4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, December 1, 2000 ije £ibtigan aig Writing opinion columns without opinions 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 daily. letters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan MIKE SPAHN Editor in Chief EMILY ACHENBAIM 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. Online learning 'U' affiliated Website can help students I think this is my sixth column. I'm a .daisy-fresh columnist. I'm still slippery with afterbirth. What will I have gained from this experience when it concludes? I don't want to bore anyone, so I'll just answer in monetary terms: it looks like about $30. I'm not slamming the Daily's wages. I just think it's kind of funny that anyone would blow that kind of cash on several thousand, capricious- ly assembled words. With my year's salary I could borrow some- one's car, fill up the tank, drive to some- Patrick where in Indiana, get Taco Bell and still Kiley have enough left-over; v to purchase myself an incomprehensible y homeless bride in Indianapolis. Life is cheap and wonderful. After reading one of my columns, my Dad encouraged me to be more concrete and realistic. It was good advice. The problem is that if you want to write within a factual structure, then you have to be opinionated. I should have suspected as much when I was offered an opinion column. The fallout from that little undesirable is that I've spent more time philosophizing about "opinion" than contemplating and composing the actual columns. Please don't take offense at my negligence in entertain- ing your intellect, or, more broadly, your fancy; as I reflect, this enterprise was self- ish at its conception. I'm the only loser here. But perhaps not, because what I have gleaned about my personal opinions should have sent me running for office a long time ago: I don't have any. Well, that's not true. But, like a politician, my strongest opinions are exactly the ones I keep quiet about. Take a for instance: In my opinion, the NRA is evil incarnate. You can argue this point with me for 40 days and 40 nights, and even if somehow you warp my mouth into agreement, I guarantee that I will never watch "Planet of the Apes" without rooting for the bad apes. It's as good as fact to me. And then there is a second tier of my opinions, the ones that mutate faster than a cancer cell smoking a cigarette. For exam- ple, try me on abortion. One day I'm think- ing that the procedure is clearly as inhumane as any other form of killing peo- ple. The next day I'm reconsidering, think- ing that an unborn child is a part of a woman's body and so, whether I like it or not, she can do with it what she pleases. Pretty soon I'm noticing that I have a penis and perhaps I should just focus on that and keep my mouth shut. My point, I think, is that I am not an opinionated person"- that is, in the sense of yelling and citing sources and giving people the finger. At the same time, though, I'm not passive, or passive-aggressive and when I have a point I make it. If the option were open to me, I would gladly wear a monkey suit and read this column to Charlton Hes- ton in person. Outside of being hilarious, the spectacle turned violent would finally, prove that even pretending to be simian makes a person aggressive-aggressive. America really appreciates opinion; or at least, it gets off on it. In communist Russia Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern would just be regular guys. Perhaps democracy confuses the right to hold opinion with the rarely questioned idolatry of its expression. To clarify, my wish is not to stifle people's expression. I don't support totalitarianism, but then again, those people who do proba bly don't care that I don't, and I can appre- ciate that. It's Friday. All this talk about opinions is making me dizzy. To speak in concreteo terms, I promise that for my next column I will present an argument - an opinion= addressing some substantial topic. It is up to you to determine what is substantial, so e- mail me suggestions that do not include the Beatles versus Stones contest. If it comes to that, I'm siding with the Monkees. - Patrick Kiley can be reached via e-mail at pkiley@umich.edu. ' ' ae5*1W NUMwoa L ast week, the University joined the ranks of some of the world's finest learning establishments by partnering with Fathom.com, a new Internet site that provides free access to an impres- sive array of informational resources. Institutions such as Columbia Univer- sity, The Cambridge University Press, The Natural History Museum, the New York Public Library, and now the University, offer everything from dis- cussion forums on every imaginable field of study to lectures given by fac- ulty and researchers to exceptional online courses. While the University wholehearted- ly supports the innovative Website and encourages students to utilize the site as a valuable resource, it has rightly chosen not to grant credit for the offered online courses. The diversity that contributes to the cultural under- standing often learned in the class- room is at stake; taking courses online to satisfy class requirements would certainly diminish the everyday inter- action between students that is crucial to the college experience. The experience of broadcasting Psychology 111 through the Universi- ty Cable System a few years is a good reason why the University should not grant credit for online classes. Because there were so many students enrolled in the course in 1997, lectures became too crowded; As a solution, some students attended the lecture "live" while others sat in a separate classroom, watching the professor on a TV screen. Still others watched from their residence hall rooms. While this idea was originally heralded by stu- dents for its convenience factor, this distance learning carried fundamental flaws, primarily that students no longer had the opportunity to ask the professor any questions. If this idea of class without a classroom was carried over to online courses, students may lose out on the most valuable asset this University offers: Cultural diversity through perpetual social and intellec- tual interaction. Though the issue of piracy and intellectual property rights has been