i The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

BLOGGER
From page 1A
was Tassi's online namesake.
Tassi, the film editor of The
Michigan Daily, chose to stop
writing for the blog and reveal his
identity to his readers after Karl
Stampfl, the editor in chief of the
Daily, discovered that Tassi was
theblogger andtoldhimto choose
between the two publications.
In his post last night, Tassi
said he plans to keep writing for
the Daily.
"Their position is that when
people find out I'm employed by
the Daily they may interpret things
I've said that some might think
are racist, sexist or anti-Greek as
being the viewpoint of the Michi-
gan Daily," he wrote. "I won't
even address the racist and sexist
concerns as anyone who reads my
site clearly knows I speak almost
entirely in sarcasm and I'd like to
maintain that I've never been anti-
Greek, only anti-douche."
Stampfl said he decided Tassi
shouldn't be allowed to work for
both publications because some
of Tassi's entries, though satirical,
could be considered sexist or offen-
sive toward the Greek system.
"I'm not saying that Paul Tassi
is any of these things - I really
think he's a great guy," Stampfl
said. "I want to be very clear that
those aren't necessarily the views
of the Daily."
Tassi said he wishes he could
keep writing for the blog but is
somewhat relieved to be done
writing about the Greek system.
Many members of the Greek sys-
tem were trying to figure out his
identity, he said.
"I started hearing people in
my class talking about it. Liter-
ally, I'd be like four feet away
from them, and they'd be talking
about Johnny Quest," Tassi said.
"That's when it hit home."
Since he started posting on the
blog in June, Tassi took a particu-

larly keen interest in the Universi-
ty's Greek system, writing a series
of entries called "Michigan Greek
Mythology" in which he rated fra-
ternities and sororities on various
criteria. Sororities were ranked on
a1-10 scale for their "Campus Rep"
and "Bitch Factor," and fraterni-
ties were graded on their "Campus
Rep" and "Douche Factor."
Tassi has been particularly
critical of some houses, including
Sigma Alpha Epsilon, an Interfra-
ternity Council fraternity housed
on Washtenaw Avenue.
In an entry posted earlier this
month, the blogger said he sus-
pected the fraternity's members
of drugging women at their par-
ties based on firsthand accounts
from several female friends. He
gave the fraternity a 46 out of 10
in the "Douche Factor" category.
4 "The real reason I hate SAE are
the stories, all of which are told
by females and begin with 'So I
started drinking jungle juice ... '
and end with' ... and then I woke
up naked.' The middle? There is
no middle. Because they don't
remember it," Tassi wrote.
Andy Barr, the president of
Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said he
wasn't concerned about the post
hurting the fraternity's reputa-
tion because it was untrue.
"I don't think that what he said
represented our house," he said.
"You can either take it as a joke or
take it personally, and I thought it
was kind of funny."
Tassi also compiled a list of the
top 10 fraternities and sororities,
ranking them on how fun they
are to party with and how attrac-
tive their members are.
Jared Averbuch, the president of
the Interfraternity Council, said he
disagreed with the criteria used to
compile the list - even though he
said many members of the Greek
system tend to judge houses and
members based on appearance.
"It's unhealthy, it's something
I'm not proud of, but it does hap-
pen," Averbuch said.

Many commenters claiming to
be members of the Greek system
replied to Tassi's posts by insult-
ing other houses and, in some
cases, calling specific members of
those houses ugly.
Tassi said the comments on his
posts demonstrated that frater-
nities and sororities take them-
selves too seriously
"They're constantly compar-
ing themselves to other sororities
- who's hotter, who has the hot-
.test pledge class now," Tassi said.
"I'm sure the IFC frowns upon all
that, but it's a huge part."'
Averbuch said Tassi's posts
didn't bother him because they
were "one person's opinion" but
said he was dismayed by the
response fromGreek students. He
said their comments reinforced
negative and often false impres-
sions about the Greek system.
"We basically played into the
stereotypes with the comments,"
Averbuch said. "The responses
from the community were aggres-
sive and offensive." s
Tassi said he started writing
about the Greek system just for
entertainment, but then realized
how seriously members of the
Greek system took his posts. He
said he aimed to make the Greek
system take itself less seriously.
"It's amazing to see how much
people really cared," Tassi said.
"They were arguing like, 'Oh, we
should definitely be number seven,
not number eight.' I'm just a guy
who made a list. You're reallytrying
to fight overyour spot on it?"
In the first comment on the
farewell post, an anonymous com-
menter expressed sadness about
Tassi's departure.
"this post made me cry :(" the
commenter wrote. "Where am I
gonna get all my important gossip
now?"
- Although he usually edit
stories on this page, Editor in Chief
Karl Stampfl did not edit this article
because he was quoted in it.

