4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 29, 1999 U k e trb4llgttn 3 ttil Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan Gag me with a spoon . 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 ofthe majority ofthe Daily editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. In the Iimeiit 'U' women's athletics deserve more support Im going to take a break from matters Iof ultimate concern and show you how to make the emotion of love. You're not supposed to be able to make Love. right? Love builds itself. Love "just happens." Love happens like it does in the John Hughes movie. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan for- ever! Yeah, whatev- er. As hopeless a romantic as I am, the theologicala physicist part of me has something to say about love. I assume that we all have souls. To Mike me, a soul is like Lopez George Lucas. George Lucas is behind the scenes and invisible to the audience, but every aspect of the movie's being comes from him. Like George Lucas, the soul is the dri- ving force of the body. It drives the chemical reactions that go on within our heads. Just as Lucas guides the actors, the actors give feedback and suggestions to him. Similarly, the soul is changed by chemical reactions. With this idea, it is possible to accept the concept that love is two different processes. There is the love that originates from the soul and makes all those fantastic chemical reactions take place. There is also the love that originates from the chemical reactions that then convince the soul. Every emotion is a chemical reaction. They've got to be. Love cannot be an exception. So. even though I am a hopeless romantic, I accept the fact that love can be made and I also accept the fact that in order to stav in love. I have to put forth some effort. Recently. I read a book about the mechanics of falling in love. Boy was it a good book. I felt incredibly embarrassed buying it because it has one of those girly covers. but the contents are dynamite. The book is How to Make Anvone Fall in Lor with um by Leil Lowndes. Everyone should read this book. It is full of interesting and practical informa- tion about meeting and attracting beauti- ful men and women. In the book. 85 tech- niques to bait and reel in quality catches are given. She starts with first meetings. Many of you men know what you need to do to meet a woman and many of you women know what you need to do to meet a man. Well, for those of you who don't, here is a little jump-start. Lowndes tells us men that we have to make the first move fast. The minute we set eyes on her, the timer starts. We're on a sinking ship. The longer we take to approach her, the less chance we have of meeting her. Lowndes gives us the best- proven method to doing this. There are no big steps in it. It is easy and simple. First, you make eye contact. Look at her and wait for her to look at you. Hold it. Let your eyes linger on hers. Pretty soon. you'll begin to feel something in your stomach. Maybe your heart will race. That is the point when you usually look away. Instead, smile and hold the gaze for a few seconds more. Smile broadly. Let her know you are interested. Now look away. You have just looked at her for few seconds longer than are 'comfortable." That feeling you got is the same feeling she got. After turning away. wait a few sec- onds and turn back to her and start look- ing again. She will probably have turned away, too. Lowndes says that if she has any interest, the vision of beauty will look back at you within 45 seconds. If she does, give her another smile and a nod. The nod is like a confirma- tion. You are saying, "I really think you look like a neat person and I'm going to come over there and talk to you right now., After the nod, just walk on over and talk. Although it looks as if the man is taking the initiative here. Lowndes points out that research says women start two- thirds'of all meetings. You ladies call the shots that us men have to follow. Good men can take a hint, basically. Lowndes tells you ladies not to wait for our approach. Use one of the proven signals, or mating calls, to unconsciously provoke our response. Here are a few of the "nonverbal solicitation signals" she found worked best. * M 4ichigan athletics are one of the essential element of the full University experi- ence. Whether participating or just supporting our teams on the sidelines, playing an active role in athletics here on campus is an outlet to show pride and respect for the University. Students should show respect and support for all University athletes -- male and female. Although men's athletics may tend to be more popular, female athletes work just as hard as male athletes and deserve the same respect. All University athletes juggle the same tough schedules, practice equally long and put just as much effort into their sport, earning the right for equal support. While it may be hard for any sport, male or female, to compare to the experience of attending a foot- ball or hockey game, there are equal sports for males and females in which the records show women are more successful than men. But this factor does not seem to bring increased support to these women's teams. Consistently, several female teams on campus continue to produce award-winning seasons. Our women's gymnastics team, for example, ranks among the top programs in the country every year, winning seven Big Ten Titles in the last seven years and placing sec- ond at nationals the past two years in a row. The women's swim team has captured titles, winning 12 Big Ten title crowns and eight straight top-8 national finishes in the course of the last 12 years. University softball consis- tently ranks among the final NCAA leaders, whereas baseball'had a successful season last year - placing second at the NCAA Regionals - previous seasons have perpetu- ally not been as productive. Yet, students con- tinue to attend more home baseball games than softball. So why aren't successful women athletes