LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Monday, September 23, 2002 - 3A
Forum meets to discuss peace movement
Person escapes
custody, found
riding bus
By Erin Saylor
and Bron Daniels
For the Daily
A subject escaped from the custody
of a Northville Corrections Facility
Corrections Officer while at the Uni-
versity Hospital Emergency Room Fri-
day. The subject was later located on a
Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
bus at the corner of Washtenaw Avenue
and South Forest Avenue. The subject
was then taken back into custody and
transported to the hospital, according
to DPS reports.
Caller reports her
vehicle missing
from parking lot
A man woke up Thursday morning to
. find his van missing from the parking
lot at 1600 McIntyre, where he had
parked it the previous night. The van
was discovered missing at 7:15 a.m.,
when he went to take his kids to school.
His wife called the Department of Pub-
lic Safety and filed a report, and a Be
On the Lookout order was put over the
radio. The Lot Enforcement Intelli-
gence Network was also contacted.
Woman reports
advances by man
A woman reported Thursday that
a man rubbed her leg and grabbed
her while at the Michigan League
Sept. 15. According to police
reports, the woman had repeatedly
told the man not to touch her. She
was not injured.
The subject left the building after
being notified he was trespassing and
Sexual Assault Prevention and Aware-
ness Center was contacted. The inci-
dent is pending further investigation.
Man assaulted,
beaten, injured by
'friend' in carport
A man received four punches to his
head, including one that cut him below
his left eye, while at the Church Street
Parking Structure early Saturday morn-
ing. According to police reports, the
man had been assaulted by a friend for
unknown reasons.
The victim declined transportation
to the University Hospital ER by the
Huron Valley Ambulance. A DPS offi-
cer dtve him instead. The victim
received stitches for the cut. The inci-
dent is under investigation.
Burnt popcorn
triggers alarm in
Mosher-Jordan
A fire alarm was pulled in Mosher
Jordan Residence Hall Saturday after-
noon. According to DPS reports, the
only problem officers found was burnt
popcorn.
Fire alarms also were triggered in
East Quadrangle Residence Hall, once
Thursday and again Friday. The first
alarm was due to an outside contractor
cutting tile in the janitors closet and the
smoke from the tiles activated the
smoke detector. The second alarm was
caused by steam near the basement
loading dock, according to DPS
reports.
Gold foreign car
involved in hit-
and-run collision
After a car driving down Madison
Avenue was hit by another vehicle,
described in DPS reports as being an
"unknown gold foreign vehicle, newer
model," the driver allegedly responsi-
ble for the crash left the scene. The vic-
tims informed officers that the driver
had first asked them if they were OK,
but drove off when they tried to get his
information.
The victims had minor bruises.
Caller claims lady
stole beer, soda
cooler on wheels
A lady, described as being about 40
years old, standing five-feet-ten to six-
feet with a heavy set build, long brown
hair and gray sweatpants, allegedly
stole a cooler filled with beer and pop
Saturday afternoon, during the football
game. The property stolen is described
as a large white and blue cooler on
wheels.
Two chairs stolen
from West Quad
computing site
Two chairs were reported missing
Party ,terAdi mornina from the
A group of about 20 people gathered yesterday
for tea and a passionate discussion about the
Israeli peace movement. The small forum, attend-
ed mostly by senior citizens, featured Aliyah
Strauss, an Israeli-American and president of the
Women's International League for Peace and
Freedom.
"People always ask me why I'm doing this, and
I tell them that I have five reasons," she said, tear-
ing up as she showed a picture of her five grand-
children who live in Jerusalem.
Strauss, who lives in Jaff in the southern part
of Tel Aviv, advocated for a non-violent conclu-
sion to the conflict between the Palestinians and
Israelis.
"While the politics of peace are complex, one
beginning is simple: Peace requires people's affir-
mation of human connection and willingness to
live in proximity and relation with one another,"
said a piece of literature handed out during the
forum.
"We need to pool our human and financial
resources together to really make a differ-
ence," Strauss said. "We're hoping for grass-
root movements to demand the support of
organizations other than government institu-
tions."
In a recent survey conducted by the organiza-
tion Search for Common Ground, Strauss pointed
out that an overwhelming number of Palestinians
said they would support and participate in a large,
non-violent demonstration, and 80 percent of
Israelis polled acknowledged that a Palestinian
state was inevitable.
