4 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, November 24, 1998

1w 3 idi Ygzn &zil

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

'My mother taught me that no man was 100 percent
man and no woman was 100 percent woman.'
--Author and poet Piri Thomas, keynote speaker for Puerto
Rican Week, speaking to a crowd in West Quad on Saturday
THOMAs KU LJURGIS TIENATV E LY SPEi EKNG

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
Empty space
Housing will accommodate all students next year

WHYSE £lLVCW IP \WAtS I VENThP

-9

his year, many University students who
planned to live in campus residence
halls did not get their wish. Because of
overcrowding, upperclassmen were barred
from living in the dorms by University
Housing. Thankfully, in 1999, this policy
will no longer be around.
With fewer underclassmen inhabiting
the residence halls this year - and nearly
200 vacant spaces - Housing has once
again opened up to all undergraduates. This
was made possible by a smaller first-year
class and a lower return rate - providing a
great service for upperclassmen who prefer
the advantages of University residence
halls. Juniors and seniors should not be
barred from the benefits of University-
owned housing if it can be helped. Knowing
this, when University Housing officials
found many open spaces in the residence
halls, they immediately took the opportuni-
ty to make life a little easier on upperclass
students. This attention to the needs of all
University students and quickness of action
is commendable on the part of University
Housing.
But the overcrowding last year, the
most severe in several years, should not be
so quickly forgotten. Hundreds of under-
graduate students found themselves in
overflow triples or without a room at all.
These problems that sparked the original
policy could very well return in full force
if University Housing officials are not
careful with handling the addition of new
students and returning upperclass students
in the same term.
Because it's impossible to know exactly
how many juniors and seniors will want to
go back to community bathrooms and
dorm food, University Housing should pre-
pare for the worst. Their current plan is to

place any extra students in overflow triples
with the intent of moving them into more
conventional housing when a spot opens
up. This has also been the policy in the
past. But before every new student finds
themselves sharing a 10-by-10 foot living
space with two other people, Housing
should keep at least some restrictions on
who may take advantage of the dorm
spaces.
While they should not hold a monopoly
on University residence hall rooms, under-
classmen should still get priority. Dorm
life is too important for these students in
their home-to-college transition and the
lifestyle it presents is best fitted to first-
year and sophomores. If, in fact, the over-
crowding problem returns, Housing offi-
cials should make these students their first
concern. Aside from underclassmen, those
upperclassmen who have the greatest need
for residence hall life, such as transfer stu-
dents, should also be considered a priority
for Housing officials.
Granted, living in a residence hall has
many perks. From clean community areas
to meal plans, libraries and computing
sites, these benefits should be available to
all University students. In many respects,
University Housing is on the right track.
It has a firm grasp on the needs of stu-
dents and are willing to alter their poli-
cies as those needs change. The reopening
of residence hall space to upperclass stu-
dents as well as organizing an online
guide to the rooms and providing space
for incoming students are daunting tasks.
While it's great that upperclassmen may
return to the residence halls, Housing
officials must do everything they can to
ensure previous years' overcrowding
remains a thing of the past.

,,,r.r-+ v"ti..,
"n '' rw
t f 1,
i
? ..,
..--. a''
t

P.J JScKS
X3)1CA1 P

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Swept away
Televised euthanasia does nothing for the cause

