4 -The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 10, 1997 Aw Ahigau Paitg 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 JoSu WHITE Editor in Chief Edited and managed by it ERIN MARSH students at the University of Michigan Editorial Page Editor 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 Tenants' reunion MSA was right to restore AATU funding C ome winter, some University students possibility of losing large amounts of staff may find themselves sitting in their each May as graduation rolls around. New apartments, watching icicles fall from the volunteers should be hired and trained early roof, as they wait for their landlords to fix on to avoid future staffing problems. the heat. The Ann Arbor Tenants' Union can To get the AATU back on its feet, former help prevent these and other troublesome president Pattrice Maurer has been volun- housing situations. Since its inception 29 teering her services and will continue to do years ago, the AATU has helped countless so until it is again fully functional. In addi- numbers of students and local community tion to Maurer's help, a new part-time coor- i embers. On Tuesday, the Michigan dinator will be hired to help smooth out the Student Assembly voted in favor of dispers- problems of the past few months. Such pos- ing the $20,000 allocated for tenant ser- itive steps will help the AATU recover from vices in its annual budget to the AATU. its recent shortcomings. MSA should be sure to follow up on the MSA should take advantage of the ATU's progress and not simply dole out option of having a student representative on the money if services that students need are the AATU executive board. The position not provided and improved upon. would allow MSA and other University stu- MSA decided to disperse the money in dents to have a voice regarding the union's four payments throughout the course of the decisions. The representative would also be year despite recent complaints that the aware of how many students the union AATU did not fulfill obligations in the past helped and the quality of service provided. few months. Individual payments will be The student representative would also be on contingent upon the submission of reports the hiring committee for AATU administra- detailing the number of students served, as tors as well as volunteers. Therefore, MSA compiled from the AATU's database. MSA would have some control over who would should carefully investigate student satis- work for the AATU and could ensure that it faction with the AATU before dispersing measures up to students' expectations. the funds. In its 29 years of operation, the AATU Students' dissatisfaction stems in large, helped countless students resolve disputes part from the staffing crisis that left the with their landlords - its standard of excel- AATU unable to meet students' needs. It lence should not falter. The AATU has the was not fully operational from May until opportunity to recover from its slip in stan- October because a large number of long- dards with the funding from MSA. MSA time interns and volunteers left. This and the AATU have a responsibility to pre- staffing crisis has yet to be resolved - the vent repeating the mistakes that occurred in AATU was incapable of handling high the past. By working together, the two orga- demands as students began moving into nizations can ensure that the operation runs housing at the beginning of the Fall semes- smoothly and serves the best interest of the ter. The tenants' union should anticipate the student community. The tie tha inds 'Covenant' marriages restrict divorce options n an effort to curb the nation's 50-percent one member of a couple against another 4ivorce rate and to enforce marriage as a when trying to obtain a divorce. It would be png relationship, state Rep. Harold the duty of the person seeking a divorce to Z hees (R-Wyoming) proposed a bill that prove the fault of his or her partner in order 0sdd make it harder for married couples to justify the break. submit to a voluntary marriage Under the proposed bill, there are five cri- .crenant"to get a divorce. One of Vorhees' teria for an expedient divorce. It is allowed if i6 fntives for the proposal are staggering one spouse commits adultery, a felony or is aYtrce statistics - in Kent County in 1995, sentenced to life in prison. Also, if one spouse were 4,810 marriages and 2,233 is physically or sexually abusing their partner -rces. The legislation is similar to a bill or if they abandon the home for more than a Sently passed by Louisiana's legislature. In year, a divorce would be allowed. Short of of ition to Vorhees' bill, state Rep. Jessie these criteria, couples must split for two years SD Ian (R-Ottawa) has been trying for two to attain a legal divorce. In addition, years to repeal a 1972 law that established "covenant" marriage couples would commit "NOTABLE QUOTABLE, 'I really had no idea what I was doing (during the hearing). It was just me defending myself and I thought that was ridiculous.' A former fraternity president who was charged under the University ' Code of Student Conduct for sexual assault and harassment PURPLE HERRING MiEG N A AND T- r#/ K IT Ai STAR7ED WIT/ T H HA M BU R G E R S a d -~~~-~U-R-- _CoM VALUEMEAL L ET H D LETTERS TO TH E EDITOR From now on, if you want to go to a party, bring an invitation 0 Students, not drivers, are responsible for tardiness To THE DAILY: I have very little sympa- thy for any student who com- plains about the bus system and that it might be the cause of their tardiness ("Students gripe about bus delays" 10/8/97). I've experienced the same problem myself. However, rather than try- ing to pin the blame on the bus system, I decided to blame myself. What was my solution? I left for my exams and classes earlier. It is a very easy concept. All it takes is setting the alarm clock to go off a touch earlier. Et voila, no more tardiness. Not only do I arrive to class and my