4A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 14, 2000 ije 3~irbiun 4 &il Coming soon... " HJere's a fun one: Try to think of as many classic college movies as you can. "Animal House" is undoubtedly the first thing that comes to mind, most likely because a good seven out of every 10 houses on cam- Unsung Ann Arbor: The Movie" 420AMaynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 MIKE SPAHN daily.letters@umich.edu _ .Editor in Chief Edited and managed by EMILY ACHENBAUM University of Michigan Editorial Page Editor Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials refect 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. pus are always decorat- ed with some variation of that Belushi-in-a- "Col lege"-sweatshirt poster. And not far behind "House" would be the fabled "Revenge of the Nerds" films, because, c'mon, you've gotta give props to Robert Carradine. But then you start to tail off in your list. John Singleton's "Higher Learning" came out in the mid- '90s, but who would choose to endure a 90- minute statement about striving for racial/sexu- al/social harmony when s (currently) leg 'U' should not block Napster Chris Kula it doesn't even count The cast of thousands - thousands of stereotypes, that is - will include such highly identifiable favorites as:' The Nice Guy: Quiet yet charming; works part-time in the dorm cafeteria; possible histo- ry major; is heart-broken when he learns that his long-distance girlfriend has been cheating on him; longs for comfort from The Sorority Girl. Played by any number of young actors currently appearing on the WB. The Sorority Girl: Conventionally cute, wears her blond hair in a ponytail; member of the haughtiest house on campus, but has a heart of gold; psychology major (she really, really wants to work with children); feels unfulfilled with her Frat Guy boyfriend. Played by any number of young actresses cur- rently appearing on the WB. The Frat Guy: A dude; social chair at Alpha Alpha Alpha; wants to attend the B- School (and then accept a job at his father's contracting firm when he's not admitted); owns "Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits"; feels clos- est to God when he's grilling brats on football game days. Played by Keanu Reeves. Of course, the incredible cast isn't limited to just these few characters. You can't forget about the star quarterback dealing with his closeted homosexuality, the sweet, young raver chick dealing with Ecstasy, and the token minority dealing with the fact that he's been cast once again as the token minority. And despite the fact that these characters seem to be of vastly different academic realms and social worlds, they'll inevitably find them- selves together in class and at parties (what I like to call "Saved by the Bell Syndrome"). There's one class in particular that they're all taking, an intro to sociology seminar, and it's taught by that one wacky but wise profes- sor that every university possesses. (Yay, nay?) It's a lecture of more than 300 people, yet the prof knows each of the main characters by name, and, over the course of the movie, he teaches them valuable lessons about the world around them. Oh, did I mention that the professor is played by Pat Morita? Of course, being a major studio epic, the film will be packed with plenty of gratuitous sex ("You'll never feel the same about the laundromat!"), violence and drinking. The producers will come under major fire for the infamous "keg-stand scene" when a young man is hospitalized after a similar incident at a certain midwestern university that we'll call Michigan State. It goes without saying that the soundtrack will be packed with today's hottest pop stars and Aerosmith. And did I mention that the professor is played by Pat Morita? Last but not least, here comes the knockout punch of my movie pitch. Instead of the typi- cal cut-and-dried kind of narrative that might make this flick seem like "Can't Hardly Wait Part 2," my movie would get a shot of post- modernist flair. All the characters, all their wacky shenani- gans, all the touching revelations - they'd be told through the eyes of a columnist at the school's newspaper. This clever young man would frame these unsung stories in the form of a weekly column that is read by many, enjoyed by a select few. I can already see it in lights... "Unsung Ann Arbor: The Movie": Coming soon to a video store near you. - Chris Kula can be reached at ckulaCumich.edu 0 Possibly in retaliation to Nap ster's CEO's decision to sport a Metalli- ca T-shirt on the recent MTV Video Music Awards, but more likely due to the massive copyright violations that have occurred using Napster soft- ware, an attorney representing artists opposing the site recently wrote a let- ter to several universities asking them to restrict student access to Napster. Since the University was included among the few to receive the letter, it has until September 22nd to decide how it wants to respond. The Univer- sity should not be intimidated. Even if the University believes Napster violates copyright laws, it should not restrict student access to Napster over and above any possible The Universi restrictions placed by the government. Stu- consider Na dents should not be subjected to higher until proven restrictions than those placed on every other - _ citizen. This is an issue that should be decided in court, not in the dean's office. It seems that University students are already quite familiar with Nap- ster. The company offers a software program that connects millions of users and allows them to exchan ge digital music files at no cost. As many artists - specifically Dr. Dre and Metallica - do not want their music to be distributed in this man- ner, they have filed a lawsuit