4 - Tuesday, February 13, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com . c e M d t'a n at6l Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 413 E. Huron St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 tothedaily@umich.edu KARL STAMPFL IMRAN SYED JEFFREY BLOOMER EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR 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. Coping with Cobo Renovations are a responsibility of the entire region f Detroit is truly a city on the upswing - as city officials want us to believe - making crucial maintenance investments on its pre- cious few world-class facilities is vital. Last December, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano proposed a $968 million plan to renovate Cobo Hall, the downtown convention center that hosts the North American International Auto Show each January, among other events. The endeavor, regardless of its intimidating price tag, has the potential to amass profits both for Detroit and its suburbs. It must be the entire region's concern, not just the city's. Karen loved animals. Unfortunately the cheetahs betrayed her trust." - Spokesman JAN LIBOL of the Olmense Zoo in Belgium on a cheetah attack that led to the death of zoo visitor Karen Aerts, as reported yesterday by the Associated Press. ERIN RUSSELL I yEAH, I THINK IT'S ETTEP TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST THAN IEIO1rT T O PEAING A DIAPEg? ACrUALLY, T HELeson Page isTHAT WHEN YOU PUT A CRAZY PE RSON INTO SPACE, YOU SHOULO LEAVEMTHERE. t_ 1_ _I Imm s s YAM Since its expansion in 1989, Cobo Hall has proven to be a consistent source of revenue for southeast Michigan. Besides the glitzy auto show - which brings in about $590 million to the region each year - this year Cobo also hosts the NAACP National Con- vention, Autorama and the Detroit Boat Show. Yet Cobo is an aging facility. In a time when Detroit needs to focus its every bright spot for the world's eye, Cobo's position as a world-class venue has become questionable. As Michigan's economy remains hand- cuffed to the fortunes of the Big Three, Cobo Hall generates industry fanfare and brings the limelight to Detroit with events like the auto show. Most importantly, such events draw visitors to Detroit and provide the city with an opportunity for tourism-related sales. But asa structure built for the purpose of hosting large conventions, Cobo is on the small side and some lucrative events that would have otherwise come to Detroit are forced to look elsewhere. With the city struggling to finance the vital expansion and renovation of Cobo, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Pat- terson has proposed some solutions of his own alongside Ficano's proposal. Ranging from opening a small casino in the building to charging a $1.50 ticket fee for flights out of Detroit Metro Airport, Patterson's inter- est in the project is heartening. However, we hope his motives aren't simply to profit from the revenues Cobo generates but also to share in the regional responsibility to help pick up the tab. The prosperity of the suburbs, including Patterson's Oakland County, was built from the industrial prowess of mid-20th century Detroit, yet the suburbs have never viewed the city's current problems as their own. All too content to cruise in for the auto show or a Tigers game and leave without a second thought, suburbanites can no longer afford to see Detroit as a foreign entity; it's only a matter of time before its problems spread to their communities. The Cobo renovation project requires a wider regional commitment of both taxpay- ers and politicians. Gov. Jennifer Granholm stressed cooperation between levels of gov- ernment in her State of the State address, noting that "the entire state needs and wants Detroit to be successful. We all have to work together to see it happen." This statement is reflective of the-need for regional collabora- tion that this area as a whole has in the past overlooked. After all, the suburbs soared because of the city; unless they help restore it, they could crash with it, too. NASCA R Although it will probably go unnoticed by the average inhabitant of the Ann Arbor bubble, this Sunday brings what passes as a second Super Bowl in some parts of the country. But when the green flag flies for this year's running of the Day- tona 500, the featuredrace onthe NAS- CAR's top Nextel Cup circuit, something just won't be the same. If you've ever watched NAS- CAR, you know that only cars made by Ford, f Chevrolet and IMRAN Dodge have tra- ditionally par- SYED ticipated in the - ---- races. While none of the race models look remotely like the street versions of the Fusion, Monte Carlo or Charger, this selectivity is regarded by many as a point of pride in American brands. Going back into the days of the Big Three, NASCAR, to a significant num- ber of its fans is the quintessential American sport. But with a fourth car, Toyota entering the Nextel Cup races this year,you'll understand if some fans get a little worked up about a "foreign- er" crashing their party. And if sentiments expressed on online forums like the one at fansagain- stracingtoyotas.com are any indication, worked up is putting it lightly. While some resort to nativist provocations even Detroit's assembly-line workers no longer employ, others simply break out the racism. Says one poster: "As far as japs making better cars, G.F.Y.!!! I think the young people need to be reminded of P.H., this country is way to forgiving." Ouch. I need hardly explain that "P.H." refers to Pearl Harbor; "G.F.Y." I think is best left unelaborated. Honest- ly, it's difficult to understand the fans' anger here - let me explain. As a former resident of Dearborn, Mich., the very heart of Ford coun- try and home of the beleaguered auto giant's world