exams on time, but I also enjoy a comfortable bus ride, having beaten the rest of the crowds who still do as I once did. As for the bus drivers, they do their best to get the students where they need to go in as timely a manner as possible. Many a time I have ridden a bus whose driver insisted on going through red lights and blowing past pedestrians as they unsuc- cessfully try to cross the street - at a pedestrian crossing, mind you. So, is it truly the driver's fault for the student's tardiness? Or is it the student's fault for the stu- dent's tardiness? I think the answer is clearly the latter. Stop griping, children. (By the way, why is there a Clinton-Gore sticker on the driver's seat in the article's accompanying photo? Has the University suddenly decided to support liberal politicians? Gasp! Maybe we should blame the drivers, after all.) CHARLES CRUCE LSA SENIOR 'U' grounds crew actions were unjust TO THE DAILY: While walking outside of the MLB on Monday after- noon, I could not avoid the rather numerous and candid chalkings for queer unity and National Comning Out Day. But what became even more blatant was the blue van filled with a huge water supply con- nected to a powerful water spray, which a groundskeeper used purposefully to wash off the chalkings. In my four years here at this "diverse" University, 1 have never witnessed such an act of utter ignorance and expect the student body to be tolerant and educated on con- troversial issues when the administrative body sets this kind of example. Regardless of your skin color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, this act should offend you as much as it offends me as a student and as a person of values and humanity. If the University decides to wash off chalkings, they should do it for all chalk- ings. But if VSA chalks in front of Rackham, Angell Hall and the UGLi (to name just a few) and no one does any- thing about it for five days, it is only fair and just that all student groups receive the. same treatment. What is more frightening is how this intoler- ance will be brushed aside and not become a prominent issue because of people's unwillingness to stand up and speak out for what is right. I can unequivocally state that this act has lessened my respect for the University as an institution of higher learn- ing. If the University student body does not feel that all students and all student orga- nizations should be given an equal sense of respect and dignity, then I feel no one has the right to say that we are "the leaders and the best." KHOA HUu NGUYEN VSA VICE PRESIDENT LSA SENIOR American society is not colorblind TO THE DAILY: I would like to respond to the attacks on affirmative action that have been leveled by two of the Daily's readers over the past few days ("Affirmative action is 'un- American,"' 9/29/97 and "Affirmative action is no longer 'useful,"' 10/6/97). These attacks on affirmative action are revealing of both a lack of understanding of the purpose of affirmative action policies and a naivete about the current state of race rela- tions in the United States. As the clice goes, affir- mative action does seek to "level the playing field." The idea here is not, as David Jordan argues, to imply that certain groups are inferior - it is just the opposite. "Leveling the playing field" means changing the environ- ment so that all individuals will have an equal chance. The assumption is that the environment does not afford equal opportunity to all and that we must change the envi- ronment so that equal oppor- tunity becomes the rule. One of the most popular arguments against affirmative action, and one voiced by tion. Rather, it must be con- sidered a basis for acceptance and admission. To assert that we are a colorblind society, or even that we are approach- ing such a state, is just down- right silly. To claim, as Jordan does, that "today, there are enough enlightened individuals to ensure that everyone has a fair chance" is to deny the reality that confronts us every day. Race is still a defining feature of American society. One need only refer to the O.J. Simpson trial or the Rodney King debacle to realize this. At times, I have felt quite ambivalent about affirmative action policies and speculated about how they might have personally affected me and placed me at a disadvantage. This-ambivalence, however, does not lead me to conclude that we must discard the poli- cy. Few will argue that affir- mative action is a perfect solution; rather, it is an imperfect solution for an admittedly imperfect society. BEN GORVINE RACK AAM Explanation of editorial cartoons? To THE Day: On Oct. 1,1opened up the Daily to the editorial page in order to read the editorial car- toon. The first thing I saw was a picture of Bob Dylan with Jimi Hendrix's haircut. Standing on his arm was a man wearing a tie saying "Yeah ... Yeah ... Blowing in the wind! Yeah ... Yeah . . The caption read "Pope John Paul Ringo." While it was quite obvious to me why this cartoon was side-splittingly hilarious, perhaps some of your slower readers would benefit froin an explanation of the intricacies of this panel. Also, for the sake of the "comically impaired," do you think you could print an explanation of the Sept. 17 strip? You know, the scream- ingly self-explanatory one which featured a bald man talking on a cellular phone saying, "That's right, lower interest rates," as his secretary says "Uh ... Mr. Greenspan, your tie was little moreexpen- sive than I thought." Of course, I know why a man bearing absolutely no resem- blance to Alan Greenspan being told about the price of his tie is as simple to under- stand as the Sept. 3 comic featuring a man with six arms and an elongated sea anemone growing out of his head exclaiming "Good Morning!" Good morning, indeed! Perhaps this man is hav- ing such a good morning because he just read the Sept. Inever thought I'd feel this way, but about a year ago, I began to realize