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Beyond Affirmative Action at U-M

BY EVAN KNOTT

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ACIAL TENSIONS CONtinue to simmer in light ofthe Center for Individual Rights' announcement last week that it had filed a class action lawsuit against the University of Michigan for its affirmative action policies. As both sides prepare to wage battle over the future of racial preferences in admissions at the University, legal scholars around the nation are predidingthecase will make its way to the Supreme Court.

Yet underneath State Representative David Jaye 's off-the-cuff soundbites, the weekly ad hoc meetings of the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) , and the Office of the Vice President for University Relati ons' inspecific press statements, the trne magnitude of this lawsuit has y et to be realized. The debate over affirmative action has been drastically marginalized and diminished in civility over the past year. Few would rationally or logically disagree that the University's admissions policies arc fraught with questionable procedures and motives, yet leaders on both sides have abandoned all attempts to debate the issue with the respect it deserves. , THE BOLLINGER FACTOR During the past year, four Michigan state lawmakers, led unofficially

by State Rep. David Jaye (R-Macomb Township), solicited information about Michigan's affirmative action policies used in admitting undergraduate students. Jay~ encouraged rejected white students who felt discriminated against by the University to consider potentially serving as plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit.

Two rejected students have come forward and are receiving counsel from ,_ ..

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INSIDE! REVIEW EXCLUSIVES!

• Sports Editor Rob Wood interviews Bo Schembechler.

See pages 17 and 18!

• Music Editor Chris Hayes interviews Ben Folds Five. ,L See _ _ page 23 .

the prestigious Washington, D.C.based public interest law firm CIR. Having won the ground breaking Hopwood case that outlawed racial preferences at the University of Texas at Austin, CIR will now represent the case of Michigan residents Jennifer Gratz and Patrick Hamacher.

Gratz, who applied for admission to Michigan in the fall of 1994, was rejected despite a cumulative GPA of 3.765 and currently attends the UM's Dearborn campus. Hamacher, who applied for admission in 1996, was denied even with ACT test scores in the 94th percentile, though he maintained amodest3.32 GPA. Drawing upon rejected applicants from two different applicantfg'roups under the leadership of two different University presidents, CIR1s suing the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts as well as former President James J. Duderstadt and current President Lee C. Bollinger in their individual capacities. CIRhas also indicated that it will move to certify the lawsuit as a class action suit for all non - minority applicants potentially discriminated against between the 1995 and 199798 application periods.

According to the firm , "CIR believes that Duderstadt and Bollinger had sufficient information to know that the U -M admissions program clearly violated the Constitution.

Hence, we believe they are not immune from damages in their personal capacities." CIR did not indicate its basis for this claim, but both Presidents' administrations have been relentless in boasting the University's insistence on considering race in its admissions policies.

So determined is President Bollinger in protecting the use of racial preferences in admissions that he bravely pushed the limits of his legal expertise in calling for University autonomy from legislative interference

established in the Michigan and United States Constitutions. Few who have entered the affirmative action debate on campus or in legal circles have noted the significance of the interesting prescriptions in Bollinger's inaugural address in September. In speaking on the "Principle of Publicness," Bollinger remarked

• Our world famous Serpent's Tooth is back on page 2.

• Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Kepple

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Campus Speakers: Too Left?

BY MATTHEW BUCKLEY, CRAIG GARTHWAITE, AND JACOB OSLICK

AMPUS SPEAKERS ARE AN everyday part of student life.

Nearly every day, a campus group of some sort hosts a speaker to discuss topics of importance to university life. From affirmative action to issues of fiscal policy, the opportunity to speak at the University draws an array of some the nation's top intellectual talent.

Yet does this influx of opinion and views slant one way? Amongst students, recent studies indicate that while certain conservative opinions regarding social issues are rising, the

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"publicness ... also is in need of special protections, even constitutional protections, and here Michigan offers a " very helpful example. There II has been a working principle in this country that academic institutions,even though they are supported by the state, should not be subjected to political interference, at least with respect to basic decisions about what to teach and what .0 1""

Bollinger's attitude about the unenlightened ignorance of the "ordinary people" and their democratically elected representatives reeks of unprecedented academic paternalism.

U - M is not Harvard, and until President Bollinger and other social engineers at the helm of America's elite public universities realize that dis-

typical college student is left-ofcenter. Here at U -M , students-pride themselves on social activism and political awareness. Yet how cosmopolitan and diverse are the speakers we bring to campus? Do our speakers give us a more nuanced view of the world?

To investigate these questions, three Review staff members examined the major speakers who have come to campus over the '95-'96 and '96- '97 school years. UsingtheMichigan Daily's Internet archives, we surveyed the speakers who have come to campus, to get a feel for exactly what the trends were in their political positions. The results should come as no surprise. Over the course of the two studied years, speakers recorded tended to be of a left-of-center persuasion over 75% of the time.

Perhaps also not surprising was the huge leap in speakers, and a moderation of the leftward tilt, in the

See LAWSUIT AT U-M, Page 6

See SPEAKERS, Page 10

returns with another installment of Lost In The Eighties™, in which he takes on Columbus Day protestors.

• Interested in libertarianism?

Benjamin Kepple interviews Cato Institute Executive Vice President David Boaz. See page 13.

to research and on general matters of educational policy.

But this idea has had difficulty making its way into law ... this working principle should be elevated to a first amendment requirement, providing public institutions of culture with constitutional protections against political interference in the context of academic decision - making, even though the state provides funding for the institution."

• A LOT of your feedback on page 3.

• We offer our opinion on timely concerns: Free speech on campus, and Janet Reno's need to appoint an independent counsel. See page 4.

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• Ben Kepple also takes a look at the current MSA budget on pages 8 and 9.

• Wonder what happened to the Couzens residents we profiled in the first issue? See page 11 as we follow-up that story.

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• Staff writer C. J. Carnacchio takes on the education establishment in his latest essay. See page 14.

ALL TIDS AND MOREl INSIDE!

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THE MICHIGAN 'REVIEW

October 29, 1997 T HE :\11('111<;:\:,\

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o SERPENT'S TOOT(!

The Campus Affairs Journal of the University of Michigan "The Review is on fire!?!"

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: MANAGING EDITOR: MANAGING EDITOR: CAMPUS AFFAIRS EDITOR: ARTS EDITOR:

What did YOU do this summer?

Benjamin Kepple Sang Lee Matthew Buckley Evan Knott Lee Bockhom Kristina Curkovic

EDITORIAL STAFF MUSIC EDITOR: SPORTS EDITOR: IllUSTRATOR: COMPUTER CONSULTANTS:

Chris Hayes Rob Wood Astrid Phillips Jesse Kepple Ben Rousch

STAFF WRITERS: Nate Boven, C. J. Camacchio, S. C, Einspahr, Craig Garthwaite, Andrew Golding, Doug Hillhouse, Jacob Oslick, Maureen Simal, Jamie Smith.

CORRESPONDENTS: Tom Jolliffe (Madrid), Dan Succarde (Los Angeles)

EDITOR EMERITUS:

Geoff Brown

The MiChigan Review is the independent, student-run journal of conservative and libertarian opinion at the Uni· versity of Michigan. We neither solicit nor accept monetary donations from the U-M. Contributions to the Michigan Review are tax-deductible under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Review is not affiliated with any political party or university political group.

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? What can we say, at the rate we're going, the Review knows. Right now, however, we're munching on donuts from Tim Horton's. ·'lMmmm. Honey dip ...

Don't you wish you had an internship like the people at Leadership 2017 did?

We don't know what's worse, the fact

staff of The New Republic. Congratulations, Evan!

that Leadership 2017 participants got paid to do nothing but party like it was 1999 or the fact that the External Relations Committee of MSA's budget was approved when it asked to party like it was 1999. '

Following the controversial firing of former head basketball coa<:h Steve Fisher, Michigan Regent Daniel Horning (R-Grand Rapids) raised quite a stink about how improperly Athletic Director Tom Goss and President Lee Bollinger handled the situation. All we have to say to Regent Horning is that you guys voted to hire Bollinger, what did you expect?

We wonder about the logic of any commission that is able to spend $500 for an event titled "Party for the Planet," when countless student groups are goingwithoutfundingthey need. Gosh, wouldn't it be nice if every student group had all the money they needed and MSA had to hold a bake sale for their events?

South Park Halloween Special, Wednesday, August 29 at 10:00 PM, on Comedy Central. Ifyou missit, you suck,

Well , who do you think pays for the bagels at MSA's reduced price bake "sales?" It sure ain't the kindly old couple who lives next door to you, now is it?

We don't know about you all, but with the way the football team is performing this year, maybe,just maybe, they do deserve those Ford Explorers we pay them with.

No one has really had the gall to say this yet, but ... don't you think that Lee Bollinger needs a haircut, or a change in hairstyle, or something? I mean, the man is wearing a virtual mop on his head. It went out with the bloody 1970s! Lee, just because your politics and personal interpretation of the law haven't changed since 1976 does not mean that you have to torture the rest of us with that funky haircut.

Recently, the Review received word that the Coalition to Defend ". look, BAMN, we're not typing that all out, was going to hold a press conference With CNN. Anyone else who considers BAMN and National Exposure to be a truly disturbing combination say aye!

Many students noticed a bunch of Michigan State hooligans running around campus with a cow bell and shouting, "Go Green! Go White!" as Mi.~~~n s.tR~~~s,4e~pdp}he .~If~.l ,:

In recent journalism news, Managing Editor Evan Knott was fired from the

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. t}o.ns, · we ca 11 M 1· dt erm E xamlna walked by with a look of pain and suffering on their faces. Look, for the last time, all you Michigan Staters: • Just because this game means the world to you does not mean you can come and annoy us during midterms.

• What kind of course load do you have there so that students can maintain a 16 day, around the clock vigil for "Sparty?"

• Go out and buy a defense. Your athletic department has that kind of money and those kind of scruples, right? Ah, the thrill of victory, and'the agony of defeat!

The movie Clerks says it best about Michigan State's football team:

Witty commentary would normally be put in this box. How· ever, due to bad planning, and the fact that the Editor is writing this at 4 A.M., and has been nearly killed by his deadline,we shall see it delayed one week. But please enjoy the rest of the issue, because it is the best one we've done In a long while, in our hUmble opinions.

Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board. Ergo, they are unequivocably correct and just.

Signed articles, leners, and cartoons represent the opinions of the aulhor and not necessarily those of the Review.

The opinions presented in this publication are not necessarily those of the advertisers or of the University of Michigan. We welcome letters, articles, and comments about the journal.

Please address all advertising and subscription inquiries to: Publisher c/o the Michigan Review.

Editorial And Business Offices: 911 N. University Avenue, Suite One Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1265 EMAIL: MREV@umich.edu URL: htlp://www.umich.edul-mrev!

Tel. (313) 647-8438 Fax (313) 936-2505 Copyright C 1997, by The Michigan Review, Inc. All rights reserved.

"Oh, look at you! You can't even pass! " . Man, you suck! Don't give the ball to this guy, he sucks! You suck!"

Remember this easy guideline from Annie Hall when you are picking out your courses for next term. "Those who can do, do. Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym. And all the people who couldn't do anything, they were sent to the Math department." OK, so we're taking a bit of license with it.

How long can you picture BAMN in YQ~ n*~4 bt:fQrfillo~ ,1~~~h7 , o

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The Michigan Review I. a member of the Collegiate Netwo,k

Love us or hate us, write us .

The Michigan Review Letters to the Editor 911 N. University Ave. Suite One Ann Arbor, MI 48109 or email with subject "Letters to the Editor" : mrev@umich.edu

October 29, 1997

3

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o LETTERS To THE EDITOR

Environment:$ll Donnybrook

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ERE ARE A FEW ITEMS thatC.J. Carnacchiofailed to mention in his article, "The 8ky Falls on Environmental Myths."

(10/8/97; page 8) Carnacchio states in Myth #2, The Hole in the Ozone Layer: "Ozone levels can also be affected by the amount of volcanic matter in the stratosphere. Each volcanic eruption emits roughly a thousand times the amount of ozone-depleting chemicals than all the CFCs man has ever produced."

From the Encyclopedia Americana (under VO LCANO) we find that, "The best collections of volcanic gases have been made by T.A. Jaggar at Kilauea volcano. The average composition of samples was: water 70%; C02 14%; CO .4%; H.33%; N5.45%; 8026.4%; (and to be especially noted) CHLORINE .05%."

Most new accounts that I read put Mt. Pinatubo's 802 amount at a million tons. Since chlorine content is 1/125th that of802- the chlorine given off by Pinatubo was no more than 8,000 tons. World man-made production of ozone depleting chemicals (chlorine and CFCs) is well over 20,000 tons PER YEAR, let alone the amount ever produced by man.

The amount of ozone depleting chemicals given offby a large volcano is insignificant compared to man made production. Carnacchio's statement is someone's quantitative chemical lie. In fact, his statement runs exactly verbatim to what a scientific illiterate, by the name of Rush Limbaugh, said on his radio sho'w~ Furthermore; "Chlorine from natu:fal sources is soluble, and so it gets rained out ofthe lower atmosphere", the journal Science explained (6/11193), CFCs in contrast, are insoluble and inert and thus make it to the stratosphere to release their chlorine."

Science also noted that chlorine found in the stratosphere- where it can eat away at the earth's protective ozone layer- is always found with other by-products ofCFCs, and not with the by-products of natural chlorine sources.

"Ozone depletion is real, as certain as Neil Armstrong's landing on the moon," Dr. Sherwood Rowland, an atmospheric chemist at the University of California at Irvine states.

"Natural causes of ozone depletion are not significant."

So it appears that Mr. Carnacchio's statement that, "Volca. nic eruption emits roughly a thousand times the amount of ozone-depleting chemicals than all the CFCs man has ever produced"- is a chemicallie or the fantasy of the CFC lobby.

further states that the chlorine reVolcanic chlorine does not affect the ozone layer. If it did- the ozone layer . sulting from volcanic eruptions is 20 to 40 times more concentrated than would have long since been gone and previously believed. He writes, ''Volthe food chain so seriously hampered canic contribution of chlorine to the that mankind would have never surstratosphere [is] more significant to vived! ozone than previously Myth #1 Global Warming (burning of fossil fuels) The burning of estimated ... Clearly volcanic sources of stratospheric chlorine may be sigfossil fuels results in pocket areas of a nificant in comparison with anthrohigh concentration of particulate pogenic sources." matter and ground level ozone. If any2) Two Norwegian scientists, one doubts this- just get behind a Larsen and Hendrickson, in a Janudiesel truck in a traffic jam for an ary 1990 paper (publishedinNature), hour! If anyone doubts the health noted "that antropogenic gases, such effects of particulate matter and as CFCs, have, up to the summer of ozone路 either talk to your doctor or 1989, had a negligible influence on read the 8/97 issue of Consumer Rethe Arctic ozone layer. The general ports. Do not, under any circumbalance between the formation and stances, ask Mr. Carnacchio about destruction of ozone has not changed, these health effects. If he thought at least not the extent that it is apparthey were important, he would have ent in the long-term observations." included them in his article.

As far as Myth #4 (Endangered Theil research in the region dates back to 1935.

Species)- I wonder ifCarnacchio ever ~. 3) In their 1992 book The Holes in heard of, or has eaten Abalone?

Then ';' tile Ozone Scare: Experimentalists vs. too, would I exp~t to get any real Modelers, Roger A. Maduro and Ralf factual information on endangered Schauerhammer note that Mount species from a person' who asks the Erebus in Antarctica has been proquestion, "Do we really need to save ducing 1,000 tons of chloride a day every allegedly endangered insect out there?"- and then can't answer his since 1972. It belches forth 50 times own question?! more chlorine than an entire year's production of CFCs. This volcano is One should also notice that not located just 10 km upwind of even the name and credentials ofONE scientist even appears in the article.

McMurdo Sound where ozone meaIf any sources for the 'information' in surements are taken. The amount of this article had any reputation as chloride calculated at any one tim~ is researchers -they surely would have 50 to 60 times more than the chloride (and should have) their names inderived from CFCs on a yearly basis.

4) In his 1968 book Ozone in the cluded!

Atmosphere, G.M.B. Dobson of OxP.S.- According to The Michigan ford University concluded that the thinning ofozone over Antarctica was Review, "C.J. Carnacchio is a staff writer for theReview , which is printed an annual and natural phenomena. on paper made from virgin rain forest He was the first scientist to measure wood." the thinning in 1956 and 1957. In both instances the ozone layer made a I would like to state that my comhealthy recovery in the spring of each ments were sent to the Review via email-which I believe is not powered year. This was a time before CFCs were in such common arrd widespread by electricity derived from the burning of virgin rainforest wood. Thereuse. Also, Dobson was responsible for fore, I believe that I am showing a creating the instruments and mealittle more responsibility than the suring system (Dobson Units) for Review in this matter. ozone amounts. He is recognized as the founder of ozone research in the Signed, stratosphere.

