4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, April 7, 2000 tic ,{{tdiga II Spring is a time for reflection: One student's thoughts* 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, M1 48109 daily.letters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan 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. Spring is almost here. Not spring weather, Spring term that is. We're living in Michi- gan, who knows when the hell spring will finally come around. I must admit though, I'm getting a little perturbed/disoriented with the changing weather pattern. I know it's not just me either, because without fail, every time after there's a warm period followed by a frigid day, there will be the one girl in sandals - or the one . guy walking quickly < to class in a T-shirt. 3f Everyone stares at : them because every- e one knows that this person slept with their window closed and failed to turn on the Erin weather channel. McQuinn It's not like in high school either where Playing With you could wear what- Words ever you wanted under your coat because you were inside all day. No, every morning in college you have to dress in layers for the polar expedition that you must endure before entering the "random temperature" building. And it is too much of a hassle to keep on switching between heat and AC, so the University sets a date where they will per- manently switch over. So even those few days when it was unseasonably hot out, the heat was on - making Chem 1800 a sauna. And now, no matter how cold - the AC will stay on - turning Angell Hall into a meat freezer. But I'm still looking forward to Spring term. I just feel bad for all of those people who are still trying to sublet their apartment/house putting up those little signs with the phone numbers you can tear off at the bottom. I wonder if they check their signs to see how many numbers have been dis- persed. Does anyone really tear off the num- bers? I always see the signs with a couple slips torn off, but I have yet to see someone in the act of doing it. Maybe the leasers pre-tear a couple of the numbers off to make the apartment look really good. That would be clever. CRISPing is the only thing that has me worried about Spring term. I, unlike the really smart kids, did not come in with 15 A.P. credits - so therefore I always seem to get the absolute last time for CRISPing. I'm not.even going to try to get into Psych 11 I - I made that mistake last time. I built my schedule around this one class, and when it was full, I had to completely re-work my whole carefully orchestrated timetable. It was a mad fit of dialing various numbers - I ended up with some random University course and a whole lot of social science credits. And why is it that the classes that sound so easy never are? The description sounds good - you can even go so far as to see what books are required at the bookstore. But then, on the first day of class the prof. just casually mentions the coursepack. Then when you go to pick it up at Accucopy or wherever and they slap down this three holed-plastic wrapped - oh did they leave out the fact that it was 400 pages too - composite of dead trees. And then you're totally screwed because no one is going to believe that Bud- dhist Studies is actually really hard. And w do you do with the un-returnable coursepad It's $50 for a collection of essays from people that you've never even heard of talking about stuff you could care less about. What are you supposed to do after the class? At least if you have books, there's the possibility of referenc- ing them later. Even if you don't sell them back or ever use them again, they'll make you look smart chillin' on the bookshelf. And if they have a decent cover, they could even go on the coffee table. But there's no such use- fulness about a coursepack. It's not li you're ever going to sit down again and read it just for kicks. It's not even a complete work - just some random topics off the top of someone's head ... Coursepacks are like a giant trick to get you to take a class. But Spring term makes all the CRISPing madness and coursepacks worthwhile. It is an example of what Fall and Winter term should be - only taking four credits and an awful lot of parties during the week. It's only two extra months - and most of those stu* people who always click "reply to all" on mass e-mail messages have gone home to annoy their parents. -Erin McQuinn can be reached via e-mail at emcquinn@umich.edu. Enrollment "increase" no sign of success ince the passage of Proposition 209, " the nation has looked to California as the proving grounds for anti-affirmative . action initiatives. That measure effectively ended affirmative action in the state by eliminating programs that involve "prefer- ential treatment" based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. If, in the wake of Proposition 209, minority enrollment in California universities were to slide signif- icantly, affirmative action advocates would have a great case for its reinstatement. On the other hand, if the opposite occurred, they might be in serious trouble. Some preliminary results are in. According to UC officials Monday, the number of black, Hispanic and Native American first-year students admitted to the University of California system has r rebounded to pre-209 levels. But the increase in admissions from last year in no way signals the end of racial disparity. In fact these statistics illustrate what proponents of affirmative action have said from the start: without programs to encourage diversity, underrepresented minorities aren't given equal access to quality education. While minority enroll- ment has increased at the less competitive UC schools (such as Irvine, Riverside and Santa Cruz), blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans are still massively underrepre- sented at the highly respected campuses of Berkeley and UCLA. As long as these groups are deprived of proportionate admission to the best schools, they are in no way receiving equal opportunity. Suppose, for example, that Michigan enacted similar legislation effectively end- ing affirmative action programs. Our state certainly couldn't claim to have equality in