4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 20, 2000 U l e atichimun ]Dtctltl Kodos, Kang, Clinton, Nader and pop machines at lunch a 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 daily. letters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan, I MIKE SPAHN Editor in Chief EMILY ACHENBAUM Editorial Page Editor Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majc;rity of the Daily s editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. bupporiror aiversuiy Study shows benefits of affirmative action O ver the past few weeks of Presi- dential debates, Americans have heard economic accusations on just about everything from a bad tax policy to "fuzzy math.' In an era of politics dominated by rhetoric and anecdotes at least one divisive issue has garnered concrete economic support recently. The Journal of Economic Literature recently published a review of more than 200 serious scientific studies on affirmative action. The study is the joint effort of two distinguished econo- mists, David Neumark of Michigan State University and Harry Holzer of Georgetown University. The study refutes many long-time assertions of affirmative action supporters, including the idea that those helped by affirmative result action are less quali- fied and able to suc- H e ceed. 'r-Netl Although, as Neu- mark and Holzer stuy proi acknowledge, thefupport fo stud isn't foolproof, its findings support " the case for affirma- UyiverSity tive action at the Uni- versity and at aintai throughout the coun- di"versit v try. The study diesiy includes findings such as that black students at selective universities graduate at higher rates than blacks at less demanding institu- tions and that women hired under affir- mative action do not fall behind their male equivalents in either performance or credentials. The study also shows Hispanics and blacks hired under affir- mative action perform on par with white counterparts despite being hav- ing generally less experience at the start of their employment. Up until this point, most of the debate on affirmative action has cen- tered around theory and anecdotal evi- dence with few claims on either side of is 1w (I I, li the debate being supported factually. The Holzer-Neumark study helps to prove the benefits of affirmative action. Supporters of the policy can now point to data that refutes claims that minority students fail under affirmative action. Perhaps most importantly however, is that those in favor of affirmative action now have empirical proof that the pro- gram has tangible social benefits. For example, according to the study, new African-American medical school graduates are far more likely than their white classmates to serve poor and minority patients in rural and inner city areas. The results of the Holzer-Neumark study provide strong support for the University's efforts at of them maintaining diversity on campus and back Ma rkup the extensive sup- port the University's affirmative action de strong policies have -the received in the busi- ness community as exemplified by the Sffors joint amicus brief " (friend of the court) UN , filed by 20 prominent 7 Ca us companies recently. Scamipus. Thenbriefstressed the importance of affir- mative action at the university level and eventually in the corporate world. This study and strong corporate support for- malize a long-held belief of the Univer- sity: Affirmative action is necessary. Even before the release of the recent scientific study, these companies knew the value of maintaining diversity. The corporations who voluntarily choose to support the University in its legal bat- tles decided to do so based upon per- sonal experience. Affirmative action provides an ele- ment of diversity crucial to education: the past week of'scientific and econom- ic support has helped prove it. To help explain why not to vote for either of the two main cats running for President, I have to turn to The Simpsons. The wit and insight of that brilliant cartoon is secorNi to none. In 1996, an episode of The Simpsons featured Bill Clinton and Bob Dole being abducted by aliens who transmorphed into their respective bodies andb forced the American= public to vote for one of them. It is full of jeering insights into the failings, of a two-party system. Kent Brockman (Springfield's Dan Rather) asks Kang (the alien), disguised as Dole, "why should peo- ple vote for you instead David of President Clinton?" Horn Kang replies, "It makes s no difference which one of us you vote for. Either way, your planet is doomed. Doomci!" "Well, a refreshingly frank response there from Senator Dole," concludes Brockman. Says Kodos (the other alien, posing as Clin- ton) on pleasing the public. "All they wart to hear are bland pleasantries embellished by an occasional saxophone solo or infant kiss." During the debate, Kang becomes so lost in rhetoric one can't help but compare his the bumbling Texas Governor who, as demonstrat- ed at last Tuesday's debate, can't seem to argue his way out of an Arby's. "My fellow Ameri- cans: As a young boy. I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say. we must move fior- ward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling towards freedom!" When Homer arrives to save America from their awful fate, he rips away the aliens' human facades and proclaims, "America, take a good look at your beloved candidates. They're nosh- ing but hideous space reptiles!' Indeed they are. We have these two gentlemen - Texas Gov. George W. Bush Jr. and Vice President Al Gore - and one of them is waking up on the morning of Nov. 8 the most powerful man in the world. This is not the first time America has had to choose between the lesser of two evils. Both Gore and Bush are nice guys - well meaning, borderline genuine, seemingly honest - but neither has the confidence, will, nerve, vision, character or heart for the job. The fact is that our electoral process is grossly flawed gives Americans no real choice. That process will probably not be mended unless Americans realize the catch-22 that is our current two-party system and vote for far- left and (forgive me mom) far-right candidates like Green Party nominee Ralph Nader and Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan. My money says that Bush is going to be the next President of the United States. He is lucky that somewhere along the road of the great journey we call America, our country