.q hose who watched "60 Minutes" this
past Sunday witnessed a controver-
sial segment with Dr. Jack Kevorkian that
probably left viewers confused and dis-
turbed. Before the segment began, Mike
Wallace warned viewers of what they
jyere about to see on primetime television
- Kevorkian injecting a consenting
patient, Thomas Youk, with the lethal
series of a sedative, a muscle relaxer and
a dose of potassium chloride to end his
suffering from the later stages of Lou
Gehrig's disease. Stressed throughout the
interview was Kevorkian's active involve-
inent in Youk's death - a legal difference
that could put Kevorkian behind bars for
the rest of his life. The importance of this
discrepancy is that before this patient,
Kevorkian had prepared the lethal med-
ication and let his consenting patients
"pull the switch" themselves. Kevorkian
wanted to air this videotape on national
television so that he could force a deci-
sion to be made on not only assisted sui-
cide, but euthanasia as well. While the
doctor's goal in pushing the envelope is
noble, his methods of going about it are
quite disturbing.
Assisted suicide and now euthanasia
are two complicated issues that should
not be regulated by politicians, but by
doctors and the rest of the medical com-
munity. In addition, Kevorkian and CBS
'id the pro-assisted suicide movement a
grave disservice by their decision to air a
videotape of such a graphic nature.
Assisted suicide should be a private deci-
ion between the individual involved, his
br her close family and friends, and doc-
tor. Kevorkian. who is often mistakinglv

suicide movement, alienated many people
who believe in the same goal for which he
is fighting with his decision to show the
world something that is and should be
very private. As for the opposition in this
debate, they were probably appalled by
the videotape and all the involved parties.
Kevorkian's logic is flawed because in
trying to force a long overdue decision on
assisted suicide, he ended up pushing
both supporters and foes farther from the
middle, leaving the rest of society per-
plexed and undecided.
CBS's role in allowing such a video-
tape to air during dinner hours with mini-
mal warnings at best should not be over-
looked. Regardless of whether CBS was
motivated to air such a controversial seg-
ment because this past Sunday was the
last in the November "sweeps" period -
when TV ratings are watched closely to
set local advertising rates - they exer-
cised poor judgment. Although CBS has
every right to air the videotape under the
First Amendment and the patient and his
family gave their consent, better judge-
ment should have prevailed. At a mini-
mum, a later hour of airing with much
stronger content warnings would have
been more appropriate.
Even though Kevorkian and CBS did
nothing substantive for the assisted suicide
debate, it is clear that some body of rational
people need to decide in universal favor of
assisted suicide and euthanasia. Currently,
Kevorkian is one man - without a medical
license - essentially trying to write assist-
ed suicide and euthanasia laws by himself.
No one person should have that power, just
as no person should have his or her basic

Animal
research is
problematic
TO THE DAILY:
The media has always
depicted animal researchers
as demigods who work mira-
cles and non-animal research
supporters as extremists who
put animal lives above human
lives. This is because argu-
ments against animal
research are consistently cen-
sored by politics and by the
funding dollars involved. I,
too, had been socialized into
believing that animal
research, as it is applied to
human biomedical research,
is a necessary means of sav-
ing human lives, when in fact
it is a medical and scientific
charade that has restricted the
advancement of medicine.
Regardless of what your
moral or ethical feelings
toward animals are, animal
research has been counter-
productive in more ways than
not. Animal models used in
experimentation are unreli-
able. Dr. Christopher
Anderegg, a Yale graduate in
medicine and biology as well
as a former animal researcher
describes animal research as
"fraudulent," and suggests
that animals are "physiologi-
cally, biochemically, anatomi-
cally, histologically incompa-
rable to the human being." In
addition, the laboratory set-
tings under which these ani-
mals are studied are artifi-
cial, thereby creating con-
founding variables that in
turn skew the results of the
experiments, as well as
undermine extrapolation of
findings to humans. An ani-
mal model of a human dis-
ease artificially produced in a
laboratory cannot compare to
a naturally and spontaneously
occurring disease in a
human.
The second reason I dis-
agree with animal research is
because it has become a
multi-billion-dollar-a-year
industry. Animal research is
often mandated by federal
legislation and perpetuated
by private companies to pro-
tect themselves from possible
lawsuits. Universities receive
millions of dollars annually
in direct grants for animal
research. Many institutions
depend on this money for
administrative costs as well
as overhead costs that are
supposedly related to this
research. The redundancy of
tests and the non-sharing of
knowledge between
researchers are financed with
our tax dollars. The
University received over $1.8
million to addict primates to
drugs such as PCP, codeine
and morphine. As the govern-
ment wastes money on this
useless experimentation,
approximately 100,000 vic-
tims of substance abuse go
untreated because of the
inadequate funding of treat-