higher-education if enrollment at Michigan and MSU plummeted while Western, Central and Eastern University's Guns om States should contii 1 Jhile even the most modest and wide- ly supported gun control efforts have been completely stymied at the national level by Congress' unrelenting dread of the NRA, many states have admirably taken matters into their own hands. In the most important example, Massachusetts began regulating handguns in the same manner as all other consumer products this week. By finally recognizing the danger posed to gun buyers and acting to improve consumer safety, Massachusetts has demonstrated how firearms should be treated as long as they are legal. It has taken far too long for recognition 'that handguns should at least be governed by the same safety rules as other products. ; While this is certainly a step in the right direction, handguns, if legal at all, deserve to be regulated in the strictest manner pos- sible, considering they are virtually the only legal product specifically designed to kill people. Such inherently dangerous products should have never received the legal protection from consumer safety laws granted by Congress at the federal level and it is encouraging to see the institution of protections at the state level. Many other states have been able to avoid Congress' paralysis on the gun-con- trol issue and implement measures to improve gun safety. Maryland's legislature, earlier this week, approved a bill requiring all handguns to have built-in trigger locks after January 2003. Connecticut passed a law allowing the seizure of guns from potentially dangerous individuals. And law- suits by numerous cities have forced at least one gun maker, Smith and Wesson, to change the way it manufactures and mar- populations rose to offset the decline. Similarly, don't expect minority-advocates in California to jump for joy over Mon- day's press release. These statistics merely show that instead of leveling the playing field, Cali- fornia has simply stratified it. Ironically, Ward Connerly, a UC regent staunchly opposed to racial preferences, said it best: "the numbers ... (do) not mean that minority kids will not be educated at one of the best educational facilities in the country ... They'll just be redistributed to less competitive campuses." The state probably hasn't seen such segregation since ... well, segregation. Additionally, the UC figures miscon- strue actual minority representation on Cal- ifornia campuses to make a decline in representation seem like an increase. Even though the raw number of students admit- ted to the UC system have rebounded to 1997 levels, proportional representation of these minorities still remains well below that year. According to the New York Times, black, Hispanic and Native Ameri- can students accounted for 18.8 percent of new first-year student admissions in '97, but only 17.6 percent of admissions this year. Because underrepresented minority enrollment is still relatively lower than it was when such programs were in place, these numbers indicate that affirmative action is still desperately needed in Califor- nia. While it's encouraging that minority admissions have somewhat recovered from the massive blow Prop. 209 inflicted two years ago, current levels are by no means optimal. Minorities don't just need access to higher education, they need equitable access to quality education as well. In short, they need affirmative action. nue regulating guns THOMAS KULJURGIS TENTAT IVELY AzY'NII EZ~iYj'IN 1>04" UAIT OW4L "farLAST H~IROTE TO SEMO Olt MRWSAM? These developments were achieved in the face of massive opposition from gun manufacturers, the NRA and other gun- rights organizations and are some of the first instances of government, at any level, taking a stand against those groups. The gun lobby still holds considerable influence in most states and Congress continues to cower before it however, making the promising new state measures isolated islands of responsibility in a nation still awash in guns. The usual assertion made by those who oppose tighter regulation of guns is that people deserve the right to protect them- selves. That argument is utter nonsense. The United States has an astronomically high number of gun-related deaths for a developed nation and, not coincidentally, the weakest gun laws. In addition, almost all those deaths are attributable to shootings by criminals and accidents, not people defending themselves. Clearly, this nation's practice of letting almost anybody have a gun isn't protecting anyone. It is disappointing that the U.S. Con- gress has proven to be completely impotent in the face of the gun lobby and that even the continuing high rates of gun violence and endless series of school shootings can- not seem to convince them to enact even the most minimal gun controls. While it is encouraging to see many states taking action to curb gun violence, so far they are exceptional cases. Many states, including Michigan, have actually been trying to weaken existing gun laws. Every American deserves relief from the epidemic of gun violence that afflicts this nation and Con- gress should follow the example of Massa- Being politically correct has value TO THE DAILY: Branden Sanz seems to have all the pat answers for what ails America ("Thoughts on Columbine and America's youth," 4/4/00). But I disagree with him concerning political correctness. The main problems I see with political cor- rectness involves those who are constant- ly whining about political correctness. My observation is that they are people who don't want to take responsibility for their actions. They don't want to acknowledge that sometimes what they say and do is hurtful and harmful to oth- ers. They seem to think that everyone experiencesethe worldtthe same way they do. They see no need to try to understand what life is like for others. They won't make the effort to reach out and bridge the gaps in our society. There may be times when somebody might be a little too quick to complain about being the victim of this or that "ism." Although they may be wrong in the particular case, there probably is a history that gives them good reason to be sensitive. That will be the