4 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 14, 2001 Edited and manaed by JACQUELYN NIXON AUBREY HENRETTY Ues at thg E'tor in Chief Editorial Page Editor Unvriy fM nI II Q Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion ofa 420 Maynard Street majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, letters and 40 Arbor, MI 48109 cartoons not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily Usually, the biggest danger in open- ing an unknown e-mail is exposing your computer to a virus; most people aren't expecting to find threats of real-life violence. At least, Penn State Black Student Caucus President La Keisha Wolf certainly wasn't expecting to. Since 1999, Wolf has received four such e-mail death threats; many other black Penn State students and athletes have also been the victims of threstening racist e-mails. In response to the lack of precautionary action by Penn State's administration, a sit-in was staged; the stu- dent union building was filled with any- where from 300 to 500 students - most of them black - from April 24 to May 3. Penn State's administration responded by strengthening the African-American Studies program, putting $1 million toward an African-American Studies Research Center and giving more influ- ence to the vice provost for educational equity. When the protesters were still not Pennnotigler Racial tensions at Penn State warning to 'U' satisfied, the administration gave more autonomy to the African-American Stud- ies Department and gave the vice provost even more oversight authority. The actions of Penn State's administra- tion were superficial at best; they did not attempt to communicate with the protes- tors so that a mutual agreement could be reached. While it's good that they allocat- ed more money to ethnic studies and afforded more power to minority represen- tatives, these actions alone do nothing to ease racial tensions on their campus. Penn State is projecting itself into a more culturally focused required curricu- lum of race and ethnicity. But the sit-in occurred as a response to the racial ten- sion on campus and is representative of the administration's failure to consult and include students -- particularly black stu- dents - in decisions that impact their lives. Perhaps if there was better commu- nication between the administration and the students, they would not feel the need to be so disruptive. Because diversity and racial tensions are prominent issues here at the Universi- ty, it is important that the administration and students communicate effectively to avoid the same types of problems that plague Penn State. As an axis for the affir- mative action debate and expanding diver- sity, it is important that University groups are heard and opinions are voiced, espe- cially to the administration. While threats are not as common at the University, the conflicts that do arise fro racial tensions are stressful and expresse publicly like those at Penn State. Fo example, the Students of Color Coalitio staged a sit-in at the Tower last year show their distaste for Michigauma's c lection of Native American artifacts Issues of injustice need to be addressed a soon as possible, before argument become explosive. Disagreement between the Black Student Union and th Coalition to defend affirmative action B Any Means Necessary on how t approach the issue of affirmative actio caused a scuffle following a rally fo affirmative action on MLK day this ye' even with both groups claiming to wa what is best for minority students, differ- ences in methodology caused patience on both sides to wear thin. Careful communi- cation between students and the adminis- tration is absolutely necessary to avoid dangerous situations like the events at Penn State. Save tbe world Bush admin. should advocate conservation ir th power outages in California and gas prices approaching $2 a gallon, energy is a buzzword across the Nation. The Bush administration will soon release its plans concerning power use in America; its main feeling is that we are in an energy supply crisis when in actual- ity we are in an excessive use crisis. Accord- ing to Dick Cheney, "The answer lies in more oil production, more refineries, and an increase in new power plants." This proposed solution is shortsighted, illogical and serves only to line the pockets of wealthy power conglomerates from whom our own leaders are not far removed. Two conflicting reports have been issued from the Department of Energy in the past year. One report touted by the Bush camp states that energy demand requires that we build at least 1,300 new power plants in the next 20 years. This report, advocates coal power and was used as justification for the withdrawal from the Kyoto Accords on Global Warming. However, another report from the DOE compiled by scientists from five national laboratories that calls for the implementation of conservation measures is being swept under the carpet. The study proves that over 600 of these new plants would be unnecessary if a few efficiency standards were upheld. A Clinton adminis- tration bill requiring more efficient washing machines and air conditioners - if imple- mented - would eliminate the need for 180 plants alone. Unfortunately this bill is already under attack from Bush and is unlikely to be enacted. The national worry over energy is being used by Bush as a justification for more drilling, especially in our national parks such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; this refuge is expected to produce at most 600,000 barrels of oil a day by 2010. This amount pales in comparison to the amount that can be saved with conservation. Accord- ing to the New York Times, if the miles per gallon of all light trucks and SUV's were increased by 10 mpg it would save 1.5 mil- lion barrels a day by 2010. Further develop- ment of fuel-efficient cars has been hindered in Bush's budget that just squeaked through Congress. The budget calls for a 30 percent decrease in its funding of a government-auto industry partnership that researches hybrid cars that get over 50 mpg. The budget also halves funding for solar and wind power, while at the same time the administration hints at lowering pollution regulations on coal power plants. Together, these measures form a national energy policy that focuses on increasing sup- ply of fossil fuels. Increasing fuel consump- tion means increasing pollution in a country that already accounts for 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing fuel consumption means more drilling, more power plants, more oil refineries and more incentives to consume. We as a nation need to look toward efficiency and conservation as a large part of the solution. Clean power alternatives do exist and more are around the corner if only the leadership is present to promote it. The ruling conservatives are not interest- ed in conservation; their actions prove once again that they value that which is most prof- itable for big corporations over that which benefits all people. Stop the bombs Naval training m Puerto Rico unsafe and unfa T he U.S. Navy has recently resumed rate in Vieques has risen to 26 percent more military training exercises on the than it has in the rest of Puerto Rico. How- small Puerto Rican island of ever, the U.S. Navy has decided to discount Vieques. Two years after the death of a resi- this evidence as analyses continue. In doing dent resulted in the stoppage of military so, the Navy is degrading the value of activity on the island, a court order is allow- human life on Vieques. Even if the stud' ing the bombings to continue. The health prove incorrect, the Navy is obliged to take risks, ecological damage and economic all precautions in protecting human life and strains caused by the military presence and should wait for outcome of the latest stud- the will of the people dictate that the U.S. ies. However, regardless of the results of the Navy should leave Vieques and find a safer studies, the primary concern of the govern- place to train. ment should be of the will of the people. There are 10,000 inhabitants on the The small island supports hundreds of island, most of whom are against the mili- species of plants and animals, many of tary training. Civilian protests have lead to which are killed instantly upon the dire* over 1,000 arrests and over 100 in the past impact of the bombs during target practice. week alone. The government of Puerto Furthermore, the bombings and military Rico, supporting the anti-military demands maneuvers result in high contamination of of a wide popular movement, has taken an the environment due to toxic residues. In official stance against the bombing of past studies, the Environmental Protection Vieques by the U.S. Navy; they passed a Agency has discovered high levels of pollu- sound regulation law in hopes that it would tants and toxins in the air and soil due to the deter the military training. The will of the bombings. people is clear and continued bombing of As a result of the governmental expro- the island means the imposition of force priation of the most fertile land of Vieque against the desires of the indigenous popu- the economy is staguant. The unemplo lation. This is inconsistent with the princi- ment rate hovers around 50 percent; the ples of democracy, in which the will of the only viable industry is fishing. However, people is supposed to take precedence. even this is hindered by the naval presence, Bombing the island constitutes a military as the ships scare away much of the sea life aggression and may result in a lack of credi- as well as destroy many fishing nets. bility towards the U.S. government both in In the past, the military presence in the international community as well as on Vieques has resulted in the death of civil- U.S. soil. ians. Also, there is much evidence indicat Studies have indicated that the bombings ing a health risk to the civilian populatiop in Vieques constitute a health risk to the surrounding the military sites. In addition, civilians living near the site. Studies carried the economy of the area is suffering. Most out by the Puerto Rico department of health importantly, the will of the people is clear. indicate that from 1985 to 1989, the cancer Let Vieques live.