4A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 23 , 1999
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A eulogy to one of the last good people around
e ZJtJIUUW~U
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
daily. letters@umich.edu
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan
HEXTHER KAMINS
Editor in Chief
JEFFREY KOSSEFF
DAVID WALLACE
Editorial Page Editors
Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the
Dailys editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect
the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
I
Microde11LAl
Software agreement will benefit students
T o be satisfied with my life, I need to
have 1.000 upcoming tasks and events
on my agenda. If I'm not worried about 50
things at once. I feel like I'm slacking off.
That's what life is all about, right?
For one man, life
wasn't about the
complex web of
stress that I've
already started to
weave. To truly enjoy
himself, he just need-
ed to be with people
he loved.
For fun, he'd just
kick back with a
Mississippi Mud beer
and watch an Eagles
game. He didn't need Jeffrey
e-mail, Websites or Kosseff
DVD players to be S
content with life. A
thick submarine New style
sandwich and a good
book on U.S. history made him content. He
was the exact opposite of petty.
Occasionally. he'd go to Atlantic City
casinos and try his luck gambling. He was-
n't like the high rollers whose dreams were
created and squashed in the casinos. He
just gambled a little for the fun of it. He
loved casinos, but not just for the gam-
bling. He enjoyed the flashy '50s revue
shows and the restaurants. He loved the
glitz Atlantic City offered. And on Sunday,
he died in a casino.
It was too sudden for me to compre-
hend. He passed out, his heart stopped
and soon after the doctors pronounced
him dead.
They "pronounced him dead." Is that it?
Is that what happens to a good person? He
lived lovingly and worked hard for 49 years,
only to be "pronounced" dead at the end of
everything.
But there's a lot more to his life - some-
thing from which we all can learn. I know,
and that's why I'm writing a column about
him. A column in the Daily -- or any news-
paper - could not even begin to pay a
proper tribute to his life. It's almost an
insult to even try to describe him in a given
amount of space, but he must be remem-
bered.
Also, I'm writing about him because I
can t concentrate on anything else.
While we are surrounded by academics
who have made an exact science of every
imaginable realm of study, how many of
them can teach you how to enjoy life?
That's something we all can learn from
him.
He tried hard to befriend me, even
though I didn't always make it easy. But
his kindness prevailed over everything.
When we spoke, whether it was about
my pathetic knowledge of Michigan foot-
ball or a funny episode of "Seinfeld," he
made a genuine effort to be kind to me,
no matter how standoffish I was. And he
didn't want anything in return. That was
just the type of person he was.
It was impossible for him to walk by
someone holding out a can for donations
without stopping. That was just the type of
person he was.
When co-workers at his lab were sick,
he worked 12-hour days - without com-
plaints -- to cover for his friends. That was
just the type of person he was.
No matter how tense a situation was, he
always knew how to lighten the mood with
a joke or a side comment. That was just the
type of person he was.
He was a good person.
That sounds like an huge understate-
ment. but a "good person" is an endan-
gered species in today's culture. With
information whizzing by and fierce com-
petition a paradigm of society, most people
don't take the time out to step back and tell
a few jokes.
He took the small things and savored
them, rather than hoarding the big plea-
sures and ignoring them. If more people
were like him, the world would be a much
more enjoyed place.
I wish I were the least bit like him.
But I'm not. I don't take the time to
enjoy the many little wonders life has to
offer. I spend my time trying to grab and
struggle for the bigger, more prestigious
goals. Like so many students, I'xe gotten
caught up in the trivial pettiness of every-
day life.
His death drives home the point that life
is too short to be spent only reaching and
grabbing for huge things. That could be
part of life. But if stress consumes every
part of your existence, you need to re-eval-
uate your goals.
That's what I plan to do. I want to be
able to savor the small things. I want to be
a "nice guy." And I want to make sure I
enjoy life before it's gone.
His death has consumed my thoughts.
He wouldn't want me to be depressed
about it. I'm sorry. I'm not perfect. But I
promise I will find my own Mississippi
Mud beer, my own football game and my
own submarine sandwich. I'm going to
learn how to enjoy every little thing life
has to offer. Life is too short for pettiness.
When I heard he died in a casino, I
hoped he had the chance to see one last
'50s revue and gamble a little in the slot
machines.
A lthough Bill Gates's colossal soft-
ware company's policies have
caused quite a stir recently, a potential
deal between Microsoft Corp. and the
University would benefit students and
their wallets. Currently, University offi-
cials are considering a contract with the
multimedia giant that could cut prices of
Microsoft software by as much as 75 per-
cent. We support this deal, as long as it
doesn't make other computer technology
obsolete on campus.
The software, including Windows 98
4nd Office 2000, would be reproduced by
the University and sold to students, faculty
and staff at significant discounts. While
tiese packages would not include manuals
-r hard-copy installation guides, the dis-
counts could allow more students to pur-
,chase the often-needed software.
While Gates has had some sketchy deal-
i.gs in the past, Microsoft's monopolistic
!endencies should not play a role in their
deal with the University. Presently, the
oftware magnate is mired in a suit brought
by the federal government for using its
'operating system, Windows 98, to force
Microsoft's other programs on the market.
