MichiganReview Prison Art Homeless THE
The Journal of Campus Affairs at the University of Michigan www.michiganreview.com
VOLUME XXVII
April 7, 2009
ISSUE 12
Expression in Captivity
in Ann Arbor Overlooked Population Grows in Time of Economic Recession
PHOTO CHRISTINE HWANG / MRSTAFF
BY CHRISTINE HWANG ‘10
Enter through the glass doors of the Duderstadt Art Gallery and turn left. There, for a couple weeks in March and April, hangs a sketch of a man lifting up the top part of his skull with one hand, as if removing a hat. The sketched man is holding a key with the other hand, about to unlock what’s under his human skull. The name of this sketch is called “Freedom of Mind.” It was sketched by Yusef Qualls-El, a man who’s physically locked behind thick walls, but expresses himself through art. The exhibition that the sketch is a part of is put on by the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP), an organization founded in 1990 that gives the incarcerated opportunities to express themselves through a multitude of art forms. The mission of the organization are simple—as Emily Niedzwiecki put it, “Our main mission is to give those who are silenced a voice.” Niedzwiecki, a volunteer for PCAP, puts on a writing workshop for prisoners. When asked about what she discovered about working at prisons, she told the Review, “the one thing that I will say is that your conception of what a prisoner is breaks down.” By simply listening to whispered exclamations of observers, one could tell that conceptions of what a prisoner is were already being cracked. “I didn’t expect the art to actually be good,” exclaimed one man. “I just expected it to be…you know, prison art.” The man was standing in front of an accurate-to-life oil painting depiction of Barack Obama by Jamal Biggs. It was in the midst of other images of the president’s now-famous grin—anything from a multi-colored abstract depiction of him to a simple black-and-white sketch. The woman who he was whispering to half-nodded as she gawked at an image by Clemente Pena entitled “Faith.” In this image, acutely drawn detail gave its viewers the image of a t-shirted-and-jeaned man being baptized by a heavenly woman drawn in a translucent blue, beside a tumbled hour-glass with trickling grains of salt measuring time. Images like this convey emotion, the idea of time being a trap, whether locked inside a cell or by the length of life. Thus, it shows a sense of human vulnerability, an important element to art, according to Sari Adelson, PCAP’s Coordinator of Membership and Special Projects. “I think the most important thing for me with the show is I think…personally, as someone who considers themselves an artist…there’s an aspect of art that shows yourself, shows your vulnerability,” she said.
mail to
PRISON Continued on PAGE 10
PHOTO ALISSA NG / MRSTAFF
BY ALISSA NG ‘09
Brandon Woods is a homeless man. He lives outdoors, even in winter, and gets by with food from soup kitchens and church communities in Ann Arbor. He has had open-heart surgery and he has attempted to commit suicide once. His wife passed away twenty years ago, and he has accumulated “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in debt from his medical operations.
Woods is one of the many homeless people in Michigan who are chronically homeless. Chronic homelessness, according to a 2005 report released by the Center for Local, State and Urban Policy at the University of Michigan, is defined as those who have had “four or more experiences of homelessness in the previous three years.” They approximate that 30 percent of Ann HOMELESS Continued on PAGE 10
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THE MICHIGAN REVIEW www.michiganreview.com
Editorial Board Jane Coaston Editor-in-Chief Nathan Stano Executive Editor Adam Pascarella Managing Editor Eun Lee Graphic Design Editor Jonathan Slemrod Editor-at-Large Julianne Nowicki Eden Stiffman Nathan Torreano Assistant Editors Business Staff Karen Boore Publisher Jonathan Slemrod Anna Malecke Associate Publishers Michael O’Brien Editor Emeritus Staff Writers & Photographers
(in alphabetical order)
Anna Dickey, Austyn Foster, Christine Hwang, Graham Kozak,Valiant Lowitz, Evgeny Magidenko, Alissa Ng, Alexandria Sanborn, Shanda Shooter, Katie Singer, Sreya Vempatti
Letters & Viewpoints The Michigan Review accepts and encourages letters to the editor and viewpoints. Letters to the editor should be under 300 words. Viewpoints can be arranged by contacting the editorial board. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send all correspondence to mrev@umich.edu.
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Letter from the Editor
As spring arrives (though you wouldn’t know it from our recent April snowstorm), it’s a busy time on campus. Freshmen are working on final projects and beginning to study for exams; seniors are ignoring their final projects and procrastinating on studying for exams. Flowers are beginning to bloom and Dominick’s has reopened for mid-afternoon sangria breaks. At the Michigan Review, we end our year with a bang. Alissa Ng ‘09 writes on the homeless population of Ann Arbor, an oft-overlooked issue that traditionally grows more prevalent as the weather gets warmer. Christine Hwang ‘10 reports on the Prison Art Show that took place on March 25th, and Nathan Stano ‘11 takes a look at a new coffeeshop getting its start in Nickels Arcade and the challenges of starting a new business in Ann Arbor. Graham Kozak ‘11 examines the controversial new film about Hillary Clinton, and the entire Editorial Staff presents the annual Worst of Ann Arbor list (and yes, Scorekeepers is on it). Be sure and read
the column on Relay for Life by Nathan Torreano ‘12 and article on how to get the best summer internship by Julianne Nowicki ‘11. Like Michael Vick’s career and Rush Limbaugh’s relevancy, my time as Editor in Chief is at an end. I’ll miss hanging out in the League and most of all, I’ll miss the fantastic writers and editors with whom I have had the opportunity to write, talk, think, and drink heavily. This is our final issue of the semester, but look for our annual Summer Orientation issue and new content being added to our website, www. michiganreview.com It’s been a fantastic time at the Review. I’ll be moving on to the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch at the end of June, but the Michigan Review will always be a part of me. Thanks for reading, and let us know what we can do better in the future. Regards, Jane Coaston Editor-in-Chief
04.07.2009 4.1.08
Editor’s Notes:
PAGE 3
An Editorial Page for Those Who are Interested in How the Other Side Thinks
Info-tainment
In an interview meant to bolster confidence in the economy, President Barack Obama appeared on Jay Leno. A few weeks ago, we saw Jim Kramer go on The Daily Show, as Jon Stuart delivered a hardhitting interview heavily criticizing the state of financial journalism. While stunts like these perhaps spark a public interest in important issues, they ultimately lead to a public that’s never truly informed about the issues. A Jay Leno interview does not tell the public imperative information, like the behind-the-door congressional negotiations that led to our taxpayer money being spent on AIG bonuses. Trying to convey important information to the public, in the context of entertainment venues, is distorting our understanding of policies passed by the Obama Administration, and is at best, deceptive on the surface. We’re constantly hearing from professors that more and more people from our generation are turning to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report for actual news stories. For once, UM professors might have a valid point. The danger is that people are not staying informed about policies that are passed everyday by the Obama Administration. Both shows pose to be an edgy criticism of political policies and news events. Both shows also pose to keep people engaged in current events in an entertaining way. However, the problem is these shows only pick and choose certain controversial policies to capitalize on, and rarely report on policies that many people would undoubtedly have an opinion about. Neither of these shows “reported” on the Mexico City Policy, and its implications on federal funding (our tax dollars) for international abortions. The policy, first instituted by President Ronald Reagan, requires that non-governmental organizations receiving federal funding must refrain from performing or prohibiting abortion services. As one of his first acts in office, President Obama reversed the Mexico City Policy. The point is, the Mexico City Policy, and other controversial policies passed by the Obama Administration, were never given airtime on The Daily Show or The Colbert Report, so it’s impossible for someone to have ever become informed about it, even in a sarcastic entertaining way. Many people think these shows focus on controversial “news stories,” and thus turn to entertaining news stories to hear their spin on the issues. The truth is these shows barely scratch the surface of important news stories. The first and foremost purpose of shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report is to entertain, not to actually deliver the fact-based stories of our day. The shows actually distract from gaining an informed knowledge of important political policies. The Obama Administration seems to understand the mesmerizing effect of combining news and entertainment, and perhaps this is why President Obama made an appearance on Jay Leno a few weeks ago. The interview focused on the economy, an interesting topic choice for a comedy night show. No doubt the Obama Administration intended for the PR stunt to engage and inform the public on the current economic situation. However, the interview may have just left the public more confused about the economic situation. A context that combines news and entertainment almost guarantees that no one will become truly informed about important issues. Most of us enjoy watching The Colbert Report or The Daily Show, and that’s great. As long as we remember to get informed through an actual newspaper or online venue, then that’s fine. It’s also important to remember that Jon Stuart and Stephen Colbert work for private companies, whose ultimate goal is to make a profit. The shows make a profit from advertisements and endorsements. Profits are a great thing, however, even while enjoying these shows, we should still approach them as consumers and challenge the information given to us from these programs. MR
Editorials
