THE ichigan eview MThe Journal of Campus Affairs at theR University of Michigan www.michiganreview.com VOLUME XXVI October 2, 2007 ISSUE 3

Students Energize GOP Leadership Conference GOP Uses Conference to Help Encourage Youth to Support the Party

By Adam Paul, ‘08

ver 2,000 people turned out for the Michigan ORepublican Party’s biannual Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island September 21-23. While the event attracted presidential candidates and state officials, a large cohort of students also attended Michael O’Brien/The Michigan Review the event. McCain Spoke Friday to potential voters assembled at a VFW Post. Presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney differentiated himself from other candidates by concentrating on a return to values such as traditional marriage, McCain, in Detroit, Looks to Revive rather than discussing ways to help Michigan’s poorly-performing economy. He also differentiated Campaign himself by organizing a large group Senator Expresses Optimism in Exclusive Interview with Review of student supporters to attend the conference. By Michael O’Brien, Republican field for president, even speaker at the sixth annual Young people, including about Editor-in-Chief coming in second place behind Hispanic Business Conference at the 100 students from Michigan State former Governor Mitt Romney in Renaissance Center in downtown University, as well as about 30 from enator John McCain’s last weekend’s Hotline straw poll. Detroit. The speech took broad Newt Gingrich U-M, wore bright blue ‘Romney’ McCain won Michigan’s primary swipes at Democrats as well as presented new Scampaign for president stopped stratagies for the shirts passed out stickers and foam in Michigan last week, hoping to in 2000, facing off against then- Republicans, for what McCain GOP. mittens bearing the name of the build on recent momentum and win Governor George W. Bush. views as “wasteful” spending. former Massachusetts Governor. Michigan’s high-stakes Republican “We had a great appearance “One of the last real vestiges of The Romney campaign reimbursed these volunteers primary in January. at Mackinac Island,” said McCain socialism in the world today is in for hotel rooms and paid their registration fees into the McCain, the maverick Arizona in an interview. “I think everyone Washington, D.C.,” McCain told conference allowing them to take part in a straw poll Republican, stopped in Detroit agreed that my speech was very the audience of close to a thousand conducted by political publication The Hotline. and St. Clair Shores last Friday, well-received,” he added, also Hispanic business leaders. Romney ended up winning the straw poll with 39 highlighting his national security pointing to his second-place straw The speech was aggressive on percent of the vote. credentials and touting his fiscal poll finish without having to spend other economic issues. McCain While the Romney campaign paid students to conservatism. substantial money. pledged, among other things, to come support their campaign, efforts were also made to The Michigan primary is McCain’s campaign made stops eliminate the maligned Alternative allow students to attend the conference. The newly important to the McCain campaign, designed to play up the Senator’s Minimum Tax, which, originally established GOP Youth Scholarship Fund which has struggled in recent two top credentials: as a hawkish designed to catch 150 paid for students to have the chance to months. But McCain has made veteran, and as an opponent of households escaping attend the conference. a small resurgence within the government spending. the income tax, now “The idea was to get more young 3 >> First, McCain was the keynote brings especially 3 >> Features News Editorial Arts & Culture The Scoop on MGoBlog: Students Travel to Michigan’s Fiscal Can We Be Lansing, Protesting Responsibility, An interview with Brian Cook Presumed Tuition Hike R.I.P. People Again?

By Christopher Stieber, ‘07 By Michael O’Brien, ‘08 Late Sunday night, the budget By Andrea Sofian, ‘08 deficit problem in Michigan was In the ever-expanding world of sports blogs, Students descended on the State “solved,” if that is what one would As I headed out to my first excellence is hard to find. Michigan sports fans, Capitol in Lansing last Thursday, care to call it. After much arm-twist- class the other day, I immediately however, are fortunate to count one of the most revered rallying against the specter of ing and promises of political patron- realized that I forgot my iPod at my sports blogs increased mid-year tuition, and age were made by Governor Jenni- apartment. I was more than slightly on the internet injecting themselves into the debate fer Granholm, several Republicans annoyed because I usually make a amongst their over how to resolve the state’s $1.8 caved to the will of the Democrats, point to bring it with me. Stepping own. MGoBlog, billion budget deficit. and voted for increases in the state off The Ride in the middle of the run by Brian Almost 150 students from U-M income tax and the sales tax on cer- day, I noticed that almost everyone Cook, offers boarded buses to Lansing, joining tain services. walking by me was distracted by some of the a few hundred students from the familiar and comforting sounds most in-depth analysis of Michigan football games, other universities to protest hikes emerging from their mp3 or cell parsing every Mike Hart cutback and Terrance Taylor in tuition at public universities in phones. stunt with Talmudic zeal. Michigan. 7 >> 9 >> 4 >> 9 >> www.michiganreview.com P. 2 10.02.07 THE MICHIGAN REVIEW www.michiganreview.com Editorial Board: page two. the michigan review Michael O’Brien Editor-in-Chief ■ Serpent’s Tooth Adam Paul Executive Editor Last week, MSA members unanimously voted to send a letter to newly admitted students informing them Brian Biglin that the assembly’s commitment to diversity remains Managing Editor unchanged in the wake of Prop 2. This motion narrowly defeated a similar measure to instruct students to join Rebecca Christy the Board Game Club and masturbate in the UGLi. Senior Editor In the hope of finding a replacement to recently deceased local celebrity “Shaky Jake,” Ann Arborites Lindsey Dodge have announced the pilot season of “Ann Arbor Hobo Jonny Slemrod Idol.” Associate Editors Gary Kasparov, former chess champion, enters the race Early rumors tell Serpent’s that the committee has for president of Russia. Kasparov: “Checkmate, Vladimir.” Chris Stieber already received applications from Juan Cole, Tally Hall, and Jennifer Granholm. putin: “Jailmate, Gary.” Editor-at-Large At a press conference discussing the budget deficit, After starting 2-0, the Lions were destroyed by the Business Staff: Granholm said, “We’re going to get the money, even Philadelphia Eagles 56-21. Fire Matt Millen. if it takes all night.” Asked for comment, the Fonze Karen Boore retorted, “Ehhh! That’s what she said!” The Office and Scrubs premier on NBC, giving passive- Publisher aggressive twentysomething quirky geeks everywhere The College of Engineering announced the suspension a reason to push away from their Apple laptops and of classes for one week due to a sudden outbreak of get out a little more: namely, to the couch on Thursday Danny Harris nights. Anna Malecke “Halo-3-ophilia.” Associate Publishers Unable to reach an agreement with the Big Ten In China, a couple names their child “@,” the Chinese Network, Comcast customers, in lieu of the Michigan- symbol for “future Everquest champion.” Nick Cheolas Northwestern game, were given the Purdue-Notre Editor Emeritus Dame game. Reports flowed in of HDTV’s overloading Noted mime Marcel Marceau died of a heart attack at as they tried to put all of Charlie Weis on the screen at the age of 84. No one heard it coming. once. Staff Writers: The new Campus Safety Handbook, in an attempt After reaching the World Series last year, the Detroit to freshen up their “Consent is Sexy” campaign, Steven Bengal, Jane Coaston, Marie Cour, Tigers failed to reach the playoffs. Now that manager announced the release of a Campus Safety album, with Blake Emerson, Sam Etters, Austyn Foster, Jim Leyland has two more months of free time, market updated safe lyrics. Tracks include: “Bringin’ Consent Erika Gonzalez, Mike Hamel, Josh Handell, analysts project a 74% increase in sales of unfiltered Back,” “I’m Too Consensual For My Pants,” and the Alyse Hudson, Christine Hwang, Erika Lee, Eun Lee, Marlboros. always popular “Consensual Healing.” Adam Pascarella, Eddie Perry, Alex Prasad, Danielle Putnam, Shanda Shooter, Andrea Sofian, Nathan Stano, Christina Zajicek, Zack Zucker ■ Letter from the Editor Letters and Viewpoints: The Michigan Review accepts and encourages letters to ‘The Songs That We Sing’ the editor and viewpoints. Letters to the editor should be under 300 words. Viewpoints can be arranged by here’s this song I’ve been listening to newspaper containing a four-letter words. contacting the editorial board. We reserve the right to by a French—yes, French—singer named Brian Biglin draws conclusions in the wake of edit for clarity and length. T Charlotte Gainsbourg called “The Songs That We the Ahmadinejad controversy at Columbia in Send all correspondence to [email protected]. Sing.” Its salient point comes in its chorus, when his column, and Jonny Slemrod questions the Gainsbourg intones: reasons behind the growth of the Democratic About Us: party among college students. And these songs that we sing In one of my favorite features, Chris Stieber The Michigan Review provides a broad range of in-depth Do they mean anything? interviews the infamous Brian Cook, the man coverage of campus affairs and serves as the literary voice of conservatism and libertarianism at the University of To the people we’re singing them to— behind the best Michigan sports blog, “M Go Michigan. The Review is published bi-weekly September People like you Blog.” Cook gives us some insight into the thru April. behind-the-scenes efforts going into his blog. As an editor, that chorus means a lot to me. It Also, it turns out he wrote for the Review during Donate/Subscribe: almost sums up my goal for the Review perfectly: his freshman year, which is pretty swell, too. to provide quality, useful content to our readers. On our arts and culture pages, Shanda The Michigan Review accepts no financial support from the University. Therefore, your support is critical and This issue, I’d like to think we’ve accomplished Shooter reviews Color and Money, a book on greatly appreciated. Donations above $35 are eligible for just that. affirmative action by Chronicle of Higher a 1-year (12 issues) subscription. Donations can be made We have some outstanding content on our Education editor Peter Schmidt. On the lighter on our website at www.michiganreview.com, or mailed front page to bolster our political coverage. Adam side, Andrea Sofian looks at the technological to: Paul covers the Mackinac Island conference, isolation of students in the iPod age. where a number of Republican candidates for We’ve put together a good issue. But I hope 911 N. University, Suite One Ann Arbor, MI 48109 president jockeyed for activists’ votes. Also, in the thought lingers with you as you read through this issue, I have an interview with and story on this issue, and I’m still thinking about that The Michigan Review is the independent, student-run journal of conserva- tive and libertarian opinion at the University of Michigan. We neither solicit Sen. John McCain, the first in what we’re hoping Charlotte Gainsbourg quote: nor accept monetary donations from the University. Contributions to The is a series of interviews with the Republican Michigan Review are tax-deductible under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The Michigan Review is not affiliated with any politi- presidential candidates, preceding January’s And these songs that we sing cal party or any university political group. primary. Do they mean anything?

Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board. Ergo, they We also have coverage of the state’s recent To the people we’re singing them to— are unequivocally correct and just. Signed articles, letters, and cartoons rep- resent the opinions of the author, and not necessarily those of The Review. budget crisis, including an update by Jonny People like you The Serpent’s Tooth shall represent the opinion of individual, anonymous Slemrod, and coverage of the Michigan Student contributors to The Review, and should not necessarily be taken as repre- sentative of The Review’s editorial stance. The opinions expressed in this Assembly’s protest in Lansing last Wednesday Sincerely, publication do not necessarily reflect those of the advertisers or the against the prospect of the University possibly University of Michigan. having to raise tuition mid-year. Michael P. O’Brien Copyright © 2007, The Michigan Review, Inc. All rights reserved. We have editorials on the same topic, as Editor-in-Chief The Michigan Review is a member of the Collegiate Network. well as an editorial on the controversy over the “That’s what she said.” editorial published in the Colorado State student 10.02.07 P. 3 features. the michigan review “I have enough to handle trying to do the Lord’s poll numbers, especially in key primary states.

“McCain” work in the city of Satan as is,” said McCain, referring In late August, according to an EPIC/MRA poll, From Page 1 to his trademark issue of curbing pork barrel spending McCain only had the support of sixteen percent of in Washington. voters. At the Mackinac Island Republican Leadership “The tragedy of globalization is that we have Conference straw poll, however, that support had tough taxation down into the middle incomes because left people behind, and haven’t given them a second grown to a quarter of voters. it was not indexed for inflation. chance,” said McCain about Michigan’s economy. The top Republican candidate in the state is widely McCain proposed reforming unemployment and “We’ll know in the coming months whether we considered to be former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Trade Adjustment Assistance to streamline several are succeeding in Iraq or not,” said McCain. “It’s not Romney, who grew up in Michigan, and whose father federal agencies’ handling of such issues. a static situation. We’re either going to succeed—and was governor of Michigan in the 1960s. Romney has led Later in the afternoon, Arizona’s senior senator show further success—or we’re going to fail.” in polls of Michigan primary voters, and gained nearly stopped at a VFW post in St. Clair Shores, where he As to troop levels, McCain referenced a conversation forty percent of the participants’ support in the Hotline spoke to an audience of close to 200, including a number he had with the controversial general in charge of troops straw poll. of veterans. in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus. “I met with Petraeus, and Still, McCain perseveres, hoping to capitalize on McCain stressed his support for the War in Iraq, I said, “Do you have enough troops?’ He looked me in his renewed support here. “We’ve established a strong before taking time for a question and answer session. the eye and said, ‘If I need more, I’ll ask for more.’” political and financial base,” he said, emphasizing that One touching moment came when one man stood The responses, especially on matters of foreign he had learned lessons from his failed campaign for up to comment, and gave Sen. McCain the dog tag of policy, demonstrated a more focused and passionate president in 2000. MR a young soldier who had been injured in Iraq this past McCain than critics had pounced on this past summer. March, and lost his sight. McCain accepted the dog tag, The McCain campaign nearly imploded after it was and paused at a loss for words, before resuming. revealed to have raised funds poorly, and spent too Afterwards, McCain made himself available to the much of its campaign money on consultants. press, including The Michigan Review. That, combined with McCain’s provocation of McCain refused to inveigh on the Michigan budget the conservative base by supporting President Bush’s crisis. immigration bill, caused a bottoming-out of McCain’s Many Irate with Granholm’s

