OPINION PageWd eda e 94 EDITOR IN CHIEF James M. Nash EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS Patrick Javid Jason S. Lichtstein 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan. Unsigned editorials present the opinion of a majority of the Daily's editorial board. All otherrcartoons, signed articles and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Daily. The Michigan Union needs a thorough overhaul. With the potential expansion of the Entre Plus system to off-campus busi- nesses, the ongoing implementation of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsi- bilities,andanewcampus-wide alcoholpolicy that would further restrict drinking by stu- dents, it seems that the Union is heading toward a useless existence and ultimate oblivion. To avoid such an unnecessary turn of events, the board of administrators that oversees the day-to-day operations of the Union must implement a number of funda- mental reforms to transform the Union from a dingy basement-based fast food joint to a hive of cultural and social activity. The Union's prospects look dim. The effect of the Union's exclusionary policy, which limits the number of non-University students from entry into the Union on week- end nights and prohibits the consumption of alcohol on the premises, is overwhelmingly negative. The policy directly discriminates againstBlackfraternities andotherorganiza- Save the Union from Extinction Students deserve a better Union tions that have no other place to hold social events. The Union can be more open and willing to allow student groups to hold func- tions inside the building - seeing that the Union is supposed to be a repository of stu- dent social life. We feel that it is important, and economi- cally wise, that alcohol be served in the Union - in the U Club, or in any of the restaurants and clubs that will likely flock to the Union -so of-age students can enjoy a drink while they relax and listen to a jazz band. Isn't this what a Union should be -about? Can't the Union be about more than a sub shop and a pizza place? Examples of potential and successful change abound. The Union can openup the U Club to a dance club and profit from the immense business and publicity that some- thing such as the Nectarine Ballroom gener- ates. The outside stairs and courtyards can be redesigned to allow for outdoor concerts dur- ing the summer with local bands and other musicians. As a crucial alternative to the unhealthy downstairs eateries, the Union can behome to anelegant, sit-downrestaurantfor students to enjoy. And the Union could hol a sports bar - complete with alcoholic bes erages, beer nuts and popcorn - so ti students can sit down in front of the telev sion, relax with a drink and watch the man athletic events the University makes so muc money from. The Union, asa microcosmofthe deteri ration of the University's social realm, mu: adapt. The Union could be so much more - with a wider variety of restaurants, coffe shops, clubs, a true movie theatre and otg shops, such as a grocery or convenience stox - which would attract students to stud' socialize and congregate in the heart of canr pus. Now more than ever, the Union cann solely rely on EntrfePlus to entice students t spend their money there. The Union mu take reasonable steps to even continue to h a blot on the University map. The Union is fast becoming obsolete. aforementioned changes would substantia improve the Union, the campus and the Un versity as a whole. Rostenkowski: outed Free trade in China Jurisprudence, not politics, must reign Economic, human rights issues weighed H ouse Ways and Means Committee Chair Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.)was indicted yesterdayonabroad array ofcriminalcharges, including conspiracy to defraud the govern- ment. Although Rostenkowskiis avitalcom- ponent of President Clinton's fragile legisla- tive alliance - and a crucial supporter of substantive health care reform-the Clinton administration has acted judiciously in in- dicting Rep. Rostenkowski, an old-school Chicago political boss. It is time for Rostenkowski to stand trial, and prove his case, against an overwhelming arsenal of evidence, assembled by the federal govern- ment, that has implicated him in fraud and graft. Moreover, it is time for evenhanded justice to prevail in the power corridors of Capitol Hill, enforced by a depoliticized Jus- tice Department. Can it be that the mini-power brokers of Clinton's cabinet have finally gotten it right? Janet Reno and the Justice Department have been rightfully under fire for their handling of the Waco tear gas debacle, the FBI's political interference in Travelgate and its frighten- ingly low turnover rate. But Justice's han- dling of the Rostenkowski case, led by the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., Eric H. Holder, is a big first step toward non-partisan respectability for the department. Reno and President Clinton have let Holder indepen- dently investigate and build a strong case against Rostenkowski. Unfortunately for Rostenkowski, the case against him looks impenetrable. Neverthe- less, he deserves his day in court, and ironi- cally is represented by the same lawyer Presi- dent Clinton is dependingon, Robert Bennett, a seasoned Beltway politico. But no matter how important Rostenkowski is to the Clintons' political fortunes and futures, Rostenkowski, and politicians like him, must not be allowed to avoid or sidestep the long arm of the law. Political influence and prestige cannot be staples of legality, as it was in the heyday of Reagan Attorney General Edwin Meese. President Clinton promised amoremoraland legitimate executive branch, and he must deliver on this most basic premise - that no one is above the law, and that for government to be seen as a legitimate arbiter of justice, it must go after the likes of Rostenkowski as doggedly as it goes after the worst three-time violent offenders. Holder, Reno and Clinton are to be praised. Rostenkowski is to give up his seat as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, and if the wheels of American democracy turn as they should, he will be ousted in the November elections. The daysofcorruption-andlegal backwash - cannot fester any longer with government sanction. It may be painful for Democrats to see Rostenkowski ousted and publicly soiled, but it is for a higher goal - that of jurisprudence. Geopolitical, economic and human rights considerations simmered together to force a difficult decision last week as Presi- dent Clinton announced the United States would renew China's Most Favored Nation (MFN) status. Essentially, Clinton was re- vamping U.S. foreign policy toward China - no longer will human rights be the single factor in determining policy as the post-Cold War global economic concerns gain in im- portance. Weighing the costs and benefits of the Sino-U.S. trade relationship makes it clear that Clinton made the right decision; however, the United States must continue to pushstrongly for aliberalhumanrights agenda in China. The 1989 Tiananmen Square incident fo- cused the world's attention on China's hu- man rights record and motivated many lib- eral members of Congress to demand a for- malgovernmentallinkage between preferen- tial trade and human rights. While the Bush administrationrefused to do so, Clinton signed an executive orderlast May that gave China's leaders an ultimatum - if they did not sub- stantially undertake human rights liberaliza- tion, the United States would not renew their MFN status. One yearlater, Chinahasnotlivedup toits end of the bargain. The 1993 executive order necessitated reform in seven areas; by last week, China had swayed on only the two most important of the seven. But Clinton realized the numbers involved: $33 billion 1 Chinese exports came into the United State last year,and $9billionofAmerican product were exported to China - easily wort 150,000 American jobs. The decision last week reflected the co rect view that human rights can no longer b the single issue on which the United State sets its foreign relations. Within the Far E China's strong economy has given it i ence and power, andthenation is now amaj world power. As long as the North Korea nuclear issue festers, friendly relations wit China are even more important - for Chin holds a crucial veto in the United Nation Non-proliferation is critical to maintain. Also, China's leaders have given int some human rights demands: They hav promised to no longer export products m by prisoners, and are making it easier o families in China to join their loved ones ix the West. And, would China truly liberaliz< its human rights policies if the United State: turned to the stick, instead of the carrot? It would seem the answer to this is resounding no, and the best path towar human rights in China is to encourage fre trade. Today, in acorner of Tiananmen Squ a McDonald's has opened up its doors t new people; with economic advancement- and strong American prodding - Chin shouldeaseitsrestrictionsandgrantitspeopl the political freedoms they deserve.