.4A -- The Michigan Daily - Monday, November 4, 1996 e 9 Iicl 4b, ttn ttil 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan y pp.p < x fi A ' RONNIE GLASSBERG Editor in Chief ADRIENNE JANNEY ZACHARY M. RAIMI Editorial Page Editors NOTABLE QUOTABLE It's time for a national commitment to education. It's better to spend $5,000 to educate a child than $30,000 to incarcerate him.' - US. Rep. Lynn Rimrs (D-Ann Arbo) Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily : editorial hoard. AI/ other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Aail, FROM THE DAILY SY Reelet Clinton President works for the average American resident Bill Clinton will beat chal- Discrimination Act, which would have p lenger Bob Dole tomorrow - because tected gays from workplace discriminat Americans will vote for Clinton. As well - many other groups are already protec t4ey should. Clinton supported ENDA, but Conga Despite loud complaints from voters - killed it. For the first time, these issues often Democrats - these past four years, coming up for a vote - which puts Clinton has accomplished much during his Clinton administration and its social p presidency. Americans want it all: a perfect cies way ahead of Dole, George Bu president with whom they can always agree. Ronald Reagan or the last Democratic p Clinton takes stock of the national feeling ident, Jimmy Carter. Although Clin on a subject, and picks a course for the could and should do more for oppres .Country - not for special-interest groups. groups, he is one of the most progress C linton may appear to cave, but it's not to presidents in modern history. factions. In fact, he tends to ignore the lib- The president also upholds the le $erals, the conservatives, the activists, the right to an abortion. Not only is he p extremists. His stances are far too middle- choice, he vetoed a late-term abortion of-the-road for some - but moderate that would have impacted mothers' heal enough to get a few things done while he is On the other hand, he favors expans in office, and stay in touch with the of a law like New Jersey's Megan's L American people. which requires sex offenders to regi Lost in the Republican "tax-and-spend with local communities once they liberal" accusations is the fact that Clinton released from prison. The law is intende lowered the deficit by 60 percent overall; protect children, but Clinton ignores each year of his presidency, he reduced the infringement on the right to privacy. Clin rate of growth. As part of his economic also signed the telecommunications b plan, he also raised taxes - but the "and despite the vague clause to ban "obscen spend" part just doesn't apply, especially from the Internet. He forgets that on the since Clinton signed a bill to slash the safe- side of such issues is a slippery slope. ty net. The Welfare Reform Act - a times, Clinton seems too willing to comp Republican attack on the family - ousts mise individuals' civil liberties in orde -recipients after a few years, but does not head off Republican attacks. provide the tools to stay off welfare, such as The Brady Bill is among the preside health insurance, job training and day care. accomplishments. Thanks to Clinton, th Clinton, however, has promised to fix the with a criminal history cannot have guns bill if he is re-elected - and put in some of addition, he pushed the assault rifle ban. these provisions. Also, he is responsible for is tough on domestic crime, and weak the Family Medical Leave Act, which foreign policy issues -- but not a disast allows mothers and fathers to take time off Without the specter of re-electi work for family situations without penalty. Clinton will be able to tackle some of If re-elected, Clinton promised to expand stickier issues. Some might call his Mr the act to include events such as Parent- record spotty, but the truth is, even the b Teacher Association meetings. president cannot please every sector. To do more for the American family, bigger shadow looming is the concept Clinton should have vetoed the Defense of Bob Dole as president - his risky tax p Marriage Act, which defines marriage as his incoherent vision and his negative ca heterosexual - 10 percent of the popula- paigning do not bode well for Amer tjon cannot define their own families under Dole in office would set back Clint law. However, Clinton never had the chance progress for years to come. to sign the Employment Non- Re-elect Bill Clinton for president. Democrats for re gnt Maynard could restore trust to board 71E}7r TE u5/CKS! Y OU 6OA'A KICK YOUL ASS!' M4, BRAD IS 54ALLY HECKI NC THAT 'STATE FAN! VwALJ SHARP AS TOAST , T. T rn( i)D 1 NEVER TK TO pro- tion ted. ress are the )oli- ush, res- ton sed sive ega 1 pro- ban th. Sion -aw, ster are d to its iton bill, ity flip At pro- r to nt's Jose S. In Oil H~e er. ion, the rack best The t of Ian, ,am- ica. 1 "s M MOM LIKE THAT ! LrS^TOITHEEtOR LETTERIS TO THE EDITOR News article shows effort TO THE DAILY: I am writing in response to the article printed last Tlhursday ("Leaders harmo- nize with music groups.' 1I ( 24 9) highlighting the accomplishments of Ramon Johnson and Shervl Darden, the first African American drum major and USO princi- pal in the University's histo- ry, respectively. I find myself regularly criticizing the Daily for its lack of minority repre- sentation in its articles, and also the lack of effort to rep- resent the diversity on cam- pus in many of its highlights. I do not find myself alone in this criticism. But strange as it may seem, I was most pleased with the article last week. Not onlv was it a heart- warming story (a nice break from the political front page madness) but it truly showed an effort on the part of the author to highlight the accomplishments of students. particularly African Americans. It is sad that there still exist "firsts" but barriers are being broken daily, and I commend the Daily for recognizing this. Thank you. LOREN McGHEE LSA SENIOR PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY CHAPTER OF NAACP NW ROC disrupted debate TO THE DAILY: Last Monday, I attended a debate between mayoral can- didates sponsored by the Michigan Student Assembly. I went as an undecided, someone who is not unsatis- fied with Mayor Ingrid Sheldon's tenure, but as a lifelong Democrat and activist, attracted to Council member Christopher Kolb's candidacy. I was able to learn the differences in their visions for a better Ann Arbor, and I walked away with plenty of good reasons to vote for Kolb. I thank MSA for the opportu- nity and the education. I only wish more people had attended. Of the 30 or so people in attendance, about half were associated with the National Women's Rights Organizing Coalition, and were there to ask some tough questions about the city's response to the Ku Klux Klan rally, the recent violence at Huron ligh and the increased tensions between gang members and police in the 1,oiith I iiest ra ten. They could have learned something. I don't have much sympa- thy for NWROC. I was at the anti-KKK rally, and I was physically and verbally assaulted just for carrying a sign that said I supported free speech. I saw the violence at the rally, and I know it was provoked by NWROC. Should they receive a bill from the city? I'm not sure. but I know that as a taxpayer I resent having to bear the monetary cost of their intol- erance and violence. But NWROC should get some credit, though. At least they were there Monday night, getting involved (albeit maladroitly) in their commu- nity and in politics. They also attend City Council meetings. I wish more students had attended the debate, because it was a good one. And I wish the NWROC members had actually listened to the answers to their (good) ques- tions. PETER A. CHURCH RC ADJUNCT LECTURER Clinton facts were wrong TO THE DAILY: We are writing concern- ing the information at the end of the article titled "Clinton to build 'bridge to future'," (10/31/96). At the end of the article, there is a list of facts about the president and one of these concerns his military experience. Technically, the commander-in-chief is a civilian and not a member of the U. S. military. Second, it is rather irre- sponsible of your paper to claim that a man who has at best a questionable military record is a member of the armed forces. This implies that he is in the same class as people who have served their country in combat. Finally, the article stated that Clinton served as com- mander-in-chief from 1992- present.tThis is incorrect as Clinton took office in January, 1993. ANN CHIARAMONTI ENGINEERING SOPHOMORE JOHN DEBAY LSA SOPHOMORE Concerned about safety TO THE DAILY: I am writing in regard to the numerous crimes com- mitted as of late. When I think back to the types of crimes I read about last year anr thnva 'I r- dnnw I amI in held at gunpoint that take up the majority of the Daily's criminal reports. lt has become apparent that a person, male or female, is no longer safe to walk the streets of this University. "Student robbed on S. Forest," (10/29/96) reported that a victim was robbed at gunpoint on South Forest. The article also reports on victims on Church Street and East University, also involved in armed robberies. While it is not stated whether or not the East University robbery was committed in the day or evening, the other robberies were committed at night. Human-contact crimes on campus often occur during the evening or late night hours, despite the Saturday morning assault reported a couple of weeks ago. While the University does provide evenig safety -services, they do tend to stop late at night. Safewalk and Northwalk are wonderful programs Students can call and have someone meet them and walk them to their destination. The Niteowl is also a wonderful service running from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. This bus travels around campus and even to Crisler, taking students where - or close to where - they need to go. Only, both of these safety reinforcements stop too early for many University students who study for long hours at the library or in designated meeting areas with study groups. We do have a free taxi system that starts at 2 a.m. and goes until the early morning, where students can catch a taxi for free to any- where on campus they need to go. However, students can only catch it at the Shapiro Undergraduate Library. Where does that leave those who are somewhere else, but still would like a safe ride home for free? I myself was leaving Markley at 3 a.m. one night and had to walk by myself to South Quad, or to the Shapiro to catch the taxi service. I found myself afraid to turn every corner. While the University does provide good safety services, there is still room for improvement. Making the free taxi available from other places besides the Shapiro Undergraduate Library would be a huge step in greater ser- vice. At the end of the previ- ously stated Daily article, the last sentence is, "No injuries were reported in either case." There may have been no physical harm done in those cases, but what about others that may come? What about the mental harm done to those that were the victims? What about the increased ' fear in students on campus? Before the University again SMOKE & MRmORS Trash-talk TV is a social disgrace Jenny Jones came to Michigan last week, and the eyes of the natin followed her. ler visit to an Oakland County courtroom was the latest twist in a bizarre murder case that dates back to an episode of-The Jenny Jones Show in March 1 995. That episode's theme was secret crushes. Scott Amedure went on the program to reveal that he had a secret crush on..