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February 15, 2000 - Image 4

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The Michigan Daily, 2000-02-15

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4 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, February 15, 2000

e l[itl igttn i ttil

420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
daily. letters@umich.edu
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan

Hammerhead's
I've been to a lot of bars in my time. Maybe
it's because I've moved around so much
over the years, but I've managed to sample
watering holes all over the world - from the
bar and grill in Alamogordo, New Mexico,

MIKE SPAHN
Editor in Chief
EMILY ACHENBAUM
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.

where I took my first
legal drink at 14 years
old (they have some
funny laws down
there) to seaside
cabanas in Florida.
I've sampled Guinness
at Irish pubs in
California, quaffed
hurricanes at world-
famous Pat O'Briens
in New Orleans and
sipped Lonestar while
watching the indoor
bull-riding at Billy
Bobs in Ft. Worth,
Texas.
So it was quite sur-
prising to me to find

Visible vouchers

Branden
Sanz
' t n.
th xM mmer

guide to
myself to drop some know
you looking for a newI
women (or men), and son
I spend a fair bit of ti
haps because a lot of my i
to Eastern. But, for wha
managed to uncover quit
during my time here. I
(especially those wearing
thinking, "But Ypsi is so
never go there." Yeahr
nightclub in Cancun wh
bodyshots and freaking
look-alike last spring brea
tessence of chic.
So here it is, the de
very best of Ypsi and su
and, as they say in New
boun 'ton roulet.
Aubreys. This quaint1
located in Ypsi's historica
to what they call "Rest
Night" on Sundays --
most of my Easternp
"Church." What that mea
in a bar or restaurant
schooners of any beer on1
if you do work in a restau
stub. If not, just lie. You'l
if you get a heavyset bla
brow ring named "T" as
awesome, but she's alsoN
problems letting you k
please don't be too offer
your ass is nice - she's j
Theo's. This place ha
an open frat party, espec
Thursday nights. Low ce
small, crowded dance fl
ers, as well hundredsc
Eastern students all contri
good Greek function, you
must be 21 to drink. A

LGBT community leaps ahead with scholarships

almost-local slumming
wledge upon those of Greek function, that rule is almost never0
place to find wine, enforced. Think of it as Rick's with better
ng. music and a friendly air, devoid of most of the
me in Ypsilanti, per- highfalutin' posturing that plagues Rick's and
friends from work go Skeeper's.
tever reason, I have The Wooden Nickel. One of my personal,;
te a few little gems favorites, but you have to go on a Tuesday-
know a lot of you night. Why Tuesday night? Simple, gentle'
brown lipstick) are reader: Karaoke. The only thing more fun,'
ooo ghetto! I would than watching someone make a complete ass
right. I'm sure that of themselves singing "American Pie" is
ere you were doing downing a few $2 pints of Labatts and trying.
the Ricky Martin it yourself. At the Nickel, you get to see peo-
k was the very quin- pie attempting everything from Hootie to the
Backstreet Boys to Limp Bizkit and revel in.
finitive guide to the their humiliation. Much like Theo's, the 18/21
urrounds. Buckle up rule "applies."
Orleans, laissez le The Diamondback Saloon. Okay, so you
may not like country, but the 25-cent draffs on
little bar and grill in Thursday nights at this Belleville honkeytonk
al district is all home may change your mind. Besides, who doesn't
aurant Appreciation like watching girls in too-tight jeans strut their
perhaps that's why stuff on the dance floor? For those of you who*
pals refer to it as own nothing but Structure shirts and cargo
ns is that if you work pants, fear not. The local cowboys are mild
t they offer S2.50 mannered and will generally not attempt to
tap. So show up and stick a large, corn-fed foot up your ass simply
urant, bring your pay because you look like the Abercrombie
1 be okay, especially posterboy.
ck girl with an eye- Wicked Mickey's. Simply the hands-down
your waitress. She's wildest, best, bass-thumpin', booty-shakin',
very gay and has no get-your-ass-out-on-the-floor-and-dance,
:now it. So ladies, meatmarket nightclub around. Thursday,
nded if she tells you Friday and Saturday are the best nights to go.*
just being friendly. Wear your hookup regalia and get there by 10
as the atmosphere of p.m., because that's when the line starts, and it
cially on Monday or moves very slowly.
ilings, pool tables, a So get on out there and walk on the wild
oor and S1.25 pitch- side. Just don't expect to find me. I'm at home
of swankily-dressed studying.
'ibute. Much like any - Branden San: is at home sampling
u can get in at 18 but sobriety and can be reached via e-mail
end, much like any at hamrhead@umich.edu.
LEN GINDING:TT HF N B*

