4 - Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.cam
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the University of Michigan since 1890.
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Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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ANDREW GROSSMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GARY GRACA
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GABE NELSON
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 THE DARIY
Driving in a new direction
Student input will help solve campus transportation issues
(They should) have a pretty good idea of what
countries we're fighting in:'
- Retired Lt. Col. John Nagl, commenting on the U.S. Army's inadequate and inconsistent language
instruction for troops fighting in foreign countries, as reported yesterday by The New York Times.
ELAINE MORTONINATURE CALLS E-MAIL ELAINE AT EMORT@UMICH.EDU
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More 6,1thanacodsude
C hances are you have had or will have at least one miserable
transportation experience during your time at the Univer-
sity. From late buses to inadequate parking to parking tick-
ets, students struggle to make sense of a transportation system that
should be so efficient they don't think about it. To learn what works
and what doesn't, the University Parking and Transportation Ser-
vices has wisely initiated the Transportation and Parking Student
Advisory Council, intended to update and regulate its transporta-
tion system with the help of those who use it most: the students.
0
Recently, the University introduced new
changes to its transportation system - but
apparently forgot to notify students. The
University started a Diag-to-Diag bus route,
and the Northwood Express route now runs
five minutes earlier. While typically neither
of these changes would be problematic, the
issue is that neither of these changes were
well-publicized, even at bus stops. In fact,
the signs at bus stops are outdated if they
even exist at all.
Such problems - in addition to unresolved
issues like the challenges of parking near
campus - have led PTS to establish this new
committee. Composed of a few transporta-
tion officials and students from different
schools and colleges at the University, the
committee hopes to use the recommenda-
tions of the student body to strengthen the
University's transportation system.
As it begins its investigations, the council
and PTS should focus on the kinds of chang-
es that will make public transportation
on campus easy and efficient. Right now,
some fundamental issues are holding back
the bus system on campus, like tardiness,
overcrowding and sparse weekend service.
The first logical step is updating each bus
stop sign and PTS's website to represent the
changes to the University's routes. In this
same vein, it should examine resources like
the Magic Bus website. Though Magic Bus
is designed to keep students informed about
bus routes and the progress of buses, it isn't
always accurate, which defeats the purpose
of having it at all.
If you want a telling example of how bad
the Magic Bus website is, just read the caveat
it offers on the site: "The Magic Bus system
and this website, are still under develop-
ment. Bus riders are encouraged to use it.
However, reliable and accurate service is not
guaranteed."
Luckily, the University has a good model
for its system right here in the city: the Ann
Arbor Transportation Authority. Thanks to a
small fee tacked onto students' tuition, they
can ride not only the University buses but
also the city buses for free at anytime just by
showing their M-Card. This offers students
access to the efficient, hybrid AATA buses,
which tend to run on schedule. The Univer-
sity bus system should follow the AATA's
lead and; step up to its standards, ensuring
that using the University system is at least as
efficient as the AATA. In fact, merely focus-
ing on the University bus system could alle-
viate many of the city's problems. After all,
the stronger the public transportation sys-
tem is throughoutAnn Arbor, the more like-
ly it is students will use it, which will also
lessen the burden of parking in town.
But these problems will only be addressed
if students participate, whether it's applying
to join the council or coming to it with their
concerns. Through the Transportation and
Parking Student Advisory Council, the Uni-
versity is offering a rare opportunity for stu-
dents to have a say in the system - but now
they must take advantage of it.
o you feel that chill in the air?
There's a cold breeze swirl-
ing, and it's not a sign of the
coming winter
It's the frigid rela-
tions between Rus-
sia and the United
States. Some people
are calling it the
beginning of a new
Cold War. Whether
or not this is true, +-
there is certainlyA
much to be worried ALEX
about. PRASAD
Bolstered by
skyrocketing ener-
gy prices, Russia,
under new president Dmitry Med-
vedev (a puppet for former president
and current prime minister Vladimir
Putin), is becoming more adventurous
about throwing its weight around in
Asia and Europe. And this newfound
bravado has been to the detriment of.
the United States and its ideals.
First, the facts. According to the
U.S. Energy Information Administra-
tion, Russia is in a position of unprece-
dented energy wealth. Among the rest
of the world, Russia is No. 1in natural
gas reserves, No.2 incoal reserves and
No. 8 in largest oil reserves. In August
2007, Russia resumed Cold War-era
strategic bomber flights. This Sep-
tember, Russia and Venezuela agreed
to conduct joint military exercises.
Russia has plans to move at least four
naval ships into Venezuelan ports.
And after both the Czech Republic
and Poland agreed to house impor-
tant aspects of a U.S.-developed mis-
sile shield designed to protect Europe
from ballistic missiles, the Russian
Foreign Ministry responded by saying
a "military response" would follow.
So how are we to tackle this grow-
ing anti-American influence spreading
throughout Eastern Europe and per-
haps the world? One thing is certain:
Diplomacy alone isn't the answer.
Diplomacy from a position of weak-
ness doesn't work and won't work to
reign in what is increasingly becom-
ing a rogue Russian regime. Look
at the North Korean approach. For
years, the Bush administration backed
tough sanctions against North Korea,
refusingto give the oppressive regime
of Kim Jong Il the legitimacy of face-
to-face talks. Finally, the Bush admin-
istration gave in to the sentiments of
the State Department and many lib-
eral commentators and negotiated a
six-nation effort to end the country's
nuclear program. The result: A little
over a year after the agreement was
signed, North Korea decided to restart
its program last week.
Considering its current weak posi-
tion, the United States must tackle this
problem head on, develop a position of
strength and not be ashamed to pro-
claim its motivations. Missile defense
installations must be installed in the
Czech Republic and Poland, despite
Russia's threats. These installations
will undoubtedly make Europe safer
(from yet another perturbing threat:
Iran), and will help the United States
stay safer at home as missile defense
technology is put into action and we
learn more about how to perfect the
process.
The United States must also com-
mit itself to defend its allies that so
proudly hold up the democratic ideals
that we share. It's understandable that
the United States' European NATO
allies aren't quick to criticize Russia
given that a majority of their energy
supplies, including natural gas, are
imported from Russia. The rest of
Europe doesn't want to experience the
cold winter that Ukraine did two years
ago, when Russia shut off its natural
gas for the better part of a week dur-
ing intense negotiations.
Russia is in such a strong strategic
position that it would be tough now to
undo the influence and power it has in
contemporary Europe. But make no
mistake: The price of failing to stop
this new Russian aggression will be
steep. According to Freedom House,
in 1972 there were only 42 democrat-
ic nations in the world. Today, there
are 123. A domino effect of countries
wilting under Russian pressure, espe-
cially in the former Soviet Bloc, could
reverse this significant progress.
And Russia already began its brazen
power play with its recent invasion of
Georgia.
Why being passive
with Russia just
won't cut it.
In a cowardly act, the United States
promised aid to Georgia, not military
assistance, while the democratic for-
mer Soviet Republic, was stearrrolled
by a merciless invading force from
Russia. As Russian troops marched
toward his capital, Georgian Presi-
dent Mikheil Saakashvili said it best,
"What's at stake here is America's ide-
als. If freedom collapses in Georgia, it
will collapse ... in other places as well.
His fears are well founded. Ask the
Ukrainians left in the cold by Russia
just two years ago. Ask the thousands
of refugees from Russian's recent
invasion. Hopefully these fears will be
addressed by a new U.S. president in
January who is seriously committed to
maintaining peace through strength.
Alex Prasad can be reached
at atprasad@umich.edu.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Harun Buljina, Emmarie Huetteman, Emily Michels, Kate Peabody, Robert Soave, Imran Syed
The Daily is looking for smart people with an interest in campus issues
and excellent writing skills to be members of its editorial board.
E-MAIL GARY GRACA AT GRACA@MICHIGANDAILY.COM
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',
ISSUES 2008
ON THE WAR IN IRAQ
COLLEGE DEMOCRATS I V EWP .T
A structured, necessary end
COLLEGE REPUBLICANS VIEWPOINT
Putting stability first in Iraq
In 2003, during the run up to the war in Iraq,
terrorism threats at home and overseas created an
environment of fear that reverberated throughout
the country. During this time, Barack Obama made
a courageous and prescient speech calling for Wash-
ington to rethink this "dumb war."
The war has cost the lives of thousands of U.S.
servicemen and women and has wounded countless
more. While many people have touted military strat-
egies like the surge as the cause of the recent decrease
in violence, many, notably Defense Secretary Robert
Gates, aren't sure these low levels of violence will
endure. According to an Associated Press-GfK poll
this month, more than half of Americans believe it is
time to begin phasing troops out.
'Barack Obama has put together a logical and orga-
nized plan for a structured withdrawal of one to two
brigades a month, a plan endorsed by Iraqi Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki. This will end the war in
about 16 months without creating chaos in Iraq.
The war in Iraq is a distraction from the real war
against terrorism: the war in Afghanistan. Afghan
infrastructure is severely weakened, leading to drug
trafficking and, consequently, violence. Since the
start of the surge, al Qaeda's presence in Afghani-
stan has increased dramatically, leading Gen. David
Petraeus to call for redeployment of troops there last
week. Obama understands that Afghanistan is cen-
tral to winning the war against terrorism and that
only by beginning a phased withdrawal in Iraq can
we begin to resume our efforts in Afghanistan.
While Obama has never agreed with the war, his
voting record is consistently supportive of the troops.
Throughoutthe wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he has
voted to increase funding for veterans' health care,
and he co-sponsored Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's bill
to provide adequate rest periods for troops between
deployments. Obama also supported the new GI Bill,
which provides veterans with a college education, a
right they deserve in exchange for their sacrifices.
Rather than sending troops into a war and failing
to provide for them, Obama is willing to fund veter-
ans' needs, from increased body armor to top-notch
health care and free education when they return.
Though the human loss is the most important
reason for ending the occupation in Iraq, the eco-
nomic implications of the war are also important.
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, the United
States has spent almost _
$600 billion. According
to the National Priorities
Project website, the people
of Michigan will pay $17.4 This is part tw
billion of that. This money
could have been spent pro- by Colleg
viding one year of health
care for 6.5 million people
or 13 million children, pow- important I
ering 24.5 million homes
with renewable energy Ele
for one year or paying one
year of college tuition and
fees for roughly 1.8 million
Michigan residents.
If Obama is elected president, he will phase troops
out of Iraq in a logical, reasonable manner. Some
troops will be redeployed to Afghanistan, where
they will help make the region safer and protect the
United States from terrorism. Some will return home
where they will be provided with health care and an
education. Ultimately, come Nov. 4, Americans must
make a choice: Do we choose to continue a war based
on fear and lies, or do we choose to end it?
This viewpoint was written on behalf of the
University's chapter of College Democrats.
'o in a
e Dem
ans th
ssues
ction
We are seeing progress in Iraq. Since March
2007,violence has droppedby more than 90 percent
and a stable, safe and democratic Iraq has begun
to prosper. Iraqi forces, both Sunni and Shiite, are
becoming much more active in defending their
nation. U.S. forces are lessening their role. These
successes can be attributed to last year's troop
surge, a policy that even Barack Obama declared
has "succeeded beyond our wildest dreams."
When many in the United States saw this as a
disastrous decision,
John McCain stood
up for what he saw as
right and supported
five-part series the surge. He is right
on this issue and is the
aocrats and best man to direct our
iat looks at Iraq policy.
Let's set McCain's
leadingu to record on Iraq straight.
up9 In 2003, he voted with
Day. the Senate to autho-
rize the United States
to attack Saddam Hus-
sein and Iraq. From
the start he criticized
President Bush and then-Defense Secretary Don-
ald Rumsfeld's handling of the war, arguing that
we didn't send enough troops. McCain called for
a troop surge years before it was actually enacted
and risked his political career to support the troop
surge when it was announced in early 2007. That
troop surge has been a success and shows how his
judgment is right when it comes to leading our
military.
John McCain wants to get most.of our troops
out of Iraq as soon as possible. But he also doesn't
want to leave Iraq unstable and unable to govern
and defend itself. Because we don't know how long
this might take, we can't set a timetable for troop
withdrawals. What happens if we set a timetable
and Iraq hasn't reached a point where it can stand
on its own? Do we just pull out and say "figure it
out on your own"? Absolutely not. We need to stay
in Iraq as long as it takes to ensure that the nation
can govern itself. This may take 16 months, which
is the length of Obama's timetable. It may take less
time, but it also may take longer.
Democrats will quote McCain as saying he
wants to be in Iraq for the next 100 years. Aside
frombeingtaken out of context,this attack shows a
strategic gap in Democrats' thinking. Obama's call
for a full troop withdrawal sure sounds good, but
this fortune-cookie answer overlooks a vital reality
in international politics. Do we really want to not
maintain a presence in a volatile region populated
by organizations and states intent on harming us
and our allies? We've been in Germany and Japan
for almost 60 years and South Korea for more than
50 years. Our military presence has made the world
much more secure.
The United States needs to maintain a long-
term presence in the Middle East in order to
ensure stability in the region. And, to put McCa-
in's words in context, he said that it would be fine
to keep some troops in Iraq only if they weren't
being harmed.
In John McCain, we have an experienced and
knowledgeable man who knows our military, has
the judgment needed to lead it and can keep it on
the right track. When it comes to Iraq, McCain
knows how to direct our troops to secure a stable
nation and region and bring most of them home.
This viewpoint was written on behalf of the
University' chapter of the College Republicans.
A