As Ann Arbor’s only local daily paper prepares to shut its doors and major urban papers such as the Detroit Free Press and the Chicago Tribune significantly cut back on their reporting staff both domestically and abroad, one gets the sense that this is only the beginning of the end of print journalism. While American newspapers may once have been considered the ideal model for news, that time is over. Us writers at the Review who are interested in the field of journalism as a career may feel particularly strong sense of anxiety or uncertainty about the drastic changes taking places, but so should any readers of papers, readers of the New York Times or you, reading a small college paper. The next stage in the evolution of journalism has been unfolding simultaneously with the demise of print—web journalism. Many newspapers are transferring their efforts more (or completely) to their websites. There are plenty of plusses and minuses to media in this form. On the Internet, newspapers continue to maintain readership, yet, because the majority of these sites are free, they have trouble making money. Still, the cost of publishing online is about half that of publishing in print. Online newspapers have the capability to offer many more online articles than could ever fit into their print editions. But within the wealth of available information, there is the potential for inaccurate or very biased information to masquerade as news. For many people, blogs are becoming their preferred source of news. For others, news aggregation websites such as the Huffington Post do the work of filtering through the overwhelming breadth of information available. It is almost impossible for one to keep up with all of the daily news, especially when new developments are constantly surfacing, but when someone else is choosing what is important, how are we to know if we are really getting the full picture? While the internet is a very democratic way of gathering information, people who do not go out of their way to read news from a diverse range of sources often end up seeing the same polarized views over and over. So what can be done to preserve a standard of journalistic integrity in the “anything goes” arena of the web? It is necessary for them to diversify the ways in which they make their money. Most print newspapers rely mainly on advertising, but in this economy, advertisement alone is not enough. Some papers rely on public subsidies just as heavily as they do on advertising. However, it may not be wise to rely on donations from a few very wealthy supporters. Charging a small fee to access news articles would generate revenue, but would also likely turn away many potential readers. This is a dilemma with no clear solution. Some have pondered the viability of government subsidies for newspapers, yet, in a country that guarantees freedom of the press, this notion seems unlikely and dangerous. While the future of print journalism may be bleak, journalism in some form or another will always exist. People will always be interested in reading about the latest and greatest news. Whether they are being informed through a biased editorial or through the most carefully researched, objective news story, journalism sustains democracy and informs the public. MR
A Line Must Be Drawn
MR SEPH PHOTO JO XU
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04.07.2009 4.1.08
Opinion
Conservative with a Cause
Live, Love, and Enjoy the Ride
Bowing and Gift Giving
Relay for Life Reminds of Cancer Battle
BY JULIANNE NOWICKI ‘11
BY NATHAN TORREANO ‘12
Apparently President Obama is not too good when it comes to giving gifts, and it’s taking a toll on how the United States is perceived by other countries. When world leaders visit other countries for a meeting, a nice pleasantry usually involves the giving of gifts. According to the Jimmy Carter Library, “The practice of diplomacy provides the means to resolve differences and to preserve national honor without resorting to violence.” Gift giving is a part of this diplomacy, and a tradition in which the gifts given are valuable, julianne represent products from other nations’ econonowicki mies, and symbolize history from other nations. Past gifts received by the White House have been two pandas from China, a pink sapphire necklace from the Prime Minister, hand painted dishes from Belgium. These gifts have signified diplomacy and an understanding of the relationship between two countries. Recently, when U.K. Prime Minister visited the United States, he gave President Barack Obama an antique pen holder made from wood from the anti-slave ship HMS Gannett. The gift eloquently symbolized an understanding of the historic significance of President Barack Obama’s presidential win. What did President Barack Obama give in return? A set of 25 DVDs, which were listed by the American Film Institute in a list of 2007’s top movies. British media is peeved by the incident, while U.S. media has nothing to say about it. The movies given included films like Psycho, The Wizard of Oz, Chinatown, and The Graduate. Oh, and that list is without Star Wars: Episode IV and ET: The Extra-Terrestrial. I don’t know about you, but I have never watched Star Wars or ET in my spare time for fun. Maybe I watched The Wizard of Oz with my kindergarten friends when I was five, and even then I didn’t enjoy it. Last, Psycho is a cool movie, but is it an appropriate gift for the U.K. Prime Minister? If gifts are supposed to say something, then what are gifts like Star Wars, ET, or Psycho supposed to say? Maybe that our government is ignorant to the state of British technology. Maybe that we rummaged through the bin of $5 DVDs at Walmart and this was all we could find. For the children, the Prime Minister and his wife bought Sasha and Malia an outfit from Topshop, and six children’s books by British authors which are soon to be published in America. The Obamas gave the Brown children two models of the presidential helicopter, Marine One. The same models can be bought at the White House gift shop, and its online shop. We move onto the more recent awkwardness that ensued when President Obama recently bowed down to the King of Saudi Arabia. This isn’t even “diplomatic protocol.” And, why bow down to the Saudi Arabia King and then give a head nod to the Queen? Another gift-giving experience that probably perpetuated a stereotype of the “ignorant American” was our thoughtful gift of an iPod to the Queen. To top it off, the iPod included speeches given by President Obama, Broadway show tunes, and video clips of the Queen herself visiting the US in 2007. Maybe a better gift would have been something that 99.9% of the population doesn’t already have. If the US is struggling to find the “perfect gift” for our friends abroad, maybe the solution is to simply end the era of gift-giving. The government has openly criticized companies for spending on extra perks for employees, so how are gifts from the government any different? Of course, the Queen’s gift wasn’t any better- President Obama received the typical photo of the queen and her racist husband the Duke of Edinburgh, placed in a silver frame. While gift-giving may seem like a trivial thing, it has important implications for how the United States is perceived by other countries. Already media outlets in the U.K. have reported on the lack of U.S. thought in gifts given to the Queen and Prime Minister, and how this typifies “American ignorance.” While President Obama may have come into office to overturn America’s reputation, it seems so far the Administration has done nothing but harm it. MR
When an individual encounters a moment of tragedy, a personal loss so immutable it balks the mind, such as the death of a loved one, the individual feels alone, isolated, in an unfriendly world full of others who lack understanding. The truth, however, shows that almost all individuals experience such situations. The fact that no one else can share the individual’s specific pain for his or her specific loss in part contributes to the feeling of solitude. Among the multifarious causes of loss and death, cancer remains one of the most prevalent. On Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, Palmer Field nathan in the University of Michigan was abuzz with a plethora torreano of activities and people. Throughout the 24-hour period, someone could always be found circling the track. Speeches were spoken, songs were sung, and games were played. In the midst of the bustle, money was gradually raised for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, an organization that aims to raise money for cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment. Many lives have been touched by cancer; according to the National Cancer Institute, about 11 million people since 2005 have encountered some form of cancer. Although there have recently been signs of hope and improvement with cancer research, there does not seem to be any end in sight. Our new Executive Editor, University of Michigan student Christine Hwang, spoke Saturday night at Relay for Life about her various encounters with cancer. She was very articulate, as she recounted not only a close friend’s plight with cancer but also her own mother’s death when she was only five. Startled by how lucidly she remembered her mother’s features and characteristics, I was reminded of my own father’s death when I was in the eighth grade. The contrast she described is undoubtedly one that many can relate to: the image of the alive, vigorous, happy, and caring loved one who could light up a room with just a smile, to the later picture of that same individual, with the same smile and sparkle in the eyes, except now emaciated, the eyes yellowed and dulling, wheezing for breath, and on the brink of death. Such a contrast, from happiness to suffering, is often one of the most frustrating aspects of death; we are used to seeing those we love in a position of happiness and ability; when their ability to independently function is taken away, and when we can no longer believe that they are happy, confusion arises. Few enjoy this confusion; even less people enjoy the subsequent loss. Such partially explains why hoards of people can be found at Relay for Life across the country, including many people who have not been touched by cancer personally. There was a time when I, probably like many before me and many still to come, was motivated to find the cure for cancer myself. I believed that with enough study and determination, it was possible. I can no longer claim that same unbridled idealism; with life experiences and aging, realism and to some extent, pessimism, sets in. With thousands of people in laboratories and libraries searching for a cure, and still none imminent, what hope is there for an individual not possessing an IQ of around 200 to find the cure-all? More likely, we will have to yield to massive research teams making small progressive steps, producing drugs that can curb the symptoms of specific cancers in their earlier stages. Yet idealism still remains in our country. In 1971, President Richard Nixon announced the war against cancer, and provided funds to back up his words. Since then, our country has not looked back and billions of dollars have gone towards cancer research. Recently, President Barack Obama has carried this pledge a step forward, seeking a, “cure for cancer in our time.” This bold statement has likewise been supported with a vow of sustained federal research funding. Christine and I aren’t the only ones who have been affected by cancer. Speaking about his plan, Obama said, “It will launch a new effort to conquer a disease that has touched the life of nearly every American, including me, by seeking a cure for cancer in our time.” The President himself has experienced loss from cancer in his life – twice; both his mother and grandmother died from it. Most experts agree that a cure-all for cancer appears more of a fairy tale than a possibility. However, treatments are gradually improving and there is much optimism to cure specific cancers. Is this pursuit worth another $10 billion? Well, you could ask those affected by the 560,000 Americans annually who succumb fatally to the disease. Chances are, you are one of those affected. MR
