4A - Monday, September 27, 2010
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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SIMON BORST
Ui
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.
Don't keep
Senate must repeal discriminatory military policy
The Senate has once again failed to move on an impor-
tant national issue. On Tuesday, the Senate voted against
pushing forward a bill that would repeal "don't ask, don't
tell." DADT - an executive order enacted by President Bill Clin-
ton - allows gay men and women to serve in the military as long
as they withhold their sexual preferences. And while 69 percent of
Americans support the repeal, according to a Gallup poll, the Sen-
ate hasn't responded to the public's demands to repeal the law. The
Senate needs to find the political will to pass legislation that will
rectify this unconstitutional regulation.
Spam imitating life
N o one likes spam emails, but
some of us have lately had
nothing better to do than to
sort through them
(college students
emerging from
boring summer
internships know
what I mean). I've
received thou-
sands of junk '
e-mails over the
past few years, but
one day this sum- IMRAN
mer, I decided to SYED
sit down and actu-
ally read a few.
Surprisingly, it
proved worthwhile.
What does spam say about us -
both those who create it and those
for whom it is created? The original
intent of spam emails is no differ-
ent from the junk mail in your real
mailbox or the glossy inserts in the
Sunday paper: business. But for every
Netflix 30-day trial offer, there are
ten fraudulent solicitations from
very formal Nigerian businessmen,
several winning lottery numbers
(invariably from a mystical Europe-
an country) and, of course, plenty of
offers for miracle pills.
Most of those constitute the dark
side of spam - more than just annoy-
ing - they ensnare plenty of users
into dangerous scams. But these
days, almost everyone should know
that any e-mail asking for your bank
account and routing numbers to
validate your library card is a rather
uninspired scam.
Looking beyond the well-docu-
mented scam or explicit facets of junk
e-mail, we come to the little matter of
language. I know that's an iffy sub-
ject - in a time when a black man
who speaks authoritatively is called
an elitist, this discussion is probably
an impossible battle. But stay with me
for a moment.
In personal encounters, nothing
defines people with a better combina-
tion of efficiency and accuracy than
their language. I don't mean accents
- such obvious indicators can signal
only broad and probably unfair ste-
reotypes. But go a step beyond, and
you learn exactly who you're dealing
with. Word choice often indicates
cultural influences and broader con-
versational style reveals much more
about personality than clothing or
outward appearance (both of which
are more conscious choices).
In every encounter, people talk the
way they think they're supposed to
talk, and that yields a gold mine: A
person's conception of how the world
works. Spammers are no different.
Their execution speaks volumes
about how our society believes cer-
tain things are done.
Let's take, for example, a spam
e-mail I received a few months ago.
The subject line of the e-mail reads:
"((((((( Congratulations ))))))) Your
e-mail Won our Lottery."
Not impressed? Not even with the
14 parentheses that presumably sig-
nal a jubilant cry ringing from the
hilltops? This particular e-mail was
indeed very easy to sniff out. For
example, why would a message that
originated in America (as indicated
by the little flag next to the sender's
address) award a prize in British
pounds sterling? And why would
an official e-mail from Yahoo! be
sent from a Gmail account? I know
Google's good, but come on.
Getting into the actual language of
the e-mail, we find sputterings like:
"KEEP THIS PRIVATE AND CON-
FIDENTIAL UNTIL YOU RECEIVE
YOUR PRIZE MONEY. NOTE THAT
NOBODY OR EVEN THE APPOINT-
ED BANK HAS THE RIGHT TO
TOUCH, DEDUCT/CUT OR GET
ACCESS TO YOUR PRIZE MONEY
FOR ANY REASON THEY HAVE
BEEN WARNED STRICTLY!"
The first thing to mention is the
poor grammar, but that's not surpris-
ing: The average person (and thus the
average spammer) is a poor writer
and will suffer missteps in attempt-
ing to copy official language. Anoth-
er thing to note is that people often
use particular words just because
they think they are supposed to.