supported on campus? Good question. Perhaps it is because many students still main- tain the old fashioned myth that male athletes are more talented or that their games are more fast-paced and exciting to watch. While this may have been true, in the modern '90s, women's sports provide a comparatively excit- ing level of competition. Throughout the country, people are begin- ning to acknowledge and enjoy the talent of women athletes - University students and faculty should too. A recent example of grow- ing female support was shown in sold out games of the Women's World Cup this past summer. Men and women of all ages packed stadiums to watch the U.S. Women's Soccer team wipe out their competition. Consistently, the attendance records are growing for WNBA playoff attendance, almost doubling their orig- inal attendance rates of three years ago. Perhaps the greatest example of growing support for women's athletics is the high attendance rates and support of Women's Singles Figure Skating, whose champi- onships two years ago ranked second in TV ratings only to the Super Bowl. Support of women's athletics is growing across the country, and, yet this University is still behind. Women's athletic programs on cam- pus, such as soccer, which won its first-ever Big Ten Title last year, are still desperately advertising to get fans to attend their games. In comparison to attendance at baseball games last year, softball was down in atten- dance by more than nearly 50 percent. At the least, University students should extend the same respect that women athletes show by honorably representing the University throughout the country, in attending their games to cheer them on. People watch sport- ing events for amusement, and no matter what gender the team may be, if they are suc- cessful they should be equally supported. In order of increasing boldness, ladies have the option of 1) smiling at us broad- ly, 2) throwing us a short darting glance, 3) dancing alone to music, 4) looking straight at us and flipping their hair, 5) keeping a fixed gaze on us, 6) "acciden- tally" brushing up against us, 7) tilting their heads and touching their exposed necks, 8) licking their lips during eye contact, and well, you get the idea. So, how about getting interested in somebody else? I want to see some nods out there. - Mike Lope: can be reached via e-mail at manatlarge(a umich.cdu. T ETAIVEY PEAIN THOMAS KULJURGIS Swearing is not attractive or C reative To THE DAILY: I am writing in regards to Jack Schillaci's Sept. 27 column, "Capitalizing on the magic and mystique of the 'F' word." Who is he kidding ? I would hope that peo- ple could be more creative and come up with a more intelligent form of expression rather than stringing together a sentence of swear words. There is nothing more unat- tractive than someone who swears as a means to communicate ideas. If that's all they can come up with. then I would love to see their vocabulary score from the SAT. I don't understand the relationship between television's "beeping" out words and how, exactly, that makes it somehow cool. Forbidding the use of certain words on television suggests that the FCC is taking a stand in the issue of morals that otherwise seem to be slipping through the cracks of American society. Someone has to take a stand somewhere, otherwise there are no limits on what can be allowed. I think it is commendable that someone cares about what children are hearing on television. Growing up, I didn't hear swearing at home from my parents, neighbors or from my friends as opposed to Schillaci's "kids who can listen to their parents swear, or their neighbors or their friends." And I am grateful that I was sheltered from a world of words that denigrate people and ideas, at least until I was old enough to make my own decisions. If the FCC and Tipper Gore are willing to allow children to have "virgin ears" for a little longer in life, then I applaud their efforts. We can leave the rest to Schillaci, who believes in teaching chil- H4E Dtt'NO 9A"W' I'- ~~~~ t .. < L+ 4,. i i i' II "I lol R 1 .. p ; L.0' (4 'N. ' i a, I . 1. - - IJGM Drunken legislation State Senate hits & misses with new DD laws B y now, most people recognize that drunk driving is a constant danger in our society. But what people may not real- ize is that in many drunk driving convic- tions, the guilty party is a repeat offender. To err once is bad enough, but to drunk drive repeatedly is inexcusable. Now, thanks to a new law passed through the State Congress, it may also be preventable. In a positive and potentially effective move, the State government has recog- nized the danger of repeat drunk drivers and passed legislation that imposes stricter penalties upon them. Besides the usual penalties that accom- pany a drunk driving conviction, such as vehicle immobilization, the new law will require police officers to confiscate the license plates of repeat offenders and replace them with paper substitutes on the spot. The law also denies vehicle registra- tion and calls for a special ignition inter- lock breathalyzer test. While the new law is positive overall, it does have its drawbacks. By forcing police officers to confiscate license plates when the suspect is pulled over, the new law implies guilt before the defendant has stood trial. Furthermore, the paper license plates will draw attention to the drunk dri- vers. While the negative attention should make the drunk driver feel worse about his crime, the intent of the law is to rehabili- tate, not to embarrass. But despite these drawbacks, the overall efft of the law will he a ood one One of new law is the ignition interlock breatha- lyzer test. Under this portion of the law, repeat offenders will have a breathalyzer installed into their cars. To start the car, the driver must blow into the breathalyzer and record a legal blood alcohol level. While some argue that the breathalyzer is an invasion of privacy, it is better viewed as an effective measure in preventing repeat drunk