4A - Monday, November 24, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com CJbe ffiidiipan 4J)aU~o Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu L, V I just don't know how you'd expect someone that smart, with that many thoughts on that many subjects, to hold his peace." - Former Democratic National Committee chairman Don Fowler, on Bill Clinton's role if Hillary Clinton becomes secretary of state, as reported Friday by the Chicago Tribune. He aling te B IgTree 4 4 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. Changing chairs Dingell's defeat may be bad for Michigan, good for country Jn a week that couldn't have gone much worse for Michigan, the final hit last week came Thursday. That's when Rep. John Din- gell, long a protector of Michigan's automotive industry, lost his chairmanship on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Though it's difficult to say this because Dingell has been a great con- gressman for Michigan and the country, his loss may be a blessing in disguise. While Dingell's replacement, Rep. Henry Waxman, is not without his flaws, he could usher in an era of much-needed environ- mental regulation that Dingell was reluctant to support. t sure is nice to see Michigan in the spotlight of national poli- tics, isn't it? Before the economic downturn all that anyone ever noticed wasDetroit'sannual battle with St. Louis to be recognized as the most danger- ous city in America. Now, suddenly, it is Motor City, U.S.A. again and the cen-BRYAN ter of one of the big- KOLK gest policy debates this fall.- Let's start with the background: We are in a recession. Every major industry is dealing with limited availability to credit and a deep drop in consumer spending. But Detroit was ailing long before the recession began. For decades, for- eign competitors have taken market share from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler by building more efficient, higher quality and more affordable cars. Detroit turned to very profitable trucks and SUVs to make money. This worked relatively well until gas prices spiked earlier this year and sales of those gas-guzzlers plummeted. The fall-off in consumer spending this fall was just the final push toward a cliff that the Detroit Three had been marching toward for a long time. Now, bankruptcy is a real prospect for two of the Detroit Three. They are hemorrhaging cash at incredible rates - rates that they cannot sus- tain beyond 2009, maybe earlier. The consequences of a G.M. or Chrysler bankruptcy on the rest of the economy could be drastic, not to mention the effect that massive layoffs would have on Michigan. Back at the beginning of that story lies the root of this problem: The big- gest difference between the overhead costs of foreign and domestic car manufacturers is health insurance. Our companies pay a lot; theirs do not (both Japan and Germany provide state-sponsored health coverage). As a result, foreign companies are able to spend more on research and devel- opment and offer cars with more fea- tures for a smaller price. As solutions float around abouthow to save the Big Three, this discrepancy is often ignored. Take, for example, one solution that has been garnered a lot of recent attention. Last week in The New York Times Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts and a "son of Detroit" advocated, of all things, bankruptcy for Detroit. By his logic, the worst thing we could do to the auto industry would be to give it money - that would only perpetuate the problematic busi- ness models they have been main- taining for decades. If we let them go broke, they would be able to tear up their labor agreements and begin focusing on long-term goals instead of quarterly profits. The blame, Romney suggests, lies primarily with the industry's labor and pension agreements, which are too generous and keep domestic auto- makers from competing with their international counterparts. And he's somewhat right: When you factor in benefits and pensions, we have had some of the best-paid workers in the world. But that should be a point of pride. The labor unions cannot be entirely blamed for what is a systemic problem. Universal health care, while surely raising taxes, would also take a sig- nificant burden off of our automakers who, either through a genuine con- cern for their workers or poor negoti- ating skills, are currently putting a lot of money toward pensions and health insurance costs. Having universal health care would greatly change the dynamic of labor-talks and would most likely end up saving the company money, allowing them to produce bet- ter quality vehicles at lower prices. Romney's suggestion that we let Detroit go bankrupt is not completely illogical - the Big Three has needed repair for some time and instead of trying to patch it up with cash infu- sions it may be best to let it go down and see what is rebuilt in its place. But this strategy is far too risky and would inevitably result in huge job losses. Shiftingthe burden of health care costs tothe government would also force the industry to re-organize itself without resortingto massive job losses. How universal health care could save G.M. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is working hard to ensure that no bailout money is sent to the auto industry until a comprehensive plan is presented to show just how they intend to revise their business models.Withstrict over- sight of government money lending, the Big Three will receive just the boost they need to make it through these beginning stages of our recession. But what the Big Three really need is a level playing field with foreign competitors, and they won't have that until we have universal health care. Recession or not, our automakers are failing and they need more than a few billion dollars to change direction. Bryan Kolk can be reached at beakerk@umich.edu. 4 Energy and Commerce Committee last week wasn't easy for House Democrats. Dingell, who is soon to become the longest- serving House member in history, has long been a fixture on the key committee. He has been its