4A - Wednesday, January 20, 2010 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com E-MAIL ELAINE AT EMORT@UMICH.EDU Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu ELAINE MORTON I . losm~a. t e NVe+ Some k.e'c5 of 's.. ou'nt. s tr ssc4 sddic'le -I-is se'yis5 Gai q ty, Mour+Oeia s aie W, ci.e bask, ?ILIA, VeAAL.OVs Vark yis-lt, -lces, -1Sail kslscq JACOB SMILOVITZ EDITOR IN CHIEF RACHEL VAN GILDER EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR MATT AARONSON 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. Halt Asian carp invasion Federal government must intervene to stop invasive fish Unexplainably, the U.S. Supreme Court denied discussion of a motion regarding a pertinent, multi-state environ- mental issue yesterday, without any justification for the ruling. The appeal, filed by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, petitioned for an injunction against the state of Illinois, request- ing that it be ordered to close the locks that separate the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from Lake Michigan. Cox's argument stems from a long battle over stopping Asian carp - currently located in Illinois waterways - from invading the Great Lakes. The Supreme Court needs to address this time-sensitive issue and ensure that the state of Illinois is protecting the environment Common ground with Haiti instead of its own interests. Asian carp is an invasive species that eats well beyond its fair share of food and, as a result, disrupts local ecosystems. Carp are currently located in parts of the Mis- sissippi and Illinois rivers, which connect to the Great Lakes. On Jan. 12, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported that it had discovered carp DNA past the electric barriers intended to keep the fish out of the Lakes. The state of Michigan called for an injunction along with Ohio, Indiana, Min- nesota, Wisconsin, New York and Penn- sylvania, arguing that the carp's entrance would endanger fishing industries. The Supreme Court dismissed the injunction, and didn't state when it would rule again on the issue. For Michigan, specifically, the invasion would be detrimental to the tourism indus- try. And the Great Lakes thrive off of a $7 billion fishing industry, which the carp would decimate as they consume resources other species, like trout and salmon, need to survive. The states that depend upon the Great Lakes are in danger of losing their greatest resource. If the federal govern- ment doesn't intervene and force Illinois to close its waterways, the damage will range beyond just one state. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) hosted Illinois officials on Thursday to discuss the issue, and assured the Huffington Post that the state is "not in denial" of the threat. But it o me, blacks across the world who were displaced by the African Slave Trade, along with Africans of West African descent, have a responsibility to our Haitian breth- ren. We have a duty to not only -. care, but also to be directly involved in helping"the Haitian people to BRITTANY repair what was broken by the mag- SMITH nitude 7 earth-_ quake that left Haiti in ruins on Jan. 12. Black Americans must unite under a common cause during Haiti's time of desperate need. As a black person who is a descen- dant of the West African slave trade, I feel that there is a common black cul- tural experience ofenslavement among those displaced by the slave trade. This has resulted in the random separa- tion of our ancestral families across all seven continents and various islands in the Caribbean, where more slaveswere recorded to have been sent than to the American South. Therefore, many black Americans and Africans who descend from western Africa may have familial ties in the Haitian region but are left unaware. As was true with Hurricane Katrina, the destruction Haiti expe- rienced resonated with me in a par- ticular way. The connection I feel for the Caribbean is driven by a shared experience of enslavement, coloni- zation and forced separation from a past of our own that was brought about by the slave trade that removed our ancestors from western Africa. Consequently, blacks who have been displaced from Africa are connected by a spirit so strong that it would be a disgrace to Haitians if ignored. "The only thing that is killing me right now is that under the rubble... you can still hear voices of people like... 'Save me, save me, save me."' When I heard Wyclef Jean, a hip hop record producer and artist with Haitian roots, make this remark on a recent YouTube video, I instantly felt a pull on my heartstrings and a sud- den yearning to have a greater invest- ment in the rehabilitation of Haiti. I experienced a human connection to the devastation of Haiti. As close my eyes and envision this image of Haitian people stuck under concrete buildings, I am reminded of how African slaves were packed under grated hatchways en route to an unknown fate. As I listen to Jean tell of how Port-au-Prince "is starting to smell like death," I recall slaves' accounts of the smell during the ships on the journey to the New World that was unbearable because of bodies left to expire on the ship - ifthey weren't tossed into the ocean by the ship's crew first. Though I acknowledge that there is a distinct difference between the human cruelty of the slave trade and a natural disaster, I feel a common cultural thread between them. When I hear that cries for help heard under the Haitian rubble often go unad- dressed because of the lack of neces- sary rescue equipment, I have mixed emotions of despair, sorrow and fury. As opposed to the colonial era, where my position to potentially help my fellow African brethren would have- been limited; I am now in a position to help to resolve the Haitian crisis. But because the devastation to Haiti is so expansive, I hardly know where to begin. The number of relief programs that offer aid to Haiti can be a bit over- whelming. Because of the concern displayed by students, faculty, staff and various departments within the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs introduced a groundbreaking initia- tive. MESA created an all-inclusive organization comprised of various initiatives, student groups and Uni- versity officials and affiliates work- ing together to formulate efficient aid solutions