“Mackinac” Performance From Page 1 By Nathan Stano, ‘11

imes are lean in Michigan, regardless of $50 stipend for food and other necessities for the ones political views. There are some individuals, weekend. T including University students, who would place the “We are complying with all campaign finance blame squarely on Governor Jennifer Granholm’s laws. I sent out e-mails to Republican donors that desk. I knew. We were fortunate to raise this money,” Justin Zatkoff is the Chair of the Michigan Federation said Hall, when asked about the financing of the of College Republicans, LSA ‘09, and has become campaign. While several students initially told the exasperated with the governor’s performance during Review that they were under the impression that the current state budget fiasco, and would support her the fund was connected to the McCain campaign, recall. He says that the governor’s support of tax hikes Hall emphatically stated that this was not true. “I amounting to $1.7 billion would not only be ruinous to think you will see we had a wide variety of students our state’s economy, but now threatens to shut down supporting all kinds of campaigns,” continued Hall. the state government, if a budget is not passed before While the group tried to get students to apply October 1st. The crisis has convinced him to pay more for the scholarship in advance, Hall said that some attention to happenings at the state capitol. on-site registration did occur. One student told The Grand Hotel was the site of this years Michigan Republican Leadership Conference. In the 2006 election, the governor was re-elected the Review that they registered on-site but chose to by a fourteen point margin over Republican challenger pocket the money rather than registering for the College Republicans, was they learned that College Dick DeVos, putting the governorship up for grabs Republicans are not about just knocking on doors, it’s in 2010, as Granholm has served the maximum two about getting to know people.” terms. “I don’t know what got them Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former New A poll by the Michigan Republican Party, which has fired up over there in Ann York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani both took around a margin of error of about four percent, shows that the 11 percent of the vote. While Paul admitted to not governor’s approval rating has slipped to 45% overall, Arbor.” organizing a large number of people, an ad hoc group of only 36% approve of her handling of the budget, and supporters attended. While signs for all the candidates only a third of those surveyed think cuts necessary to were all over the island, supporters had put lawn signs balance the budget would “cut to the bone”. --Ron Paul, speaking about his and banners on freeway overpasses on the way up I- Zatkoff admits that the governor may sit better support at U-M that has come 75. When asked about the support, Paul indicated that among University students because they would not feel much of it has come without his urging. the tax hikes as acutely as the citizenry at large. He says without his urging “I don’t know what got them fired up over there in that the ideal next governor, for many Michiganders, Ann Arbor,” Paul told The Review, when asked about should transcend party lines and get something done. the student group supporting him at U-M. Paul said He stated that the Governor’s lack of such leadership, conference. that while no one with his campaign reached out to U- in an inability to unite her own party in the Michigan Senator John McCain, whose campaign did M students, they had created a group on their own. House, only highlights this need for leadership. He organize a paid group of student supporters, placed While Paul’s youth support was dispersed, believes that someone with a business mindset could second place with 27 percent of the straw poll vote. Giuliani’s was simply sparse. Giuliani supporter make great strides for the state, not only in streamlining While it did not provide the financial support of and Ave Marie Law student, Alex Wiltverger, said state government, but opening up to business leaders, the Romney group, the McCain campaign attracted she believes Giuliani has the best chance against something the governor has been hit-or-miss on. many young people to both a bar night and barbeque Democratic hopefuls like Hillary Clinton. Wiltverger In Michigan, according to the State Constitution and in the two days before the straw poll closed. said she has seen more student support for Giuliani the Michigan Election Law, all elected positions, save Justin Zatkoff, a U-M student and chair of the among graduate students, which may be because their judgeships, can be recalled. A written petition must Michigan Federation of College Republicans, told ages gives them clearer memories of Giuliani’s time as be approved by a county election board, and then the the Review that these social events are a big draw for the Mayor of New York City. petitioner has ninety days to get twenty five percent of students. Zatkoff was glad with the U-M contingent “Those supporting Mitt have a lot of spirit. I have the people who voted in the last gubernatorial election that attended, saying “the best thing that they got in the county/jurisdiction of the official. That would out of it, especially people not necessarily in the seen a lot of families for him,” said Wiltverger. MR mean one would need to collect 950,314 signatures, according to numbers published by the Secretary of State’s office; which is fifty thousand more signatures than was required to recall then-Governor Gray Davis The Michigan Review of California in 2003. If this condition is met, there has to be a special election on the next regular election date. Zatkoff urges University students to watch how their local representatives vote, and if you disapprove The Best Coverage of State of their votes to raise taxes, he suggests contacting the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance for information on how Politics On Campus to start a recall movement in their district. MR P. 4 10.02.07

editorials.the michigan review The Review welcomes letters to the The Michigan Review editor. Send letters to: he Michigan Review is the independent, student-run Tjournal of conservative and libertarian opinion at the Uni- versity of Michigan. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of [email protected] the Editorial Board. Ergo, they are unequivocally correct and just. Signed articles, letters, and cartoons represent the opinions of the The Review reserves the right to edit author, and not necessarily those of the Review. letters to the editor for length and clarity.

MSA Voyage to Editorial Freedom Michigan’s Fiscal Lansing Pointless, Important, Even at Responsibility, Short-Sighted Colorado State R.I.P. pparently the Michigan Student Associa- fter heckling Senator John Kerry at a ate Sunday night, the budget deficit problem Ation felt that the current uproar in Lansing was not Aspeech at the University of Florida, student An- Lin Michigan was “solved,” if that is what one would loud enough. This past Thursday, the Michigan Stu- drew Meyer was attacked with a taser. After publishing care to call it. After much arm-twisting and promises dent Assembly (MSA) sent a protest horde, 150 strong, an “editorial” that references the incident, the editorial of political patronage were made by Governor Jennifer to the state capitol to protest budget cuts which might- board of the Rocky Mountain Collegian, the student Granholm, several Republicans caved to the will of the possibly-in-some-way-indirectly-affect-tuition-costs. paper at Colorado State University (CSU), while not Democrats, and voted for increases in the state income The much-maligned “cuts,” which are in fact merely getting literarily electrocuted, was shocked to find that tax and the sales tax on certain services. the continuation of the prior year’s budget, are not sure it lost ad revenue and now faces a vote of no confidence This whole mess has been nothing short of con- to affect our tuition rates. from its publication board. temptible. Fearful to have to make government account- The state appropriations to the University have de- The Collegian’s editorial, entitled “Tazer This,” able, or to have to run it responsibly, the legislature has creased despite a rise in the Michigan total educational reads only “F--- Bush. This is the view of the Collegian chosen tax hikes instead of cuts in wasteful spending. budget. Clearly, given that the state is in a severe eco- editorial board.” Yet instead of muting the expletive, The Democrats could not have chosen a worse nomic state of health, and given the University’s $4.5 the paper dropped the notorious “F-bomb” in print. time, either. The state of Michigan’s economy is stag- billion endowment, state legislators feel that the Uni- The decision brought the college paper into the na- nant—to put it politely—and its unemployment rate is versity is strong enough to stand alone in these tough tional spotlight. The paper is currently receiving a lot staggeringly high. To top it off, no end to our economic times. Furthermore, if the protesters were interested of heat for being uncivil and vulgar. Advertisers are woes are on the horizon. It is no creeping secret that a in making their voices heard to real decision-makers, pulling away from the paper en masse, taking around recession in Michigan is in place; this much has been they’d focus their efforts on the Regents of the Univer- $30,000 away from the publication in revenue. Beyond abundantly clear to legislators for at least half a decade. sity, the men and women who actually raise the tuition financial pressure, CSU’s College Republicans man- And it is less of a secret that regulations and taxes hos- price. aged to collect a 300 strong student petition calling for tile to businesses that invigorate the economy brought All of these aforementioned facts are important to the firing of Editor-in-Chief David McSwane. Now the us to the point we are at today. the discussion, yet few, if any, of the protesters were school’s Board of Student Communications is seriously The choice before the men and women—boys and aware of these points. Instead of fact-based discussion, considering the recommendation. girls, really—in Lansing should have been clear: to con- those who went to Lansing bandied about hyperbolic While the editorial can be seen as offensive and tinue down the road to self-destruction, or to reform and emotionally-potent stories of life and death. The poorly conceived, it is not a move that warrants the de- government for the twenty-first century, making it issue of rising tuition costs is important to students of capitation of the paper’s editorial board. College news- leaner and efficient. Michigan, but when the representative voice sounds as papers remain interesting and effective only when they On the one hand are ever-higher taxes and regu- shrill as the melodramatic anti-sweatshop, anti-Israel, maintain editorial freedom. As soon as university of- lations, bleeding businesses and consumers of needed or anti-Bush crowds, those affected by the tuition prob- ficials begin responding to controversy by removing disposable income and regulations. The tax, tragically, lem are most hurt, both in efficacy and credibility. those who start it, college press will become, at its best, has only financed massive expansions in entitlement This is unfortunate, because the issue of higher tu- sterile and, at its worst, a mouthpiece for their universi- programs within the state, and to fund earmarks and ition costs is a concern for all students, irrespective of ties. If college newspapers are going to produce pro- projects for special interests in the state. Say what one political leanings. There are a multitude of voices here vocative content, they are sure to generate backlash. will about the necessity of government spending: our at the University, and discovering some consensus be- Take, for example, the cartoons published last year spending in the state is neither lean nor efficient. tween the groups would only add greater strength to by the University of Virginia student paper that depict- On the other hand, there was an opportunity to our questions. Yet even if the student body united in ed Christ crucified in a Cartesian plane and the Virgin modernize and make competitive the State of Michi- their disdain for higher tuition, the fact remains that Mary discussing a rash from her immaculate concep- gan. Legislators must not be oblivious to the need to students are still going to pay their tuition and at the tion. Those cartoons, which were poorly executed and make the state a business-friendly environment. How end of the day the continued inflow of tuition dollars is inarticulate in their message, did manage to get people else are we to grow beyond this prolonged recession— what the regents which will hold the regents attention. talking. That’s an important part of what editorial pag- a malaise, really—without more common sense tax and Speaking of the Regents, while taking students up es are meant for: fostering and provoking discussion, spending programs? to Lansing, it’s the Board of Regents who gets final say even if it offends. That includes a massive reform of the many spend- over increases in tuition. The Regents tend to make Like the Virginia cartoons, the Collegian edito- ing programs in the state. The attitude among many their decisions practically, even after being buffeted by rial is nonsense. In a critical and artistic analysis one is beneficiaries of state funding in the run-up to this reso- protestors at a meeting last spring; the Regents have hard-pressed to find it any more cogent than the call lution has been nothing short of appalling. Instead of taken little action on the issues of environmental sus- for “Bong Hits 4 Jesus.” Despite defenses by the board looking in mirrors and realizing the need for their own tainability or social justice those protesters so passion- that they intended to frame the tazing in Florida as a re- diets, they have vainly suggested that their budgets not ately wanted to see improved. So it seems unlikely that, sult of what the board sees as an increasing police state only be held steady, but increase! The arrogance of the even had MSA pursued the proper channels, that their under the Bush administration, the two-line editorial is many parties involved in this whole fiasco has been actions would have proved efficacious. To the Regents, just a sloppy statement. It’s a move conceived more to disheartening. See, for instance, even our own U-M and more so the state legislature, university students create controversy for its own sake than provoke any students, who traveled to Lansing last week to protest are just another interest group. legitimate debate or conversation. This sort of verbal hikes in higher education. Clearly, we are more impor- In the middle of a state budget crisis, legislatures exhibitionism demeans every college paper that strives tant than everyone else. will--and should if they hope to balance the budget-- to bring an element of seriousness and thoughtfulness An opportunity for innovation and good gover- remain indifferent to any group’s cries for more money. to the campus. nance has come and passed. This was a chance to revo- Simply because college tuition is rightfully important While the f-word is a word that’s use permeates ev- lutionize state government. The excuse was there, but to college students, does not raise the issue to one of erything from casual conversations to professors’ lec- special interests, once again, trumped good lawmak- state concern. tures on college campuses, the Collegian’s board had to ing. For this, we hope state legislators are held account- The MSA-orchestrated protest, far from being con- think that this pointless attempt at an editorial would able for their fateful decisions by their constituents. As structive, is just another example of a special interest— elicit some strong backlash. for the Governor, we are confident she will be hear- in this case, students and higher education—heading While we have no sympathy for the pressure be- ing from some angry taxpayers for the duration of her to Lansing, hat in hand, demanding that they not be the ing exerted by advertisers and other students, the pres- now-imperiled second term. ones left out in the cold after inevitable cuts are made. sure coming from the publication board is excessive But in the end, perhaps the most depressing real- The “us, too” mentality is characteristic of modern de- and overbearing. It is far better to allow college papers ization has been that old-school, bloated government, mocracy, where everyone wants something, but ex- to write stupid statements, then learn from the conse- Great Society liberalism still has a bastion here in Mich- pects to have to give nothing. MR quences, than suppress their ability to make such state- igan. For a state with so many fine colleges and univer- ments in the first place.MR sities, perhaps we have learned nothing after all. MR 10.02.07 P. 5

