4 - Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

4-Tuesday, October 30, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom

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f iiigan Baly
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TIMOTHY RABB
JOSEPH LICHTERMAN and ADRIENNE ROBERTS
EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS

ISSUES 2012
Foreign Policy

ANDREW WEINER
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.
FR & TE DAILY
Vote Hieftje, Warpehoski,
YES on A B, on library
While much attention is directed toward the presidential
election, Ann Arbor's local elections are also important
to students and their daily lives. City government pro-
vides basic services to Ann Arbor residents and even has the power
to help control housing prices. Yet, no one seems to be talking about
the importance of this election for the city. The mayor, a City Coun-
cil member and numerous ballot proposals will all be voted on next
Tuesday, and all are issues are worthy of examination.

COLLEGE REPUBLICANS IE'
Shedding light on the Libya attacks

a

"I want to know why we were lied
to!" said Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.)
during the Congressional Commit-
tee on Oversight and Government
Reform hearing, which concerned
the events leading up to the Sept. 11
attacks in Libya, and the misinfor-
mation campaign that seemingly fol-
lowed. Almost every week following
the attack, new documents or testi-
monies have been revealed that call
into question the Obama administra-
tion's handling of the terrorist attack
on America's embassy in Bengzhai.
This is not about politics or the left
and right. This is about the security
of our nation.
There are some very serious
national security questionsthat need
to be answered. The most significant
question is: what did the President
know, and when did he know it? Due
to three e-mails that were leaked, we
know the White House was aware of
the attack and the terrorist group's
claim of responsibility within two
hours of the events. Officials within
the administration say that claims
made on Facebook and Twitter hard-
ly constitute evidence, but by the

same logic, there's no proof that an
obscure YouTube anti-Muslim video
caused the attack either. In fact, the
document dump that resulted from
the Oversight Committee points
more toward a terrorist plot than
toward a reaction to a video. There's
no mention of any video whatsoever,
so to say the evidence wasn't there is
simply not true.
Recently, there has been stun-
ning news that an unnamed admin-
istration official denied requests for
military support three times while
the embassy - and subsequently,
the CIA safe house - was under.
attack. This constitutes a serious
failure in our foreign policy. The
administration did not provide ade-
quate security for the embassy, and
failed to deal with a direct threat to
American personnel.
It's clear that President Barack
Obama's foreign policy has failed.
It's time to set a new course, which
begins with electing Republican
presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Unlike Obama, Romney has laid
out a plan that will work in the
Middle East to bring peace to the

region. An area of stark contrast
between Obama and Romney's
plans is on the subject of Israel.
With the situation in the Middle
East growing darker every day - as
well as the nuclear threat from Iran
always looming - it's irresponsible
and dangerous to distance America
from our closest ally in the region.
From the perspective of the people
in the Middle East and the rest of
the world, the relationship between
America and Israel is strained.
Obama's refusal to meet with the
Israeli president made it look as if
the ties between the two nations
are weakening. Carrying out this
country's foreign policy requires
reforms at home, as well as abroad.
As Romney says, "... for us to be
able to promote those principles of
peace requires us to be strong. And
that begins with a strong economy
here at home." Nothing could be
closer to the truth.
Viewpoint written on behalf
of the University's chapter of
College Republicans by Phil
Branz and Brent Gaadman

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, a Demo-
crat, faces independent candidate Albert
Howard in the 2012 election. Howard has
criticized the incumbent for a lack of trans-
parency, fiscal irresponsibility and misguid-
ed priorities on public safety - specifically
the cuts to the Ann Arbor Police Department
and the Ann Arbor Fire Department in the
past two years. He stated this month that
the city of Ann Arbor couldn't handle "more
than one fire," according to AnnArbor.com.
Hieftje countered with the fact that fires are
trending downward and crime levels are at
record lows.
Ann Arbor, despite Michigan's struggling
economy, is thriving. While it may seem to
some that Ann Arbor is recklessly spending
money on more frivolous expenses, like pub-
lic art, it is one of the only cities in Michigan
that can still finance more than just basic
services. Hieftje has been able to orchestrate
this without raising taxes during the reces-
sion, except for a 2012 millage to take over
sidewalk maintenance. Ann Arbor has the
responsibility to provide basic services along
with certain quality-of-life components, and
to maintain this, vote for JOHN HIEFTJE
for mayor of AnArbor.
Only one race for an Ann- Arbor City
Council seat is contested. Republican Stuart
Berry and Democrat Chuck Warpehoski are
vying for the seat to represent Ward 5, which
includes West Quadrangle Residence Hall,
Betsey Barbour Residence Hall, Helen New-
berry Residence Hall and off-campus hous-
ing from East Madison Street to East Liberty
Street and a small section near West Huron
Street. In an interview with The Michi-
gan Daily; Berry stressed the importance of
addressing of basic services, such as police
and fire protection and roads. He believes
this is the primary responsibility of Ann
Arbor's government, but this severely under-
estimates what the city should do for its resi-
dents. He wants to be the opposing viewpoint
on the Council, which has no Republicans
members, yet he seems to have no further
plans beside consistently voting in the oppo-
sition of other Council members.
In an interview with the Daily, Warpehos-
ki stressed the importance of core services
as well. However, he said the government
should also provide additional services, such
as improved transportation and funding for
public art. Warpehoski said he plans to address
Ann Arbor housing costs if elected to Council,
an issue of great importance to students. This
should be a priority, and if elected, he should
come up with a specific plan to reduce hous-
ing costs. While basic services should always
be a priority in local government, Warpehoski
promises to be a more dynamic Council mem-
ber who is willingto address the problems stu-