Washington at (202) 686-
2210.
As Gandhi said:
"Vivisection is the blackest
of all black crimes that man
is at present committing
against God and his fair cre-
ation."
TiIu RUBEN
SCHOOL OF ART
Society
needs to
evaluate
drinking laws
To THE DAILY:
While the Daily's Nov. 12
editorial "Crackdown" is
bound to fall on sympathetic
ears, its argument is com-
pletely backwards. The Daily
contends that 75 citations is
meant to be an AAPD "pub-
licity stunt" showing that it is
controlling the problem. Far
from it - it actually illus-
trates what little control law
enforcement has over under-
age drinking.
No one believes that 75
tickets are going to change a
pervasive culture and stop
underage drinking. What the
tickets do instead is illustrate
to society at large that under-
age drinking is a pervasive
behavior. The decision needs
to be in the hands of society,
not the microcosm of the
University student body,
whether to be more outraged
by an unfair law or blatant
disregard for that law. Either
the law changes or it is more
vigorously enforced.
Then there is this issue of
parent notification. If stu-
dents believe they are entitled
to drink underage when the
law forbids it, then they
should stand up and be
counted. If they are really
right, then any condemnation
or penalties should not mat-
ter. If students think the law
is unfair, don't hide in
anonymity, hoping it will
change and that in the mean-
time you won't get caught.
Between the ages of 18 and
21, you are a part of the
democratic process. Convince
the parents you are so afraid
of that an 18- to 21-year-old
should be allowed to drink
alcohol. Don't just hide it
from them.
So Daily, stop coming
down on the police that we,
as a society, have put out
there to enforce the laws that
we give them. Stop promot-
ing a mindset where respon-
sible adults should be able to
do as they please - as long
as no one finds out. Instead,
encourage students to take
responsibility for their
actions and continue the
Daily's tradition of activism
for positive change.
CURT WEST
MEDICAL SCHOOL

two incidents occurred in
which I was nearly hit by bicy-
cles. This is not the first time
that this sort of thing has taken
place. Indeed, this pattern has
continued for some time now.
Further, my experience is that
the trend is in the direction of
a worsening problem. I believe
that I am not the only one fo'
whom this bicycle traffic is a
problem. I see many pedestri-
ans who are accosted by these
two-wheel maniacs daily. The
bicycle riders routinely ride too
fast in areas of high foot traffic
(namely the Diag) and many
of them cut walkers off at very
close quarters.
To allow this to go on is
to encourage accidents and
injuries that could otherwise
be avoided. Additionally, it
does not help toward saving
the University money on its
employee health care poli-
cies. I come here to work and
I do a good job. I think it is
only fair that the University
put some reasonable rules in
place to curtail the perils of
walking down the side walk
on University property. I
would advocate the enforced
ban of bike riding on side-
walks with heavy traffic, if
not more encompassing
rules. I understand that some
bike riders are careful. There
are too many that are not,
however. My desire is to see
this problem solved.
JOSEPH PRATT
UNIVERSITY STAFF
Volunteers
are 'lame'
TO THE DAILY:
I cannot think of anything
quite so lame as volunteering
to help police bust underage
drinking at parties.
AEX DEMOTS
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
Letter
mentioned
alumnus'
name
TO THE DAILY:
I was amused when I read
a letter to the Daily that includ-
ed my name ("An open letter
to letter writers," 11/13/98).
Let the record show that while
I find my friend, Mark West, to
be an amusing albeit slightly
unstable individual, I find his
comments a wee bit troubling
and wish not to be affiliated
with them.
You see, I like feminists
and political extremists (if they
are on the left) that he derides,
and I think ignoring those who
spread hateful messages is a
poor way to address intoler-
ance. On the other issues:
Student government builds
resumes for silly people; I have