This quote, for example, includes the
words "private" and "confidential,"
and "deduct" and "cut" in a redun-
dant, over-the-top attempt at official
bank language.
Such spam signals with stark clar-
ity the vast divide between how we
actually talk and how we think we are
supposed to talk. This divide is what
causes all these stylistic errors in emu-
lation. (I don't doubt that some errors
are by spammers who don't speak
English. But, as a former writing tutor,
I would guess that the error patterns
noted above are the work of someone
who can speak English fluently, but
has little practice writingit.)
In e-mails and
life, language
reveals everything.
Most important is the meaning
of that divide between how we talk,
and what we perceive to be profes-
sional language. The average person
is clueless as to how the latter works,
and therefore suspicious of it. Any
attempts at lifting the level of dis-
course, be it in political campaigns
or in the workplace, must begin with
the defeat of the idea that correct
language is reserved for formal situ-
ations. That process starts when we
stop emulating polished language
and start actually learning it.
True, such a thing might empower
spammers, but that's a small price to
pay for how much it would empower
the rest of us.
- imran Syed can be reached
at galad@umich.edu.
During the Clinton administration, Clin-
ton was unable to repeal the Defense Depart-
ment ban on gays in the military. Instead,
he created DADT, allowing members of the
LGBT community to serve in the military.
When elected, President Barack Obama stat-
ed that repealing DADT would be a prior-
ity of his administration. Defense Secretary
Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair-
man Adm. Mike Mullen have also stated that
DADT is out of date and should be repealed.
And while the repeal was recently approved
in the House, the Senate was unable to get
the filibuster-proof 60 votes needed to send
it to a conference committee.
According to a Sept. 21 report by CNN,
Republicans in the Senate filibustered a
defense reauthorization bill that would also
repeal DADT. This bill also contained pro-
visions for the DREAM Act, which would
provide a path to citizenship for children
of illegal immigrants who have graduated
from a U.S. high school and attend two
years of a four-year university or serve in
the military. All Republicans voted against
pushing the bill forward. Two Democrats
from Arkansas also voted against the bill.
Senate majority leader, Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
voted against the bill in a procedural move,
allowing it to be rescheduled for future
debate. The final Senate vote was 56 to 43.
60 votes are needed to override the threat
of a filibuster and proceed on a bill.
The Defense Department ban on gay
people in the military is not only unfair
and discriminatory - it's also unconstitu-
tional. It's disappointing that in a nation
built upon the ideals of free speech and
freedom of belief, individuals are com-
pelled to hide their preferences because of
fear of discrimination.
In addition to being discriminatory, the
ban has proved to be unpopular. A May
2009 Gallup poll showed that the majority
of the American public wants to repeal the
ban. Obama and his administration and the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff want
to repeal the ban. The House has already
passed it and now it is about time the Senate
got on board.
This bill fell prey to partisan politics.
To win political support, Senators once
again killed good legislation. This parti-
san stalemate isn't particular to DADT
- most major pieces of legislation have
met the same opposition. In a political
climate where major policy issues need to
be addressed, Congress spends more time
squabbling than getting something done.
It's time for Congress to work together and
fulfill the role of the legislative branch.
Prohibiting members of the LGBT com-
munity from serving -in the military is a
backward policy that needs to be done away
with as soon as possible. And, at this point,
it's up to Senate to repeal the ban. America
has seen enough partisan politics. What it
now demands is action.
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A growing Michigan
0
LEAH POTKIN I
Best three years of your life?
That's right, three, not four. That's one less
year of partying, football games and preparing
for the real world. It sounds terrible, I know,
but let's not forget that also means one year
less of exams, papers and, most compellingly,
tuition. So put down your textbooks, wal-
lets and beer cans and suit up for what might
be a peek into the future of higher education
programs. And with the current state of the
economy and staggering tuition costs showing
no signs of abatement, more students should
begin considering this alternative.