headquarters, I know a thing or two about the pride in Ameri- can autos and the despise of foreign cars among autoworkers here in Mich- igan. Yet I have always known their objections to be strictly pragmatic, rarely racist. Many Dearborn residents frowned upon purchasing Toyotas or Hondas because their jobs depended on the suc- cess of Ford or General Motors. Many I spoke to would readily admit that Japa- nese cars were often a better value and of superior quality, but for economic reasons, their disdain for foreign cars endures well into this decade. But today the line between what is American and what is foreign is more than just blurred, it's completely obliter- ated. I understand if the people of places like Dearborn remain resentful - their jobs still depend on the few remaining Ford and GM plants - but the rest of America is deluding itself by looking at Toyota as an evil foreign entity. Every year, Cars.com releases its "American Made Index," which lists the top 10 cars in terms of American parts content, assembly and sales. To qualify, a car must contain at least 75 percent domestic parts. Of the four models that will line up at Daytona on Sunday, only one makes the list. It isn't the Ford Fusion, which is assembled in Mexico, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo or the Dodge Charger (both assembled in Canada). That's right, the only Nextel Cup model to make the top 10 on the American Made Index is the Toyota Camry, which assembled entirely at a plant in Ken- tucky, checks in at number three. Toyota, which at some point this year will eclipse General Motors as the world's largest automaker, has not merely expanded American sales and run the profits back to Japan, as some would have you believe. The company has expanded greatly its manufactur- :Built Toyota tough? ing operations in America, bringing new plants and thousands of jobs to places like Indiana, Texas and West Virginia. Again, there is reason for Michi- gan's UAW creed to be bitter with the Japanese automaker, but why would fans of NASCAR (ironically concen- trated in many of the southern states where Toyota, Honda and Nissan have built plants) despise an automaker that is more American in parts content and assembly than the traditional contend- ers? Why is there an outcry over Toy- ota's entry into the Nextel Cup when only three years ago there was not a word of protest at majority German- owned Daimler-Chrysler entering Dodge into the field? Toyota's entry into race shatters a long-held myth. Assuredly the protests are from a fla- grantly ignorant minority. NASCAR is America's fastest growing sport,whose reach now measures well beyond its traditional hotbed of North Carolina. When the engines rev on Sunday, there could be as many as eight Toyotas inthe mix. Their entry, along with celebrated open-wheel driver Juan Pablo Mon- toya's Daytona debut, is a great oppor- tunity for the sport to prove its diversity to intrigued viewers who remain hung up on the redneck stereotype that has plagued it since its very inception. After years of stalling, NASCAR officials have abandoned their ultrana- tionalist leanings and accepted Toyota as a legitimate contender that will only make the sport better. Will the fans ever do the same? Imran Syed is the Daily's editorial page editor. He can be reached at galad@umich.edu. Editorial Board Members: Emily Beam, Kevin Bunkley, Amanda Burns, Sam Butler, Ben Caleca, Brian Flaherty, Mara Gay, Jared Goldberg, Emmarie Huetteman, Toby Mitchell, Rajiv Prabhakar, David Russell, Gavin Stern, John Stiglich, Jennifer Sussex, Neil Tambe, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Wagner, Christopher Zbrozek SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU Registration bracket reform would level playing field it seem like Jam against the nam story (Society ask 01/26/2007), ther from Angell - h TO THE DAILY: his sister. So, wh I was pleased to read about LSA-Student his mind, or is on Government's nearly complete overhaul of telling everythin; the registration date system (The more things Hopefully, the change, 02/12/2007). LSA-SG deserves tre- and its fact findin mendous credit for tackling this issue, which Order of Angell a: lies at the heart of the notion of diversity and like the YoungAr fairness in academia. rorist event, are d The old system had the effect of creating a fast track into desirable classes for students Matthew Lewis who started college with a lot of Advanced LSAjunior Placement credit. Most such students are from wealthy suburbs. On the other hand, stu- dents from rural or urban schools that lack the Afew poin resources to fund extensive AP programs end up at an academic disadvantage from day one. on green ei I recall hearing stories during my fresh- man year from friends who attended wealthy TO THE DAILY: suburban school districts and arrived in Ann Thank you for Arbor with more than 30 AP credits. These day's Michigan4 students were in the seminar classes with well- supporting the p respected professors. Meanwhile, the students (MSA to 'U':buyre who had few or no AP credits were stuck in the While we appreci massive lecture hall throngs. to clarify a few pt One remaining advantage that kids from the and our campaign wealthy suburbs still have at the University is First, the articl in the application process, when they are given wants 100 percen an advantage because their ritzy suburban is inconsistentv schools happen to be considered academically- in the article an challenging. Let's hope that LSA-SG considers tion. In fact, the the similar effect this policy has on admissions Commission hop and fairness. third of its electr immediately and Matthew Murphy 50 percent by 201 Alum Second, the art third of its electr would cost the Daily's coverage ofstudent more per year." a University admin groups