Wednesday, June 4, 1997 - The Michigan Daily - 5 JOTABLE QUOTABLE "I understand that (the University of Georgia) was * on a very tight schedule and was supposed to make a selection very soon, so I am just delighted." - Former University President James Duderstadt, referring to University Provost J Bernard Machen ' candidacy for the University of Georgia s presidency, announced last Wednesday by Georgia s Board of Regents ETTERS TO TH E DTOR nti-smoking 1tter is 'self- righteous' TO THE DAILY: In reading Jason Runnels's tiresome and self-righteous let- ter about smoking ("Smokers violate others' rights, safety," 5/21/97), 1 became somewhat annoyed. As a light smoker, I l it to be generally irritating that a person who smokes cig- arettes is instantly derided by some as a disgusting health hazard who should be shunned and reviled by good citizens everywhere. In defense of obviously evil, pernicious and crazed smokers everywhere, may I point out that in general, s kers are polite about king and will even - gasp - put out their cigarettes if asked. Runnels points out that smokers generally infest the outdoors. Look, smokers don't have a choice in the matter. Given that smoking is banned in most public buildings, smokers have to stand outside order to enjoy a simple . This is annoying but generally acceptable, and smokers put up with it. The last thing smokers need is a self-righteous do-gooder com- plaining about smokers out- side of a building, especially when smokers do so that our smoke does not impinge upon those inside of the building. It's not as if smokers are deliberately attempting to fan smoke in the vicinity of non- smokers. As for the "flick," the ciga- rette butts are going to the ground. Where else are they supposed to go? In places where there are no receptacles for the spent cancer sticks, what else should smokers do with them? Save them? Pocket the burning stub? I can see it now - if our clothes don't burn, we can turn them in for Marlboro Points in the hope that by the time we get 2,692,592,044 butts collected well have enough for that spiffy windbreaker. I would think that smokers would use the large municipal "ashtrays" if they were provided, but in most cases they are not. In conclusion, smokers have taken non-smokers' rights into account by making quite a few concessions - not smok- ing in buildings, on airplanes or in the preferred-seating areas of restaurants. Give smokers a concession - minor in comparison - please cease and desist lecturing us about smoking in those self- righteous, arrogant tones as if we were children. We smoke with full knowledge about the health hazards and aesthetic concerns of our vice - now let its be. BENJAMIN KEPPLE LSA SENIOR 650 grams of cocaine justifies life sentence TO THE DAILY: This letter is concerning the Daily's editorial on the 650-gram sentencing policy the state has for possession of cocaine or heroin ("650 to life," 5/28/97). Although the policy does not look at individ- ual cases and instead passes a blanket sentence for posses- sion greater than 650 grams, anyone who thinks that some- one with approximately 1.5 pounds of cocaine is going to put it up just their nose is nuts. Keep in mind that these sub- stances are sold by the gram, and anyone with 650 of them is going to distribute and should be punished according- ly. The slim, slim potential for "lopsided justice," as you call it, is there but highly unlikely. Your article supports tough punishment for distribution, and this policy provides it. The law maintains its original pur- pose of throwing the book at distributors and should be kept as is. STEVEN SHANNON RACKHAM The bathroom: A haven from political correctness ve slowly come to realize one of the steps out my pen and add something. Some deep theolo- Itowards having a fulfilling experience at the gian had posed the question, "What is your favorite University: Finding your favorite campus bath- city inthe world?" Answers varied from "Paris, the room. One of my friends brags of the peacefulness city of love" to "Detroit, rock city," to "anywhere the Natural Science Museum bathroom provides, but the U.P" Did someone just dis my hometown? some students delight in the cleanliness of the Michigan's Upper Peninsula is an interesting Chemistry building toilets while others enjoy the place many teens can't wait to get out of. I admit, get-stoned-during-class accessibility of after 18 years of living there, I was ready the MLB basement restrooms. Yet over to put on my walking boots and venture three years of college, my choice has to elsewhere. Once someone leaves a small be the dirty, busy, National Women's town to enter a diverse, liberal city, they Rights Organization Coalition-stickered seem to think they've won - they ambiance of the Mason Hall lavatory. escaped the close minded ignorance of i recently noticed a sign has finally Small Town, USA. I know I held this atti- returned to my favorite between-class tude my first year in Ann Arbor, yet as pit-stop. Since I can remember, the only time progresses, I realize that this city isn't clue the door led to a bathroom was the diverse, loving place I once thought. somebody's sloppy handwriting reading At least it my hometown you know "womyn." Now, because of the cutesy KRISTIN when somebody doesn't agree with you. figure of a woman in a perfect 1950s AROLA They get their stereotypes right on the housedress, all women can rest assured 'A