against Napster alleging that the company intentionally facilitates copyright infringement. Regardless of whether the Univer- sity agrees with the suit, it should not restrict its students' access to the Internet. Free access to information is at the very foundation of the informa- tion revolution that characterizes modern intellectual freedom. It goes rt. p 10 hand in hand with freedom of speech and freedom of the press today, just as newspapers have done for cen- turies. Restricting this freedom would set a horrible precedent that allows for further limitations on access to information Other information poten- tially deemed unacceptable, such as websites advertising unpopular politi- cal or religious beliefs, could easily be banned using similar logic. As an establishment that prides itself on intellectual freedom and independent thought, the University cannot start down this slippery slope. That said, as with freedom of speech and freedom of the press, there are limitations. Just as one can- not yell "fire" in a y should movie theater, one cannot violate copy- ster legal - right law. But whether a certain )therwise. product or software facilitates these crimes are decisions for the government to decide, not the University. As long as the government does not outlaw the use of Napster (as there are many artists who willingly allow their music to be exchanged using the pro- gram), the University should consider the software a legally legitimate form of information exchange and act accordingly. If the University truly wants to stand up against copyright infringe- ment - which is clearly understand- able for an institution that relies heavily on its intellectual capital - then it should merely continue its campaign to educate students about the moral, ethical, and legal problems associated with downloading copy- righted material. It should not embark upon a path that would overly restrict its students rights at the expense of intellectual freedom. for a distribution credit? And "PCU," while fairly hilarious, lost all hope of attaining "classic" status when its producers agreed to air it six times a day on Comedy Central. I think it's safe to say, then, that the time is right for the next great college flick. Oh, but not just any great college flick! I'm talking the most outrageous example of con- trived filmmaking since Bruce "I Sold My Soul to Jerry Bruckheimer" Willis assembled a team of quirky oil drillers to destroy an earthbound meteor. Or was it to steal a bunch of cars? Or dance atop a trendy bar in New York City? 'Pedestrians rule in Ann Arbor.' - Michelle Figueroa LSA Senior Gimme shelter Local homeless shelter much needed W ith a myriad of concerns facing Ann Arbor today, its excessive homeless population is often over- looked. Although Ann Arbor is only a moderately sized college town, it has a surprisingly high homeless popula- tion; nearly 1,200 homeless men, women, and children rely on local charities and students' generosity for public assistance. Through various measures, the city is taking a progres- sive approach to solving the problem providing the means and tools to get homeless people off the streets, if only for a few nights during cold win- ter months. The construction of a new home- less shelter on West Huron Street is just one of these means. With updated facilities and govern- ment assistance, city The new she officials and local char- ities are finally piecing Important /i/t together a solution to a problem that has Arbor's plan plagued Ann Arbor for far too long. homeless off The new shelter, if constructed where pro- posed, will be only one block away from a similarshelter. The shelter will be able to house 50 people overnight. Residents working in the shelter's kitchen will feed roughly 150 people three meals a day. Counseling rooms will also be constructed in the new facility. Unlike many quick and easy solu- tions, this facility begins to attack the roots of the problem. With experience in the shelter's cafeteria, residents can ease their way into paying jobs, such as cooking, cleaning or other work. Housing residents overnight will keep them off the streets, especially during the cold Ann Arbor winters. Furthermore, the plan incorporat- ing the new Huron St. shelter will It, If attempt to shift the shelter's populace toward low-income, permanent hous- ing, the final phase of the city's plan to make a dent in the homeless popu- lation. While the new shelter will not instantly eliminate all homelessness, it is a strong and important link in Ann Arbor's plan to get homeless off the streets. Other programs, such as a renewed push to establish a citywide living wage, may be helpful, but the focus to provide more affordable low-income ousing with more emphasis on job skills is absolutely necessary. Orga- nizers of the shelter are wise to emphasize self-sufficiency, already covered in counseling sessions. Although Ann ter is an Arbor has the finan- cial and civil r in Ann resources to provide this shelter, it is 0 get unfortunate that the homeless problem is the streets, almost directly a result of action taken at the state level. John Engler's effective shut-down of many of Michigan's mental institu- tions due to budgetary concerns is closely correlated to the rise in Ann Arbor s homeless population. Engler unleashed into Michigan cities a large populace of people who are unable to hold down jobs or take care of themselves. State budget cuts have forced the problem of caring for the homeless mentally ill to the local level. It is unfortunate that such an important issue has been left up to local initiatives, although Ann Arbor's leadership and focus on concrete solu- tions to the problem of homelessness within the city limits is commendable