4 - Friday, March 11, 2011 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 4 - Friday, March 11, 2011 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom 4 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com ROSE JAFFE E-MAIL ROSE AT ROSEJAFF@UMICH.EDU ROSEJAFFE-MAIL RerE riROSEJAFF@UMICHNEVDU Arid fne Add to s'dotc $20. 0 m yeyo. t Coat andQcpa STEPHANIE STEINBERG EDITOR IN CHIEF MICHELLE DEWITT and EMILY ORLEY EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS KYLE SWANSON 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. Allow group therapy State needs to allow compassion club gatherings The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act was passed with 63 percent of the vote in 2008, legalizing the use of medical marijuana under state law. Though a majority of Michigan voters approved the ballot initiative, legislators and law enforcement officials have been trying to supersede the democratic wishes of the electorate by making the bill confusing and tightening restrictions. 4 Make Tressel lose The latest of these attempts comes from Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), who has introduced legislation which aims to outlaw marijuana clubs where medicinal marijuana patients gather. The Michigan Legislature needs to respect the wishes of the electorate and stop trying to place undue constraints on medical marijuana use. Medical marijuana clubs, often referred to as compassion clubs, started opening after medicinal marijuana was legalized in Michi- gan. The clubs are intended to provide a place for patients who have certified medical mari- juana cards to gather for social support. But since their inception, compassion clubs have been a source of controversy and a target of law enforcement. Multiple clubs have been raided, and club owners as well as patrons have been arrested. Jones has said the reason for outlawing the clubs is to prevent patients from driving after using marijuana. But this is completely flawed logic. While the concern is legitimate, it doesn't provide a sufficient reason to out- law the clubs entirely. Drinking and driving is certainly a safety risk and concern, yet no legislator is pushing to make bars and night- clubs illegal. The legislation hinders a citizen's Consti- tutional right to gather and associate, espe- cially when that gathering is to use a legal prescription that is medically beneficial. Not only is the logic behind the bill inconsis- tent with standing policies, but it serves as a witch hunt against medical marijuana users. If there are concerns about patrons traveling safely home from compassion clubs, then that should be addressed, but banning the clubs entirely is not the solution. The root of the problem is that Michigan's medical marijuana law is clouded by unclear guidelines and regulations. Since the clubs aren't explicitly mentioned in the law, they have fallen into a legal "gray area" that has left them open to raids by police and legal charges and fines. But the clubs aren't out- lawed either, and they should be allowed to keep servicing the medicinal marijuana com- munity without any interference from law enforcement. In order to solve the problem and stop innocent patients from being arrested for using a completely legal substance, the state Legislature needs to clarify its medical mari- juana laws and make them more transparent, including retaining the legality of marijuana clubs that provide an important - and legal - service to medical marijuana users. The easiestcwayto make the marijuanalaws clearer is to completely legalize marijuana. This would make it simpler for law enforce- ment and stop users from being wrongly arrested. In the meantime, the state Legisla- ture should vote down Jones's misguided and inconsistent bill in order to protect marijuana clubs and their innocent patrons. When it comes to NCAA violations, the Ohio State University hardly lacks experience. Since 2000, the school has reported 375 violations to the NCAA. Several of them have come from football. The recent scandal regard- ing OSU football ERIC coach Jim Tres- SZKARLAT sel's knowledge of his players' improper benefits, and his deceit and mismanagement of the situation proves what we have always known: Integrity is not, and will never be, colored scarlet and gray. The program at OSU has been darkened for a long time. Former OSU football coach Woody Hayes, known for his results on the field, was known better for his temper. For those of us too young to remember, Hayes - OSU's historical coaching icon, much like our Bo Schembechler - was dismissed fromthe university for punching a student-athlete on the opposingteamwhen OSU played Clemson University in the 1978 Gator Bowl. Hayes was a good coach, prob- ably with a lot of psychological problems, but his conduct shows the type of blood that has histori- cally run through the veins of OSU. Earle Bruce was hired as Hayes's replacement. He was said to have been Hayes's favorite for the job. But Bruce followed eight strong seasons with one poor season, when he went 6-4-1, and OSU dismissed him. In doing so, the school set a precedent that has carried through to today: Buckeyes care about one thing, and that thing is winning. Coach John Cooper fared a little better. He followed multiple Big Ten championships with consecutive 6-6 and 8-4 seasons, and in spite of the upward trend, he was released because of his 2-10-1 record against us. Talented coaches weren't good enough for Ohio State. Nothing short of near-perfection would be accepted. At last, OSU found its man. Tres- sel, like a dark horse rider, came in and has dominated the Big Ten since his arrival. As much as I hate to admit it, he has lost only one game to Michigan in 10 years. And since that one loss, he has led OSU to a Big Ten Championship each year. His abili- ties on the field are not questionable. But his ethics off the field cer- tainly are. Gordon Gee, president of OSU, seemed completely to subordinate the stakes here. Speaking on wheth- er he'd fire Tressel, he said: "I'mjust hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me." In doing so, he basically denies all wrongdoing on Tressel's part,, making the miniscule two-game punishment look like even more of a joke, if possible. Accept this as Gee's admission that Jim Tressel, not Gordon Gee, runs the Ohio State University. Michigan rivals still cite the phrase, "The pride cometh before the fall," in reference to our football program. It's no secret that the past few years for us have been anything but glorious. Sure, we had a talent- ed offense for two of three, but not much else. And yet now it seems that pride will be Tressel's undoing. Or at least, it should be. But Tres- sel seems to be the kingpin of the shoddy operation that is OSU athlet- ics. Gee and OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith don't look much better. After what many are calling a "slap on the wrist" to Tressel, some think that the NCAA ought to be harsh on OSU and specifically Tressel. Who could disagree? The coach effective- ly lied to the NCAA during its inves- tigation of his players and protected student-athletes who he knew were doing improper things. Rather than being an educator or leader, Tressel chose the game of football over the "game of life" that he talks about in his book, "The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life." The Buckeyes value winning over integrity. The Big Ten conference deserves better leadership and representation from one of the most storied pro- grams amongits ranks. Buckeye fans deserve to be able to say they won fair andsquare. The student-athletes of the Buckeye football team deserve a better educator. We, the arch nem- eses of all things Ohio State, deserve a fair game every November. Grant Freking of OSU's student newspaper The Lantern recognizes this, and said Tressel should be fired. But it's unlikely that will happen. Gee won't do it. Tressel won't resign. It would be too ethical for him. No, Tressel will continue to be the head of OSU football for another year, at least. But one thing should be clear to NCAA football coaches. There is only one way to undo Tressel, and only one way to undo the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. Let this be a lesson to Michigan football coach Brady Hoke and all other coaches in and outside the Big Ten. Make them pay on the field for their ethics viola- tions. Make them lose. -Eric Szkarlat can be reached at eszkarla@uniich. A EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Aida Ali, Will Butler, Ellie Chessen, Michelle DeWitt, Ashley Griesshammer, Melanie Kruvelis, Patrick Maillet, Erika Mayer, Harsha Nahata, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga, Teddy Papes, Asa Smith, Seth Soderborg, Andrew Weiner ERIKA MAYER I Facebook oversharing AIDA ALl I Don't turn Libya into Iraq 4 A girl I went to high school with just went through a very nasty divorce. I haven't talked to her since she got married and left - and not even really since the 8th grade - but I couldn't help but notice all the dirty details of the divorce because they were plastered all over my Facebook newsfeed. Other than firmly confirming my sus- picions that she and her now ex-husband weren't mature enough to get married in the first place, their divorce is the most recent example of people posting their dirty laundry all over Facebook. From nasty statuses tar- geted at an "anonymous" (but very obvious) friend, to long rants about all the failings of a current boyfriend, it seems like Facebook has become less of a social network and more of a private journal. I could detail the break ups and fights of at least four different couples, and I'm not close to any of them. And while I do occasionally partake in some good natured Facebook stalk- ing, all I had to do to find out aboutthese break ups was sign into myFacebook account. I don't remember issues like this when I first got my Facebook, but maybe the introduction of the stalker-assisting newsfeed has just made it more apparent. Maybe I missed the memo when it suddenly became acceptable to have huge public fights. But I think what's really at the heart of these Facebook fights is a sense of protection from not having to look the person you are bad- mouthing in the face. As far as I can tell, it's still rare and shocking to see people stand on the street yelling at each other about how she cheated with an ugly, balding, middle-aged man, and he never calls when-he says he will and spends all of his time playing World of War Craft and is the worst boyfriend in the world. Facebook, though, is a completely dif- ferent story. It's sad that it has to be said, but Facebook is not your diary. If you hate your boyfriend, tell him that he's a jerk. Don't tell all 534 of your not-so-close "friends." If your status update is a direct message to a specific per- son then it isn't a status update, it's a public e-mail. Think of how embarrassing it would be to send a private e-mail meant for your girlfriend to your entire address book. That is what Facebook is - a big "send