THE MICHIGAN REVIEW is now in your ear. Check out our award-winning podcasts online with guests and commentary! WWW.MICHIGANREVIEW.COM
04.07.2009 4.1.08
What Should President Obama Be Doing? BY JULIANNE NOWICKI ‘11
IMAGE HTTP://WWW.PANORAMIO.COM/
BY ANNA DICKEY ‘09
On March 23, Ann Arbor News publisher Laurel Champion announced that the paper would be due to close this coming July, and will be replaced by an online media company AnnArbor.com, owned by AnnArbor. com LLC. The content of the paper in the interim will be published on the Ann Arbor affiliate mlive.com/ ann-arbor as well as in print. Advertising sales of January had decreased approximately 20% since January of last year, which was the leading cause of the paper’s financial stress. A press release given on March 23 stated that a print version of AnnArbor.com will be distributed bi-weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, which will be a large change from the 45,147 weekday copies and 59,997 Sunday copies that have been circulating, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation. AnnArbor.com and its features are continuing to be developed by Champion, who will be executive vice president of the company, as well as president and ex-
ecutive chief officer Matt Kraner, former chief marketing officer of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, and chief content leader, Tony Dearing, former editor of the Flint Journal. The Jackson Citizen Patriot will deal with the printing of the bi-weekly paper in terms of editing and overall production. Champion also said that the website will have features other than pure news; there will be a social network feature that allows journalists to update their stories in real time, and readers to easily share their thoughts and express what news they desire most to read. Champion noted that AnnArbor.com will hopefully be funded purely from advertising sales, but as of now, subscriptions to the website will be $15 per month. The Ann Arbor news, Ann Arbor’s daily newspaper that has been in circulation since 1835, has under
Campus & News
Hot Off The Presses No More
PAGE 5
President Obama has made many controversial decisions and taken powerful actions in just his first one hundred days. He’s given billions of dollars out to failing companies, and attempted to further a universal healthcare plan. As one of his first acts in office, he signed legislation that gives tax dollars to international organizations that promote and provide abortions in other countries. He has overturned the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. He has done all of this, during a time when many Americans are struggling to keep their businesses going strong. It’s easy to get distracted with the dizzying fury of “big government” regulations, so the pointed question remains: What should Obama be doing during a bad economy? What should Obama be focusing his time and our taxpayer dollars on, during this rough economy? Isaac Morehouse, Director of Students for a Free Economy, offered his take on what Obama should be doing during the rough economic situation. Mr. Morehouse directs this program through the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He started by commenting on the looming uncertainty amongst the public that has been recently apparent. “The President should do all a president can to put an end to uncertainty. Consumers, investors, business owners and entrepreneurs are confused about what the government’s doing to the market and what it’s going to do next.”
AANEWS Continued on PAGE 10 IMAGE HTTP://WWW.NEWS.AOL.COM/
know in heavy liberal areas in Ann Arbor that there are other positions, and this is not an all Democratic campus,” said Vice Chair Charles Bogren. By all accounts, College Republicans are up against tough odds, working in a city that historically leans heavily Democratic, especially among students. Bogren attributes Obama’s success among students to his way with words. “A lot of it is that he’s a great speaker, we don’t try to deny that. They didn’t necessarily listen to what he was saying, but how he said it, and that appealed to a lot of people.” Results from a recent special election in New York’s 20th Congressional District to fill the seat vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand, Hillary Clinton’s replacement in the Senate, show an almost dead even tie. Republicans have claimed victory, saying that a GOP victory is a direct response to President Obama’s early economic initiatives. On campus, Bogren too claims more enthusiasm among College Republicans since Obama’s policies have been revealed. “The people that have been consistently with us have definitely been more vocal in their opposition to what Obama has been doing. This clearly isn’t the centrist candidate that he ran as. He’s gone far to the left of what he said he would be doing,” he said. But unlike the often divisive nature of party politics at the national level, College Republicans insist that they maintain a “friendly rivalry” with College Democrats, who claim a much larger membership base on campus. Being an ideological minority can present challenges inside and outside of the classroom, said Secretary Anton Dirnberger, who says being a minority is “exciting.” “They realize themselves they don’t really know what they support, what they like in the Demo
Recently, the President has spent precious time taking extreme actions like ousting GM’s Chief Executive Rick Wagoner. The Obama administration threatened to withhold bailout money, unless Wagoner stepped down. Listening to the administration’s demands, on March 30, 2009, Rick Wagoner announced his departure from General Motors as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Morehouse also commented that specific actions like these that create more uncertainty, especially in a time when certainty from the President could be beneficial. “Firing the heads of major companies at will, dictating compensation (even when it means breaking legal contacts), threatening tax hikes, promising more dollar-killing deficit spending...bailing out failure and punishing success; these and similar gestures create more uncertainty and cause individuals to freeze their productive activities until they see what shakes out.” Tom Duvall, vice-chair of the College Democrats and a former leader of Students for Obama, offered a different take on the situation. “I think that Obama should be focusing now on what he already is. He is working on taking the tough steps to deal with economic issues that will set us up for long-term economic growth.” Duvall outlined three priorities from Obama’s budget, that Duvall believes will create “sustainable growth” for the future. He said, “Our economy simply can not sustain our current health care system which has already helped bankrupt the auto companies.” Second, Duvall noted, “We also cannot keep our reliance on fossil fuels and need to take the tough steps to deal with global warming and the transition away from these fuels to promote growth that is sustainable.” Last, Duvall mentioned, “A third thing is a focus on education, especially higher education to create the educated workers that are needed for today’s economy.” Mr. Morehouse believes President Obama should not be focusing on increased spending, but rather,
REPUBLICANS Continued on PAGE 10
OBAMA Continued on PAGE 10
Michigan College Republicans Look Forward
IMAGE HTTP://WWW.NORCALBLOGS.COM/
BY JONATHAN SLEMROD ‘10
The debate over the future of the Republican Party is a contentious one, with conservatives of all stripes searching for a way forward after subsequent electoral losses in 2006 and 2008. On campus, Michigan College Republicans are keeping one thing in mind: party first. In an interview with The Michigan Review, four members of the College Republicans Executive Board discussed their plans for the future, their experiences as an ideological minority on campus, and their “friendly” relationship with College Democrats. The members, External Vice Chair Charles Bogren, Publicity Chair Greta Pisarczyk, Secretary Anton Dirnberger, and Internal Vice Chair Greg Cairns, are all freshman. “First and foremost, [our role] is to promote the Republican Party on campus. We want to let people
PAGE 6
The
WORSTof
EVERY YEAR, OUR friends at The Michigan Daily publish a “Best of Ann Arbor” list. And, don’t get us wrong--there are a lot of great things about Ann Arbor--but as all too many students know, there are just as many daily hassles and annoyances we’re glad to be rid of by the time we graduate. The Michigan Review thought to catalogue
those annoyances. So here, we present the second annual “Worst of Ann Arbor” list. It reflects a sentiment among seniors, we believe, of piss and vinegar about some things mixed in with our sense of nostalgia. If you don’t hate something about this school, you haven’t been a student long enough. The list is a mixture of staff opinion, general consensus, the funniest true stories we’ve heard, the wisdom of
04.07.2009
our elders, and the general snarky, smartassery you’ve come to expect from the Review. More than anything, though, we hope you agree, disagree, and discuss the list. Because, after all, a conversation needs to be had about just how much this place can suck sometimes. If you’d like to comment, though, please email the editorial board at mrev@umich.edu. Your opinion may make its way into next year’s list.