and effective. Liberal intolerance shows in editorial To THE DAILY:' At first, the Daily's Sept 8th editorial regarding Ave Maria and liberal intolerance was a welcome sight. However, upon closer examination, the editorial itself seems to be a good example of anti-Catholicism. The basis of the argument is the Catholic Church is changing and becoming "more modern" and doing away with antiquated morals and beliefs. No one could actually believe that stuff. It seemed the expressed wishes of the writer that the graduates of Ave Maria will become enlightened adults who would shed those antiquated Catholic beliefs and conform to the enlightened belief system of the liberal community at the University. So much for diversity of beliefs and respect for the beliefs of others. Bob Jones University isn't the only place with an intolerance problem. GREG DANIELS LAw SCHOOL Thanks, but we can choose between football and religion To THE DAILY: I completely disagree with the Daily's assertion that football games should be moved to accommodate Jewish students. This is a completely unfair move that should not be made to appease such a small segment of the University population. I think it is arrogant for the Daily to assume that this presents a conflict for Jewish students. For the truly religious observant, the decision is simple. For those die- hard football fans, the decision is also easy. Why should the rest of the University have to pay the price for such a small minority? Should we consult all groups on campus to see if football games conflict with their sched- ule? Hey, I have to study for a big exam at noon on Saturday, can you please delay the football game for a few hours ? College football on a Saturday afternoon is as long as a tradition as Rosh Hashanah itself, or so it seems. It is unfair and shows complete hubris for the Jew- ish community, or any community for that.mat- ter, to make such a request. The University, and Michigan football is much bigger than them. A few years ago, when a Michigan-North- western game conflicted with Yom Kippur, I didn't whine, bitch or complain that the game should be moved. I made my choice to attend the event, and I am perfectly comfortable with it. There is a reason why the word conflict is used. It is not an easy choice for those whose loyalties are split between Judaism and Foot- ballism, but taking away that choice at the sac- rifice of millions of other Michigan fans worldwide is just unfair. DAVID TAUB ALUMNUS 'U' is pro-women, not anti-male To THE DAILY: I am writing in response to Kyle Marshall's THOMi/AS KULJURGIS '1E1N\LA"'A.LY.TAKI'NG 7, n w., r4 r/ I ~c~'~7 -f1 4 ~ '~\"\ "x *I letter to the editor "Men's Health is right: 'U' anti-male" (9/13/00). In this letter, Marshall comments on Men's Health magazine's ranking of the University as one of the "Top 10 Anti- Male" campuses. Hopefully, I speak for a majority of women on this campus when I ask, isn't it about time? All our lives women are told to act this way, do this, do that, all on the basis of being female. Practically the rest of our surroundings could be classified as "Top 10 Anti-Female" places. In grade school, mid- dle school, high school, in jobs and elsewhere women are degraded and oppressed. Therefore, isn't it a good thing that women can come to a university like this and feel as though they are not in the minority? Perhaps if the ranking would have been in a women's health magazine, the University would have been in the "Top 10 Pro-Women" universities. It's amazing what a little word change can do to the context. Women have handled anti- female behavior for the majority of their lives. Isn't it time that men had a taste of this too? Can't Marshall handle a little female unity? ERIN HARTL LSA SOPHOMORE 'u' s not intoI a,L r s demands Today, the University will receive a let- ter from lawyers representing the aging heavy metal band Metallica and former rap superstar Dr. Dre, urging the University to "promptly ban access by your community to Napster." For the University to comply with this demand, however, would be a very unwise move. The first reason is purely technical: If the University were to unilaterally block access to a particular Internet site, it could cripple the entire University network. Because the University has a very high speed connection to the Internet, the net- wrkine pnninment which cnnnects our blocking any site whenever someone with significant influence threatens it, the Uni- versity would soon end up with a very large list of blocking rules. This would bring the network to its knees and make the Universi- ty's connection to the Internet useless for the purpose it was intended: The exchange of information across the world for the edu- cation of students and the furtherance of research. Moreover, it is unclear that a ban on Napster is necessary or can achieve the stated goal of Metallica and Dr. Dre, i.e., preventing people from making copies of their songs. Nanster the comnanv will be in ten today, use encryption to hide the con- tents of data, and are decentralized: there will be no Napster, Inc. to sue or to block. If we walk down the path that Metallica and Dr. Dre are leading us, we will come to a point where our only option will be to block the entire Internet to comply with their demands. Clearly, the University must not allow itself to be dragged into this fight. The Univer- sity must vigorously defend its role as a "com- mon carrier" when it comes to providing Internet access to campus. After all, if we take responsibility for blocking one site, we will ooen uo the door to liability for not blocking Retmember, unkr new state legislationn you must he re istered to vote --t 4he seme d 'st ' hedress an your fiver'slicense is in H$ a