that my mindset was really changing. Sure, at first I denied it was true -but as '96 faded into '97, the feeling only became stronger. What was I to do? It must be true - I had to face it. Now, almost a year later, I am ready to share 2 hX with the rest of the world what I stowv I really miss Bob Dole. PAUtL It is an incredi- SgRnu.A bly conflicting SERILLA statement for me WARFARE to admit; anyone- who knowsame could tell you that. I come from a long line of staunch Democrats -except for my one great- grandma who still thinks Nixon was framed (for perspective, she thinks 0.1. was innocent too - I guess she just believes in the innate goodness of human beings or something). It% the ind of family that still gets excited talking about FDR or teary- eyed remembering JFK. It's the kind of family that got excited about voting for. Walter Mondale (call it severe denial, call it sick, I don't care). Pro- labor, pro-social programs; that's right, tax and spend, baby. Heck, my grand- mother was even a teamster. So for me to even mention =Bob Dole without a completely negative inflection is buck- ing a lot of tradition. But it is not just about some sort of blind, familial obligation to the party of Jefferson - this is about who I am. I always considered myself a dyed-in" the-wool Democrat, steeped in liberal-s ed oba akayadal ism and ready to beat back any and all GOP-types and leave 'em crying in the back seat of their daddy's beemer. Let me tell you, being a Democrat wasn't easy- either.' I was the sole member (and the president) of my high school chapter of the Young Democrats Consequently, I have always viewed my personal politics as an uphill climb, a worthwhile journey, but one that doesn't grant much slack to the "other side." I still would never vote for Bob Dole and I still don't agree with about 90 percent of what the guy stands for. don't even like him much apart from his political persona. To tell you the truth, I-liked him better before he ran for president. At least Bob used to dislike supply- side economics and all that other Reaganesque crap. I mean, one day he's a firm economic realist and the next he's running with Kemp, the prodigal son of voodoo economics and barking about the magical properties of the number 15 (Nancy Reagan's presidency-by-num- bers all over again). But I still miss him, and as you might have been able to guess from this discussion so far,I miss George Herbert Walker Bush too. Although at various times in my life I have espoused that both Bob-o and Georgie-poo were under the influence of Beezlebub himself I have come realize how badly America needs men and women like these two. We need people like them in the Republican party very badly. Why would I say such a thing? Because the American political axis is continuing its shift to the right, but contraryto some current rhetoric it isn't because the GOP has a mandate from heaven. Moderate conservatives are being driven from their camp and they are crashing my party. This liber- al is pretty convinced that the Democrats aren't. A couple of weeks ago at the Christian Coalition's National Convention, its founder/televange- list/homophobe/ex-presidential candi- date/deadbeat dad Pat Robertson basi- cally stated a "no tolerance" policy for moderates in the Republican party. Robertson referred to Dole and Bush as "losers"and basicallycalled for an internal Republican revolution, to insure that candidates are proven con- servatives. No tolerance is what the new Republicans are all about - there is no room for Bush or Dole because they were around when Republicans sup- ported civil rights, lots of social pro- grams (Richard Nixon increased spend- ing on social programs more than any other president), and lots of other "lib eral" ideas. Don't forget, George Bush was even a closet pro-choicer (it is National Coming Out Week, George). What put them in the GOP was primar- ily their wealth, not an agenda to legis- late morality. Compliance to law is not equal to a societal shift in values; and it never uuill be. I 0 :1 r ol 0 "no fault" divorces in Michigan. The law allows couples to cite "irreconcilable differ- ences" as cause for their divorce, making r extensive explanations unnecessary. The movement to revitalize the commitment i between couples call into question how well state legislators understand relationships between people. The new marriage "covenant" is logically flawed - legislators should not interfere in couples' private lives. Life takes unexpected turns when people are least prepared for them - 20 years of iairriage can often produce two very differ- ent people than those who originally entered the union. No couple gets married with the intention that they will eventually divorce. Vorhees' bill does not account for unforeseeable factors in relationships that cause dissolution - the government should not force marital relationships. People change over time and this new "covenant" creates a system that would pit to seek counseling when problems occur. One of the problems is that the bill applies the same set of criteria to all relationships. If one partner repeatedly abused a spouse psy- chologically and verbally, the abused mem- ber may want to seek a divorce immediately - in a "covenant" marriage, this is not pos- sible. Under the law, they would have to sep- arate for two years or abandon their home - a ridiculous requirement. The state govern- ment has no right to stipulate excessive requirements for divorce. Every relationship is unique from all oth- ers, with its own set of problems and obsta- cles. Vorhees and Dalman's bill constitutes a violation of couples' rights as free citizens, regardless of whether couples voluntarily agrees to this "covenant" The state legisla- ture should vote the proposal down. Divorce is a problem for our society - but "covenant" marriages are not the way to solve it. 01 HOW TO CONTACT THEM 1 } MSA PRESIDENT MICHAEL NAGRANT 3909 MICHIGAN UNION I