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 i 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