4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 30, 1998
(14j £irbigun ?Euttg
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan
JOSH WHITE
Editor in Chief
ERIN MARSH
Editorial Page Editor
NOTABLE QUOTABLE,
'Never grow a wishbone, daughter,
where your backbone ought to be.'
- Clementine Paddleford
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF 'U'
Newspapers
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
Bollipnger's firs yer
Leadership and charisma wins over 'U'
L ast February, Lee Bollinger took his
place in University history. Though his
term is only one year old, President
Bollinger has gained the respect and admi-
ration of the University community in a way
that few before him have. His dedication to
students and to the community are evident
i nthe pride with which he represents the
University.
As he settled into his new post,
Bollinger's first order of business was to
fill- several executive positions. Former
University Provost J. Bernard Machen
announced his decision to leave; Bollinger
brought in Nancy Cantor, the University's
first female provost, to take the reins as
second-in-command.
After Athletic Director Joe Roberson
retired, Bollinger had another notable posi-
tion to fill. NCAA investigations into
alleged misconduct involving the men's
basketball team complicated the situation.
Bollinger made a wise choice in hiring Tom
Goss, a progressive, student-minded
administrator. Together, Goss, Bollinger
aid the University have weathered the
NLA investigation well. Additionally,
one of Goss and Bollinger's first projects
was a notable one; late last fall, construc-
tipj began on a 5,200-seat expansion at
Michigan Stadium.
The past year presented the University
with more attention than Bollinger bar-
gained for. The Center for Individual Rights
- the Washington, D.C.- based firm that
gained notoriety with its 1996Hopwood v.
Texas lawsuit- unleashed two ground-
1 king lawsuits against LSA and the Law
Scl'ol. The suits attack the University's
adiissions policies, which include race as
one of many factors in admissions deci-
m
sions.
In the face of the two lawsuits, Bollinger
has shown his cool under fire. An immense
amount of national attention is directed at
the University, and Bollinger has represent-
ed it with strength and grace. He and the
rest of the administration stand steadfastly
by the University's admissions policies.
Students who recognize the importance of
affirmative action in admissions decisions
are pinning their hopes on Bollinger and the
administration to pull the school through
the lawsuits.
Bollinger confirmed a place in the
hearts of University students when he host-
ed an impromptu "party" at the President's
house on South University Avenue. After
the Michigan football team upset the
Nittany Lions of Penn State, a crowd of stu-
dents congregated on the president's lawn
and cheered as Bollinger stood on the front
steps. He welcomed the crowd of more than
1,000 students inside, saying, "This is your
house." He also made an appearance to tip
his hat to the National Championship foot-
ball team at its celebration in Crisler Arena.
His speech was warm and humorous, mix-
ing his characteristic eloquence with a wry
analysis of Lloyd Carr's Rose Bowl game
plan.
Students appreciate Bollinger's enthusi-
asm for the University experience. He has
shown himself to be an advocate for some
of the issues that come closest to our hearts:
affirmative action, the right to freedom of
speech and the value of a liberal arts educa-
tion. As he carries the University into the
next millennium, his ideals for education
should continue to serve students well.
Bollinger's vision and dedication bodes
well for a bright future at the University.
Today I embark on an
unknown: University life
without the Daily. Since my
first day here, the Daily has
provided me with everything a
college student could possibly
want or need, and no single
memory could possibly do 3
1/2 years any sort of justice.
I thank everyone who has
come before me in the past
107 years for allowing all of
us this experience, and I
thank all of those outside of
the Daily who have stayed
with me throughout this out-
rageous ride: The Taxi,
Hensch, Kanary and of
course my family.
Once I was told to "leave
things better than I found
them," and I can only hope
that that is what we have done.
JOSH WHITE
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Four years of learning
more than in any classroom
420 Maynard Street
searches, scandals, Spots
kegs, admin and the.rp
trip to the Rose Bowl
best friends in the world
memories all fade together
i'll miss you Daily
JODI S. COHEN
MANAGING NEWS EDITOR
Not even a sunny week in
Pasadena where, among other
things, I vomited all over
Alan Goldenbach can eclipse
my most outrageous Daily
memory: After asking if , in
fact, worked for the Daily,
former Michigan point guard
Brandun Hughes eloquently
proclaimed, "Ya'll be writing
some fucked up shit, man."
