberg, I say that
maybe the Daily will think
twice when printing "possi-
bilities" and realize that you
will have to be accountable
when you demean and mis-
represent people of color. The
day where we "stayed in our
place" has passed. Now you
will answer for your racist
deeds.
JULIAN VASQUE HEILIG
LSA JUNIOR

Tiutw DOUBLE X
Behind the
migraine myth
T he number of women at the
University that I know who suffer
from migraines or from what seem
from their descriptions, to be
migraines, seems to multiply all the::
time. Many of these women never con-
suit a doctor
I don't know
any male
migraine suffer-
ers. Men get
migraines, but
Demographics
reported in 1992 ti
that women suffer :,:. .:.
from migraines at
a rate two to four
times higher than KATE
men. The neurolo- EPSTEIN
gist Oliver Sacks,
in his book, "Migraine: Revised and
Expanded" mentions the possibility
that raised levels of estrogen, the
"female" hormone, can Kring on
migraines.
Migraines have a history as a femi-
nine ailment. We all know the figure of
a woman who uses severe headaches
as an excuse not to have sex with her4
husband or boyfriend. Migraines have
been used in history by women who
wish to avoid sex, have even been trig-
gered by a woman's knowledge that
she can use them to avoid sex.
Attention to the clitoris has been too
low, between such factors as education
centered on reproduction and mascu-
line desire, societal emphasis on
female purity instead of pleasure, and.
Freud's myth of the vaginal orgasm,
over the course of human history, fo
women overall to meet sex with the
same enthusiasm as men. Women's
changing but still existent social and-
economic dependence on men has
necessitated strategies, such as claim-
ing to have a headache in order to gain
control over any aspect of our lives,
including our own bodies.
Migraines are "all in'our heads."
Such claims attack the strategies
women have used to subvert male
dominance. Emotional stress is a com-
mon trigger for migraine headaches,.
but by no means the only trigger. I find
the flickering fluorescent lights in
some of the University's classrooms to
be a trigger. Other triggers include cer-
tain foods, exhaustion, fasting, hot.
weather and hormonal changes during
the menstrual cycle.
The fact that the pre-menstrual pen-
od and menstrual periods can caus
migraines places them into the set of
the various symptoms of menstrua-
tion, whose legitimacy as a group-
women have always had to fight for.
Sacks reports that 10 to 20 percent of
all women suffer at least occasionally-
from migraines as a menstrual or pre-'-
menstrual symptom, and estimates
that among his female migraine-sufK
fering patients, more than one third
experience menstrual migraines.
Like cramps, migraines are serious.
The headaches associated with
migraines come in a range of intensity;
In fact, it is typical for a singler
migraine headache to vary in intensity,
and they generally increase in intens-
ty if the sufferer moves her head.
Migraines need not be debilitating to

"count" as migraines, but they can
render their victims unable to function.
As Sacks reports, migraine attacks
sometimes do not have headaches as a
symptom at all, even though the word,
"migraine,' derives from the French
for one-sided head pain. Sacks writes
that nausea is a more common, nearly
universal symptom of migraines.
Nausea, as he uses the term, can refer
to a revulsion for food, "latent nausea."
Symptoms of migraines are slippery.
The confusing nature of these symp-
toms has left a lot of women in th
dark in terms of their own symptoms.
The symptoms some of the women
I've known describe sound like
migraines to my poorly educated ear,
but they believe their headaches aren't
severe enough to count, even when
they are debilitating. But when some-.
one is in pain, it counts.
If the identifying symptoms of
migraine are slippery, the migraine
aura, which can determine handling of
migraines, is even more slippery.
have experienced the aura, and I have
trouble describing it. Auras occur
before other migraine symptoms
occur.
According to Sacks, they car
include hallucinations. In my case it's
mild, an indescribable warning that a
migraine is coming on, which I make
use of because pain relievers work best
at the outset.
Dr. Ronald Mulder, the chief gyne-
cologist at University Health Service;
said migraines that include an aura car.
be aggravated by oral contraceptives
that have estrogen (almost all do).-
Since oral contraceptives are the most
commonly used form of contracep-

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