■ Big Talk Portrait of a Madman: Ahmadinejad at Columbia n the days and hours leading speech would benefit America and the to give Ahmadinejad the most inaus- to stop, he responded by asking nonsen- Iup to Iranian President Mahmoud wider world, because his irrationality picious of introductions—the likes of sical questions (i.e. If someone exploded Ahmadinejad’s appearance in New and hatred would be manifested so which are rarely heard in a neutralized a bomb in your Senate, are they a terror- York City last week, many in New York plainly to Americans and others. As academic setting. While admitting that ist?) and telling us that sometimes Iran and around the country railed against a result of his lies, anti-Americanism, he was a mere academic, Bollinger said is attacked by terrorists. He did not an- the very idea and anti-Semitism having been spewed that he felt “all the weight of the mod- swer any difficult questions. He posed of him visit- on the grandest of stages, more people ern civilized world yearning to express more questions than he answered. ing the US and are now rightfully irked and pained, the revulsion at what you [Ahmadine- That’s the rhetorical strategy of a being allowed having had this portrait of a madman jad] stand for.” Did anyone else wish madman. to speak. Those drawn in front of their own eyes, by the Bollinger was still the University of Let’s not forget how he said that against his man himself. Members of the Jewish Michigan president after his courageous “[In Iraq] there are covert and overt visit were heav- community—and Manhattan is Amer- introduction at this event? efforts to heighten insecurity, magnify ily Jewish, and ica’s center of it—endured a pain last If ever there were a time to lash out and aggravate differences…and insti- were justifiably week, a pain which Columbia President in an introduction, this was it. Bollinger gate civil strife,” at the United Nations irked—more Lee Bollinger articulated, so that more told the truth, a truth that was further last fall. It’s funny how he did not want pained—at people could grasp the dangers that are revealed when the Iranian spoke. It to take any responsibility on behalf of the thought flowing out of the Islamic fundamental- is possible that Bollinger may have Iran for those efforts. of hearing the Brian ist sphere, at the center of which rests added fuel to the fire, as the president That just shows that Ahmedinejad bogus claims Ahmadinejad. spoke with particular acrimony that has a pattern of employing ignorance as iglin about the B Knowing full well that Holocaust day, no doubt having been affected by rhetoric. I’ve thrown the word “mad- Holocaust and survivors could be watching on televi- Bollinger’s “unfriendly treatment.” man” around a lot here. Perhaps he vicious polemic against Israel that Ah- sion, perhaps just a few blocks away, And so the portrait of the mad- does not have any form of psychosis. madinejad continually brings forth. Bollinger offered an apology before man was painted on that stage. The This permits us to identify the real af- Indeed, he did nothing out of the Ahmadinejad had even opened his Holocaust, apparently, has not been fliction that brings on such ignorance ordinary while in New York, and was mouth. “To those among us who expe- researched, calling its veracity into and irrationality: Islamic fundamental- obstinate and unresponsive in the face rience hurt and pain as a result of this question. And, apparently, it should ism, and a hatred which lies beyond the of tough questioning at Columbia day, I say on behalf of all of us that we be studied in the manner of physics or realm of any religiosity. MR University. But as the events unfolded, are sorry and wish to do what we can chemistry. When asked why his nation it became clear that the President’s to alleviate it,” he said. He proceeded is sponsoring terrorism and if they plan

