4A - Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Michigan Daily - michiganclaily.com
L74C fitIC4igan+ ily
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
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.
Extending the oihve branch
Gov. Schwarzenegger is playing a
dangerous game, and it needs to stop. Now."
-The Family Research Council, criticizing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) for allowing people to protest
the passage of a same-sex marriage in California, as reported yesterday by The Washington Post.
CHRIS KOSLOWSKI OUT T PAT E E-MAIL CHRIS AT CSKOSLOW@UMICH.EDU
Why do you always TIC twas preystpid
Whoa. You look terrible procrastinate? Couldn't
Cyou see this coming Well,lfigured if the Big
I was up until 4am o~---~-' Three were banking on a
telnising a ppr. 1 was hopingmy pofessor t aluwh olnt1
would push back the due date.,.",.
o. *
a ~ 0
" .M a f " 0 I-1R
Killing the pai~n
Student groups should continue toward civil discussion
In an ordinary debate, it's not much of an accomplishment
when two opposing sides sit in the same room as each other.
Such is not the case with the Israeli-Palestinian debate on
campus. And that's why this week's collaboration between the
pro-Israeli student group, American Movement for Israel, and the
pro-Palestinian student group, Students Allied for Freedom and
Equality, was such a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, this first-
time forum is only a mild success - to turn one of the most unpro-
ductive debates on campus into something worthwhile, students
will need to think of dialogue as a first, not an end goal.
Held Monday evening, The Parent's Cir-
cle Family Forum was composed of Israeli
and Palestinian speakers who are promot-
ing peace efforts after having lost family
and friends in the constant war between
the two nations. With both AMI and SAFE
sponsoring the event, the forum was the
first collaboration between the groups. It
aimed to bring awareness and understand-
ing to the suffering incurred by both Israe-
lis and Palestinians involved in the conflict
and put a human face on the fight.
There's a lot of good to be said for what
happened Monday. On campus, the debate
about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is
infamous for its screaming matches, inter-
ruptions and disturbances, rather than its
respectable and mature dialogue. Granted,
all of this hasn't been the fault of University
students. But regardless, this forum made
a worthwhile effort to progress beyond
that unproductive bickering. For that, both
groups desire credit.
But it's emblematic of this debate that a
forum like this took so long to happen. Stu-
dents at this university should be able to
set aside whatever differences they have,
regardless of how sensitive the topic at
hand, and appreciate the diversity on cam-
pus. While SAFE and AMI have begun to do
this with the Parent's Circle Family Forum,
they shouldn't stop there.
The forum represents phase one of a jour-
ney for students to resolve their conflicts.
Establishing a connection by talking about
similar experiences of loss and suffering is
a start for pushing the two groups toward
a resolution. But it's just that: a start. Both
groups in this debate should be able to hold
intellectual and mature debates about top-
ics on which they differ greatly, not just
about the things upon which they can agree.
Past hotheaded arguments that bring about
no satisfactory resolutions between par-
ties should be replaced by enriching dia-
logue that will indefinitely allow students
to understand one another and respectfully
disagree with one another.
This event is one of necessity, but it
shouldn't be a wasted opportunity. Hope-
fully these groups will be able to reach a
point where fruitful debate is possible and
encouraged. Student groups should accept
the responsibility of being a model for oth-
ers to follow. Right now, they still have a
long way to go.
to been a few weeks since the
election, but people are still talk-
ing about Proposal 1- and when
I talk about the fact
we ve decriminal-
ized marijuana for
medical use in the
state of Michigan,
I do so with a huge,
spacey smile on my
face. No, I'm not
stoned; I'm just that
glad we've made
alternate forms of EILEEN
painkillers avail- STAHL
able to suffering
people. I'd like to
say this is because
I'm such a compassionate lady, but
unfortunately I'm a twisted, selfish
monster. It's unlikely I'd have ever
thought about people dealing with
extreme pain if not for an incident
that made me intimately familiar
with the process.
About a year ago, I had to undergo
extensive dental surgery, in which
they ground my teeth down to "Jaws"-
like spikes and "capped" fake teeth on
top. It's a common procedure among
movie stars, who like to beas synthet-
ic in body as they are in personality,
but I had to do it for less-glamorous
medical reasons. As you can imagine,
it was about as affordable as it was
pleasant.
After spending six hours with
enough sharp metal in my mouth to
shut down Los Angeles International
Airport, I assumed I was through the
worst of it. But over the course of the
next few weeks I experienced "some
radiating jaw pain." This meant I got
to take numerous 3 a.m. field trips to
the emergencyroom so I could sob and
demand more powerful painkillers.
Thisis the firstreasonI'mglad medi-
cal marijuana passed, by the way. Even
though painkillers existthat are strong
enough to make chewing open your
own chest cavity feel like a relaxing
massage, some people respond better
to different drugs. My only response to
the doctor giving me three ineffective
prescriptions was to threaten his per-
sonal well-being. So, it's good to have a
variety on the market.
Over the next month, I made no less
than a half dozen visitsto the dentist to
"fix" the source of the problem, which
of course equated to more medieval
torture. After a particularly intense
Friday session ofhacking, I came home
and noted that my nasal area was a bit
puffy and sore.
This is where the real agony began.
By Saturday, the right side of my face
resembled a bloated manatee carcass in
the Florida heat. Better yet, only avery
special kind of dentist would be able
to treat it - the kind who, coinciden-
tally, refuses to work weekends. I got to
remain in that state until Monday.
Oh, did I mention it hurt? I do not
exaggerate one iota when I say that
I've never been through anything
more excruciating - physically or
emotionally - in my entire life. Just
think of one of those really, really
tender pimples, the kind that pulsates
like Satan's own heart and will burst
into a sea of the nastiest goop imagin-
able if you even think about popping
it. Now imagine it can't pop, because
it's your entire face. Every moment, I
could feel enough pus to fill two Dixie
cups straining against the inside of my
skin; the brush ofmy kitten'stailonmy
cheek felt like a jackhammer. I didn't
feel likea human.
That was the time for serious pain-
killers, the kind that Keith Richards
crushes in his afternoon tea. The phar-
macist prescribed me a double dose of
codeine, which happens to moonlight
as a popular recreational narcotic. I
didn't see any pretty colors while tak-
ing it, unless you count the half-digest-
ed food swirling in my toilet.
Which brings me to the second
major benefit of marijuana: As apain-
killer, marijuana has few harmful side
effects. Codeine was the drug that
finally worked for me (as well as any-
thing can when your face is so filled
with pus your own father doesn't
recognize you), but it induced violent
nausea. I had suffered enough already
without spraying my guts everywhere.
0
Understanding
Proposal 1 the
hard way.
Yet compared to those who live with
similar agony year after year, my "suf-
fering" was a joke. After the surgery,
I'd gained both my normal life and the
X-Men-like ability to spray blood from
a tube in my mouth. But those people
who will benefit from Proposal 1 don't
get a magic dentist to solve all of their
problems come Monday morning. Very
often, they're aware this pain will only
get worse until they die.
Will marijuana be effective for all
of them? Unlikely. But I'm proud that,
at least in my state, there's a chance
for some.
6
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emad Ansari, Elise Baun, Harun Buljina, Ben Caleca, Satyajeet Deshmukh,
Brian Flaherty, Matthew Green, Emmarie Huetteman, Emma Jeszke, Shannon Kellman,
Edward McPhee, Emily Michels, Kate Peabody, Matthew Shutler, Robert Soave, Eileen Stahl,
Jennifer Sussex, Imran Syed, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Margaret Young
Eileen Stahl can be reached
at efstahl@umich.edu. *
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
An apology from WCBN
TO THE DAILY:
The WCBN-FM executive staff would
like to publicly apologize for the racial
insensitivity of the cover art featured on
the station's Fall 2008 Program Guide.
As a free-form student radio station
dedicated to serving the greater Ann
Arbor community, WCBN takes pride in
the diversity of its programming and staff.
By distributing promotional materials that
unintentionally perpetuated offensive
imagery, WCBN made the grievous error
of misrepresenting itself. The exaggerated
illustration on our program guide sent the
wrong message to the University commu-
nity. As a staff, we aim to encourage and
support voices from diverse racial back-
grounds, so we deeply regret that one of
our promotional materials featured offen-
sive imagery.
The program guide was created and
distributed with absolutely no malicious
intent on the part of its cover artist, edi-
tor or the WCBN community at large.
However, mere good intentions provide no
consolation or justification for the deeply
troubling examples of institutionalized
racism present in the program guide's
artwork. WCBN recognizes this, and its
members believe that overcoming racism
- both at personal and institutional levels
- is a responsibility of all human beings.
WCBN recognizes the problem of the pro-
gram guide and would continually like to
be part of its solution.
To this end, remaining copies of the pro-
gram guide were recalled indefinitely on
Oct. 28. The executive staff would like to
offer our most sincere thanks to everyone
in the Ann Arbor community, particularly
the Students of Color of Rackham, who
took the time to step forward and offered
their opinions on this issue.
This letter was written on behalf of the
WCBN-FM executive staff
Sportsmanship is key to
a healthy rival ry
TO THE DAILY:
Dear fans of the greatest rivalry in foot-
ball, I am writing to you on behalf of Ohio
State's Sportsmanship Council in prepa-
ration for the greatest football game of the
year, the Ohio State vs. Michigan game.
The Ohio State Sportsmanship Council is
a student organization dedicated to pro-
moting a positive game day atmosphere
for everyone in attendance at games, both
home and visiting fans, coaches and play-
ers. As we approach what is almost always
the biggest game for both of our schools,
I encourage everyone to remember the
meaning of the Ohio State vs. Michigan
game.
Since the day I received my acceptance
letter, I had been looking forward to Ohio
State's game against Michigan. This is
more than a game. This is a time to cel-
ebrate tradition and excellence at both of
our schools. Because both schools place
such emphasis on the game, it is easy to get
carried away and act in waysthatdon't rep-
resent both great universities. All it takes is
one act of bad sportsmanship or disrespect
to ruin a fan's experience at the game.
So this Saturday, as you make your way
into the Horseshoe, your favorite res-
taurant, or your living room, remember
that we are rivals, not enemies. We hope
that you feel welcomed in Columbus and
come away with a positive experience. In
order to create this positive environment
for both teams, respect the rivalry and
show the nation the class, tradition and
excellence associated with both Univer-
sity of Michigan and Ohio State University.
And make this year's game the best yet.
Samantha Bloom
The letter writer is a sophomore at Ohio
State. She is a member of the Ohio State
University Sportsmanship Council.
Many opportunities to
join the Baits community
TO THE DAILY:
In response to yesterday's Personal
Statement by William Petrich about his
experience living at Baits I (Baits won,
11/18/2008), I was extremely surprised at
the extent of the complaints this former
resident had. Every experience in a Uni-
versity residence hall is what you yourself
make of it. Baits has many opportunities
to meet people and socialize. We have
frequent community events sponsored by
resident advisors and staff. In addition,
the two Baits councils, the Hall Council
and the VOICES Multicultural Council,
are both great ways to get involved.
I was concerned the author never actu- The Daily made these sentiments seem
ally wrote that he tried to make friends or unrealistic and off-base. I'm not a mem-
have a positive experience while living at ber of an environmental group and my dad
Baits. Baits is a unique community where works for the auto industry. Yet I still think
most residents make friends with people we can ask more of the chair of the House's
across the entire building, not just their Energy and Commerce Committee. So we
hallway. Attending hall events is a great should.
way to meet people, but in the end, it is
your responsibility to make the effort to Joshua Strazanac
meet other people. LSA junior
Dianna Rehn
LSA junior
This letter writer is a resident advisor at
Baits II.
Asking more of Dingell
on the environment
Dorm hall li
as residents
TO THE DAILY:
Yesterday's articl
complaining about h
ence living at Baits'
to me and many of m
TO THE DAILY: Baits (Baits won, 11/1
There is no doubt that Rep. John Dingell you make of it. Yes,
(D -Mich.)is an experienced and honorable more effort to make
member of the U.S. House of Representa- ence, but the opinio
tives. But that doesn't mean, as yesterday's article was not the o
news story suggested, that challenges to I lived in South Qu
the congressman's chairmanship are unfair through a year of he
and baseless (Dingell to fight for commit- and am having a mu'
tee chair, 11/19/2008). To a considerable While Baits may hav
degree, Dingell has been too slow to move who make up the dor
on certain environmental issues, and we friendships and dev
shouldn't ignore that. After this election in dorm.
particular, we should expect the most from
our politicians, including a strong stance Brandon Ebenhoeh
on all aspects of environmental policy. LSA sophomore
In a 2006 interview with the envi-
ronmental news blog Grist, when askedA o
about whether or not a consensus has been A wronghe
reached on global warming, Dingell said,
"This country, this world, the [human] race inaction in
of which you and I are a part, is great at
having consensuses that are in great error. TO THE DAILY:
And so I want to get the scientific facts, and Ibrahim Kakwan
find out what the situation is, and find out day was a wronghea
what is the cure, and find out what is the regarding the geno
cure that is acceptable to the country that has displaced more t
I represent and serve." While Dingell has ple (Saving Darfur?,
been more than admirable on issues like Kakwan demonstrat
health care, clean water and commerce, we the various geopolit
can't ignore sentiments like these. contributed to the c
The environment and global warming, crisis, he showed a
in particular, are huge concerns that we to the sufferings oft
must take on now. Dingell and his support- in the middle" as he
ers will argue that we must regulate our them.
environmental policy so as not to destroy The central thesis
the auto industry. Why can't we regulate to be that the action
auto industry policy so as to not destroy ple's Liberation Arm
the environment, the well-being of which ry line between goo
affects all ofus? in Sudan." Kakwan tl
fie is as good
make it
e in The Statement
aving a poor experi-
was deeply upsetting
ny friends who live in
8/2008). Baits is what
you must put forth
it a positive experi-
on expressed in this
pinion of everyone.
ad lastyear and went
I. I now live in Baits
ch better experience.
e its flaws, the people
m's community build
velop a love for the
aded call to
Darfur
n's column Thurs-
aded call to inaction
cide in Darfur that
han 2.5 million peo-
, 11/13/2008). While
ted a knowledge of
ical actors who have
urrent humanitarian
callous indifference
the "civilians caught
correctly described
of the article seemed
ns of the Sudan Peo-
y have led to a "blur-
d guys and bad guys
hen used this blurred
line as justification to attack the slogan
"Save Darfur" and politically oriented
organizations like Tents of Hope, a group
Kakwan never names but mocks derisively.
Kakwan went on to discount the
deployment of peacekeepers and the need
to use diplomatic pressure on enabling
nations like China. Frustratingly, his
viewpoint completely ignores the efforts
of apolitical humanitarian groups, like
the University's own Will Work For Food,
that are pragmatically relieving the suf-
fering of innocent civilians. Will Work
For Food currently addresses problems
like the potentially fatal malnourishment
afflicting one in five Sudanese children.
We must resist calls for isolationism and
reclaim our moral leadership as a nation.
There is nothing "blurry" about malnour-
ished children.
Kakwan finally asked, "So what does
Save Darfur mean?" He then correctly
stated that he has no idea. I invite him
to actually look into what saving Darfur
means to students on campus; I think he'll
find that to most of us it means saving and
improving as many lives as possible in a
region facing a modern genocide and mas-
sive refugee crisis.
Nicholas Standiford
LSA senior
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Readers are encouraged to submit
letters to the editor. Letters should
be less than 300 words and must
include the writer's full name and
University affiliation. Letters are
edited for style, length, clarity and
accuracy. All submissions become
property of the Daily. We do not
print anonymous letters.
Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu.
0
0
0