driving. The new law also facilitates the crack- down on drunk driving by expanding the rules that qualify someone as a repeat offender. Under the new law, a repeat offender is someone with two or more alcohol conviction in seven years, three or more convictions of driving with a sus- pended or revoked license within seven years, or three or more alcohol convictions in ten years. By expanding the letter of the law, more repeat offenders will be pun- ished. Granted, the new law is far from per- fect. Besides the drawbacks associated with license plate confiscation, lawmakers will have to negotiate some way to prevent drunk drivers from convincing a friend to blow into the in-car breathalyzer, allowing them to start their car. But this new law is a step in the right direction. Drunk driving is obviously a large problem, and repeat drunk driving is an even more dangerous one. While citi- zen's personal rights and privacy must be protected, so should the rights of everyone else to drive on safe roads. This new law dren to "swear in moderation." I hope he doesn't plan to teach elementary school. ESTELLE BAKER LSA SOPHOMORE Sports fans differ in expression of support TO THE DAILY: After reading Jacob Wheeler's Sept. 27 article, "Melancholy fans remain quiet," about the mood at Tiger Stadium during the games this past weekend. I am confused. I don't know where Mr. Wheeler was sitting, but the view I got sitting in left field showed an enthu- siastic, attentive and supportive crowd. We noticed Borkowski's excellent pitching and that we could count the hits he gave up on one hand, without using the thumb. We noticed the double plays, the great outfielding, the hustle of the infield and we also noticed the wave that circled the upper decks at least five times, the beach balls flying across from the bleach- ers into the left field seats and the barely preschool-aged children sitting next to their grandfathers, both staring in wonder at the game. Actions like the wave promote unity among fans and help to build support for the team. They are not distractions for a whim- pering crowd. Just because a crowd is not riotous and hostile does not mean it is not enthusiastic, and just because a crowd does the wave does not mean we are not paying attention. The crowd was on its feet for Borkowski's last outs, but it wasn't so they could get out to their cars earlier. CAROLYN JONES EDUCATION JUNIOR Peace and Justice Commission, DAAP under wrongful attack The Peace and Justice Commission is fac- ing a specious, cynical political attack from some members of the Michigan Student Assembly. The Michigan Daily's editors have played their own cynical role in this attack. In formal terms it is Jessica Curtin and P&J that are "under investigation;" in actuali- ty, it is P&J and the whole Defend Affirmative Action Party that are being subjected to this unscrupulous nonsense. It is an attack on the political power gained by minority students through the course of the last two MSA elec- tions. Curtin and P&J are the proxy targets for both the increased political representation of black and other minority students on the Assembly and for the entire activist student movement on campus. The Defend Affirmative Action Party is proud to be an integrated, majority black, majority women caucus. For us, being a force on the assembly that represents and fights for all students' rights and interests is not coun- terposed to the fact that we also specifically represent minority and progressive students at the University. We are profoundly proud of what P&J and DAAP have accomplished during the short period of our presence on MSA. People too Curtin for P&J chair with the stated aim of eliminating the commission altogether. During the brief time we've been on stu- dent government, MSA has provided leader- ship to the nation in the defense of affirmative action and integration in higher education. We have fought with success for MSA to stand out in front of the growing new student/civil rights movement. We are proud to have won virtually unani- mous MSA support for GEO. P&J and DAAP worked hard to win undergraduate support for the GEO strike. This is one of the things for which we are now being attacked. P&J took responsibility for the Undergraduate Outreach Committee created by MSA to build support for the GEO strike. It is overwhelmingly copies made for this democratically-voted-on perspective for which P&J is now accused of "misuse of the MSA copier." DAAP took the side ofthe members of Phi Delta Theta when they were scapegoated for the campus drinking hysteria. This motion was delayed repeatedly with only DAAP reps having the courage to say plainly that the fra- ternity was being victimized by the Ann Arbor police and the University administration in a dishonest way and that the charges should to Happily, it did set a historic precedent; similar motions opposing the U.S. government's poli- cy of starving Iraqi children have now been passed by student governments at major uni- versities around the country. The effort to stop this murder is growing. The University is now to be the honored host of the first national gathering of the anti-sanctions movement on October 15-17. We fought against and defeated anti-affir- mative action point-man Ward Connerly's threat to bring a Proposition 209-style ballot initiative to Michigan. DAAP fought for MSA to organize statewide support for a much-needed tuition freeze in higher education. We will continue this effort as an integral part of representing the many current and potential college stu- dents who are not from wealthy backgrounds. The question is: Should MSA be a prom- committee type training ground for the* nation's next crop of lying career politicians - or should it be a representative body and a student union that organizes action for stu- dents' interests? Our position is clear. The entire premise of the Daily's Sept. 21st editorial "Money Matters." was that the Activist Newsletter that is the ostensible sub- f