■ Free to Choose College Democrats: Read This Column ith election season getting closer and both. Although I resent their solutions, there’s no And they only have one thing to show for it: the Wcloser, political activism on campus is becoming question that on the issues that matter most to college lowest Congressional approval rating ever. increasingly visible. It comes as no surprise that the students; the War in Iraq, healthcare, and education, That said, it’s unfortunate that our generation be- shade of this political activism in Ann Arbor has a hint Democrats have the cohesiveness that our generation came politically active precisely during the time of the of blue. While Republican student groups seem to be desires. collapse of the Republican Party. The party of Ronald non-existent in terms of the 2008 election, Democrats But while these are certainly the most prevalent is- Reagan and Barry Goldwater that once stood for low have garnered quite a follow- sues of today, there’s a whole other side to the picture taxes and low spending has racked up an enormous ing. For example, Students that College Democrats (and Democrats in general) federal debt, spent taxpayer money at levels only seen for Obama boasts upwards of just don’t grasp. There’s a good reason why you don’t by Lyndon B. Johnson during his “Great Society,” and three hundred members on see Dems in the Diag handing out fliers about what bloated the government further through an expansion campus. Democrats running for office think about issues such of entitlements, executive power, and wasteful spend- Increasingly, young as taxes or trade. On these issues, Democrats have a ing. people are calling themselves dismal record. A casual observer wouldn’t know it, but the Democrats over Republicans. I’ll assume that the reason why our generation is Party of George W. Bush is actually the same party as According to a recent Rock turning blue is because they think that Democratic al- Ronald Reagan, who let it be known that government the Vote poll, 61 of 18-29 year ternative is better than the Republican alternative. But isn’t the solution to our problems, but it is the problem olds said that they were likely if the last eleven months of the Democratic majority is itself. to vote for a Democrat in any indication of what a Democratic presidency will Young people have the right to be confused after 2008, compared to only 34% Jonny be like, I’m skeptical of that notion. the presidency of George Bush. After all, our text- for Republicans. In contrast, Plainly said, the positive aspects of the Demo- books told us our lives that Democrats stand for more Ronald Reagan netted 59% of Slemrod cratic policies have been heavily outweighed by the government and Republicans stand for less. Now both the 18-29 vote in 1984. negatives. Democrats pushed a watered-down ethics parties stand for more. I wonder whether the growing trend of our bill which will do nothing to stop wasteful earmark I can’t fault College Democrats for being Demo- generation identifying as Democrats is truly due to spending. They helped pass a new farm bill which crats at all. Bush has been a terrible president by Democratic policy alternative, or whether it is simply continues the tradition of giving tens of billions of dol- many regards, and hasn’t done much to improve our a reactionary anti-Bush movement, which has been lars in agricultural subsidies to the richest farmers in country. And while it seems natural that young voters solidified as a result of seven dismal years under the the country. They’ve showed their willingness to hike should want a change when they get in the ballot box Bush Administration. taxes, stall free trade agreements, and pander to labor next November, I advise caution when turning to the I’m inclined to say that the answer is a little of unions in unparalleled ways. left - it might not be much better. MR

Keep Your Shirt On!

By Lindsey Dodge, ‘10 same behemoth will cushion your fall dance over our last pitiful touchdown, emerging pimple on your back that I much the same as a rubber ball. I know particularly if it is thrice the weight lose focus of the actual football game, he Big House can hold over from experience. of your entire body. Generally chaos then the shirt needs to be either found T110,000 people, making it the largest With the increase in the price of ensues. or stolen from an obliging neighbor im- football stadium in the country. Un- education, which is being discussed at To avoid this horrifying situation mediately. fortunately, only about 80% of these this very moment in the Michigan State in the future, I posit a few standards for Thirdly, beware of the painted people can manage to keep their shirts Legislature, it makes sense that students those who wish to remove their shirt words on the back, chest, or shaved on during the game. have become less formal and expensive before entering the Big House. These heads. Not only does the writing not This is a growing development in in their choice of vestments. However, motions would be enforced by security always last throughout the entire game, football culture, leading to the demise that is no excuse for unattractive people guards, who would have a scale and but misspellings have occurred. You of the collegiate look at to neglect wearing a shirt. In fact, it tape measurement at the ready. will not be as excited to be caught on Staff sporting events. No more seems to be a proportional relationship: First off, said person should be re- the big screen shaking your can if what Opinion are navy cable-knit sweat- The less interest you take in your per- ally, really, ridiculously good-looking. everyone reads is “Meeshagin Wulva- ers and striped scarves the sonal hygiene, the more likely you are The measurement of good-looking-ness reens.” norm. Rather, you’re far more likely to not wear a shirt in the Big House. would be measured by complicated So the next time a football fan con- to be in front of a shirtless 275 pound Words do not exist to encapsulate machinery, as well as general crowd siders the possibility of taking off their junior with an electric-blue stringy wig the terrifying moment when a large, consensus, a mirror, and Janice Dicken- clothes to appear in public, consider the on his head, screaming “You Suck, Ap- pasty, hairy, sweaty, painted maize- son. old adage: You don’t always have to go palachian!” On the bright side, when and-blue belly comes streaming to- Secondly, no backne. When I am the whole nine yards. MR overcrowding gets too intense, this wards your face in an exuberant victory so interested in the development of the P. 6 10.02.07

nethe michigan ws. review Ahmadinejad Midnight Vote For Tax Hike Averts and Academics Long-Term Government Shutdown