chairman whenever the Democrats have controlled the House in the last 28 years. During that time, he has lead some of the House's most important environmen- tal initiatives, including the Clean Air Act revisions. But Dingell has also had a soft spot for the auto industry, a point that Waxman has rightly zeroed in on. Though he has led many important changes, like last summer's revi- sions to national fuel economy standards, Dingell has been particularly lax when it comes to putting the Big Three's feet to the fire on the environment. There is an obvious reason for that: much of Dingell's constitu- ency is comprised of people connected to the auto industry. Because of that, Dingell has had to balance his constituent concerns with the environmental policy the country as a whole needs. A majority of House Dem- ocrats think Dingell has failed at that job. Waxman, on the other hand, is supposed to right the imbalance. On matters of energy, health care and climate change, Waxman has shown unwavering support for the Dem- ocratic platform. He has also been dedicated to environmental causes, particularly giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power it needs to do its job. He has further promised that, unlike Dingell, he won't let the judgment of the Energy and Commerce Committee chairman be clouded by indus- try connections - a claim he can back up from his time as chair on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Overall, Waxman is a decent replacement. While losing Dingell's powerful support on the committee may be a hard pill for Michi- gan to swallow, it is better for the country. That's not to say that Waxman should run roughshod on the automakers, regulating them into nonexistence. Like Dingell, Wax- man needs to understand that many lives and families depend on this industry. As Waxman considers important environmen- tal issues like fuel efficient standards, he must find the balance between protecting these people and pushing the Big Three to protect the environment we all live in. Ding- ell wasn't quite able to do this, but hopefully Waxman can. It is tough to see Dingell go. But, in doing so, the state (and the country as well) will see necessary change on matters of alterna- tive energy and the environment. I I 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 accu- racy. All submissions become property of the Daily. We do not print anonymous letters. Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu. The Daily is looking for a diversity group of strong, informed writers to be columnists next semester. Columnists write 750 words on a topic of their choice every other week. E-MAIL ROBERT SOAVE AT RSOAVE@UMICH.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION 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 I I SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU D gMany of us were willing to give him a D . gchance, but were also skeptical that his offense would produce in the beefy Big Ten. WgeWe skeptics were right. Rodriguez has given us a team that took TO THE DAILY: the field utterly unprepared in every phase During my four years at Michigan, I saw of the game. From special teams to defense, my fair share of the Daily. I saw stories the Wolverines couldn't execute. The play about sports teams, the Greek community, was sloppy, weak and predictable. Perhaps religious communities and the University it would help if our playbook weren't largely administration. Even as an alum, I try to limited to three running plays and three browse the electronic version a few times a passing plays. It would also help if we had a week. power running game to throw into the mix Friday morning, I was appalled to not see on more than third-down-and-one situa- a story on anything related to Transgender tions. It would further help if Mike Barwis's Remembrance Day or find anything about so-called strength and conditioning pro- Transgender Awareness Week anywhere in gram actually produced strong and condi- last week's Daily. tioned players. I remember that at this time a year ago I wish Rodriguez well, because if he can't Cayden Mak wrote aletter to the editor voic- produce at least eightwins next year, we are ing his concern that the transgender com- in deep trouble. The Big Ten has been weak munity at the University was simply looked in recent years, so Michigan should be able over and seemingly unimportant (Dailyfails to capitalize and grow in the conference. to do its part for awareness, 11/26/2007). At Three wins is a disgrace. My heart goes out the time, I was willing to admit that per- to the players, who fought as hard as they haps the Daily staff had no knowledge of could in a systemthat prevents success.Good the events. I found it to be a bit absurd, as luck, Rich. you're going to need it or you're I worked for weeks on stencils for the Diag goingto be canned - and with good reason. and fliers for Transgender Awareness Week and Remembrance Day, but I was willingto Paul Wright concede that at the time. Alum However, a year later, I am unwilling to believe that after the Daily printed at least Blind sp t T i two replies to Mak's original letter and a support for ISraec viewpoint written by Brett Beckerson on distances usfrom solution the topic (Transgender issues unfairly down- played, 12/10/2007), that the Daily staff is still ignorant of the event and the impor- TO THE DAILY: tance to many members of the campus com- The argument presented in Ari Parritz's munity. column Friday was woefully one-sided I hope you are ashamed of yourselves for (One Qassam too many, 11/20/2008). In Par- not understanding the importance of trans- ritz's introductory statements, he discussed gender issues in our society. Social issues military euphemisms: "firebombing indus- like hate crimes against transgendered trial and refugee cities was 'strategic;' and persons, transgender suicides and social destruction of worker villages was appro- inequality for the transgender community priately 'de-housing' (yes, really)." He then are important and should be recognized. framed this in the contextof Hamas's disin- As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, genuous ceasefire. What he didn't realize is "Nothing in the world is more dangerous Israel itself employs these veryctactics. than sincere ignorance and conscientious The main argument, that Qassam rock- stupidity." So, please, stop playing ignorant. ets launched at the town of Sderot "should What I found most disagreeable in Par- Michigan Daily ritz's column, however, were the little year, but that mal things. The "de-housing" he finds so unbe- has lost touch wit lievable was employed in 2005 to bulldoze community. Tran 90 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, brance is clearly s( and it continues as a bizarre tactic aimed sity and its comm at the families of those Israel deems terror- Daily should care, ists. He also wrote that "Gaza is one of the most media-covered regions in the world," Meghan Rotary but failed to note that foreign journalists RC senior are not, in fact, allowed into Gaza. Why is that? Because of "Israel's naval blockade Quote b- and other painful but unfortunately neces- sary means of defense," which the United o Nations "dwells on." Those painful but nec- essary means of defense Parritz mentions offhand include a fuel and food blockade TO THE DAILY: on all of Gaza. Is starving the children of Josh Weingast Gaza a "necessary means of defense?" If mark in his recen Palestinians were doing this to Israelis, who coach Rich Rodr wouldn't be reminded of the Holocaust? week's press confe This is collective punishment at its worst. Rod, 11/18/2008). I am not trying to continue the kind of to read the fullq scorekeeping that has plagued the debate found that Rodri of this conflict on campus. Hamas is com- of Michigan fand. mitting crimes against Israelis, and in this I actually referring; agree with Parritz. But to ignore the atroci- make personal at ties Israel is perpetrating just isn't fair. and staff on Inter: Painting Israel as a defenseless nation that I won't attack always does the right thing is, for lack of a is simply the vict better term, propaganda. Looking at this misinform and m conflict in a clear and unbiased way is the Rodriguez is ani only way it can ever be resolved. Picking a and of sorts. I fin side and blindly supporting whatever it does Daily perpetuate: will only fuel it. publishing Weini checking the facts George Nakhleh to profit from ge LSA junior the rest of the me greater service to For second year Daily misses ransgender Day JASON MAHI TO THE DAILY: Without even trying to seek out news on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, it came to me in at least five different ways on Thursday. I got e-mails from friends and student groups about it, received noti- fications and messages through MySpace and Facebook, saw some stickers around my house and heard coverage of it on Free --- Speech Radio News. / I often forget to check my e-mail, when I have to work or even what day it is, but Thursday my community would not let me forget that it was Transgender Day of Remembrance. It wouldn't let me forget all of the things that people, bloggers, news- casts, demonstrators and publications were doing around the world to raise awareness about anti-transgender violence and dis- crimination. There is a possibility that the staff at The forgot about it again this vide clarification o kes me worry if the Daily to rile us up with 1 th what is important to its you owe itto the ret nsgender Day of Remem- information on our omethingthat the Univer- unity care about, and the Andy Petrovich as well. School ofPublic Hec A hopeful n Rich Rod taken Michiganfi ext by media TO THE DAILY: e~ Y da Dear Michigan F It was a rough when you start fro t completely missed the less, we're proudi t viewpoint about football hearts into somethi iguez's comments at last football. The slight erence (A messagefor Rich after that fumble c If Weingast had bothered will never compar quotation, he would have when you hold the 1 guez did not instruct all We were at the om to "get a life." He was a fresh start. We w specifically to people who sin thought it was tacks on players, coaches We were there why net message boards. escaped Minnesot Weingast, though - he We were at Colum im of media that seek to and we'll be there anipulate us into thinking of preseason ranki immoral, scheming brig- wounds. d it unfortunate that the At the end of t d this misinformation by returns home, just gast's viewpoint without going home to. You . The Daily does not stand Michigan Wolverin nerating controversy like dia, does it? It would be a Mandy Roach the student body to pro- Engineering senior n these non-issues than baseless slander. I think aders to provide accurate coach. lth 7essagefor the otball team 'ootball Team, season, but such is life Dm a new page. Regard- of you for putting your ing we all love: Michigan disappointment we feel or just-out-of-reach pass e to the joy that comes ball in the end zone. opening game, ready for ere there when Wiscon- going to run the Big Ten. en the Little Brown Jug a for yet another year. bus defending our team, in two years, regardless ings or postseason sore he day, when everyone remember where you're are, and forever will be, nes. 4 AKIAN E-MAIL JASON AT MAHAKIAJ@UMICH.EDU Whitney Markell Alum Rodriguez isnotthe coach he was made out to be TO THE DAILY: It is clear from this year's absolutely hor- rible performance by Michigan's football team that football coach Rich Rodriguez is not as wonderful a coach as many thought. be viewed as nothing less than an attack on Tel-Aviv or Jerusalem" is from the same ideology that bred the disproportionate retaliation duringthe 2006 war in Lebanon. That war was waged over two soldiers taken hostage and left Beirut in ruins and more than a thousand civilians dead - "collateral damage," I suppose. Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must do so wisely. Capturing or killing terrorists in Hamas is one thing, but an over-reaction based on collective punish- ment will only help the groups who fire these rockets. - 1 '- . 4