LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 12, 2003 - 5 The hunt is on JOHN HONKALA TOO EARY IN H UN Governor spoke the truth in address To THE DAILY: I'd like to renpond to Natalie Moran's letter to the editor (Gover- nor's remarks distasteful, she should apologize, 05/05/03). For a person with a college degree, one might assume she would have learned how to glean e take-home mes- sage" from a lecture, seminar or speech. I admit that I was not at commencement, but I did read the transcripts of Gov. Jennifer Granholm's speech. She never said that you were destined to be a loser in life. The message she was trying to convey was that having a degree from the University - or any other school - is no guaran- tee of success. That, unfortunately, is the truth. The job market is bad, or haven't you seen the unemploy- ment numbers lately? Another truth is that those who do have jobs should not only enrich them- selves, but also work hard to advance their professions, restore their communities and improve our country. There are many recent examples of CEOs and CFOs being complete losers, even with their fancy degrees and million- dollar severance packages. The bottom line is that even with your degree, you must continue to work hard, and you must be resilient when facing the unexpected. Granholm finally told the truth that too many people are unwilling to tell students and graduates. Do you want to live your whole life with your head in the sand? I wouldn't, but then again, what do I know? I am not a University grad- uate - I am only a Michigan State graduate, a Penn State grad- uate, a University faculty/staff member and (I am certainly) not a loser. VERNA SIMON Manager; Affymetrix Core Facility Column unfairly described U.S. Jews. TO THE DAILY: I am writing in response to Jason Pesick's diatribe (What does my religion have to offer?, 05/05/03). Pesick ridiculously charges that many Jewish sup- porters of Israel believe that Jews are superior to Arabs and that this sentiment is widely held among Jewish leadership. Perhaps Pesick has conducted surveys on Jewish public opinion, and is an expert on the subject, but more than likely he is merely drawing an unfair generalization based on a few people that he knows. Pesick also mentions the cam- pustruth.org advertisements, which expose the glorification of terror within Palestinian society. Con- trary to his criticism, these ads are important because they effectively reveal what most Palestinians actively seek, the murdering of innocent Israelis. In fact, a recent poll conducted by the Jerusalem Meda : Cofvsmmuicaion Center (April 5th-9th, 2003) shows that over 60 percent of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank support suicide bombing against Israeli civilians; 75 percent said that the violent intifada, which has so far killed 765 Israelis, must be contin- ued. By contrast, polls have also shown that the vast majority of Israelis are in favor of the roadmap to achieve a peaceful set- tlement to the conflict, even if it means giving up settlements and land. Pesick is quick to criticize U.S. Jewish leadership for preying on Jewish fears vis--vis Israel; however, these fears are very real and must be taken seriously. Pesick downplays the fact that Israel is fighting for its very sur- vival and has been for the last 55 years. I implore him to reconsider his rather impetuous and unfair assessment of U.S. Jewish support for Israel. BEN ROTH Alumnus U.S. support for Israel important TO THE DAILY: It is disheartening how Jason Pesick, in his article (What does my religion have to offer?, 5/5/03), speaks of an ancient religious tradition. I was especially offended when he described the Passover ceremonies as "cute." Passover is a celebration of unity, togetherness and, of course, remembrance. It is a holiday where Jewish people from all over the globe are connected by honoring the strength and longevity of the Jewish religion and its people. Pesick goes on to describe how the president of his congregation made a speech about how U.S. Jews should purchase Israel bonds. He describes the speech as attempt by the president to "tap into the segment of Jewish thought that feels that Jews are continually under attack," and he explains that the Jewish leaders "try to appeal to their fellow U.S. Jews by teach- ing them that Jews are superior to non-Jews." The speech that he described by his president is only about how U.S. Jews must support their fellow Jews. If U.S. Jews had helped and given more sup- port to European Jews during the Holocaust, maybe the death toll wouldn't have been as catastroph- ic. It is absolutely absurd that Pesick tries to portray the presi- dent's speech as something to con- vey Jewish superiority. The president of Pesick's congregation was expressing this dire need to help Israel and support their fel- low Jewish people in this difficult time. It is not about instilling fear into the congregants, but instead, instilling hope that maybe they can help to end the bloodshed and pave the way to peace. YAEL GRANADER LSAjunior L ast week, I seekers unite! started mak- ing my White, bear resume. If there's the question) s anything that makes organization tht me more uncom- thing - to m fortable than having place. Historyn to boast about break room. M myself in print and cal views, occa passing it around to indie-rock T-shi a bunch of strangers, it's having to do Will not a: it in corporate speak (e.g. Team-ori- buddy or any; ented player with creative vision.). name. Will anss The thought makes me want to Not having wretch. Lucky for me, I haven't even is unacceptable gotten that far yet. So far, I've spent Company s more time fumbling around with the Paid vacation tab button and the space bar than any- hard - tireli thing else. work, but will So instead of buckling down and off in order tot just finishing the damn thing as a ed. Happy w good job applicant should, I've decid- workers, remei ed that bartending and waiting tables Must not de really wasn't that bad after all. Oh ment to workp sure, I've visited the career center a cubicle. Wor few times, sought advice from other paid to sit onn recent graduates, moped around my case I would n' apartment muttering: You do have Must not b vision, John, just make something up. by HawaiianT-s But try as I might, I can't bring Will not w myself to write these silly little bullet- intentionally me point sentences about myself. not at least liste So in lieu of a standard resume and orders dutifully: cover letter, I am publishing in this really indignan space the sort of resume I think we Civil LibertiesI should all be required to submit. Job ness Bureau or I ded male (shaving out of eeking employment with at does something - any- nake the world a better major. Must have smoking ust tolerate liberal politi- sional tardiness and ironic irts on casual day. nswer to boy, son, ace, similarly condescending wer to Johnny, if you must. a health insurance policy oftball team a huge plus. time a must. Will work essly even - while at require occasional time remain sane and ground- orkers are productive mber? emand emotional attach- lace, boss, coworkers or k is work, unless I get my front porch, in which ever retire. e expected to be inspired shirt Day. ork with anyone who is an, or for anyone who will n to my ideas. Will follow if respected. If not, will get it and call the American Union or the Better Busi- Neal, who has been known to use a ballpoint pen as a weapon. Possess unique and highly honed skills of responding to hate mail, losing breath by simply walking up small flight of stairs and forgetting things. Will research, edit, archive, plan, design, plant, coordinate or tap, but would prefer a job that rhymes with biter. Would really rather not wear a polo shirt with the company logo on it. Ever. (I mean, seriously people, how lame.) Will not work for corporation like Wal-Mart that discriminates against women, busts up unions and drives out of business untold numbers of local entrepreneurs. Radio broadcasts of Chicago Cubs games must be allowed in office/cubi- cle/timeout corner at all times. E-mail must be safe from the prying eyes of management, corporate bigwigs and John Ashcroft. So too must appli- cant's personal file. Applicant may one day desire alderman position in Chicago neighborhood, would prefer that citation for sassing boss kept quiet. Pension plan must not be tied up in stock market, susceptible to whims of Porsche-driving, trophy-wife-seeking CEO or have anything to do with any- thing in Texas. Most importantly, applicant desires job. We'll leave it at that. Honkala can be reached at jhonkala@umich.edu. "A plague on all your houses" DANIEL ADAMS ADVANTAGE? PUSH. wo weeks ago, I went to a big party, celebrating the birth- day of a mutual, friend. Next door, three guys were relaxing in their liv- ing room, taking a break from the crowds. As the minutes passed, there came a knock on their door. A few men showed up, members of a local fraterni- ty, demanding that the location of one of the party guests, that according to rumor, had in some way wronged a member of their sister sorority. Without explanation - or warning - these men proceeded to assault a good friend of mine as he was escorting them outside. He was sucker punched by guys who were so drunk that they, in the throes of their righteous indignation, not only assaulted the wrong guy, but did so in the wrong house. Classy. Did I expect more of our Greek system? Hell no. I've always been a loud opponent of fraternity life, con- vinced that it was an exclusive club that, rather than let in the brightest and best, purposely let in men of different (and lowly) aspirations - men with weak character, unable to hack it on their own without dozens of other, similarly weak companions to share the load of college life. This is only partially accurate. The fact of the matter is the Inter-Fraterni- ty Council, with leaders like Joel Win- ston (sic), has spent a great amount of time and money improving the way their system operates. They run clinics and informative meetings, and moni- tor Greek-run parties, to discourage the behaviors that fraternities and sororities are notorious for. Notorious. There is no need for a scientific analysis of the Greek system; frats have spent the past half-century earning their disgraceful reputation, and done so with an enthusiasm that is only exceeded now by their desire to escape that same status. Undoubtedly, there will be a small flood of e-mails waiting for me after this is printed, demanding an apology. I have a number of friends who are involved in the system, and often lament the negative attitude many har- bor toward the Greeks. Does the Greek system get a bad rap? Absolutely. Greek life tends to attract abuse from all directions, much of it unfair and unearned. But this institution deserves no sympathy, least of all an apology. Who apologizes for the trash, festering and rotten, littering the grass and walks surrounding the Michigan Union after weekend binges? Who apologizes when GHB finds its way into the Kool-Aid in the chapter room? They demand my kind words, but will surely be the first to exclude me from their functions, and the last to apolo- gize for their missteps. The reforms taken up by individuals like Winston, laudable as they are, amount to squat insofar as my friend's nose is concerned, broken so badly he may need surgery. Ever-evolving but unable to escape the nature of their exis- tence, fraternities remain at the core, bastions of male superiority, privilege and ignorance. These characteristics, though mellowed by years of reform, are nonetheless an immutable facet of Greek life. The same rituals and tradi- tions continue. Pledges are still hazed and abused, all in the name of making a few friends. Outsiders are still ostra- cized, as if those "worthy" of brother- hood had something more to offer. And the proudest tradition of all, the Greek party, continues with the same drunken zeal that it did thirty-years ago. Will this archaic system stand fast against the march of time? With any luck, no way. With dwindling recruit- ing classes, and its prestige all but gone, what could possibly draw stu- dents willing to drag themselves through the mud of pledging? Desper- ately, the Greeks throw up the false promise of "brotherhood," "tradition," and "community service." Those thinking about joining a fraternity and sorority should think twice before buy- ing that steaming load. I can assure you, brothers don't come in solo cups, date rape isn't considered community service and traditions shouldn't include locked doors and a ping-pong paddle. You want brotherhood? Visit mom and dad. You want tradition? Start one. You want community ser- vice? Volunteer. Otherwise, stand back and watch the past catch up to this old boys' club, burning by its own match and its own kindling. No need for water - just let it burn. Adams can be reached at dnadams@umich.edu.