By Jonny Slemrod, ‘10 Tax (SBT) expired earlier nation. Leon Drolet, leader the state back on solid Square Off at in the year. The fiscal year of the Michigan Taxpayers financial footing, we can ith just over an began on Monday, Octo- Alliance, has vowed to re- turn our focus to the criti- Whour left until a state ber 1st, and a government call lawmakers who voted cal task of jump-starting Columbia government shutdown, shutdown would have in favor of a tax increase. our economy and creating the Michigan House of resulted if the legislature Labor and teacher unions new jobs.” By Alex Prasad, ‘11 Representatives approved couldn’t have agreed on a lobbied hard for the in- Most Republicans an increase in the income budget. creases. were not thrilled about the uesday, September 25th, was no ordinary tax 10:45 pm on Sunday A government shut- The Detroit Free Press Tday on the campus of Columbia University. night. The bill, which down would have meant reported that Governor Republicans Voting in As nearly every major television network in the raises the income tax from that all non-essential state Granholm was seen on the Favor of the Tax Hikes: world descended onto campus, it was impos- 3.9 percent to 4.35 percent, services would have been House floor late Sunday sible not to note that something important was passed with a vote of 57- suspended indefinitely. night personally lobbying ● Rep. Ed Gaffney-District 01 about to happen. Iranian President Mahmoud 52. Only two Republicans, The State of Michigan Republican lawmakers (Grosse Pointe/NE Detroit) Ahmadinejad, the fiercest critic of the United Ed Gaffney from Grosse employs 53,000 people, to vote for the income tax ● Rep. Chris Ward-District 66 States this side of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, Pointe, and Chris Ward two-thirds of which were bill, H.B. 5194. The plan was about to be given the floor at Columbia’s from Brighton, voted for told not to report to work worked, and the bill nar- (Brighton) prestigious School of International and Public the tax increase. Three on Monday if the budget rowly passed. ● Sen. Valde Garcia-Howell Affairs, with the permission of former Univer- Democrats voted against situation was not resolved. The House also passed ● Sen. Ron Jelinek-Three sity of Michigan President Lee Bollinger. Bol- the tax increase. Government shutdowns a thirty-day continuation linger ignored intense pressure to cancel the The House also ap- are not unprecedented; budget which allows the Rivers event- earlier in the week the New York City proved a bill to impose both New Jersey and government to continue ● Sen. Wayne Kuipers-Hol- Police Department denied Ahmadinejad’s re- a six percent sales tax on Pennsylvania recently running while budget land quest to lay a wreath at Ground Zero, citing twenty three services, shutdown their govern- talks continue. “security concerns.” ranging from janitorial ser- ments in 2006 and 2007, Granholm had vowed At the heart of the event was controversy. vices to skiing. respectively. to veto any budget that outcome. Columbia agreed to let a man known to be a The bills then went to Lobbyists on both sides didn’t include a tax in- “We stood on princi- Holocaust-denier, a man who has pledged to the Senate early Monday of the debate poured re- crease, sharpening the ple to cut and reform and “wipe Israel off the map”, and a man who sup- morning where the in- sources into the battle. En- partisanship which has have the state live within ports the terrorist group Hezbollah to speak at come tax vote tied 19-19, tities such as the Michigan deeply divided Lansing in its means, like working its forum. The event formed distinct battle lines with the deciding vote cast Chamber of Commerce the last few months. Her families have to live with- that cut across normal political stereotypes. by Democratic Lieutenant and The Michigan Tax- reaction to the budget was in their means,” said Craig “The campus was divided between advo- Governor John Cherry in payers’ Alliance lobbied positive: “We prevented DeRoche, House Minority cating free speech, and being upset at the Uni- favor of the increase. against any sort of tax in- massive cuts to public Leader. versity for inviting him,” said Kamal Yechoor, The legislature has crease, worrying about the education, health care and Instead, the state will a freshman at Columbia. Yechoor said that the been in a frenzy to resolve pitfalls of increasing taxes public safety while also create more means for it- debate did not center on whether or not you the $1.8 billion deficit that on a state that already fac- making extensive govern- self, and further debate were sympathetic with Ahmadinejad- nobody the state has accumulated es a 7.4% unemployment ment reforms and pass- over the tax hikes will be was. In fact, President Lee Bollinger, stirring since the Single Business rate – the highest in the ing new revenue. With sure to linger. MR perhaps even more controversy, introduced Ahmadinejad by saying he was “a petty and cruel dictator”. The debate was about the academic value Master’s Degrees offering More Economic of this display. The Dean of the School of In- ternational and Public Affairs supported Bol- Benefits for Students and Universities than Ever linger’s actions by claiming that the university would have brought in Adolf Hitler to speak in 1939, if it were able. On the other end of the spectrum, hundreds of protestors outside the auditorium claimed that allowing Ahmadine- By Erika Lee, ‘11 demand, are universities. The Uni- Master’s in environmental manage- jad to speak was against academic integrity, versity of Pheonix, a commercial ment, business, and law--helped him because he holds so many factually incorrect N Order TO gain upper ground institution popular for its online “get a leg up in the job market, and beliefs, such as his disbelief of the Holocaust. Iin an increasingly competitive and degree programs, awarded 24,788 earn higher salaries than I would Indeed, a tremendous falsehood stole the cutthroat jobs market, more and master’s degrees last year according have otherwise.” show at the Q&A session (it could have been more students are entering Master’s to the New York Times. The California However, one with degree-plas- called a Q&Q session according to those who degree programs across the country, State University system is expanding tered resume may not be the ideal or claim Ahmadinejad dodged many of the key and universities are taking monetary its master’s degree program. the best job candidate in the eyes of questions). In response to a question regarding advantage of the trend. In an interview with the New an employer. Iran’s policy of executing homosexuals, the Ira- According to the National Cen- York Times, Gary W. Reichard, the “Additional degrees are not al- nian President replied, “In Iran, we don’t have ter for Education Statistics, the num- executive vice chancellor and chief ways the answer to increased job op- homosexuals like in your country…In Iran, we ber of students earning master’s de- academic officer for the Califor- portunities” said Lynne do not have this phenomenon. I don’t know grees has nearly doubled since 1980. nia system, said, “Because M.B.A.s Sebille-White, a career counselor who’s told you that we have it.” Here at the University of Michigan, can offer tremendous salary boosts who works with recruiting employ- The reaction from those in the audience graduate and professional enroll- down the road, we can charge high- ers at the U-M Career Center. “It can was one of disbelief. “The reaction at first was ment has increased by 11 percent er tuitions to students.” be more difficult to find a job if one that everyone laughed because it was so outra- between 1996 and 2006. Master’s degree programs in- is over-educated and under-experi- geous, so unexpected, but eventually boos took The bar has been raised for the deed are a hefty burden on a student’s enced in an employer’s eyes.” over because it was so politically incorrect. It expected level of education in the job budget. master’s degree program Precisely because of the high really opened our eyes, because it gave us in- market. Even five years ago, a news in University’s School of Engineer- cost of earning master’s and the sight into the fact that some other countries release from University News Ser- ing costs $17,328 per year for resi- probable decade-long payment of don’t tolerate homosexuals,” said Yechoor. vice stated: “Students tend to find dents and $32,284 for non-residents; loans, it is imperative that one first No matter where students, media and the a college education more appeal- $24,755 for residents and $39,117 for understands the extent to which an world felt about the incident, one thing was ing—and more essential when job non-residents in 12-month Medical advanced education will make one clear: all who partook in the 30 minute Q&A prospects are less abundant.” School program, and $98,100 for the more qualified and competitive for believed they had been witnesses to history. Now that so many students feel Ross School of Business program. jobs in their field before matricula- “It was a really incredible experience; the the need to go beyond the Bachelor’s Despite the high costs, the com- tion, Sebille-White said. MR opportunity to be with somebody so important degree, a master’s is not just an ex- petitive ede provided by the degree in world affairs was something really special,” tra perk, but oftentimes a staple on and the future earning potential can said Yechoor, summing up the campus’ senti- resumes, especially in many profes- make it a worthy investment. ments. MR sional fields. Rey A. Phillips Santos, an attor- Capitalizing on such popularity, ney for the City of Chicago, believes or simply responding to the market the degrees that adorn his resume-- 10.02.07 P. 7 Upon Further Review: Brian Cook, MGoBlogger Extraordinaire

about my blog, is that I don’t know what than 3 minutes left. Ryan Mallett’s interview after the game, By Chris Stieber, ‘07 I would do with access, really. I’d go to he talked about the touchdown and the the same press conferences that every- As was made clear in the first two games flip, and he said that Jake Long came up n the ever-expanding world of sports body else is going to, I’d write down the this year, Michigan struggles at time to him and said “We don’t do that here.” Iblogs, excellence is hard to find. Michigan same notes and I might write the same against “newer” offensive schemes. Do I don’t think that would change, that it’s sports fans, however, are fortunate to count article, but the media’s already doing you think that the “Bo Schembechler something the players pass down. But one of the most revered sports blogs on the in- that, right? It’s already covered. Effect”, for lack of a better term, still in- the culture of the program won’t change. ternet amongst their own. MGoBlog, run by fluences our playing style? The strategy of the program would with Brian Cook, offers some of the most in-depth You’ve done a great job of handling Les Miles, but not the culture. analysis of Michigan football games, parsing the “Jim Harbaugh” myth of Michigan Absolutely. Our head coach was every Mike Hart cutback and Terrance Tay- “using and losing” these athletes they brought in by Bo, our offensive coordina- Can the culture and the strategy be inex- lor stunt with Talmudic zeal. bring in. You’ve called “b.s.” on the tor was a long-time associate of the head tricably tied together, though? The im- A 2003 graduate of U-M, Cook has a idea that these athletes will not come coach, our defensive staff though, no pression is that Michigan is the dowdy degree in computer science engineering. He out as well qualified as other alum. one has been there longer than 4 years, old man of college football. is a full-time blogger, both on his own blog not counting Vance Bedford, the defen- and at the AOL Fanhouse. He also holds the Well, the idea that Harbaugh puts sive backs coach. Obviously, though, the I can see that, but we’ve always had distinction as being one of the founders of the forth is that the main benefit for these philosophy has been handed down, and people like David Terrell and Braylon popular Every Three Weekly. players who are on the team is in the one of the things I repeat fairly frequent- Edwards around. I don’t think either of classroom, and I don’t think that’s true. I ly on the blog is that Lloyd Carr coaches those guys were choir-boys, but com- What’s a brief synopsis of your blog? think that being part of the team and ac- like he’s got a killer run game and a great pared to the overall tenor of the pro- How would you like to see it viewed, as cessing that alumni network, even if you defense, no matter what the facts on the gram, those guys seem to be outliers. I if on Wikipedia? don’t make the NFL, is the most valuable ground say. When we do have that, it don’t think changing the style of our of- part of your experience. A bunch of play- turns into 1997 or 2006, and when we fense means changing the entity of the Um, as the premier Michigan sports ers come back every year to games for a don’t, it turns into 2005. So, maybe punt- program. blog out there. That seems about right. reunion, and I haven’t gone to a reunion. ing against Penn State was a defensible Blogs have changed a lot about how I haven’t gone back for my engineering idea, because we had handled their of- Through my tedious research I found the news process works, where informa- reunion. I think that they have different fense pretty well, Anthony Morelli isn’t that you are ranked the 195,138th most tion comes from, where opinion comes experiences than a lot of people, and a a very good quarterback, and we had visited site in Serbia & Montenegro. from. Michigan has a notoriously tight- necessary side-effect to that the class- some blitzes that got to him on the first lipped sports program. Do you see any room side is de-emphasized a little bit. couple downs there, so that worked That’s, uh, that’s fantastic. Actually, there’s a guy who emailed me from Ka- zakhstan, or something like that, saying “Hey, great blog. I would like you to know that you’re the #1 Michigan blog on the Central Asian Steppe,” and that was actually the headline on the blog for a while.