The alternative I'm referring to is complet-
ing college in three years. American culture
has trained us to accept the four-year progres-
sion from freshman to sophomore, sophomore
to junior and the final right of passage from
junior to senior. But who said students actually
need that longto complete their degree or to be
prepared to enter the 9-to-5 work world? The
answer: nobody.
I don't want to get carried away with this idea,
especially considering I am beginning tny junior
year and would throw a temper tantrum if told I
would be graduating at the end of winter semes-
ter. Some may consider this closed-mindedness a
bit immature of me, and truth be told, it is. How-
ever, that's because the three-year undergradu-
ate program is largely a foreign concept to me.
But the novelty of this idea shouldn't undermine
its potential worth (and I assure you there is
potential worth). So, keeping in mind that almost
all current students, including me, will prob-
ably opt for the typical four-years of college you
expect, let's look at what a three-year curriculum
might have to offer for students who will face
increasing college costs.
Let's start with the most basic and allur-
ing perk - one less year of tuition. In case
you haven't looked at your account inquiry
on Wolverine Access recently, that's a lot of
money (especially for out-of-state students
like myself). And tuition isn't all - this also
translates into money saved on textbooks,
housing and much more. Graduating a year
sooner would also mean an added year of
income (assuming the job market improves),
which could in turn help students pay offsloans
sooner and get settled into their adult lives
faster. If diving into the work force isn't your
plan, graduating in three years could instead
provide you with extra time to search for that
perfect job, or to travel and "find yourself"
as many young adults yearn to do post-grad-
uation. Simply put: time is money. It's just a
matter of how you use the extra time to your
advantage.
While most universities currently aren't
geared to a three-year matriculation cycle, it
wouldn't necessarily be daunting to accom-
modate the necessary changes. In their recent
New York Times article "A Degree in Three,"
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and Gerald Kauvar
(both affiliated with George Washington Uni-
versity) described the hypothetical school cal-
endar for a three-year undergraduate education
and how students would likely take classes over
the summers with shortbreaks between semes-
ters to complete their curriculum in a short-
ened amount of time. Once again, it sounds
crazy, I know. How dare anyone suggest taking
away our beloved summer vacation? But think:
many University students take classes offered
during the University's spring and summer
terms. Clearly, campus still has professors will-
ing to teach during these months and enough
staff to maintain buildings.
Alternatively, many students already keen
to this new three-year concept are signing up
for summer classes at community colleges dur-
ing summer vacation. Community colleges are
starting to beef up their curriculums to address
the demand. These summer courses tend to be
relatively inexpensive (especially compared
to tuition for a fourth year of school) and are
admittedly often not as difficult as the courses
offered at the student's four-year university.
Assuming these credits are recognized by the
four-year college, they allow the student to
complete the requirements for graduation in a
shorter amount of time.
It is also important to understand that this
change would not impact the quality or depth
of education. Rather, only the layout would
change. Even now, the four-year program isn't
what works for everybody. I know several stu-
dents who have graduated a semester early.
And it's becoming evident that the customary
four-year plan may not be the most efficient or
practical option for every student. With all this
in mind, it wouldn't be a bad idea for colleges to
consider promoting a three-year plan.
Leah Potkin is an LSA junior.
T he economy in Michigan, as Michigan is the third-largest apple
we all know, is changing. The producer in the country.
automotive industry is strug- Agriculture in Michigan is
gling - though it expanding and changing. According
has been a little to a Sept. 22 article in The Flint Jour-
better since gas nal, a delegation of Egyptian govern-
prices sunk from ment officials visited Michigan to
four bucks a gal- learn about Michigan agriculture last
Ion to about $2.80. week. My hometown, Webberville,
And either way, was one of their stops. They also vis-
fewer and fewer ited Durand High School, Michigan
manufacturing State University, the Michigan Farm
jobs are available Bureau and several other agricultur-
in a state that has RACHEL al facilities. And the Michigan Brew-
depended upon VAN GILDER ers Guild received a federal grant in
them for genera- February to encourage the growth of
tions. In her push hops in the state. Not to mention that
to fix the economy, soybeans is used to create biodiesel, a
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has encour- substitute for gasoline.