The WORST Food & Drink The Worst of Ann Arbor
BURRITO Taco Bell
Sure the location in the League is convenient, but with so many other good to mediocre places to get any kind of burrito you could possibly think of and then some, why would trek to the League basement to get a limited selection, meat with a grade so low it couldn’t pass Sports Marketing, and a basement location that resembes a North Korean prison ward, why even bother?
CAFETERIA East Quad
East Quad, what can we say. No other building makes you long for Bursley.
COFFEE Bert’s Cafe IMAGE HTTP://WWW.CENTERSTAGECHICAGO.COM/
* Runner Up Amer’s in the Union
DELIVERY SERVICE Papa John’s
BAR Rick’s & Scorekeeper’s
Rick’s seemed to be the favorite here, but Scorekeepers was deemed worst for the ladies, despite their....er, liberal, ID policy. Underage sorostitutes and creepy thirty-something Ypsi guys, not a good combo. At least the bouncers get a good laugh every night.
See Worst Pizza. One Review reporter had to wait two hours to get a pizza delivered, and when she called to figure out where her pizza was, they told her she had just ordered it 5 minutes ago. Our nominee for best delivery is Jimmy John’s, at least those guys will give you a ride...
DRUNK FOOD None
Really, if you’ve had a more than a few before stumbling out to try and find some food, you really can’t go wrong. Even stuff that could make the “Worst of” list can really hit the spot. Plus, keeping it down isn’t just about the food you ate.
GROCERY STORE White Market * Runner Up Village Corner
HAPPY HOUR None
Is there really such a thing as a bad Happy Hour? We just don’t see a downside at all.
PIZZA Papa John’s
See Worst Delivery. Plus, who likes sauce on cardboard?
SANDWICH Subway
There’s something about the prepackaged meat, preperation in front of your face by someone you know didn’t wash their hands, and lack of free refills along with customer service that makes a French waiter seem like your best friend that just turns us off.
The WORST Places BATHROOMS Dennison Hall
Sometimes it’s worth it just to hold it...
CAMPUS North Campus
Enjoy the middle of nowhere...
CLASSROOM Lorch 140
IMAGE HTTP://WWW.UNIGO.COM/
ACADEMIC BUILDING Lorch Hall
You though Bursley was bad, but Bates might as well be a series of log cabins in the woods. Oh wait, that’s Northwood. Seriously, when you’re far enough from campus to be able to hunt deer from your dorm room, you know you are never going to have a social life. Our suggestion: read Walden as a replacement for fun.
Maybe the only thing more depressing than the study of economics is Lorch 140, where, conviently, most major economics classes are held. This dismal home to the “dismal science” meets all the criteria for worst classroom: completely closed off from the world around you, and crammed with hundreds of other brownnosers looking for a high enough grade in Econ 101 or what have you, so they can make it into the B-school, Organizational Studies, or whatever other toolbag major they’re chasing (Editor’s Note: Truth be told, I’ve taken some kickass naps there.)
When one thinks of a library, one thinks of quiet reflection and learning. The Ugli, especially after the addition of Worst Coffee winner Burt’s Cafe, has become none of that. It really doesn’t count if your iPod is the ony thing providing some kind of peace to study.
CONSTRUCTION SITE Zaragon Place
U-M GEAR Moe’s Sport Shop
It is located oh so conveniently next to East Quad on East University Ave. And we thought that the completion of the art museum was annoying.
See Worst Classroom.
BAR TO USE A FAKE ID The Brown Jug
DORM Baits
PLACE TO TAKE A DATE Necto
Taking your girlfriend to Gay Night at Necto may not have been the best idea.
STUDY SPOT The UGLI
Sure, you’ve thought about asking how much the threefoot Bo Schembechler bobblehead in the window costs. But honestly, the selection is not up to par with some of the other stores, prices are not set for students, and no one has actually been in there.
The WORST Businesses
Multiple writers have told us a story that we’ve heard echoed by several friends of the Review. So strict is the Jug’s enforcement of their fake I.D. policy this year that they have even called the police on people proferring their actual I.D.’s. Which is just as well to us seniors; that never stopped Peter Sims Levitt.
BOOKSTORE Shaman Drum
You never thought you could never possibly spend $600 on books for two classes, didn’t you?
RENT/LANDLORD Your Own
Try to name a landlord you’ve had that you like in the next 15 seconds. Ready. Set. Go!
CLOTHING STORE Urban Outfitters
Unless those leggings were woven by a major religious figure, there’s no way they should cost that much.
LIQUOR STORE Village Corner IMAGE HTTP://WWW.WORDBIRDEDITS.COM/
ANN ARBOR
04.07.2009 4.1.08
PAGEP. 7
The WORST of Campus
ADMINISTRATOR Mary Sue Coleman
As much as we love Mary Sue, getting paid on commission for the number of times you say “diversity” doesn’t necessarily make you a friend of the Review. Can’t she just retire or something? Come on....
CLASS ECON 401
* Runner Up Organic Chemistry On the staff survey, several freshmen listed Econ 101 as the worst course they have taken. Little do they know the horrors of upper-level microeconomics.
EVENT All of Them
Even freshman can tell how stupid all of the stuff that University plans for students is.
FASHION TREND Uggs
FRATERNITY ADPhi
It’s called Shady Phi for a reason. Nothing says class like a volleyball court in the front yard. Our Editor-inChief once lost a friend upstairs and was specifically told not to look for her because she was probably “having a really good time”. Creepy.
MAJOR Women’s Studies
This is not what we thought it was. When we asked what kind of women we’d be studying if we chose this major, security escorted us out...
PARTY THEME ABC Anything But Clothes Oh God, my eyes!
It’s difficult to take such a hardcore douchebag like Greg Markus seriously, especially from a conservative’s perspective. He claims his classes are unbiased and that, in fact, he is “conservative” on some issues. Nevermind his support for socialized medicine and all other kinds of big government. We’re seriously shocked this guy still has a job. Hanes Walton, despite being a well respected scholar, couldn’t teach his way out a wet paper bag. His lectures are complete wastes of time, just read and show up for tests this guy. He’s also probably the least professional professor at the U.
PUBLICATION The Michigan Independent
* Runner Up The Gargoyle Seriously, do they even write a majority of their articles, or do they just take all their articles from campusprogress.org? Just because you have an axe to grind doesn’t mean it deserve to be printed. For our runner up, shouln’t a humor publication have to actually be funny to qualify as a humor publication? Apparently not. The Gargoyle should just give up its resources to the Every Three Weekly.
SORORITY PiPhi Sorry, Lindsey...
SPORT Football
Who’d have thunk that the basketball team would do better than the football team. We certainly didn’t. Rich Rod better pick it up or there’s gonna be an MSU style riot.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION MSA See Worst Use of Student Funds.
TRADITION Convocation
* Runner Up Order of Angell The Michigan Review secretly loves convocation. Two years ago when we were passing out our orientation issue on the steps of Crisler Arena before orientation, the University called the Department of Public Safety on us, threatening to arrest us for obstructing public walkways. Plus, the freshmen even know that convocation is a terrible waste of time. As from our runner up, what good is a secret society when the Daily publishes the names of those involved. Skull and Bones laughs at you, Order of Angell! (Editor’s Note: Please, please, please tap us. Please. Seriously. Please.)
USE OF STUDENT FUNDS MSA
See Worst Student Organization. No one cares what the Michigan Student Assembly thinks about world events; hell, we don’t even care what they think about campus events. Truth be told, we’re still pissed off about the $8 they charge us every year. We would not be dissapointed if they just disappeared.
The WORST Miscellaneous
DIAG PEOPLE Mormons & Crazy Black Christian Guy
* Runner Up Diag Children No one likes the people handing out fliers on the Diag, it’s even worse when they actually try to talk to you. Seriously, we couldn’t care less about you religion, that’s why we have our headphones on. As for our runner up, where the hell do they come from? Jesus, I’m trying to get to class and you’re getting in my way. MR
EXCUSE FOR CUTTING CLASS Protesting
No one gives a damn what you think. Sorry. Unless you’re protesting for free burritos, in which case viva la revolucion!
OVERHEARD CONVERSATION “Ohhhhh my gawwwwwd, I was sooooo drunk this weekend.”
First, you weren’t. Second, you’ve already told us this every Sunday for the past three months.
PLACE TO PARK Everywhere
Why do we even bother owning cars? This is one of the big downsides of Ann Arbor.
PLACE TO URINATE IN PUBLIC Mary Sue Coleman’s Front Porch
Not that we condone public urination, but anyone who does this would win the Review’s Brass Balls Award. Maybe even an honorary editorship.
RUN IN WITH THE AUTHORITY Dorm Room MIPs
Is there anything more embarassing than having to acknowlege you aren’t even cool enough to get busted at a party. No surer way to point out a freshman; mommy and daddy will not be pleased.
SHADIEST PLACES IN ANN ARBOR 3-Way Tie: Necto, Shady Phi or Studio 4
A new category for this year, there were far too many good answers for Ann Arbor’s shadiest place. Whatever kind of shady you want, from nightclub shady to questionable fraternity shady, Ann Arbor has what you’re looking for.
THING TO DO DURING CLASS Asking Dumb Questions
Don’t ask what’s on the test, IT’S ON THE DAMN SYLLABUS! if you just paid attention for like two seconds during class, you wouldn’t have even the freshman in the front laughing at you. Just die, please.
TIME FOR YOUR ROOMMATE TO WALK IN While Masturbating
At least there’s *some* dignity in being caught in bed with another person. When it’s just you by yourself, well, there’s no way to save face.
WEBSITE TO READ IN PUBLIC Facebook
If one more person tags us in one of those pictures where you pick the personalities that fits your friends, we’re deleting our accounts. That and those stupid quizzes; DON’T TAG ALL YOUR FRIENDS!
The Worst of Ann Arbor
Your Uggs might be comfortable, but they’re as tacky as you can get. No guy likes Uggs, not one.
PROFESSORS Gregory Markus & Hanes Walton Jr.
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04.07.2009
AIG and Aid to Sudan An Issue Despite Economy Sharia Law BY GRAHAM KOZAK ‘11
News
The Ann Arbor-based Thomas More Law Center is certainly not the first organization to condemn federal bailouts of private institutions—specifically the billions of tax dollars granted to insurance giant AIG—as unconstitutional, but they may be the first and only to do so on the grounds of separation of church and state. Claiming to be the “Sword and Shield for People of Faith,” the local law and policy center, founded in 1999 by former Oakland County prosecutor and “Christian leader” Richard Thomas is, according to its Web site, “dedicated to the defense and promotion of the religious freedom of Christians.” In the past, the Center has argued against the possible return of the Fairness Doctrine, attacked abortion rights, and has committed itself to “defending Christmas” in the public arena. While they have not made a public statement for or against the recent government bailouts of various financial institutions and corporations in general, the Center has taken issue with the at least $170 billion given to AIG as they feel it is an inadvertent monetary pledge of support for the Islamic faith. A strict adherence to Islam demands that believers engage in only Sharia-compliant banking. A Shariacompliant bank does not charge interest on loans or pay interest on deposits, and will not finance ventures such as alcohol production or casino construction, which are considered immoral. Though the basis for such a banking system may be found in the Islamic Holy Book, the Quran, participation does not demand adherence to any particular faith. But it is on this basis that the Thomas More Law Center has based their complaint. By supporting AIG, an institution that at times engages in Sharia-compliant banking, the Center alleges that the United States Government has violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment—the clause popularly known for creating a “separation of church and state.” Furthermore, they believe that any such implicit endorsement of the Islamic faith by the federal government “conveys a message of disfavor of and hostility toward Christians, Jews, and those who do not follow or abide by Islamic law.” Questioning the effectiveness and legality of the recent spate of government bailouts is by no means limited to the Center, and AIG has come under fire recently for granting $165 million in bonuses to executives and other personnel from groups on both the right and left. But calling on the nation’s long-established separation of church and state is a unique, if somewhat tenuous, approach. The Center took this complaint to the United States Treasury in the form of a lawsuit filed in December of last year, charging the Treasury with an inability to ”police the expenditure of taxpayer funds to ensure that they are not being used for an impermissible purpose, such as funding Islamic beliefs.” Though the Department of Justice moved to dismiss this lawsuit, the Center filed yet another complaint on March 13 of this year, leaving the issue of whether the Center has a legitimate legal point unresolved for the time being. MR
IMAGE HTTP://WWW.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/
IMAGE HTTP://WWW.REFLEJOSOCIAL.COM/
BY SREYA VEMPATTI ‘12
Recently, the government of Sudan ordered the expulsion of several humanitarian groups from the country after an arrest was issued for the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir. According to the BBC, “The International Criminal Court issued the warrant earlier Wednesday for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It accuses him of complicity in a brutal campaign of violence against the people of Darfur, in the west of the country.” Thirteen major humanitarian groups were ordered to leave the country, including Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders. How has this affected the fundraising efforts of Darfur-oriented groups on campus? There are two major organizations at the University of Michigan that are focused on raising awareness of the genocide issue in Sudan – STAND (A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition) and Will Work for Food. STAND is the student wing of the Genocide Intervention Network that helps students create chapters in their respective schools/colleges to raise awareness about the issue of genocide in Darfur. According to their website, “STAND is devoted to creating a sustainable
student network that actively fights genocide wherever it may occur. We seek to unite students around the world in a permanent anti-genocide constituency.” The University of Michigan has quite an active chapter that seeks to raise awareness through educational and political activism. Matthew Masapollo, who served as President of the U-M chapter in Fall 2008, said, “aid groups have been kicked out from Sudan previously and this has not affected any of STAND’s activities.” He explained that even though aid groups are banned from entering the country, there are still a lot of Sudanese refugees currently living in Chad, which is still permitting outside help. Since the eviction of these aid groups from Sudan has not affected student organizations geared toward this issue in any way, all of their activities and fundraising efforts are going on as usual. “STAND visits classrooms at U-M and in Ann Arbor high schools to talk about the issue and give presentations. We also organize film screenings, and conduct dialogues,” said Masapollo. “There was previously an event where students dressed in black shirts and pretended to be dead SUDAN Continued on PAGE 10
A Green Revolution in Detroit? BY KAREN BOORE ‘09
Anyone into retro TV will probably be able to sing you the theme song from Green Acres. The series follows Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert) who moves with his less-than willing wife Lisa (Eva Gabor) from city life in Manhattan to the country. Years after the show, there comes an option that would have met both the husband and wife’s needs. In recent weeks, the Detroit Free Press and Time have both featured pieces on a growing trend of agrarianism is the city of Detroit. Mid-twentieth century, the population of Detroit was approaching two million. However, population decline began in the 1950s and accelerated in the 1970s, leaving more and more space unoccupied. Of Detroit’s area of 143 square miles, approximately 40 square miles, or 28%, are estimated to be vacant. As this space continues to go unused and Detroit gets passed over for manufacturing developments, some are looking to a pre-industrial revolution answer: urban farms. Eating local foods has always been put forward as an environmentally friendly –and bank account friendly—option for produce. With less travel from farm to consumer, the shipping costs and carbon emissions are dramatically reduced. Cheaper, fresher
food would benefit the residents of Detroit and urban farms could be another part of making Michigan a leader in the so-called green movement. The commercial farm proposed to city developers by Detroit businessman John Hantz might even include a wind farm generating clean energy. Furthermore, abandoned lots and homes will again be put into private use. As regards a different type of green, this draws in much-needed tax revenue for the city of Detroit. Additionally, returning the land to private use could address the issues of blight and crime. Abandoned homes would be torn down, reducing the number of drug houses, and make-shift dump yards would be cleaned up. As to job creation, no city is more in need than Detroit. While the potential number and type of jobs to be created by urban farms in Detroit are not clear, any development should be seen as progress. Local farms could provide fulfilling work opportunities for teens, too, keep them out of trouble. While a stark contrast between the downtown centers and residential living, this idea is appealing in its novelty and its solution to the underuse of land in Detroit. MR
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04.07.2009
Goes to Supreme Court for Movie Night
Throughout its 90-minute running time, Hillary: The Movie does little to support its claims of being a reasoned, objective documentary. Though the narration does not explicitly attack Clinton or endorse another candidate, featured conservative luminaries such as Newt Gingrich and Ann Coulter, as well as individuals who worked in and around the White House during the Clinton Administration, accuse the former First Lady of deceptiveness, ruthlessness, and outright lying. Clinton herself only appears via archival audio and video clips that, perhaps predictably, say little in her own defense. Unabashed criticism of liberals and liberalism within a documentary framework is the norm for Citizens United, a privately financed organization “dedicated to restoring our government to citizen control.” Along with Hillary: The Movie, Citizens United was involved in the creation of HYPE: The Obama Effect, a film critical of the current President, and Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, along with many other projects in the same openly pro-conservative vein. Citizens United’s right to produce and distribute such political material is normally protected under the free speech clause of the First Amendment. However, in light of the Bipartisan Campaign IMAGE HTTP://WWW.SLANTEDRIGHT.BLOGSPOT.COM/ BY GRAHAM KOZAK ‘11 Reform Act of 2002, or BCRA (commonly called “McCain-Feingold” It’s been more than two months since Barack in reference to its two primary sponsors, Senators John Obama’s inauguration and even longer since he ac- McCain and Russell Feingold), any so-called “eleccepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the 2008 tioneering communication” is subject to special conpresidential race, so it may seem like an odd moment straints in an effort to balance the resources available to call attention to Hillary: The Movie, a little-known to competing candidates seeking federal office. The film that was intended to dissuade voters from electing “Electioneering Communications Brochure” published now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Office of by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) defines the the President. But this seemingly irrelevant movie has subject matter, in the case of a presidential election, as become the focal point of an unresolved Supreme Court “any broadcast, cable or satellite communication” that HILLARY Continued on PAGE 10 & 11 case involving the timeless issue of political speech.
Beyond Internships Plan Bs for Your Summer BY JULIANNE NOWICKI ‘11
Students from the Ross Business School and LSA alike are facing difficulties in finding summer internships amidst the current economic scare. Chances are, you’ve applied, but have been turned down from many of the prestigious internships to which you initially applied. If you’re caught in this predicament, then don’t fret, and read this article in order to land that coveted summer job or internship. The first action you can take, in order to secure a summer internship, is to follow up with your application. If you have not yet heard back from someone at the company in a timely manner, then call the company’s recruitment office and ask if someone has had a chance to review your application. Be professional and to the point. Second, if you have already been interviewed for that dream internship, then follow up on the interview. Make sure you send a courteous “thank you” note to the interviewer through e-mail or mail, depending on the timeframe. Tell the interviewer you value their time, are still very interested in XYZ position, and enjoyed XYZ part of your interview. Again, be concise, respectful, and most importantly, professional. Now, if you have done all of the above, and are still left stranded without a job or internship, now is the time to revise your summer plans. First, don’t get caught up in the idea of working in a big city. Your best bet may be to stay in Ann Arbor and work during the summer.
For UM students left without that coveted internship, try searching for a summer job as a research assistant to a UM professor. This job is one that makes the most economic sense. Often, you can earn twice the amount you would in that prestigious internship by working for a professor. The wage range is usually $12$16. Most supposedly prestigious internships are unpaid, or pay minimum wage. Working for a professor, you can also usually get good recommendation letters if you make yourself indispensible. These are valuable when searching for a future job, or applying to graduate school. Last, having a UM job on your resume will look really good too. If you do decide to stay in Ann Arbor, you can also rent an apartment for a steal price. Many people are desperate to sublet their rooms or apartments so they can study abroad. Now, if you’re wondering where to find this newfound research assistant job, then look no further. There are two solutions to this problem. First, go to UM’s student employment website at https://www.studentemployment.umich.edu/cmx_content.aspx?cpid=11. Second, email professors. Some professors may have research grants, and need an assistant, but have not advertised a specific position. These professors are your target. Other places to look for last minute summer jobs SUMMER Continued on PAGE 11
New Coffee Shop Owner Talks Small Business and Fine Java BY NATHAN STANO ‘11
Arts & Culture
HILLARY: THE MOVIE
Coffee, a new coffee shop that has recently opened in the Nickel’s Arcade, has been wowing Ann Arbor residents with fine coffee for the last three weeks. Owner Jim Saborio has been pleased with the warm reception his business has received. He also commented on the small business climate in Ann Arbor and what goes into starting up a small business in the economic conditions today. Saborio, a sixteen year barista veteran, has wanted to own his own coffee shop since he was eighteen. Like many small business owners, a dream was to become a reality, but not without challenges. Comet Coffee was born out of a dedication to fine coffee, and the people of Ann Arbor have come out in droves for a cup of it. Saborio said that it took around a year to raise the necessary capital, which came mostly from friends and family. “I was told not even to mess with banks, so I didn’t,” he stated, a definite commentary on the state of credit markets and bank lending in the midst of a combined credit crisis and economic slowdown. When asked about his business outlook, and if the slowdown had altered or affected it, Saborio was confident in his business and stood firmly behind his product. “I look at coffee as an affordable luxury,” he stated, also saying he thought that the Ann Arbor area had not been nearly as affected as other parts of the state. According to a recent Ann Arbor News story, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Ann Arbor was only 7.4% in February, well below the double digit numbers for the state as a whole, though the rate was up 2.5% from February last year. Saborio was also pleased with the reception of his shop by the other local businesses in Ann Arbor. “A lot of shop owners have been very friendly and helpful,” he said, noting his only hassles had come from the Building Department. His location in the Nickel’s Arcade, which was constructed in 1918, has also put him in a special business community of a sort, one that Saborio called, “a good context [for Comet].” The Arcade location was actually suggested to him, and he saw the location there as a good place for people to meet, and as a great way to attract customers who were both University students and townsfolk. “I’ve seen my business grow every week,” Saborio said, his first week he went through five pounds of espresso beans, ten pounds the second week, and fifteen the third. “It seems Ann Arbor really wanted a place like this.” Saborio himself has traveled the world looking for good coffees, a pursuit he called “coffee tourism”. He saw his mission as an extension of a new movement in coffee, focusing less on speed and national retail chains and more on good beans and careful prep COFFEE Continued on PAGE 11
IMAGE HTTP://WWW.INTOXICOLOGIST.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/
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04.07.2009 4.1.08 PRISON Continued from FRONT PAGE
Another element the exhibition showed is an unexpected connectedness of the world in prison to the world outside. Each year, the curators select one issue for prisoners to focus on. This year, a wall of artwork that focuses on climate change lines a wall of the gallery. When asked about how the theme was selected, Adelson said, “Every now and then the curators feel that it’s important to have issues that effect the whole world.” Many people assume that prisoners are unaware of issues like climate change, explained Adelson. It is forgotten that prisoners, though locked behind bars, are still part of the world. In prison, they still have
Continuations
HOMELESS Continued from FRONT PAGE
Arbor’s homeless fall under that category. Many of them are war veterans. In Ann Arbor, non-profit organizations, local government and church communities have provided homeless people with some form of assistance. Food Gatherers, The Salvation Army and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA) are just some of the organizations that aim to reduce homelessness through education, hunger relief programs and advocacy. The Robert J. Delonis Center, which was set up by the WHA in 2003 and located on Huron Street, runs a daily soup kitchen that attracts most of Ann Arbor’s homeless. The First Baptist Church and Vineyard church not only provide free meals every Tuesday night, but have also connected with the homeless on a personal level. Lisa Aunins, a volunteer there, also participates in the Friday night fellowships run by Vineyard Church at Liberty Plaza. “We bring coffee, canned goods, sleeping bags and blankets to the homeless people. They’re always thanking us, and a lot of them help us unload the truck on Friday nights. Some of them even help with cooking and cleaning on Tuesdays,” she says. “We’ve been doing the Friday night fellowships for almost three years. And we’ve never once missed a FriAANEWS Continued from PAGE 5
gone extreme decreases in capital in recent months leading up to the announcement of its adjournment, and readers have noticed that the paper has continued to shrink noticeably in content. However, many Ann Arbor news employees have conveyed much surprise at imminence of its end. According to Champion, losses in jobs for the some Ann Arbor news employees is inevitable, but there will be positions open for some of the current 272 members of the office and the printing plant. REPUBLICANS Continued from PAGE 5
cratic Party,” claimed Dirnberger. In 2010, Republicans will be on the defensive in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, trying to reelect incumbent Thaddeus McCotter, who won by a razor-thin margin in 2008. In the 2nd District, Congressman Pete Hoekstra is retiring to run for Governor. In particular, the GOP field in the gubernatorial race is crowded, but the CRs won’t be getting involved in any primaries. “Whoever gives us the best chance of OBAMA Continued from PAGE 5
being clear in his communications to the public. “The president should make it unmistakably clear in word and in deed that bailouts are through, tax hikes are not coming, spending will not increase, contracts SUDAN Continued from PAGE 8
on the Diag to raise awareness.” He also said that there would be an exhibition of two necklaces made by an art student here HILLARY Continued from PAGE 9
“refers clearly to an identified candidate for federal office,” and that is distributed 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a general election. While there was a limited theater release and sale of DVDs of Hillary: The Movie in
television and the media. Art that depicts current issues depicts “How the other is viewing the world that we live in.” “They’re still willing to help in some way, but the world sees them as not existing,” said Adelson. Embodying the theme of climate change was “The World is Melting Away” by Jaime Wright—a drawing of two polar bears, an adult and a child, floating on a shrunk iceberg as the icy arctic landscape around them melts, vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The helplessness of these polar bears trapped on an iceberg is not too much different from the idea of human beings being locked away in prisons. According to Adelson, “There’s a real sense of ingenuity inside when creating art. Not all prisons allow the incar-
cerated access to paint. We let the artist know that we really want them to push their limits and themselves and their hearts.” This is how, as Adelson describes, the prisoners unleash a sense of creative freedom to express themselves. “I always tell people that no one would ever want to be remembered for the worst thing that they’ve done,” said Adelson. Or, as one prisoner wrote in a testimony to PCAP, “When people see our work, for a few moments, they forget that this work was done by a felon, but by another human being. A human being who has the same thoughts, emotions, and inspirations as they do. And for that one moment, a major social and political barrier is shattered.” MR
day, no matter what the weather. Over these years, I’ve watched the trust and the relationships build up… It’s a very tight-forming friendship that we’ve built.” The National Coalition for Homelessness cites poverty and unemployment as the main reasons that drive people out of their homes, usually because their rental or healthcare bill is too high. In Washtenaw County, the average cost of renting a 2-bedroom is $934, according to the National Income Housing Coalition. This is far more than a minimum wage worker, earning $6.95 an hour, can afford. Somewhat used to life on the streets, Wood says his life “goes up and down”, but sympathizes with those who are newly homeless because of the recession. “These people were making $60,000 a year, and all of a sudden, they’re not making anything. When you’ve got a mortgage, no health insurance, and children to deal with, its scary to lose your house.” Indeed, families and children make up the “fastest growing population in the homeless category”, according to Faye Askew-King. She is the Program Director of SOS Community Services, a non-profit organization that offers housing crisis and homeless family services to help prevent eviction, among other extensive programs. These people are different from the chronically homeless. They are the ones hidden from everyday view. “Family homelessness is totally invisible,” Askew-King says. “You don’t see mamas and children hanging out on the streets. These families double up, or
couch-surf. Most people don’t even know, but it’s the fastest growing population in the homeless category. And the average age of a homeless person is nine.” She continues, “A lot of times families are really homeless when they can’t find any other family or friends to stay with. It’s really very disruptive to the family, especially to the kids, because they don’t understand why mama’s gone, or why they have to keep moving around… Everyone’s kind of tipping around on eggshells, because it’s not really their space.” SOS has started a program called Barrier Busters that provides a pool of funds to pay off their rent and utility bills, but at times, these funds are not enough. “We totally need more money for eviction prevention. It’s really hard for people to give money away to somebody, but people don’t understand that it’s more costeffective to give money to prevent the eviction than to pay and support homeless services programs,” she explains. “But people like to give, which is still good.” As of 2007, there are 79,940 homeless people in Michigan. Governor Granholm has pledged to make that number zero by 2016 as part of her ten-year plan to eliminate homelessness in Michigan, but its progress is hard to determine. President Obama has allocated $1.67 billion in resources towards Housing of Urban and Development’s Homeless Assistance Grants. Brandon Woods understands that their situation is not going to improve overnight. “President Obama’s got a lot to deal with. It’s going to take like, five terms [to mend the economy]. But I have faith in him.” MR
Content for AnnArbor.com will be determined by the feedback from the community, according to the video statements given by Kraner on the AnnArbor. com website. Residents that are interested in attending “community meetings” to gain feedback and more ideas for the website, its features, and content, can RSVP on AnnArbor.com. Kraner also stated that AnnArbor.com will make classes and services available for those unfamiliar with the web to access the site. Champion also said that these individuals will be few and far between, as she reported that 92% of Ann Arbor residents are equipped
with the knowledge and hardware to easily gain access to the site. Kraner and Champion have both claimed that this change is a positive one, and by no means the end of journalism in Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor news is not the only paper that is experiencing torrential change within Michigan. The Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News on March 30 cut home delivery to three times a week. Even outside the state, papers like the Chicago Sun-Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer have also encountered financial difficulties. MR
getting into the governor’s house,” said Internal Vice Chair Greg Cairns. On campus, the CRs are busy planning to bring in speakers, host more social events, and hold theme months such as Security September. “It’s about publicity, catching people’s attention, and holding it,” said Greta Pisarczyk, Publicity Chair. To do this, says Bogren, College Republicans will maintain a “big tent” mantra, accepting conservatives with varying perspectives on social issues. Yet he maintains that the GOP as a whole must move in a more fiscally conservative di-
rection, chiding the Bush Administration. “That kind of spending at that level, without any checks, is not what we want.” Historically, Republicans will make up some lost ground in 2010. Michigan College Republicans are hoping their efforts on campus can help make that a reality. Said Bogren, “The best way of doing that is to get our message and show people that they’re not alone. They don’t just have the Democrats to go to.” MR
will be upheld, inefficient companies will be allowed to fail, successful companies allowed to succeed, and new government mandates on private corporations will end immediately.” Mr. Morehouse also countered the argument that
the economy is indeed “rough,” “failing,” or “bad.” He concluded, “The economy is still amazingly strong and productive underneath all the chaos and this kind of clarity and removal of politics from the economy would lead to a surprisingly quick recovery.” MR
at U-M. The necklaces together consist of 460,000 beads that represent the total number of killings in the region so far.
Hence it is clear that this recent development has not actually affected any of these activities. MR
early 2008, Citizens United was barred by the FEC from airing promotional advertisements on network television or showing the movie on pay-per-view channels, as those actions would have qualified as electioneering communication under the BCRA. Citizens United, maintaining that its production was a documentary be-
cause it did not explicitly support one candidate over another (the film’s narration makes no critical judgments) and was therefore exempt from electioneering communication regulations, took the FEC to court. The case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Com HILLARY Continued on PAGE 11
04.07.2009 4.1.08 HILLARY Continued from PAGE 10
mission, now faces an uncertain future before the Supreme Court. Justices are torn between enforcing the provisions of the BCRA for the sake of limiting the influence of wealthy individuals and well-financed organizations on campaigns and protecting the right to political speech. In determining that Hillary: The Movie and the advertisements to promote it are not protected speech, zealous regulators may be able to limit partisan books, Web sites, and other “electioneering communication” in the name of campaign equality. Such a Court verdict would effectively take the assessment of objectivity of political documentaries out of the hands of the public and place it in the hands of federal judges. SUMMER Continued from PAGE 9
COFFEE Continued from PAGE 9
aration. Saborio’s customers have noticed. “I’m just trying to live up to their expectations…people know their coffee,” he remarked. The Spartan décor shows that in the early stages of this business, coffee is king. “Attention to detail is the key to a great cup of coffee,” Saborio stated simply. Reviews online and by word of mouth have raved about
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Conversely, a victory for Citizens United could lead to the Court overturning a significant number of the restraints set in place by the BCRA as unconstitutional violations of free speech. With Justices displaying a lack of cohesiveness in early Court arguments, the outcome of this case will likely not become clear until the final ruling in late June. MR
be open-minded. Perhaps working in your Dad’s office isn’t as bad as it sounds, given the current economic situation. Also, working in big cities can often be overrated, if an internship doesn’t even pay you, let alone room or board. So, try the above suggestions, and land a good summer job that’s fun and will pay well. MR the cups that Comet Coffee is serving up. [If I can be allowed a little opinion allow the following sentence] From an avowed tea drinker, the coffee I had at Comet was excellent, and I will definitely be going back. MR
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are www.internzoo.com and www.summerjobs.com. If you haven’t yet, consider taking a job as a camp counselor. Many camps across the country are still hiring into April, and avidly trying to fill their staff positions. Working at a camp doesn’t always involve living in a log cabin in the woods. Some camps are specifically catered to interests, such as art or sports. These camps are often located in big cities in California or New York. Not only do you receive a good paycheck, but also room and board at these camps. The key to handling your current job situation is to
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Senior’s Farewell
PAGE 12 P.
04.07.2009 4.1.08
Seniors’ Farewell
Each year, the senior class of editors and staff are given space to bid a fond farewell to both The Michigan Review and the University of Michigan. Here, outgoing Editor in Chief Jane Coaston and Publisher Karen Boore give us a few parting thoughts on their experiences at Michigan. We wish them all the best in all their endeavors.
Four Years Ago
BY Jane Coaston ‘09
Life Lessons
BY Karen Boore ‘09
Four years ago, if you would have told me that I would become editor-in-chief of the conservative paper at the University of Michigan, I would have probably responded in a manner using words such as “absolutely not”, “no way” and a few that rhyme with “bluck.” A few things still haven’t changed. I’m still not a conservative, I still won’t vote Republican, and, sorry to say, I still don’t like Wilco. But the period during which I have worked for the Michigan Review has been the most meaningful of my life. I have made lifelong friends, learned more than I could have ever thought possible, and found my future career. I’ve flown to Manhattan, had drinks in Arizona, and had an ugly emotional incident in JFK that resulted in me being moved to first class. I’ve interviewed drug dealers, football players, and Barack Obama. I’ve lost days of sleep and argued about everything from ESPN to congressional nominees. For that, I owe the Michigan Review a debt of gratitude. I didn’t know I wanted to become a journalist before I walked into the office in October of my freshman year. I had been fooled by Sam Waterson and friends on Law and Order and deluded myself into wanting to go to law school. But I did like to write. I just knew I liked my sanity (so no joining the Daily) and my pride (no Independent). James Dickson was Editor-in-Chief my freshman year, and Karen Boore was already a fixture in the office by the time I wrote my first article (a question-and-answer with Matthew Lassiter). James Dickson, Nick Cheolas, Michael O’Brien, and Lindsey Dodge are why I continued to work with the Review. They criticized me, inspired me, and were directly responsible for the one time I nearly blacked out. So I need to thank all of the Editors-in-Chief, past and present, for giving me the inspiration and the whiskey that helped me to find my place. I continued to work with the Review my second year of college, but I was distracted by other activities that, in hindsight, weren’t as important. Then family tragedy struck and I lost the ability to function. My friends at the Review were there, ready to talk, listen, and commiserate. Returning my junior year, I knew that journalism was what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. I wanted to write for anyone that would have me. I wanted to cover the uncoverable, right wrongs, and make a career out of being incredibly nosey. I knew that I wanted to make my senior year count. And now, it’s over. I’ve passed the torch on to Adam Pascarella, in whom I have full and total faith (though I do not agree with his hatred of Michigan Time). No matter what happens, the Review will continue to be an independent voice on campus. I feel that I have left the paper in good hands. I wish I had focused more on the Review earlier in my college career. I wish I had written more, taken more stories, called more sources, and come to more meetings. I wish I had asked more questions and learned as much as I possibly could from the writers around me. But I have no regrets. It may sound clichéd, but I did as much as I could and did the best that I could. I want to thank the people who I’ve worked with at the Review for the past four years. Thanks to Karen, who I developed a spot-on imitation of, have complete trust in, and am glad to be friends with. Thanks to Jonny, Julianne, Eden, Christine, Adam, Shanda, Nathan, Stano, and Eun—I look forward to seeing what you can do next year. Thanks to all of the people who walked through this office over the last four years—no matter how long or short your stay was, you were an important part of this paper. Thank you to my friends outside of the Review. I made you read copies of our issues and listen to my problems, and in return you cared about how I spent my time. And thank you to my family, who didn’t attempt to have me committed when they found out I was working with Republicans. The Review has been my home for the last four years. Through playing rugby, writing my thesis, and becoming the “resident hipster”, the Review has represented everything I love about Michigan. So keep on doing what you do,
The Review has been my home for the last four years. Review. As Young Jeezy says, “This world keep spinnin’, yeah my rims still spinnin’, even though the money slow we still spinnin’ in this crazy world”. Straight up. MR
I came to the University of Michigan just four short years ago. Like so many others, I was attracted to the University for its academic excellence and the opportunities it offers for a world-class education. It kept its promises, but offered so much more than I expected. I’ve received that world-class education, but I’ve learned so much more outside the academic realm. I want to share with you the life lessons which my experiences in Ann Arbor has taught me. Listen When you really take the time to listen, you’ll realize that people are telling you so much more than you might expect. Your professors aren’t just telling you about the subject you’re learning. They’re expressing their love of the subject and their desire that you love it too. People aren’t always going to tell it to you straight, but some of the best advice and support can come from the shortest conversations. Ann Arbor offers other auditory treasures too. Dominick’s chimes, the drunken frat boys singing “For the Longest Time” in harmony on a Thursday night, SAPAC marchers chanting “Hey Hey! Ho ho! Sexual assault has got to go!”, and hashbashers spelling out H-E-M-P and playing funky music are just a few. Just Ask There’s a lot I learned from listening, and one of those things is to just ask. Whether you are in need of career advice, academic advice, or anything else, realize that people who have gone through similar experiences don’t want their lessons to be lost on them . They feel the need to pass them on. Do them and yourself a favor, and ask for advice. Asking has not only given me a variety of perspectives, but it has also landed some fun interviews with the Review, meetings with people in fields that interest me, and allowed me to get into and sit in on the classes I wanted. The University is a mecca of ideas and opportunity. Asking will allow you to make the most of them. Get Comfortable with Uncertainty…Now
Get comfortable with uncertainty. If you don’t know her already, I’d like to introduce you to Uncertainty. She’s going to be around for the rest of your life, so I suggest you make friends now. Four years ago, few people would have predicted the near collapse of our financial system, but here we are the Class of 2009 graduating in a recession. Michigan’s economy has hung in the balance for years but has yet to pull through. Uncertainties abound. Yet, in an increasingly complex and troubled world, we must look to the future with hope and excitement. Things happen for a reason. As Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” So, keep an open mind, you might not always land where you expect, but that isn’t a bad thing. Every new experience has something to offer. Be open to them, because you may find a new passion that could change your life. Speaking of passion… Do What You Love and Have Fun College is a lot of work, but it is more than just being stuck in the UGLi for endless hours. It’s also about meeting new people, gaining new ideas and perspectives, and finding what you love. Don’t join so many clubs that you get spread too thin; instead, find something you love and can devote your time and energies to. I have the Review to thank for giving me the opportunity to manage a business, and the business school for helping me to do it better. And speaking of thanks… There are Great People in Your Life… Thank Them! Let me do that now. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me come to the University of Michigan, and to my sisters for missing me while I’m here (and I miss you, too). To Tom Jones and everyone who works to make the business school experience second to none. To the professors who love what they do and open up to us to the world of possibility. To my friends from high school that keep in touch. To all the friends I’ve made in Martha Cook. To my teammates in the business school, who made team meetings one of my favorite activities. And finally, to everyone at the Review before me who lay such strong foundations. To Nick and Mike, whose leadership and dedication to the Review taught me a lot. To everyone, these past four years have been a blessing. Finally, to next year’s staff, thank you for carrying on the torch, and I wish you the best. MR
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