It may not have been my
finest Daily moment, but it
was certainly the strangest.
JOHN LEROI
MANAGING SPORTS EDITOR
My freshman year, my
roommate and I had a Friday
afternoon ritual: We'd sit
around after classes and read
the editorial page column in
the Daily. The columnist was
a riot - I enjoyed reading
his work so much that I
decided to go check out this
Daily place and see what it
was all about. Newspaper in
hand, I nervously walked into
a mass meeting and was
immediately hooked.
And I met the funny
columnist (who was also
editor in chief at the time).
His name's Michael. He's the
best thing that ever happened
to me. Thanks, Daily.
ERIN MARSH
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
I'll always remember
when my grandmother came
to the Daily last winter and
helped me put together the
Arts pages for the next day.
Even though we didn't finish
until midnight, it was won-
derful to share what's been
most important to me in my
college career with a former
journalist and an important
person in my life.
JENNIFER PETLINSKI
ARTS EDITOR
When it seemed I had
accomplished and experienced
everything I could possibly
wish for, the Daily afforded
me one final gem: the truly
wonderful opportunity to write
a film review with my brother,
a wiser man than I.
JOSHUA RICH
ARTS EDITOR
In my four years at the
me with whom to share these
historic achievements, with
whom to laugh and cry. Nick,
John, Danielle, you're not
only the best people to work
with, you're the best friends
anyone could ask for. I love
you guys. That's good fortune.
ALAN GOLDENBACH
SPORTS EDITOR
I will remember the day
ESPN News made a commer-
cial out of a press conference I
had been at. Former Michigan
basketball coach Steve Fisher
held the press conference two
days after he had been fired to
defend himself in light of alle-
gations against the program.
With Fisher refusing to take
questions, a writer from a
Detroit newspaper interrupted
Fisher, relentlessly demanding
Fisher answer his question.
Fisher's lawyer walked up to
the reporter's face and the two
almost came to blows. A month
later, a commercial was made
out of the incident. That's when
I knew this job was cool.
DAN STILLMAN
SPORTS WRITER
This is a day I thought
would never come or at least
one I wouldn't make it to.
Despite the countless hours
that goes into making the
Daily, I'll mostly remember the
final moments of a nightside
as I paste up the final page.
Nearly everything could go
wrong - crashed computers,
missing reporters or fuzzy
photos, but I can't help smiling
when I see what we've created.
Though you see the collec-
tive effort of our work every-
day, we share the madness of
the process. We do our best to
meet the high standards set by
107 years of e:istence, yet
sometimes we're just college
kids. I'll remember most the
laughter at dinnertime, the
energy of story conference,
and a job well done.
ANUPAMA REDDY
NEWS EDITOR
Leaving this place for
good now after 3 1/2 years, I
feel like I did last month on
the eve of the Rose Bowl. The
moment is full of emotion but
confusing, somewhere
between the excitement of
anticipation and the sadness
of knowing you've been a
part of something incredible
- and the end has come.
I remember sitting some-
where in California the last
day of the old year, trading
stories from that awesome
autumn with some of my best
friends. Josh. John. Alan.
Danielle. We knew the past
was perfect, and still, we
couldn't wait for tomorrow
and the new glory that would
dawn with the new year.
And I knew this then, as I
know it now: If the rest of my
years turn out as well as my
past four, I will be a most
fortunate man.
NiCHOLAS J. COTsONIKA
SPORTS EDITOR
Having Harry Connick Jr.
on my answering machine was
one of the more memorable
experiences in my Daily career.
But not even his sexy drawl
can top the real professional
and interpersonal lessons I
picked up along the way, ensur-
ing that I won't forget talking
with the.rp, Pat Buchanan or
any of the Daily writers that I
call my close friends.
STEPHANIE JO KLEIN
TV/NEW MEDIA EDITOR
Although interviewing
Tim Booth and Damon
One memory stands out as
entirely representative of our
years at the Daily: A few
semesters ago, we wrote a
combined feature on twins. We
had to work our asses off for it.
Needless to say, finally finish-
ing the massive undertaking
provided a great feeling of
relief and accomplishment. A
week later, we attended a small
track meet at Michigan State.
Behind us sat several family
members of one of the subjects
of our lengthy feature. Their
appreciative comments?
