4 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 12, 2004 420 MAYNARD STREET ANN ARBOR, MI 48109 NIAMH SLEVIN SUHAEL MOMIN tothedaily@michigandaily.com Editor in Chief Editorial Page Editor EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS AT THE Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN the majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other pieces do not SINCE 1890 necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. Big hair, big smile, big personality - the attributes that supposedly drove John Kerry to select a senator with six years experience as his running mate. Edwards, the first-term junior sena- tor from North Carolina, burst unexpect- edly onto the national political scene dur- ing last year's Democratic primaries. Running a campaign filled with optimism and charisma, he captured enough atten- tion to earn him a vice presidential nomi- nation, solidifying his position as a rising star amongst the Democratic ranks. Political pundits everywhere are hailing his boyish good looks and exuberance to match as a refreshing addition to the oth- erwise dull Kerry campaign. However, these superficial comments, which reduce Edwards to a pretty face, do a disservice to the ticket: John Edwards strengthens the Kerry candidacy by bringing his political skill and uplifting vision for America, not merely his sexual appeal. The choice of Edwards as the vice presi- dential nominee was a politically smart ven- ture for the Kerry campaign. He brings with him a renewed optimism and energy to a ticket that lacked both personality and Johnny boys Edwards perks up otherwise flat, dull campaign excitement. Edwards is a populist whose streamlined rhetoric is able to connect with middle America and perhaps more effective- ly communicate the dry, policy-oriented Kerry message. While Kerry, at first glance, is the archetypical socially elite New England "snob," Edwards is a self-made man with the "southern charm" so impor- tant in today's television-driven electoral process. In many ways, Edwards is able to smooth over Kerry's fine lines and wrinkles, giving the ticket a more attractive, accessi- ble, down-to-earth appearance. But most importantly, John Edwards has given a face-lift to Kerry's message as well. During his campaign, Edwards spoke of "two Americas," highlighting that the separation between rich and poor grew during the 1990's boom. Taking cues from Edwards, Kerry has started to talk about the great socio-economic divides that separate the citizens of this country. While this strategy - which points out the unfortunate and often unspoken injus- tices of a post-industrial economy - has been labeled "class warfare," it is nonetheless a crucial critique of America's social condition. "Class warfare" is an issue that involves the fundamental issues of health insurance and substandard salaries of service-industry workers. It is not rhetoric about class envy, but rather the inability of lower income citizens to procure secure employment, safe housing and adequate health coverage. Especially in Michigan and the "Rust Belt" at large, these concerns are paramount; it is refreshing to actually hear major candi- dates discuss it openly. Edwards, however, does bring his own imperfections to the ticket. Republicans have already attempted to exploit these blemishes, but have overwhelmingly come across as desperate. The charge that Edwards lacks experience is weak - George W. Bush had less national security experience when he took office in 2001. Additionally, assaults on Edwards' back- ground as a trial lawyer fail to mention that he mainly sued negligent corporations and insurance companies. Indeed, Edwards' major flaw is of concern only to social lib- ertarians already alienated with the President. While in the Senate, Edwards did not merely vote for the USA PATRIOT Act, he helped author it. If the Kerry team is seri- ous about attacking Bush on the invasive and arguably unconstitutional provisions of the bill, it will have a hard time maneuver- ing around Edwards' critical role in drafting and approving the legislation. Metaphorically, John Edwards has done for John Kerry what Botox has done for Teresa Heinz Kerry's cheeks - he has injected a new sense of vitality into a ticket suffering from signs of fatigue and simple dullness. Even while Kerry campaign was clearly performing well, it lacked the spark and wit needed to capture the hearts and minds of voters. With the addition of Jo Edwards, Kerry might have finally found what his campaign has been missing. Who you gonna call? SAPAC changes preserve, strengthen organization Off the charts Grants to charter schools divert public funding fter much heated debate involving the University Administration and stu- ent groups, the University recently decided to keep the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center's crisis line operating at SAPAC. Initial plans called for the crisis line to move to SAFEHouse, with SAPAC relocating to the Michigan Union to focus solely on sexual assault advocacy and prevention. Instead, the crisis line will remain at SAPAC, and the student volunteers who normally answer the phones will be replaced by full-time paid staff. The dedication and selflessness of the student volunteers who have put in countless hours helping victims of sexual assault deserve recognition and applause. However, using full-time staff is a positive change that will ensure that victims of sexual assault can deal one-on-one with trained professionals at any time of the day and will not have to worry about