to the Haitian crisis. It has * been appropriately named the Michi- gan Haiti Earthquake Action Relief Team, or M-HEART. Blacks have the responsibility to help Haitians. I joined M-HEART because of my previous affiliation with MESA, and am pleased by MESA's investment to make community building funda- mental in the Haitian relief effort. MESA's interest in repairing commu- nities in Haiti directly involves Afri- can American, black Caribbean and African students to bridge the cultur- al gap between blacks who have been separated by a past that has stripped African Americans and Caribbean people of their African roots. This lost African heritage that connects members of the Black race can only be understood when acknowledging that families were separated across the American South, the Caribbean and Africa. When I see the pictures of Haitians striving to survive, I think of how there is a strong possibility that I may be ancestrally related to them. Years from now when I look back on this crisis, I wouldn't feel right with knowing that the potential for kin- dred existed and I acted selfishly and was silent when the Haitian cry for help was so resoundingly clear. M-HEART offered me a chance to connect with the Haitians I feel for. And other blacks should find similar ways to reach out to the Haitians that share our cultural heritage. - Brittany Smith can be reached at smitbrit@umich.edu. seems unlikely that Illinois will take proper action to prevent the carp's migration into the Great Lakes. Illinois has argued that closingthe waterways willbe costly for Chi- cago's commercial shipping industry, even though this would help protect the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the country. Illinois is ignoring the pressing and realis- tic concerns of other Great Lakes' states in favor of its own. In order to resolve competing state interests, the federal government needs to defend the Great Lakes states - but it hasn't been impartial. U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan asked the Supreme Court to reject the lawsuit, in defense of Illinois, argu- ing that the DNA found was the product of experimental testing. This makes it seem that President Barack Obama's administra- tion is simply siding with his home state in the battle, rather than giving the issue the serious consideration it demands. This is exactly the circumstance that calls for fed- eral intervention. And it is the responsibil- ity of the Supreme Court to hear the case fairly. A ruling by the Supreme Court is the best way to certify that the waterways will be closed. The Court needs to address the issue immediately. The treat of the carp is real, and Illinois is in no place to make decisions that will ultimately be detrimental to the other Great Lakes states. WANT TO BE AN OPINION CARTOONIST? E-MAIL RACHEL VAN GILDER AT RACHELVG@UMICH.EDU EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Nina Amilineni, William Butler, Nicholas Clift, Michelle DeWitt, Brian Flaherty, Jeremy Levy, Erika Mayer, Edward McPhee, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga, Alex Schiff, Asa Smith, Brittany Smith, Radhika Upadhyaya, Laura Veith Decriminalize freedom EMILY ORLEY Bleeding love As a self-diagnosed trypanophobiac (a person who fears needles), needles are something that I try to avoid. But in an economy where people have enough problems with health care and in a world where earthquakes can shake one third of a country to the ground, I think I am going to have to start facing my fear. Yesterday, the Amer- ican Red Cross Big Ten Blood Challenge began. The competition, which lasts one month, is inclu- sive to every person affiliated with the Univer- sity. And on a campus comprised of over 41,000 students and more than 6,000 faculty members, there is no reason that everyone shouldn't be walking around with at least an "I tried" sticker. Every two seconds, a person somewhere in the world needs blood. But blood is something that can only come from a viable, willing donor. There is no alternative or substitute. Every time a donor gives blood, one simple pint, he or she potentially saves three lives. That means that if every person on campus gave one pint of blood, our campus alone could help approximately 141,000 people. For college students, it is often difficult to find ways to be involved or do something substan- tial for global problems. Giving money is often an option that many of us don't have due to the financial burdens of housing and tuition. Provid- ing aid, in terms of manual labor, is something that isn't realistic because of our location and the time demanded by school commitments. This opportunity is a way for students to contribute somethingthat is beneficial to any cause. Giving blood is a form of aid that can be valu- able to any race, demographic or country. The donation can help someone in a hospital down the street who is having surgery or someone who is being treated with chemotherapy. Or the blood can be stored and used in the event of a catastrophic situation, like Hurricane Katrina. Blood shortages also occur frequently across the country, especially in blood types O negative and AB positive, the rarer blood types. The American Red Cross is unable to foresee an emergency or a shortage, so having as many people donate blood whenever they can provides the organization with a comfortable cushion. Unfortunately,there are people who are unable to donate blood. Certain people are not allowed to give because of personal medical problems or personal choices. Donors also must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 lbs. But if everyone at least went down to a blood bank and attempted to donate, the community would have a better over- all performance. The blood drive relies on a rip- ple effect. If someone is sitting with two friends and decides he or she is goingto go give blood and is able to encourage his or her friends to tag along, the blood drive has been further advertised and hopefully has gained a few more pints. This year, more than ever, people on campus should take advantage of the blood battle. There are stations set up around campus almost every day from Jan. 19 to Feb. 19, providing ample opportunities to fit an hour into your day over the next four weeks. This chance is very rarely so convenient. You can