The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
U.S. translator missing,
may have been abducted
SOAR
From page 1
2005, didn't allow
sity to let organic
members to signstat
This omission coul
legal showdown wi
BAGHDAD (AP) - A U.S. soldier
in Baghdad was reported missing
late Monday, and residents said
American forces sealed the central
Karadah district and were conduct-
ing door-to-door searches. Other
reports claimed he was an Army
translator of Iraqi descent and was
abducted.
A military official in Washington
said the missing service member
was a translator and that the ini-
tial report was he may have been
abducted. The official spoke on
condition of anonymity because
the information was not cleared for
release.
An employee at Baghdad's al-
Furat TV, which was raided by
American forces earlier Monday,
said the U.S. forces conducting the
search told him they were looking
for an abducted American officer of
Iraqi descent.
The employee said U.S. soldiers
and Mouwafak al-Rubaie, the gov-
ernment's national security adviser
who went to the station during the
raid, told him the missing officer
had left to join family members
in Baghdad's Karadah district. It
wasn't immediately possible to
clarify the reports.
The officer's wife, also an Iraqi-
American, was reportedly in the
capital visiting family, according
to the reports passed on by the
al-Furat employee. He refused to
allow use of his name fearing ret-
ribution.
Haitham al-Husseini, a close
aide of Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim,
leader of the Supreme Council for
the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, or
SCIRI, said he arrived at al-Furat
station to negotiate the departure
of the American troops and was
told by a U.S. Army colonel that
they were looking for an American
soldier who was kidnapped. SCIRI,
the dominant Shiite group in the
Iraqi government, owns the televi-
sion station.
Residents in Karadah told The
Associated Press that U.S. forces
sealed the central Baghdad district
shortly after 7:30 p.m. The military
was going door-to-door and had
brought in at least two tanks and
two armored vehicles.
"Coalition and Iraqi Security
forces immediately responded to
attempt to locate the soldier. The
search is ongoing," the military said
in a statement that gave no other
details.
The last time any U.S. soldiers Susan Wilson,c
were reported missing was in June, Office of Student
when one was killed in an insurgent Leadership, which
attack at a checkpoint by a Euphra- SOAR process, init
tes River canal, 12 miles south of implement that poll
Baghdad. The two soldiers listed The University, t
as missing had been abducted dur- to play it safe ina le
ing the attack and later found dead, "We really don't
their bodies brutalized, the mili- legal interpretation
tary said. One of the soldiers had Wilson said. "We
been beheaded. ily have to be the o
Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed respon- heads bloodied ever
sibility for killing the soldiers, Enforcement of
and said the successor to terror nondiscrimination
leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had straightforward.
"slaughtered" them, according to "We've also been
a Web statement that could not be religious organizat
authenticated. public institution w
In another case, Sgt. Keith M. accepting of all peol
Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, is still social identities," W
missing in action. He disappeared Still, there isr
in April 2004 in an insurgent attack
on a fuel convoy west of Baghdad.
One private contractor also remains
missing. STEM CELLS
Separately, Marine Cpl. Wassef From page 1
Ali Hassoun, an Arabic translator,
faces two desertion charges after
Navy investigators concluded he allow researchers to
fled Camp Fallujah in Iraq in June embryonic stem ce
2004 and then failed to arrive athis after 2001, Saltiel sa
base in Camp Lejeune, N.C., in Jan- State laws that b
uary 2005. Hassoun is still missing. of new human emb
for the Univer-
zations require
tements of faith.
Id have led to a
th some groups.
director of the
Activities and
oversees the
ially wanted to
icy.
though, decided
gal gray area.
know what the
n is going to be,"
don't necessar-
ones getting our
ry time."
the rest of the
policy is more
a very clear with
lions that as a
e need to be very
ple regardless of
ilson said.
no clear court
precedent on the enforcement of
nondiscrimination policies by uni-
versities.
The Christian Legal Society
chapter at Ohio State University
sparked a legal skirmish in 2003
after it changed its constitution to
bar people who engage in gay sexu-
al activity from its leadership. OSU
began to strip the organization of
its recognition but relented after
the group filed a lawsuit. Now stu-
dent groups at OSU can limit mem-
bership based on "sincerely held
religious belief."
Varner said that's not an excep-
tion the University of Michigan is
likely to make.
"What is religion? It's avery neb-
ulous thing," she said. "It gets tobe
a slippery and messy slope."
Instead, groups can make
their members uphold standards
of behavior as long as they don't
restrict based on social identity.
These standards include require-
ments to live according to the Bible
and bans on underage drinking.