raised, the benefits of Fathom.com 's wide range of resources definitely out- weigh these concerns. In addition to library texts and rare documents, Fath- om.com offers a unique content navi- gation method called Knowledge Trails. The site defines a Trail as "a group of Fathom features or reference entries that explore a common subject or theme. Knowledge is a network of connections, and never neatly orga- nized." Fathom.com charts these con- nections and allows students to either research across a topic or go in depth about one particular aspect of the sub- ject, thus facilitating the opportunity for thorough understanding of an area of interest. The University's decision to join Fathom.com was a smart move. The decision to not grant credit for online courses because they would replace valuable insight learned in the class- room was also appropriate. Instead, Fathom encourages independent learn- ing through the use of Knowledge Trails as well as promoting intellectual discussions through its various forums. 'They should be able to do what they want, when they want, where they want.' - Lenny Komendera, manager of DejaVu in Ypsilanti, commenting on the state Senate's recent passage of a bill banning those aged 18 to 20 from performing in adult entertainment venues. Concaled danger More guns endanger Michigan residents T o all those who lie awake at night lamenting the fact that more Michi- gan citizens aren't toting guns around in their coat pockets and handbags, whose feeling of safety rises propor- tionally with the number of armed peo- ple on the streets, rest easy: Your state legislators are harboring similar con- cerns. A bill that would allow almost any Michigan resident, age 21 or older, who has no history of mental illness to obtain a concealed weapons permit is well on its way to becoming law. This dangerous and unnecessary effort to spread concealed guns has been sim- mering on the back burner since May 1999, when legislators tabled in the ywake of the high school shootings in Colorado and Georgia. Under the current law, a citizen who wishes to obtain a concealed weapons permit must first produce evidence that he or she has a legitimate need to be covertly armed. For example, security guards and people that are required to carry large amounts of money at work are likely to be granted permits. If the proposed legislation goes through, it will be up to the permit board members to find some reason not to issue them. The main argument of lawmakers in favor of this type of legislation is that it will make everyone safer. Robbers, rapists and attackers will be far less likely to rob, rape and attack if there's a possibility that their victims are armed, right? Not only is this a bad reason to put more weapons out on the street, but it would not increase the safety of the general public. If carrying weapons becomes commonplace, criminals too will find it easier to arm themselves without fear of being caught. Also, there are many more gun-related sui- cides and accidental shootings each year than there are gun-related murders. Another disturbing twist proponents put on such legislation is that it empow- ers women to defend themselves against male assailants. This rationale is flawed; it ignores the fact that men buy nearly ten times more guns than women do. Additionally, only a tiny fraction of women who own guns obtain permits to carry them. In 1997, here in Washtenaw County, women obtained less than five percent of all concealed weapons per- mits. While the bill does prohibit guns in certain areas such as schools, day care centers, churches and places where alcohol is served, it would still create a more hostile environment in the state of Michigan. The only ways to enforce these restrictions would be to install metal detectors or conduct body search- es in the aforementioned areas. Danger and mistrust are implicit in such mea- sures, but without them, who is to be sure that the weapons are kept out? This bill, to say the least, is a dan- gerous and unnecessary measure. Putting more guns in everyday circula- tion does nothing to address the larger issue of gun violence. Guns are designed to be killing machines and the last thing the government should be doing is making it easier for them to be carried into the grocery store, to the movies or to the post office. Phone your state-representative before it's too late. Students shouldn't be used as billboards TO THE DAILY: It seems strange to me that an athletic department that is attempting to win the favor of students and bring them out to games en masse would decide to use them as walking billboards to raise revenue. When I arrived at the basketball game Tuesday, I was shocked to see that this year's edition of the Maize Rage t-shirt was emblazoned with a "XanEdu.com" logo. Where I previously felt proud to wear the shirt that recognized me as a member of a small but hearty group of season ticket hold- ers, I now feel taken advantage of. Against their will, the students have become another piece of the overcommercialization of college athletics. If the gear that a rowdy student sec- tion wears to promote unity and team spirit is littered with advertisements, then nothing is sacred. Next, I'm waiting for Duke University to insist that we refer to its student section as the "Coca-Cola Cameron Crazies." And for you, XanEdu.com, I don't know what kind of wares you hawk and neither will the guy who sits behind me, because I'm going to wear my shirt from last year. TOM HABITZ LSA SOPHOMORE Boy Scouts wrongly kept out of schools TO THE DAILY: I just finished reading the viewpoint writ- ten by Michael St. John in Wednesday's Daily, "Boy Scouts should not have to suffer for leaders' faults." I'd like to thank him for putting into words what I tried to tell the school board and PTO at my son's charter school here in Ann Arbor. The school decided to disband the Boy Scout pack this fall, and this decision broke my son's seven year old heart. I tried to get the school to reconsider the decision, but I was met with so much opposition that I even- tually got my son into another local pack. It truly is the innocent young boys who are get- ting hurt by the exclusion of Boy Scout packs by the local schools. I don't agree