slanted and shoddy the University w premium of betw TO THE DAILY: watt-hour beyont Please stop your coverage on the group for- electricity. At the merly known as Michigamua. Not only is the likely spend bet coverage tiresome, but it is fanning the flames million per year: against a student group attempting to reform. purchased from r Also The Michigan Daily seems to lack the price range, wen ability to cover it properly. For example, both renewable energy letters to the editor last Thursday (Daily fails for the University to recognize existing campus activism; Daily's We thank the MSA criticism is knee-jerk and uninformed, erage. The Univ 02/08/2007) accused the Daily of poor report- resources and th ing. dards of environr Looking more closely at the reporting on ing in renewable Michigamua, I fully support the sentiments will fulfill this r Andrew Wilkinson expressed in his letter to admirable respon the editor (Daily should leave Order ofAngell to lem of climate ch: its secrecy, 02/06/2007). The problem is both a slant and shoddy Shari Pomerant reporting. Just last Thursday, a story (Despite Pomerantz is an LS. unease of Angells, society adopts new name, They are co-chairs o 02/08/2007) was framed in a way that made Issues Commission. es K. Angell has always been ae change. Yet in an earlier sAngellfamily to use its name, e was apparently no objection e just wished to confer with at is it? Has Angell changed ne (or both) of the stories not ig? Daily can work on its bias g so that its stories about The and other controversial events, mericans for Freedom ex-ter- deserving of print. ts of clarification nergy proposal your coverage of last Tues- Student Assembly resolution urchase of renewable energy enewable energy,02/09/2007). date this article, we would like oints regarding the resolution ;n. le's sub-headline read "Group :t green energy by 2011." This with statements made later d the contents of the resolu- MSA Environmental Issues es the University will buy a icity from renewable sources increase this commitment to 1 and 100 percent by 2015. ticle states that "purchasing a icity from renewable sources University about $820,500 From our conversations with istrators, we understand that ill pay a renewable energy een 0.5 and one cent per kilo- d the price of fossil fuel-based ese rates, the University will ween $820,500 and $1.64- for the third of its electricity enewable sources. Given this maintain that our proposal of y will be a worthy investment Daily once again for its cov- versity has the power, the he responsibility to -set stan- mental leadership. By invest- energy now, the University esponsibility and provide an nse to the unequivocal prob- ange. z and Chris Detjen A senior, Detjen is an LSAjunior. f MSA's Environmental RISHI MARWAHA In defense of the B-School I am a sophomore at the Ross School of Business and this letter is in reference to James Somers's Statement story about the Ross School of Business (Why the B- School is overrated, 02/07/07). In the article, facts about the reputation and integrity of the business school were distorted and misrepresented. I hope to clarify those lies. First, let me clarify that the required skill set to become a CEO cannot be acquired in a single semes- ter - the amount of time that Somers spent at the Ross School - at any business school in the world. Somers mentions that "business professors are by definition not quite right for their jobs." Although I haven't interacted with too many professors during my five months at the B-School, I have been fascinated by the few that I have. Questioning the qualifications and integrity of the professors at the B-School is simply ludicrous. Each and every professor is world-renowned for their research and writing. For instance, Prof. C.K. Prahalad has authored texts that are taught to accoun- tants and business students in India. To say that "most have no place at all in the actual world of business" is a lie. The courses at the B-School can be described in just one word - awesome. By the end of this semester I will have completed six courses at the B-School, and I can say with confidence that I have already acquired the basic analytical, communication, IT and writing skills to succeed in the business world. Somers contends that WYMAN KHUU I "students learn material over an entire semester that would take 45 minutes in an LSA econometrics class" and "students spend three weeks discovering that flip- ping heads with a quarter three times in a row has a probability of 1 in 8." These are again lies. If they were true, I would have dropped out as well. Freshmen and prospective B-School students should not go by Somers' word regarding the admissions pro- cess either. A high grade point average is not the only criterion to get in. I know students with GPAs of 3.8 and 3.9 who were rejected and some with GPAs of 3.0 and 3.2 who did make it. While the B-School emphasizes the importance of a high GPA, it also considers writing samples, ability to cope with pressure and involvement on campus outside of the classroom. Most of the cours- es at the B-School are worth three credits and involve a lot of commitment outside of class in the form of com- pleting group assignments, brainstorming case studies and collecting data for surveys. The admissions com- mittee helps gauge whether or not you would be able to take on this challenge. Somers asks, "So what really propels Ross into the highest realms of college ranking?" The answer is simple. It is the combination of exceptional professors and faculty, advanced technology and facilities, well- designed courses and talented students that make the Ross School a champion. Rishi Marwaha is a Business sophomore. I am going to keep my resolutions this year.. I vow to be a more charitable and caring person this year! 0