"If the public is dovish, then why do the polls
show continued support for Prime Minister
(Ariel) Sharon?" Strauss said. "Because the
Israeli government is a hawk government."
Strauss emphasized the role of women in the
peace process, and their support of Women in
Black, an organization that began in Jerusalem to
protest occupation.
"We dress in all black as a sign of mourning
for those who have been lost, and stand in busy
intersections," Strauss said. "On Aug. 10, 500 of
us marched into Bethlehem to meet with our
Palestinian supporters, but we were prevented by
the military who told us that Bethlehem had been
closed for the day."
Strauss commended women on their participa-
tion in the Jerusalem Link, a program designed to
maintain an ongoing dialog between Palestinian
and Israeli women.
"The women are not afraid to sit down and
talk, even if they don't agree, they are able to dis-
cuss democratically," Strauss said.
"I feel like this is a bridge movement;" said Jil-
nar Mansour, a member of the International Soli-
darity Movement and a participant in Women in
Black.
"We want people to know that there is an active
peace movement in Palestine and Israel," Strauss
said. "We're out there, we're working and we
need your support."
Walking your rabbit
Fuel-cell legislature tops
state agenda this week
LANSING (AP) - Michigan lawmakers may
have their eyes on the fast-approaching Novem-
ber election, but they're taking time this week to
try and put the state at the forefront of fuel-cell
development.
The House plans to consider a fuel-cell bill
passed by the Senate last week. The measure
would set up a new state authority to establish the
NextEnergy center in Wayne State University's
Research and Technology Park.
Washtenaw County's York Township was first
proposed for the fuel-cell center, but state offi-
cials ran into problems establishing a 700-acre,
tax-free zone there. The selection of the Detroit
site was announced last week by the Michigan
Economic Development Corp.
Sen. Joanne Emmons, a Big Rapids Republi-
can and chairwoman of the Senate Finance Com-
mittee, said it's important that Michigan get
involved with the development of alternative
energy sources.
"Michigan has gotten to the head of the line,"
she said. "We are going to be a leader in the
nation."
Passage of the bill also will enable previously
passed bills providing tax credits for alternative
energy technologies to take effect. Gov. John
Engler proposed the NextEnergy legislation earli-
er this year.
In other action this week, the House may
consider legislation that would centralize the
child support division of the Family Indepen-
dence Agency, the state's social services
department.
It's among a package of 11 bills also .would
allow the Child Support Office to contract a pri-
vate collection agency to get delinquent child
support payments.
The House also may take up a bill that would
require gubernatorial candidates who receive
public funds to debate in each of Michigan's
ill own cell*
"Michigan has gotten to
the head of the line. We
are going to be a leader
in the nation"
- State Sen.Joanne Emmons (R-Big Rapids)
media markets.
If the candidates cannot agree on a schedule or
a format, the legislation would give the secretary
of state the power to oversee the process and set
debate schedules in Michigan's eight major media
markets.
The Senate is scheduled to take up an appropri-
ations bill that approves additional spending in
the 2001-02 and 2002-03 fiscal years.
It would add $25.4 million in spending to the
current budget year, which ends Sept. 30, and
$12.6 million in the next one. The money would
go to community colleges, nursing homes,
libraries and various state departments for a vari-
ety of programs.
The Senate also is scheduled to take up a bill
that would restore the authority of Michigan
International Speedway in Brooklyn to sell beer
at its races.
The speedway had permitted such sales, but a
change of ownership led the state to stop the
practice, said Sen. Philip Hoffman, a Horton
Republican who sponsored the measure.
House members will be in session only
tomorrow before leaving Lansing until after the
Nov. 5 election. The Senate plans to meet
tomorrow through Thursday. The break will
enable legislators to campaign for re-election
or other posts. All 148 legislative seats are
being voted on this year.
phones soon
TONY DING/Daily
LSA juniors Shannon Heidrich and Eric Phillips take their pet rabbits for a stroll on
the Dennison Quad lawn Saturday night.
More than half of teens w
By Lauren Hodge
For the Daily
Whether used in emergency situations or for
day-to-day communication, cell phones make
communication more accessible and quicker for
students. No longer do people have to wait to get
home or to reach an Internet connection to relay
information.
As the market develops, offering Internet
access and the ability to send messages to others
straight from mobile phones, researchers predict
that 50 percent of teens will own a cell phone in
two years.
A recent study released by Cahners In-Stat
Group Market Research Firm projects that the
wireless market for young people ages 10-24
will grow from 11 million subscribers to 43
million in 2004.