Complaints against Microsoft range from
attacks on the quality of their products to
allegations that Microsoft purposely tried
to eliminate competitors, like Netscape.
But the University is hardly a large
enough market to affect whether Microsoft
continues its monopoly. Because programs
like Microsoft Word and Excel have
Microsoft is already the dominant soft-
ware on campus. How often have you seen
a document typed in a program other than
Word?
Opponents of a University deal with
Microsoft allege that such a contract would
imply University support of Microsoft's
business tactics. While the University
shouldn't support Gates's policies, this
deal allows students to purchase Microsoft
software at reduced prices without affiliat-
ing the University with Microsoft.
But we caution the University adminis-
tration. We don't want this deal to trans-
form our great institution into a
"Microsoft" school. The software dis-
counts are great, but it must stop there.
Many students depend on Macintosh com-
puters.
Officials should be wary of how such an
influx of one company's products might
affect the present computer situation on
campus. For example, there may be a com-
patibility issue between the discounted
programs and the University's iMacs, pur-
chased only last year, which don't neces-
sarily require Microsoft software.
Problems may also arise out of the pro-
posed plan for preventing pirating, or ille-
gal copying, of these programs. The dis-
counted disks will only install their pro-
gram twice, limiting their convenience for
customers who plan to upgrade their hard-
ware after installation and, more signifi-
cantly, for students with computers that
crash often.
Despite these potential problems, it
would be in the students best interest for
the University to enter into this contract
with Microsoft. This deal stands to allevi-
ate financial pressure on students and staff
without affiliating the University with
Microsoft. Such an opportunity should not
be passed up.
__ Jefevy Kosse(lcan he reached over
e-mail at /kosse/f[t uzmich.ecd.
GRINDING THE NIB
- / PS~ ~A.7~~~ e
CHIP CULLEN
become industry
interests of PC
installed on their
not Microsoft is
Because owning
enough already,
would make these
more attainable.
standards, it is in the
users to have a copy
computers - whether or
their preferred product.
a computer is expensive
such a monetary relief
essential programs much
Seeing green
Bottle Bill should be expanded
he jingle of money in your pocket
after a trip to the store for bottle
returns is always a comforting sound.
Despite the lines and hassles of getting
back the 10 cent deposits, most people -
especially students - are more than
happy to redeem them.
But what about those annoying bottles
that never seem to work? You put them
into the bottle return and although they
appear to be made of the same simple
plastic, this machine, a most clever
device, rejects them. Most of these "new
age"' beverage bottles are thrown in the
garbage after rejection from a bottle
deposit.
Those extra bottles have home with
the bottle return. But a recently intro-
duced amendment to Michigan's Bottle
Bill would require a dime deposit on
wine cooler bottles, in addition to soda
and beer containers.
This is a good start, but it should be
expanded to include water bottles, juice
bottles and others such as sports drinks
and iced tea.
This addition to the Bottle Bill would
increase the amount of recycled glass and
plastic, thus using resources more effi-
ciently.
The bottle bill has become one of the
most effective clean-up acts for
Michigan's roadsides. With a financial
incentive, many more people will make
.rp. rt -oI1cnhI ecntainers male it to the
tainer.
Empty bottles that are left on the
street could become dangerous, especial-
ly glass. According to a report by Jeffery
Morris of Social Resource Economics, a
Seattle-based consulting firm, the cost
for emergency room victims cut by bro-
ken glass would be reduced greatly by
increasing the recycling fee.
All bottles should be considered recy-
clables. What is the difference between
carbonated water bottles and pure water
bottles? Nothing, as far as environmen-
talists are concerned.
Since 1991, millions of these contain-
ers are sent to landfills and incinerators
and cost cities disposal fees as well as
environmental problems. These "new
age" bottles - like sports drinks and teas
- account for an increasing percentage
of beverages as their popularity soars.
Unfortunately, they also account for an
increasing percentage of the bottles that
are stuck in a purgatory between being
recycled for a new life and lost in a land-
fill.
The Bottle Bill, which was passed in
1976, is in dire need of revision -
beyond the inclusion of wine coolers.
The benefits that can be reaped by
including juice, water and other non-car-
bonated beverage bottles in the bottle bill
are tremendous in keeping our state clean
and protecting the environment. And
recvclino machines must be undated to
Lack of minorities
on television isn't a
big problem
TO THE DAILY:
Don't we all have better things to do
than sit around watching TV with racial eth-
nic scorecards in hand? Your Sept. 21 edito-
rial "Color TV" would answer "no." What a
ridiculously stupid issue for anyone to get
upset about. What's next, instituting a quota
system for the Sunday comics?
Or perhaps we should decry the lack of
racially diverse professional sports mascots.
Get real. And to suggest that the entertain-
ment industry has banded together in some
sort of grand racist conspiracy in disguise is
simply ludicrous. These are not rational
arguments.
All editorials like "Color TV" do is fuel
the ever-growing plague of ignorant, self-
righteous buffoons who erode the meaning
of any legitimate racial issues by crying
witch at such inappropriate targets as the
evening sitcoms.