GRAVEL
From page 1A
famous for his strong stance in
favor of endingthe draft during the
Vietnam War.
Gravel spoke out against Presi-
dent George Bush and Vice Presi-
dent Dick Cheney's p'olicies on Iran
duringhis Diag speech.
"Who the hell are we to have
influence over there?" he said.
"Iran is not a problem for us."
He criticized the Bush admin-
istration for using establishing
democracy in Iraq as a reason for
overthrowing its government. He
blamed military bureaucracy and
arms companies looking to make a
profit for the war.
Students' reaction to his speech
was generally positive.
"I think people were receptive to
whathe was saying," said LSAjunior
David Hanna, who also called Grav-
el's remarks "wildly refreshing" and
"ridiculously funny".
At times Gravel appeared con-
fused. He repeatedly asked the
event sponsors standing behind
him when and where he was sup-
posed to exit.
Gravel stepped away from the
microphone halfway through the
speech, as though he was leaving,
but he returned when his sponsors
asked him to speak on his stance on
drugs.
Part of Gravel's platform is to
abolish most drug restrictions and
legalize marijuana., Students for
a Sensible Drug Policy, a student
group promoting the leniency for
drug offenders, sponsored Grav-
el's speech. LSA sophomore Chris
Chiles, the group's director, intro-
duced Gravel.
Gravel compared the war on
drugs to the prohibition of alcohol
in the 1920s.
He said marijuana specifically
poses no threat to society and may
have some healing powers.
"We're all druggies to some
level," Gravel said.

Gravel said if alcohol is sold in
stores, then marijuana should be
sold right alongside it.
"What we need to do is take
drugs and treat it for what it is," he
said. "It is a public health issue."
There was a whiff of mari-
juana smoke in the air from the
crowd as Gravel spoke. People
circulated petitions that called
for the legalization of medical
marijuana.
Gravel said in an interview
before the speech that putting peo-
ple with drug abuse problems in jail
doesn't help them recover. He said
drugs should be legal and available
by prescription for addicts so they
can be gradually weaned off of the
substances.
If addicts had to see a doctor for
a prescription, doctors would have
an easier time tracking patients'
recovery, Gravel said.
Gravel also said education
should be the main priority in
the country's future. He said if
elected he hopes to implement
an education program that would
fund kindergarten through grad-
uate school for every child in the
country.
Gravel acknowledged that his
ideas aren't currently feasible. He
said he hopes to change that by
changing the way the government
is structured.
"It's (about) changing the para-
digm of human governance," he
said.
Gravel said that to help Mich-
igan's struggling economy he
would work to build windmills
to encourage an increased use of
electric power and help create
jobs in the energy industry. He
said he would turn the financ-
ing of the project over to private
investors.
"Forget the government, because
the government doesn't know
how to find a solution if their life
depended on it," he said.
- Elizabeth Lai contributed
to this report.

