46P 46F 46F i .4fliC41 pan 4:3atim Ann Arbor, Michigan Tuesday, November 1,2011 michigandaily.com CANTOR COMES TO CAMPUS C antor: U.S. needs JobspSeve Jobs pla' LEFT: U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) speaks at the Michigan League yesterday afternoon. TOP RIGHT: Protesters gather outside the Michigan League yesterday. BOTTOM RIGHT: Protesters from the Washtenaw Community Action Team shout during Cantor's speech yesterday. Students local residents erupt in protest of House leader's visit House majority "People in this country have become afraid to take a risk," leader discusses Cantor said. "Many have Michigan Daily the importance of lost their EXCLUSIVE optimism innovation about the future. They're frus- trated. And the core of this frus- By ANDREW SCHULMAN tration stems from a belief that Daily StaffReporter the same opportunities afforded to previous generations no lon- If House Majority Leader ger exist today." Eric Cantor (R-Va.) had his way In front of protesters from in the ongoing economic catas- Occupy Ann Arbor and other trophe and Washington's strug- local and campus groups, Cantor gle to resolve it, the solution said those fears are misguided. might resemble less of a stimu- He acknowledged that the econ- lus package and more of a "Steve omy has strained young people Jobs plan." and the poor, butsaid equality of In a speech at the Michigan opportunity is strong. Attempts League organized by the Ford to achieve "equality of outcome" School of Public Policy, that was through the redistribution of originally scheduled for last wealth would "demonize people February but postponed until that have earned success," he yesterday because of inclement said. weather, Cantor suggested that "Much of the conversation the "Steve Jobs plan," or a desire today in the current political for innovation, could remedy debate has been focused on fair- what he said was Americans' ness in our society," Cantor said. loss of faith in economic fair- "Republicans believe that what ness. Though the United States is fair is a hand up, not a hand still has "the most successful out." realization of universal hope," Returning to the "Steve Jobs it has lost its entrepreneurial plan," Cantor also stressed that spirit, he said. See CANTOR, Page 5A A2 protesters decry U.S. rep.'s treatment of lower, middle classes By BETHANY BIRON DailyNewsEditor As House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) took the stage at the Michigan League yesterday, a group of protesters outside the building erupted in chants of "Eric Cantor you can't hide! Eric Cantor we're outside!" that resonated inside the room. The group of about So pro- testers demonstrated against Cantor's visit to campus and carried an array of tombstone- shaped signs bearing phrases such as "RIP Higher Educa- tion" and "RIP Equal Rights." Students and Ann Arbor resi- dents criticized Cantor's politi- cal views and his neglect of lower-and middle-class issues. Kicking off the protests was a satirical speech by Rackham student Joel Batterman, who was dressed as Cantor in a blue pin-striped suit and glasses and who stood beside a tombstone labeled "The Middle Class." Batterman's speech mocking Cantor's policies was met with boisterous cheers from the crowd, which was composed of people from a variety of age groups and racial backgrounds. The group's chants, like the popular "1-2-3-4, if you' hungry, eat the poor. 5-6-7-8 you'll be next to fill our plate," continued throughout Cantor's speech. Some students took a more festive route in their protests and attended dressed as zom- bies. Batterman, who is also a Michigan Daily columnist, See PROTEST, Page 6A LEGAL DISPUTE Gordon not worried about Shirvell's suit CHEMICAL ELEPHANT Andrew Shirvell sues attorney a 21 representing t former MSA pres. A By HALEY GOLDBERG a Daily StaffReporter t tf Though Andrew Shirvell, a University alum and former s Michigan assistant attorney " general, filed a lawsuit against I attorney Deborah Gordon, she d said she is not fazed. h Gordon, the attorney rep- resenting former Michigan S Student Assembly President o Chris Armstrong in his law- A suit against Shirvell, said in an t interview yesterday that the allegations Shirvell has lev- e eled against her - including a interfering with his employ- f ment, defamation and invasion h of privacy - are "truly absurd" and have "no legal or factual basis." 2 However, Shirvell claims in " the federal lawsuit filed Fri- WEATHER HI: 60 TOMORROW L 45 lay that Gordon played a role o his termination as assistant attorney general on Nov. 8, :010, by negatively influencing he investigation against him within the Department of the Attorney General. "(Armstrong and Gordon) re using me as a way to fur- her their political agenda and heir monetary agendr. in the media at my expense," Shirvell aid in an interview yesterday. So I want some justice, and want Ms. Gordon to pay me damages for everything she as done to me." Cox originally defended hirvell's actions as freedom of speech on an interview on Anderson Cooper 360 in Sep- ember 2010. Prior to being fired, Shirvell ngaged in cyberbullying gainst Armstrong, MSA's irst openly gay president, on is blog "Chris Armstrong Watch." On his blog, Shirvell wrote that Armstrong, a spring 2011 graduate, was pursuing a radical homosexual agenda" See GORDON, Page 5A CITY ORDINANCE Graffiti ordinance tobe more enforced City to monitor art on buildings due to spike in vandalism By ADAM RUBENFIRE Daily StaffReporter Starting today, the Ann Arbor Police Department is increasing its efforts to erase graffiti that is considered an art form by some but a delinquent practice by oth- ers. The city's Community Standards offi- cers will begin stricter enforce- ment of Ann Arbor's anti-graf- fiti ordinance. The enforcement is in response to more graffiti noticed throughout the city. "In recent months, Ann Arbor has seen an increase in the num- ber of graffiti incidences, which detracts from the aesthetic appeal of our community, can See GRAFFITI, Page 6A LSA junior Courtney Talicska, a member of the American Chemistry Society, performs the chemistry demo "Elephant's Toothpaste" in the Chemistry Atrium yesterday. New committee focused on mental health MSA group to work with CAPS to raise awareness By TAYLOR WIZNER Daily StaffReporter For students concerned that mental health issues aren't addressed enough on campus, the Michigan Student Assem- bly is offering a potential solu- tion. MSA recently formed a new sub-commission of the assem- bly's Health Issues Commis- sion focused on mental health awareness. The mental health sub-commission will join other commissions focused on healthy eating, sexual health and health insurance to pro- vide more resources for stu- dents. "We want to spread aware- ness about mental health issues on campus and work with the administration to make sure students feel comfortable reaching out and asking for the mental health help that they need," MSA Vice President Brendan Campbell said. See COMMITTEE, Page 5A GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know. NEW ON MICHIGANDAILYCOM INDEX AP NEWS....................3A CLASSIFIEDS.6.........6A Exhibit features Faye Schulman's photographs Vol. CXXII, No. 39 OPINION-..................4A ARTS..........................7A MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/THE FILTER ©2011 ThecMichigan Daily NEWS .......................5A SPORTS. ................BA michigunduil y.co