4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 13, 1998

Ule Iidu 1&lg

Rock stars can't
rest in peace
because the

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420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan

LAURIE MAYK
Editor in Chief
JACK SCHILLACI
Editorial Page Editor

Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily's editorial board.
All other articlesletters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
FROM THE DAILY
Regent rumble
SACUA should endorse faculty representation

'Coach Ellerbe came here and did a great
job under tough circumstances.'
- Michigan co-captain Travis Conlan, referring to Ellerbe's taking
control of the Michigan basketball team after Steve Fisher's departure
YuKI KUNIYUKI GRUN D ZERO
E T
4
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I f students are to follow the examples set
by faculty and administration, then stu-
dents' long fight to attain a voice in the
University administration will likely end
soon. Last Monday, the Senate Advisory
Committee on University Affairs, the facul-
ty's governing body, rejected a motion that
would begin the process of placing a faculty
member on the University Board of Regents.
The idea of having faculty representation on
the board has been discussed for the past two
years but no progress has been made. With
one of next week's Michigan Student
Assembly elections' main issues focusing on
the attainment of a student regent, SACUA
has set a glaringly poor example. Faculty and
student representation on the board of
rgents is long overdue.
Twenty-two universities nationwide
have faculty members on their governing
body - the University should follow suit.
The proposed motion would only create an
ex-officio position for a faculty representa-
tive, thus not granting voting privileges. But
faculty involvement with the board could
reduce miscommunication or misunder-
standings. Having faculty representation on
the board also could aid in administration
:matters. While University President Lee
Bollinger is touted as faculty-friendly, gain-
ing a place at the table could only further
enhance relations between the regents and
the faculty. Presently, for a SACUA mem-
ber to gain a seat, one must ask permission
from Bollinger at every regent's meeting.
Faculty members deserve to be treated as
participants in the University's business, not
merely as spectators.
While the advantages seem staggering,

disadvantages do exist. A faculty represen-
tative might only represent himself or her-
self and not the entire faculty. Pressures
from department heads or colleagues could
present opportunities for misrepresentation.
But this can be easily overcome. If a
SACUA member was given an ex-officio
position, behavior could be monitored by an
oversight committee and occurrences of
distrust would likely be curbed.
Perhaps the biggest problem facing the
faculty, and possibly delaying the approval
of such a post, is the lack of current inter-
action between the faculty and the regents.
If the faculty feels strongly about represen-
tation on the board, this should be shown
through an increased level of participation.
The faculty has not pursued all forms of
participation presently available to them so
receiving a position on the board could
prove embarrassing. The current level of
faculty interaction must increase.
The regents constitute a governing body
that makes decisions that affect everyone at
the University. Faculty and students are
probably the most effected by the issues dis-
cussed and decided upon by the board, but
they still hold no representation. While the
ideas of faculty and students are usually
addressed, no member of the board is at the
table solely to represent the desires of fac-
ulty or students.
A student or faculty regent could decrease
miscommunication, aid in administrative
affairs, and represent key issues affecting
those who work and live most closely with
the University. SACUA has not acted in the
faculty's best interest. In this case, students
should not follow their example.


Out of Africa

U.S. could help itself
As the 21st Century approaches, busi-
ess leaders are bracing themselves for
Ohange - from a national economy to a
slobal economy. In order to succeed in this
new economic environment, business lead-
prs are pressuring all levels of government to
4xpand U.S. markets abroad. These efforts
have led to the creation of free trade agree-
mients like the North American Free Trade
agreement, international trade organiza-
M ons, like the World Trade Organization, and
referential trade status for various nations.
An area of the world that has long been over-
looked and considered a member of the third
Wyorld is Africa, especially the sub-Saharan
Xfrican countries. This isolation of the
;frican continent from the global economy
$wgill no longer continue if the U.S. House of
Representatives passes the African Growth
nd -Opportunity Act.
The benefits of this legislation for the
United States and African nations are tremen-
dous. With the elimination of trade tariffs on
apparel and textiles - two major products
exported from the region - there will be
greater incentive for US. garment companies
to expand their businesses in those countries.
This increased development will provide
huch-needed jobs and income to a region
stricken with poverty. The United Nations
:classifies 33 African countries as the world's
least-developed nations. The potential for
*iprovement, through the elimination of
these trade tariffs, is limitless.
In addition, the bill would encourage
President Clinton to formulate beneficial
trade agreements with those countries that
promise to adopt political and economic
reforms such as the stabilization of govern-
ment and the reduction of political interfer-
--ru n f An. --nnm raTI...rn. Zts h nar