The groups that require state-
ments of faith say they are essential
to carrying out their missions.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 7
"Our group holds that certain
things are true and certain things
are false. We try to pursue the
things that we think are true,"
said James Paternoster, a staffer at
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
and an advisor to avariety of Chris-
tian pre-professional groups. These
groups, which include the Universi-
ty's chapter of the Christian Legal
Society, require their leaders to
sign statements of faith.
"Anything worth doing needs
to be led by people who believe it's
worth doing," Paternoster said.
University officials seem con-
fident that their approach to reli-
gious groups will prevent conflict
until the Supreme Court draws a
clear line on the limits of nondis-
crimination policies.
"It is not a crisis here," Wilson
said. "What we have here right
now is people who are earnest,
understand where we're coming
from, respectful of the policies
we've put forth, understand what
we mean when we talk about social
identity. I feel as though people
have been pretty respectful of one
another."
o work with new
ll lines created
aid.
ban the creation
ryonic stem cell
Chavez suffers int'l setbacks
in his quest for U.N. seat
CARACAS, Venezuela - Presi- they didn't." bly last month, when he said the1
dent Hugo Chavez has suffered a With Venezuela trailing the podium reeked of sulfur after Bush
string of international setbacks, U.S.-supported Guatemala after 35 spoke.1
seeing his campaign for a U.N. rounds of secret votes that left both "Even if you want to bash anoth-
Security Council seat fall short and shyofthetwo-thirdsmajorityneed- er head of state, this isn't proper1
his favored leftist candidates losing ed to win a Security Council seat, decorum," Effah-Apenteng said.
elections in Peru and Mexico. the contest could eventually end up "That's the problem."+
Calling President Bush "the going to a compromise candidate Some analysts, however, said
devil" still rallies faithful Chavistas after voting resumes Wednesday. Chavez's influence with a solid blocj
in Venezuela, where Chavez leads Chavez portrays the U.N. voting in the United Nations despite coun-
in the polls six weeks ahead of elec- as a diplomatic victory, saying Sun- ter-lobbying by Washington shows
tions. But critics say his superheat- day that he achieved his objective of his political savvy.
ed rhetoric is turning away some blocking Washington's candidate. "This is like a boxing match. You
potential supporters elsewhere. "We've taught the empire a les- have a heavyweight in the form of
"Taking these kinds of broad- son," Chavez told supporters. Even the U.S., you have a junior weight
sides against the U.S. hasn't really if "Venezuela isn't able to enter the in the form of Venezuela, and the
worked for him politically abroad," Security Council, we've done dam- fact that Venezuela has lasted this
said Daniel Erikson of the Inter- age to the empire. That was our long speaks tremendously to the1
American Dialogue, a Washing- objective." kind of influence that they were
ton-based think tank. "A lot of But Ghana's U.N. ambassador, able to generate," said Miguel Tin-
governments indicated they would Nana Effah-Apenteng, said many ker Salas, a Latin American studies+
vote for him in the U.N., and then diplomats feel Chavez went too far professor at Pomona College in Cla-1
when it came to the secret ballot, in his speech to the General Assem- remont, Calif.
lines in Michigan will still apply, he
said.
But under the law, researchers
can study new lines imported from
other states.
The room, which is expected
to be operational within the next
month, will not be a fully equipped
lab.
Instead, researchers will bring
their experiments to the roomwhen
working on non-federally approved
lines.
Morrison said the federal
lines are inferior to the new non-
approved lines because they are
often contaminated with animal
products. This makes the research
inapplicable to human patients. The
lines also do not contain genetic
defects that are useful when study-
ing neurodegenerative diseases like
Huntington's disease, which Mor-
rison plans to study.
The room, which will house an
incubator, freezer and other basic
lab equipment, will be open to all
University researchers interested
in working with stem cells, Morri-
son said.
The room was established with
$283,000 in private donations. The
list of the 13named donors released
by LSI yesterday includes Univer-
sity Regents Olivia Maynard (D-
Goodrich) and Rebecca McGowan
(D-Ann Arbor) as well as Phil
Power, an active University donor
and former regent.
This money is enough to operate
the lab for roughly one year, Mor-
rison said.
LSI plans to raise $1 million to
maintain the room for up to four
years.
By that time, Morrison said, he
hopes the federal and state restric-
tions will be loosened, eliminating
the need for the room.
McGowan said that politics do
not fit into the research.
"LSI is doing basic research on
life's mysteries," she said. "That's
what a great university does."
McGowan declined to say how
much money she and her husband
donated to the project.
Other schools, includingthe Uni-
versity of Wisconsin and Harvard
University, have already designated
privately funded rooms or insti-
tutes for stem cell research.
Morrison said the University
was slower to take this approach
because of the state's restrictions.
"Michigan's laws are much more
restrictive than federal laws, and
more restrictive than every other
state, other than South Dakota," he
said.
Both Morrison and Saltiel said
the room, and this strategy for iso-
lating private funds, is no secret.
"This is openly discussed in the
media," Morrison said. "This is a
strange phenomenon, but it is hap-
pening all across the country."
the michigan daily
7
i
i
I
A
4 Michigan. Now MAP will try to
take its place as the assembly hege-
mon.
The party brass is certainly
optimistic for MAP's future. At
the Oct. 11 meeting, they boasted
about their level of experience, and
more importantly, their experience
with winning. Last election cycle,
54M scored a comfortable victory
over challengers from the Michi-
gan Progressive Party, the Student
Conservative Party and the Defend
Affirmative Action Party.
At the mass meeting, MAP offi-
cial Nick Fink told prospective can-
didates that they could be sure to
win "as long as you do what we tell
you to do."
With regard to the first aspect
of their three-pronged platform,
"protecting your wallet," the
party officials are focused on
fighting extraneous education
costs, most importantly the price
of textbooks. MAP wants to push
the University to require instruc-
tors to publish book lists well
before classes begin. They plan to
meet with University officials to
devise a way to create and enforce
this mandate.
"All students have a right to have
more time to find textbooks," said
Pink.
Katherine Musbach, a MAP
party leader, said that other goals
aimed at saving students money
include putting course packs online
and reducing the cost of double-
sided printing - currently the same
price as printing two pages.
MAP also makes a goal of "pro-
tecting your rights." Most of this
promise consists of an intricate
plan regarding campus safety. The
plan includes increasing lights and
police phones around and near
campus.
MAP also stresses building
MSA's relationship with City Coun-
cil to ensure that students have a
voice in local government.
"Taking action for you," the final
part of the new slogan deals with
accountability in student govern-
ment. Fink pointed to his work on
creating the new degree progress
tracker on Wolverine Access. MAP
leadership also worked with the
University's Information Technol-
ogy Central Services to, create a
survey students can fill out to pro-
vide input regarding student gov-
ernment.
MAP will likely battle the Stu-
dent Liberty Party - which has
strong ties to last spring's Stu-
dent Conservative Party - in the
November election.
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For Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006
ARtES
(March 21 to April 19)
You can expect to feel increasingly
intense about practically everything in
the next few weeks. Suddenly, every-
thing matters. You see events in black
and white. You might have to deal with
inheritance matters, errands and shared
properry.
TAURUS
(April 20 to May 20)
It's unusual, but right now five planets
oppose your sign. This totally focuses
your attention on partnerships and close
friendships. (You have no choice!)
GEMINI
(May 21 to June 20)
You're a dynamo of energy in the next
few weeks. Primarily, it's because you
have a strong motivation to get better
organized. You might as well act while
you have this urge!
CANCER
(June 21 to July 22)
Everything having to do with
romance, love affairs, playful activities,
the entertainment world and working
with children will be your major focus in
the month ahead. It's time to have fun!
LEO
(July 23 to Aug. 22)
Home, family and real estate matters
are on the menu for the next six weeks.
Family discussions are significant.
Entertain at home when you can.
VIRGO
(Aug. 23 to Sept. 221
The daily tempo of your days is accel-
erating! Short trips, errands, increased
time with siblings and relatives, plus
reading and writing keep you hopping
for the next month.
LIBRA
(Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)
You're unusually focused on money
and possessions right now. You have
moneymaking ideas, but you're also run-
ning around spending it!
SCORPIO
(Oct. 231o Nov. 21)
It's quite unusual to have five planets
in your sign. This empowers you enor-
mously in all your dealings with others.
(Nobody else has a chance.)
SAGI'TTARIUS
(Nov. 22to Dec. 21)
t's important 1o bide your time right
now. Stay in the background. Work in
the wings. Try to get extra rest and relax-
ation for the next six weeks.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
The next six weeks are an extremely
popular time for you. Accept all invita-
tions. Join classes, groups or clubs.
Enjoy the company of friends.
AQUARtUS
(Jan. 201o Feb. 18)
With five planets now at high noon in
your chart, people definitely notice you!
(This acts like a spotlight on you.) The
month ahead is an excellent time to talk
to bosses, VIPs and parents.
PISCES
(Feb. 19 to March 20)
Publishing opportunities or chances to
travel or pursue further education can
come your way in the next month. Be
ready for unexpected adventure! Try to
do something different from your usual
routine.
YOU BORN TODAY You are a styl-
ish perfectionist. You always do your
homework ahead of time; no detail is too
small for you. You like to share your dis-
coveries about the world and yourself
with anyone who is interested. (It's your
dramatic enthusiasm for life.) You're
definitely assertive. The year ahead is
wonderfully social, and it promotes
friendships and romance!
Birthdate of: F. Murray Abraham,
actor; Kevin Kline, actor; Bill Wyman,
FLU
From page 1
not only on how to respon
problem buthow to get the
back on its feet after it end
Using the Spanish influet
demic of 1918 as a model,N
has asked departments to pl
emergency procedures bas
situation where 30 to 45 pe
the campus population wou
pacitated for up to 3 months
According to Science mo
the 1918 pandemic is "the
recorded outbreak of an'
tious disease."
Winfield has turned to t
"The Great Influenza" b
Barry for historical refere
insight into pandemic pi
According to the book, t
flu killed more people in 2
than AIDS has in 24 years.
Last year, scientists at t
ters for Disease Control
structed the virus responc
the 1918 pandemic and fou
the virus was extremely si
current strains of avian in
also known as H5N1. I
tion to genetic similariti
viruses are particularly l
otherwise healthy people I
the ages of 15 and 34 bei
the immune response it pi
Both cause the overprodu
viral defense proteins, whi
the body and turn lethal
accumulate.
According to Terry Alt
executive director of the U
ty's Occupational Safety at
ronmental Health departm
current H5N1 virus has th
tial to be even more leth
the 1918 Spanish strain. W
1918 influenza virus killer
to 8 percent of those infe
said, the current avian fli
has a mortality rate of a
percent.
Still, Alexander doesn'
N
casualties on the level of the 1918 demic isi
flu. For th
"Since then, there's been a huge have bei
amount of progress in medical century.
technology," he said. "Perhaps we experts
d to the will have the tools to fight this dis- come so
campus ease." years.
s. The ability to reconstruct the "It's b
nza pan- 1918 influenza strain has given the last
Winfield researchers at the CDC insight said. "V
an their into what genetic components somethit
ed on a made the virus so harmful. This Or itc
rcent of information will help in the devel- "We'r
tld inca- opment of new drugs and vaccines all this p
. to fight H5N1. Diane Br
agazine, Vaccine production tradition- and oper
largest ally involves the inoculation of Pande
y infec- chicken eggs and takes about six are cent(
months. According to the World necessiti
he book Health Organization, a new tech- tion ant
y John nique called reverse genetics large pa
nce and would shorten production time to dictabilit
lanning. three to four months. Planni
he 1918 'Winfield said experimental avian of coord
4 weeks fluvaccines appear promising atthis papers s
point, showing a desirable immune his offici
he Cen- response in infected mice. each pag
recon- Unfortunately, pandemic plan- tinuity p
sible for ners cannot place all of their inoc- versity t
nd that ulated eggs in one basket. Vaccine faculty a
milar to production would only be useful if of in a p
fluenza, it were known which strain would of them'
n addi- cause a pandemic. Eklun
es, both This is a major problem that dent nee
ethal to Alexander and Winfield have massive
between anticipated. support:
cause of "Nobody knows what kind of to emer
rovokes. virus will cause a pandemic,"Win- the Uni'
.ction of field said. tims ofP
ch flood Another problem, preventable tsunami
as they by nothing short of time travel, She s
is that nobody knows where the events h
exander, virus will strike, if it does. the scop
Jniversi- Hypothetically, the virus could If a p
nd Envi- start in Ann Arbor as a result of the mos
tent, the all the international travelers that dealing
e poten- come here, Alexander said. making:
tal than "There are so many unknown sary rest
here the aspects to this at this point in provided
d only 4 time," he said. "We're kind of in a municat(
cted, he waiting game to see what nature "The
u strain will throw at us." have to
bout 50 Experts at the Institute of Medi- tomorro
cine of the National Academy of to think
t expect Sciences and elsewhere saythe pan- Eklund s
LIKE THE CHANGES? COME
inevitable, even overdue.
he past 300 years, there
en three pandemics per
Drawing on this pattern,
predict that another will
metime in the next 10
een over 40 years since
pandemic," Alexander
We're probably due for
ng."
ould never happen.
e hopeful that we're doing
lanning for nothing," said
own, University facilities
ations spokeswoman.
mic planning efforts
ered not only on medical
es but also communica-
d action procedures, in
rt because of the unpre-
ty of the virus.
ing at this scale takes a lot
ination. A thick stack of
its on Alexander's desk in
e near Michigan Stadium,
e containing business con-
lans from around the Uni-
o ensure that the students,
nd staff will be taken care
andemic situation outside
edical realm.
d is working to assess stu-
ds and devise plans for a
increase in emergency
services. She's no stranger
gency response: She led
versity's response to vic-
Hurricane Katrina and the
of last year.
aid dealing with these
as provided her insight on
e of human need.
pandemic strikes, some of
t important tasks will be
with housing concerns,
sure food and other neces-
ources will continue to be
land knowing how to com-
e information to students.
good news is, we don't
put a plan into action
w, so we've got some time
about how to do this,"
said.
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4