Monday, October 29, 2007 - 7A
MSA
From page 1A
likelybe proposed at tomorrow's
meeting, but Yost said deans'
estimates are often unreliable
and the proposal will likely be
stricken from the agenda.
Because a change to the code
requires at least two weeks of
review, MSA will be unable to
make any additional changes to
the code before Wednesday's
deadline to set official seat
apportionment.
"The code is not going to be
changed to make accommoda-
tions for this," Yost said.
Yost said he was confident that
the election process wouldn't be
interrupted or halted.
"The election will happen as
scheduled," he said.
JOIN THE
DAILY.
E-mail
news@michigandaily.com
or call the newsroom at
734-763-2459.


the michga daily
LARGE FURNISHED 2 or 3 bdrm. 2 BEDR(
apt. at 1111 S State, Near U-M bus garage an
stop, Avail. Fall '08, Heat & water incl. Forest Crt
Bale., A/C, prkg., ldry., $1100-$1850,
No smkg/no pets. 734-996-3539 or 734- AVAIL. 9
678-7250. ehtsengcomcast.net sion. Rem
baths. Gal
734-368-0
NOW LEASING FOR MAY 2008
SPACIOL
Apartments and Houses house at
2008, plea
*Great locations and Amenities*
TRE
Wilson White Management May
wwt
www.wilsonwhitemanagement.com
UNIVER
PETS WELCOME SPACIOUS 2 & pus Apar
3 bdrms. in historic west side now!!! Fu
available! 741-9300. rooms. 73z
annarborapartments.net University

OOM CONDO Attached car THESIS EDITING- LANGUAGE, HAVE FUN AND Earn $$! Marketing UNDERCOVER SHOPPERS SPRING BREAK 2008. Sell Trips,
.d basement. $1000/mo. 3025 organization, format. 25 yrs. U-M exp. Firm looking for aggressive sales ori- Earn up to $150 per day. Under cover Earn Cash, Go Free! Best Prices Guar-
eek Ct. Call 586-904-5425. 996-0566 or writeon@iserv.net ented students to coordinate group out- shoppers needed to judge retail and anteed! Call for group discounts. 1-800-
ings to Windsor. Email resume to dining establishments. Exp. Not req.. 648-4849 or www.ststravel.com

9/1/08. PACKARD and Divi-
odeled 6+ bdrm. house w/ 2+
litan Realty Co.
256.
US WELL KEPT 7 bedroom
1120 Oakland available May
se call 668-1100.
E CITY PROPERTIES
& September 2008 Leases
w.treecityproperties.com
734-994-8733.
SITY TOWERS ON Cam-
tments. Taking reservations
mished Studio, 1, 2, & 3 Bed-
4-761-2680.
yTowers-mi.com -

5 & b Bdrm. Houses
May 2008
Copi ProperiesI
734-663-5609

2 BDRM., FULLY furn., spacious apt.
avail. @ ForestPlace for winter or
spring/summer semesters or both. Di-
rectTV avail. All nec. appl. incl. A/C
& dwshr. Wshr./dryer on loc. Contact
Chelsea at chelseaf411@gmail.com
APTS., SUBLETS, & Rmmte(s). List
and Browse FREE! All Cities & Areas.
1-877-367-7368 or www.sublet.com
CAMPUS REALTY. NOW taking
reservations for '08-'09. Stop by our of-
fice for a full housing brochure.
1335 5. University
734-665-8825
campusrealty.com
ONE BEDROOM SUBLET spring
and summer available. 1010 Catherine
St. Apt #308. 734-998-1457.
TOWNHOUSE SUBLET AND/OR
share. Quiet, conveniently located.
2670 Packard. Sublet: $1300/mo.
Share: $425/mo. Call if interested:
410-486-0544. rtlaytonl@hotmail.cota
W -I