Because technological advancements are made
every day, many feel the necessity to adapt to the
changes in order to keep from falling behind.
This in turn causes cell phone users to become
dependent on their hand-held devices.
English Prof. Louis Cicciarelli says he is more
confused than offended when a cell phone goes
off in class.
"It isn't an insult to me, I just don't understand
why students need to be reached in the middle of
the day. I barely talk on the phone at home and
don't own a cell phone. It's just not necessary,"
Cicciarelli said.
But for Nursing sophomore Alyssa Shefman,
her cell phone is a valuable safety device.
"If I am ever in an accident or there is a serious
emergency, it is comforting toknow that I can get
immediate help," Shefman said.
Mike Shih, owner of Wireless Express on
South University Avenue, said the store is cur-
rently the No. I dealer for AT&T Voice Stream in
Ann Arbor. Opening in November of last year,
Shih says business is going very well.
"Cell phones are a great way to help students
with their budgets, especially for long distance
calls by out-of-state students," Shih said,
adding their main goal is to cater to the stu-
dents' needs, primarily because communication
is so important.
Though cell phones are cost effective for a
number of reasons, many students are responsible
for paying their monthly cell phone bills.
"My parents purchased the phone, the activa-
tion fee and a basic plan," LSA sophomore
Matthew Arenson said. "But I paid extra to
upgrade my package with more minutes."
Despite the variety of benefits provided by
"it isn't an insult to me. I just don't understand why
students need to be reached in the middle of the day."
- Louis Cicciarelli
University English professor
cell phones, studies suggest they can have life-
threatening effects under certain circumstances.
In June of 2001, the state Assembly in Albany
approved a measure that made New York the
first state to prohibit drivers from using hand-
held cell phones. According to a recent article
by USA Today, more than 6 million of the 150
million cell phone users reside in the state of
New York alone.
Originally from Brooklyn, LSA sophomore
Jared Goldberger said he supported the new law.
"It took a little while to get used to not talking
in a car because it's a natural response. But all in
all, I think the law is beneficial because it will
save the lives of a lot of careless drivers. Espe-
cially in Manhattan," Goldberger said.
The effects of radiation caused by cellular
phones have additionally caused much debate.
Dr. Kjell Hansson Mild studied radiation risk
in 11,000 mobile telephone users in Sweden.
Symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and
burning sensations on the skin were noted on
those who made longer mobile phone calls.
Numerous other experiments have been con-
ducted to observe the repercussions, if any, of
cell phone use.
"The solution is simple," said Bert Dearing, an
employee at Wireless Express. "People can pur-
chase hands-free sets to reduce the risk of radia-
tion. Certain wireless phones, like Ericsson, have
proven to give off less radiation."
Despite the possible effects, the Federal
Communications Commission has endorsed
commercial cellular services in the United
States since 1982, and the number of wireless
telephone subscribers increases dramatically
each year. Currently, 150 million Americans
own cellular phones, according to a recent
study conducted by the University of Califor-
nia at Davis Health System.
p 1
Insurance increases
linked to State Farm
LANSING (AP) - State Farm,
Michigan's biggest home-insurance
provider with 28 percent of all policies,
is responsible for a big increase in the
cost of insurance in the state, consumer
advocates say.
After losing billions of dollars last
year, the company froze the number
of policyholders. State Farm Fire and
Casualty Company also has increased
home insurance rates 31.9 percent
this year.
Overall, homeowners insurance
rates in Michigan are up an average
of 16 percent this year, after increas-
es of 12 percent in 2001 and 3 per-
cent in 2000, The Detroit News said
yesterday.
Home owners can expect their insur-
ance nreminm to increase an average of
because of increased costs of labor,
home building materials and medical
costs,' Rinock said.
Some consumer activists say State
Farm is driving the higher rates in
Michigan, primarily by halting new
policies in the state.
"It's OK for State Farm to change its
corporate philosophy, but its not OK to
do it all at once and clobber the con-
sumer," said J. Robert Hunter, insur-
ance director for the Consumer
Federation of America in Washington,
D.C. "State Farm is one of the richest
companies in the American economy.
But they did lose $5 billion last year -
and it scared them."
Hunter said the state's insurance reg-
ulator should have told State Farm to
snread its new husiness annroach over
Whr1poo1 Corporation
Invites you to join us at the
U of M Career Fair
On
Tuesday, September 24
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
i
F
II