calling a pager or waiting for a callback. SAPAC is a vital program, and the fact that the University is providing increased funding by hiring staff members atla time of budget shortfalls shows just how seriously the Administration takes sexual assault. It's important to note that these beneficial changes would not have come about had it not been for significant student input. The student group Our Voices Count spoke out vehemently against the initial proposed changes, and the current changes were decid- ed on only after substantial lobbying and negotiating with the Administration. Our Voices Count did not get everything they wanted - they are unhappy that the University is transferring SAPAC counselors to Counseling and Psychological Services, saying that dividing up services only hurts their effectiveness. However, under the new agreement, services are limited to only two groups, both within the University. Both the students who made sure SAPAC remained a valuable resource as well as the Administration, which listened to student input, deserve applause. It is particularly commendable that the director of SAPAC sent an e-mail to all students regarding the changes, keeping dispersed students informed over the summer. SAPAC will now focus more heavily on sexual assault education and prevention. These are both important, because it is through them that the number of incidents of sexual assault are reduced, making the crisis line less of a necessity. Outreach services, which are just as important as actual counsel- ing, will now be emphasized. However, despite increased education and prevention work, sexual assault will remain an unfortu- nate reality; the University decision to keep the crisis line and staff it with trained profes- sionals is surely a positive one. Now, it is important that SAPAC makes good on its promise to increase outreach. The services they offer are invaluable, and it is important that the student body is aware of what they have to provide. The e-mail that SAPAC director Kelly Cichy sent to students lists the location and contact information for the organization, in addition to offering workshops to interested student groups. This outreach is necessary to ensure that students are aware of and have access to such a valu- able resource. Through increased outreach and education, the indispensable services offer by SAPAC will only get better. federal grant of 21 million dollars was recently awarded to the Michigan Department of Education for the purposes of developing and improving charter schools throughout the state. Charter schools will have to compete over the next three years in order to receive the funds that will be allocated toward staff development, classroom sup- plies and marketing. Instead of going to charter schools, state funding should be spent towards eradicating the existing eco- nomic deficiencies of public school sys- tems. These misplaced funds will only serve to jeopardize the future of public schools and leaves students vulnerable to the horrid effects of privatization. Charter schools are privatized public schools - they are privately owned, but publicly funded and open to all. However, unlike public schools, where school board officials are elected, charter school adminis- trators are appointed by private interests and cannot be held accountable by the people that they are servicing. Contributing to this dearth of accountability, a generous donor will perhaps have a greater influence on the school than the community because private donors are essential to the sustenance of these schools. This shifts the focus away from the students and community members toward profits and private ambitions. Further, in order to receive funding, pub- lic schools are held to standards that are tai- lored toward the best interest of the student. Curriculums and teacher qualifications must meet a specified set of criterion. Charter schools are better able to circum- vent these standards and may make deci- sions autonomous from the state's recom- mendations. This significantly impairs the state and parents' means of holding charter schools liable to both high academic stan* dards and providing students with suitable learning environments. Proponents of charter schools argue that they are held accountable through their suc- cess and ability to attract enough students to remain open. However, the accountability of a free market is unacceptable because it is the student who suffers most. Student can- not afford to gamble their education on tria and error efforts. If a charter school is forced to close, the student is then subject to the troubles of the public school system whose very same funds were diverted to the failed charter school. Charter schools exacerbate the troubles that the ramshackle public school system is already facing. State funding follows the student to the charter school, consequently detracting funding from public schools. This is not only the case with monetary units, but human resources as well. Teachers are lured toward charter schools with the promise o* higher salaries, leaving public schools with little money and less qualified teachers. Public schools were created for the wel- fare of the community. Teachers and par- ents have a invested interest in the progress and academic growth of their students. However,' when private organizations become involved in community education, the focus shifts away from the students an toward profits; public funds can be use for private marketing and a child's educa- tion becomes a number factored into the bottom-line.