has regressed from a sophisticated, idealistic democracy where men like Daniel Webster and Henry Clay deliberated issues that shook the foundations of our nation (ie. states rights, slavery), to a middle school class president election. Bush is going to win because he could afford to put a lot of flyers all over the social studies and science wings. His friends (who are equal- ly rich) threaten to steal kids' lunch money if they don't vote for little Georgey. His brother plays on the middle school football squad and has promised those votes. His dad is president of the P.T.A. His opponent, Al Gore, is that kid who you used to be friends with, but lost touch with after he became just too smart for his own good. He's sort of a dork now, but you kind of smile and nod with a sort of pity whenever he talks to you. The teachers know that little Al should be class president, and that he is more deserving and qualified than the Bush kid. But Bush is promising pop machines at lunch, "free home- work" passes and the other kids are falling for his ploys despite their best interests. But the Vice President isn't looking much better, really. To keep up with Bush, who is appealing to everyone and his mother, Gore is compromising his liberal stance (on, I don't know, everything) to develop a similar appeal. Poor Al. He and George have become indistin- guishable, and will ultimately be ineffective as a result. "We are merely exchanging long protein strings. If you can think of a simpler way, I'd like to hear it." (If you missed the reference, come on. Watch the damn show. All your friends do). Meanwhile there's this Ralph Nader charac- ter. "Don't vote scared," read the flyers pep- pered throughout Ann Arbor. That's some good advice fromthe supporters of the Green Party. As long as Democrats and Republicans contin- ue to be elected to the White House and Con- gress, laws correcting the electoral system will never come about. Campaign finance needs to be revamped and laws encouraging third-party candidates need to be seriously considered. There are other parties, and y'all should check them out. There's cheap beer and hot girls. My friends ask me why I'm voting for Nader, and my reply is simple: Gore and Bush are about as different as Michigan State and a pile of green dog shit. Other than abortion, really, the two candidates' differences are rec- ognizable only to the dorky poli-sci professors sporting the bowties on MSNBC. Nader isn't taking home any of the cake,, because its winner-take-all in this country. But I'm voting on principle rather than practicality. The more people chose to vote in support of a revolutionary political change, the more change will occur. The two-party system is a curse on this country founded by and devel- oped via compromise. The great fraternity party we call American politics can't be a two- way. Let it some other kids, because their ideas are worthwhile and have the potential to be tremendously beneficial. But don't blame me. I voted for Kodos. - David Horn can be reached via e-mail at hornd( umich.edu. '.K N(TABLE QUO1ABLE 'There are three issues in this generation that affect your generation: The Supreme Court, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court.' -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson during a speech vesterdav in the Law Quad. Too much poik Federal money could be used on education 'Over the years, the Capitol building 4t.Iin Washington D.C. has been home to some of America's most distin- guished political orations. Yet as thovember draws closer, the speeches the public hears from the chambers of Congress will not resemble the flowery rhetoric of Daniel Webster or Bill Clin- ton; instead it will swell into one collec- tive noise: "Oink." That's right, "oink," because as the Presidential election draws closer, more media and public attention is focused on olitics at large. With this added lime- light on D.C., members of Congress - even those who aren't up for re-election or safely secured incumbents - are being pressed to flaunt their achieve- ments. The result of this is notan increased effort to pork-barrel pass bi artisan le is- ation, but instead an outrageous informal agreement among congressmen federal tax to divide the political funding spoils by items that passing ludicrous legislation that brings funded loca new federal spending to each member's electoral district. The fitting term given to this corrupt for of collective bargain- ing is "pork-barrel legislation." The economic effects of pork-barrel legislation are horrendous. In fact, The New York Times recently reported that Birmingham, Ala. is getting a $2 mil- lion refurbishing of the god Vulcan and 300 person town of Tafkeetna, Alaska got $400,000 to improve a parking lot. These are just two of the examples of wasted federal spending. Although many federal monuments and museums need federal tax dollars to operate, pork- barrel legislation outrageously uses fed- eral tax dollars on items that should be funded locally. Moreover, the manner in which politicians delay this legislation until just before the election - a sheer political move - is unfair to needy institutions and should be repulsive to I i 4 voters. If politicians really want to appease the electorate before an election, there are a plethora of national issues that would appeal to any congressional dis- trict. In an ideal world, congressmen would strive for these issues absent of a political motivation. They could focus an a range from campaign finance reform to health care. And who could ignore the foremost topic of them all: Education. Without a doubt, the two major party candidates, Vice-president Al Gore and Texas Governor George Bush, as well as many local politicians have identified the problems in our pub- lic schools as a priority among cam- paign issues. Congress would do well to follow in their exam- ple. legislation The lackluster performance of sec- ly Uses ondary schools, compounded with dollars on the skyrocketing costs of a colle e should be tuition makes the American education fly system a situation which can be ame- liorated only through widespread support, both intellectual and financial, in the hallowed chambers of Congress. In today's information age, the foundation of a solid primary and secondary education is vital to the over- all success of youth and ultimately the country. Expanding financial aid, such as Pell