7R - h /fli~ -fl i" L- - n d.....:.. a. .n An.n - L z - ine vMiinigan uaily - special Graauation section - luesay, April 19, 2005N EW S Proposal passes, same-sex unions banned November 3, 2004 By Karen Tee Daily Staff Reporter Voters in Michigan approved a ballot pro- posal yesterday to amend the state's constitution to ban gay marriage and other similar unions. With the adoption of Proposal 2, the constitution will now define the union between a man and a woman in legal marriage as "the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose." About 63 percent of voters approved the pro- posal. Kristina Hemphill, spokeswoman for Citi- zens for the Protection of Marriage, the group that collected petition signatures in order to put the proposal on the ballot, said, "When we saw the number of signatures collected during the petition drive, we knew Michigan citizens understood the issue and wanted to protect the meaning of marriage."- Speaking during the group's victory party in Lansing, Hemphill said, "We are now celebrat- ing the victory, that the voice of the people have been heard." Opponents of the proposal have voiced their disappointment over the outcome but are not willing to concede that their cause is lost. Rocky Byington, a member of the Coalition for a Fair Michigan, said, "If Kerry becomes the next president, there is still hope that something can be done at the federal level to preempt what is being done at the state level." In fact, it is very likely the constitutionality of the amendment will be challenged in the courts. Andrea Knittel, co-chair of the Stonewall Dem- ocrats - the gay and transgender arm of the College Democrats - said, "We are arguing that this amendment puts discrimination into our constitution. The last six words are so vague and poorly worded that we don't know what the amendment will do." Members of the Stonewall Democrats have been campaigning against the proposal on campus, talking to potential voters on the Diag every day for the past week.. Knittel said the amendment threatens to take away benefits that were offered to couples in domestic partnerships and civil unions. As such, unions will no lon- ger be recognized under state law. This means benefits such as health insurance for domestic partners and their children may be taken away now that the proposal has been passed. However, Hemphill argued that all the amendment aims to do is to protect the tra- ditional meaning of marriage. "This has never been about taking benefits away from people. The last six words of the amend- ment were added on the advice of our legal counsel in order to precisely define mar- riage. Even the court of appeals agreed that this was the best way to protect the defini- tion of marriage." "With Proposal 2, the goals of the bal- lot were very intentionally left out, unlike other proposals," Knittel countered. "The proponents do not want people to know how broad the amendment is, and what it will actually do." University Law School Dean Evan Caminker said, "There is sufficient passion on both sides to bring this case to the courts in order to define exactly what the amend- ment means." A possible position opponents could take is to challenge the constitutionality of the amendment based on the way it is worded. Mae Kuykendall, professor of law at Michi- gan State University's College of Law, explained, "The wording of the amendment is a poor match for what its proponents claim it should achieve - that is, to protect marriage from an assault by state judges. This amendment goes much farther, appear- ing to invalidate private arrangements and civil unions." She noted that state laws already ban gay marriage and that Michigan's conservative courts currently would not use the state con- stitution to overturn the statutory ban on gay marriage. Hence, according to Kuykendall, the wording of this amendment is hostile to homosexual people as it denies them ben- efits that domestic partnerships and civil unions offer. While unmarried heterosexual couples will suffer a similar loss of benefits that normally come with civil unions - because the amendment says that the state can only recognize marriage as a type of legal union -gay couples will bear the brunt of the pro- posal, she added. Despite the proposal's outcome, the Uni- versity said it will still offer benefits to same-sex and heterosexual couples. Presi- dent Mary Sue Coleman has said the Uni- versity will continue offering health care and other benefits to same-sex domestic partners of University employees. In a letter to University faculty and staff on Oct. 14, Coleman wrote, the University will "vigor- ously defend (its) right to offer such ben- efits," regardless of the amendment. The war in Iraq: two years on BEFORE THE INVASION AFTER IRAQ'S ELECTIONS March 6, 2003 By Emily Kraack Daily Staff Reporter Students sounded off on the idea of war against Iraq in a debate yes- terday as part of the "Books Not Bombs" student strike. The debate, held in the Chemistry Building, pitted Michigan Review Editor in Chief James Justin Wilson and Managing Editor Ruben Duran against Nursing School junior Abby Schlaff and Amer Zahr, a student in Rackam and the Law School. Wilson said that the Persian Gulf War ended with a truce contingent on Iraq's disarmament and said Iraq's possession of banned weap- ons constitutes a violation of this truce. "As far as I'm concerned, we're in a constant state of war," he said. Wilson said he approves of an American invasion of Iraq. "I sup- port the use of military force that is justified," he said. Schlaff emphasized the need for domestic spending, rather than war spending. "It's not possible to have a tax cut, an expensive war and increased domestic spending," she said. "So many human needs are getting shortchanged." Saddam Hussein has put the United States into a position where only military force is acceptable, Wilson said. He quoted John F. Kennedy, saying, "Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable." February 16, 2004 By Laura Van Hyfte Daily Staff Reporter In the wake of last month's land- mark elections in Iraq, many experts on the region are crossing their fingers in hopes of a lasting democracy in the Mideast nation. Though they are uncertain of the future, many schol- ars see the elections as an important, albeit flawed, first step. The polls did not, in fact, represent all of the Iraqi people. Many Sunni Arabs, who make up 20 percent of the population, did not vote on Election Day. Instead, many stayed at home out of fear of violence or to support a boy- cott organized by clerics opposed to U.S. occupation. "The results reflect the intimidation and fear the Sunnis have regarding the unstable system of government that they do not have a voice in," Communication Studies lecturer Lawrence Pintak said. The election resulted unfavorably for temporary Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, the U.S.-backed secular Shiite who has led Iraq for the past eight months. Allawi's ticket finished a distant third behind the Shiite-dominated United Iraqi Alliance and The Kurdistan Alliance. The United Iraqi Alliance received 4,075,295 votes, roughly 48 percent of all votes cast. The Kurdistan Alli- ance, an alliance of two Kurdish par- ties, finished second with 2,175,551 votes, roughly 26 percent. Allawi, who headed the Iraqi List, stood third with 1,168,9343 votes. nearly 14 percent. March 20,2003 May 2 Jan. 28,2004 June 28 Nov.8 April 11 U.S.launches air Bush announces Flmr.U.S.weaponsin-- U.S.and-coalition- U.S.begins as U.S. commanders attack in Iraq. "major combat spector says he and U.S. transfer sovereignty sault of Fallujah. reportedly consider Operation Iraq operations"are were wrong about Iraq's to interim Iraq gov- partial withdrawal of Freedom begins. over. bio and chem weapons. ernment. troops by early 2006. Apil9De.13Ar 30 so ab Sep1,00A.r7 as avTee.~l an. 30, 2005 Fall of Baghdad. U.S. Saddam Hussein Pictures of prisoner abuse 1,000 Americans have been killed 8.5 million Iraqis helps Iraqis tear captured in a hole- at the Abu Ghraib prison and about 7,000 injured since vote in their first down statue of Sad- by U.S. soldiers. in Iraq a released to the war's start,:Attacks on-U.S.forces truly democratic dam Hussein. reach their heght. election. U.S. soldiers help Iraqis tear down a statue of Saddam Hussein. Bush celebrates victory, Kerry concedes election November 4, 2004 By Farayha Arrine Daily Staff Reporter WASHINGTON - President Bush accepted his re- election yesterday by addressing the nation and vowing, as he did in 2000, to unite a partisan population. "Today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent," the President said, standing alongside his family. "To make our nation stronger and better, I will need your support, and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust." After a night of vote tabulations and shifting predic- tions by pundits and political analysts, it was largely con- ceded yesterday morning that by winning the crucial state of Ohio, Bush had won the popular and electoral vote. Acknowledging Bush's insurmountable lead in Ohio, Democratic candidate John Kerry conceded yesterday afternoon and pledged to do his part to unite the nation. Vice President Dick Cheney spoke briefly before intro- ducing the president at the Ronald Reagan building in Washington and thanked supporters for allowing him to preside over a more Republican-controlled Senate. On stage, the President departed from his usual approach by making -almost no mention of terrorists, homeland security or his commitment to continue the war on terrorism. He avoided these topics that his campaign considers its strong suits, but which have earned criticism for playing with the fears of Americans. The only hint at the topic of terrorism was when Bush credited his admin- istration for bringing "the enemy to justice" by going to war in Iraq. The president also described a general plan for the nation, mentioning five themes that would take priority in his second term: economic recovery, war, education, Social Security and moral values. Although no specific details were offered, his mention of each issue indicated continuity with the first four years of Bush decision-making. Despite far reaching criticism of his decision to go to war in Iraq, Bush's statements on the topic aligned with the status quo. On the war, he maintained that fraq and Afghanistan would grow in strength and defend their free- dom, adding that the emergence of democratic regimes in these countries would earn soldiers the respect and honor they deserved. Bush also reiterated a Social Security overhaul he has been advocating in the last four years: privatization through personal investment accounts. He also pledged to reform an "outdated tax code," which he has done in the last four years by lowering taxes to spur economic recov- ery. But Bush resonated with the audience best when he mentioned conservative morals and values, a position that some say was most appealing to Republicans in this election and was also a wedge issue used to court those opposed to abortion and gay marriage. A pledge to return to "family and faith" appealed to most people present. "Bush's speech was wonderful because it gave glory to God and will unite the nation," said Michelle Wicker of Georgia, who along with her two children and husband carried Bush/Cheney signs. While others present at the event voiced similar beliefs, outside of the Republican victory party, just 9 percent of the District of Columbia voted for Bush. Thus most bars, restaurants and streets remained quiet as citizens went on with daily activities. Cab drivers driving around down- town Washington said the city lay quiet, an observation many others made. On buses, subways and street corners, much of the city's black population expressed dismay about Kerry's loss and concern about what Bush would do for them. "Four more years of this president means once again (the black community) will be ignored," said Washington resident Ron Jamison. Voters elect first female governor of Michigan November 4, 2004 By Louie Meizlish and Jordan Schrader Daily Staff Reporters DETROIT - State Attorney General Jennifer Granholm cruised to victory in "Today we won a victory not for one candidate, not for one party, but for the future of our state," Granholm said in declaring victory a little after 11 p.m. At the same time, Democrats were hoping they would be able to hold onto the attor- nPV [Tnn_ ffrwhc (.r-- nnhnl