4A - Monday, March 17, 2008
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
tothedaily@umich.edu
ANDREW GROSSMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GARY GRACA
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GABE NELSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsignededitorialsreflectthe officialposition of the Daily's editorialboard. All other signedarticles
and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
The Daily's public editor, Paul H. Johnson, acts as the readers' representative andtakes acritical look at
coverage and content in every section of the paper. Readers are encouraged to contactthe public editor
with questions and comments. He canbe reached at publiceditor@umich.edu.
FRMTH E D A I L)V
Harvesting wind's power
The 'U' and the state must turn to renewable resources
f you are looking for answers to global warming and America's
energy crisis, there's at least one solution that many people
overlook. Wind power continues to be a realistic and often-
ignored alternative to fossil fuels and other non-renewable resourc-
es. In the state and at the University there are budding opportunities
that must be seized in order to integrate wind power into energy
policies that are cost-effective and depend on renewable resources.
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Someone who's not gonna stab me in the
back like has happened a lot in this town,
someone I can have fun with."
- Paris Hilton, on what she'll look for in her new MTV reality show with the
working title "Paris Hilton's My New BFF," as reported Friday by Reuters.
Diverging routes
hat if this were the sched- captured six conference titles in foot- about whether professors are concen-
ule for the 2008 Michigan ball. It won the 1905 national cham- trating on undergraduates and less
football team? pionship. In all sports combined, about whether the Big House remains
Kenyon, Wabash, Elmhurst, Ober- the school won or shared 71 Big Ten the largest college football stadium in
lin, Macalester, championships. It produced the first the country?
Denison, Case, Heisman Trophy winner, Jay Ber- In Ann Arbor, the talk of campus
Washington (Mo.) wanger, in 1935. this week will be The Ann Arbor
and Carnegie Mel- So why are the Maroons open- News's report about how athletes are
ton. ing their 2008 season with Kenyon funneled into an independent study
Of course, it - a slightly lesser known Ohio foot- course taught by Psychology Prof.
isn't. It's the sched- ball team than the one in Columbus John Hagen, which offers them an
ule for the Division - when Michigan is opening its cam- easy A for minimal work. In Hyde
III University of paign against Utah, which produced Park, what will they be talking about?
Chicago Maroons, the top pick in the 2005 NFL draft? Probably not Terrelle Pryor.
which used to Because in 1939, Robert Maynard The Division I athletic program
be one of college STAMPFL Hutchins, then-president of the Uni- has given this university a lot. It's a
football's power- versity of Chicago, decided to elimi- wonderful thing for the Michigan
houses. nate the football program. He saw it
Chicago also used to be one of as a distraction from the true mission
Michigan's biggest rivals. The two of the university. one of higher edu-
teams competed at the turn of the cation's most idealistic figures - his w hat if the 'U'
century in the Western Conference seminal work is titled "The Univer-
(does "champions of the West" sound sity of Utopia" - Hutchins had the had followed
familiar?), which was later known vision seven decades ago to anticipate
as the Big Ten Conference. They the goliath distraction that Division I Chicago
traded conference championships for athletics would soon become.
decades. In 1898, a Michigan student When Hutchins made the unpopu-
composed "The Victors" on the way lar decision to cut the football team
back from a one-point victory over before it became too powerful to community to come together seven
the Maroons. control, the fates of the universities or eight Saturdays a year, and alot of
Chicago was the Ohio State of the of Michigan and Chicago began to athletes get unparalleled educations
early 20th century - albeit with a diverge. Today, both are easily among in the classroom and on the field.
better academic reputation. The two the Midwest's premiere colleges. But But I'll leave you with a couple of
heavyweights competed in the class- at Chicago - which is considered to questions: Why is it that when aver-
room and on the gridiron. They were offer the superior education, espe- age Americans think of one of the
a perfect match in both arenas. cially at. the undergraduate level world's top higher institutions of
. Football was a serious pursuit at - athletics don't share the spotlight higher education, the University of
Chicago. Almost two years before with academics in the same way that Chicago, most think of economics or
the school held its first class, it hired they do at Michigan. There's a differ- the Nobel Prize?