Why Kelly still
loves Dylan and
other Ex-Files
After last week's episode of Beverly
Hills, 90210, and in preview of
the next new episode (Dec. 2), nothing
seemed more fitting to discuss than the
subject of ex-boyfriends andor ex-gir-
friends. For those of you who have
remained loyal Beverly Hills, 90210
fans, you know
what happened.
But for those of
you who have
strayed - and for
those who pretend
not to watch but
always end up at a
loyal watcher's
house oh-so-conve-
niently at 8 p.m.
every Wednesday SARAH
night - here's the LOCKYER
scoop: Dylan LCkE AN)D
returned. Luke LoAD1
Petrry's career muksto~
not have skyrocketed, as was the plan,
when he left Beverly Hills, 90210
(from now on referred to as Bev 9er)
two years ago. And one wonders why,
after hisstirring performance in Buffy
the Vampire Slayer."
But regardless, Dylan is back, busting
in on Thanksgiving dinner at the Walsh
house in true Aaron Spelling-influenced
style. Kelly "Taylor was stunned. Fresh
off a first kiss with her new lawyer
friend and Dylan decides to return.
Again, for those of you who don't know,
Dylan and Kelly were together for about
two years at West Beverly High and
some of college at California
University, home of the Condors, before
Kelly dumped Dylan for the frat rat
John Sears.
Now Spelling and company made a
little mistake by allowing Dylan to par-
ticipate in an old-friend-reunion-like
toast, because after all, Dylan is an alco-
holic. But brushing aside that error, Bev
9er put Dylan and Kelly right back into
the saddle.
And Kelly's face spoke to everyone
who's ever had an ex-anything.
There will always be firsts: first kiss,
first boyfriend, first girlfriend, first
time and the ultimate first love (not
necessarily in that order). But there
doesn't seem to be a socially accept.
able category deemed "first lust." That
is what Dylan and Kelly represented,
and that is why she was excited and
confused to see him.
And I'm sure we can all relate too.
Dylan and Kelly spent most of theii'
waking hours, well, sleeping ... togeth-
er. They were always touching, kissing
and you know how the rest goes. It's an
odd thing, first lust, because you can
never tell if it's anything more than just
that - lust.
I'm sure the majority of us have expe-
rienced it and I'm also sure that the
majority of first lusts also fall under the
label of boyfriend and/or girlfriend -
first lusts usually mask themselves 
such. I mean, who can openly carryon
a purely physical relationship (well, at
least more than six months)? So the
boyfriend or girlfriend that unknowing-
ly coincides with your first lust become
Dylans and Kellys.
There's always the honeymoon
stage when everything is perfect. But
then emotions begin to exist and re=-
ity rears its ugly head. Eventually, All
first lusts come to an end, as did
Dylan and Kelly when Kelly's sorority*
lifestyle didn't coincide with the
lifestyle of a socially dysfunctional
millionaire. But Kelly still loved
Dylan (as was apparent by her f~ceq

last Wednesday).
But why? It's simple: We all still love
our first lust. After a break up, we
entertain ideas of mythical propor-
tions, thoughts of "one day, he/she will
come back into my life, profess his/her
undying love and we will live happily*
ever after in mad ecstacy." We sur-
round ourselves with members of the
opposite sex hoping that just the right
amount of jealousy will jolt them back
into out lives. We have those random
nights of post-relationship passion and
pretend that it actually means some-
thing. We still call and we still go to
lunch. We turn our exes of lust into
"the ones who got away" and we're
convinced they'l return. But why dq
we believe these ridiculous romantiq
ramblings? Because Bev 9er so cruelly;
shows us it can happen.
Hopefully, the next episode will try
to sway a little more toward reality, as
we all know Bev 9er is famous for,
after all, the show has braved such
controversial issues as abortion, inter-
racialrelationships, alcoholism and
drug abuse (on numerous occasion4
The preview shows Kelly telling0
Dylan that he can't expect too much
from her, but Kelly should be tellin
Dylan to get lost. Come on, first lusts
are never what they appear to be, and
Dylan and Kelly shouldn't be any dif-
ferent. I mean, I've turned my ex-
boyfriend into a perfect creature: sen-
-4;. -++- - A U-++- +-


I