Grants and other scholarships, to help people go to college should cledrly take precedence over the pet projects of congressmen. It is time for the legislative branch to start living up to the claims they've been making for years. If Congressmen want to please their constituencies this elec- tion cycle, they shouldn't excessively waste tax dollars on legislation to create new parking lots or monuments; instead they need to create scholarships or tuition relief- that'll really bring home the bacon. Cameras shouldn't have prevented honoring of dead TO THE DAILY: As I'm sure everyone has heard by row. 17 Americans were klled and over 50 injured in an attack on the USS Cole off the cost of Yemen. By Presidential order. all flaus were to be flown at half staff this past weekend in honor of these sailors. fHfowever if you were at the Indiana game this past weekend. you would have seen the fla flyine at full staff durma the same. Why? Because flying it at half-staff would have interfered with with ABC's cam- eras. As a future officer in the US. military, it disheartens me to know that honoring the brave men and women w ho hawe iven their lives for their nation is not as important as ABC's cam- era anle at the Saturday afternoon football game. KELLY THOMPSON ENGINEERING SENIOR ZBT president was' wrong about importance of vote TO THE DAILY: Not to claim that I have anv conneiction to the I1C or their decision to expel the cam- pus chapter of Zeta Beta Tau. but I was quite surprised by ZBT president Israel Nosnik's statement saying that 'this single event is more damaging to the Greek system than one kid getting bleach poured on him or a kid getting shot in the penis' (IfC votes zBT out of organization." 10 19 00). Are you serious? I would have never thought that someone (a male for that matter) would say that anything is more important that some- one getting shot in the penis. I remember reading about this horrific act last year and thinking that this had to be some kind of male hate group to even aam a bb. gun (or whatever) at someone's groin and then to actually pull the trigger. What kind of demonic mess is that'? I'm sorry. but I doubt seriously that any of the brothers of ZBT will be suffering an unimaginable amount of pain by not being able participate in a Greek life party. Perhaps if they were the ones that got shot they would sing a different (much higher) tun-e. JASON MORRIS ENGINEERING SENIOR Texas justice system is disaster area tinized by the national media? Not only do I have a hard time believing that, based on pure numbers, anyone could be absolutely positive of his claims. I also believe that the multitude of horror stories I've read detailing public defenders' lazy. racist and sometimes drunken demeanors towards their usually. poor. minority clients in Texas contra- dict Bush's claim.Why is it that the powers that be do not question Bush's integrity on this mat- ter? DYLAN LEOPOLD ALUMNUS Org. Studies will 'never' go away TO THE DAILY: I would like to take a moment to respond to Brock VandenBerg and his letter from October 19th "Canning Org. Studies was right choice; fluff majors abound." In his letter he admits "most people don't even know what is involved in the Organizational Studies program." He then goes on to make many assumptions about Organizational Studies (OS). My question is. why would one make such a harsh judgment about something that they admittedly know little about? I feel Vanden- Berg has missed one of the greatest lessons of a university education. seeking the truth. One does not seek truth by gathering a small amount of information before jumping to a conclusion. VandenBerg suggests that this is a univer- sity and not a day-care center. He also says "a University is a place where you learn about important subjects such as math. history, Eng- lish, science and art." The fact is that the cur- rent OS curriculum does include upper level courses in math, history, science, and art. Fur- thermore. OS is interdisciplinary and by nature offers more curricular latitude than a traditional concentration. Therefore, students must exhibit initiative when planning their course of study. This added ingenuity encour- ages an OS student to be sophisticated and responsible about their education. Organizational Studies is interdisciplinary, that is what the students in the program trea- sure. Just switching to a business, economics, or IOE degree defeats that purpose. Vanden- Berg implies that OS students feel "every other degree is narrow and non-inclusive" Yes, when compared to OS, they can be. Other degrees are usually focused in one area, whereas OS looks at the bigger picture. There is unbelievable support for OS on this campus, from faculty, staff and especially students. The dean herself has said that she supports a concentration in OS that is support- ed by faculty oversight (which admittedly we currently lack). There will be a proposal for a new OS program on the table by the end of the month. There is every indication that this pro- posal will be approved and that the new pro- gram will be under way in the fall of 2001. The dean said her decision to cut the current OS program was made to make room for a new OS program. While I do not agree with the manner in which the transition is being executed, one thing still stands; Organizational Studies will not be going away. OS supporters will never let that happen. JAY SALLIOTTE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, ORGANIZA- TIONAL STUDIES STUDENT ASSEMBLY Gore is no Nader, but no Bush either 0I TO THE DAILY: I am writing to express my support for Vice President Al Gore, and to encourage indepen- dent voters and supporters of Ralph Nader to join me in protecting America's future. Voting one's conscience or heart is a noble activity and Ralph Nader's plans for America are steps in the right direction. However, in Gov. George W. Bush, we can see a darkness on the horizon for America. A Bush Presiden- cy will mean a return to the days of broadening economic and educational gaps, a return to the days of ballooning deficits, a return to the days of backroom abortions. Gore is no Nader, but Gore's primary oppo- nent is even less so. Bush must not be entrust- ed with the office of President of the United States - please join me in looking beyond ide- alism, and vote for Al Gore on November 7th. PATRICK KOEHN ENGINEERING DOCTORAL CANDIDATE DANE BARNES S