TIM MAUN
SCHOOL OF MUSIC STUDENT
T-shirt letter was
overly sensitive
TO THE DAILY:
The feminists screamed bloody murder
when Co-Ed Naked shirts came out, they
screamed high crime and treason when their
little brothers sported Big Johnson t-shirts,
and womyn like Christina Koury and Simi
Dhawan are now crying around about the t-
shirts that Greeks wore to the game last
Saturday ("T-shirt degraded women,"
9;'2 199).
Are women's studies courses not enough?
Must rabid feminist wolves now seek a
Panhellenic ban on "inappropriate" clothing
by members of the Greek system?
As an educated, open-minded woman
myself, I feel so utterly disappointed with my
gender and its constant and ceaseless refer-
ence to the "male chauvinist pig" who deval-
ues womyn by turning his head when he sees
a thin girl who takes care of herself and values
herself enough to keep in shape.
Why are Koury and Dhawan so "enraged"
that men should want thin women? If they are
upset with their own physical appearances,.
they should take to the CCRB. I am hardly a
proponent of the official Greek view of
women, but these girls need to realize that the
t-shirts do not induce bulimia. One in four
Ann Arbor girls will not get raped, and seven
percent will not suffer anorexia because of a
humorous line on a t-shirt. This mentality is
typical of the feminist ideology that preaches
that the external world has crushed the poor,
innocent victim of male torment and torture.
How women are single-handedly pushed to
eating disorders by the male vision of the per-
fect woman. The advocates of this absurd ide-
ology should honestly grow up and realize
that the world is tired of hearing about the vic-
tims of male abuse.
-- - .1
school here. If the males of the world wrote an
article entitled "Women Want Men for
Nothing But Money" they would be laughed
out of the arena - even though it is truth that
many women swear by. Herein lies the double
standard to the male-bashers of the world.
They moan and complain at any sight of a
man wanting them for anything but "their per-
sonality," but will not settle for a mate that
can't guarantee them wining and dining.
To the authors of the t-shirt degradation
story: t-shirts don't make you fat and unat-
tractive. Beer and those greasy chips do.
Bottom line, don't attack college boys for a
harmless joke just because of your unhappi-
ness with yourself.
r P.I
a
that the job is his, then he won't have to
have the fear of messing up, or not play-
ing to your expectations for a quarter, and
being benched for the rest of the game
(Syracuse). Suck it up, Lloyd. We want a
championship this year, and the Captain
of the team is the one who can lead this
team to the promised land.
JORDY OSTROFF
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
Syracuse fans
couldn't behave
1
"AJUISOR" themselves
w
Brady should be the
only quarterback
TO THE DAILY:
This is a wake-up call to Lloyd Carr. You
are not going to win using a two quarterback
system. You are also not going to win a nation-
al title with Drew Henson as your quarter-
back. I have no doubt that Henson will be a
great quarterback. But the key words in that
sentence are will be.
This is Tom Brady's team, the players
know it, the fans know it and the coaches
know it too. You need to stop playing to the
media hype by playing Henson just because
you are getting outside pressure to do so. It
was proven last Saturday that Henson still
needs to watch and learn. He hasn't shown
anything on the field. The only time he is a
"great quarterback" as you call him. Lloyd, is
when the receiver is wide open.
Hardly great if you ask me. Sure he is a
great baseball player, but just because he has a
Yankee contract doesn't mean he deserves to
be in a close game. Tom Brady is a proven
leader. Who was the one that you called on in
the fourth quarter of the Notre Dame game to
march your team down the field and seal the
victory?
It sure wasn't Henson. It is time you show
Brady the respect he deserves. He has put in
his time at Michigan, and even sat quietly in
1997, even though he was the best quarter-
ha~t n .- aa e.tu-rn ri
TO THE DAILY:
My field hockey team and I were able to
go to the the Syracuse football game. We
wanted to cheer on our fellow student-ath-
letes before competing in our own game
against Syracuse the next day. Walking into
the Dome, I expect a little booing and "go
back home" chants. Honestly, what's: an
exciting athletic game without a little heck-
ling? However, there is a line between heck-
ling and obnoxious rudeness.
Unfortunately, Syracuse fans cannot com-
prehend this difference.
While one of my teammates and I were
buying water, a Syracuse Orangewoman
punched us both in the arm. During the
game, a Michigan alumnus was holding a
flag after a touchdown only to have it
snatched away by the upper level and0
returned later in ripped pieces. After the
game, a Syracuse dad began.fighting ver-
bally with a Michigan fan despite his two
young sons pleading and crying for their
dad to stop yelling. As my teammates and I
walked back to our vans, a group of young
ladies screamed, "F--ing whores!" at us.
And, I don't have to explain the Syracuse
section chanting "F--k you Michigan!"
which could be heard through the TV at the
conclusion of the game.
I'm glad Michigan beat Syracuse in foot-
ball and I'm proud my own team beat
Syracuse 3-2 in field hockey. After going to
Syracuse, the visit gives me one more reason
to say, "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine."
It's truly sad when an academic institution
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