4A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 8, 1999 ibE Ac{dli§gU UI{{g Gen. X-hausted: Return of Mom and Dad, '90s style 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 daily.letters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan HEATHER KAMINS Editor in Chief JEFFREY KOSSEFF DAVID WALLACE Editorial Page Editors 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 Time limit One study day is not enough before finals Forget the Internet, cell phones and lap- tops. This is just silicon veneer masking the tragedy of imitation in our culture. Our fashion and arts have become slick millenni- al homages to the once and now future past. We've boiled madly in the bellbottom' craze, the flimsy hal- ter, and the tease of tank tops. Now we've simmered into a zoot suit riot. While corsets, frocks and capes have been con- fined to goths, I antic- ipate a return to hoop skirts, and men in tights. Black horn rims pass as glam, but Michael when Buddy Holly's Nagrant plane crashed, he took more than music with °° him, that was maybe °l the day fashion died. It's not even a case of mimicking our parents which worries me, it's self parody. The new Spin mag has a fashion spread entitled: '80s styles revisited. I see more Jordache than I did in junior high. Levi's has their nice tie-in with the new Mod Squad movie where they offer a "very limited collection." The only thing lim- ited is the creativity of offering two color tight tees, faux leather waistcoats and acid wash blue jeans. Levi's probably spent the last year trying to get back all the '80s production overruns they donated to the Salvation Army. The problem was, all the homeless people anticipated our little retro craze and snapped up the fashion gold, leaving Levi's with only a few pairs of buttonfly jeans for our very lim- ited fashion senses. With the return of the Mod Squad, we also have old wily intellectual hipsters. We got "Big Willy Style" Shakespeare, Charles "don't make fun of my last name" Dickens, and Jane "got no pride" Austen raging at the cineplex. While we had the forethought to veil some of these movies ("Clueless"), we pretty much just gave up with others ("Emma"). In fact, the increase in civil suits probably stems from copyright infringement related to the use of plotlines from Dangerous Liaisons. We don't need tort reform, just more dead authors to rip off who can't sue. Musically, Glen Miller, Louis Prima et al. can eat the Squirrel Nuts and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for lunch. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy? Isn't that George Clinton's real name? He should sue them. I'm personally holding out for a Poison comeback, because as we keep listening to the Doors and the Stones, it's more evident that our moms and dads can rock and roll, and I wanna hear what Bret Michaels has to say about that. C'mon, Talk Dirty to Me. Hip hop may be the new thing on the block, but I recently read that Puffy and Fat Boy Slim might be working together. What do you call a sample of a sample, appetizer music? Right about now, we got no funk or soul, brother. Just as in music, visual arts have become pathetic. I consider myself an intellectual, I read "Catcher in the Rye'" but post mod- ernism is questionable. There is no art in a canvas with one dot. I know these representa- tions are supposed to evoke the alienation of living in the post industrial society of which I speak, but how does a silkscreen reproduction of a photograph you didn't even take do any- thing but reinforce the ideas of mass produc- tion and the destruction of the individual? Last year, I was at the Chicago Institute of Arts, and a docent was leading a group of children through the post modern exhibits. She stopped in front of a totally black canvas and went into a rant, about how this painting Theoretically, grades measure a pupil's comprehension of the course material given a particular academic subject. Adequate understanding at the college level often requires highlighting stacks of coursepack pages, attending lectures, par- ticipating in weekly discussions and filling binders with penned notes. So when finals come around, plenty of reviewing is needed to ensure sufficient knowledge and of course, good grades. The current winter semester schedule limits students' capabili- ties, because this year the set calendar grants only one day of study before exam week begins. Twenty-four hours of preparation time is inadequate for students who care about maintaining a competitive academic stand- ing. This year's exam period spans April 22 to 29, leaving the prior Wednesday as the only date allotted specifically for finals study. Thomas McElvain, the University registrar, leads the committee credited for the existing exam policy. The dates chosen by the committee and approved by the University Board of Regents were basical- ly predetermined, because of the short winter term. A minor extension of the school year would likely produce signifi- cant benefits; as it now stands, the semes- ter lasts less than the summer vacation. If officials extracted some days from the break between winter and spring term, bet- ter grades and lower levels of stress would probably result. Cramming a few months worth of mate- rial the night before an exam provokes anxiety. In contrast, last semester a week- end came between the last day of classes and the first day of finals. But this semes- ter, the restrictive schedule refuses stu- Media ai East Lansing police je dents proper closure from the hustle and bustle of a regular week of classes and pre- vents necessary rest. Due to the fixed time constraints this year, students should remain focused and'plan ahead to diligent- ly prepare for finals. The effects of the one-day study period extend beyond the University. While com- petitive institutions across the nation gener- ally give more time for exam study, students elsewhere remain rivals in the race to acquire graduate school admittance and enter the job market. Ivy League schools customarily offer at least a week free of classes so that pupils may arrange their pre- exam agendas without