with national Boy Scouts stance on homosexuals, but at the same time I don't agree with adults deciding to disband Boy Scout programs. This does nothing to fight discrimination. You have to fight these battles from within. BETTY SIMONIS UNIVERSITY STAFF Boy Scouts deserve loss of support TO THE DAILY: A number of recent letters to the editor have expressed criticism of organizations that have withdrawn their support from the Boy Scouts of America because of its exclusion of homosexu- al members. Although there are numerous aspects of the BSA's policies that exclude gays that are detrimental to society, I'm choosing to concentrate on one in particular here. One of the primary arguments has been that the boys should not be punished for the decisions of the administration. However I find this argument offensive since it ignores the existence of gay contributed to the intense anxiety no one should ever have to deal with while coming to terms with their sexuality. I must applaud all the organizations with- drawing their support from the BSA at this time. The BSA will continue on but will feel pressure to evolve into the more all-American organization it strives to and should be. It is foolish to rely on significant changes to come from within since no openly gay members are involved in scouting and people are rarely pas- sionate about an issue until they are directly affected by it. While scouts will be temporarily inconvenienced by their lack of support they will still be acquiring valuable lessons indirectly by learning about acceptance and social protest. I wish my former scout troop could have made those lessons more of a priority than tying knots. Just because an organization is providing several good services is by no means a reason to be exempt from criticism stemming from its unjust actions. TOM SLAZINSKI ARCHITECTURE JUNIOR Legality of online gambling unclear TO THE DAILY: In reference to the Daily's article "Internet gambling illegal, popular" (11/28/00), I have to object to a few flaws in the article. To simply say it is illegal to place bets online is incorrect. Online gambling is in a fuzzy section of the law and to be honest, nobody is sure as to whether or not it is legal. My rationale is that it is fundamentally no different than flying to Las Vegas everyday, placing my bets and coming back. Since when betting offshore the money is actually being bet in Antigua, Costa Rica or other foreign coun- tries, laws preventing betting in the U.S. cannot be enforced. Also as to the comment regarding being cheated out of your money, this simply takes some research. Websites such as www.osga.com and www.theprescription.com are designed to keep users informed of which offshore sites to use and which not to use. MICHAEL BERRY ENGINEERING SENIOR Inexperienced team deserves support TO THE DAILY: I would like to preface this by saying, there are no moral victories. Clearly, though the Michigan men's basket- ball teams performance against Wake Forest on Tuesday showed me a few things. First, the effort was outstanding. It has been a long time since I have seen our players dive into the press row for a loose ball (Blanchard) or wage war on I1 A Vw T 1).A Wl VTi'L the boards like our big guys did (Asselin and - Young). Secondly, anyone who knows athletics can tell that those kids believe in Brian Ellerbe and his system. People don't play hard for lead- ers they don't believe in. The Detroit Lions are a prime example. Finally and most importantly, this team is very young. How much easier was the last three years of college compared to your first? Now, multiply that inexperience by the amount of freshmen and sophomores on the basketball team. I was fortunate enough to play baseball from '96-'99 and I came in with a freshman class of 11. In the beginning of the year there were times when six of the nine guys on the field were freshman. We started out with one win and 13 losses. Despite the terrible start we finished something like 27-30. The very next year we won the Big Ten and in '99 won the Big Ten Tourney and. went to a NCAA Regional. The explanation is experience, plain and simple. What we as fans have to understand is that this crew is not the Fab Five. In fact, that will never happen again in college basketball. Understand that this team is going to win some games that they aren't supposed to and unfortu- nately they are going to lose games that they probably should win. Bottom line is that glory days for this team may not be in the near future. But, if we as fans stay with this team and with coach Ellerbee, there will be happy times that return to Crisler Arena in the years to come. BOBBY SCALES ALUMNUS Christianity leads to societal justice TO THE DAILY: In his column, "Celebrate a God-free holi-> day season" (11/28/00) Nick Woomer suggests that religion's primary function is to preserve@& the status quo, claiming that belief in an after- life keeps people, especially the poor, from fighting for their rights. If an "eternal paradise ... waits," he writes, "there ceases to be any motivation to risk much here on earth." A moment's thought shows how silly Woomer's claim is: If you believe that heaven is to come, why not risk everything in this life? On the other hand, if this world were all there is, why would you risk your wealth and life, knowing that if you lose, you've lost every- thing? But when God calls Christians to love justice and hate inequality, and offers eternal life to His children, those who truly love Him will risk everything to seek ajust society. History in fact demonstrates this. Precisely because they looked to God, Oskar Romero,.- , Father Damien, Mother Teresa, and countless, others gave up everything - often even their lives -to work for justice and equality, to help the poor and outcast. Precisely because their eyes were fixed on heaven, they risked every- thing trying to build a better society on earth. ANDERS HENDRICKSON RACKHAM $o" r 33 i u SN - . R.. . - LVANE DARN ESLhIiS IU1UBEL) C3LI2A2X Our Representatives John Hansen, 52nd District Liz Brater, 53rd District Phone: (517) 373-1792 Phone: (517) 373-2577 E-mail: jphansenhouse.state. mi. us. E-mail: lbrater@house.state. mi. us. HEYWYI/N, W "do hEclc-r YTou WA TC01*C r I U: