Page 4-Wednesday, August 13, 1980-The Michigan Daily Feiffer wooWIH L 0 I A WMLATipAJ -1Ae!A6 IS A VIOLxaTO) MAIRBA&t IS A VUUtATIc JOF THE W C"-. F2 9 we OF EcEtx OF A55 o- LV FAAC J~Ac TIOJIA T fFNkOTNIKLA.; LAJCAZL MH' 77 , IAC ISR' AMAHE K OI.IFA1 c F IAT O~t(.Et2 Z R C0 'U' wins as gridders lose IT LOOKS as i the Wolverines have lost one even before the football season has begun. But thegridders' loss is the University's gain. Last week it was learned the Athletic Depar- tment had abandoned consideration of an "academic support" plan that would have provided remedial reading, -remedial writing, "power" learning, and time management in- struction for the football team. Freshmen would have been required to participate while upper- classmen would have been included on a self- referral basis. Presumably the football players who would have derived benefits from the remedial program are disappointed. And it is too bad that students who need remedial help may not now receive it. But before too many tears are shed for the football players, consider that athletes who require such intensive remedial help may not belong at this university in the first place. It has long been a popular conception within the University's academic community that the Athletic Department recruits, enrolls, and gran- ts exorbitant scholarships to good athletes, with little regard for their academic prowess. That the department should even consider implemen- ting a remedial program for the football team only reinforces that conception. Why should talented athletes receive special treatment? A cynic might answer that a good football team is essential to keep the Athletic Department's money machine well-greased. But no other students who devote their time in high school to extra-curricular activities to the detriment of their academic studies (as we must assume most football players do, else they would not need a remedial program) receive special treatment from the University. Indeed, no special remedial programs have been established for high school marching band members, or actors, or newspaper editors whose grades were poor - principally because those poor students usually don't get into the Univer- sity to begin with. Supporters of the gridders' academic plan may argue that some minority students receive special academic help and are admitted to the University under lenient standards. Those students, however, are admitted because they are often economically and educationally disadvantaged. They, unlike the football players, did not make a conscious choice to ignore academics in favor of other activities. This University will be the fine academic in- stitution that it is only so long as it maintains suitably rigorous admissions standards. Foot- ball players should not be exempt from those standards. r a LETTERS TO THE DAILY: Libertarian clarifies stance To The Daily: rights of owners, but should Ronald Suarez' letter (Daily, protect the rights of people to Aug. 7) on pollution ignores the hold property and self free from fact that Ed Clark addressed the violation and aggression, in- problem in the debate that Suarez cluding pollution. says he attended. As Clark made The Libertarian Party's 1980 clear, pollution is aggression Platform takes this position: We against an owner's property support the development of an rights. So the Audubon Society's objective system defining in- ownership of the beach Suarez dividual property rights to air speaks of should allow them to and water. We hold that am- operate a "nude beach" if they biguities in the area of these please, and to prohibit any rights (e.g. the concept of "public pollution of the property. No cor- property") are a primary cause poration or government has the of our deteriorating environment right to destroy or corrupt or Present legal principles which even use without permission allow the violation of individual other persons' property. This is rights by polluters must be already recognized, often in the case of small privately-owned 'Survival Sun lakes. The purpose of government To The Daily: regulation of pollution is not to A citizens movement has been outlaw pollution, but to deter- underway in Ann Arbor for ten mine how much, when, where, weeks. This movement is called and by whom pollution will be Survival Summer and is part of a allowed (note-the word is national effort to encourage regulate, not prohibit). Gover- awareness and action for a saner, nment regulation of industrial safer future. The proposals of this pollution has, historically, ad-hoc group are no war, stop the negated the rights of farmers to nuclear arms race, develop a have clean, healthy, and unbur- constructive energy policy, and ned crops; it has allowed in- reordernationalpriorities.y dustries to dump in the rivers and In every neighborhood there the air; it has prohibited class ac- are fears and concerns about the tion suits against polluters-all in economy and U.S. military, the name of "the common good" policy; however, there is little and political favoritism, discussion and sharing of views. The rivers are polluted Many people feel the situation is. mainly by municipally-owned out of their hands and there is sewage disposal systems, the air gthrands h by gvermen-monpolzednothing they can do. by government-monopolized It is our hope in Survival Sum- .utilities-for the common good. mer to talk to'people about war, This is made easier by con- peace, unemployment, nuclear sidering rivers, air, and most land to be "public power, solar energy, etc., and en- domain-owned and carelessly courage house meetings in kept by local, state, and federal governments, the environment's Storm helper worst enemy. Since regulation assumes that To The Daily: property rights can be vitiated, July 16, 1980-The Storm-Red regulation, with its state- Cross Disaster Services ac- arrogated task of weighing cost tivated and responded im- vs. benefit, will always (even mediately. Initially, more than with Barry Commoner as thirty volunteers respon- president) be subject to bargains, ded-foregoing their own deals, the calculus of utility, damage-and prepared food, compromise, and most of all beverages for over 300, opened political manipulation and pull. two shelters for fifty people, and only a strict adherence to un- assisted with all emergency compromisable property rights needs requests. can approach a guarantee that no Later, when power was corporation or government will deayed, an additional twenty- wantonly trample the environ- five volunteers opened a feeding ment. Governments, when in- station, preparing and serving stituted, must not violate the two meals a day to well over 500 reversed. The laws of nuisance and- negligence should be modified to cover damage done by air, water, and noise pollution. The Audubon Society, on Liber- tarian principles, would have legal recourse to protect its property from industrial pollution, whether its source is a tenant of the Society's land, or it is carried by air regularly from afar. And it would be free to allow nude bathers, like Mr. Suarez, to use its beach, unmolested by pollutants or Puritans. -S. D. Marcus August8 n m ernotes neighborhoods to continue these discussions. Once people start talking they might be surprised and find a consensus for peace, safe energy and cooperation. If Survival Summer volunteers stop by your house, we hope you can extend a warm welcome. Remember, these volunteers are simply local residents of Ann Ar- bor and Ypsilanti from different organizations, different religions, with varied backgrounds, but holding common concerns about our nation and this world. If you want to become involved in this movement, you can call 996-3542 or come to our weekly meetings Sunday 7-9 p.m., at the Wesley Lounge at 604 E. Huron. Let's join together in this grassroots effort to builda better world. -Anne Dievler August 7 As lauded people. It is comforting to know that in time of disaster, Washtenaw County is in such capable and willing hands. We would like to publicly thank each and every one of those volunteers who assisted in making this troubled time pleasant and almost en- joyable. -Carroll Thomson, Chairman of volunteers Pat Klinger, Coordinator, Disaster Services August 6 6 6 6 I 6 I