Students at Michigan State University
who have performed exceptional ser-
vice to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-
gender community will now have the
opportunity to be rewarded for their actions.
Last week, MSU announced that it will
institute a scholarship for LGBT students,
administered by their office of financial aid
and awarded by the Gay and Lesbian
Faculty and Staff Association. But such an
award is not unique to MSU: The University
of Michigan has been offering
an LGBT scholarship since Todav
1993. This is only a part of Visibility N
what the University's Office of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and EXi1e
Transgender Affairs has done iber,
for the University community,
and it is encouraging to see Poet, es
that other universities are fol- activist Elie
lowing uitrreaing froi
r dlowingsuit.released
Because this week is Queer
Visibility Week, in which 7:(
members of the University's
Mvicti
LGBT community celebrate
their pride and encourage tol-

lYjt
at
tic
kd1

valuable service to the University. It offers
support to students struggling to understand
their sexuality, fights against discrimination
on the basis of sexual orientation and seeks
to educate the University as a whole about
sexuality and gender issues through various
workshops, discussion groups and other
programs like those featured during Queer
Visibility Week. This is a very important
function to fulfill: Although the LGBT
community has made great strides in the
last quarter-century, discrimina-
Qneer tion is still very prevalent in
:ek event: today's society. There have been
many high-profile instances of
rd pride: hate crimes against homosexu-
ter-ness and
ion" als, and no doubt many that are
not as well-known. Ignorance
ayist, and about the LGBT community
fare will be continues to persist. The best
her newly
book way to combat this is with edu-
cation and hence tolerance.
Dprn University students of all sexual
oo Room preferences should take the time
to learn about LGBT issues.
The inception of the LGBT
scholarship at MSU is a promising sign that
universities are doing more to support the
LGBT community. The University's Office
of LGBT Affairs has been doing excellent
work for quite a few years, and will no
doubt continue to do so in the future. More
universities should follow the example of
the University, MSU, and other schools, and
continue to improve their facilities for
LGBT students.

relatively few places to get my drink on in
grand fashion after arriving in Ann Arbor. I
mean really surprising. After all, we have
nearly 40,000 college kids here - you would
think there would be a veritable bevy of tav-
erns lined up to support the burgeoning alco-
holism of tomorrow's Leaders and Best. But
such is not the case.
Oh, I know about all the campus favorites.
I've been to Mitch's, had dollar-pitchers at
TD's, enjoyed half-off night at Rick's, sam-
pled scotch at the One-Eyed Moose and the
watered-down excuse for Long Island Iced
Tea they try to pass off at Skeeper's.
Michigan being the prestigious school that
it is, I initially chalked the whole thing up to
the triumph of academia over alcohol. But
many of my friends have complained about
this dearth as well, so I have taken it upon

CHIP CUL

erance in others, it is a fitting time to
acknowledge the LGBT Office's contribu-
tions. Though the office in its present form
has only existed since 1994, the University
has had an official support network for
LGBT students since the establishment of
the Gay Liberation Front in 1970.
Through the years, that organization
evolved into the program that exists today.
The Office of LGBT Affairs provides a