case until we address our social problems more com- pletely and honestly. In the meantime please spare me the whining about politi- cal correctness. STEVEN HEWLETT UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS Horn's column was stereotypical TO THE DAILY: In response to David Horn's column "Stars and stereotypes: Racism flies high in Carolina" (4/6/00), 1 must say that I am utterly disappointed with the Daily for allowing such stereotypes, hatred and ignorance to be put to print. At a Univer- sity that is to dedicated to diversity and understanding of other cultures it amazes me how people can so freely say such horrible, false things about another group of people and it be accepted. Coming from Nashville, I constantly hear people say horrible things about the South as it has been stereotyped up here to be the Dukes of Hazzard. It utterly disgusts me that a community supposedly so open and receptive to people of all back- grounds can discuss "a good old fash- ioned hillbilly ass-kicking" without some kind of moral dilemma. I am aware that the South's past hasn't been the greatest and I don't think the Confederate Flag should be atop the South Carolina state Capitol, but do not pigeon-hole all Southerners as racists, conservatives, traditionalist, or Christian Fundamentalist. I am none of the above and I am deeply offended that being from Tennessee I am viewed as so. People at this "multicultural" university need to realize how hypocritical they are when they say that Southerners are ignorant. JENNIFER ZORKO LSA SOPHOMORE .9 m F% 1 r/ /!' t- r {.fir 34{ £ , i;7fft,', ,4a:. t ,+,,, ; <;aE G >: , . -' ' .__ ro._ " .o ; . ... _ __..._ .. . ... k- .. _- - v.. _ . ... ..._ -, _.W _. ...:, . _w . - _, - _ . _Y.. -- ....___._ __ K 0 .. a - - --- - I.- -- -.., W-F tion costs. This proposal has a major hole that, even most conservatives would agree, subsidizes OPEC on the backs of working Americans. Think about it this way: OPEC cuts production of oil. Costs per barrel go up. Gasoline prices in America rise. Ameri- can lawmakers propose cutting American taxes so more Americans will buy gaso- line. More Americans purchase gasoline and the country as a whole continues buying oil at the same rate from OPEC. The U.S. Government loses billions of dollars in tax"revenue. Does anyone else see the end result? The only entity losing money in this scheme is the Government. OPEC contin- ues raking in money, because it will do so regardless of our internal tax policies (unless they make gasoline prices inhibi- tive). And taxpayers, the ones supposedly benefitting from all this, save about 50 cents each time they fill up. For even the biggest gas-guzzling vehicles available, this might save the average driver two to three bucks a month. Am I incorrect in thinking that even our most conservative lawmakers would be incensed to know that Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) is proposing what amounts to a subsidy of OPEC? Of course, then there are the programs that would likely get cut with less tax revenue in the government. Let's see ... welfare, farm subsidies and education, to name a likely few. It's time Americans started paying attention to what's happening out in Washington, DC, and thought about what is really going on when Lott says "tax cuts." It's not all it seems. LUKE KLIPP LSA SENIOR Alternative fuels could help TO THE DAILY: I congratulate the Daily on the editorial "Oil and Water" (4/4/00). We seem to be at the mercy of the oil producing countries. At the same time our farmers get federal subsi- dies to leave fields unplanted or sell some crops at low prices. Alcohol as a fuel, either by itself or in "gasahol" could help. Unfortu- nately, most such past efforts have themselves competed with the major oil companies. Per- SCC fights campus racism TO THE DAILY: The Daily's editorial "Michigamua: Privi- leged tower space is'unfair" (4/6/00) really strikes a raw chord with me and many other students throughout the University. The col' cerns so bravely raised by the Students oi' Color Coalition have nothing to do with the issue of freedom of speech. The attempt to make this issue about First Amendment rights, or to try and keep the focus of atten- tion on allocation of space, is a convenient decoy employed by the University's adminis- tration to draw attention away from the real issue - institutionalized racism. Undoubted- ly, a discussion about the virtues of free speech, as opposed to an open and honest dialogue about racism, is more palatable t0 the apathetic members of this campus com- munity; limiting discussion to the allocation of University space, I imagine, makes the unconscionable actions of Michigamua more acceptable to those who benefit from power and privilege; confining conversation to issues of First Amendment rights, I'm sure, placates those who are ignorant to the hurt that Michigamua's culturally derisive tradi- tions have caused to America's indigenou6 people. So ... bravo to the administration. Thus far you have been successful in deceiv- ing the easily duped. But from those of us who refuse to be duped, we will not relent. The University and its administration must quit ignoring and dodging the real issue of institutional racism! The University and its administration must sever all ties with Michigamua! The Univer- sity and its administration must assert itself as being more concerned about respect and jus- tice for-its students of color than with thk money raised by Michigamua alumni! The University must take a stand and show some moral strength! Until it does, concerned stu- dents on campus will not let this issue rest! But, to the author of the editorial, you're right- ignorant people have the right to spew out all the ignorance they want. You're right, Michigamua has the right to spit in the face of Native American students and make a mockery of Native American history and tra- ditions. And you're right, freedom of speec is protected by the First Amendment. But when this speech disenfranchises, limits access and resources, creates an unsafe envi- ronment, treads on one's culture, mocks reli- gious traditions, mocks ancestry, mocks heritage, and mocks the genocide of hun- 0 I