MICHAEL KORMAN 5) Melvyn Shapiro, the chief of ANN ARBOR, MI meteorological research at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdminisMr. Carnacchio responds: tration laboratory hit the nail on the head when he told the April 6, 1992 1) In a paper published in the issue of Insight magazine "What you July 1980 issue of Science, David A. have to understand is that this is Johnson noted that a single eruption about money. If there were no dollars of Mount Augustine in Alaska e,mitattached to this game, you'd see it ted more chlorine into the STRATOplayed on intellect and integrity.

SPHERE (where the ozone layer is) When you say the ozone threat is a than contained in the entire worldscam, you're not only attackit;lg wide produdionofCFCs fe'll' 1975: He) ,. peopq'e 1g i~eferi.tifit .riltegnty ,"y~ii)re;"

going after their pocketbook as well.

It's money, purely money." Shortly after saying this he was muzzled.

There are scientists who do have a political agenda. They are not above playing with the numbers to advance their cause. Just as academia has become politicized so has science.

Today, the great god science is not the holy shrine of empirical data and objectivity as its high priests claim.

Thanks for Writing Commentary

I

AM A SECRETARY AT THE University who has been sickened at the canonization of a woman who put her daughter into danger of being abused and/or orphaned. As I've explained it to people, "I look at two pieces of paper: the letter she wrote to Judge O'Connor and the Northwood parking permit Nelson had (which she would have had to have signed off on). I weigh those two pieces of paper against each .(}thet; and they don't make any sense , in relation to one another. Your commentary says very bluntly and very publicly so much of what I have said privately about this. I am the daughter of a child beater who died when I was 12. I do not consider myself a victim. ,This i$ simply a piece of my , personal history which has provided me with some serious handicaps over the years and has meant I have to work a little harder than most at healthy interpersonal relationships.

When I hear of a woman voluntarily staying with (or, worse yet, returning to) a violent man - much less healthy interpersonal relationships. When I hear of a woman voluntarily staying with (or, worse yet, returning to) a violent man - much less putting or keeping a child in danger, I am sickened. I have to wonder how much anger that little girl will carry toward her mother in the decades to come.

Your point, which you make eloquently, about the fact that this was a shack-up is an important point. She wasn't legally bound into this relationship. Your projection of that issue into the bad decisions that young women make all of the time about getting into unhealthy intimate relationships with strangers (duh, a redundancy!!) was well put and needed to be said aloud. You're going to get a lot of flack for saying these things, and you have my permission to cite

CONTINUED on PAGE 11 ,

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October 29, 1997

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o FROM SUITE ONE Protect Collegiate Spe@ch

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DEALLY, THE COLLEGE CAMPUS IS A PLACE WHERE ALL IDEAS, from the conventional to the extreme, are given the opportunity to be expressed and considered on their merits by students and faculty.

Unfortunately, during the 1990s many universities have fallen increasingly short of this ideal, as free speech on campus has often fallen victim to political correctness masquerading under the banner of"tolerance." This has manifested itselfin several ways, including efforts by several schools, including the U-M and Stanford, to implement speech codes to punish "offensive" speech - codes which have subsequently been found unconstitutional. In recent years, however, the trend to limit free speech on campus has taken a new and more disturbing form - the harassment of staff members or the destruction of press runs of student publications which fail to follow the P.C. party line.

In 1997 alone, several incidents of speech suppression on campuses have even drawn the ire of liberal free speech advocates like Village Voice columnist and First Amendment expert Nate Hentoff. The most notorious example is the controversy which erupted on the campus of Cornell University last April, when several student staff writers for the conservative Cornell Review penned a satirical piece which translated the course descriptions for the school's Africana Studies Department into Ebonies. In response, staff members ofthe Review received hate mail and death threats, and student activists proceeded to burn several hundred copies of the paper at a campus demonstration while yelling, "The Review, the Review , the Review is on fire! We don't need no water; il let the motherf***** burn!" The University's administration took no action against this destruction of property; in fact, Cornell's Dean of Students, John Ford, condemned the Review, saying: "If it offends peqple, ifpeople say theyare offended by it, it is something we should not tolerat~, something we shoul~not support." The president of Cornell's student assembly promised the protestors to defund and decertify the Review as a student org~nization. And finally, Cornell's president, Hunter Rl'lwlings, denounced theReview as an "exceptionally despicable" newspaper, and described the Review as "offensive" and "di~gusting" in his commencement address.

Unfortunately, the incident at Cornell is not an isolated case; similar attacks on free speech have occured recently at Amherst, where copies of the new conservative monthly, the Amherst Spectator, were burned in response to an article which criticized a gay student group for ofi'ensivechalkings it wote in front of a campus chapel, and at Boston College, where student vandals stole and trashed 2,000 copies of the Observer of Boston College - to which the College responded by withdrawing funding for the paper. The censorship bug has even affected the U ofM; it was not so long ago (March 1996) that students calling themselves the "Ad Hoc Committee Against the Bullshit in the Daily" stole approximately half of the Michigan Daily's press run in response to what they deemed as rascism in the Daily's pages.

Regardless of one's opinion and feelings, there are numerous perfectly acceptable ways to express disfavor with any written piece in a newspaper. It is not acceptable for irate students to steal and/or burn issues of that paper to express disgust with the contents in it. It is reprehensible for these students, acting under the guise of being tolerant and sensitive, to supress others' freedom of speech, a right more important than the right to live in a community where one will not have one's feelings hurt or one's political ideals challenged.

These incideRts are ultimately a reflection of the larger belief among today's purveyors of political correctness in a doctrine of"free speech for me, but not for thee." For an increasing number of students and administrators, the ideals of free speech and expression on campus only apply to those who share their opinions, The overriding quest for "tolerance" has led many people to believe that any expression which might hurt someone's feelings should be stifled and suppressed, as the above quote by Cornell's Dean of Students amply demonstrates. One could do well to remind such individuals that living in a free society, especially at a cQll~ge campus, means one must sometimes be exposed to ideas which they might personally find disturbing. We must remember that the First Amendment was created not only to protect speech which is popular; it is the unpopular, the dissenting voice which the First Amendment prevents from being silenced. Unfortunately this notion of what free speech means has been lost on many ofthe protestors at Cornell; as one of them stated, "If99% of the campus disagrees with what the Review says, then it should be shut down."

To change this trend, college administrators must begin to speak out against these acts. Unfortunately, many of them share the same liberal views and intolerance of dissent as the students responsible for the thefts and burnings, so a call for true tolerance may fall on deaf ears. l\R

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o COMMENTARY Reno: Appoint Counsel ILLSHE OR WON'T SHE? QUESTIONSDFWHETHERATTORNEY General Janet Reno would appoint a special prosecutor to look into possible fundraising violatigns by President Clinton continued with the release of several videotapes" o'[ Clinton's White House coffees. With Republican lawmakers out for political blood, Reno made her way to hearings on the issue, a seeming sitting duck for Republican salvos.

The result was no surprise. Reno, who blasted Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) in her Congressional testimony over the Waco showdown, showed her prowess in dealing with tough questions. Her reputation rung true as she clearly b~~ted House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IN)in a verbal showdown. Pointing to polls indicating the majority of Americans want to have an independent counsel assigned to investigate Clinton, Hyde demanded why Reno had not taken such opinion into account. Reno correctly blasted Hyde for trying to make poll standing the criteria for the appointment of a specialinvestigator.

Reno's besting of Republicans in her testimony should come as little surprise. Not only did she have a reputation for tough candor, but Republicans have an equally clear reputation for bungling hearings. From the Senate Whitewater probe to the ongoing campaign-finance reforms, Republicans have been ineffective at using hearings as a platform for further action.

That such ineffectiveness occurs now is particularly troublesome, since the Republicans have strong arguments to make in favor of an independent counsel. There is little doubt that serious questions of Reno's independence should still exist. President Clinton, when all is said and done, is Janet Reno's boss. He appointed her, and has the power to fire her. Reno has admirably used the independent counsel statute to examine other Administration officials, but even given Reno's questionable independence, there are still pressing concerns over the Justice Department's competency to handle the investigation. Reno's adept handling of herself during Hill testimony belies the fact that under her reign the Justice Department has been notoriously unreliable. Inexperienced prosecutors have been placed in positions beyond their expertise on this crucial case. Important evidence linking the Chinese government to influencepeddling in California has been lost while under Justice Department care.

Amidst these flaws, there are serious concerns that Reno's department cannot conduct a competent investigation, much less an independent one.

Interests ofindependence and competency indicate tha~a special prosecutor should be looking into the Clinton fund-raising allegations. That Clinton objects so is puzzling in light of his pre-election claims that his would be among the most ethical in history. If what he did was legal, then why the reluctance to have a competent, independent prosecutor investigate?

While Reno may have won her round before the House Judiciary Committee, she has lost the war. The mixing of hard and soft campaign funds is a serious charge which deserves independent scrutiny. l\R -Matt Buckley

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5

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o LOST IN THE EIGHTIESTM

Celebrating Indignant People's Day

BY BENJAMIN KEPPLE

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N OCTOBER 13TH, A group of about 200 students felt it necessary to protest the evils of a voyage of a Genoan explorer attempting to find a new trade route to the Indies. Never mind that this voyage took place so far back in history that virtually no polity in existence today truly has a governmental system similar to those in power when this explorer left. Never mind that the vast majority of ideas and beliefs have changed since then. Never mind that this explorer died in relative obscurity and completely failed as a colonial administrator. It - everything - is still all his fault.

Two hundred students remembered you, Christopher Columbus, and reviled you on Your Special Day. Congratulations! How's it feel to be ranked up there wit.h Stalin and Hitler and Mao on the Scale of Cosmic Evil Incarnate? What's this? You can't feel anything? Your bones have rotted into dust? Oh. Well, don't worry! These 200 students and the students who follow them will keep your memory alive with their bitterness, frustration, and anger. After all, it is all your fault. Racism. Disease. Slavery. Colonialism. Propositions 209 and 187.

Affirmative action opponents. Repub~ licans. All of these things are your legacy, according to those who curse your very name, those whQ. wish you had never left the docks of Barcelona so very long ago.

You see, Mr. Columbus, you've become the whipping boy for a group of rather angry people who have but one multi-faceted weapon left to promote their weakening agenda: emotion. Just the very words Columbian exchange bring to their minds thoughts of guilt, avarice, and intolerance. To them, the Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina are the bearers of genocide, oppressive European culture, and patriarchal religious hiearchy. If they had their way, you would vanish from living memory and take your oppressive, European rape culture with you, you genocidal maniac!

But Columbus, or any interpretation of Columbus, is not the true problem.

After all, he is no longer on this mortal coil. His remains have been swallowed by the dust that gave him Benjamin Kepple is Editor-in-Chief

of the Review. He has been indignant slIIce 1986. E-IJwi/ your comments to

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spew out? Are you tired of their hylife. He doesn't even have a holiday on they lose. They fight again, and they pocrisy and their refusal to even sit lose. They lose not to a secret consercollegiate campuses anymore. It is down and discuss things in a logical now Indigenous Peoples' Day, a dubivative conspiracy, but to the student manner? Were you angry when body whose political views have been ous holiday of murky origin, during BAMN disrupted the Shelby Townwhich students are encouraged by expressed more by their apathy than ship affirmative action rally, or disleft-wing campus activists, faculty, by their activism. It is prima facie gusted when protestors disrupted and administrators to Take A Stand evidence that something isn't workyour lecture? Stop holding this in. against the Evil brought by European ing when these activists can't even It's not healthy. Show them you're civilization to the obviously virgin, convince the liberal portion of the angry. pristine shores.of the Americas. student body at one of the most liberal The true problem is that any posiHence, I've desginated Novempublic institutions in the nation. Even ber 15th of every year to be Indigtive interpretation of Columbus was many English professors think they not allowed. These self-appointed Innant Peoples' Day. On this day, are crazy. It explains why they are laughed at by the mainstream media quisitors of History have deemed Coconfront your local left-wing activlumbus evil, and took it upon themist. Give him a piece of your mind. and the mainstream culture. selves to Take Action against that Show your general disgust with their Perhaps they can successfully evil. Was their argument and agenda unwillingness to compromise. Tell rationalize why they lose. Mter all, weak? Certainly. How did they get your ardent Socialist teaching 8.ssisthey always claim that their oppotant his ideas are ridiculous, and around that? Protest in such a mannents are racist, sexist, and tools of ner that discourse was impossible. prove it. Then lambaste him for bringthe white male power structure.

The opportunity for dissent by those ing his political beliefs into the class.

Maybe this keeps the furnace of hawho did not agree was scrapped in an Tell your English professor you're trec;l and intolerance burning in their emotional tirade. sick of his political correctness. and minds. I don't know. challenge him to back up his stateThe right to disser.t on this camThe so-called champions of diments. Ifyou're taking the class ))ass/ ptls is being increasingly shouted yersity and the oppressed are parafail, you may feel even bold enough to down by militan~s.A,vho have no redoxically, the most intolerant and publicly question how he ever manspect or regard fo:- opposing view- "oppressive people out there. Those aged to gain tenure. points, and this is ipil attack on the who have even minor differences of Tell the preacher on the Diag freedom of those who have the will or opinion are not welcome. They are the capability to sit down and engage shunned and cast out ofthe group, as sc!~aming about the evils of CiPlrette smoking, Catholicism, and hoin rational argument about an issue if they were lepers. For example, were or an idea. While the Far Left is by far I a member of BAMN, and say I had mosexuality to either make "ome the dominant player in squelching statements approaching rationality left.-of-center leanings, yet I had the dissent under the heel of its boot, the or save his b;:eath. temerity to suggest that perhaps afFar Right is also occasionally to blame.

The one mistake that the majorfirmative action opponents had a leg Without allowing for dissent, we ity of students can make - wh,~ther to stand on with a merit-based apdo not have freedom. Without the you are a liberal or conservative -i~ proach, and that we should support affirmatiVe action.by heavily.:recruitallow for the marltetplace ideas to freedoInto.discuss the validity of.an idea, that idea becomes very weak. It be shut down by a select group ofselfing minorities ... exactly. I would be appointed guardians of virtue. is attacked and spat upon by those cast out of the group instantly. The who do disagree with it.

Whether these guardians are extremmembers of these groups and the ists on the left or extremists on the The right to dissent is cherished people who run them do not want to among all people who support the right, they should not be allowed to discuss the issues in a coherent manfreedom of speech. However, the right ner. They do not want to sit down and simply shout down those who oppose to dissent is not tolerated among the them.

Rational discourse, the medium duke it out with a conservative - or lunatic fringe of the left-wing. These the intelligent and civilized, is for even a traditional liberal- over What radicals have shunned and criticized Is Right. what must be maintained and used. civilized discourse; their beliefs are so Fortunately, the vast majority of us, As students, we must - daily, it outmoded or truly bizarre that they on the Left or the Right, do so at seems - put up with the constant cannot stand up to rational debate. whining of these annoying, out-ofMichigan. However, we must be Hence, their only weapons, aside from touch left-wing activists. Constantly, viligant among those that do not, and their shrill voices urging on the rest of their slogans are shouted from prowork against them by attempting to the student body that ignores them, testors and press releases: "Support engage in some kind of rational disare the placards and cardboard signs Indigenous Peoples' Day! Defend Mcourse. So feel free to celebrate Indigthey wear and carry, as if a thinking flrmative Action By Any Means Necnant People's Day. You have a lot to student is going to be convinced by a essary! Raza si, Daily no!" be indignant about. l\R sign reading COLUMBUS =DEATH. Everyone has the right to voice If they do not agree with something, their opinions. The way that these they shout it down. If they consider protestors voice their opinions, everysomething to be a threat, they become one on campus must hear them. That Like what you see? Or do you violent. When they march, they will does not mean, however, that anyone really find yourself nauseated march through buildings and disturb is going to listen. by it? classes, exhorting the students to Join Are you sick and tired of hearing the Holy Crusade. Yet no one joins. these protestors? Are you sick and We'd like to know.

No one leaves their class. No one tired of being assaulted as a racist, a t enn:;s. sexist, a fascist, ,and ~n oppresso.l' \ E-mail us at mrev@Umich.edu, This simply serves to make the because you \von t buy ll1to the logli or fire us off a Letter to the actiyists angrier. I often \vonder how cally flawed, emotionally charged !

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October 29, 1997

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

Lawsuit at U-M CONTINUED FROM Page 1

criminatory diversity "goals" and admissions policies cannot be divorced from the public interest and funding, firms like CIR must stop these pernicious schemes from manifesting against the equal protection rights of Michigan citizens provided in the Fourteenth Amendment.

While Bollinger and other administrators have calmly and confidently acknowledged the lawsuit's presence, one is easily left to wonder what tricks lie up their sleeves. Provost Nancy Cantor, who recently undertook the University's admissions policy review, announced that the measure was routine and that no changes were anticipated. The administration claims it is not thinking about possible modifications to its admissions practices in the event they lose in the lawsuit, but changes taking place at other universities in similar situations such as the University of California system leads one to question U-M's plans.

A UC task force has recently recommended that the use of SAT scores be dumped as an admissions requireI lent. Another twist to a slew of ( hanges made in procedures for evaluating next fall's applicants, the UC admissions office this year eliminated the use of an academic index score.

The index, used by the UC system since the mid'!'lj}80's. placed applicants into "admitted" and "further review needed" categories based on GPA and test scores. Under the revised system, applicants will be evaluated in relation to classmates from their high school and based on information about their high school. Such a scheme will allow admissions officers to incorporate race into their evaluation indirectly because applicants will be judged based on fellow high school classmates and not the overall applicant pool at the UC schools. Thus, racial minorities from ethnicallydominated urban, schools that historically have not fared as well as non-minority school districts in terms of graduate GPAs and test scores will not be evaluated compared to the overall applicant pool.

The lesson to be learned from the UC example is simple: there is no telling what sort of creative schemes college administrators dedicated to "diversity" at all costs will devise in response to growing threats against affirmative action. President Bollinger's ambitious proposal for University autonomy in decision-making is in reality a plan to mitigate /' accountability to the constitutionally,k protected rights of Michigan's citizens, and should be met with serious concern in the University community .

THE NEW RACE I:l'ItXICON ATMICmGAN At the University of Michigan, "diversity" is sacred, yet none "of its relentless protectors can reasonably define this divine social phenomenon.

The goals of diversity should be broad, inclusive tolerance of varying social entities. This is hardly the case at Michigan. Experts and figureheads such as Professor Carl Cohen, a passionate opponent of the University's use of racial preferences, are ridiculed and blacklisted for their differing viewpoints about affirmative action. Radical race liberals argue that critics like Cohen are unconscious of their own oppressiveness and racist beliefs because of their "whiteness," their comfortable and affiuent social position, and their advocacy for colorblind admissions. Never mind NWROC leader Jessica Curtin and· her cohorts' unprecedented intoler- i ance for opponents of affirmative action; they are determined to defend it "by any ml'la11s necessary." ...

Indeed, they kept their promise during Rep. Jaye's Shelby Township community hearing about affirmative action several weeks ago. Jaye was gracious enough to invite Curtin and the half-dozen or so members ofBAMN into the meeting, but the group of protesters immediately proceeded to block discu~sion in the meeting and start childishly chanting, prompting police officers to clear the meeting room. Curtin and her troop of allpurpose injustice protesters (many of whom are not even University students) are notorious for their extremism. During the Detroit newspaper strike, picketing Teamsters kicked the group offits picket lines because they felt the group was too socialist. Now they have become the most vocal defense of affirmative action at Michigan, leaving rational deliberation over the matter lost in their aggressive public outbursts.

Ironically, then, the future of affirmative action looks even bleaker as its militant liberal defenders continue to alienate the rest of the University community. Several weeks ago, four BAMN members gathered on the steps ofthe graduate library and announced "We're going to have a rally to defend affirmative action." And students continued to pass through the Diag without paying a single bit of attentionto the group. And who can blame them?

When students not friendly to their point of view are labeled as ignorant and racist, it is hardly surprising that most at Michigan choose to remain silent on the matter. Many dare to suggest that the majority of the UniversitJ!'c-ommurutjr simply~does not' ",»~<>~,,,~,,,,~,,,......._ _ _~~~~~.~ ... »_;.~_,,,",,,.,,,,,,

care about the lawsuit and the threat to affirmative action it poses, which if true would prove that most feel the policy's over-politicized purpose has been served.

Unfortunately, the administration also has adopted this liberal groupthink paradigm in attempting to discuss affirmative action at Michigan. Consider last year's symposium on campus celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Mary Frances Berry of the University of Penhsylvania. Berry, a Michigan PhD and law school graduate, has also headed up a civil rights task force appointed by President Clinton. Dr. Berry has gone on record claiming that the civil rights laws created in 1964 were "not intended to apply to all groups, but only to certain groups."

Obviously, Dr. Berry failed to properly interpret the lawmakers' intentions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (DMN), floor manager of the 1964 Act, in addressing a skeptical colleague remarked "if the Senator can find in title VII...any language which provides that an employer will have to hire on the basis of percentage or'" quota related to color .. .! wilr;tart eating the pages one after another, because it is not in there." Humphrey also later remarked that "nothing in the bill would permit any official or court to require any employer or labor union to give preferential treatment to any minority group."

The new race lexicon was prevalent in other attempts to discuss affirmative action during last year's MLK symposium. The single panel discussion dedicated to the subject was titled "Affirmative Action: Defending the Gains Made." The university is simply not willing to engage a robust debate over the matter, yet laments the unfortunate bleak state of racial tensions on campus.

THE LIE AND HOW THEY TOLD IT The liberal defenders of affirmative action will go to any lengths to justify the use of racial preferences and validate their legality, but nowhere in this defense have the facts been laid directly on the table. If affirmative action were to be eliminated at Michigan, Director ofUndergraduate Admissions Ted Spencer has estimated a 30-40% loss in Hispanic students and a 60-70% loss in Mrican American students. One can infer two things from such a claim. Either the University is drastically lowering its admissions criteria for racial minori*~du:ps;er Spetr'cet's ))tt!diction'is

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grossly overestimated. Scholl?rs at CIR have noted that due to the Nichigan Mandate's (U-M's plan to increase minority enrollment) success iD. increasing black and Hispanic enrollment to 56%, removing racial preferences would result in a 30% decline at most. Moreover, at the University of Texas, where CIR won the groundbreaking Hopwood case that eliminated racial preferences, the percentage of minority students remained the same pre~ and postHopwood. Liberals quickly point to the "plunge" in minority enrollment at six elite professional schools such as the UT law school in Texas and California. While the number of black and Hispanic students enrolled at the Texas law school hovered near the single digits in this year's class, administrators at these schools are not telling the public how many admitted minority students opted to forgo their offers to attend UT Austin in place of a spot at more elite schools such as Stanford and Harvard.

Michigan's administrators are playing the same game. In 19S5, of the 78.6% of minority students admitted, only 51.4% accepted their offer. If the U-M wants to mainta:n its impressive level of minority enrollment, perhaps it should devote its resources to increasing and improving its recruitment efforts. The defenders of racial preferences will continue to subvert intellig~nt debate On the issue by drowning out opponents' views as inherently racist and bent on resegregating campus.

HOPWOOD AND BAKKE REVISITED President Bollinger and other administrators intending to defend U-M's affirmative action policies assert their legality by pointing to Justice Powell's separate opinion in the Bakke decision that recognized diversity as a compelling state interestin higher education. In that case, Allan Bakke, a white male, was denied admission to the Medical School of the University of California at Davis.

Bakke claimed that the State had discriminated against him impermissably because it operated two separate admissions programs for the medical school. The California Supreme Court struck down the program on equal protection grounds, prohibited any consideration of race in the admissions process, and ordered that Bakke be admitted. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part Justice Powell's . CONTINUED QNPage 7

4

aM;

October 29, 1997

7

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

"Hopwood... contains remarkable:parallels to the lawsuitJacing Michigan." ,.

CONTINUED FROM Page 6

opinion. Powell reasoned that the attainment of a diverse student body "clearly is a constitutionally permissible goal for an institution of higher education." Only the school's use of a quota system was found unconstitutional; using race in a wide-ranging manner was allowable. This is the basis by which U-M claims its affirmative action policy is legal.

Yet, Justice Powell's argument garnered only his own vote and has never received the full support of a majority of the Court in Bakke or in any other case. Powell's view in the Bakke decision is therefore not a binding precedent, although U-M administrators adhere to it as ifit was law.

The recent Hopwood case contains markable parallels to the lawsuit facing Michgian. Like any prestigious school, the Texas law school received a large number of applicants. To cope with the volume, administrators devised an index system that placed applicants into one of three categories: "presumptive admit," "presumptive deny," and a middle "discretionary zone." The index system was found illegal after it was revealed that black and Mexican Americans were treated differently from other candidates. In March of 1992, for ekample, the presumptive admission score for resident whites and non-preferred minority applicants was 199.. Mexie~ Americans and blacks needed an in路 dex score of only 189 to be presumptively admitted. In t\le "presumptive deny" range, the d~nial score for "non minorities" was 192; the same score for blacks and Mexican Americans wasl79. Moreover, the law school ran a segregated application evaluation process. Once an application was received at the law school, it was color-coded according to the race of the candidate. Race, therefore, was always an overt part ofthe review of any applicant's file.

Consider now the very similar admissions procedures used at the University ofMichigan. CIR has found that, like the UT system, Michigan's LSA admissions system applies differen t numerical criteria to applicants based on race. All initial reviews of candidates require admissions personnel to organize applications into a complex grid consisting of different cells containing combinations of grades and SAT/ACT scores. Within each cell, specific instructions require officers to take action under the following rubric: "In general use the top row in each cell for majority applicants and the mi(id"~~AAdJ~)ttom row

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for underrepresented minorities and other disadvantaged students." This is strikingly similar to the UT's system of color-coding applications based on race. Moreover, in numerous cells minority applicants were ordered to be accepted and non-minority applicants to be rejected.

Clearly, U-M lowers its standards for target minority groups compared to other applicants. Such a system obviously goes far beyond even the prescribed limits of diversity considerations offered in Powell's Bakke opinion. The Bakke decision as a whole struck down "special" admissions programs consisting of special procedures and criteria available only to minority students. The illegality of Michigan's system cannot be any more clear and present.

zine interview in which the interviewer asked King "do you feel it's fair to request a multibillion-dollar program of preferential treatment for the Negro, or for any other minority group?" King responded, "I do indeed."

The fight against affirmative action should therefore be left to the litigators at CIR. They have the only chance of eli minating U -M's discrimi-

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW SEE HOW OUR WRITERS AND STAFFERS HAVE SHAPED AMERICA'S PUBLIC POLICY CLIMATEIN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT...

REP. JAYE: THE LOOSE CANNON Until recently, ~ate Representative Jaye has led the charge against the U -M fori ts illegal a"dmissions practices. Although CIIi has taken the reigns in overseeing the lawsuit and has the greatest chances for eliminating Michigan's discriminatory system, Jaye continues to bask in the growing media attention surrounding the lawsuit. Critics are quick to point out that Jaye is running for the vacated state senate seat in his district in the upcoming elections. For sure, Jaye's barbed-wired remarks about the "evil" U-M administration and his numerous attempts to grandstand in the public eye validate this notion of his motives. In retrospect, the Shelby Township debacle seems by and large to have been one of Jaye's ploys to rally public opinion by showing militant student protesters getting. arrested on the evening news. He-bemoans his days as a student "dishdog" when he had to labor for math and science tutoring while minority students allegedly received free counseling and tutoring. All the elements of a passionate campaign issue in tune with his predominantly white, middle-class constituency are present.

The problem with Jaye leading the charge against U-M's affirmative action policies is that his actions are largely perceived as being taken out of revenge and bitterness. Moreover, in attempting to be passionate, Jaye comes across as ignorant. He frequently states that Dr. King must be "spinning in his grave" because the UM does not consider applicants by the content oftheir character rather than the color oftheir skin. Obviously, J aye 4iP,.p9~ ~11~~Pt/~&gl(tY~R{LWftp~j 1

natory policies with any sense of legitimacy. Their motivations are simple: the Fourteenth Amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provide equal protection ofthe laws to all U.S. citizens, and no matter how worthy the premise of diversity in an academic environment, the rigUs of all individuals must always outweigh this goal.l\R

II

*John J. Miller: Vice-President, Center for Equal Opportunity. Former Editor-In-Chief. *Tracy Robinson: On-line M~nager, The American Spectator. Former Review Editor-In-Chief *Aaron Steelman: Assistant to Stephen Moore, Director of Fiscal Policjl Studies,TheC?tq Ip~titute.

Former Review PUblisher. '.' , *William Rice: Lecturer in Writing, Harvard UniverI sity. Mr. Rice has written extensively on the National Endowment for the Arts. Former Review Staff Writer.

The Michigan Review has been cited in The Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report, Join the Award-Winning Review and Express Your Voice on the Campus and National Affairs Affecting the University of Michigan.

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The Michigan Review 911 N. University Avenue, Suite One Ann Arbor, MI 48109 313-647-8438 Email: mreV@Umich.edu WWW: http://www.umich.edu/--mrev/

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8

October 29, 1997

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o CAMPUS AFFAIRS

MSA: Budgetary lrpprovement and Malaise

BY BgNJAMIN KEpPLE

A

NOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) budget. A common question this year as we look at the budget of the student government is "Will they have improved it?" Namely, has the student government been more responsible with their money this year? Have they kept their promises? Have they cut waste? Again, we find that the answer is both yes and no.

But first, a quick look at the internal budget itself. This year the MSA has a grand total of $349,994.00 in their coffers to work with. This revenue comes from surplus income from the 1996-1997 fiscal year ($18,124), interest income and other income ($9,500), and the rest from student fees: $3.69 paid into the accounts twice a year by the 36,500 students who are a part ofU-M. In addition, $73,000 is paid into the system thanks to students passing a $1 per term Community Service Fee. What did they do with the :ti4C1 9Q;j? A CT:1nri total of $84, 750

was spent running the Michigan Student Assembly. A full $62,000 was paid out for payroll expenses; and $22,750 paid out for operating expenses, a full 24.2 percent of this year's budget. Compared to last year's budget expenses, operations expenses decreased by $2,250 yet payroll expenses increased $6,000. MSA President Mike Nagrant explained why.

"We made a pledge during the election to cut operations spending by $2000. We focused on spending that students or groups really don't reap any indirect or direct benefit from.

We cut four of our phone lines, we returned the pagers, we cut internal staff perks like food for their employee functions. We cut our computer maintenance budgets .. , our supplies budgets ... we took inventories and created a system to monitor. stealing. We worked tirelessly to cut ~ out the fat.

"With regards to payroll, a part of the increaSi:!'" is the inflationary increase for benefits packages that'" we have no control over ... In addition, another increase that is out of our hands is a tuition reimbursement we

are required to give to our two full time employees if they are working on degrees. This is part of the standard U-Mbenefits package," Nagrant said.

In addition, Nagrant also offered to show the Review a line-by-line analysis of what the Assembly cut to show that $23,000 is the "rock bottom" they can go in operations. $66,500 (19 percent) was paid out to the Community Service Fund, whereas the Budget Priorities Commitee received a full $140,000 (40 percent). However, students recently passed two ballot proposals funding the Community Service Fund and student organizations to the tune of$73,000 for each. Were the monies passed on in full to what was apparently their intended destination, the Community Service Fund would have received $73,000 and the Budget Priorities Committee would have received $163,000. Indeed, BPC funding has actually taken a cut as a percentage of the budget, from 43.7 percent last year to 40 percent this year. Had funding remained at a stable level, BPC funding would have been at $163,000, or 46.57 percent; , ....

So where did all ofthis money go?

"We were advised by our accountant that we should divert approximately ten percent of each of the fees to cover implementation of the fee.

For example, in order to administer both fees, we will have to pay our accountant, administrative coordinator, and work study students extra to cover the influx of applications, the aid of students that enter MSA, and the extra accounting. In addition, we have to cover our expenses with regards to copier maintenance, extra photocopying for new applications ... " Nagrant said.

"The discrepancy with BPC funding is that we decided to use some of the money to cover programming and support of student groups through other committees, rather than only through BPC. The ballot initiative states that this money will be used to support student organizations. We felt that we could support studentE and their organizations better by using CONTINUED ON Page 9

MONEY FOR NOTHING, AND THE TRIPS FOR FREE

THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS IN MSA'S BUDGET

(or, a look at conferences and other fun trips by MSA reps your student dollars have paid or will pay for)

THE WINNERS

ABTS Conference (here) (paid for by External Relations) Group Increase over 96-97 Special Projects Fund +$10,000 MSA Workers +$6,000 Environmental Iss. Com. +$5400 Minority Affairs Commission +$3,500 +$3,000 Comm. Servo Task Force External Relations Committee +$2,000 Student Reg~nt Task Force +$1,000

Percent Change (new) 9.6 1,000 333 (new) 130 (new)

...

Room Rental (all 3 Pond Rooms) Transporation Lunch (Union catering, $13/person) Miscellaneous

ABTS Conferences (away) (also paid for by External ReI.) 2 conferences w/4 delegates each (hotel, car rental, gasoline)

THE LOSERS Group Decrease from 96-97 Budget Priorities -$23,000* MSA Suppliers -$2,250 Elections Cmte.

-$2,000 Committee Discretionary -$1,514 Students Rights Cmte.

-$1,000 Communications Cmte.

-$400 International Students Cmte. -$450

$400.00 $400.00 $750.00 $500.00

(ERC)

NASHEDUES

Percent Change -14.3 -10.0 -22.2 -18.4 -66.7 -13.3 -90.0

$1000.00

$900.00

NASHE is the North American Students of Higher Education Lobbying Group.

NASHE CONFERENCES (away) (paid for by External ReI.) 2 conferences w/4 delegates, hotel, car rental, conference fees, miscellany $1800.00

ERC Travel to Lansing $200.00 ERC Travel to Assoc. of MI Student Reps. $200.00 Grassroots Training Workshop $100.00

* Budget Priorities Comittee information determined as if all $73,000 from the April 1997 budget proposal passed by students to support student groups had been entered into BPC's funding.

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9

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

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this money through some of the committees ... In addition, MSA will be operating a student-run course pack store (barring any unforeseen ci rcu mstances )this Jan uary, and it is currently creating a student run speaker series for campus," Nagrant said.

And many committees have profited from the extra money. Compared to last year, the Campus Governance and External Relations Committees, along with the Minority Affairs, Academic Affairs, LGBT Affairs, and especially the Environmental Affairs Commissions, received more money this year.

However, many of the committees have spent (or have proposed to spend) a great deal of money on many activities that have raised a great deal of questions. For example, one wonders whether it is truly necessary to spend $500 of the Environmental Affairs Commission's money on a "Party for the Planet." One of the major bones of contention is spending on conferences and trips, an appar-

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ently specialty of the External Relations Committee. According to the budgetary proposal submitted by the External Relations Committee this term, over $6,000 was budgeted for conferences or related expenses (see boxes). Erin Carey, Chair of the External Relations Committee (ERC), said that these conferences provided a great resource for information-sharing among students and student governments, but admitted that "people aren't sure of the impact" of these conferences. She also stated that she was unsure of the return the ERC was receving on its monetary investment in such groups as NASHE. NASHE, the North American Students of Higher Education lobbying group, is, in essence, a low-cost variant of the United States Student Association (USSA) that solely focuses on educational issues. Carey stressed that the lobbying group solely works on education issues affecting college students, such as financial aid.,..\fhereas groups such as the US SA fbcus on a variety of issues, and said that "one of my concerns is that we do need to be a part of a greater organization" of some kind.

N agrant was far more blatant

MONEY FOR NOTHING, AND THE TRIPS FOR FREE (part twO)

about the budget proposal of the External Relations Committee.

"We outlined our wishes to withdraw from our federal lobbying organiza tion NASHE, and we also decided to cut the money she wished to cover ABTS conferences, because we didn't feel these conferences were valuable.

She decided to use the money we have her to cover those expenses and look to the assembly for money funding for her other projects. In the budget debate we made it clear we did not support those conferences," he said.

However, he also felt there were a great deal of positive aspects about this year's budget, including "a real focus on quality programming for the entire student body."

"I am in the final implementation stages ofthe student-run coursepack store. Next week we will be looking for c'oursepacks to secure. This could not te possible without the funding from special projects. We are also working with LSA, UAC, and Hillel to ereate an endowed or at least wellfunded speakers series on campus.

Some honoraria will be paid directly from special projects.

"I also think that we really had to

look and re-evaluate the principles of MSA. We did take a hard look a t the operations and budget and w() cut phone lines that had not been in use for four or five years. We decid~d to get rid of pagers we did not need. We made sure supplies were not being extravagantly purchased. We have cut this budget to the bone in terms of balancing the efficiency ofMSA as an organization and at the same time getting rid of waste. $23,000 may seem like a lot and I agree that to a normal student it probably does, but without it we would begin to compromise the services ... which we are proud of," he said.

And it appears that MSA has made some progress in cutting waste and reckless spending, although there are still major questions to be answered about some aspects of the Assembly's spending. Ml,

Join the Review!

E-mail mreV@Umich.edu or call 647路8438 for more information! Or stop by our weekly staff meetings, every Tuesday nii~ht at 7:00 p.m. in our office on the 3:fd Floor of The Michigan League.

YOUR FEE DOLLARS AT WORK. SORT OF. IfMSA representatives have their way, your money is goingto be spent on, well, this:

The LGBT C()mmission paid for or will pay for the ...

Annual Creating Change Conference National Black Gay Lesbian Leadership Conference Annual Human Rights Campaign Fundraising Dinner NGTLF National Conference Midwest LGBT Regional Conference

$300.00 $250.00 $340.00 $300.00 $200.00

CAMPUS GOvERNANCE COMMITTEE: Winter Leadership Conference $1000.00 (Han initial request; we may request more funds after it is fully planned." -- MSA budget documents)

TOTAL SPENDING:

EXPENDITURE Bageling Contact Tables MSA Showcases National Condom Week Party for the Planet Theme Semester T-Shirts Posters Bands (co-sponsored with UAC) More bagels Refreshments More Refreshments Radio, TV, and Rep contact poster paper Website Creation Money Michigan Daily Ads

$8,640

AUTHORIZATION Communications Cmte.

Communications Cmte.

LGBT Affairs Environmental Affairs Environmental Affairs En'lrionmental Affairs

COST

Environmental Aff. North Campus Aff. Community Service T.F. Communications Cmte.

$2000.00 $75.00 $400.00 $150.00

Communications Cmte.

Communications Cmite.

Campus Governance Community Service Academic Affairs Students Rights

$100.00 $150.00 $700.00 $1000.00 $200.00 $500.00

TOTAL:

$200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $500.00 $400.00 $600.00

$7175.00

Something to think about when you can't receive all of the student group funding your group needed ...

Source: Michigan Student Assembly Budget Documents

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10

October 29, 1997

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

Campus Speakers ~, >~"o/"

CONTINUED FROM Page 1

months before the 1996 election. From the beginning of the fall 1996 term until the early November election, there were some 35 recorded speeches given by various political candidates and activists, with just over 70 percent of the speeches tending leftward.

Appearances by several Republican politicians pushed the tendency of the speakers to the right by a small margin, as Joe Fitzsimmons, Mike Bishop, andlngrid Sheldon (GOP members in contests for US Representative, U-M Regent, and Ann Arbor mayor, respectively) all spoke to students.

Some methodological notes should be noted. The work was certainly not fail-safe, but should still provide some grounds for conclusions. The Michigan Daily's reporters cover campus events and report them, including most of the major speakers who come to campus. These stories can be located in their archives, accessible to anyone on the World Wide Web. With the Daily's on-line archives going back two years, we used that time as our cut-off.

From there, we went day by day through the archives, looking for speakers. Once we found a speaker, we read the story for content to determine the political position of the speaker. If the speaker's speech was not politically controversial, we did not count the speech. Ifthe speech did have political content, it was marked according to the political view expressed as "tending liberal" or "tending conserva'tive." From this analysis, then, 77 percent of the speakers surveyed tended liberal.

We dealt in a somewhat arbitrary fashion with several panels and forums. Examining the speakers, we tried to see if all speakers tended to align in the same direction. If they did, we lumped the whole event as one "speaker" and coded it appropriately.

If there were conflicting alignments present, we counted the event as one speaker for both alignments. We did this to avoid problems oflarge panels of either political affiliation coming to campus and "swamping" the results.

We did this for speakers covered

by Daily reporters, not for AP stories.

Admittedly, this led to the inclusion of several speeches covered by Daily reporters that were not on the U-M campus. These speeches, however, did cut both ways: both presidential contenders in 1996 spoke in Detroit before the election,as did vice-president Al Gore. Republican Governor John Engler al~o ..~~d~t~rli~\for an offcampus appearance'. With the poten-

----

tial for campus groups to have visited these speeches, we did not want to cut them out of the sample. In either case, their inclusion or exclusion does not significantly affect the results.

We should finally note that we were limited to what the Daily covered. This should not prove a barrier to any conclusions. Certainly, there are many right-leaning speakers missed by the Daily, as the College Libertarians, Objectivists, and others do have speakers. However, again, if compared to potential leftwardleaning speakers, the potential problems here are minimized. While the Daily may not cover lots of speeches by several smaller rightward-leaning groups, it also rarely covers meetings by many leftward-leaning political groups on campus. This is only natural; the Daily, like other groups, has limited resources and must prioritizd what it will cover.

Why mif:ht this slant be taking place? I~GeR'ainly has somethi~ to do with the campus as a whole. "I think that ify'bu did an analysis ofthe campus and its political leanings, you would find a liberal bias, therefore it would follow that it is more likely that these leftlike tendencies would bring in speakers of their interest," MSA President Mike Nagrant noted.

With student groups often working under serious financial constraints, getting a speaker can be very difficult. Speakers often require a significant financial investment, with travel expenses and room accommodations often accompanying some nominal speaker fee. For student groups with limited resources, assembling an ideologically diverse group to discuss issues is often financially impossible. Securing one speaker is itself a laudable feat.

What this suggests is that far from a vile conspiracy to blanch out conservatism on campus, the trend to liberal speakers is a throwback to supply and demand. Given scarce resources, leftward-leaning campuses with any sort of proportional distribution of those resources will find that more resources head to leftwardleaning groups. With those resources being crucial to securing speakers, then, it makes sense that most speakers do espouse liberal viewpoints like those of the student body. Far from some administration attempt to quash the right, the observed result is simply a fact of numbers.

Yet does the affiliation of speakers even matter? Certainly, it would be ridiculous to argue that students change their minds in large part d,w '" ~o\oampus:spea~rs~ Altennate PQ5si~i ,

bilities seem more compelling. The leftward trend of speakers may have "an impact on those who are already on the left side of the spectrum as a reinforcement of belief mechanism," N agrant said. Having a viewpoint and hearing field experts who share that view may lead people to further entrenchment in their own beliefs.

Yet even if speakers do nothing to change people's minds, could they still be harmful? Campus conservatives claim that they can. College Republican President Mark Potts notes "the effect of campus speakers being for the most part liberal is detrimental to a University atmosphere that attempts to foster constructive and balanced thought and debate." By not showcasing sufficient alternate viewpoints, the dominant liberal voice among college speakers "skews academic discussion and inhibits the constructive discussion of so many issues," Potts noted, The trick of such balance will occupy campus student government over the next few weeks over the crucial issue of affirmative action. MSA will be working in the next few weeks to put together a symposium nextmonth to increase student awareness of both sides ofthe affirmative action debate.

In order to have a symposium worthy of the name, there will have to be serious and- subs.tantive input from both sides. In various e-mails to campus groups, MSA members have already begun soliciting student input.

Yet looking at campus speakers in the same mention as affirmative action brings up all kinds of possible inconsistencies. Liberals in general tend to favor affir;native action, claiming that it is un~ust to have various minority groups represented in the campus setting at proportions lower than they exist in the general population. Yet when leftward-'leaning speakers dominate campus speaking opportunities, there is very little worry

expressed. Conservatives fare little better in the argument, since their dilemma is the inverse. In arguing that only the most academically qualified get in without concern for race, they claim that numerical targets should be irrelevant. Yet a common complaint by conservatives about campuses is the strong number of liberal influences, including speakers, relative to the strength of those influences in the general population.

It often seems that conservatives wish for something like conservative "quotas."

Yet students need to be aware of this leftward slant amongst speakers since they subsidize it. The administration received money through tuition; MSA (and consequently, student groups that rely upon MSA for funding) receives money from student fees. For MSA, the funding is direct: student money goes directly into student groups that support speakers. With the administration, student tuition bills are but a large part of i~coming monies due to the input of alumnae donations and other sources of revenue. However, in the end students pay for whom the campus hears, whether funded by the administration or by campus groups.

The solution to the problem, if one is a conservative, seems to be a return to grassroots campus organization. If the problem is one of too few groups sponsoring conservative speakers, then the obvious solution is to get more people involved and hold more conservative speeches. The College Republicans and College Libertarians, for example, have been active in securing speakers E;ven though they are in the campus minority. More work by others on the right may payoff similar dividends, pushing that 77 percent leftward mark down to something closer to the consensus of the general population. l\R

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For more information, call Ben or Sang at: 647-8438, or e-mail mreV@Umich.edu

' " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " - - - - - - - - - - - - . - - . - - _ , . ___ , . ________ , . _ _ _ ~_~_ _ _ ____________________ • • _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ _ _" ' ' ' _ ' ' . _ _ _ _N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~_ _ _, _ • _ _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ _ _. . . . . . . ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

October 29, 1997

11

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o FOLLOWING UP

Questions Surround Diversity Query

BY BENJAMIN KEPPLE

R

ECENTLY, MANY STUdents received an e-mail, most likely forwarded by friends or student group leaders, from Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) President Michael Nagrant. The purpose of the forwarded e-mail was ostensibly to see how students felt about diversity. In full, the e-mail reads:

, Dear Students, As YOll may know, the University o{ Michigan is currently being slled {or its affirmative action policies. In an attempt to gauge sentiments on campus, the Michigan Student Assembly is looking {or students to submit personal anecdotes or stories where diversity has made an impact on your li{e. Note: you can submit negative effects as well, but keep in mind that we are not looking for affirmative action arguments pro and con, just stories where diversity has been a positive or negative factor in your life.

You might want to think about reflections from the classroom, from

student involvement, or your friendships. It is very important that we hear from as many people as possible.

If you can send these anecdotes to us soon, that would be preferred, but please take some time to do this. Email all responses to mjnagran@Umich.edu.

vidual recollections of individual events ... " In addition, questions are also raised about why the survey was indeed instituted: since it is unlikely that University students will provide negative experiences about diversity, the vast majority of responses will be positive. Given that diversity is a Thank You, major defense used in favor of affirMichael Nagrant mative action programs at the UniMSA President versity, one may have reason to wonder where the responses will end up.

While there has been no negative ''We thought tliese stories might However, what recipients of the e-mail did not receive was the preface response to the MSA-NET e-mail shed some light on students' thoughts tothee-mail,whichwaspostedtothe group, one student, Douglas on diversity and we could use it as public e-mail list MSA-NET. (MSAFriedman, a doctoral student in the one way of providing information to NET is a joinable e-mail list via the Business School, sent the following the community ... " Nagrant said.

X.500 system.) This preface reads: response to Nagrant: "Those of us "I know that my e-mail may seem who are not racialists - i.e., viewing as if it had a pro affirmative action Can you forward the message beeverything through a racial prism slant. The quote that says 'you can low to any student groups, halls you don't really think in the terms you send negative comments as well' are an [R.A.] on, etc. Due to the present stfggest, which says a good deal about seems to suggest that. I actually put lawsuit against the U, we have been your way of thinking. In addition, that in there because I took into conasked by the powers that be, as the' whites, in particular, may be afraid of sideration the fact that people might student governm:fnt to do a little re- .. reporting negative diversity experiassume we were only 'hunting' for search as to sentiments on campus ences for fear of being labeled racist. positive stories. I wanted to let them regarding how diuehity has made a Collecting anecdotes also tells you know we wanted all stories. IfI sugdifference in student lives on campus. nothing about sentiment on campus gested otherwise, I apologize for the Note: [MSA Rep. David Burden] and because anecdotes are just that, indi- .' ,miS"umkrAtanding," he A~id.l\R' . they eV'Jr deserve the abuse, and they couldn\ have been expected to foresee it. I agree with Sirhal that it would be wonderful if women could be informed on making "better choices" CONTINUED from PAGE 3 and have domestic violence somehow be avoided asa directresttlt, but I thise路mailas documentation that you believe it just is not that simple. Many have support from the greater camfactors go into domestic abuse, and pus community for your statements.

Thank you very much for having the not for one moment, should we focus still behind schedule. According to on one single aspect of it, especially the residents of the 1100 Hall, carpetcourage to say these things. ing was installed the day after publione that places, what appears to me, an unfair amount of responsibility cation ofthe Review article, and most NAME WITHHELD upon the shoulders ofthe victim. The improvements were completed as UNIVERSITY SECRETARY scheduled following that, including one--dimensional idea that "morality" installment of register covers, and on the victims part being a major key to prevention comes dangerously close ceiling access panels. In addition, the fire alarm system has been successto blaming the victim, in my eyes. It also oversimplifies and generalizes fully installed and tested. However, the nature of domestic violence. completed bathrooms are still not Sirhal writes in her closing stateavailable for these residents, along with the residents of the 2100 Hall in ment, "The greatest hindrance to adEDITOR'S NOTE: This letter has been dressing the cultural issues of choice Couzens. Complete facilities were to abridged for length. have been finished "by October 10th, and prevention is the continued siWRITE THIS LETTER NOT October 14th at the latest." As of press lencing of criticism of individuals' knowing whether it will be time, the bathrooms are nearing behaviors. Morality may be touchy, printed, but strongly hoping it completion. l\R but it sure is necessary." Victims are will. This is a direct response to [. .. ] usually the first ones to be critical of "Assessing A Culture of Choices," their own behavior. They often ask, written by Maureen Sirhal. Her ar"How could this person I love hurt Know of news? Has someticle addressed domestic violence, and me? He wasn't like this in the beginthing happened that deserves was prompted by the death, the murning, I must have done something to attention? der of Tamara Williams. [... JI believe provoke him, After all, when I make E-mail the Review at I speak not only for myself, but for him happy, he doesn't do this." They mreV@Umich.edu and let us others - women, men, anyone who think somehow they may deserve it. know! Or, call 647-8438 and stands against this abuse. I want to send a clear message to women who let us know about what needs have xead it, who may be vi"ctims of to be reported. ;Ji, L 9P~ll~!J~R. qr :~~~e 1.5 i '~tlotn:esti(!c~bUs~j 'thatcm' nQrway,-,did

Couzens Residents Compensated

BY BENJAMIN KEPPLE

NIVERSITY HOUSING officials have reversed their previous stance regarding compensation for Couzens Hall residents who were affected by unfinished construction in their hallway.

According to a letter from Edwin B. Mayes, Couzens Hall Co-Ordinator for Residential Education (CORE), to residents of the 1100 Hall in Couzens, the University "[hopes] this will in some way show our appreciation for your patience during our opening period and completed construction."

Each of the 27 residents living on the 1100 Hall of Couzens will have $75:00 added to their Entree Plus accounts. If the residents so desire, they can spend this money over the course of the year, or have it credited to their account after Winter Term 1998. The latter option may be the most-exercised option, given the limited uses for Entree Plus in the dormitories, especially in Couzens Hall.

As for ~he construction itself, it has proceeded well, although it is

U

other anti-affirmative action people you can forward this to your constituency as well. rm pretty sure the administration would like to hear both sides. rm not asking for arguments on affirmative action, just personal stories, anecdotes on how diversity has touched or been a detriment in your life. Also please delete this part of the note above before sending. This really is important so spread the word.

Letters

A Direct Response to "A Culture of Choices"

I

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12

October 29, 1997

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o INTERVIEW: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Student City Coy.neil Hopefuls Speak

C

ONSIDERING MUNICIPAL elections are often ignored even by the permanent residents of Ann Arbor, student participation in elections can make a very large difference in local,races. Indeed, one political activist told us that were the entire student population of South Quad to vote in a municipal election, it might probably determine the outcome ofthat race. Some students go so far as to run for the offices themselves, and two University of Michigan students are'" doing just that.

Michael Enright and Boyd Stitt are running for the City Council seat in the 4th and 3rd wards, respectively, on the Libertarian party ticket. Municipal elections will be held on November 4th, allowing the voters to choose new City Councillors and other local officials. Recently, the Review's Benjamin Kepple had the opportunity to speak with Enright, a sophomore in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), and later caught up with Stitt, a senior in the College of Engineering. They touched on some similar and some different issues) and both candidates spoke candidly about politics and how they felt about their campaigns.

majority. I would support redistribution so students would have a bigger percentage in [a certain] ward.

I would like to stop the persecution of victimless crimes in the city. I don't think that a college student that happens to drink underage or smoke marijuana is a threat to anyone else.

We need more tolerance for people with different lifestyles even if those lifestyles are considered unhealthy.

MR: Why did you decide to run for City Council?

MR: And you would ... ?

ENRIGHT: Well, at the time, they [the City Council] were planning to have an income tax, and I thought that was a pretty bad idea, so I decided to oppose lit.

,

STIIT: I guess I read about the problems in Ann Arbor, and I know the city has many problems. And the biggest problem is that the city spends too much and the taxes are too high.

In the local newspapers there is no voice that represents Libertarian views. Even if! don't win I can get out these ideas that we can cut spending instead of either maintaining or increasing spending.

MR: Why, in your view, should the average student vote?

ENRIGHT: Ann Arbor laws affect students whether they realize it or not. Tax laws, parking laws, anything that has to do with how the city is run would soon affect busnisess or restaurants students visit. More directly, I would say, students are affected by laws such as skateboarding laws in public areas.

STITT: The way the district lines are drawn, it makes it difflcult to gain a ,

..

will also flee the city to avoid taxes.

So if we want to maintain and improve the health of the Ann Arbor economy we need to cut taxes and cut regulations.

MR: Why, in your view, would a student vote Libertarian instead of Republican or Democrat?

ENRIGHT: I can see why anyone would - everyone should look at the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party would reduce regulations and reduce the size of government - and it stands in everyone's interest to have a smaller government.

MR: Why did you decide to run as a Libertarian?

ENRIGHT: The proper focus on politics is on personal responsibility and liberty, and I don't think the other two parties address these topics. That is the main focus of my campaign, and I don't think the other parties agree with me on certain issues.

MR: Are students aware of their potential impact?

II

MR: What issues?

ENRIGHT:,OUe issue I'm workinson is the budget. Many people see problems in the budget, especially now that they say they need to fix roads and bridges. The only solution apparent to most Ann Arbor leaders is to raise taxes.

ENRIGHT: I really don't think students are aware of the impact they could have. If you look at the turnout oflocal elections it isn't very high. If a lot of students took part in this election, they could have a significant impact. I'm also trying to get students in [areas around South Quad] involved.

MR: What issues are you running on?

ENRIGHT: The main planks are the public skateboarding issue and the budget issue. I had intended to emphasize the proposed income tax, but that's no longer an issue. I think students should consider the impact of having student representation in Ann Arbor politics.

MR: How well do you think you will do in the election?

STIIT: I'm not sure, but even if I don't win, simply injecting new ideas into the political spectrum [will] hopefully improve what the other candidates do and how they behave on City Council. They need to reminded there isn't just a Left-Right view in politics. l\R .

Write the Review!

E-Mail letters to the Editor: mreV@Umich.edu or write: • Letters to the Editor 911 N. University, Ste. 1 Ann Arbor, MI 48109 -:"~l

Isoaz CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

ENRIGHT: I would oppose that idea: the way to solve budget problems is to ensure the city is spending its funds responsibly. The city should probably privatize some functions and I'm sure they could cut some others.

MR: If you were elected, what would you do?

STITT: I oppose property tax increases, income tax increases, and any tax increases whatsoever. There are many proposals floating around to increase taxes - I oppose them all.

I'd like to sell off unnecessary, nonessential city property - like the airport and parking structures. Private companies can do a better job operating [them] than the city can do.

I'd like to cut the zoning laws, and the problem with the zoning laws is that they force companies to go before the City Council and beg to either renovate or expand their business. This is very bad for business and the general economy of the city. Also, if the city continues to heavily regulate and restrict the use of land, they will find businesses and homeowners will leave the city if these laws become too restrictive, If taxes get too high, people

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BOAZ: If Libertarianism were fully implemented, education would become the last industry to be turned upside down and restructured. Every business that faces a bottom line has already been revamped. Its the subsidized government monopoly state of education that has protected it from the need to satisfY customers in a free market. I can't predict what education would look like in a free market, but I'm sure it would be very different.

MR: The curriculum offered among many collegiate courses in history and economics may sometimes be, shall we say, selective, in favor of the Left.

What are some ways students can self-educate themselves about libertarianism? What would make up a libertarian canon?

written by much greater scholars than myself. The Libertarian Reader contains selections from John Locke, Adam Smith, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Mary W ollstonecraft, F. A. Hayek, Milton Friedman, Ayn Rand, and many more. That's a pretty good start on a libertarian canon. If I were going to list bOl)ks that would make up a libertarian canon, I would certainly include:

• The Second Treatise on Government, by John Locke ·crhe Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith • The Declaration of Independence,

by Thomas Jefferson • The Construction of Liberty, by F. A. Hayek

BOAZ: Well, the best way for students to educate themselves about libertarianism (here Boaz grins and says, 'he said modestly,') is to read my two books (Libertarianism: A Primer, and The Libertarian Reader). I hasten to point out that the majority of the words in these two books were

• Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand • Capitalism and Freedom, by Milton Friedman • Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick. Ml

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13

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

October 29, 1997

...-."

o INTERVIEW: DAVID BOAZ is~ a

"Creating Chaos O N FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, David Boaz, spoke at the University of Michigan on "Libertarianism: A Challenge to the Politics ofthe Past." The event was sponspored by the University of Michigan College Libertarians . Boaz, Executive Vice President of the Cato Institute, a major libertarian think-tankin Washington, D.C. , is the author of the recently rel eased Libertarianism: A Pnmer. In addition to his work at the Cato Institute, Boaz has been published in many top publications nationwide, and is the author ofnumerous books. He was gracious enough to . meet for an interview after his speech on the evening of the 24th. The Review's Benjamin Kepple had the opportunity to speak with Boaz.

know whether they are ready to abolish the things taxes pay for. Political change happens gradually, but as William Lloyd Garrison argued about slavery, change will perhaps only happen gradually, but we should argue for immediate change, because

MR: People seem to evolve into libertarianism - it doesq't appear to be an ideology onejust starts out with . What are some personal experiences that helped make you a libertarian?

BOAZ: My father was involved in politics and was a conservative, and I startedout that way, and then I read The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater, which was a very libertarian book, and then I read Eco nomics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt which taught me everything I needed to know about economics, and then I read Ayn Rand, who appealed to my sense of justice, and at that point I realized I was a libertarian.

MR: Do you think the American people will accept such a radical change?

Our Congress is unable to make major changes they promised in government for fear of looking "too extremist," - yet libertarians favor abolishing the IRS and many federal agencies.

BOAZ: I think the American people are ready to abolish the IES. I don't .

is believing the Federal Government is Santa Claus and that it can give you everything ... as that great Michigander Gerald Ford said, although I think he got the line from Barry Goldwater, "A government big enough to give you all you want is big

tarian movement face in the future?

BOAZ: The biggest obstacle to the libertarian movement is that we've achieved 80 percent of what libertarians have always struggled for. We got rid of slavery and the established church, and mercantilism, and monarchy, and we now live in a democratic system based on free enterprise, the rule of law, and constitutional government. In a sense , we're arguing over the details now, and its harder to engender the public with outrage over the excesses of a government that is largely still democratic and capitalist .

" -,-_ .

MR: Many Americans see the State as being too involved in the lives of Americans -- how can they work to diminish the role of the State?

MR: First off, what compelled you to write Libertarianism: A Primer? What made you decide to have that as your focus, as opposed to other issues regarding libertarianism?

BOAZ: I thought for a long time there was no introductory book on libertariani s m. But it was really the Publisher's idea to make it a primer rather than a policy manifesto. I thought it would be easier to write a primer than a policy manifesto, but I was wrong. I had to learn a lot about libertarianism that I thought I already knew in order to write about libertarianism from the ground up.

Political Operation"

/ ' David Boaz during hts Friday evening speech. .'

that is what is right and just. Nobody has offered the American people a program of radical change and showed them how it would improve their lives.

When they rejected Bob Dole, you can hardly say they were rejecting radical change.

MR: Can libertarians and conservatives, especially social conservatives, work together, or are they simply too: opposed each other on' certain issues?

to

BOAZ: Libertarians ought to emphasize the importance of individual rights and moral values, both for achieving a good life and for sustaining a free society. As long as social conservatives believe in moral values but don't insist on trying to impose them by force, there's no necessary opposition. On the other hand, liberals, who believe in peace and civil liberties and freedom of speech and a constitutional society, may very well be more likely allies for libertarians, but I think a Republican who emphasized economics issues and personal responsibility could appeal to both libertarians and social conservatives.

enough to take all you have."

MR: Recently, the Congress has demanded a major overhaul of the tax code and the Internal Revenue SeI'~ vice. As a libertarian, what would you like to see done? What do you think will happen given the current makeup of the Congress? taxes made as low as .possible, and I don't put any more limit on that ...

There won't be any major tax relief in this Congress, but I think that in 1999, there will be a real opportunity to move to a flat rate income tax or consumption tax.

MR: Libertarianism is the dominant ideology of choice among users of the Internet. Will the large Libertarian community on the Internet be able to successfully challenge the attempts by government to censor the Internet and tax its commerce?

MR: Most students on campus are unfamiliar with libertarianism with libertarianism as an idea: many may see it as a branch of conservatism.

What makes a libertarian different from a conservative, and what are some tenets of libertarianism as an idea?

BOAZ: Eternal viligance is the price ofliberty, but the Internet communiy is pretty well organized, and the beauty ofthe Internet is because of its international nature and the rise of encryption technology, it's going to be very different to tax and regulate the Internet. Software will treat taxes and regulations as damage, and route around it.

MR (grinning): Please.

BOAZ: I suppose the greatest threat

MR: What obstacles does the liber-

BOAZ: Well, the Federal Government. Am I supposed to narrow it down?

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BO.A,Z: .路 Ideally, 路1 would ~~to see

BOAZ: Well, the basic idea of libertarianism is that every adult individual has the rightto make the important decisions about his life as long as he doesn't violate every other individual's equal rights, and currently the American Government at every level usurps our right to make our own decisions. In my book, I make the point that libertarianism first emerged in the struggle for religious tolerance, not in economics issues, as people might assume.

MR: What do you consider to be the greatest threat to the American citizens today?

BOAZ: Most people are busy with their own lives and their own families, and that's especiailytrue of people inclined to libertarian values, but people who want to change the world should become well informed about .issues,write Letters to the Editor, get involved in political campaigns and single issue efforts, like school choice and term limits, and should set a good example by taking responsibility in their own lives and not taking favors ,i from governmellt.

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MR: University students are surrounded by federal and state money, in everything from financial aid to federal subsidies of the University.

How would Libertarianism, if implemented in government, change the University system? How would students be affected?

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See BOAZ on PAGE 12

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14

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

October 29, 1997

o NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Education System NeedsCornpetition

BY C.J. CARNACCHIO

L

ITTLE JOHNNY CAN'T READ, write, or do basic math, but he feels good about himself and he knows how to put on a condom. Johnny is the product of the American public education system a system controlled by a costly, ineffective, bloated government bureaucracy and greedy teachers' unions. A system that sees students as guinea pigs for liberal social experiments. A system that strives for mediocrity over excellence.

Whenever the subject of educational reform arises, liberal politicians and "educrats" begin chanting the same tired mantra of "more schools, more equipment, more teachers, more money!" The nation spends $300 billion a year ($6,800 per student) on a system that has produced rising illitcrary and dropout rates coupled with plummeting test scores and the cducrats still demand more. The true solution to the educational malaise lies in the denationalization and privatization of the country's school system.

The most basic argument in favor of denationalization is that federal intervention in education is unconstitutional. Education is one of the powers reserved to the states by the Tenth Amendment, which states: "The powers not delegated to the Untied States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Therefore, all fot-ms offederal aid and regulation in th~s area are illegal.

Next, government-run schools are a protected monopoly. Compulsory attendance laws and tax-based financing protect them from competing to offer quality educational products.

The absence of competition for customers and funding eliminates an effective quality control mechanism by which customer feedback is translated into direct action. Taxpayers must pay for education regardless of its quality and regardless of whether or not their children go to a public school.

The problem is not that we are spend too little on education but that the mammoth bureaucracy controlling education gives us so little in return. As Cato Institute Executive Vice-President David Boaz cites in Libertarianism: A Primer, "From 1960 to 1984 enrollment in American public schools rose by only 9 percent, C.J.Carnacchio is a staff writer for the Review. He thinks that the free market and cheesy poor..<; are sweet.

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while the number of teachers rose by uninsplrmg teachers rather than 57 percent and the number ofpripcithose who are creative and confident. pals and supervisors rose by 79 perThe injection of market competicent. Meanwhile, the number of pertion would reward merit and help sonnel who were neither teachers nor develop talented teachers. No longer supervisors rose by 500 percent - yet be mired in bureaucratic red tape, somehow every school system with teachers would at last be allowed to budget cuts announces that it would be creative and independent. Their have to layoff teachers, not bureauinnovative approaches to education crats." would in turn attract parents. TeachBureaucratic monopolies are iners would be given the chance to beherently inefficient. A bureaucracy's come more successful (i.e., raises, top priority is to sustain itself and profit sharing) by producing successchannel whatever resources remain ful students. They would also face the into its field of responsibility. When possibility of losing their jobs if they the government creates a bureaucracy failed. Tenure laws would no longer to deal with a particular problem and be a shield for the mediocre. that problem worsens, the governTeachers' unions like the National ment effectively rewards the bureauEducation Association tend to favor cracy with a bigger budget to deal standard salary scales and oppose a with a bigger task. This does not punmerit-based system. As Forbes magaish the bureaucracy for failing to . zine once noted, "The union's growing achieve its purpose. In essence, there ~ power has exactly coincided with the is an incentive for bureaucrats to perdismal spectacle of rising spending petuate probley}s in order to sustain on education with deteriorating rethemselves.. ·Yailure becomes an il,lsults." Boaz points out that according centive. Why should a bureaucracy to Keith Geiger, president ofthe NEA, solve its problem when that problem 40 percent of big-city public school is its meal-ticket? The educational teachers send their children to pribureaucracy serves as an impenvate school. Do they know somethip.g etrable barrier against citizens' efwe don't? forts to reform the system.

Public schools have become the Private schools provide quality indoctrination centers and propaeducation at a considerably lower cost ganda machines of the Left. Postthan public schools, since private modernism, multiculturalism, and schools respond directly to market feel-good psychology have replaced forces without stagnant bureaucrathe three "Rs." Children are taught cies. The free market is the best inwhat the State wants them to learn. strument for producing optimal outThat curriculum often conflicts with put at a minimal cost. Competition is the parent's beliefs and values. But it the key. Competition forces people to is the parents, and society, that will try bold new ideas, adopt the ideas of have to live with the results of this educational gobbledygook while the successful competitors, cut costs, and eliminate waste. Competition guar"educrats" move on to a new generaantees steady progress in a given field tion of guinea pigs. We forget that the and discourages stagnation. Busipurpose of schools is not to tinker nesses must compete to offer the best with society, but rather to educate product for the lowest price, so why individuals. shouldn't schools do the same?

By subscribing to the Dewey-ite When the market is the final notion that every child must have the arbiter, consumers' needs are satissame education, we have failed to build a ,system that will challenge the fied, since consumers are the market.

The possibility offailure is a powerful intellects and cu:tivate the talents of our best studen~s. As the political incentive to meet consumers' needs.

In the private sector, businesses must sage Russell Kirk once observed, "By attract customers or they fail. If they the conclusion of the twentieth cenfail, investors lose money and emtury America may have achieved comployees lose their jobs. plete equality in education: everyPrivatization would also elevate body compulsorily schooled, and everybody equally ignorant." the caliber ofteachers by making their The current government-run mosalaries responsive to market forces.

Teachers' salaries are not, contrary to nopoly, with its one-size-fits-all approach to education, cannot adpopular belief, too low. Poor teachers equately reflect the values of all parare grossly overpaid, while good teachents in our diverse society. The daners are severely underpaid. Salaries ger in having one approach univertend to be determined by seniority, sally taught is that there is no single degrees received, and teaching certifi<tutes, notactual,m.erikTbepl!eSEmt ..cOO"t'ect,. \iia:w" nQ··\{)fficiai ortoo®xy, not only in academic subjects like salary structure promotes mediocre,

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history, but in the world generally.

A privatized system would enable parents to wrestle power away from the educational intelligentsia and have their children educated according to their preferences. There would be no single state--enforced orthodoxy. Different children could be taught different things. Competition would promote a healthy variety of schools and teaching methods, and parents would be able to choose from a wide variety of options. It is the height of arrogance to suggest that so-called educational elites should override parents in deciding what to teach their children.

A private system would allow parents the freedom to express their views about their children's education by withdrawing them from one school and sending them to another. Most parents are competent judges of how well their children are being educated, by simply observing and listening to them. A parent deciding which school best suits his child's needs has a far greater incentive to postulate an informed opinion than one who just ships his kid off to the local public school.

Opponents argue that a privatized system will lead to a gap between the poor and the wealthy. But even in public education there is a great dis.'parity between thewliyth~two~"iii'''''''' are educated. Just look at the difference between affluent suburban schools verses poorinner-city schools.

A privatized system would actually help reduce that inequality. Most parents could afford to pay for their children's education out of their current income. Most already pay for theIr child's education through taxation. Since private schools provide education at a lower cost than public schools, most parents would actually face a lower financial burden.

The private system would also be less dominated by geography. Poor parents could send their kids to better schools, no longer limited to their local school district. The private system would give parents real control over their children's education. The power of the consumer operating in the market would make up for the poor's lack of political power in the public system. The poor have the same economic power as anyone else in that they have the ability to choose whom they buy from.

Well, it's twenty years later. Little Johnny is all grown up. He is unemployed, homeless and eating scraps from a dumpster. Cheer up Johnny. I hear a shipmentof government cheese just arrived. l\R I:q~

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October 29, 1997

15

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o ESSAY

.',.

U-M Basketb,all In State of Flux j;, -:Z't/-'~

BY ANDREW GOLDING

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ALL TOM GOSS ANYTHING

but suspensefuL With a decision that surprised no one, the new Michigan Athletic Director named former assistant Brian Ellerbe as U-M's interim men's basketball coach. After all, what other option did Goss really have'?

While thirty-six coaching candidates were interviewed by phone, and seven in person over the previous two weeks, the likes ofCazzie Russell and Hoger Heid, among others, could not have ever been considered serious contenders for one of the most prestigious coaching jobs in college basketball. Russell - the current coach at the Division III Savannah College of Art and Design - received a great favor from Goss by even mentioning his name among the numerous coaching candidates; the former U-M star is several years away, at least, from being Division I coaching material.

Ultimately, Goss realized there was only one course of action he could possibly take: pass on the available candidates this year, retain Ellerbe,

Letters CONTINUED from PAGE 11 when they say "Yes, the man you saw giving me that gentle kiss on the cheek a week ago, well~ he beats me." I will argue that the greatest hindrance to addressing the prevention of, and the stopping of domestic violence, is the criticizing and silencing of the victims [... J Making the "right choices" or the proper "lifestyle" will not immunize a woman from abuse. A society that "instilled the message of circumspection with regard: to female behavior" would not necessarily prevent abuse. Besides, according to Sirhal's definition, we may have a society that is more like that than we may think.

Women are arguably criticized for sexual activity much more so than men. Who is normally the "stud" and who is normally "easy?" I don't need to say which gender goes with which word, because all ofus already know.

Circumspection with regard to female behavior should not be the major concern when examining domestic violence.

Time was also examined in last weeks article. Sirhal writes, "She made an initial choice to involve herse1f with a ... man before ~e took the ~

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and re-evaluate the coaching position next year. Due to the release of the report on U-M's NCAA infractions only one week before the start of practice, and the subsequent firing ofcoach Steve Fisher, Goss had no other options. A coach meeting his criteria would have received a media skewering by accepting the U-M job at this time, and subsequently leaving the players in his own program behind. Additionally, such a move would have been in opposition to the "core values" Goss stated his Athletic Department will have.

Goss' appointment of Ellerbe ended an exciting two weeks in Ann Arbor, beginning with the firing of Fisher, which was scooped by ABCI ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale during the broadcast of the U-MNorthwestern game on ESPN. Goss held a press conference in Crisler Arena after the U-M victory and stated that he decided to fire Fisher. because he wag..tt'roubled by evidenc~ in the report that our basketball program has not be~n held to the standards we believe all programs at the University of Michigan should meet."

Fisher, sUent for seven months during the course of the Kansas City law fum's investigation into the basketball program - as requested by time to understand his potentially harmful j;>e:rsoruility.'" So ... howmllch time is necessary? When you can say you truly know someone? [... JPeople are not puzzles that am be completely figured out after an arbitrary amount of time. Personality is complex, with as long a history as the person's age [... JBehavior varies from situation to situation, but one thing has always held constant is that violence against women is unjustifiable. Let me say it again. There is no, absolutely no, excuse for violence against women. 1 don't care what she said, I don't care what she did, when she met him, I don't care ifhe fathered twenty children out of wedlock. There is no excuse for domestic violence. Although people may argue that there are "lifestyles" and "bad choices" and "morality" issues, we can never predict with complete accuracy when this horrible behavior will rear its ugly head. Nonetheless, each and every time, it is inexcusable, and this is something we can be completely certain of.

Sirhal writes, "... many would ask., why did she remain with him?" I want to ask. not "Why didn't she leave" but "Why couldn't she leave?" r don't even want. to 1mow~\ what .happened to d ", t')q\q;J~~

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the University - held his own press but factually incorrect ones. Goss conference the following Monday played football at U-M from 1966-68, morning at the Sheraton Inn Hotel in one more year than Webber played Ann Arbor. Flanked by his players basketball here. and supporters, Fisher stated that Days later, Fisher's name was you can "call me a lot ofthings. Don't mentioned for the coaching vacancy call me dishonest. Don't call me a at South Alabama, a slot which he person who doesn't have integrity." interviewed for and was offered Additionally, he declared that "1 will depending on whom you talk to. The not apologize for who lam or what I've Jaguars say Fisher was never asked done. 1 am immensely proud to be to take over, only to consider whether Steve Fisher." The press conference he would take the job if it was offered. ended as Fisher patted his tearful son Fisher told the AP that "I felt at this on the head, and exited. immediate time, it wasn't appropriThe next day, former Fab Five ate for me to leave and take the job." star Chris Webber offered his opinNo matter whether he declined ions on the firing in a strange, seventhe South Alabama position, or was minute phone conversation with never offered it, things have certainly WDFN radio. Webber refused to anchanged for Steve Fisher. Eight years swer questions concerning his alleged ago, he was the undefeated coach of an relationship with booster Ed Martin NCAA championship team, plucked and his interview with NCAA investi from anonymity only three weeks ear~ators. "It is none of your business. 1 lier because he was a "Michigan man." don't know you. What are you going to Today, he is the former U-M coach, and a former candidate for the head do for me?" he said.

Webber did comment that "I recoaching position at the University of ally don't feel like I'm a part of the South Alabama.

University of Michigan anymore ... 1 For Brian Ellerbe, the new head think he [Fisher] was betrayed by a man at a top Division I school, things newathleticdirectorwhodoesn'tknow ,... ';"llre looking up. ''We've got good playanything about Michigan traditi~~ and is not a Michigan man."

Strong words from a man who attended U-M for a mere two years,

ers" he noted at the press conference introducing him as interim. head coach. "We have to tell them what to do, and they have to do it." Mt

~Bf1l when. i$etried. M;aybe lac-

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tu.a.1ly do know. Women areseventjrfive percent more likely to be killed at the time they leave, separate from, or divorce their partner. Leaving is not that easy. Who will you turn to? Where will you go? Who will protect and believe you?

The idea that "The greatest hindrance to addressing the cultural issues of choice and prevention is the continued silencing of criticism of individuals' behaviors" perpetuates . blaming the victim. Perhaps people are deeply horrified when they hear of domestic violence, and they want to formulate a definition that will make abuse inapplicable to them. Maybe if we would all just follow certain "moral" lifestyles, we could be sure that this would never happen to us. We want to be able to say, "Well, that would never happen to me, because ... " There is no magic formula to follow. Domestic Violence manifests itselfin many, many ways [... J Domestic violence relies on the criticism of women's behaviors. If the abuser or if others am criticize her, they am make her less sure of herself, silencing her. If the abuse can somehow be ultimately linked to the '," w()ltu~n'.a lackoppreventive. behavior, , :' ; , ! ),.. ; L '~} -;'~

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t;}u:tt it waS' she who made路 thewholerughtmare possible.

She should've have had perfect foresight, right? They am make her think she somehow deserves it, and is not worthy of more. How else would she end up with someone who abuses her?

And so her cries for help are' silenced, and the abuser is empowered, and others are able to think it won't happen to them, becal.lf38 they are smarter than she. Not only is the abuser empowered, he's justified. She should've seen the warning signs, right? And if no one believes her, maybe it's not even really abuse. Wrong.

Women need to know that their voices will be heard, that regardless of the actions leading up to it, there is no excuse for violence against women.

They need to know that what is happening to them is not their fault, and that there are places and people to turn to. Morality is debatable, the precursors are debatable, the best way to prevent domestic violence is debatable. What does not change is that domestic violence is never justified, and criticizing the victim, silencing the victim, is not the answer.

KATHERINE GIMMEST AD

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ENRIGHT LIBERTARIAN FOR CITY COUNCIL WARD

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ANN ARBOR MIKE ENRIGHT ... Supporting the personal liberties and individual re~,p,onsiblities- of all Ann Arbor's citizens. ,

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MIKE ENRIGHT WILL .•.

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• Balance the budget responsibly • End Ann Arbor's Tax and Spend Cycle • End the ban on skateboarding on public property

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We need a voice on Ann Arbor's Ci ty Council!

Who else will speak for us?

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VOTE LIBERTARIAN ON November 4th!

Discover your option! For more information about the Li bertarian Party, call 1-800-682-1776.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT· Paid for by the Enright Gommit'ee Dr the Preservalon of liberty. 3816 Tayklr, S. Quad, 600 E. Mldlson, Ann Arbor, '-4 48100· PAlO ADVERTISE~

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October 29, 1997

17

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o SPORTS

'. ';'-..

A Michigan Football Legend

BY ROB WOOD

L

ADIES AND GENTLEMEN, the Review is honored to bring to you an interview with a veritable sports god around these parts. Coach Glenn E. "Bo" Schembechler is the winningest head football coach in this University's long history. He coached at Michigan from 1969 to 1990, and finished with a record of 194-48-5. He also served as Athletic Director from 1988 to 1990, and as the twelfth President of the Detroit Tigers organization from 1990 to 1992.

He's one of the nicest, most charismatic, articulate gentlemen this reporter has ever met, and if any of you maize-and-blue blooded Wolverine students, alumni, or fans ever get a chance to meet him, you will be much better for it.

And so, without further ado ...

MR: It must be nice to have an office in a hall named after you.

To say that I was intimidated out of my mind before I came in is an understatement ...

Schembechler: It just means that I've been around here ~ long time. 1 came here in. '69, so I've been here almost thirty years.

MR: You also served as President of the Detroit Tigers for a couple years ...

S: That was ~ mistake, but at least I met a lot of good people and I learned a lot about baseball. I know quite a bit about it, but 1 didn't get to leave any kind of legacy there at all (laughs).

MR: I'm just wondering how many legacies one person can leave behind. I know I, and just about all of the students, am wondering what you're up to nowadays.

S: My first wife died of adrenal cancer, a very rare cancer, found mostly in females, and there's no cure.

And so 1 found out during the year that she was ill that the only treatment for it was experimental and that, of all the places we checked, the University of Michigan Hospital knew the most about it.

It's not a disease that can get a lot

Rob Wood is the sports editor of the Review. We didn't ask what sort of "subterfuge" he used to get an appointment with Coach Schembechler.

•••

of financial support from the Cancer Institute or other areas, because there aren't enough incidents of it, so when Millie died, I asked those people up here, "What would it take to make Michigan the center for adrenal cancer research?"

They said "Not much," and so they calculated that, if they had a $2 million endowment and $1.2 million to endow a chair for adrenal cancer research - total of $3 .2 million they would have it.

So I said "Okay, I'm going to get it," and I started a golf tournament five years ago .... [Itis] on the Monday before the baseball All-Star game '" [and] nets $250,000 in one day. Then, we've got some support from the Towsley Foundation and other places.

We now have $2.1 million, in five years. We're going to have the $3.2 million by the year 2000, and we're going to have a huge celebration.

Now that tal}es some work, because we have t6 b~ihg 36 celebrities. in here, every year. I mean, we've got to get a Bobby Knighl, Danny Dierdorf, a Sparky Anderson, a Lou Holtz. We've got to get all these guys to come in here. But, we have it right here, at the University golf course, and it's been hugely successful, but it takes a lot of time.

And I'm on two boards. I'm on the Riddell board, which makes protective equipment: headgear ... and shoUlder pads. And, I'm on the board of Midland Company in Cincinnati, which 1 have been for over 25 years.

That's the Chairman of the Midland Company. I went to school in Miami [Ohio). I'm on those two boards, and then I do quite a bit of speaking. Too much. I'm gone quite a bit. [For] some of it, I get paid, but most of it is for charity. Let's say you were Bobby Knight, and I say "1 want you to come to my tournament. I want you to come every year." [He'd say] "Okay, come to mine," And there's 36 of these guys.

So 1 have more things to do than 1 have time to do, and I'm busy. I'm not in here very often. You probably had a hard time getting hold of me ...

And to be honest, folks, I did actually use just a tiny bit of subterfuge to get in contact with the Coach.

I am just glad he didn't mind. As Mitch Albom (his autobiographical ghost writer) and anyone who ever played for him can tell you, Coach Schembechler can be one of the loudest people on this Earth ifyou rile him up. Besides that though, I didn't particularly want to be reamed out by one of the toughest hombres to ever strap on a headset and prowl the sidelines.

--

Former U-M football coach "80" Schembechler (courtesy of the U-M Athletic Dep~.)

He was quite gracious about it, /wwever, andcomplimi!nted my "hustle." Needless to say, [ was both relieved and flattered You could've knocked me over with a feather.

me on

" .. .1 spend the winters in Florida.

We have a condo down there in Boca Grande."

MR: Well, that is fair. You've spent your share of winters up here, too.

S: Oh yeah. And traveling, you know, when you're recruiting ... .You're on the road in December and January and February - worst time of the year. You're in airports and automobiles traveling all over the country.

When I was 60 and had had two openheart surgeries, then, that was enough. 1 couldn't continue to do it.

I'm okay now.

And I'm noUnvolved in anything here [at the University], other than if Lloyd Carr stopped in to see me or Tom Goss called me to ask my advice on something, you know, I'm available ....

MR: You said coach Carr stops by every once in awhile ...

s.:. Well,

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a good friend pi

mine. And Jimmy Herrmann.[Michigan defensive coordinator], for example, played for me. I got him started in coaching, so you know, these guys are friends ...

MR: Right. You don't say anything like "Well, you should have done it this way," or anything like that... .

S: (Laughs) Well, lkid 'em once in awhile ...

MR: Do you have any players come by to talk to you?

S: Always. It's like Garvie Craw.

You don't remember him, but he was my fullback in '69 .... I wasn't here yesterday, [but) he leaves a message on my phone, "Bo, I'm in town, and I'm going to go to the game. Now I'm just asking, Bo ... Is there an extra space in your box?" (laughs) Now, [that's] the beauty of being a coach for a long time in a program like this, that's enormously gratifying. Now, I've seen guys, I mean, someofthem have just shot to the top.

See SCHEMBECHLER, page 18

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THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

18

October 29, 1997

Coach Schembechler ,~ ~.

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CONTINUED FROM Page 17

At this point, Coach Schembechler leapt from his chair and went to the left wall ofhis office, to his photo ofthe infamous "Phantom Touchdown" in the 1979 Rose Bowl. If you know the coach's personality and have a good imagination, yo'u can probably guess what he did next. He grabbed that photo by its frame and pointed out (rather fervently) what happened. In my mind's eye, I could see the Bo Schembechler of eighteen years ago gomg out of his skull and charging down the sideline to give the referee a few anatomically impossible instructions to follow after the game.

Some of them ". have struggled a little bit. Some ofthem [have) called me for help . ... They're all out there, but ... it would be a rare occasion if! don't hear from three different players a day.

MR: In regard to the kind of football you're known for~ the ha.r d-nosed, smash-mouth football ...

S: It's interesting about that. See, when I came here, for two years, [we) had Don Moorhead at quarterback.

He was really a good quarterback. ...

And [we) had Jim Mandich at tight end. The first year I was here, Mandich caught fifty balls.... Then, in 1971, Moorhead had graduated, and [we] didn't have anybody. [We] had a quarterback who didn't come through. He threw the pass well, but he didn't have the other attributes; toughness [and] all the things you need, to stand back and throw the ball .. .. So I took a guy by the name of Tom Slade ... I said "Tom, we're going to run option football. Don't throw very much. We're going to play defense." That team scored like 475 points, and they held the opponents to less than 120. I mean, we just ran 'em over. When that happened, then immediately, that's how I got the reputation. But the reputation was such that you took what you had, and you did what you could do best and [didn't] try to do something that you weren't capable of doing.

That's how I got the reputation to run the ball, and rstill to this , believe, . day, that the best teams 10 the country will always be able to run the ball.

Now, if they can pass, that's fine, but these pure passing teams, just like Florida; if you bring Florida up here in November, hell ... we'd knock their tails off. Now if you go down there, in September, they'll knock your tail off, because they're playing outside and throwing that ball every single day.

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S: That's the ball. That ball was eventually recovered on the threeyard line ... and there was an official from the Big Ten Conference," (points) "right here. [He] called that a touchdown, and," (stabs at photo with finger) "this guy and," (stabs again, even harder) "this ~ did not have guts'" enough to ovefrule it ... He eventuall:r stayed in the Big :ten. I did not let him officiate here [at Michigan Stadium], again . And the first year that I'm retired, I see him out there as a referee.

But anyway, [in regard to] officiating, I don't think they consciously [do it], ya' know? I mean, we get bad calls. but so do the other guys.

MR: What do you think, so far, of this football season?

S: ... Things are going to heat up.

Actually, other than Minnesota, you're talking about games that could go either way. ... Nobody expected Colorado and Notre Dame to be less that what they normally are, and that helps, because we could knock them off. And, to be at this point, well, nobody would guess that we would be there. But this is a good team. '" They've got a lot of great kids. They play together, they like each other, they're having fun, and they're not going to be easy to beat. Now we all, like me, would like to see thelllc run better .... I'm not so sure this isn't the best defense in the country ....

I think, right now, [that] Penn.

State has th~ edge over most teams in the country, offensively. They're a powerful, running team ...

MR: Do you think that sometimes, just because it's Michigan, the officials call things a bit unfairly? Maybe it's just because I'm a fan and I notice our calls a lot more ...

S: I think you do. Ya' know, Ijoke about it a lot, and I think that sometimes, officials have done a poor job.

Like the guy who called that playa touchdown in the Rose Bowl. ... It was a tied-up game , and in the fourth period , Southern Cal went down there.

That's Charles White with the ball, and ... I'll show you a picture.. . "., Fl'fj

MR:; Speaking of PQwert).:d running, rve seep Chris Floyd (of Michigan) just power through a lot of guys. He'll run right over them ...

I '~

S: Yeah,F1byrl's not going to

wiggle on you, so he's got to run over you. Probably like to have him make a shallow cut, but he's not going to do that. He's just going to run over you ....

If you build a defense and [an) offensive line, then you can pretty much run or pass. You choose what you want to do .... The strength of our defense out here is the secondary. ... They're good tacklers and they're good athletes, and there're a lot of 'em. They've got about two deep, in the secondary ... I don't think there's a team out there who has quite the secondary we do ....

Your defense has to be based on flow and the ability to get there, and get in the football position when you're tackling. If you notice, there's some pretty shoddy tackling out there nowadays, but not on our team.

1

MR: A lot of arm-tackling...

S: Yeah, a lot of arm-tackling, and stuff like that. Well, [Michigan] didn't have that much .... Our team's a pretty good tackling team. They get out there and tackle. They may miss a few, at times, but...

MR: Other than fund-raising, do you have any future plans with the Vniversity? . '. S: No, no. My future plans are prollably to be doing less and less (laughs) and I'll be traveling a little more ... since I retired, I've been traveling a lot. Hopefully, as soon as the season's over, I'll probably take offfor Hawaii, and just hang around there for awhile. I love to get up in the morning and walk to the beach, and [at] about 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning, div[ing] in the water,and the water's nice. And the sun's coming up everyday, you know, it's always the same.

MR: When you coached against Woody Hayes, ... now, there are a lot of stories about how Mr. Hayes really didn't like Michigan much. I've heard that while recruiting in this state once, he ran out of gas just after he'd cros$ed the state line. ' So, he pushed his car back into Ohio to get gas, and things like that. Were you, really, good friends?

S: I was his best friend in coaching,by far. When he .~.had theproblem with that Clemson player, I was the gt;ly who got.him out of his house. ... Th~ reason that we wfm~ so close was that the two programs and the two coaches had tremendous respect for each Qtber We had lITeat r.esDect

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for each other. That's why you wanted to beat them all the time .... When I came here, I told my staff - and I came here with some young whippersnappers. Some of them were right out of high school, and nobody [among them) had ever coached in the Big Ten, but me - and I was an assistant; I wasn't a head coach. And I told them, I said "Hey, we're here to beat one, and only one, team ... Ohio State."

Now, we never talked. For the decade that we played against each other, we did not talk during the year.

We did not call each other on the phone. We only saw each other at the Big Ten meetings in July, and for about two minutes at the fifty yard line when we were warming up. That's it .... That was real competition ....

We won in '69, but we lost to Michigan State, and they all said, ''Well, you don't understand the importance of Michigan State."

I said "Okay, okay. Well, we'll do something about that," So we lost in '69, and in the next twenty years, we beat 'em seventeen times.

MR: record.

That's a pretty good

S: Against them, because that's a pretty good outfit. They're a pretty good football t~am.

I had no more questwtts,and while it was still before 10:00 am, I knew that Mr. Schembechler had a busy day ahead ofhim, so it was good that he knew just the right way to exit the interview, gracefully.

S: Well, you got enough stuff?

MR: I sure do, Coach. Thanks a lot ....

It was extremely gracious ofCoach Schembechler to agree to this interview. With that busy schedule of his, any time someone can get to talk with him is of the highest value. His schedule would take out a guy half his age, but he takes itall withagrainofsalt. Mt

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October 29, 1997

19

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

o TELEVISION

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X-File.s Nation ~

BY KRISTINA CURKOVIC

S

OME OF THE MOST EXci ting times of the year for me

are those when a television show presents its season premiere.

"E.R."'s proved to be a disappointing hour of precarious experimentation in which the characters hardly advanced toward any 80rt of plot, and the hand-held camera that jostled and bounced had to have an excuse for its presence. The next most eagerly anticipated show this fall will be premiering on November 2; a show full of mystery and suspense, ofquirky, mutant characters, and featuring two highly popular leads whose careers both started with soft-porn movies; yes, my dears, I'm speaking of The XFiles .

This will be the second premiere for the show that involves the murky question of whether its handsome, brooding lead - Fox Mulder, as (brilliantly, I must say) played David Duchovny - has survived last season's cliffhanger episode. Two seasons ago, he was buried in a train car with piles of decomposed alien bodies when government agents (lead by the infamous Cancer Man) set the car on fire with Mulder still in it. Yet, he survived somehow, and similarly there's no question that Agent Mulder will survive well into this, the show's fifth season, regardless of whether Duchovny's new film career springboarded by the new film, Playing God - creates a Hollywood sensation out of him . (By the looks of it, I think it's safe to Say we'l! have good old Agent Mulder around for a while longer.) Duchovny is arguably as hot as his tight-lipped, red-haired sidekick, played to Emmy Award-winning perfection by Gillian Anderson, and the show would lose favor if it happened to lose either of these actors. The two are already both pop icons, and are, along with the show itself, subjects of countless websites (from Andrew Wong's X-File Page to the Zombie's X-File Page), magazine features, books, and fan clubs around the world. If either of their characters were to even suffer a paper cut at the hands of Cancer Man, their cigarettepuffing (no cigars for him) arch nemisis, one is relatively sure that this poor actor would suffer a long and painful death at the secret location of some Lone Gunmen-inspired lair.

So just as we are sure of Mulder's sure recovery from last season's tragic,

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heart-stopping suicide attempt (are we sure there was one, anyway?), we can probably be as certain that Agent Dana Scully will also somehow recover from her ambiguously contracted, super-rare brain cancer that makes her nose bleed but still allows her to hunt down mutant creatures and expose government cover-ups.

However, rumors are circulating that Gillian is planning on leaving the show after this, their fifth season (possibly to pursue her own film career, starting with her appearances in the upcoming films Hellcab and The Mighty) , so perhaps her prolonged illness could become a feature of this season, along with contract negotiations and more rumors.

This said, the next question becomes, What the hell is going on? At the end of last season's closer ("Gethsemene"), Mulder finds out from Scully that the whole alien conspiracy thing w¥. a hoax on the part-· of the government, which had been.. feeding him false information and setting up this elaborate prank ~ .. for some reason. And they'd given Scully her cancer for the same reason, forc-

ing our beloved, guilt-stricken Mulder to turn his gun on himself.

To be continued. The Official X-Files homepage, run by FoxWorld, is blatantly ambiguous about the upcoming season, not even mentioning Mulder's name in the blurbs about the season's first two shows ("Redux," and "Redux II"). So it seems that we'll have to wait, and watch, and, as always, keep guessing. However, something to look forward to is a guest appearance by Richard Belzer, who will be playing his Lt. Munch role of NBC's "Homicide" on the November 16 episode about the formation of the Lone Gunmen.

Obviously, last year's season closer must not have been as impressive as that which Chris Carter and the X-Files team have in store for . next year; that season finale will ~have to be resolved in an actual feature-length movie due out in theaters during summer 1998. Supposedly, the movie is being filmed under top secret conditions in Bakersfield, California so story lines are hard to come by. However, it is hard to imagine a full-length Hollywood actio~l

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suspense film anymore without a bit 'of prerequisite romance (a la Speed and Broken Arrow), especially when its characters have already known each other longer than the extent of the movie ("Nice to meet you. Put down the nuclear detonation device and kiss me hard!") as Mulder and Scully have.

But why ruin a good thing? It seems inevitable at this point that the two are destined for a long-term platonic relationship, regardless of how much we fans dream of an eventual romantic encounter between them.

Indeed, the simple "you save my life, I'll save yours" basis oftheir relationship has left room for X-Philes to dream of their own encounters with either of these now-popular sex symbols, although Duchovny's recent marriage to That Girl (so-called star of the awful "Naked Truth," Tea Leone) was surprising and odious news. In addition, Gillian Anderson seems to have hooked up with one of her own c(}-stars, .the cute psychopath from ,the tattoo episode la$t season ("Never Again," in which Jodi Foster cameo.e d :''in a voice-over role as an evil tattoo), which is nice in a way, because it was a shame that they had to get rid of such a good looking character in a show where there are so many gross ones (e.g. el Chupacabra) . In any case , if romance does d~velop in the plot of 'I'he X-Filefj movie, it is doubtful (and maybe . ~ little .dis~ppointing) · that those sparks wlll fly between Mulder and Scully.

For those of us who are infatuated with the show, November 2 will find us glued to the boob tube, taping large X's to the window to signal to all our secret agent friends to come over, bring the snacks and watch The X,Files season premiere. Our infatuation comes not only from a more primordial source (i.e. David Duchovny's lovely, lovely lips), but from the basic knowled.ge that the show will not disappoint. Intriguing plots, scary characters, and interest in the on- and off-screen lives of the leads all add up to a great show that will hopefully never challenge and disappoint itself with illusions of greatness viz live cameras. The X-Files pointedly draws us into a no-fuss world offantasy and the macabre. And it has created a pop culture sensation that, now entering its fifth year, rivals that of any other comparable popular television series.

So maybe George Clooney can diagnose illnesses, spred ribs and gt t the girls, but has he ever battled ag linst mutant forces or chased after or been chased by glowing aliens? I don't think so. Mt · . . "

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Pinker Takes on The Mind

BY KRISTINA CURKOVlC

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HISPASTFRIDAY,ANNARbor was graced by the presence of one of America's current great scientific thinkers. Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at MIT and director of MIT's Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, spoke at two well-attended lectures Friday evening to promote his new book. He introduced his first lecture by explaining his early work, a very concentrated and specialized study of irregular verbs. Now, he went one, he'd decided to finally expand his horizons by explaining How the Mind Works, a seemingly unanswerable enigma and the title of his new work which, if it does not completely answer the question, comes very close to it.

How the Mind Works delves deep into the far reaches of the mind -the final frontier of final frontiers. Describing the inner workings of the mind, its purposes and challenges, and its origins is no simple task, and its a wonder that Pinker was able to limit it all into 500 pages. Yet, there is no onf; better suited for this task, for

Pinker, while a scientist, is also a gifted writer and, even more invitingly, a lover of pop culture. The Dook is generously sprinkled with jokes and references to television, cartoons, the movies - all of which present a clear and often amusing view of mind science for the reader.

The mind, he tells us, is both an engineering masterpiece - never yet replicated by machines or robots and a thing of unexplainable quirks that makes people fall in love and be grossed out by worms. Pinker introduces the concept of reverse engineering as a means of teasing out answers as to how the mind functions. Natural selection is the method used to figure out such answers; and it seems that the mind was designed - just as the elephant's trunk, and birds' ability to navigate by stars - to help humans reproduce and survive.

Such an unromantic and perhaps unspiritual response to the question of why hu~s have these amazing brainsmaybetroublingtosomewh~se ideas of humat'1 superiority have allowed them to conquer the earth,bring about the extinction of several species

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(from mastadons to dodo birds). Yet, these very abilities attest to the fact that the human mind has allowed homo sapiens to be able to conquer.

Pinker calls this homo sapiens' "cognitive niche" - being able to overcome other organisms' defenses through cause and effect reasoning.

Pinker also likes to answer seemingly enigmatic questions, like those quirks mentioned before of falling in love and being grossed out by disgusting things. Love certainly is a manysplendored thing, even i:o. the eyes of evolutionary psychology, and its discussion is a little to complex to discuss here. On the other hand, disgust is a little easier to reason. Pinker explained that those invisible, scary organisms that we used to call "cooties" really do exist, in the form of microorganisms. Contamination by contact - "touched ya; you got it" is a legitimate occurence that has caused humans to evolve a feeling of disgust which, in turn, allowed them to survive longer and reproduce faster than those who didn't avoid gross, smelly food and had no problems touching sickly bodies. .. / I

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Likening everything - from biological to psychological behavior -Dto an innate behavior, based on millions of years of evolution and survival brings about even more questions, such as those brought up during the lectures: What about dreams? What about babies who put everything (disgusting or not) in their mouths? Even more so, questions of morality come up. Basing one's behavior on innate aggressiveness or greed - "My genes made me do it" - has become a popular defense in murder cases (culminating in ridiculous excuses like the Twinkie defense). If we can blame everything on our genes and innate behavior, then we're not liable for our actions, right?

Not exactly. We've heard about this naturalistic fallacy in psychology classes , where it is basically taught as "Just because something is innate, doesn't mean that it is right." Pinker attempts to explain that a richer, multi-specialized theory of the mind -his computational theory of the mind - allows for "complicated negotiations inside the head, and one module could subvert the ugly designs of another one." Reconciling morality and science is an tough call, and Pinker is not afraid to approach and discuss the two arenas. He suggests that we must "shift among different stances in conceptualizing people for different purposes," a complicated,and seemingly unscientific, and maybe too easy of an answer.

But people's body parts have different purposes - the heart for pumping blood, the lungs for oxygenating it. As Pinker argues, the complex human mind has different specializations. And this leads us back to the morality versus science debate. Ifthe mind is so complex and multi-faceted, it is similarly possible to separate the scientific and moral in humans. There is a difference between the two, and homo sapiens have developed behaviors based on not just greed, aggressiveness, and jealousy, but also friendship, love, and trust.

And if readers still feel a little glum about being relegated to ·such simplistic, evolutionarily-based backgrounds, consider Pinker's own amazement and fascination with natural selection itself. There is something rather amazing about the whole thing, especially if guided by random chance. The book doesn't leave us worrying about our science-based behavior as disappointing; rather, we finish it "ith deeper impression and understanding of the complexity random or not - of those big grey masses in our headSr.[·~!.it.;,.

r. October 29.1997

@ !Film

.

MICHIGAN REVIEW LIVING CULTURE

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Cornered:Jn Red Corner precarious nature of ongoing trade negotiations. So Jack's only friend if that - becomes his cool, sharp defense advocate, Shen Yuelin (Bai Ling).

The relationship between the two has a rocky start, but as the case continues Shen begins to see that her client is telling her the truth. As issues about his possible innocence start to emerge, both Jack and Shen find their lives in danger at the hands ofthe very people who hold Jack capRichard Gere looks for a way out of his Red Corner tive and whom Shen is try(Courtesy of MGM) ing to disprove in court.

Such obvious injustices abound in the American citizen, and Jack is unceremoniously thrust into the bleak world movie. Language barriers make Jack of the Chinese judicial system, in easy prey to the conniving court; which reticence is met with lenience, ,Shen's investigation is constantly ,impeded; the judge makes random and resistance with death. decisions based on Jack's imperviousNot exactly the "land of the free, home ofthe brave." But, interestingly, ness to Chinese beliefs in respect and reticence. Jack's case is in the hands the U.S. is not pl)rlrayed in any less of a harsh light. The U.S. embassy i~ of higher powers for whom the facts of the case are detrimental. However, unable and unwtJ.lingto deal with the despite such injustices, the movie case because of the strict policies of comes short of portraying Jack's situChina's legal code, and because of the

murder of the woman. The officials ignore his demands for rights as an

BY KRISTINA CURKOVIC

T

HE AMERICAN JUDICIAL system has gotten a bad rap since recen t media circus cases like the Simpson or Menendez brothers' trial. We often hear of the odd case in which a criminal gets off on a technicality that makes our blood boil

Red Comer Directed by Jon Avnet.

Featuring Richard Gere and Bai Ling .

and shrug our shoulders and comment on the leniency and irrationality of the U.S. courts.

This problem is sharply contrasted with those of the Chinese judicial system in Jon Avnet's new film, Red Corner. In it, Jack Moore (Richard Gere) is close to closing a multimillion dollar deal with the Chinese television industry when he has a one-night stand with a beautiful Chinese model. When he wakes up in the morning he is surrounded by police and government officials who quickly accuse him of and arrest him for the

ation as truly disturbing or intense.

We feel bad for - but don't want to save - Jack from his awful state.

The strongest parts of the movie are the fast-paced courtroom scenes and those in which the intellectual, rather than the emotional, lead the plot, although the complex case does get a little complicated at times. The film makers insist on creating people that we must like by introducing Jack's sad past and Shen's Revolution-influenced background, detracting from their more interesting usagainst-them relationship.

On the whole, the film works as a sometimes blood-boiling look into the injustices of a communist country. A strength ofthe film is that the U.S. is not portrayed as a savior of the oppressed; its decisions, too, are influenced by less-than-patriotic motives.

The contrast that the film sets up between the two countries, where in tge larger the murder rater is onetenth of that of the smaller, is an uneasy one. Which is really the worse of two evils? The question is important, for, in real life, the good guys ,don't always win. Mt

'---,.

Marv Marvelous No More

BY ANDREW GOLDING

T

RANSVESTITES, THREEsomes, and garter belts; normal fodder and subject matter for television's slimiest daytime talk shows, yet ~ national news and only some of the sordid topics to arise from the Marv Albert sex trial which concluded one month ago in Arlington, Virginia.

After four days of testimony, Albert plead guilty to Virginia code 19.2-57, a misdemeanor assault charge for which Albert received twelve months probation when he was sentenced on October 24 . In deciding to plead guilty, Albert effectively ended his broadcast association with NBC Sports and the Madison Square Garden network, at least for the foreseeable future . In doing so, he prematurely awoke from a dream career that began when he was eight years old, and in the third grade at PS 195 in New York.

"My teacher, Mrs. Lipowsky, had us write an essay on what we wanted to be when we grew up," he writes in his autobiography, fd Love to but I Andrew Golding is ajunior majoring in Communications and a staff writer for the Review.

Veteran Washington Post televiHave a Game - 27 Years Without a Life. sion critic ~onard ~hapiro called him "1 said I wanted to be a broad"the best basketball voice in the busicaster for the New York Knicks and ness, maybe the best in hockey and football as well.~ New York Rangers. She wrote on the paper that it was 'farfetched and unAlbert had a distinctive style all realistic.' Years his own; a New York accent which played later, she sent me a note, congratulatto a national audience, WITHIN A WEEK, A ing me." an obvious natural Beginning in love for sports, a coMAN'S LIFE WAS RE1963 with his radio medic, biting wit DUCED TO NOTHING work on Rangers asked once who he hockey games , admired most, he anMORE THAN TABLOID Albert lived his swered "Richard FODDER. HE MOVED dream, broadcastLewis' therapist, for FROM THE BACK PAGES plain perseverance" ing New York Giants, Knicks, and and a trademark OF REPUTABLE NEWSPARangers games, and shout of "Yesss," a PERS - - THE SPORTS simple, yet seemingly serving as Sports Director and anchor perfect phrase for deSECTIONS - - TO THE at WNBC's radio scribing fleeting athFRONT PAGES OF TABand television staletic success.

LOIDS ACROSS tion in New York After four days in where he anchored a Virginia courtroom AMERICA. the 5:00, 6:00, and though, he was an ex11:00pm sports segsportscaster, a disment, all in one year. In 1977, he graced public figure, a man who had joined NBC Sports, where he received become the butt of countless jokes acclaim for his work at the controverwith Victoria Secret and Mike Tyson as punchlines - and the recipient of sial 1988 Summer Olympics boxing competition, and as the play-by-play a ridiculous offer from a Tampa radio voice of the NBA on NBC, among station to provide sports commentary. other events.

For a man who never-craved the

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attention of the public, this was certainly not the publicity he wanted ever. He had moved from the back pages of reputable newspapers - the sports sections - to the front pages of tabloids across America.

"Menage A Marv" blared the New York Post after the first day of testimony, "Marv Bites Back" followed , and "Marv Wigged Out" proclaimed Newsday after the third day. Readers woke up to see "Marv Gets the Pink Slip" after he had decided to end the ordeal "for myself, my wonderful family, my fiancee, my friends and supporters" by stating "guilty" when asked how he plead to the charge of throwing his accuser , Vanessa Perhach, onto a bed and repeatedly biting her back.

With those words, a trial that included a cabdriver named "Biggie," toupee-lifting, cross-dressing and lurid sexual allegations came to a close.

Within hours, Albert was fired by NBC Sports, and resigned from the MSG network.

Until the next public job offer, or exclusive interview, or shocking revelation, the story is done with - over - examined, scrutinized and publicized enough for everyone's taste. And so, for that matter, is the legendary, 34-year broadcasting career of Marv Albert. Mt 5cts:aiV& Ii

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Ben Folds

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CONTINUED FROM Page 23

What did you do different on the last album compared to before?

I think it has a really positive effect.

I think that I really know people. I don't want to stereotype, cause you meet someone new every day, but it is really odd that I have met so many crazy people that I feel a lot smarter for it. I'm not afraid to meet anybody ever. If you were ever shy before, this will take you out of your shell.

I think the music is a lot more traditional and the metaphors a lot more plain. They're not as flowery and eclectic. But on the same token, the record is a lot more dynamic. I think we honed things down a bit. I don't think it will always stay that way, but we felt it was something we had to do.

Switching gears: What did you find most fulfilling about recording Whatever and Ever A~n ?

I there something you would have liked to have done different?

More bass solos. Or that I have gotten a better rating in "Guitar Player."

It showed that we weren't just a fluke,

and that we actually made sense in reality. It showed that we didn't just release "I Want Candy" or "Whip It," and have a pop audience forget about us. I know we there are hard core record buyers, but I didn't want to feel like we were a parody of rock and roll. I think the album nailed it down that we are actually a real band.

What you bring to the band? What influences have you had that adds to the band?

Well, I obviousl~ taught Ben to play-' piano and L*rote all those clevel"" lyrics. I think I put the hair on the band. I keep the band from having a crew-cut.

(Continued)

How about your jump to Sony?

where else.

It puts the heat on more, but we signed a deal with them that basically said they would keep their hands off of what we did. We were still figuring out and no one understood it.

We have a lot of freedom; We choose the sequence, the singles, the directors for the videos, and so on. Sometimes it is too much work, but it is better than the other way around.

But, there is a lot of cool stuff going on in that office. They've been pretty good to us.

I would like to see pop music get so disgusting and glossy that everybody hates all music. Then the next great music revolution will happen. And it will sound just like Kiss.

But I think that is where things are going. I feel like, "Great, we're gonna become some dinosaur soon." It makes me feel old because so many indie bands have sabotaged there own careers, but at the same time they don't want to leave the scene. It is like embarrassing for them . Its like they would never sell out, but the bands that do are selling less than they ever did. Its too bad because a lot of them are really talented.

Last question. Where would you like to see the music scene, indie and all, go in the next few years? iIonestly? In total honesty I would like to see the indie scene completely die. There are a lot of really great young musicians who are upset beca~se they can't fit into that indie clique. So I would like to see it completely die and find its roots some-

Well that deep philosophy just put you in my book as a great rock star and superstar.

Great. That's like a complete synonym for a------. Great.l\R

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!JMusic Holy Moley My! It's an I);,terview With Ben Folds Five!

BY CHRIS HAYES

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HERE ARE TIMES WHEN I act ually wonder how the world can be full of so much crap.

Thi8 general wonderment can he applied to every aspect of life. Crappy food, crappy rieu)spapers, crappy music. And, of course, the crappy people who buy into all of this. I almost lose faith in the direction that the human race is going until there is a revelation (/i.-;playing upon me aglimlnerofhope that people don't suck and actually lwl'c merit and taste.

Well, for the current moment that star in the sky is Ben Folds Fiue. It is not because I have finally realized thcre is a good band out there, because I fwow there is good music produced, I am a Music Critic, I listen to it. It is the fact that pcople arc actually buying their alhums. For once, people are not too uwapped up in soggy, monotonous bands like Guster (the current "I have no taste in music but I know a band who is almost as good as Dave Matthews, so I think I know music" fauonte) and are getting their dirty white baseball caps knocked off their heads. Somehow Ben Folds Five is getting through. Not in a major, mind blowing way, but they are. People who once bought Hootie and Dishwalla haul! a Ben Fold's Five's "Whatever and Ever Amen" sitting in their CD tower. Finally the talent and originality of this Chapel Hill trio made up of Ben Folds on piano, Robert Sledge on bass guitar, and Darren Jessee on drums finally is getting through to people who wouldTl't know Billy Holiday from Billy Idol.

Anyone who has caught a Ben Folds Five show either at H.O.R.D.E. or at St. Andrews, or listened to their music, knows what I am talking about. Ben Folds Five possess quirkiness, consistency, spontaneity, talent, and a ton ofenergy to create ;somehow, a perfect balance that makes them a great roch band.

The Michigan Review had the pleasure of speaking to bassist Robert Sledge about touring, life, rehab, and philosophy.

MR: So what has been going on with you?

Robert: Nothing. I just pulled into Jacksonville two hours ago. I'm at Club Five.

How has touring been going?

It's been great. We started in the South, and that is something we

haven't done in a long time and it has been really great.

Did you guys take a break after H.O.R.D.E.?

We took a month off after H.O.R.D.E. and then went to Australia. We just got back and now we're starting the States again.

What were you doing down under?

We were selling out shows; It was brilliant. Australia is really gratifying to play to. It was a real bar crowd full of music lovers. They just go out for it.

What size venues were you pl~y­ ing?

I met a few people who were converts.

They would come up and say "You guys are great. I have never heard of you before, but gee whiz."

But I don't really know the other side of it - the people who didn't come up to us. We had a big crowd every day.

Maybe we just had a good slot and all those people who had nothing to do anyway just came over to our stage.

So maybe they were curious. But I did meet a ton of people who came just to see us.

Everybody who has seen Ben Folds Five is taken aback from your live performances. There is an amazing amount of energy and talent that comes across. Where does all that come from?

All three of us are very competitive Anywhere from five hundred to twelve hundred. /'

What about· the difference be-" tween playing here and playing in Australia? Or playing on H.O.R.D.E. comnared to vour own shows.

Touring on H.O.R.D.E. was about having a thirty minute spot every day. You are a part of this moving festival, so you can forget very easily where you are playing. It is the same stage everyday and your around the same people, except your in a different city. You get off the bus, you get your gear, and you get up and play.

It's like Ground Hog's Day.

That movie is hysterical.

I actually have never seen it. Maybe I shouldn't quote it. There were a bunch of great bands on H. O.R.D.E this year.

Neil Young was fun to watch. Morphine and Kula Shaker were awesome.

The line up was a lot less granola and hippie than years past.

True. Playing it though, you really don't get to spread your wings and do your whole show. But, we had a string quartet with us. We tried to fill every musical hole we could. That was our point. We wanted to exhaust the crowd emotionally with our music ... until no one on the planet existed. Just kidding.

There obviously were people who didn't know you guys before you hit the stage at H.O.R.D.E. How was playing to people like that?

people. We compete with each other, the odds, and what you think another band has done. It has never made any sense to us to do this half ass. From the start, we wanted to go out and be a really great band. I guess that what it waR. We didn't want to walk in n..,ri be all cool and casual about it. We wanted to walk in and then blow minds. We have pretty high standards for our shows, I guess.

Does playing bigger shows help or hurt that energy?

Playing bigger shows is a totally different kind of thing. It's not like flicking a switch. You got to slow yourself down and be more dramatic or something. You learn to realize that. If I was really uncomfortable with big shows, maybe I would try to limit the growth, but it is exciting to figure a new way to play. We have learned a lot from playing larger venues and I like it.

How do your standards carry over when you are recording an album?

Our standards mainly change because we have never gotten what we do live onto an album. But, I think that is kind of good because if we did, we would have given it all up on the first or second record. However, I would like to get what we do live on record more. Live is more spontaneous. You play bigger. You feel the size of the room and you play really big. Sometimes that hits the tape that way and it is amazing. You can here that in a lot of great, classic records. You know they are over playing the room, but it carries so much weight in the way it

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sounds, and I would like to do that.

Than what have you done on your two records?

We established ourselves as a song thing. A song entertainment ensemble or something. The songs are al.vays the most important and I thin~ we have nailed that down. We want to grow as a band and the step we are talking about doing live is more sound byte-ish. If you took a sound byte of any given groove we play live, it would make an incredible cool rap or sample.

Maybe more part oriented.

),

How did you guys form?

It is really boring as s---. I know Ben's brother and Ben was tired ofliving in New York, so he was going to move back to North Carolina. He called me up and it really kind of scared me. I was like, "why the f--- is this guy calling me?" He is sort of a little legend around town, so why is he calling me? He called Darren in the same way and both cfus thought Wt3 w£'ren't 'I9()ri enoue-h to nbv with i:rm. We actually gave him phone numbers of people we thought would work out better than us. But he kept saying, "You should give it a shot. We should jam." So we kind of hooked up that way and moved into a house in Chapel Hill and practiced hard for about a month before our first show. Ben had a lot of songs written, and for me, the first goal was to get those on record.

We wanted to get a record deal with whomever, somebody small, just to get the songs out there and see what happened after that.

Where are you a few years from now?

In rehab or something.

For what?

Coffee and cigarettes. Seriously, I don't know about the future. I hope we have a few really amazing records under our belt and that we actually can relax. It has been a while sinre we have been able to. For the last three years we have not stopped. We have been touring solid, with the exception of the occasional week off.

Has your general outlook on things changed at all? Has success had a positive or negative affect on you?

CONTINUED ON Page 22

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