4A - Friday, October 27, 2006
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
L7 itigan al* yfl
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890
413 E. Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
tothedaily@michigandaily.com
EMILY BEAM
DONN M. FRESARD CHRISTOPHER ZBROZEK JEFFREY BLOOMER
EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed
articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
FROM T HE DAILY
Councilman Kunselman
Ward 3 voters should choose Democrat over Green
f there's any indication that the traditional rivalry
between Democrats and Republicans is failing in Ann
Arbor city politics, it's that Ward 3 is home to the only
contested election for City Council this fall. That's because
Green Party candidate Pete Schermerhorn is challenging
Democratic nominee Stephen Kunselman to represent the
ward to the southeast of campus. Republicans, an increasing-
ly rare species in city politics, didn't run candidates for any
of the five seats on City Council up for election this fall.
You ought to just
back off, take a
look at it, relax,
understand that
it's complicated,
it's difficult."
- DEFENSE SECRETARY DONALD RUMSFELD,
in response to detractors who criticize
his leadership of the Iraq War, as report-
ed yesterday on washingtonpost.com
RYAN JABER JUST AKESMod
s.0
3 ;.P
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4
Notjust an adult's game
After a heated Democratic primary
last August - when students weren't
around to vote, thanks to a convenient
state law - Kunselman edged out oppo-
nents Jeff Meyers and Alice Ralph in a
surprisingly close three-way election.
Kunselman has a profound grasp of the
details involved in running a local gov-
ernment and is the best choice for Ward
3 residents.
Kunselman has built a career in pub-
lic service in various roles, including a
stint as administrator for Wayne Coun-
ty's Sumpter Township. Currently, he is
a member of Ann Arbor's planning com-
mission - a responsibility he clearly
takes very seriously. His opposition to
the Allen Creek greenway - which his
competitor supports - is more credible
given his focus on the environment, both
in his education and his career. He's
committed to increasing downtown
density, and though his displeasure at
what he described as the "pay-to-play
privatization" of city public recreation
programs may not resonate with stu-
dents more concerned about fees for
University intramural sports teams, it's
nonetheless a just criticism.
While his Democratic counterparts in
the other four wards will cruise to vic-
tory Nov. 7 - barring some unforeseen
write-in miracle - Kunselman faces a
Green Party opponent. Schermerhorn
has had plenty of involvement in build-
ing the Green Party, but comparatively
little experience in city politics. His ded-
ication to "keeping the ineffable but very
real Ann Arborness alive and going,"
as he puts it on his campaign web site,
is admirable. His concern for students
stands out compared with his opponent,
and he questions the value of the current
ward system that spreads the student
vote thinly across all five wards. He also
emphasizes public transportation more
than Kunselman.
But as a self-described "armchair"
attendee who watches City Council
meetings on cable television, he lacks
the experience Kunselman brings to the
race. That alone shouldn't bar him from
City Council, though it does mean he'd
face a steeper learning curve on coun-
cil than Kunselman. More importantly,
with a focus on unusual issues such
as moving Allen Creek above ground,
which would risk flooding, and encour-
aging more discussion of international
issues at City Council, Schermerhorn
might be ineffective on the council,
while Kunselman almost certainly
would be a valuable councilman.
Voters in Ann Arbor's other four
wards don't have much of a choice for
City Council this November. For Ward 3,
however, the Daily endorses STEPHEN
KUNSELMAN for City Council.
After the Mark Foley sex scan-
dal was made public, George
Rasley, an aide to Rep. Debo-
rah Pryce (R-Ohio)
- who supposedly
had ties to the scan-
dal - told The New"
York Times: "This is y
one more thing that
makes people wonder
about politicians and
politics. It reinforces THERESA
this notion of Wash-
ington being a place KENNELLY
that bears no resem-
blance to real America." While a "real
America" is probably something that
only exists in make-believe (How many
people do you know who are truly law-
abiding and consider honest hard work
the only key to success?), Rasley's com-
ment does support the idea that the cor-
ruption plaguing Washington has made
for a government that is no longer "of the
people, for the people, by the people."
The government's struggle to represent
itself as a responsible authority to Ameri-
cans has become more difficult in recent
years as each instance of influence-ped-
dling and nepotism that our elected offi-
cials partake in everyday comes to light.
A pack of political watchdogs isjust wait-
ing to pounce on the next politician who
says one wrong word or takes one wrong
step. The Foley affair was blown so far
out of proportion - and angered so many
Americans - because we have become
accustomed to finding out about scan-
dals right away; that Foley's escapades
remained underthe radar for so longwas
unacceptable to most Americans.
While it's hard to complain about the
increased spotlight on political scan-
dals, there is one drawback to all of the
exposure: Politicians have become more
concerned with covering their asses
and. worrying about their re-election
than with doing or saying anything that
might involve the slightest risk. Issues
like Social Security, the national debt
and the destruction of environment are
left for future generations to deal with,
because taking a stance on them could
cost a few votes.
So to build on Rasley's comment, our
government not only fails to represent
the American people, it also fails in pre-
paring for the future. It is for this reason
that young people are disillusioned with
the government - they're essentially
forgotten in the political agenda. Ballot
initiatives or legislation that appear to
look forward to future generations sim-
ply fail to pass - or like Proposal 5 in
Michigan, turn out to only benefit us in
the short term.
Our generation must take the initia-
tive to bolster support for causes that
will ultimately point America in the
right direction and ensure a stable future
for our country. With 11 days left before
midterm elections, there is still plenty
of time for young people to campaign
for initiatives that are forward-thinking
and against initiatives that send us back-
ward. And our parents, although they
may not be around to see the benefits of
Proposal 1 or the ultimate fruits of affir-
mative action, must still be encouraged
to consider future generations when
they go to the polls.
In the next 11 days, we must make it
our responsibility to do the following:
Call our parents. Because of the
overwhelming amount of information
about elections that bombards students
at the University, chances are that you
may be more informed on ballot initia-
tives and candidates than your parents
are. Also, reminding our parents that
an initiative like Proposal 2 will have a
stronger effect on our generation than
theirs may get them to reconsider their
opinions.
Call our grandparents. Politicians
consider support from the retired popu-
lation vital to any successful campaign.
The reason for this is simple: Old people
like to vote. In fact, the over-60 age group
has a higher voter turnout rate than any
other. Calling your grandparents or any
other senior citizen and telling them
Youth have a key
role to play in this
fall's elections
about issues that are important to you
and your future could have a huge effect
come Nov. 7.
Call our friends. Census data show
that in the 2002 midterm elections, only
18 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds showed
up at the polls. Calling friends who may
not be as informed as you on the issues is
a great way to educate them and remind
them to get to the polls.
It may be a while before our govern-
ment is free of corruption or before
young voters receive more recognition
from legislators. This election year, we
can at least try to show politicians that
our opinions do carry weight. Mak-
ing strides toward a government that is
more for the people and demanding that
elected officials attend to problems that
will affect our future can only stand to
benefit us later in life.
Theresa Kennelly is an associate
editorial page editor. She can be
reached at thenelly@umich.edu.
N
-E T T T EEDITOR SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@MICHIGANDAILY.COM
LAWRENCE CROCKETT K E
Disparities warrant
affirmative action
Wildlife management
not for voters to decide
The Daily could, in fact, perform a
public service by publishing the BSU/
SAAN/SSAA list of approved student
groups, lest this perilous intellectual
work occur independently - the gen-
Because of educational disparities in Mich-
igan's public and charter schools, the Michi-
gan Civil Rights Initiative will only widen the
racial gulf between black and white students
if passed. Its proposal "to ban affirmative
action programs that give preferential treat-
ment to groups or individuals based on their
race" foolishly stands on the premise that
Michigan schools aren't responsible for black
underachievement - that instead, the stu-
dents themselves are to blame. Furthermore,
documented shortcomings of similar initia-
tives in California and Washington suggest
that its passage would result in the re-segre-
gation of college campuses along racial lines.
In Michigan, fewer than 45 percent of
students in predominantly black districts
graduate from high school on time. These
districts are among the state's most under-
funded, as appropriations formulas allocate
school revenues based on regional income
and enrollment levels. The system conse-
quently penalizes black students who attend
schools with high dropout rates, placing
them at a competitive disadvantage against
their suburban white counterparts. Only the
most narrow-minded of worldviews permits
one to believe that conventional indicators
of merit (academic and standardized test
performances) -byproducts of the quality
of education received with respect to one's
school district - should be exclusively con-
sidered in the college admissions process.
Still, failure to see the need for affirmative
action in light of such disparities is common
among segregationists.
In California they failed to see, and vot-
ers passed the California Civil Rights Ini-
tiative. Ten years later in 2006, only 96 of
UCLA's 4,700 incoming freshman are black.
It is the school's smallest number of black
students in 30 years.
In Washington, they failed to see, and
voters passed Initiative 200 banning affir-
mative action. Admissions rates for blacks,
Native Americans and Hispanics fell signif-
icantly behind those of whites. Additional-
ly, because of the lack of affirmative action
policies in public employment, minorities
now make up less than 5 percent of the fac-
ulty at Washington state schools.
Given the similarities to its Californian
and Washingtonian predecessors, one can
safely predict that the same regressive
trends will occur in the state of Michigan
should the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative
pass. A study conducted by the Education
Policy Center at Michigan State University
found that more 60 percent of black youth
presently attend segregated primary and
secondary schools in Michigan. As if this
racial stratification is no cause for concern,
the segregationists now wantto banthe very
policies that have led to the increased repre-
sentation of minorities in higher education.
In a truly egalitarian society, there would
be no need for affirmative action. But such
equality has yet to be realized. Children are
afforded the right to educate themselves,
yet some are born with better opportuni-
ties than others. Teenagers are free to apply
to any college of their choosing, yet admis-
sions based exclusively on merit favor the
privileged - who, in most cases, are white.
"You do not take a person who, for years,
has been hobbled by chains and liberate
him, bring him up to the starting line of a
race and then say, 'you are free to compete
with all the others,' and still justly believe
that you have been completely fair," argued
former President Lyndon B. Johnson in his
1965 Howard University commencement
address. Affirmative action is a necessary
placeholder for equality. While not perfect,
it must exist until structural disparities hin-
dering African American academic achieve-
ment have been corrected. The Michigan
Civil Rights Initiative, "separate but equal"
in nature, is not a viable alternative.
Lawrence Crockett is a graduate of
the University of Pittsburg, where he was
president of the Black Action Society.
TO THE DAILY: esis of this entire con
In Gary Graca's viewpoint (State
symbol of peace, not cheap target prac- Nord Christensen
tice, 10/25/2006), the author misses the LSA senior
larger issue of Proposal 3. This propos-
al is a matter of whether we will leave
wildlife management in the hands of Purging M ic
the professionals at the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources or members irr
voters who are not properly informed.
Graca states that "there is no legiti- TO THE DAILY:
matereasontobelievethatthemourning Now that the ou
dove poses a threat to the environment." igamua has crossec
I don't believe that I have heard anyone reasonable objection
argue that doves do pose a threat to the listing (Two campus a
environment. Regardless, this is not the dent between them, 10
purpose of wildlife management. Hunt- it's safe to say that
ing, among other DNR activities, is an too far. What's next -
essential part of population control and from our groups ever:
wildlife management. Hunting not only a member of the e
has a scientific purpose, but it is also a Boy Scout Order of tI
long-standing tradition in the state of about gay students -
Michigan. at least a few group
This proposal is being pushed by the object to homosexu
Humane Society of the United States, a condone Michigamu
vocal anti-hunting group. Citizens for caricature-like appro
Wildlife Conservation quotes the vice American culture tob
president of the organization as say- years past its time.
ing: "Ultimately we are out to stop all But I don't condo:
hunting ... dove hunting is particularly students from Univ
vulnerable." lack of ideological c
I believe that this proposal is one It's time for the peop
that has received far less attention than this purging, and th
is necessary, due in part to Proposal in the article's sideb
2. I encourage all readers to visit the look at their actions
websites of the Michigan United Con- what would have h
servation Clubs (www.mucc.org), Citi- roles been reversed.
zens for Wildlife Conservation (www. had been removed f
cwcmi.org) and the Michigan Depart- dent group for affiliai
ment of National Resources (www. Student Union? The
michigan.gov/dnr) in order to gain a deserved controversy
fuller perspective on this important should greet these de
issue. Scientific wildlife management
is not heartless murder, and a vote for Zach Hoskins
Proposal 3 is a vote to keep scientific LSA senior
management in the hands of biologists,
not voters.
troversy.
-higamua
esponsible
David Brandon (R-Ann Arbor): He
voted in May to support Martin and
approve the luxury boxes, calling it
"the best decision for our coaches, our
athletes and our fans." He also cited his
allegiance to Martin as one of the main
reasons for his support.
All Michiganvoters canselect two can-
didates for the Board of Regents out of a
list of nine. I will be voting for White and
not for Brandon, and I urge like-minded
readers to do the same. While most of the
other candidates have not taken a stance
on luxury boxes, removing Brandon will
at least provide a chance that his replace-
trage over Mich-
d the line from
to outright black-
groups and the stu-
/25/2006), I think
things have gone
- should we expel
yone who has been
qually insensitive
he Arrow? Or how
I'm sure there are
s on campus who
ality, too. I don't
a, and I find its
priation of Native
be about a hundred
ne the removal of
ersity groups for
orrectness, either.
ple responsible for
e others described
bar, to take a long
and think about
appened had the
What if Saunders
from another stu-
tion with the Black
answer is well-
y - precisely what
pressing events.
ment will recons
ten to public opii
Greg Haskins
LSA junior
ider the options and lis-
.nion.
Domestic violence is
a serious charge
TO THE DAILY:
I am writing to comment on Michi-
gan wide receiver Adrian Arrington's
recent criminal charges for domestic
violence ('M' wide receiver charged with
domestic violence, 10/25/2006). I'm glad
that the University is bringing this
important topic to light. Domestic vio-
lence affects too many women in our
community, and the first step to ending
the violence is to talk about it.
I am concerned, however, about foot-
ball coach Lloyd Carr's remarks on the
incident. It is frightening enough for
any domestic violence victim to call the
police - even more so if the accused
happens to be a prominent athlete such
as Arrington. I believe that Carr's com-
ment that "the facts do not support the
allegation" is a dangerous one because
it implies that the victim in this case is
not credible. One of the biggest fears
that domestic violence victims have
is that no one is going to believe them
when they tell their story, and Carr's
comment substantiates that fear.
I am also concerned that Arrington's
drinking concerned Carr more than
the charge of domestic violence. I am
encouraged that Carr promised to take
these allegations seriously, and I hope
thathe starts that process by examining
how his own comments may discourage
future domestic violence victims from
reaching out for help. I commend The
Ann Arbor News for not publishing the
name of the domestic violence victim
and wish other news organizations
would have done likewise (The Asso-
ciated Press, for one). Releasing the
names of victims can put them in dan-
ger of being harassed by football fans
and players.
Laura Hurst
Alum
4
JOHN OQUIST I V E - s EET
YOU KNOW, THAT STUDENT POLISH-PEOPLE-CAN'T-MAKE- HEY, STOP ITI THEY'RE A HUMBLE
GROUP MICHIGAMUA DOESN'T ICE-tECAUSE-THEY-LOST-THE- STUDENT GROUP THAT HELPS iTACOGAMUA?
SEEM THAT 5AD, THEY JUST NEED RECIPEGAMUA.,NO. OTHERS ANONYMOUSLYi
A NAME CHANGE, SOMETHING-
NOT OFFENSIVE TO ANYBODY5Rt5tANT.5
LETS SEE.
SWASTGAMUA.. -I
Andrew Romeo
LSA sophomore
What other groups are
dangerously impure?'
TO THE DAILY:
Huzzah to the Black Student Union,
the South Asian Awareness Network
and Students Supporting Affirmative
Action for demoting/cashiering those
with memberships in organizations
not on their approved list (Two campus
groups and the student between them,
10/25/2006). Diversity is a fine notion,
but dangerously impure ideologues
(e.g., Michigamua) must be ostracized.
Regents race vital to
Big House'sfuture
TO THE DAILY:
Many readers will agree with me
that the luxury-box plan is not the best
option for our historic stadium. To
them, I would point out that Athletic
Director Bill Martin's plan proceeds
only as long as it pleases the University
Board of Regents, two of whom are up
for re-election on Nov. 7. Here are their
actions regarding the issue:
Katherine White (D-Ann Arbor): In
May, she moved to delay decision on the
luxury-box plan until the public had
time for input. Her motion was turned
down by the board, and she subse-
quently voted against the plan.
I