We Buy TEXTBOOKS
Good Prices Paid
David's Books
U 516 E. William St.
665-8017
hel pwanted.
!!!BARTENDING!!! $300 /day poten-
tial, Age 18+ ok. No exp. necessary,
training provided. 800-965-6520x 125.
$10.00/HR. MICHIGAN TELEFUND
now hiring. Great Resume Builder! Ap-
ply @ telefund.umieh.edu or 763-8180.
ANONYMOUS EGG DONORS help
create a family. $6,000 compensation
to healthy women, ages 20-28,
height/weight proportionate, and non-
smokers. You will take medication and
undergo a minor surgical procedue.
Call ARR: (248)723-9979 for more
info. www.arrl.com
AUTHOR OF CHILDREN'S books
seeks volunteers for paid interview re-
garding your exp. w/your autistic sib-
lings for new book for children of autis-
tic siblings. Email barcain@umich.edu
or call Barbara Cain at 662-7632.
EARN $800-$3200 A month to drive
brand new cars with ads placed on
them. www.AdCarClub.com
EXCEPTIONAL EGG DONORS
needed $8000-$15000 for qualified, re-
sponsible applicants. All ethnicities
welcome. Special need for Jewish,
Asian, East Indian donors. Close per-
sonal support by experienced donor
Contact Dawn 951-696-7466.
FertilityAlternative:com/eggdonors
FULL/PART-TIME SERVERS
needed. Apply within Monday-Friday
between 2 and 5. 512 E. William.
GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTORS
NEEDED. Preschool and recreational.
Fax resume to 810-229-4998.
MOVIE EXTRAS. NEW opportuni-
ties for upcoming productions. All
looks needed no experience required
for cast calls. Call 877- 218- 6224.
HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 18-45
years old are needed for a study investi-
gating potential drug interactions 'of
commonly used drugs that are FDA
approved (IRBMED# 2004-0076).
Participants must not regularly take
medications. Volunteers will receive
either $300 or $500 for participating.
For complete information, please call

OFFICE ASSISTANT: AT least a 3.8
high school GPA, age 18 or older, job
experience(s) extra-curricular activi-
ties, computer skills. Very flexible
hours. $12/hour. Part-time position.
Apply to flexskills@yahoo.com
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR
INFLUENZA VACCINE
RESEARCH STUDY
The University of Michigan School of
Public Health is enrolling volutnteers in
a sudy to comparethe flu shot with the
nasal spray influenza vaccine. You will
be asked to attend 3 short visits this
study year (Fall 2007-Spring 2008).
You may be a candidate if you are
18-49 years old and.in good health.
Compensation: Participants will
receive at least $100 for completion
of 3 scheduled visits. 734-615-8331.
www.umich.edu/-fluvacs
IRBMED #HUM-14574
Principal investigator:
Arnold S. Monto, MD.
PRE-SCHOOL GYMN'ASTICS In-
structors-Enthusiastic, reliable instruc-
tors needed to teach morning and after-
noon pre-school classes. Gymnastics
and previous teaching experience neces-
sary. Call Gym America 971-1667.
RENEWABLE ENERGY SALES D
get out into the community, knock on
doors, talk to people. Upside earnings
potential. Required - people skills, out-
going, presentable. No money col-
lected, safety is a priority. Great oppor-
tunity to learn real world sales skills.
jobs@premierenergyonline.com
SIDEWALK SHOVELERS
NEEDED mostly nights, P/t for snow
removal co. Exc. pay. 663-3343 ext. 24.
RESERVATIONS AGENTS
Mainstreet Ventures is now hiring
reservations agents. Candidates must
be articulate, detail oriented and have
computer knowledge. Restaurant/Hos-
pitality exp. preferred but not req. Must
have evening availability. Enjoy work-
ing in a quiet, casual, downtown Ann
Arbor location. Free prkg!
Contact Nicole at 1-888-456-3463.
SCOREKEEPER'S SPORTS
GRILL & Pub now hiring talented,
hardworking individuals for our wait
staff, floorman, and cooks. No experi-
ence necessary. Apply in person at 310
Maynard St., Ann Arbor. 734-995-0100.
SPRING BREAK REPS Wanted:
Free Travel & Cash. 1-800-426-7710
or visit www.sunsplashtours.com
ST. PAUL EARLY Childhood Center
has part-time substitute employment op-
portunities available. St: Paul is an NA-
EYC accredited childcare program serv-
ing children from ages 6 months to age
6. Work according to your schedule
while taking classes. Students able to
speak a second language are encour-
aged to apply. This is a great opportu-
nity for teach-ed, early childhood,
psych, doctor or nursing students to
gain experience with children. Contact
the Director at1734-668-0887.