Too much information
Employers should not factor genetics

Mock Trial team
deserves recognition
TO THE DAILY:
Once again, the Daily has ignored a
successful finish by the 'U' Mock Trial
Team. Two squads from Michigan placed
second and eighth at the Great Lakes
Regional Tournament last week, earning a
bid to the National Championships. For
two consecutive years Michigan has
placed fifth at Nationals, and for two con-
secutive years the Daily has neglected to
print anything about it.
We are frustrated by the Daily's indif-
ference to a group of students that works
extremely hard to bring recognition and
success on a national level to the
University. We are insulted by the stories
the Daily staff deems more press worthy.
In the Feb. 9 paper there was an article
about "a group of California Polytechnical
State University students (who) show-
cased their grapevine pruning skills last
week." Grapevine pruning. Last week. In
California. Our belief that activities that
have some relevance to Michigan students
(last we checked, vinting isn't a major
here) would get cove rage in the Daily is
obviously mistaken. Apparently, so is our
notion that the Daily would pay attention
to events that actually concern this
University.
We on the Mock Trial team are used to
being neglected and ignored by University
administrators. While they are eager to
promote Michigan as a school with strong
academic programs and excellent pre-law
opportunities, we have never received a
dime of University funding. Unlike all of
the other top programs in the country, we
do not have a faculty administrator or
advisor. The administration willanot even
give us a display case to house all of the

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he ongoing quest to unravel the
human genetic code will undoubted-
ly be one of the defining experiences of
human history. This endeavor holds the
promise of ridding us of inherited disor-
ders, innumerable other afflictions and
giving all people healthier and longer
lives. The likelihood that genetic infor-
mation can reveal afflictions such as can-
cer or Alzheimer's decades before they
develop will give people the benefit to
treating them at extremely early stages.
But there is also danger in this venture.
The possibility exists that genetic
information will be used to discriminate
against those with predispositions to dis-
eases. Employers may be hesitant to hire
someone whose medical problems may
cost them a great deal of money in the
future and insurance companies may deny
coverage to those they know will need it.
People could be refused decent and
healthy lives because of characteristics
they were born with, making a mockery
of the promise of genetic research.
Already, many people fear taking one
of the few genetic tests available because
they are worried about what that informa-
tion will cost them. People with family
histories of health problems such as can-
cer or heart disease may be especially
reluctant to take these tests for fear of los-
ing insurance they will likely need in the
future. Instead providing the opportunity
to diagnose and treat diseases, genetic
discrimination may keep people from tak-
ing possibly life-saving tests.
President Clinton took a step towards
preventing genetic discrimination last
week by issuing an executive order ban-
ning federal agencies from engaging in

the practice. Insurance companies that
issue large group policies are already pro-
hibited from using genetic information to
deny or increase prices for coverage. It is
imperative that Congress extend this pro-
tection to people with any type of insur-
ance. By failing to act, the health of many
people will be put in jeopardy by reluc-
tance to take genetic tests or the loss of
insurance coverage.
Congress also needs to pass a recently
introduced bill to prevent discrimination
by private companies that mirrors the
President's order covering government
workers. Those who are predisposed to
certain illnesses should not be denied
employment or access to employer health
benefits because of genetic traits they
obviously have no control over.
We can already see today how health
information can be used to discriminate.
Numerous cases of people carrying
HIV/AIDS, heart disease and other ail-
ments being denied employment on that
basis exist. Like people whose genes may
cause disorders in the future, those who
can work now, but are in these unfortu-
nate health situations should not be pre-
vented from having jobs or being treated
the same as other employees in terms of
benefits.
The incredible advances taking place
in genetic research must not be used to
force people into secrecy about their
health or prevent them from having jobs
and insurance. Allowing genetic informa-
tion to take away people's willingness to
diagnose diseases or be denied the securi-
ty of employment robs the study of genet-
ics of everything it was meant to accom-
plish.

