4A - Monday, September 21, 2009
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 4
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Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
tothedaily@umich.edu
GARY GRACA ROBERT SOAVE COURTNEY RATKOWIAK
EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR 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.
Life without justice
Prevalence of teenagers given life sentences a travesty
There are 10,944 inmates in Michigan, and 346 are serv-
ing a life sentence without parole for crimes committed as
teenagers, according to the state Department of Correc-
tions. A recent study by the University of Texas cites Michigan as
the second-highest number of juveniles serving life without parole
in the country. This alarming statistic reflects a fundamental injus-
tice in the state's corrections system, and news that the legislature
may ban such practices could not have come soon enough. Michi-
gan's excessive number of teens facing life sentences is appalling
and must be corrected by either state law or favorable Supreme
Court rulings in two crucial cases.
4
The state House of Representatives Judi-
ciary Committee has held two hearings on
bills relating to the University of Texas's
findings. The bills would abolish life-with-
out-parole sentences for offenders under
18 years old or commute those sentences to
include the possibility of parole. The com-
mittee hopes to present a collection of bills
to the full House later this fall.
An effort to prohibit life-without-parole
sentencing for minors is desperately need-
ed. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled the
death penalty unconstitutional for minors,
based partially on research by Dr. Dorothy
Otnow Lewis that found a large number of
juvenile offenders on death row in Texas
were products of abuse, suffered mental
illnesses or exhibited signs of brain dys-
function, among other problems. It's unjust
to sentence juveniles as adults when they
don't think, behave or react in the same
way that adults do.
And aside from treating teenagers
unfairly, life without parole is a self-defeat-
ing policy for any corrections system. The
purpose of the corrections system should"
be to rehabilitate offenders, not simply
punish them. But forcing juveniles to
spend the rest of their lives in prison with
no hope of returning to society explicitly
precludes rehabilitation. The state prison
system should work toward reforming
young offenders and giving them a second-
JASON MAHAKIAN
chance to contribute to society as adults
who have learned from their mistakes.
Luckily, ifthebills failtopass, there's still
hope. Two U.S. Supreme Court cases that
will be heard in November could address
the issue of teenagers in prison nationwide.
The first case, Graham v. Florida, involves
a 16-year-old currently serving life with-
out parole for armed home robbery. In the
other case, Sullivan v. Florida, a 13-year-
old boy was convicted for sexual battery.
Both cases argue that life without parole
sentences for juveniles who didn't commit
homicide violates the Eighth Amendment,
which protects citizens against "cruel and
unusual punishment."
The Supreme court should realize, as it
did in 2005, that teenagers can't be held
accountable for their actions to the same
extent adults can. Leaving them to rot
behind bars for the rest of their lives does
not serve the true purpose of the correc-
tions system as a method of rehabilita-
tion. To recognize society's responsibility
to juveniles, life sentences without parole
forjtveniles should be found unconStith-
tional.
If the Supreme Court fails to reject juve-
nile sentences without parole, the Michi-
gan legislature should be ready with its
own legislation to save young people from
a life behind bars without any hope of
redemption.
E-MAIL JASON AT MAHAKIAJ@UMICH.EDU
I don't count on them"
- President Barack Obama, commenting on the possibility of Republican support for
health care reform in Congress, as reported yesterday by the New York Times.
CHRIS KOSLOWSKI j E-MAIL CHRIS AT CSKOSLOW@UMICH.EDU
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Lights, camera, losses
orry, film students - you're not tives are clearly enjoying all the free Other states, including Louisiana and
goingto like what I have to say. cash - about $48 million in 2008 and New Mexico, were offering film incen-
I know that on the surface, expected to reach $200 million in the tives before Michigan was. Michigan
Michigan's sub- next two years, according to a June 4 essentially stole their thunder, but
sidies for the film Detroit News article. there's no reason that another state
industry seem like But despite all the money Michi- won't turn around and do the same
a really good idea. gan has spent on the movie industry, thingto this state. Then we won't even
I know that all you this friends with benefits relationship keep those 254 jobs - and the-state
prospective actors is only going one way. Last February, will be out hundreds of millions of
and screenwriters Michigan State University published dollars.
are thrilledthatyou a study on the economic impact of the
can suddenly find subsidies. The study found that the
work on movie sets ROBERT incentives had created 2,763 jobs that
without having to SOAVE lasted about 23 days - the usual dura- M ichigan's film
move to California. tion of filming for these movies. This c
Maybe you even translates to about 254 year-round incentives aren't
got to appear as an jobs. That's right: 254 jobs for $48 mil-
extra in a scene with Hilary Swank or lion. W orth the costs.
