4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 6, 1999 ciw SirbigrnPail Why follow my conscience? Because it's right *1 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 dailyletters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan HEATHER KA1iINs Editor in Chief JEFFREY KOSSEFF DAVID WALLACE Editorial Page Editors Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Dailv's editorial board: All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Dailv. 90 years of laujiter Gargoyle remains important part of U' agt some feedback from readers about the column I vwrote two weeks ago. Several readers, including a professor, found mx arguments lacking in coher- ene. The following is a modified version of the reply I sent to the profissor: The absolute moral law is a reality. It is a reality that has not been fully discov- ered. To explain, let's look at controlled fusion. Most fusion scientists say con- trolled fusion is pos- sible. Much research has been done and Mike some groups have Lopez gotten real close. but not one of them has made controlled fusion work. Regardless of whether or not there is a fusion reactor right now, there is a way to make it work. In other words, there is a per- fect method to making controlled fusion work. In the same way, whether or not we personally know the absolute moral law, it does exist. There is a way to make one's spirit and society work. Currently. there are many different "cultures" of people working on various wavy to make controlled fusion w ork. One "Culture" will succeed first. ay be there will be two. but when think- ing of perfect order. you can only allow for one perfection. Although all the "cultures" may be using some correct methods. some of their actions are wrong. When a fusion reactor is finally up. there will be one perfect method that is used. In the same way, following the absolute moral law means that all cultures and religions unite. In the frame of reference of the absolute moral law, there is always a right and wrong. In our frame of refer- ence, two positions that seem equally moral must be decided upon. Thanks to ethical debates, we more fully understand the absolute moral law. A few points that have been debated in the past include slavery, gender equality, suffrage and race equality. It has taken us a while to' acknowledge it, but who can honestly say that slavery is good? It has always been bad. This right and wrong is not black and white. Although slavery may always be wrong, there are times when one should lie. The absolute moral law only holds that for every situation, no matter how complex, there is most definitely a right thing to do. Think about what you'd tell a Nazi if you were hiding Jewish people in your home. The absolute moral law, when fully realized and followed, will show humans the right path through every pos- sible situation. Evolution supports this. Since the beginning, life has continually grown more orderly. Not only biologically, but also sociologically and personally. Who can say that it will ever stop? If it has gone on this long, then you'd think that it would keep on going. It is striving for a perfect biological, social and personal order. That would be the order attained with the practice of the absolute moral law. Explaining it this way, the first ques- tion I have to ask myself is, "If we don't fully know the absolute moral law. then what is the point of recognizing its exis- tence?" I think it is important because part of this absolute moral law is the con- science inside you. The conscience that so many people go against. I'm not saving your conscience is 100. percent right or that your gut can decide the really hard moral questions. Your con- science isn't perfect! Not even the Pope fully knows the absolute moral law! Even so, like the fusion community, we pretty much have the right idea. We know what wortKs and what doesn't work. Some of it is different across cultures, but it is all pretty much there. You will not find "eth- nic cleansing" to be thought of as a "good" thing by most of the world popu- lation. In general, everyone in the world looks down upon psychopathic murder. My purpose was to help people see that while there are certain fuzzy areas, fol- lowing traffic laws is usually a good thing to do. Next time you wonder if you are doing something right, rather than ratio- nalize. listen to your conscience. That's thousands of years of biological, social and personal experience telling you what to do. Whether or not you believe in a deity or transcendent, there is a reward for a life well lived. Years from now when you are old and gray, what will be your reward? Your reward will be that very life. If you waste it on yourself, you will become a detriment to society. If you spend it on others. your life will help gen- erations to come. It all depends on how selfish you are. Question: What does your gut te'lyou about abortion? :Mike Lope: can be reached via e-mail at manatlargeta umich.edu. 01 L ast Thursday, the Gargoyle, the University's humor magazine, cele- brated an important anniversary. For 90 years, the "Garg," as it is affectionately called, has delivered its unique brand of subversive humor to University students. Despite recent troubles - publishing has been somewhat sporadic due to a lack of University support - the Gargoyle has been a University tradition for the better part of a century, satirizing national events as well as those on campus. The magazine has lampooned everyday facets of campus life both now and then, ranging from the traffic mishaps of deans (in the days when students couldn't have cars on campus), to the preachers that warn students on the Diag of fire and brimstone, to the Daily itself (a perennial target). At the same time, it has run biting satire of