trophies we have won over the years. We
depend entirely on support from student
groups (MSA, RHA. LSA-SG and dorm
councils) who have always been extremely
generous. The Daily continues to hold out,
consistently ignoring the press releases we
regularly send them.
The students of this University deserve
to know about the existence and success
of the Mock Trial team. For pre-law stu-
dents, Mock Trial is the only undergradu-
ate opportunity for a hands-on education
in trial advocacy. Moreover, the team
members who spend hundreds of hours in
preparation for each tournament deserve
to be recognized for their talent and dedi-
cation.
We have earned the respect of the
national mock trial community, but for
some reason our own student newspaper
eludes us. For anyone interested in learning
more about the Undergraduate Mock Trial
team (since the Daily won't tell you) our
Web site is huv: www urn i ch.edu/-mock.
If you want to learn more about the

JOELLE RENSTROM
MICHAEL LOMBARDO
MOCK TRIAL TEAM CAPTAIN*
LSA SENIORS

i

grapevine pruning competition, check out
http://iwww.isted.ink.com.

t I

Corruption abound
in athletic dept.
TO THE DAILY:
Whomever Tom Goss is in trouble with,
maybe he could have Brian Ellerbe talk t
him so we could keep the authorities out o0
it. That way he could keep his job and
wouldn't have to endure any of the conse-
quences of unlawful or unethical behavior
... ask our basketball team, it works.
MATTHEW WILLAMS
LSA JUNIOR

Eating Disorder Awareness Week -pay attentiorn

E ating disorders. Everybody's heard of
them. Everywhere you turn in the last few
months, every magazine you pick up, you see
headlines questioning the weight of actresses
such as Calista Flockhardt or Sarah Michelle
Gellar or Courtney Cox. Are they too skinny?
Do they have eating disorders?
Unfortunately, after the excitement of the
scoop died down, so
did the stories and
questions about
actresses being too
thin. The media will
eventually lose inter-;
est, but millions of
young women in the
United States, includ-
ing some of these
actresses, will contin-
ue to struggle with
serious eating disor-
ders and body image Michelle
concerns. It's ironic Bolek
that most of thesea
magazines have sto-
ries on how sickly thin Shift
these actresses look
and then have models on the next page who
ar Mt ;ac th in if nest thinner n is thin "gaccd"

look too thin?" or "Pass me some more ice
cream. I need to gain some more weight on my
thighs!" It's rare, indeed, and unfortunate that
there is such a common body hatred among
us.
Pay attention to what people say this week.
Take a critical look at magazines ads, com-
mercials on television, as well as radio com-
mercials. How many use words like "sinful" or
guilty" or "secret" or "obsession"? How many
magazines have an ad for a decadent chocolate
cake and then have an ad for a diet to lose 10
pounds in one week right next to it?
We are taught to think that "fat" is synony-
mous with lazy, unhealthy, ugly, unmotivated,
unsuccessful, etc. Americans spend more than
$40 billion on dieting and diet related products
each year. This week, you owe it to yourself to
question the motives of these industries that
play such a large role in fueling women's inse-
curities about their bodies. After you question
their motives, stop buying their products.
As a recovered anorexic and bulimic and a
student activist on this campus for the last few
years, I have seen the problems that a lack of
education and understanding about eating dis-
orders can cause the women (and men,
although fewer in number) dealing with these
isses. Fatino disnrders are not ahout vanitvi

This week is your opportunity to scrutinize
your own beliefs. Dieting has been so
ingrained in our culture as a typical theme in
women's lives that we fail to recognize how
destructive an unhealthy a pattern it can be.
Women, how many times have you been
with a group of female friends when someone
does nor mention that she thinks she's fat, or
that she feels guilty for eating something, or
that she just has to exercise? It has become a
warped bonding experience. Men, how may
times have you been with yo
girlfriend/female friends/sisters/mother when
they didn't mention some insecurity about
their bodies? It's easy to get used to since We
hear it all the time.
Thinking about these issues and learning
more about them is a good start. What can you
do this week to start thinking more critically, to
help yourself or someone you love? Go to
some of the programs being offered by student
groups and offices on campus. Learn as mu
as you can about eating disorders and what
you can do to prevent them or help yourself or
others who are currently coping with them.
Surround yourself with people who are sup-
portive and aren't critical of your body or
theirs. Don't assume this is only a women's
issue - even though only 10 percent of neo-

x.:

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