while helping others
countries. These trade agreements will also
provide incentive for participating African
nations to hasten improvements in these
areas of concern, ultimately improving the
quality of life for the people living in those
countries.
The U.S. government would also guaran-
tee partial insurance for a company's invest-
ment in that region. This will help minimize
the risk associated with large investments. In
addition, the U.S. government will provide
funds for much-needed infrastructure devel-
opment in the African nations that choose to
participate and make the necessary economic
and political reforms. The only possible out-
come of this provision is positive. People who
may not have access to clean running water,
electricity or efficient transportation will see a
great increase in their standard of living. In
addition, U.S. companies will be more likely
to invest in a foreign country that utilizes
modern technology.
One area of concern is the possible
exploitation of African countries --- once they
are granted preferential trade status - for the
illegal shipment of goods to circumvent U.S.
tariffs. Before the bill is voted on, this issue of
illegal shipping must be addressed. A possible
solution would be the inclusion of interna-
tional inspection of the goods' origin before
they are shipped to the United States.
The African Growth and Opportunity
Act will be vital in adding to the develop-
ment of the African continent. Problems
that have overwhelmed this region - like
hunger, poverty, unstable governments, trib-
al warfare and a lack of health care - can
only be improved by the passage of this bill.
This proposed legislation has received
bipartisan support nationwide and has
ornee.a m, ..-r raca n,,n d ritne rie hill ran

Klipp's letter
misrepresents
the Bible
TO THE DAILY:
I would like to respond to
Luke Klipp's March 11 letter
"Heterosexism is still widely
tolerated and 'uncountered."'
During my time at the
University, I have seen many
articles, letters and demon-
strations by the lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender
campus groups and members.
I have noticed within this
group one key misunder-
standing of biblical views on
homosexuality and humanity.
In Klipp's letter, he uses a
philosophical device of ask-
ing one question, answering
"no" to a complete different
question, and then applying
that answer to the original
question. Klipp writes, "To
those who say that being gay
is a crime against God or that
the Bible openly declares
homosexuality a sin, I say,
read your Bible." The ques-
tion is, what does the Bible
say about homosexuality?
But Klipp then writes, "There
is no claim that God hates
anyone." How does this
answer the question about
homosexuality? It does not.
Leviticus 20:13 says, "If a
man lies with a man as one
lies with a woman, both of
them have done what is
detestable." Other verses
from the Bible that say the
same, or similar things are
Leviticus 18:22, Romans
1:27 and Corinthians 6:9. 1
implore Klipp to read his
Bible.
Klipp does have a point,
however, that could be
missed. God does not hate
anyone, and that is found
within the Bible. But God
does hate sin. Homosexuality
is one sin, according to the
Bible. As we get closer and
closer to Easter, it may help
all of us to remember what
happened about 2,000 years
ago. Whether students
believe in him or not, a man
named Jesus claimed to die
for everyone's sins. All of us
have sinned. God is merciful
(according to the Bible). If
we believe in him, then we
can obtain his forgiveness.
But if we chose to ignore him
or ignore what He has said in
the Bible (whether or not you
take that to be true) we are in
grave danger.
EDWARD BLUM
LSA JUNIOR
Students
need to vote
and support
representation
TO THE DAILY:

ful and meaningful initiatives
the student body has ever
undertaken. A student regent
would mean nothing but
good things for University
students. From halting tuition
hikes to increasing funds for
student groups, student repre-
sentation on the board would
be both practical and power-
ful.
Students have never been
this close to getting a student
regent before; it's up to the
students to take it home.
During this election, students
should do their part in the
fight to get a student regent
- vote "yes" on the student
regent initiative. If we want a
student regent, it's now or
never - we need everyone's
help.
ANDY COULOURIS
LSA SOPHOMORE
Environment
at the 'U' is
unfriendly to
white males
TO THE DAILY:
It appears that the femi-
nist character of the
University is being enhanced,
not tempered, because of
Regents Olivia Maynard (D-
Goodrich) and Rebecca
McGowan (D-Ann Arbor),
who see their role on the
University Board of Regents
as one of promoting the
interests of their own gender
rather than keeping the doors
of the University open on the
same basis to all.
I receive reports from
friends still at the University
or in the Ann Arbor area who
tell me that there is no way
issues of deep concern to het-
erosexual white males are
allowed on campus. Why on
earth would an institution
that respects truth recoil from
the very idea of teaching
men's studies to the same
extent that it allows a
women's studies program?
Why would the University
that taught me so much about
the wonderment of all
humankind now discriminate
against me, my sons and my
grandsons because of our
sex? Why would the
University seek to affirm
some students on the basis of
their race or gender rather
than stick to what it used to
do best: provide a stimulating
environment for excellence
and stick to its primary role
of educating the best students
that it can enroll? These are
the kinds of questions on my
mind as I hear that the gender
apartheid at my alma mater is
going from bad to worse.
Catherine MacKinnon is
gone, I understand, but her
hateful anti-male notions
continue to drag the
University down.
Little wonder that each