\ Jonathan Schmitz an acquaintance. Schmitz said he had no idea that it ZACHARY was Amedure After it was M. RAIMI revealed. Jenny and her audience worked hard to licit reactions from the surprised guest. After Amedure revealed his sexual fantasy that involved Schmitz, a ham- mock and whipped cream, Schmitz began gushing and put his face in his hands. At the time, he looked sur- prised but not enraged. A few days later, in Metro Detroit. Schmitz shot and killed Amedure. In court, Schmitz's attorneys claimed that he has a long history of mental illness and that the surprise on "Jenny Jones" -- that a man was attracted to him - pushed him over the edge, causing him to commit murder. It's not my place, as an undergradu- ate English. major, to determine whether Schmitz was insane at the time of the killing and what kind of punishment he deserves. I'll leave that for the lawyers and jury to argue. But we shouldn't let this opportunity pass without putting Jenny Jones and the rest of her trash-talking clones on trial. If nothing else, this trial illus trates the shocking and outrageous stunts that daytime talk show hosts will pull for ratings. They must under- stand that they have a responsibility to their guests and the viewing audience to conduct their programs with civility and decency. As ashamed as I am to admit it now, I used to be a regular "Jenny Jones" viewer. In fact, for nearly a month last year, my apartment-mates and I would drop everything we were doing and race home by 12:35 a.m. to watch late- night reruns of "Jenny Jones." At first, we found it wickedly funny. The show's topics ranged from biker moms getting makeovers to the trivial- ization of abusive men who can't stop hitting their women. Throughout, Jones would wear an annoying smile and work hard to provoke guests into revealing outrageous things. Eventually, I found the show disgust- ing. It asked us to laugh and ridicule weak people who were in dire need of help. Jones continually tried to turn heartwrenching problems into enter- tainment. Guests often looked deeply pained while the audience laughed at them. In court last week, Jones admitted that she rarely knows the topic of the show until the night before. Also, she and some of the show's producers have admitted that it is fairly common to lie to guests in order to cajole them onto the set. Moreover, producers strongly encourage participants to have drinks to relax for the show. Essentially, Jones made it sound that she simply shows up at the TV studio, does the show, col- lects her paycheck, and heads home. She has bucked all responsibility for the trash that comes out of her pro- gram and into our living rooms. Well, Ms. Jones, we're not going to let you get away with it. I am not alone in my disgust for these programs - and I have powerful allies. Last year, after the Amedure murder, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D- Conn.) and others undertook a cam- paign to instill responsibility into the programs. In a press conference, Lieberman said, "The proliferation of perversion on daytime television is affecting our entire society by the example it sets, - pushing the envelope of civility and morality in a way that drags the rest of the culture down with it." Liebermansaidethatapproximately 6 percent of the viewing audience _is between the ages of 2 and 11. These shows may lead children to believe that dysfunctionality is normal, racy sexual encounters are without conse- quence and people's feelings are less important than entertainment. Amedure's family can tell you other-4 wise. This is not a call for censorship; instead, it is a campaign to make the talk shows understand that their poweir is immense and that talk show hosts must be responsible for the content-of thenir nrfltrflflc i irf- veinto.inn thi 01 01 01 omorrow, voters will elect two people who will have a dramatic impact on the University's future. Four candidates are vying for the eight-year term of regent. The two Democrats, Libby Maynard of Flint and S. Martin Taylor of Grosse Pointe Farms, are better choices than the two Republicans, Deane Baker of Ann Arbor and Mike Bishop of Rochester Hills. 'Of the four, Maynard is the strongest candidate. Her extensive experience with the University is a tremendous asset. She has worked as a visiting professor in the School of Social Work for many years and serves on its National Development -Committee. She has working relationships with several regents. Moreover, Maynard is (iitimately familiar with the workings of state government. She was the Michigan bemocratic Party chair from 1979-1983, JAd she was director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging in the 1980s. Maynard's support of many important University initiatives would improve stu- dent life on campus. For example, she sup- ports the University policy of giving same- sex couples economic benefits. As regent, she said she will look at all issues in "the spirit of nondiscrimination" - an impor- tant attitude for a regent to possess. tionships with student leaders and campus publications. Maynard's commitment to students would ensure that their views are represented on the board. If elected, S. Martin Taylor must do a lot of homework. During a recent interview, he said he was unfamiliar with the language of Bylaw 14.06, the University's non-discrim- ination code; he has never read the Code of Student Conduct; and he did not have a grasp on the Open Meetings Act. However, he is a better choice than either of the Republicans. His diverse professional expe- riences - ranging from a vice president at Detroit Edison to director of the Michigan Department of Labor - have helped him work easily with others and learn the intri- cacies of managing institutions. These skills would benefit the board. Deane Baker has served on the board for 24 years. Although his experience and insti- tutional memory is an asset to the board, these are not compelling reasons to re-elect Baker. His strong opposition to benefits for same-sex couples is provincial and does not bode well for the University community. Moreover, his blatant disregard of the Open Meetings Act during the presidential search is disconcerting - regents should obey the law without needing a court order to force I I 01 II