Drew Barrymore, who both had films Thestudythengoesonto assertthat
produced in Ann Arbor under the based on its economic models, a "mul-
film subsidies. Even Ralph Williams, tiplier" effect will indirectly produce
famed University English professor, more jobs down the line. But Michael And when I say the state, I'm really
got to be ina movie. LaFaive, a fiscal expertcwriting forthe talking about the state's residents. The
But all this movie-mania fun has Mackinac Center for Public Policy on money for the film subsidies doesn't
a cost. The only reason that the film- June 12, pointed out that these eco- come out of a magic box - it's being
makers have temporarily located to nomic models didn't take into account taken out of the paychecks and profits
the Great Lakes state (or the "Free what the incentives cost the state. "If of struggling Michigan workers and
Money" state, as movie executives the proponents of film subsidies attri- small businesses. And while it may be
are probably referring to Michigan in bute a multiplier effect on the benefit true that local communities who were
their meetings) is because we're pay- side, they must also acknowledge the lucky enough to land a movie deal are
ing them to hang out here. And as soon same effect on the cost side," he wrote. benefiting, everyone else in the'state
as the money runs out or some other LaFaive stressed that a similar nulti- can barely afford to live here.
state offers slightly better subsidies, plier on the costs side might very well Besides, when free market econo-
the film industry will dump us. Hol- have discovered a net loss of jobs and a mists and Michael Moore agree on
lywood will come away a little richer diminishing of the economy. something, doesn't that mean it has to
and Michigan none the wiser. - - And it isn't just fiscal expe'f§ who kind of be true?
Michigan has been paying movie are saying this. Kathy Hoekstra, also Michigan is facing a $2 billion
stars to be its friends since April of the Mackinac Center for Pub- budgetary deficit this year. Yeah, it's
of 2008, when the state legislature lic Policy, reported last July that at cool that movies are being filmed on
approved the country's most generous a Traverse City forum on the film campus. But the state can't afford the
film incentive program - a 42 percent incentives, Michael Moore directed bribes it takes to keep the film industry
tax rebate on all in-state expenses a question to Michigan Film Office here. As the state legislature attempts
for movies being filmed in Michigan. Director Janet Lockwood. Moore to come up with a passable budget in
The idea was that Michigan needed observed that, "These are large mul- the next few weeks, I hope they can
to produce something beside cars, so tinational corporations... Why do they summon the courage to kick the film
why not make it movies? Film crews need our money, from Michigan, from executives off the state's couch -
would frequent local businesses like our taxpayers, when we're already before these moviemakers leave town
hotels and restaurants, create jobs broke here? I mean, they play one with even more of our millions.
and help diversify the economy. And state against the other, and so they get
with almost thirty films produced in all this free cash when they're making - Robert Soave is the editorial
Michigan last year and at least forty billions already in profits." page editor. He can be reached
more, in the works, movie execu- Moore is making a great point here. at rsoave@umich.edu.
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.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emad Ansari, Emily Barton, Harun Buljina, Ben Caleca, Brian Flaherty,
Emma Jeszke, Raghu Kainkaryam, Sutha K Kanagasingam, Erika Mayer, Edward McPhee,
Harsha Panduranga, Asa Smith, Brittany Smith, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Laura Veith
Co EANt2je
4
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
New beats are too much
for Big House
cherish - punct
hardly necessar
line" and "Don':
che it's almost la
We're better tha
TO THE DAILY: I want to ma
After reading the Daily article about the not asa curmud,
piped-in music at the Big House (Reactions still consider my
to the Big House's New Beats, 09/17/2009), alum (age 33), an
I simply have one request: enough already, Ann.Arbor that
make it stop! While I appreciate your mar- home in Washir
keting perspective of keeping up with beloved Wolveri
the Jones's and mimicking our peers, we ball Saturdays eA
already are the Leaders and Best! Must we Like so many4
really follow the rest and embrace every live far away, o
cliche, tacky habit of big time sports? spirit, enthusias
I was most upset by Assistant Athletic endless pride. It
Director Mark Riordan's comments about many decision-s
the need for music as we await the team every trend and
running out of the tunnel. I've attended Twittering, Yoi
Michigan football games since 1986, and "Temptation",
I still get goosebumps in those moments "Let's Go Blue
after the band ceases playing and 110,000 and the legenda
Wolverines anticipate the winged hel- need on gamec
mets bursting out of the tunnel and run- and Oregon Sta
ning under the Go Blue Banner. Does this and "Don't Stop
invigorating, iconic moment really require our history and
accompaniment by 90s arena-rock like marching band
AC/DC's "Thunderstruck"? I suggest not. fill the Big Hoi
The band having just completed "The Vic- Michigan herit
tors," impromptu chants of "Let's Go Blue" rock.