much weightier events - in the '60s, a peak era for the Gargoyle, the Vietnam War was the target of some particularly scathing criticism. Though the Gargoyle may not be as widely known today as it has been in the past, University alumni often have fond memories of the "Garg." It was especially popular in the turbulent '60s. Many illustri- ous writers, from playwright Arthur Miller to screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, were first published in its pages. The magazine, currently led by editor Ray Howell, is on the way back from another slow period, with new issues being published twice a semester. The next one debuts Oct. 18, and students looking for a few laughs might want to spend the two quarters to pick it up. It is a sign of the magazine's endurance and strong tradition that the Gargoyle con- tinues to survive in spite of various diffi- culties. With the Gargoyle's resurgence, greater numbers of University students will be able to enjoy its skewed perspective on current events. Like its siblings, the Daily and the Michiganensian, the Gargoyle is a com- pletely independent publication and has been for much of its history. Independence from the University remains crucial to campus publications. Freedom from University funding allows these publica- tions autonomy not usually granted to those that depend on their university's generosity. Financial freedom grants freedom of content. The ability to say what they wish about the University is a central feature for all those that reside in the Student Publications Building. In the case of the Gargoyle, that freedom has been exercised for nearly a century, though the magazine has been periodically reprimanded for its content. But the Gargoyle has helped the University community to laugh at itself - a sign of any free society. Humor will always be an important way of exposing the flaws and foibles of a com- munity, and to comment on the human con- dition. And for 90 years, the writers of the Gargoyle have strived to provoke our thoughts and make us laugh. The Gargoyle is known as a campus tradition, and doubt- less will continue to be one for students in the future. We at the Daily offer our con- gratulations on the first 90 years. The verdict is still out Decision damages affirmative action he civil rights movement experienced a major setback last Wednesday when the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the use of race as an admissions factor is unconstitutional. Although the case involved an alternative kindergarten, the decision is expected to affect the public universities in those states as well. This should send a strong message that we must fight to defend the University's affirmative action programs. This court ruling could have devastat- ing effects on the minorities who wish to attend such high-ranking public schools as the University of Virginia or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Affirmative action was instituted across the country in the '60s as a means of leveling the playing field for minori- ties. Since its inception, affirmative action has diversified campuses and provided thousands of opportunities for minority groups. Furthermore, the policy has given hope to struggling communities and, if allowed to continue, affirmative action would help dissolve the country's enor- mous monetary and racial gaps. The decision could end up resegregat- ing the campuses of major universities in the upper South. The court has jurisdic- tion over Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Since the citizens of California passed Proposition 209 in 1996, banning the use of affirmative action, universities in cali- fornia have witnessed about a 50 percent decline in minority enrollment, In Texas,' the H onwood decision has cut black graduates around 40 black students and 60 Hispanics, hosted only 26 Latino/a and four black students in last years' first- year class. In light of the recent court rul- ing, it is quite probable that similar num- bers will appear among top-rated schools in the Fourth Circuit. Diversity is essential to providing quality higher education. By using affir- mative action policies in admissions and hiring, universities can ensure a diverse campus while opportunities for minorities whom otherwise would face the discrimi- nation that has plagued this country for years. American universities are not respon- sible for catering to individual applicants so much as they must each year put together a cohesive freshman class with the greatest chance of success. This means that in the case of higher educa- tion, the need for diversity in each class outweighs the desire of those not accept- ed to attend their institution of choice. Two of the six national appellate courts have already banned affirmative action. For American universities to con- tinue to support diversity on campus and the advancement of minority groups, the other four circuits must uphold affirma- tive action. The University, which currently faces two lawsuits against its admissions poli- cy, is especially at risk of losing this essential tool for creating a solid and diverse campus. While alternative poli- cies, have been considered across the country, none has proven as effective in tearing down racial gaps as affirmative Technology does not damage quality of education To THE DAILY: As the undergraduate chair of psycholo- gy. I would like to clarify some points raised in the Daily's recent editorial about Psychology Il "rHandling the overflow. 10 1 99). In the editorial, the Daily stated that 1310 students are enrolled in Ps chologx I I 1. but only 600 can see the lectures "Ic." This is not correct. PsychologyI I II is offered in four lecture sections that can accommodate all of the enrolled students in lecture halls. All four of the lecture sections also have discussion see- tions led by Graduate Student Instructors. Three of the lecture sections are taught in a traditional format. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Prof. Chris Peterson lectures to one set of 600 students in Modern Language Buildina's Aud. 3 at noon and another set of 600 students at 2 p.m. In addition. Dr. Ann MerriNeather teaches a section on Mondays and \\ednesdays that enrolls another 120 stu- dents. What is different this year is a new live video section" that enrolls approximately X40 students. In response to an unusually high demand for Psychology I I I that emerged during registration last semester. we decided to experiment with a live video feed of Professor Peterson's noon lecture. In designing the video section, our intent was to broadcast Peterson's lecture to the Natural Science Auditorium where students could observe the lecture in the company of their fellow students and graduate student instructors assigned to the course. That way. as students think of questions during the lec- ture, there is someone to help answer them. In other words, the goal in meeting the increased demand was to design a video sec- tion that is as much like the regular lecture section as possible. In designing the video section. one thing that we failed to anticipate was that the tech- nology that allows us to feed the lecture to the Natural Science Auditorium also results in the lectures being fed across the network more broadly. As a result, an unintended con- sequence is that students can watch the lec- tures on televisions in their rooms. rather than in the auditorium with their peers and graduate student instructors. This is a pitfall of working with new technology, but it should not be seen as a change in the psy- chology department's commitment to under- graduate education. As a department. we remain firmly com- mitted to creating quality undergraduate edu- cational experiences. We agree that face-to- face interaction is an integral part of the edu- cation process and we are not planning on replacing traditional lectures with video courses. At the same time, we do plan to con- tinue exploring new technology in an attempt to improve the educational opportunities that are available at Michigan. With the emergence of the Web as a tool for delivering course information, the devel- opment of live two-way interactive video and the creation of a host of new visualization and simulation tools, we must continually rethink how we should teach. Indeed, we hope you would ask nothing less of us. JAMES HILTON UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY CHAIR Women considering abortion need waiting period TO THE DAILY: The Daily's recent editorial entitled "Wait for What" (9/20/99) has quite an ironic title considering the issue at stake. What we are waiting for is the opportunity for life to live. It's the same reason why I am gracious my mother waited when she was pregnant. If saddens me to think we have diminished the value of human life enough to not even realize what it means to be pregnant. The "black-and-white pictures of the fetus at various stages of growth" bring a striking reality to the women who need to make an important decision. I don't believe VI - V ." 1I a THOMAS KULJURGIS *.1Nt l 'AK Twos Do, Nt Ati . AT LEAStT Tug {Vk~t - VIyMSV 1S 04UL BRNWOFOU v y! y 4t 111* it is wise for anyone to make a decision of this magnitude without the realization of what they are doing. It's quite clear that many would like to ignore the harsh reality the pictures present. Women must have the opportunity to see all sides of the issue. Ignorance is demonstrated with the words "anti-choice" to describe those who say we shouldn't allow women to have an abortion, Granted, women would lose a choice to kill their babies, but why should this be allowed in the first place? There are many choices in life which we must not allow, and this is one of them. Unfortunately, the word "pro-choice" * doesn't work anymore to describe those in favor of abortion. On a recent trip to Arizona, my brother and I were shocked to see the headlines in the local papers. The headlines told of how a young girl who was pregnant was actually forced to have an abortion! Against the girl's will, a judge ordered her to move to a different state and get an abortion because she was only 14 and without adequate parental support. She was forced to move to a dif- ferent state because she was 25 weeks pregnant and Arizona laws would not enable her to get one that late in her term. The girl was healthy, physically able and wanted to have the baby. I had to read the article twice myself to believe it. Fortunately the girl's persistence gained community support and forced the judge to reconsider his decision. What choice did this girl have here? Now this is a real violation of women's rights. I question to what extremes people are willing to go to have an abortion to take the life of an innocent child, MARK DRINKALL LSA SOPHOMORE Ventura's recent comments lacked prudence By the Minnesota Daily University Of Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS - Gov. Jesse Ventura's latest public relations scandal suggests he still has not grasped the concept of thinking before speaking. While some of his com- tressing. "These are people who live on the razor's edge and defy death and do things where people die," he said. "They're not going to consider grabbing a woman's breast or buttock a major situation. That's much ado about nothing." For Ventura show, Ventura said, "I really wish they would judge me on my politics and not on what I say on an interview' Despite nine months in office, Ventura still seems to not comprehend that what he says in an interview reflects his politics, and I