dents face. For that reason, vote for CHUCK
WAREHOSKI for Ward 5.
Proposal A would allocate $5 million
annually for Ann Arbor's public parks and
passage would renew a similar 2006 mill-
age. The proposal, recommended by the city's
Park Advisory Commission, intends to sup-
port maintenance of city parks - including
nature preservation and security measures
- with 60 to 80 percent of the funds. The rest
of the millage would be used to improve park
capital for historic preservation, equipment
purchases and recreational facilities. Public
parks form an important part of the city's
culture. As a civic space, they allow for com-
munity growth and engagement. Vote YES
on ProposalA.
Proposal B would expand Ann Arbor's
public art funding to include temporary
installations, sculptures and murals. Ann
Arbor's current Percent for Art program allo-
cates 1 percent of the funding for city-spon-
sored construction projects for permanent
art displays and requires that the art relates
to the purpose of the department the fund-
ing comes from, like the fountain in front of
the Ann Arbor District Library. Public art
denotes culturl establishment, increases
property values and illustrates a commit-
ment to businesses from street boutique
stores to restaurants and parking structures.
The millage would generate about $459,273
in revenue its first year and it will only cost
the average taxpayer about $11 annually. As
a result, this cultural measure is sustainable
as well as sensible. Vote YES on Proposal B.
The Ann Arbor District Library Proposal
will demolish and rebuild the downtown
library at Fifth Avenue and William Street to
include a larger auditorium and study rooms,
better wheelchair accessibility, longer cafe
hours and new computers. The $65 million
bond is supported by the Ann Arbor District
Library, but several local groups have mobi-
lized in opposition. The downtown library
building is only 20 years old and the $65-mil-
lion price tag seems unreasonably hefty. The
AADL states that the demolition and subse-
quent rebuilding costs 10 percent more than
it would if the building were simply reno-
vated. Though the AADL has suggested a
30-year time table for bond repayment, the
millage places undue burden on taxpayers
for an extended period of time. Additionally,
the plan has not yet been finalized to include
important logistics such as architect choice
and building blueprints. Though libraries
remain an integral part of the community
and perform a priceless function, the AADL
needs to have a more concrete plan in place
before asking voters to approve such a large
allocation of funds. Vote NO on the District
Library Proposal.

This is part three in a five-part
series by the College Democrats
and College Republicans.

COLLEGE DEMOCRATS IWI
Firm and tough forel

On Oct. 22 was the final presiden-
tial debate in Boca Raton, Flor. What
voters saw was a president who, over
the past four years, has led America
back from not only the brink of eco-
nomic collapse, but a Commander
in Chief who has guided our nation
with a steady, pragmatic and success-
ful foreign policy making all Ameri-
cans more secure.
President Barack Obama started
his term by building a new begin-
ning between the Muslim commu-
nity and the United States, based on
greater communication. He bridged
strained relations with Russia in
order to sign a new Strategic Arms
Reduction Treaty. He kept his prom-
ise in ending the Iraq war, has stood
firmly with Israel and has pushed
for greater sanctions against Iran to
stop growth of their nuclear weapons
program. He helpedbuild an interna-
tional coalition to stop the massacre
in Libya and aid the Libyan people in
overthrowing their dictator, Muam-
mar Gaddafi.
But he also knows when to take
risks and stand strong for Ameri-
can values and interests. Obama
reaffirmed "it was worth moving
heaven and earth to get Osama
Bin Laden" and that in no way did

we owe Pakistan any consulta-
tion in going after the world's most
dangerous and wanted terrorist.
Obama's consistent foreign policy
has made him a reliable leader in
the eyes of our allies, who, by and
large, support Obama over his
opponent. The president has eased
global tension and has forged a new
path for American foreign policy
that doesn't equate loudness with
toughness.
Contrast this with Republican
presidential nominee Mitt Romney,
who lacks foreign policy experience,
and has managed to make only gaffes
and missteps during his trips abroad
- insulting our strongest ally's han-
dling of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Moreover, his insinuation that cul-
ture is the reason for the economic
disparity between Israelis and Pal-
estinians showed naivety at the least.
Romney's foreign policy isn't
grounded in any firm principles,
but his frequent flip-flopping leads
him to be reckless and misguided,
coldly politicizing any foreign trag-
edy to his advantage. Quite sim-
ply, without any firm experience
or conviction, his foreign policy is
dangerous. He has only managed
to offer baseless attacks on Obama

gn policy
of an "apology tour" and "leading
from behind." These mischaracter-
izations might work in the world
of politicking and campaigning,
but in the complex realm of world
affairs, they're petty and lack sub-
stance. Romney's hawkish ideolo-
gies, in conjunction with his lack of
experience, would be disastrous for
America's relations abroad.
When you think about the next
four years and how you will cast
your vote for president, think about
where we stood then in 2008, and
where we are now. Romney believes
louder is better, no matter what he's
saying. His foreign policy convic-
tions will aim to please the con-
servative right at the expense of
America's position in the interna-
tional community. Obama has a dif-
ferent approach - one that involves
an understanding of the problem
and defined foreign policy victo-
ries. He has garnered trust in the
international community, stood for
American values and interest, all
the while make our world safer and
more secure.

Viewpoint written on behalf of
the University's chapter of College
Democrats by William Butler.

4

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
Kaan Avdan, Sharik Bashir, Eli Cahan, Nirbhay Jain, Jesse Klein, Melanie
Kruvelis,Patrick Maillet, Harsha Nahata, Timothy Rabb, Adrienne Roberts,
Vanessa Rychlinski, Paul Sherman, Sarah Skaluba, Michael Spaeth, Gus Turner
NOTBLEQUTLE
I felt embarrassed. I struck out. I
made the last out of the
World Series."
- Tigers third baseman and triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera said
after losing the clinching game to the Giants Sunday.

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