make an appointment in advance atwww.givelife.org. There are many things on this campus that divide our society. Religious beliefs, political views and opinions about lifestyle all factor into how the melting pot of this University remains segregated. But, this is one topic that no one can argue over. Giving blood is solely a beneficial act. There is no other side tothe argument. And if you too suffer from trypanophobia, just remember that afterward you get a free cookie and perhaps a feeling of accomplishment that you did some- thing selfless and rewarding. Emily Orley is a senior editorial page editor. n my time atthe University, many of my friends and classmates and I have expressed support for legalizing marijua- na - the use, sale and possession of which is currently prohibited under 4 federal law. We're not alone. Last w year marked the first time that the majority of Ameri- cans favored end- ALEX ing prohibition of pot when a May BILES 2009 Zogby poll discovered that 52 percent of respon- dents advocated its legalization. Legalization advocates often base their case in a call for personal free- dom. They (and I) argue that it isn't justifiable for governments to tell individuals what they can and cannot put into their own bodies - especial- ly since marijuana use is generally considered a victimless crime. The marijuana ban is also preposterous because extensive research has dem- onstrated that pot is less harmful than legal substances like alcohol and cigarettes. In many states, patients suffering from terminal illnesses can't obtain medical marijuana, a proven pain reliever. These patients often forsake acquisition of cannabis in fear of retribution by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. There are also economic disadvan- tages brought about through the crim- inalization of marijuana. Economic regulations or favoritism typically discriminate in favor of one group at the expense of another, and cannabis prohibition is no exception. For exam- ple, African Americans are 10 times more likely to become convicted of a drug-related offense than whites, as found by a 2007 Justice Policy Insti- tute study. Since 1980, the number of Americans in prison has increased by a factor of five, and many have been imprisoned for non-violent offenses, according to U.S. Department of Jus- tice statistics dating back to 1910.. Since the implementation of the war on drugs, which includes the marijuana crackdown, nearly one trillion dollars of taxpayer money have been wasted. The money could have instead been invested in edu- cation and health programs. In fact, legalizing marijuana and imposing modest taxation could earn signifi- cant revenue for governments facing budget shortfalls. And prohibition on consumption breeds crime because it results in the creation of a black market in which consumers and suppliers can't settle conflicts with conventional, legal methods, like lawsuits or advertising, so they often resort to violence. This is evident in data detailing the spike in crime during the Prohibition Era. With this knowledge available, how do Americans find it permissible to allow our elected officials to prohibit individuals from trading or consum- ing the cannabis crop? On top of concerns about personal choice and the dangers of black mar- ket trade, cannabis is also a valuable resource because it yields hemp. But the U.S. government prohibits the cultivation of the hemp fiber, even though it is extremely useful in the production of fuel, paper, textiles, and biodegradable plastic. In fact, the cultivation of hemp was the catalyst for criminalizing canna- bis in the country. Marijuana became illegal as a result of government inter- vention in the 1930s that did not allow the free market to work. Newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst - heavily invested in the timber indus- try - colluded with members of the federal government to destroy com- petition from the rapidly expanding hemp paper industry. What perplexes me most is that many advocates of marijuana legalization who rightfully put forward many of the free-market arguments I have championed here are among the first to decry laissez-faire capitalism and call for stringent regu- lations on other industries. It's wrong to restrict the use of cannabis, they argue, but okay to regulate the automotive industry with strict emissions standards and 4 encouragement of subsidized hybrid vehicles. The fundamentals remain the same, whether the issue at hand is the prohibition of marijuana or ludi- crous taxes and emission restrictions placed on the gas-guzzling monstros- ity known as the Hummer. The crackdown on the cannabis trade is ridiculous. Even if some people can't swallow the proverbial pill that economic reg- ulation is morally unjustifiable and economically destructive, they must acknowledge the lack of consistency in interventionist policies that sel- dom achieve the goals of their well- intentioned sponsors and instead exacerbate problems. The systematic destruction of the free-market principles that this country was founded on, as well as the erosion of our civil liberties, can be directly attributed to the ever- increasing growth and power of the federal government. Besides being antithetical to the notion of a free society, we must understand that governments are ultimately as self- interested as the businessmen who we love to hate. It's time for individuals to embrace the idea of personal responsibility and ultimately decide what's best for them - not big businesses or a mono- lithic government. It's time I should be able to decide whether to purchase an efficient and environmentally friendly Toyota Prius over a Hummer, without a federal subsidy involved. It's time I should decide whether to damage my lungs via marijuana smoke or cigarettes - or if I want to abstain from consumption of either. It's time to legalize freedom. - Alex Biles can be reached at jabiles@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. The Daily is looking for a diverse group of strong, informed, passionate writers to join the Editorial Board. Editorial Board members are responsible for discussing and writing the editorials that appear on the left side of the opinion page. E-MAIL RACHEL VAN GILDER AT RACHELVG@UMICH.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION.