2 - The Michigan Daily - Special Edition - Thursday, December 14, 2000 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 MIKE SPAHN EMILY ACHENBAUM 4 4 Editor in Chief Editorial Page Editor Cbe S id ii u u u g L iiin otod, r rtinsietd editorials reflect tte opittiott ot/ie Iciti ot itt or/i' te iii :s'vtlitoiuialwotd. i4 a t/ervuticlcs, Itettve-raid ct n < tOOi t tt ttoneceas itreflect the opinion of i/e tichigan Dai/v Ruling protects academia University's stance pays off as the need for diversity is affirmed I n a decision that reaffirms the very foundation of the University, U.S. District.Judge Patrick Duggan upheld the University's use of affirmative action in its undergraduate admis- sions policies yesterday. The ruling cannot be viewed as a clear and unwavering victory for affirmative action; not only are appeals inevitable and the case on against the University's Law School admissions still pending, but even Duggan offered the vague critique of "any use of race must be narrowly tai- lored." But Duggan did write that he hoped a day would come when "uni- versities are able to achieve the desired diversity without resort to racial preferences." This is in fact the exact goal of affirmative action -no one intends it to be permanent. It is less of a legal issue than a reflection of our social climate. If affirmative action is not needed, it means that the playing field has been leveled and affirmative action has solved its own problem. Diversity is one of the reasons this is a world-class institution of higher learning. The opportunity to examine ideas from as many viewpoints as pos- sible is indispensable to a quality aca- demic environment. How can one better understand the world when sur- rounded by people only like them- selves? Our admissions policy is not per- fect, but it is fair and effective. These policies provide the University with a hly qualified and diverse student body. Neither goal is sacrificed for the other. The admissions policies decision affecting the race-based simply acknowledge that race affects policies at many other institutions. the opportunities peo- The University should ple have. The court has ruled be commended and The 3-year-old thanked for defending case, which the Uni- not ustin favor of our academic atmos- versity has spent $4.3 phere with a staunch million defending, has the University and and intensely commit- been under tremen- ted defense. dous scrutiny by both affirmative action Garnering the the media and colleges judge's attention was and universities but in favor of the University's com- nationwide. When two pelling evidence docu- white students filed equality and menting the importance suits against the Uni- of affirmative action versity arguing that the academic freedom. and thus diversity in University's use of supplementing a learn- race was unconstitu- ing environment. tional and discriminatory against The University has empirical evi- whites, the eyes of academia turned deuce on its side: The Journal of Eco- to Ann Arbor. Our case would be a nomic Literature recently published a review of more than 200 studies affirmative action. The study speci cally found that black students select universities graduate at high rates than blacks at less demandi: institutions and that Hispanics a: blacks hired under the program pc form on par. In a case that could easily affe the long-term future of diversity higher education institutions, this vi tory serves a major endorsement the principles the University uses promote quality education. We c only hope that in the inevitab appeals that will follow, judges cc tinue to see the merit of the Univer ty's system. The court has ruled not just favor of the University, but in favor equality and academic freedom. Election 2000 results in insult and injury As Bush claims presidency, democracy is called into question After a month-long mockery of democracy and the electoral process, the majority of American voices lost out. Vice President Al Gore, despite winning the popular vote, chipperly and cheesily conceded to the electoral college, to the less- than-trust-inspiring legal wrangling in Florida and to Texas Gov. George W. Bush. What are we left with? Gore asks that we put citizenship ahead of parti- sanship. While it is warranted to think partisanship is often a counter- productive source of energy, there is no need to rally behind Bush for the sake of "unity.' If anything, the Bush administration should be a call to arms for activists who slipped off the scene during what will prove to be the comparably more tolerant Clinton administration. Thankfully for the women's rights - just to name a few balance of power, Bush will not be - is abominable. His short and dis- able to do any- mal resume falls far short of thing immediate- Suddenly, the qualifying him for the high- ly drastic, but it est office in the land. He is important to democracy we should not have governing recognize his authority over the state of influence. He exalt here in the Texas, much less the coun- will be appoint- try. He will not remember ing Supreme United States and those that Gore felt he court judges. He would have fought for as will be the on foreign shores mentioned in his concession leader of the free speech.. world. And he is not so perfect Although it is clear that will be entering Bush should not be presi- the Oval Office not so flawless. dent because he is so ill- with an alarming suited for the position, it is set of precedents also glaring that he may be under his belt. His record in Texas on undeserving on other grounds than issues such as education, the environ- merit: Math. Law. Democracy. ment, the criminal justice system and There is little question that with all votes counted in Florida, Gore would most likely have prevailed. But with partisan politics rearing its ugly head, a total and complete counting of the votes became impossible. It is unfor- tunate that the most basic right in America, the right we fought to secure more than 200 years ago, was superceded by politics and an all-out attempt to win the White House. The Bush presidency will forever be tainted by illegitimacy - without a popular vote victory, Bush is ham- pered. But with even the electoral count in doubt due to the question- able final Florida vote count, Bush will have a tough time assuming the role of president of the entire United States. Florida has been a thorn in the nation's side for more than a month, and the scars of the election debacl will be felt for years to come. Sud denly, the democracy that we exal here in the United States and on ever foreign shore is not so perfect, not s flawless. Bush's presidency will b impossibly shadowed by the uncei tainty of his win. But Gore is nc innocent either. The entire elector, process is crying out for an overhaul. Amongst all the outrage, som things must not be forgotten. Regard less of who walks out to "Hail to th Chief," the problems in the Unite States will continue. Everyone mut come to grips with a Bush adminit tration, try to preserve a quality ecor omy and individual rights, an remember that in four years we'll g at this again, and hopefully we can d a whole lot better. "It 100 percent ruins their credibility. "The most heartening thing to me "Being a little bit racist is as The Supreme Court is the real loser was that both Al Gore and George impossible as being a little bit here." Bush respectfully ended it." pregnant." - Heather Brownfield, Public Policy student - Pete Schilt, LSA sophomore Sen. David Jaye, (R-Washington 1p "I've been pretty exasperated over "It's an honor to have a president "I'm surprised It went the way It did the past week because this wasn't who Is a drunk-driving criminal with , because It seems that the trend has ending. This is the fitting end." an arrest record, lost the popular gone against affirmative action." - Bush supporter Cortney Robinson, vote and called a New York Times -.Jim Herron, Rackham stude Public Policy student reporter Adam Clymer a major asshole when he thought the "The last 36 days were really hard to microphone was off." study ... I think (the Supreme Court) -David Boyle, Law second-year student really dropped the ball." tM gv a s 4 s o iFnd aydung the a and wntertermsby Jason edlick, LSA senior sometimes you can lose and still be right." - Gore supporter Paxton Williams, "I think (affirmative action) definitely first year Public Policy student helps'keep the diversity of the school and that's important." L "This Is an unequivical victory for Eric KruegeLSAseniorus." "I heard in the background that (Gore) conceded and that's really all I need to know at this point." - Caran Scott, LSA sophomore - Nancy Canto, University Provost "Neither candidate was wrong by pushing it this far when the count was this close." - Nick Kuhl, LSA freshman =. ii ti i "e iii zziriS .sisiritiE/ DO/iiFi/i. F' / 'si r lSe n u'sii c Pi/ S S /u . Ji"s/iaR ,sii.ii /F / e OS isi5 Ca" /,Or is','is LE C ii. 5/ . S /5/55/ ORP//St us/i u /s EDITORIAL Emily Ahenbaum, Managing Edito ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Peter Cunniffe Ryan DePietro e Josh Wickerham, Nicholas Woomer e.i5/tC//53ri5 i/SDa'/i .// ,// S ' -!Le /rs./ Jesia ;. SPORTS David Den Herder, Managing Editoi SENIR EDITiRS: Chrls Duprey, Mark Francescutti ,Geoffagnon, Stephanie Offen ARTS Gabe Fajuri, Chris Kula, Editors ASSOCIATE EDTOR: Ben Goldstein WEEKEND, ETC. EDITORSJenni ienn, Eizabeth Pens/er JC C Er _ C ( E j Shann.S/S / 5s.Be i -\es i'isR // ii. / isiRiE is.J3" S / "Maybe now I can get some studying done ... it's history in the "It maintains a University of making." Michigan policy that benefits all - George Avila, 3rd year Law student students, not just minorities." -Jim Secreto, MSA vice-president PHOTO ASiOC/ATEEITORS: David Katz. M8,iuu,/ Marshi ARTS EDITOR: Petor Cornue ONLINE '-iFL ' / /S/5Ok , %1i6 'iS .ouis Brawn Jessica Johnson, Edtorl Rachel BaErger, Paul Wong, Managing Editors "I think Al Gore's a sore loser ... the highest court in the land had to stop him." - Ben Roth, LSA sophomore "It was interesting to me to hear Bush acknowledge that and it should be interesting to esee our, nation responds." - Natasha Verhage, Public Policy student "They're putting a good face on a good defeat" - Prof Robert Sedler, Wayne State University "I believe affirmative action got rme here ... if I mess up on my finals, I won't be here to fight for affirmative action." - Meagan Pitts, Education junior DISPLAY SALES Sarah Estelia, Monagas CLASSIFIED SALES Lauren Rice, Managsi ONLINE SALES Steve Jones, Manager FINANCE Courtney Morals, Manager ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Dana Linnano, Manager MARKETING MANAGER 'Kelii Kinney CIRCULATION MANAGER Nicol Lazurus AD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR Maia Martij SPECIAL SECTIONS MANAGER Jeanine Moui iesau,4 NATIONAL AD COORDINATOR Ami idaka