throughout the stadium, and that quiet
anticipation of the team emerging through Stuart Berlow
the tunnel is a moment all true Wolverines Alum
uating it with trite music is
y. Seriously, "Sweet Caro-
t Stop Believin"' are so cli-
ughable and embarrassing.
an that. We're Michigan!
ake clear that I write this
geonly, gray-haired alum. I
yself to be a relatively young
nd cherish the eight trips to
I make each year from my
rgton, DC to cheer on my
ines on those fleeting Foot-
very Fall.
other Michigan alums who
ur school's rich tradition,
m and excellence provides
is so disheartening that so
makers feel we must chase
fad that emerges from our
uTube, reality TV world.
"Hawaiian War Chant",
", "Bullwinkle", "Varsity"
ry "The Victors" are all we
days. Let Purdue, Rutgers
te have "Sweet Caroline"
Believin"'. Let's embrace
tradition, let our amazing
fire up the crowd and let's
use's quiet moments with
age, not Australian arena
Military strength makes
liberal li fe possible
TO THE DAILY:
I recently read Anna Sheppard's
response to your articles about the Univer-
sity's "darker history" (Military research is
cutting edge and saves lives, 09/14/2009).
Since weapons researched at universities
have secured my First Amendment rights,
I'll take the time now to exercise them.
I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Free-
dom, serving at Camp Ramadi from March
to December 2008. I have pretty much
come to terms with the fact that my liberal-
ism and Ann Arbor's really don't match. In
fact, socialism seems to be the order of the
day rather than good old American demo-
cratic-republican liberalism.
Killing people is a very dirty business,
and waris something that should generally
be avoided. However, if you like drinking
alcohol, not having a state-imposed cur-
few on a Friday evening, extra-marital sex
or being a college student at University of
Michigan and having the right to show the
world how ignorant you are with your gen-
uine but misguided attemptsto save lives in
the short run, be thankful for all the weap-
ons and killing that have happened in the
name of securing those rights for you.
I've been to a country where alcohol is
illegal, pornography is illegal and homo-
sexuals get murdered just for being who
they are (yet pederasty is socially accept-
able for some reason). Is this the world you
want to live in? Where gays get stoned just
for their sexual preference?
If your answer is no, and you like the
right to have abortions, be gay or avoid
religious persecution, then be damned
thankful. Thankful for people like the
engineers who design new, effective ways
of killing those who want to deprive you of
your rights and make you conform to their
political beliefs.
James Simpson
Eastern Michigan University student
UN report is too harsh
toward Israel
TO THE DAILY:
Reading about the United Nations'
recently completed probe into the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict, I thought I would
contribute my two cents (UN probe
finds evidence of war crimes in Gaza,
09/16/2009). First, accusations against
Israel need to take into account the fight-
ing conditions. The Palestinian armed
groups don't always wear military uni-,
forms and it's hard to distinguish civil-
ians from armed militants until they fire
at you. The article quoted reports that
the Israeli armed forces failed to "distin-
guish between military targets and the
civilian population." The Palestinians
weren't exactly operating out of declared
military bases - they fight a guerrilla war
with consequences that inevitably include
higher civilian death tolls.
Second, the chief prosecutor is quoted
as saying, "It's very important that justice
should be done." The execution of the war
was justice for Israel. Israelis have dealt
with ongoing rocket attacks fired wildly
into Israeli territory. When the UN does
not completely ignore these attacks, its
committees respond by asking the Pales-
tinians to please stop.
Lastly, instead of waiting for Israel's
patience with Palestinian militant's
attacks to completely expire, the UN
should, perhaps, keep the attacks from
happening in the first place. The UN
force deployed in the region, besides being
grossly under-strengthened, can do noth-
ing to stop the Palestinian attacks unless
the militants decide to invade Israel.
Perhaps the UN will try to deal justice.
If so, I wouldn't be surprised if they found
it difficult to arrest, much less convict, any
Palestinians.
Jason vonEhr
Engineeringfreshman
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