What’s been the weirdest blog-related email you’ve ever received? Any totally bizarre ones?

Well, we just had the one from a guy saying “Maybe we should look at Brady Hoke [head coach of Ball State, with a lifetime record of 15-31] for the affects on the program by these develop- I’m not saying that they don’t need to go out. The problem is not necessarily with next head coach.” That was like, seri- ments? to class, but that our test for those guys that call, but the copious evidence that ously?! (laughter) Usually, the stuff I get Well, I don’t think its changed the re- should be “Are they happy with their we have from earlier is that they [U-M is even-keeled. I haven’t gotten anything lationship of the athletic department to lives?” A degree helps in that matter, but coaches] will make that call whether it completely outlandish. After the Notre the media, but what it has done, not just a degree is not the be-all and end-all. makes sense or not. Dame game last year, someone sent me blogs but the internet itself has given rise Have you run across any major miscon- a picture of a “Sandwich of Victory”, to this sort of class of quasi-insiders, who ceptions of the Michigan football pro- You alluded to this probably being which was a reference to a Tennessee know the right guys with a steady flow gram amongst non-U-M fans? Lloyd Carr’s last year here, finishing player’s comment about going down to of information through unofficial chan- out with this senior class. A name be- Florida and “goin’ in their kitchen, and nels. Just one of the interesting things I did a lot of radio interviews for ing suggested for a replacement is Les we’re gonna make a sandwich, and put about the way news flows. I’ve posted a this book I put out, a Michigan preview Miles of LSU, for the obvious reasons: some cheese on it.” But I didn’t realize lot of things where all I’ve done is read book, and everybody who was not local he’s an alum, a good coach with a buy- this at the time, so when I got this email them on the internet and commented on to the state would ask, “Is Lloyd Carr out in his contract specific to Michigan, it was just the inexplicable “Sandwich of them, based on the number of rumors, on the hot seat?” That question doesn’t and has made it clear he likes the pro- Victory.” So I put it on the blog. the multiple sources. I’m not doing any- even make sense from the perspective of gram. On Saturday, Lloyd chastised thing approximating reporting, but I’ve somebody that’s familiar with the pro- Ryan Mallett for his little flip of the How much do you find yourself writ- still managed to break a few stories. Mor- gram. It’s basically still the “Bo Era”, and ball after scoring the touchdown. Is ing on behalf of your interests, and gan Trent’s hand was broken last year, it’s been going on for 40 years, and it’ll Les Miles enough “new blood” to just how much on behalf of the audience? and broke that, as well as Jason Forcier’s probably end after this year. But the idea let that flip go, saying “Ehh, this is just After the Appalachian State debacle, transfer, I broke that as well. I didn’t do that Lloyd Carr would ever get fired, no- what kids do today.”? you posted the kitten photos and had any actual reporting, but this internet body here thinks that. I don’t think that “emo week.” Was there any part of that “spidey-sense” that I’ve developed from even after the first couple of games, when The Les Miles angle is very interest- directed toward the sanity of your audi- many years of doing this permits me a everyone was talking about Lloyd being ing, because there a couple of people ence, or more for yourself? 95% threshold of surety. It’s just an inter- on the “hot seat”, but it’s not true. He’s out on message boards who are very esting change about the way that news going to go out when he wants to go out. connected, they are obviously talking You know, I think it was a mixture gets disseminated. He might get something approximating to the coaches about these things, and of both, but the primary thing was that a “shove”, but if he puts his foot down, apparently Les Miles is persona non I wasn’t going to write anything at that Do you see, in the future, certain ac- he’ll stay. The only way he’s going to go grata around Lloyd Carr and company, point that wasn’t just venting my spleen. cess being given to certain bloggers? is if he choose to. I think that’s a confus- because he started sniffing around for That doesn’t get us anywhere, but I had Let’s say the sports department realizes ing thing for a lot of athletic programs the job a few years ago, which was not to do something. It couldn’t actually be that you and other “Michigan-friend- that put a higher premium on winning taken well. These are the sorts of things anything that was just text, because it ly” bloggers (Michigan Zone, The than tradition. you hear, but after careful consideration, would just be outrage, and a week later Blog That Yost Built, RBUAS, etc.) see I think the people offering these things I’d be terribly embarrassed by it. This you’re interested in the welfare of the People will presume that, since Michi- up about Les Miles are not terribly reli- happens to me frequently, where I will program. Do you see them giving you gan is a big-time program, that it is run able. But, at the same time, look at when read some article by Stewart Mandel or special benefits? just like every other popular school. Les Miles left Oklahoma State and there some other writer, and I’ll become in- were nine guys who got kicked off the censed and just fisk it, just tear the guy I don’t know. I’m sure that is pos- Yeah. The whole thing is that team, and everybody was talking about down. A week later I’ll come back to it, sible, and actually there is one blog- the mentality of this program hasn’t how they now had to go to class, com- and it’ll be a little bit funny, but it will ger, a Detroit kid who is still in high changed since 1969. In some ways, that’s bined with the fact that LSU is not re- also be a little bit embarrassing. So I tried school, who runs a blog called Michigan great, and in other ways, it’s not. I think nowned for being the strictest program. to keep the rage out of the blog, and the Sports Center, who got a press pass and it lends Michigan a unique character, but But, I think things would loosen up, only way to do that was to put up some blogged from the pressbox for a big-time it also means that we lose a lot of games but I also think the historical inertia of kittens. MR game last year. But the interesting thing because we punt the ball away with less Michigan would carry some weight. In P. 8 10.02.07

nethe michigan ws. review News Analysis More Than Just a Game? How Football Success Affects the University

