4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, May 10, 1995
420 Maynard
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan
RoNNI GLASSBERG A n NE JANNEY
Editor in Chief JOEL F. KNUTSON
Editorial Page Editors
Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of a majority of
the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of the Daily's editorial board.
e resignation of Gary Moeller as head
coach for the Michigan Wolverines foot-
ball program is beginning to shed light on the
complexities and pressures of being the most
visible person in a big-time athletic program.
The University correctly accepted the res-
ignation of Moeller in an effort to resolve the
matter as quickly as possible, without delay-
ing the inevitable. From all available facts,
coach Moeller has accepted responsibility for
his actions and accepts the fact that his unac-
ceptable behavior in Southfield made him
unfit to lead the team. Though the pressure to
resign may have been great, Moeller's deci-
sion may have been the best for himself and
his family. It is his last service to the Univer-
sity he has served amicably and honorably for
24 years.
The broadcast of audio tapes containing
Moeller's sobbing outbursts to police and
hospital staff sealed the coach's guilt in the
eyes of football fans and the University. The
pain and embarrasment the broadcasting of
the tapes brought onto Moeller's family and
the University no doubt helped to ensure his
swift departure. It is sad that the tapes, legally
obtained under the Freedom of Information
Act, were used to attack the character of the
man whom commentators now defend.
Living in the spotlight
Moeller had to face consequences
What is unclear is how much pressure was
placed on Moeller to resign in light of these
tapes. Athletic director Joe Roberson made it
clear in accepting Moeller's resignation that
he would not be welcome back as coach next
season. According tointerimheadcoachLloyd
Carr, Moeller was fully cognizant of his in-
ability to lead the team in the future.
Inherent in a case where little is said by
either party involved is rampant speculation,
in this case what was said between Roberson
and Moeller. Would Moeller's fate have been
any different had he continued the success of
his initial seasons? That is, if he had won the
Rose Bowl last year, would the University
look the other way in the interest of success
for the team through this crisis? If this is the
case, it shows a lack of integrity on the
University's part. Fan support has remained
high for Moeller even after this debacle, and
it is obvious that the decision to remove
Moeller was not a knee-jerk reaction to fans
dissatisified with his successive 8-4 records.
It was a reaction based on his ability to con-
tinue to serve the University and the Athletic
Department in a positive manner.
Clearly, this case merits reflection on
Moeller's celebrity status. For better or for
worse, the job of head coach of Michigan
football, basketball or hockey brings with it
the public responsibilities required of all pub-
lic figures. There is already intense pressure
for football coaches to create winning teams
- the pressure of being a celebrity figure may
be too much to ask of a coach already under
the scrutiny of millions of fans each weekend.
Coaches should be accorded a private life.
For hockey coach Red Berenson, a public
intoxication conviction was not worthy of
any reprimand. If the line was drawn with
Moeller's alleged assault and battery felo
then it should be expected that the Univers
set up clear guidelines for the handling
criminal cases involving University empl
ees. Moeller's punishment for his crime
mean far less to him than having to leav
football team.
A big time athletic program with the co
mercial popularity of the University of Mic
gan is image consciousness. In this particu
case, the damage had already been done
Moeller's arrest. Whether he was fired
whether he resigned would not change tl
fact. But as has been shown by recent sca
dais and problems in collegiate sports pr
grams throughout the country, failing to
with the problem at hand swiftly and sever
will only drag the process out and make ti
problem harder to deal with in the long ru
That the University will be able to regroup tl
Athletic Department is testimony to the coo
eration of the parties involved.
Moeller has done great things for the tea
and for the Athletic Department during h
tenure, and that is what he will be best remer
bered for. Although he is no longer capabl
representing the University on the field,
accomplishments and contributions to ti
University will not be forgotten.
50 years later
Remembering the lessons of World War II
Musical chairs
The search for a surgeon general
n the year 1995, as the world watches
continuing horrors in Bosnia, Rwanda,
Chechnya and throughout the world, it is
imperative that the lessons taught by the mil-
lions who perished in the slaughter of World
War II be remembered.
Entering the 21st century, Americans and
all of the Earth's peoples must not forget the
crimes against humanity committed by the
Nazis. Revisionists will continue to claim
what none of the Nazis at the Nuremberg
Trials tried to claim: That the Holocaust did
not occur. The horrific crime against human-
ity must be remembered for what it was: the
murder of six million Jews plus millions more
Gypsies, political prisoners, POWs and other
victims. Ethnocentrism combined with na-
tionalism can be deadly - this is the lesson
that must be applied to present day situations
to avoid the spreading of lingering ethnic
hostilities in Africa and Europe. As World
War II made clear, no conflict can ever truly
be contained within one set of borders.
Germans have made many attempts to
atone for atrocities committed by the Nazis -
numerous sculptures, memorials, museums and
education campaigns exist to ensure that sys-
tematic violence does not appear again. How-
ever, it is easy to understand why there are
lingering sentiments that fear the ghost of
Germany's past from rising again. A Dane's
fear of the area's rising numbers of skinheads is
not hard to comprehend for the same reasons
why many older Norwegians do not drive Ger-
man-madeautomobiles. ThespecterofGerman
violence still looms large for those who lived
through it.
The memories of violence in Europe are
cause for American citizens to reflect on how
violence at home undermines the fabric of our
society - and the cause for which 300,000
Americans died. The Allied soldiers fought
and died to protect and uphold freedom
throughout the world. For Americans, this
meant the preservation of our democratic
society. A lesson to society was the impor-
tance of freedom on daily life, and though
there may be some individual disagreement
on the meaning of freedom, there is one tie
that binds us all: the Constitution.
The Constitution guarantees the right to
seek change though peaceable means. It was
designed to protect the individual against
oppressive government. The ends of achiev-
ing the means of freedom lie in protecting the
rights of all Americans by standing up for
others - it does not give anyone the right to
achieve ones goals via violent means.
President Clinton was on target in his
commencement speech to Michigan State Uni-
versity graduates stating, "There is no right to
resort to violence when you don't get your way.
There is no right to kill people." He furthered
that comment by reminding militias who have
perversed American's healthy suspicion of
government , "If you ... compare yourselves
to colonial militias who fought for democracy
you now rail against, you are wrong."
World War ll should have taught the world
that violence is not an acceptable means of
achieving ends. Most of Europe has, after being
wholly devastated during two wars, realized
this. But evidence remains that far too many
here at home have not yet learned this lesson.
e carnival music justkeeps playing while
the government keep putting different
doctors in the surgeon general's chair. After
Clintonadministrationtossedoutthelastquali-
fled surgeon general, Dr. Joycelyn Elders,
Republicans are balking at the nomination of
Dr. Henry Foster. However, when the periph-
eral issues are de-emphasized, Foster is the
best choice for surgeon general.
Foster has a record of success, but at
every turn there has been an attempt to
discredit him. In the aftermath of the
Tuskegee scandal, he helped track down
the black men with syphilis who were re-
fused medical treatment. One Republican
senator tried to skew the facts by asking
why he did not do more. What is "more" -
more than those who did nothing?
In 1991 President Bush honored Foster
for his work in Nashville. Foster set up a
program in a public housing development
that helped 16 inner city youth get into
college last year. Despite this encouraging
outcome, Republicans found a flaw - some
of the teenagers became pregnant - and
denounced Foster's accomplishment. Fos-
ter drastically affected the lives of 16 people
and that cannot be overlooked so easily.
Teenage pregnancy is an altogether dif-
ferent issue. Anti-teen pregnancy programs
are also part of Foster's life work. As an
obstetrician he knows well the horrible dan-
gers of coat-hanger and back-alley abor-
tions, as well as the immeasurable value of
life. The fact that he has performed abor-
tions is in line with his duties as an obstetri-
cian - and it follows the law, as abortions
are legal in America. In an example of '
clear thinking on the issue, he will continu
to work toward wanted pregnancies, eradi
eating any need for abortion or other de
perate scenarios. He said, "I want wh
most other Americans want -abortion th
is safe, legal and rare." His practical ap
proach to the abortion dilemma is the be
seen in a long time.
However, while teen andunwanted preg
nancies are pressing societal problems, t
should not be the sole basis for choosin
surgeon general. Foster's trackrecord show
that he is exactly the kind of doctor needed
He sees a problem and institutes a solutio
- action is preferable to one who wil
merely complain. The position may see
like a figurehead, but it is much more.
Unfortunately, that puts the surgeon gen
eral in an often unpopular position. Elders, lik
her predecessors was outspoken about contro
versial issues -to the point where she bec
unpopular with the Clinton administration an
Congress and was subsequently fired. How
ever, surgeon generals do Americans a servic
by speaking on issues that are taboo, yet vital t
public health.
If chosen, Foster will have to endure
much public criticism. It is the nature of the
position -- he will tell Americans things
they need to know, but do not want to hear.
His already apparent willingness to
against the grain is reassuring. Foster wi
identify public health problems and work to
correct them. Congress needs to stop the
music and approve the nomination of Dr.
Henry Foster.