WOLVERINESNEEDJOBS.COM
Paid survey takers needed in A2.
100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.
Si Cket s & FOVe6 _.
**#t SPRING BREAK Website! 4 &
7 night trips. Low prices guaranteed.
Group discounts for 8+. Book 20 peo-
ple, get 3 free trips! Campus reps
needed. www.StudentCity.com or 800-
293-1445.

mike wmindboxcg.com Call 800-722-4791.

MSU VS. U of M football tickets for
sale @ 517-351-1992 or order online at
www.jamestheticketman.com
Daily Cassifieds
, serving the UoIM
YOU Ve community for
been hundreds upon
served hundreds or so
years..

For Monday, Oct. 29, 2007
ARIES
(March 21 to April 19)
Whatever you do with close friends
and partners today (either sharing time
or talking) will be productive ina practi-
cal way. You want to see how much you
can get done.
TAURUS
(April 20to May 20)
Mundane, routine workwill not deter
you today. You're ready to roll up your
sleeves and get something done.
Working with pet-related activities will
be rewarding.
GEMINI
(May 21to June 20)
Some of you are dealing with the
responsibilities of children. It's a good
day to give young people advice.
Romantic discussions are serious as
well.
CANCER
(June 21 to July 22)
Discussions with or about parents will
be productive today. Someone wants to
feel more secure about his or her future,
and you might be the one to help make
this happen.
LEO
(July 23 to Aug. 22).
This is a good day to do some serious
thinking or have serious discussions
with siblings and relatives. You might
want to explore where future avenues
will lead.
VIRGO
(Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)
If shopping today, you'll buy some-
thing practical that will last for a long
time. You'll avoid anything that's waste-
ful or frivolous. And you'll love a bar-
gain!
LIBRA
(Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)'
What interests you most today are
practical events and situations. You don't
feel frivolous. You want to work hard to
accomplish something because you want

some solid results.
SCORPIO
(Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)
Most Scorpios have excellent concen-
tration and focus. But today, your ability
to research something is quite amazing.
You rock!
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22to Dec. 21)
Someone older or wiser might have
good advice for you today. It certainly
doesn't hurt to listen. Sometimes good
tips come from surprising sources.
CAPRICORN '
(Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
It's almost as if you have a second
chance to give serious thought to your
life direction. Discussions with bosses,
parents or anyone who is older or more
experienced than you will be helpful.
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)
It's easy to make future plans today
especially related to travel, dealing with
foreign countries, publishing, the media
and anything having to do with medicine
and the law. You're taking a long-range
view of your life.
PISCES
(Feb. 19 to March 20)
This is an excellent day to discuss the
wealth and resources of others, or per-
haps how you might want to divide
something with someone. You're in a
sensible frame of mind!
YOU BORN TODAY You're highly
original; your bring a new approach to
activities that involve you. If you're
enthused about something, you have no
trouble persuading others to climb on
your bandwagon. (In this way, you can
become quite influential.) You're logical
and intelligent. You work well with oth-
ers. An important choice awaits you this
year. Choose wisely.
Birthdate of Richard Dreyfus, actor;
Winona Ryder, actress; Dan
Castellaneta, voice actor.

FALL '01 HOUSE RENTALS
keysmanagement.net or 734-651-1593.
CAMPUS APARTMENTS AND
Houses. 1-2-3 bedrooms.
www.MIdigs.com
Adorable Abodes
2, 3,4,5 & 6 bedroom
Houses & Apartments
in Houses
All the amenities
September 2008
Call 734-668-7955
Qam-9pm

call31-674-0740or email
hkawada@umich.edu
PERSONAL TRAINING/PILATES.
734-678-3422. Maryheth2Gjuno.com
PRIVATE TUTORING FOR LSAT,
LAW SCHOOL, BAR EXAM
My credentials:
- perfect 180 on LSAT
- Michigan Law graduate (3.85 GPA)
- licensed attorney
- 15 years of teaching experience
- hundreds of delighted students
734.996.2861 www.TESTGURU.com
Its
cost .
-o--


Y A