Something along the lines of,
"The Michigan Daily, now
there's some quality journal-
ism." Sarcasm fully intended.
As writers, if we could
ever rely on anything, it was
the undying faith and support
of our public. Sarcasm fully
intended. But, ultimately, we
had a good time, and that's
what counts.
CHRIS FARAH
FRED LINK
SPORTS WRITERS
The Daily has taught me a
lot. In addition to becoming a
better writer, certain moments
stand out. The Minnesota trip
provided an opportunity to
repossess a seat from The
Metrodome at about 12:30
a.m. (Thanks for the pick,
T.J.!) I had the opportunity to
talk to Olympians and other
athletes who will only live in
this paper. The Daily also gave
me one more chance to play
quarterback and get mention
in the paper. (Thanks Alan,
even though the touchdowns
were out of order!) Thanks to
Alan, John, Nick and Danielle
who helped along the way. GO
BLUE, GO BRONCOS. It's
been quite a run.
JOHN FRIEDBERG
SPORTS WRITER
While photographing at
the Daily over the past four
years, I have been pooped on,
sprayed with mace (twice),
sustained a concussion, and
found myself covered in vomit
- I loved every minute of it.
SARA STILLMAN
PHOTO EDITOR
After the hockey team won
the national title in 1996, I was
standing in the press area when
Red Berenson walked by. I was
standing in his way, but instead
of pushing pass me or saying,
"Excuse me,"- which usually
meant "Get out of my way, -
he put his hand on my shoul-
der and smiled. You can imag-
ine my astonishment: the man
who we all thought was inca-
pable of emotion and positive
reinforcement was actually
nice underneath the gruff exte-
rior. I told my fellow beat writ-
ers John, Nick and Alan about
it, and we all laughed a little.
Since that time, the four of
us have shared many more
laughs, had a few fights, shed
some tears and drank a few
beers. We recently shared a
great week in Pasadena, wrote a
book and ended four great years
at the Daily. Thank you Daily,
and thank you John, Nick and
Alan. We were the best beat
ever - no matter what we cov-
ered - and we are the best
friends. I love you guys.
DANIELLE RUMORE
SPORTS EDITOR
Derek Jeter attended
Michigan for just one semes-
ter and this was before I was
even here. But Jeter, the New
York Yankees' phenomenal
shortstop, sat next to me in
the Detroit Stadium dugout
an hour before he was getting
ready to play the Tigers in
September of my junior year.
After the interview, he asked
me how things were going in
offer a glimpse
into Communities
and their values
A year ago, I walked in the Student
Publications Building as editorigl
page editor.
One year later, I emerge.
OK, maybe that's an exaggeration.
But it is fair to say
that the Daily has
occupied the bulk
of my hours and
thoughts for the
majority of my
college career.
Today, we can
access up-to-the-
minute informa-
tion - complete
with graphics, ERIN
photos and com- MARS
mentary - with- THINKING
out leaving the OF'U
house or changing
out of our bathrobes. A wealth of
Websites and all-news TV channels
cover every hard-news and soft-news
story. News shows report it, tabloid
newsmagazines exploit it, and the talk
shows discuss it to death. And if you
can point and click, you can access a
World Wide Web of good stuff on pret-
ty much any topic your heart desires.
With all these innovations and cort-
venient, easy ways to get a daily (or
hourly) update, some say that newspa-
pers will soon be obsolete. I disagree.
I still believe in newspapers.
TVs and computers are single-serv-
ing-size devices. We sit; we stare; it
talks to us, we don't talk back.4
Newspapers were meant to be shared.
They remain on cafe tables after the
teacups are drained; they are left on
subway seats after its owner reaches
the end of the commute.
It really all depends on how we wish
to take our news. Like coffee, it can be
robust, sweetened, exotic, weak, pun-
gent, or spicy. It can come delivered
off the syrupy tongue of a TV anchor
or in the printed prose of a daily news-4
paper.
Newspapers offer a window into the
communities that they serve. They
tell, in part, the stories of the people
who live and work there. The way we
define "community" affects the bene-
fits we take from the medium. And of
course, there's no better way to read
about the community than while actu-
ally being in the community itself.
The New York Times means very dif-4
ferent things in an Ann Arbor apart-
ment than it does in the window at
Zabar's, next to a heap of lox and a
paper cup of coffee. The Chicago
Tribune is best enjoyed on a bench-in
Grant Park, while the chilly waters of
Lake Michigan lap at the pilings. The
dedication of a bridge, the annual hol-
iday pageant at an elementary school,
the death of a beloved mayor: All of
these events are best appreciated4
when seasoned with the flavor of their
communities.
Newspapers give us back the tactile
side of the news. We can hold it, share
it, fold it over. They bring us a chance
for interaction, and let us take the
news at our own pace. For all the
sparkle and glitz offered by TV and the
Internet, in some ways these media
cause us to suffer sensory deprivation.
They hold us captive.
But think about Sunday mornings.
Terry bathrobes, bare feet on cool
wooden floors, thick, weighty Sunday
editions, trading the sections with
someone you love. Mornings like
these bring back the physical aspects
of the news; they replace some of the
humanity that is absent in sleekly edit-
ed TV shows.
I love newspapers. In particular, I
love this newspaper.
The Student Publications Building
is familiar to me in all its degrees of
activity. I know it in the morning,
when the newsroom is quiet and the
computers are dark, when sunlight
streams through the stained-glass
windows, making small pink and pur-
ple puddles on the well-worn carpet. I
know it in the afternoon, when
phones ring, reporters buzz around
with notebooks and pens, and staffers
dash from one meeting to another. I1
know it at night, when pizza boxes lit-
ter the desks and editors holler for
deadline.
Something is always happening at
the Daily. Phones are always ringing.
Someone is always laughing.
It's been a very special experience to
work at a place where the fruits of my
labor end up in the hands of the
University community. It's been an
honor to work with a collection ofl
such talented, interesting, enthusiastic
and intelligent people. The Daily has
given me some truly great gifts.
I've made some friends who shine
like diamonds - they are brilliant
snarks of light that make my life
0
4
I
Under wraps
State must not encourage concealed weapons
Under normal circumstances, the state
of Michigan refuses to issue con-
o ealed gun permits to the general public.
As many as 60,000 concealed weapons
permits have been distributed since 1990,
though usually restricted to a particular
circumstance, such as transporting large
amounts of money to the bank.
Otherwise, permits are generally only
granted to prominent figures, judges,
retired police officers, or citizens with
special circumstances. Additionally, the
permits may be as temporary as 30 days
and never last more than three years.
Until now, the most Michigan county gun
boards have routinely denied most
requests for concealed handgun permits,
as it ought to. Allowing more citizens to
carry a concealed weapon in a public
place could considerably increase the risk
of injury and death by handguns. The risk
is already too high, thanks to widespread
availability of guns, through both legal
and illegal channels.
Despite the high rates of handgun vio-
lence, a package of bills that condemns the
county gun boards' strict guidelines is gain-
ing bipartisan momentum in the Michigan
House of Representatives. It calls for state-
wide changes to the ways county gun
boards handle requests for concealed
weapon permits. Although law enforcement
officials have repeatedly condemned any
legislation that facilitates distribution of
concealed weapon permits, Rep. Alan
Cropsey (R-DeWitt), the chief sponsor of
the proposed legislative package, insists
legislation would enable the average citizen
to carry concealed weapons for the purpos-
es of self-defense. But the increased pres-
ence of handguns may increase the proba-
bility of violent incidents, whether acciden-
tal or intentional. It is truly frightening that
Cropsey sees the package as a ticket to cit-
izens' self defense. When guns play a role
in confrontations, small incidents escalate
quickly. Law enforcement officials have
always insisted that drawing a gun during a
criminal attack increases the owner's risk of
bodily harm.
This package of bills ignores the facts
and instructs county gun boards to approve
concealed gun permits for most applicants.
The bills would, among other changes,
require a board to grant permits to all appli-
cants with good records, raise the minimum
age to 21 (unless the permit is for one's
employment,) increase the application fee
from $10 to $100, and require applicants to
complete only 12 hours of handgun safety
instruction.
In today's society, the proposal lacks
common sense. Although the state of
Michigan registers high reported crime
rates, allowing more concealed, loaded
guns in public will certainly not bring crime
rates down or do a better job of protecting
society. For better or worse, citizens must
rely on their law enforcement agencies to
insure a functional, civilized society.
Distrust is not reason enough to loosen the
gun concealment laws. State representatives
should reconsider their support for this
package, which could lead to an increase of