a football coach and athletic director, ent culture. And why is it that when they
Amos Alonzo Stagg. Stagg pioneered University of Chicago President think of another of the world's finest
the center snap and the "T" formation, Robert Zimmer does not have to deal schools, the University of Michigan,
now common in sports vernacular. On with the same issues that Univer- most think of sports?
the day of the school's first class, Oct. sity of Michigan President Mary Sue
1, 1892, Stagg also held the Maroons' Coleman does, for instance. Wouldn't Karl Stampfl was the Daily's fall/
first football practice. it be nice if the central administra- winter editor in chief in 2007. He can
From 1899 to 1924, Chicago team tion spent more of its time worrying be reached at kstampfl@umich.edu.
ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN E
Behind a mask, a dangerous theory
A testament to the growth of wind power,
the state's first commercial wind farm offi-
cially started churning out energy in Huron
County at the beginning of this month. The
wind farm - Harvest Wind Farm - gen-
erates about enough electricity to power
15,000 average homes. The windmills are
built on land leased out by farmers, pump-
ing money into local agriculture and pump-
ing out clean energy - a win-win.
Meanwhile, about 100 miles southeast in
Lansing, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has pro-
posed a Renewable Portfolio Standard. If
passed, the initiative would require 10 per-
cent of the state's energy supply to come
from renewable sources by 2015. Twenty-
five other states have already passed simi-
lar legislature, with many of them calling
for far greater future standards than Gra-
nholm has.
On the grand scale of things, Granholm's
proposal is hardly radical. What's sig-
nificant here, however, is just how much
Michigan stands to benefit. Michigan's
excellent geographic position and strong
winds could go a long way to attracting
wind energy investors to the state. As Har-
vest Wind Farm illustrates, it's good for the
farmers already here, too. Overall, a move
away from fossil fuels will also be a move
away from the constant ups and dowrs in
oil prices that threaten industry.
Closer to campus, the University can
also do its part to set Michigan on the path
toward a bright green future. Recently,
the Michigan Student Assembly's Envi-
ronmental Issues Commission highlighted
how. In a press release Wednesday, the
commission called for the University to
immediately purchase 3-6 megawatts of
wind power - a move that would cover
roughly 3 percent of its total purchased
energy. This is a simple step that the Uni-
versity can take, but the results of such a
change would be enormous.
As well as helping the Michigan econ-
omy, a shift to more renewable resources
like wind power is consistent with the Uni-
versity's image and tradition as a progres-
sive university. MSA's resolution goes on to
call for the University to buy 30 percent of
its energy from renewable sources by 2015,
citing100 percent as a long-term goal. Such
proposals might be ambitious, but they are
worthy goals and by no means unattain-
able. They would also serve as vital sup-
port to the wind industry in our state.
Granted, wind power has its inevitable
critics. Some argue that windmills put
some land in shadow, are eyesores, pro-
duce too much noise and are dangerous
for birds. But these are largely aesthetic
sacrifices for an energy source that pres-
ents great potential for the state and the
environment. It's a solution that's blowing
in the wind.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Emad Ansari, Harun Buljina, Anindya Bhadra, Kevin Bunkley, Ben Caleca,
Satyajeet Deshmukh, Milly Dick, Mike Eber, Emmarie Huetteman,
Theresa Kennelly, Emily Michels, Arikia Millikan, Kate Peabody, Robert Soave,
lmran Syed, Neil Tambe, Matt Trecha, Kate Truesdell, Radhika Upadhyaya,
Rachel Van Gilder, Rachel Wagner, Patrick Zabawa.
JENNIE MCALPINE .
Beyond leave policies
Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with racist
and extremist groups who engage in conspiracy theo-
ries about Jews. Accusing Jews of controlling Ameri-
ca is stock-in-trade for groups like the Ku Klux Klan,
Aryan Nations and the National Alliance.
We don't underestimate the dangers from such
groups. But as long as these theories remain in the
domain of the extremists, we can contend with them
because the haters have no credibility with the Amer-
ican people and our exposure of their views and inten-
tions brings widespread condemnation of them.