aged creating a new, knowledge- Even inner-city residents are real-
based economy. But I don't see why izing the potential of investing in
a new kind of economy is necessary agriculture. There has been a push
- Michigan already has an industry in Detroit to revamp the city's urban
that's working for it. plan. The idea - called right-sizing
Michigan's agricultural industry - is to clear large tracts of devel-
is often overshadowed by the promi- oped land that now lies abandoned in
nence of the automotive industry the city and move residents closer to
and other manufacturing jobs. Other downtown. Surrounding land could
industries like tourism and a vari- then be redeveloped. One suggested
ety of manufacturing businesses are use for the vacant lots is to turn them
more visible than agriculture. But into urban farms. Some of these farms
agriculture is the state's third largest already exist. One such farm, con-
industry and it produces billions of trolled by the organization Urban
dollars of business for the state each Farming, is fairly close to the down-
year. According to the National Agri- town area and provides fresh fruits
cultural Statistics Service, there were and vegetables for the community.
10 million acres of farmland in Mich- Many rural areas have classes
igan in 2008. Cherries, blueberries, focused on agriculture and the envi-
asparagus, cucumbers, geraniums, ronment, but most inner-city schools
corn, soybeans - if it'll grow in Mich- ignore this important industry. But
igan soil, we can make money off of Detroit could benefitfrom encouraging
it. And livestock farming is valuable, agricultural education - especially if
too. Michigan produced almost $1.5 the right-sizing plan comes to fruition
million worth of milk in 2008. in the next decade.
Michigan's agriculture also draws There are two prime ways to
in some tourism. There are a few encourage agricultural education. The
Michigan destinations that are known first is to encourage more agricultural
across the country for their agricul- programs at intermediate school dis-
tural features. The Traverse City area, tricts. These are centers that offer pro-
for example, produces some of the best grams for many school districts from
cherries in the nation. And there's an one region - usually a county. Many of
entire tour devoted to Michigan apples. these ISDs have career centers. If more
According to Michigan Apple Tours, ISDs offered an agricultural educa-
tion program, students could exit high
school prepared to find work in Michi-
gan's third-largest industry.
The other way - which is more
near and dear to my heart - is for
individual schools in urban areas to
create FFA chapters. FFA - which
used to stand for Future Farmers of
America - is a student-led program
that develops leadership through
agriculture. Members learn about the
value of agriculture inour society and
are encouraged to gain proficiency
in skills like livestock farming, crop
production, or entrepreneurship. My
high school has an FFA program - I
was its proud vice president - and it
has been a valuable resource for stu-
dents who know that they want to be
The state
should invest in
agriculture.
involved in agriculture after graduat-
ing from high school.
Most of Michigan's FFA chapters
are in rural areas. That's logical, but
urban school districts could also ben-
efit from FFA chapters. Urban school
districts should encourage the growth
of FFA chapters to produce more stu-
dents with in-depth knowledge of a
successful Michigan economic sector.
A knowledge-based economy
sounds great. But that route may take
time that the state doesn't have. And
since Michigan already has an indus-
try that works, it should invest in
expanding and improving it. Schools
should encourage agricultural educa-
tion to promote growing Michigan's
agricultural industry.
- Rachel Van Gilder is the
editorial page editor. She can be
reached at rachelvg@umich.edu
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Aida Ali, Jordan Birnholtz, Adrianna Bojrab, Will Butler, Eaghan Davis, Michelle DeWitt,
Ashley Griesshammer, Will Grundler, Jeremy Levy, Erika Mayer, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga,
Tommaso Pavone, Leah Potkin, Asa Smith, Laura Veith