Prof. Organski
deserves a
front-page
mention
TO THE DAILY:
I thought it couldn't be
done, but once again, the
Daily has sunk to a new jour-
nalistic low. I am referring to
the disrespect shown towards
one of the University's most
beloved faculty, Prof. A.F.K.
Organski. I think it was a
contemptible choice to not
report the news of his death
by giving him the headline or
even a mention on the front
page. Instead the Daily chose
to bury a blurb (as opposed
to a biography) about him
somewhere in the middle of
the paper, where many peo-
ple will never read it because
they already know what I am
just finding out - that the
Daily isn't worth the price of
the ink used to print it or the
effort it takes to read it. The
Daily should consider
reviewing the process of how
to determine a story's news-
worthiness. Out of the six
stories that appeared on the
front page of March 10, the
Daily could have at least
made one of them worth
reading.
NEIL PIOCH
LSA SOPHOMORE
Cartoon was
'cheap
propaganda'
TO THE DAILY:
In the March 10 "Ground
Zero" cartoon, Yuki Kuniyuki
has, in my opinion, gone too
far in indulging in thought-
less and tasteless historical
comparisons that, sadly
enough, have proven quite
popular in the crisis in Iraq.
Neville Chamberlain's
appeasement policy of 1938,
which allowed a dictator to
dismember a democratic
country, Czechoslovakia, in
1938, and U.N. Secretary-
General Kofi Annan's deal
that allowed the U.N.
weapons inspection teams to
return to Iraq do not have
anything in common except
when viewed from a per-
spective calling for primacy
by any means necessary in
U.S. foreign policy. Is it
really necessary to show so
much disappointment that
the U.N. secretary-general's
diplomatic achievement has
made it impossible to show
the world with yet another
thoughtless and useless vio-
lent action that there still
remains a superpower in the
world?
"Lessons from History,'

show must go on
T his is no ordinary Friday, and it has
nothing to do with the number 13.
Anticipation crackles through the air
with the heat and brilliance of a bolt o
lightning - I'm so excited and I ju
can't hide it, I'm
about to lose con-
trol and I think I
like it.
Actually, I may
have exaggerated a
little - but I am
sure by eight
o'clock tonight,
thousands of people z:
from across Metro'
Detroit will be P AUL
worked up into a SERILLA
near-religious fren- SILIA
zy. Obviously that W A A E
description rules
out Michigan basketball fans, so to wht
event of magnanimous proportions am
referring?
Only one thing can possibly fill that
description: "Elvis - The Concert'
But surprisingly enough, despite 4
over 20-year absence from the concert
stage, at press time, many good seats
were still available for Elvis - The
Concert" tonight at the Palace of
Auburn Hills. The logical thinker
among us might stipulate that the reason
tonight's performance is less than a sell-
out is the King of Rock 'n' Roll'
untimely demise upon his Graceland
throne in August of '77. But apparently
all it takes to conquer death these day
is $17.50 per seat and a $3.75 servi
charge.
I know it sounds great, but I hear
many of you saying, "I love Elvis, I real
ly do, but frankly, I am a little squea-
mish and I am not sure I can handle over
two hours of hits from a corpse, even n
the comfort of a moderately sized, cli-
mate-controlled, multi-purpose event
center."
Not to worry, the actual dead body
Elvis A. Presley will be nowhere on
premises. The show consists of the
King's tour band, backup singers from
the late '70s and footage of Elvis, edit-
ed from one of his later concert tour,
beamed up on huge monitors around the
arena. Through the miracle of modern
recording science, Elvis's vocal perfor-
mance has been isolated and his band
performs "live" with the King belting
out the songs that made him a legen
Apparently, the managers of the Presle
estate figured if John Wayne can
endorse beer and Fred Astaire can dance
with a vacuum, they could put the King
on tour.
Of course, he's not the first dead
celebrity to launch a major tour of the
United States; I mean, the Stones have
been dragging the body formerly known
as Keith Richards around for years.
Since last summer, the infamously dead
Biggy Smalls (aka Notorious B.I..
has lent his lengthy coattails to the ever-
industrious Sean "Puff Daddy" Conbs.
Not only has Puff Daddy prostituted the
image of the Skipper to his diminutive
Gilligan in tributes, remixes, videos and
previously unreleased tracks, but he has
also taken the Biggy on tour. It really is
"all about the Benjamins, baby."
Through the magic of the isolated
track, audiences across the nation are
still treated to Biggy rapping from T
monitors with marbles in his mout
while accompanied by Puffy rapping as
slowly as possible. Add a few dancing
girls, some fireworks and every gold-
record act Puffy has ever produced, and
you really don't even notice that B.I.G.
is DOA.
The next logical question: What dead

musical acts should go on tour next?
First up, I think Dean Martin, Samm f
Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra should 8
together one last time before the
Chairman of the Board joins his compa-
triots at that big casino in the sky. I
mean, don't you miss the way Dean
would be too drunk to sing or the way
Frank would make inappropriate ethnic
slurs about Sammy's African American
and Jewish heritage? As long as they
use footage of Sammy hiding his glass
eye in Frank's scotch and water. I think
it will be the biggest smash since the
all stared in "Ocean's I11',"
Another suggestion I'd like to throw
out is "Walt Disney's Disembodied
Frozen Head on Ice." Much like the
popular Disney skating tours,
"Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid
on Ice," this tour would feature skaters
dressed up like popular Disney charac-
ters skating around to popular Disney
songs while kids bug their parents to
purchase popular Disney souvenir
Basically, it's like going to Disney
World except it's cold, there are no
rides, and you might have 50 cents left
in your pocket when you head home.
I really think that this could be a good
experience for the whole family, as the ice