feeling over- whelmed. For example, Harvard allows two entire weeks for exam preparation and even neighboring public institution Michigan State University has at least a weekend before finals. Only in the experimental 1992-93 year when MSU modified their exam schedule to the University's shortened mid-week study period, did students experi- ence academic unrest. The following year, Michigan State returned immediately to their prior Monday to Friday plan and com- plaints ceased. McElvain's committee and the regents in charge of the University exam policy should consider altering the restraints posed by the current system. Extending the academic year at the University can alleviate the con- flicts of rushed studying. Rather than dread spending time in cramped libraries across campus, students deserve some freedom in setting their personal studying plans. Longer hours designated for exam study may provide a more conducive atmosphere for earning the grades that dedicated University students deserve. A 4 itonomy ,opardize a free press What is undeniable is that the measures taken by the city are abusive and irrespon- sible. Law enforcement and journalists have always worked closely with one another. Police have cooperated with the media to solve crimes and apprehend criminals innumerable times and in various ways. Despite their intercommunication, each sector maintains a fierce independence that is beneficial to society. The result of interaction between the authorities and reporters is often positive so long as it remains symbiotic. By bullying television stations and newspapers into providing information that will aid their investiga- tion, East Lansing seriously violates the sacred autonomy of the press. Ultimately, it is the job of the police is to catch criminals and maintain the rule of law. The role of journalists is to report the news impartially. Public trust is vital to the basic functions of the press and law enforcement. If their respective roles become blurred, the credibility of both parties is seriously damaged. The police must continue to solely bear their respon- sibility to bring criminals to justice. The role of the press is not to be a crutch for frustrated detectives.I East Lansing's legal assault on the Lansing State Journal and area television stations should not be tolerated and initia- tives must be taken to ensure that future subpoenas and search warrants cannot be issued against the press. The integrity of the press and the apprehension of crimi- nals are equally vital to the preservation of does have different texture and brush tech- 4 nique in certain places, blah, blah. Then she asked the children what they saw. A timid hand wavered in the crowd. A first grader says, "It's just black, I don't get it." Neither do 1. Even with politics, in the age of term lim- its, old rich white males still rule the estab- lishment. Sure instead of make love, not war, it's think locally and act globally, but our activists still sling nostalgia of the '60s. I don't question the stance or commitment of a group like SOLE, but did they really need a sit-in? I think they just wanted to sleep in Bollinger's office, because it was cool, in the style of Tom Hayden and the Chicago Seven. There must be more effective ways. Even in the technology world, the Atan 2600 and the SWATCH watch are back, and VW bugs infest the streets. The self parody of our childhood and the imitation of previous generations indicates that we are looking for a time when every- thing was easier or better, when our moms, the government and Ford Motor took care of us. The fact is social security isn't gonna be there, and barring a Balkan war, our children aren't going to college on the G.I. bill. They may not even go to college, as no one will be able to afford it. We may not make as much money as our parents did, but we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Imitating the past in the theatre of the future is nothing but tragedy, and the Greeks have done that already. Wake up from the cryogenic deep freeze of fear and push forward, not because it will be easy, but because it will be hard. - Due to graduation, this is my last col- umn, so e-mail me at mjnagran@umich.edu. Until Ifind a homefor my writing elsewhere, starting next week you will be able to find Life Serial online at www umich.edu/-mjnagran. ALONE GANNoT 1* A WAM... THOMAS KULJURGIS AIRSTRIKES AMt ONMgNGS . , SPEG1AlU { WYCLK WE4SE POFM ae. UtV~lGyI. n the wake of East Lansing's embar- rassing riot two weeks ago, the city has understandably taken extra measures to ensure that at least some of those who were responsible for the rioting are brought to justice. The city has set up a "Hall of Shame" section on its Webpage with the pictures of suspects. The city and Michigan State University have also put up :$50,000 to distribute to tipsters with infor- mation leading to suspects' arrest and con- viction. But some of East Lansing's recent efforts have gone way too far. In an act of desperation, the city seems to have traded intensive police work in favor of strong- arm tactics against the media. This past Monday, the Lansing State Journal lost a court challenge to a subpoe- na for unpublished photos. The court's rul- ing has been suspended until Thursday pending the Journal's decision to appeal. A person or organization that is issued a sub- poena is legally bound to provide the requested information or items at a certain place and time. If the Journal does not comply with the subpoena their newsroom is subject to search and seizure by police. Print media is not the only outlet that is being targeted - search warrants have been issued to several area television sta- tions as well. East Lansing officials and MSU admin- istrators are no doubt working frantically to repair the tarnished reputation of their city and university, but passion and haste are winning over common sense and ethics. Whether East Lansing is stepping over the very thin legal line between the City council's Iraqi resolution promotes activism. TO THE DAILY: On Monday, April 5, the Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution commending Bishop Thomas Gumbleton's trip to Iraq. This trip was more than symbolic in its vio- lation of the murderous sanctions - he took with him medical supplies which would hopefully alleviate the suffering of some Iraqis. In response to the "deaths of one and one-half million Iraqi civilians, mainly chil- dren, due to lack of food and medicine over the past eight years," the Ann Arbor City Council took an initiative similar to the Michigan Student Assembly's back in January. Both, when confronted with the United Nations-provided facts, took action against this United States/United Nations sanctioned humanitarian disaster. Statistics such as the "six-fold increase in the mortality rate for children under five"~ and that "the majority of the country's pop- ulation has been on a semi-starvation diet" (World Health Organization, March 1996) provide a solid basis for reasonable people to decry the policy of sanctions. The Michigan Student Assembly, which was criticized for the resolution by many including the Daily, has been joined by three other universities, and now the city council. These resolutions signify the reali- ty of the sanctions that is not completely represented by the mainstream media here. I suggest that individuals critical of these resolutions and the anti-sanctions activists consider the same evidence brought to these representative bodies. The question of focus or purview never arose in these instances, although it was the basis for criticism of the MSA. These are irrelevant with such an extreme and urgent issue. WILL YOUMANS BUSINESS JUNIOR Hate crime laws are discriminatory TO THE DAILY: ' After reading the Daily's editorial "Unequal protection: Hate crime legislation ignores LGBT people," (4/6/99) I was cer- tain that I needed to respond. This editorial was incredibly misguided. The Daily urges students to help ensure that LGBT rights are considered in the formulation of hate crime legislation. Thereal problem, howev- er, isn't the exclusion of LGBT interest from the legislation. The problem is that such legislation even exists! Hate crimes legislation is simply unfair and un-American. It prioritizes victims, "ranking" one's suffering according to one's ethnic background. It belittles the serious- ness of a crime and attempts to measure its "political significance." Why should an individual face stiffer penalties for throwing a rock through someone's window if it has the "N-word" inscribed on it? Destruction of ..nrty is ;Acvernutin rf nrnnert, Whv 'I p.- kv e@uv ck W l. eAu ../ ' ..i w.. support for hate crimes legislation. The point, however, is that it simply doesn't mat- ter that Byrd's death was racially motivated. A man was brutally murdered in a disgust- ing, horrible manner. This is the real tragedy! On the same token, the fact that Shepard was attacked because of his sexuality is completely irrel- evant. What is more important is that a human being, whom people cared for and loved, was beaten to death. Hate crimes legislation demeans anyone who has ever been victim to a crime. It says that you as a victim must now justify the sociopolitical importance of your tragedy in order to gain equal consideration under the law. How can such legislation logically spring forth from the concepts of equality and justice? ANDRE GHARAKHANIAN LSA SENIOR Sanz's column told it like it is TO THE DAILY: Regarding Branden Sanz's latest col- umn, ("Meat - It's not just for breakfast anymore," 4/6/99) I'm glad to see that there are at least one or two people left there at the Daily who have the integrity and courage to call them like they see them, as opposed to the majority who seem to find praise for even the most far-fetched and idi- otic events. And I'm glad to know that I made the right choice when I decided to miss the event he reviewed ("The Sexual Politics of Meat"), an event which apparently fell into that dubious category. Thanks Branden! CHRISTOPHER GODWIN RACKHAM Vegetarian diet is not an unhealthy Sifesftyle TO THE DAILY: In regards to Branden Sanz's article, "Meat - It's not iust for breakfast any- er, that if I were a meat eater, the lecture would not have convinced me to change my ways. But as a vegetarian, I was offended by many of Sanz's ignorant comments. I want to especially draw attention to his comment, "I suppose if I like the thought of going through life as a 90 pound stick figure (sort of like Kate Moss with a penis) then being a vegetarian might have some appeal." Well, I used to be a 90-pound stick figure of a meat eater. it was only when I stopped eating meat that people stopped asking me if I am anorexic. As a vegetarian, I am much healthier than I've ever been. I have much more energy, which I use for working out at the gym - and I've certainly never had a limb fall off, let alone torn a muscle The stereotype of malnourished vegetari- ans is frankly not the case at all. My vegetarian diet definitely allows4 me to have, "a healthy,active lifestyle and do the things that I love doing." A vege- tarian diet could offer anybody that lifestyle if he or she chooses it. JENNIFER HEFFERAN .SNRE JUNIOR Students, as well as alumni, are hurt by ticket price hikes TO THE DAILY: It is amazing that when enough alumni complained about the ticket increase. the Athletic Department reduced the increase.. "Michigan football has been around for 100 years and we have very loyal fans ... their message was that the percentage increase was heavy" for the time period, Goss said. People are more receptive to increases in "smaller bites,"he said. Mr. Goss, I don't know exactly how long Michigan hockey has been around, and I can tell you the fans of that sport are just as loyal. People who are now working professionally are less able to absorb price increases than students in school struggling to live month to month? I don't think so. Students are just as receptive to increases in smaller bites as well. Where were you for the student hockey ticket increase, Mr. Goss? Are the students just not important enough to listen to? 0 inansvntc, ' t 'ince ahuelatPv no cnncern 51, v3 E . gU~t pf ur o v Q.% tSE MtSSILS, %A%1D S E NEA4 OMES.