It is quite another issue when conspiracy views
about Jews come from the mainstream. There is a
tendency by the public to give them much more of a
hearing and, if the presenters are smart in how they
go about their work, the whole enterprise can gain
legitimacy.
That is why I was seriously concerned about the
views of Prof. John Mearsheimer of the University of
Chicago and Prof. Stephen Walt of Harvard Univer-
sity, when they first published their paper, "The Israel
Lobby" in April 2006. Despite their respectability,
their bias toward Israel and American Jews was trans-
parent and their assessment of the Arab-Israeli con-
flict over the years was completely flawed. For them,
Israel is to blame for every event in the conflict. Far
worse, they see control by the Israel lobby as the rea-
son why America supports what they consider a way-
ward country to the detriment of American interests.
Unfortunately, there was little condemnation.
Instead, we continually heard that Mearsheimer and
Walt have made an important contribution to the
discussion on U.S. Middle East policy, that they had
spoken "truths" that others had not said, and that this
would be a welcome addition to curricula on campus-
es around the country.
I ultimately concluded that there was a need to
provide students, journalists and the general public a
more comprehensive and integrated perspective as to
the dangers of their thesis.
I knew their thesis had to be debunked, so I set out
to write a book that would do just that. My book, "The
Deadliest Lies: The Israel Lobby and the Myth of Jew-
ish Control," was published in September 2007, the
same time that Mearsheimer and Walt's book, "The
Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy," an expanded
version of their article, appeared. I believe "The Dead-
liest Lies" is a reasoned, temperate critique of danger-
ous works that masquerade themselves as legitimate
criticism of Israel and American Jews.
While Mearsheimer and Walt toned down some of
the more extreme statements from their original arti-
cle about Jewish lobbying activities and intention -
now insistingthey never were questioningthe right of
Jews to lobby for Israel - their efforts to appear more
innocuous are for naught. Their conclusion remains
the same - Jewish people are responsible for all the
"bad" decisions of American Middle East policy.
Their claims include: The war in Iraq? It was Amer-
ican Jews who got us into it for the sake of Israel.
Islamic extremism? It is the Jewish insistence on U.S.
support for Israel that has brought us to this point.
American public support for Israel? It is Jewish con-
trol and stifling of debate on campus, in the media and
in Congress that misleads the public into support for
Israel.
Rather than acknowledging that most Americans
support Israel in its struggle against hostile Arab
states and terrorist groups, and writing a book in an
effort to change that public sentiment to their way of
thinking, Mearsheimer and Walt insist that the play-
ing field isn't fair because of what they claim are the
insidious efforts of the Jewish/Israel lobby to under-
mine the very democratic levers of power that could
be used to effect such a change.
"The Deadliest Lies" provides the reader with the
understanding and the arguments to make sure these
anti-Semitic conspiracy theories will not take root in
America.
Abraham H. Foxman is the national director
of The Anti-Defamation League.
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICHI.EDU
1'
I.
I was happy to see that the Daily's recent
editorial spotlighted Rackham Graduate
School's important new policy granting six
weeks leave to graduate student parents for
the birth or adoption of a child (Family mat-
ters, 02/21/2008). As the editorial pointed
out, the challenges of parenthood extend
far beyond the first several weeks of birth or
adoption so it is important for student par-
ents to know about additional support ser-
vices the article didn't seem to recognize.
The new policy is but one of many efforts to
support student parents at the University.
The University currently provides care for
more than 500 children each day through
six on-site child care centers in Ann Arbor,
Flint and Dearborn. The centers are open
during school semesters, with summer care
options, and offer care for children from
infancy through five years of age. Addition-
al infant/toddler care was added this fall at
the North Ingalls Children's Center and will
be a feature in 2009 at the soon-to-be-built
Towsley Center for Children on Forest Ave-
nue and Hill Street.
Second, in order to make campus care
centers more affordable to students, the
University funds stipends through the Child
Care Subsidy (available through financial
aid for use at any licensed center or home in
Michigan) and through the Tuition Grant
program, which can pay up to 40 percent
of care costs at our Central Campus centers
and Northwood Child Development Center.
Further, in the early 2000's, the Commit-
WYMAN KHUU E U
tee on Student Parent Issues, which includ-
ed student parents and Graduate Employees'
Organization members, investigated options
to address students'needs for extended hour
care and found that the best option was to
develop the Campus Child Care Homes Net-
work. This network of 15 licensed child care
homes in and around campus can accommo-
date extended hours, weekends and drop-in.
care. It provides up to 144 spaces for chil-
dren, including 96 spaces for infants and
toddlers. Each independent caregiver com-
mits to annual training and the pursuit of
program accreditation through the National
Association of Family Child Care. Hundreds
of University families have found this to
be an affordable, high-quality and flexible
alternative to center-based care.
As with all child care settings - including
our own on-site centers - parents need to
visit, check references and choose the pro-
gram that is right for them. Parents can get
more information on the Campus Child Care
Homes Network and hundreds of other com-
munity-based, licensed child care programs*
by calling our Work/Life Resource Center
or accessing our searchable child care data-
base on our website (www.hr.umich.edu/
worklife/). To learn more about University
on-site child care centers, please visit our
Child Care Gateway (www.hr.umich.edu/
childcare/).
Jennie McAlpine is the director of the
University's Work/Life Programs.
E-MAIL KHUU AT YMANKHUU@UMICH.EDU
9
a
T he economics Of
luxury student housing
and reduces pric
move out of their(
into new comple:
Village and Zarag
ers of less desira
We have to create greater wareness of
5o whas the the issues that affect Asian Pacific
deal? What wre It'sAsianHeritage Islanders andincreaseour voice on Well in that case you might
you promoting? MonthIfs mpromoting cmpus. We need to unite around our want to start spelling
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TO THE DAILY: encouraged to r
I commend last week's editorial dated, dilapidated
about the proposed University Vil- being shut out o
lage apartment complex for acknowl- means that highe
edging that the responsible thing for less expensive ren
Ann Arbor to do is increase density by Furthermore, t
growing upward, not outward (Mov- luxury developmc
ing up, not out, 03/10/2008). I also segregation is fau
commend the editorial's praise of the wealthy students
University Village developer's deci- far away from c
sion to use green building methods the density near(
and materials. However, the article's along with the ec
argument against the complex being above - allowsI
an upscale student housing develop- students to have a'
ment because it would not help make tions at lower co
student housing more affordable was gets to live closer
flawed. ing students closE
As a student whose focus is real date affordable ho
estate, I agree that the high rent a necessity. Proje
compared to the poor quality of stu- Village indirectly
dent housing in Ann Arbor is out of more likely by d
whack. A project like University Vil- making current h
lage will help the situation, though, less desirable and
according to the basic principles of incentive to renov
supply and demand. Increasing the
supply of modern housing, even when Jonathan Weiss
expensive, increases the total supply Business senior
ce. When students
current houses and
xes like University
on Place, the own-
ble properties are
enovate their out-
I properties or risk
f the market. This
r quality rentals at
ats.
the argument that
ents increase class
Ity. Presently, less-
are forced to live
ampus. Increasing
Central Campus -
onomics described
these less-wealthy
ccess to better loca-
sts. Everyone then
to campus, bring-
er together. Up-to-
ousing is absolutely
cts like University
make such housing
ropping the price,
ousing comparably
increasing owners'
ate.
Trashing free speech
at the Posting Wall
TO THE DAILY:
I went to the Posting Wall with a
friend early Wednesday morning to
put up fliers for Students for Life's
Diag Day. We finished posting the
fliers around 6:45 a.m. and left with
a sense of accomplishment. Howev-
er, when I returned to Angell Hall
an hour later, I was shocked to see
that all of our fliers had been torn
down while all other groups' fliers
remained posted.
Our fliers did not say anything
offensive. Even if they had, no one
has the right to remove them. These
fliers were simply inviting people to
attend our informational event on
the Diag. I was (and still am) con-
fused why someone would take our
fliers down at such a diverse, for-
ward-thinking, open-minded uni-
versity?
Lauren Bennett
LSA sophomore
The letter writer is the vice president of
Students for Life.
*I
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