all" button. Clearly that concept is completely beyond comprehension for some people. While it is usually just annoying and a lit- tle funny to watch these fights on Facebook, sometimes people's feelings are really hurt. It's the foundation of cyber-bullying - people have more confidence when they don't have to look someone in the eye. Until people feel they are responsible for what they say online, dirty divorces, fights and cyber-bullying are going to continue to be plastered across the web. Just remember, everything on the Internet is public. And we don't want to hear about your divorce anymore. Erika Mayer is an LSA junior. One can't think of Iraq today without picturing dusty soldiers, frightened children and wounded civil- ians, and it has become difficult to envision this coun- try in happier times. Iraq was once the center of the Sumerian civilization - the earliest known civilization on Earth. It was the birthplace of the first writing sys- tem and the core of so many empires throughout his- tory that it has been called the "cradle of civilization." All this has been forgotten in light of recent circum- stances and represents a history that Iraq's current young generation can't even imagine. Watching the protests in Libya on the news now makes me wonder what challenges this country will have to face, how its people will choose to proceed and if the face of this country will forever be scarred beyond recognition. The recent protests in the Middle East and North Africa have been an eye opener for the world, making us aware of the injustice being done to the people in those countries. The peaceful protest that began in Tunisia in December sparked similar uprisings in 16 other countries in the region, and its effects were felt as far as China. Though these protests received violent reactions from the governments - especially in Tuni- sia, Egypt and Libya - the uprising was necessary and inevitable. People deserve the rights they ask for. Foreign countries have rightfully decided to step in and provide any possible support to the people of Libya. While some countries, including those of the European Union and Canada, have decided to support Libya in the form of humanitarian aid, the United States also has chosen to impose military pressure on Muammar Gad- hafi, the leader of Libya for 42 years. More than 1,000 U.S. marines were stationed in warships off the coast of the island of Crete in the Mediterranean as of March 4, according to The Sacramento Bee. Souda Bay navy base spokesman Paul Farley explained in an arabnews.com article that this would give President Barack Obama "flexibility on a full range of options regarding Libya." Amid the threat of U.S. military action, the French government emphasized the importance of humani- tarian aid over military action. The French are right. It's important for foreign military to not interfere in the dealings of Libya and its people. We should offer help, but only in the way of providing our moral sup- port, shelter to refugees, medical aid to the injured and imposing economic sanctions. Foreign military interference may prompt the emergence of nationalist groups as the true freedom of the country will again be questioned. This will increase the struggle of the people and deter the country's recovery. After the U.S. invaded Iraq on the pretext of secret nuclear weaponry, life in Iraq has become difficult. Granted, it was difficult even during the Iraq-Iran war and the invasion of Kuwait, but after the U.S. inva- sion and execution of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the country has never been at peace. Civilian deaths due to bombings in Iraq have become an everyday phe- nomenon not worth more than a couple of minutes of coverage by news channels. Militant groups are a big cause of the instability in the country, but so is the prevalence of foreign military power. Iraq is currently stuck between militants killing anyone in their path and a foreign army claiming to protect the people, but instigating these militants at the same time. And this struggle has come so far that it's not easy to under- stand what the country would be like without one of these forces. While the Iraq invasion and military aid to Libya may arguably be very different, the outcome of for- eign intervention in these countries might be quite similar. Libyans are fighting for themselves, and we should allow them to do so by themselves. Libya and its people will undoubtedly face a great struggle if or, as I believe, when Gadhafi is overthrown. The oppor- tunity for a fresh start, and the process of launching a new government is when a country needs to make most sound decisions and needs to remain decisive and, most importantly, patient. This is also the time when nationalism, patriotism and self-reliance emerge as strong sentiments. A little bit of chaos in the aftermath of Gadhafi's downfall is inevitable, but foreign military interference will not be welcomed. It's important for us to sympathize with the situa- tion in Libya and understand the consequences of our actions. As we see Libyans fight for justice from the comfort of our homes, we should be willing to urge our government totake steps in the right direction. We are all witnesses to what the voice of a people can do, and we should make sure we don't turn yet another nation into a battlefield. Aida Ali is a senior editorial page editor. -the The Best of themichdiff.com: Check out this Suweek's top five Michigan Difference posts. p o Iu Go to michigandaily.com/blogs/The Podium