4 - Friday, January 5, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom * Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 413 E. Huron St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 tothedaily@umich.edu DONN M. FRESARD EDITOR IN CHIEF EMILY BEAM CHRISTOPHER ZBROZEK EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS JEFFREY BLOOMER 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. A missed opportunity State HPV vaccination law killed in final House session W hen the state Senate almost unanimously passed a bill last September to require that all girls be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus before starting the sixth grade, it seemed Michigan was poised to lead the nation in fighting the sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical can- cer and genital warts. But apparently, preventing a disease that infects half of all sexually active Americans was too controversial for members of the state House. For our daughters and our granddaughters, today we have bro- ken the marble ceil- ing." - Speaker of the House NANCY PELOSI after being sworn in as the nation's first female speaker yesterday, as reported hy CNN.com RYAN JABER | t7 KM U!- 7UDK'D ~ ~ Ut / 7 (r With supporters in both parties, the House originally passed the bill by a 58-45 margin, but dissenters pushed for a sec- ond vote. With just hours remaining in the Legislature's 2006 session, enough legisla- tors switched sides to kill the measure. Opponents have no trouble finding excuses for voting it down. They claim it should be parents' choice whether to vac- cinate their daughters and that vaccina- tion forces a premature discussion of sex. Worst of all, they gasp, it encourages these young girls to have sex. Lots of sex. But the bill simply puts the HPV vac- cine on a list of mandatory school vaccines and allows parents to opt their child out. And an HPV vaccine is no more likely to encourage promiscuity among pre-pubes- cent girls than a diphtheria vaccine would stop children from washing their hands. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Beverly Ham- merstrom (R-Temperence), has said that most insurance companies will pay for the vaccine, and that the federal government's vaccines for Children program will cover uninsured children. Still, the vaccine is expensive - $360 for the three-shot sequence - and some families whose insur- ance plans don't cover the vaccine may be left out. New Hampshire just became the first state to offer the vaccine to girls ages 11 to 18 free of charge. Legislators should act similarly and subsidize the vaccine for families who lack the insurance coverage and don't qualify for federal assistance. While most cases of HPV clear the body without symptoms, in some cases it can be deadly. Cervical cancer infects 9,700 and kills 3,700 women annually, and 70 percent of all cases are associated with HP. vacci- nating all girls before they become sexually active is the best way to prevent these deaths and the spread of the disease. The House's reversal on the HPV vaccine last month is shameful, and it's up to the incoming House to promptly reintroduce the life-saving bill. "When men have realized that time has upset manyfightingfaiths, they may come to believe that the ultimate good desired is better reached byfree trade in ideas - that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accept- ed in the competition of the market." The above quote by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wen- dell Holmes is often used to expound on the importance of free expression anda thriving marketplace of ideas - one where ideas compete for acceptance. Analogous to an economic market where only the best products succeed, upholding a robust market-r place of ideas is the best way to filter out those that aren't valid. Unfortunately, events over the" past few years have indicatedR that this mar- AJV ketplace is in PRABHIAJKAR danger of being - -- -- shut down and dismantled - that most people don't respond to opposing viewpoints with meaningful and infor- mative discussions but with personal attacks and censorship. In January of 2005, the president of Harvard University, Larry Sum- mers, notoriously remarked: "It does appear that on many, many different human attributes - height, weight, propensity for criminality, overall IQ, mathematical ability, scientific ability - there is relatively clear evi- dence that ... there is a difference in the standard deviation and variability of a male and a female population ... that in the special case of science and engineering, there are issues of intrin- Let's talk sic aptitude, and particularly of the variability of aptitude, and that those considerations are reinforced by what are in fact lesser factors involving socialization and continuing discrim- ination." His suggestion that men may be innately better than women in the fields of math, science and engineer- ing sparked an immediate and intense furor. Women walked out midway through his speech because they were offended by his statement. Summers was attacked from all sides and finally forced to recant and apologize for his statements. In the midst of the controversy, unfortunately, the evaluation of the validity of his comments was entirely ignored. Few of those who criticized Summers addressed the possible valid- ity of his comments, which in fact had some statistical backing. The criticism leveled at Summers was not intended to counter his argument, but rather to reproach him for even suggesting something that people found offensive. Summers intended for his speech to provoke - and hence promote - further research and debate on why women are underrepresented in the fields he men- tioned. He intended for his speech to inject life into the marketplace of ideas. It didn't work. Such is the problem even at the University of Michigan, an institution of higher learning that is supposed to foster intellectual discussion. You'd never get that from reading letters to the editor in The Michigan Daily, though. Over the past year, it has been almost impossible to have a civil discussion about issues such as affir- mative action. People throw around accusations of racism at others who take stances that they don't find pal- atable. The Daily ran a pro-MCRI cartoon on its opinion page and all hell broke loose. Apparently, writing countless editorials supporting affir- mative action just wasn't enough. With the election over, one might expect the crossfire to lessen. Instead, the personal attacks over affirmative action have simply been replaced by identical attacks regarding the poli- tics of the Middle East. Even with an issue that is thousands of miles removed and has little direct impact on most University students, it's still impossible to have a civil discussion where both sides listen to one anoth- er and don't simply shout each other down. Freedom of expression is an often touted phrase that nobody disagrees with, but few people actually practice it in its entirety. Free speech is mean- ingless if we simply censor oppos- Censoring the absurd gives it undue importance. ing viewpoints. Being tolerant and respectful of opposing stances is in all our best interests. Five hundred years ago, everyone thought that the sun revolved around the Earth. Two hundred years ago, millions of Americans saw nothing wrong with slavery. It's likely that our descendants will find a number of our beliefs incredulous, too. As Justice Holmes said, "the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted." An opinion that is valid does not require special protection. An opinion that is invalid won't suc- ceed, even if left uncensored. Rajiv Prabhakar can be reached at rajivp@umich.edu. 0 SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU Cartoon disrespectful of be an effective coach, then he should rest on his laurels properly - in retirement. former president s passing Andrew Petrovich LSA senior TO THE DAILY: The Michigan Daily should be ashamed of itself. Gerald Ford has been in his final resting place for less than 24 hours, and a Daily cartoonist has already used his image to take a cheap shot at the sitting president (Fetid Chumbucket, 01/04/2007). It would have been one thing to quote him in opposi- tion to the war in Iraq - he said such things while he was alive. But to imply that the University's most distinguished graduate would allow such a divisive statement to be attached to his image is disheartening. The cartoonist has used Ford, a man who did so much to heal our country, to poke a wound and revive a controversy that should be long over. Perhaps the cartoonist cannot get over the 2000 election, but I'm sure that Ford would want him to move on and work to make a better America. Nathan Zenero LSA jutiior Carr' s mentality will not help win games Michiga better ti TO THE DAI As a proud in California mater take or Rose Bowl. H pathetic effo letic Director What ane was. Shortly ing just takes roll was jun team on the: adjusting his gan. On the o content with offense thatI life to the M ing to the sa sive yards to altogether. M - not includi about when TO THE DAILY: can only assi While the reasons for Michigan's humili- the ineffecti' ating loss to Southern Cal are too complex of Carroll's c to pinpoint the single most important prob- passing on of lem, I am compelled to disagree with Matt I was prep Singer's comment that if the Wolverines had better team, only played a better game, then the inept them take su play-calling by 'the coaching staff would there as if the have been overcome (Blue proves it's not elite, or worse, did 01/04/2007). Actually, even if our team had Carr coasts b played its best game of the season, it would ing class whi have been in vain against USC's apparent game and dr prescience regarding our strategy. Our boys State. I'm tir played a pretty good game, making big hits Jim Tressel a and getting very physical despite the oppres- coaches." I'm sive California heat. Unfortunately, USC opponent rat was prepared in advance for everything we the perennia threw at them. But Pete Carrol and staff are to be. Michig no soothsayers, they just know how to read, Lloyd Carr to analyze and adjust. Our gameplan, on the other hand, could Luke Klipp best be described as sterile and incapable of Class of2000 creating innovative opportunities for suc- cess. The Michigan strategy was not flexible enough to succeed in the face of a skilled and adaptive competitor. This is not surprising, Le given that even a fan who has only watched a few seasons of Michigan football can predict with fair accuracy what our next move will All reade be in many situations. mit letterst I offer no decisive solutions to our team's include the problems, but one thing is clear to me: Con- class stan sidering our predictable and stubbornly affiliation. old-fashioned strategy, in addition to Coach Lloyd Carr's perpetually uninspiring pre- Letters s and post-game commentary, I am led to 300 word believe that Carr has lost his spiritual vigor reserves th for the game. Since he is clearly a man of clarity and honor, fond of taking the moral high ground, perhaps he should consider stepping down Letters w and makingway for a coach whose soul burns miness, orde with unyielding passion to win every single of space a game. Carr seems complacent in his already sent to tot successful career. Maybe he has coached, can be rea won and lost too many games to care about umich.edu. any single game anymore. But that mental- ity isn't good enough to win national titles. If Carr cannot regain the vitality necessary to in football deserves fan Lloyd Carr LY: d Michigan alum now residing , I was thrilled to see my alma n the hated USC Trojans at the owever, havingseen Michigan's rt, I have three words for Ath- r Bill Martin: Fire Lloyd Carr. embarrassment the Rose Bowl after halftime, with USC hav- m a 10-3 lead, Coach Pete Car- aping up and down with his sideline, pumping them up and s game plan to pound Michi- other side of the field, Carr was continuing the same boring provided no spark and gave no aize and Blue as well as stick- me defense that gave up mas- a team that abandoned the run dichigan's one successful drive ing the late touchdown - came they abandoned the run. One ume that Carr was oblivious to veness of his game plan in lieu onstant blitzing on defense and fense. pared to see Michigan lose to a but I was not prepared to see ch a beating and keep standing ey didn't know what hit them - n't care. I'm tired of feeling like y on the strength of his recruit- le losing bowl game after bowl ropping three straight to Ohio ed of having to look at Carroll or nd think, "Now those are good ntired of Michigan playing to its her than establishing itself as al powerhouse that it deserves an deserves better. It's time for ogo. tters Policy ors are encouraged to sub- to the editor. Letters should writer's name, college and ding or other University hould be no longer than Is. The Michigan Daily he right to edit for length, accuracy. ill be run according to time- r received and the amount vailable. Letters should be hedoily@umich.edu. Editors ched at editpoge.editors @ The time of year when the spirit of giving and buying is at its greatest is just ending. Now, as the new year begins, any budgeting errors made in the past four months can become painfully obvious. Developing a successful bud- get, even one that takes the aftermath of the holiday sea- son into account, is an easy thing to do, but it's also an easy thing to neglect. As an LSA junior, I admit that budgeting and credit man- agement haven't exactly been my top priorities. I only have one credit card (my parents are on the account) and a debit card that I use to pay for my books, rent and utilities (again, handled by my parents). I've always had a summer job to earn a little extra spending money, but I've never worked during the school year. I am lucky enough to have some flexibility with my bud- geting, especially when unpredictable expenses pile up. But what about after I graduate and can't lean on my family the same way? What about getting a job and an apartment? What about my loans?,I'm starting to realize that my cred- it history is just as important to my future success as my resume. It's obvious that at some point between now and graduation, there are a few important things to learn about money management. OK, maybe more than a few. For starters, pay off your credit card bills on time - every month. This is one of the most important things that you can do. When you carry a balance on your credit card, you are paying a higher price for it. For example, let's assume that your creditcard carries an interest rate of 18 percent. Now let's say that you paid your bill in full every month and avoided all interest charges. That's a guarantee of 18 percent more cash in your pocket each month than you would have otherwise had, and that doesn't even account for compounding interest. If extra cash doesn't motivate you to be more aware of your finances, how about improving your reputation? As college students focused on our careers and futures, we put a lot of time and effort into perfecting our resumes and transcripts with the goal of helping us land an ideal job or internship. But your credit history can be just as important to your future as your resum6. It speaks volumes about how con- scientious and responsible you are, yet many people who will pull all-nighters to ace a final or send loads of appli- cations to land a good summer internship still won't give a second thought to making sure their credit history is sending the right message. You can find your complete credit history on your credit report. These reports are pretty comprehensive and they follow us throughout ourlives. For me, checking my report was a pretty foreign process. If you aren't familiar with your report, the following information should be helpful. What is on it? It includes a complete summary of your credit cards, loans, late payments and a lot more. It also lists businesses that have checked your report, like utility companies and Internet service providers. How can you keep track of what's on it? Order a copy of your credit report once a year. Review the report for errors and cancel any credit cards you don't need. This will improve your credit rating and protect you from identity theft. Who can review your credit report? A lender can do so prior to granting a loan or a new line of credit. Apartment landlords and even some potential employers can access your report. This all seems pretty daunting, but there are several websites that offer financial literacy programs to guide students. There is no reason to avoid getting on top of your finances now while you are still in the comfortable confines of Ann Arbor. Come graduation day, you'll be glad you did. Asa Lopatin is an LSA junior. ASA LOPATIN Post-holiday credit wisdom Editorial Board Members: Reggie Brown, Kevin Bunkley, Amanda Burns, Sam Butler, Ben Caleca, Devika Daga, Milly Dick, Jesse Forester, Gary Graca, Jared Goldberg, Jessi Holler, Toby Mitchell, Rajiv Prabhakar, David Russell, Katherine Seid, Elizabeth Stanley, Jennifer Sussex, John Stiglich, Neil Tambe, Rachel Wagner. JOHN OQUIST I HEY CHECK OUT THIS OFF- THEY DON'T SEEM TO TAKE CAMPUS MEAL CARD I GOT! WOW, THAT'S A LOT CASH ANYWHERE! YOU CAN EAT AT A BUNCH BETTER THAN WHAT OF RESTAURANTS! IT'S I HAVE. REALLY FLEXIBLE! r; +, / J .S t d i w ~ y4' '. r' 0