By Maria Blood, ‘10 The 2004 Michigan football season had similar since 1990, alumni contributions to the university have effects. With the exception of losses to Notre Dame, continued to rise regardless of the football team’s ups he first two games of this year’s football sea- Ohio State, and a Rose Bowl loss to Texas, the Wolver- and downs. Tson definitely made it difficult to boast “It’s great ines had a strong season spent in the national spot- “A less than stellar season does not affect the to be a Michigan Wolverine,” and the effects of the light, winning the balance of their other games. Again, amount of contributions that we see,” said Malcolm, team’s slow start may have some larger effects in the admissions reported an increase in applications from adding that while smaller monetary gifts from alumni near future, especially in terms of application quantity. the previous year, which was more difficult for the do tend to be influenced by the football season, overall Although it is true that the Big House continues to team. The 2004 admissions cycle reported 23,842 ap- alumni donations increase each year because of the sell out, even when the football team underperforms, plicants by the end of fall, which was a 12 percent in- dedicated donors committed to the university. Mal- the Office of Undergraduate Admissions suffers when crease from the previous year. Once again, director of colm also attributed the steady increase of donations the football team has a sub-par season. Last year, the Undergraduate Admissions Theodore Spencer praised to the various campaigns initiated by the University, Wolverines had an excellent season, winning every the incoming freshman class, whose credentials he most recently the Michigan Difference campaign. game until they met the Team from Down South. This said were stronger than those of the previous class. Malcolm said that these campaigns build excitement may have bolstered interest in terms of applications While it is difficult to attribute the record number and get alumni involved in the giving process. received. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions re- of applicants to the football team’s stellar season alone, While it is still early to get figures on applicants ported a record number of applications for the 2007-08 there is no doubt that a great football season means for the 2008-09 school year, it will be interesting to academic year. Applications rose 6.4 percent, totaling more students consider U-M as a serious possibility. see whether the number of applications falls from last more than 27,400, which is the largest number of ap- It is no secret that many people, faced with schools year’s record number. In general however, the well- plicants in the University’s history. The surplus appli- of similar stature, will choose Michigan because of its being of the university seems to be largely unaffected cations provided admissions officials more students to unique aspect of winning football, and continually by the team’s performance. Whatever happens to the choose from, which has yielded the university “one of high expectations for the team. beloved football team, donations continue to flow in, the most highly qualified and intellectually dynamic It is interesting to note that the team’s success many more students apply to the university than can [classes] ever admitted,” as Director of Undergradu- does not seem to have much of an effect in areas of be accepted, The Big House continues to sell out, and ate Admissions Theodore Spencer told The University the University such as donations. Senior Director of life at the University of Michigan goes on. MR Record in June. Executive Communications Judy Malcolm said that,

End-of-Life Ethics Dissected by Scientist-Priest Visiting St. Thomas Church

By Brian Biglin, ‘08 of sometimes open-ended Church doc- other problems faced by a patient, that Finally, regarding feeding tubes, Pa- trine, and gave practical advice for how the patient or their surrogate can refuse cholczyk relayed the Church’s message ne of Catholicism’s bioeth- people should handle a loved one’s dy- treatment, Pacholczyk said. that food and water, unlike medicine Oics experts spent last weekend at St. ing process. For instance, resuscitations of vic- and procedures, are basic care. Unless Thomas the Apostle Church on North The speech was centered on a few tims of severe heart attacks, especially an individual has a condition where they State Street, lecturing on beginning- and important declarations. First, from the those who are very old or have other cannot digest food or water, or where end-of-life issues. Rev. Tadeusz Pachol- Ethical and Religious Directives for pathologies, are often fruitless, allowing administering it creates pain, basic care czyk, who holds a Ph.D in neurosci- Catholic Health Care Services, which an individual mere hours of additional is morally obligatory. Such an example ence from Yale University, looked to states: “We are not the owners of our life, sometimes only because they are on would be kidney or stomach failures. make complex teachings about complex lives and, hence, do not have absolute a ventilator. In these cases, for example, Removing feeding tubes from some- events clearer for Catholics and others power over life,” but goes on to say that Catholic teaching respects so-called “do one with a sound body amounts to star- who derive guidance from Catholic sen- the duty to preserve one’s life is not ab- not resuscitate orders.” vation, and is not permitted, since that sibilities. solute, as life-prolonging procedures Pacholczyk said that proportional- would be refusing basic care, Pacholczyk that are insufficiently beneficial or exces- ity is an important term to define. For said. If a person is not near death or oth- sively burdensome can be rejected. That instance, is a costly treatment that could erwise dying, then removing the feed- same directive, which is central in the financially burden a family a correct ing tube would be the cause of death, work of the National Catholic Bioethics response proportional to the fact that a and such a grievous refusal of care is not Center—of which Pacholczyk is the Di- patient may have a long history of recur- permitted. This was articulated by Pope rector of Education—goes on to say that, ring illness, or the fact that they already John Paul II in 2004, and again recently “A person has a moral obligation to use very old and afflicted by other patholog- from Rome. ordinary or proportionate means of pre- ical conditions? Pacholczyk concluded by calling to serving his or her own life.” Proportionality relative to the needs mind the “graces and gifts” that can be The purpose of Pacholczyk’s talk of a patient is determined by risk, cost, had if the “journey” of the dying process was to discern when procedures are potential pain that may be inflicted, is handled correctly among doctors, fam- beneficial or excessively burdensome, in circumstances dictated by place (i.e. an ily members, friends, clergy, and the pa- addition to clarifying just what is ordi- ordinary procedure in America may be tient. Families can be brought closer and nary or proportionate. Pacholczyk used impossible to have carried out in a third divisions can be reconciled. On the other case studies, especially the Terri Shiavo world country), and the previous physi- hand, if corners are cut, and a person fiasco. cal state of the patient such as the pres- dies when options are available, or with- Generally speaking, there is some ence of terminal illnesses, Pacholczyk out proper dignity afforded to them, re- autonomy over end-of-life decisions, said. gret and division will plague those who Pacholczyk said, but the Church can- Pacholczyk defined different types were close to the deceased. not permit extreme autonomy, where of vegetative states, and how they are “If we love one another, we have people might donate non-paired organs different from a coma, brain death, or a a right to be a burden to one another,” Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk before they are brain dead, commit sui- terminal illness. He said that “thinking said Pacholczyk, urging people to see cide, ask for euthanasia, or simply refuse got sloppy” during the Shiavo case re- suffering and perceived burdens as nec- ordinary and proportional treatment. garding these terms. essary in the process of implementing A large crowd including many stu- This follows from the Catholic idea that He also discussed living wills, and proportional treatment and dealing with dents heard Pacholczyk dissect Catholic individuals are merely stewards of a cre- recommended, since one cannot predict the dying process of loved ones step by teachings on end-of-life issues in his first ation of God; depression or other emo- all the events which may occur late in step. talk on Saturday evening. Speaking in a tions that lead to wishing for death, when life, to formally appoint a proxy who un- Pacholczyk’s speech was warmly re- swift, conversational manner, and fre- life can be easily preserved, fly in the derstands their spirituality, even if this ceived by the audience. MR quently interrupting the heavy content face of beliefs about the sanctity of life. It is just their spouse, to make their health with humor, Pacholczyk explained the is only when treatment is burdensome, care decision if they are ever incapaci- way judgments should be made in light creates further pain, or cannot alleviate tated. 10.02.07 P. 9

artsthe michigan & review culture. Campus Corner Bareilles’ ‘Little Voice’ Fills The Room In A Big Way

By Sam Etters, ‘11 dress paired with Converse sneakers, she looked like she Can We Be could’ve walked right out of the crowd. She greeted the audi- hen I walked up the stairs to see Sara Bareilles’ Bor- ence and answered a few questions from the DJ quietly, but as Wder’s performance, I had no idea what I was in for. soon as she started singing, her voice filled the room entirely. People Again? Sara Bareilles is a relatively new face in the collection of Bareilles started the set with her first single off the al- By Andrea Sofian, ‘08 female singer/songwriters, meaning there’s a lot of room for bum, “Love Song.” The song was featured as a free single of comparison. Never trained professionally in voice or piano, the week on iTunes in June, helping the album shoot to the she’s already been compared to Fiona Apple and Norah Jones, top of the charts as soon as it was released. “Love Song” is a s I headed out to my first but Saturday afternoon, she proved she can stand out. jazzy and upbeat tune, immediately making people tap their Aclass the other day, I immedi- She was here at the Liberty Street Borders performing feet and nod their heads. The audience, including myself, was ately realized that I had forgotten three of her songs off her debut major-label album, Little Voice, transfixed, all eyes and ears in her direction. my iPod at my apartment. I was released July 3rd. Earlier this year she was on separate tours The second song she played, Many the Miles, is a re- more than slightly annoyed because with Aqualung, Mika, and Rocco de Luca and The Burden. laxed, soulful tune. Bareilles’s incredible vocal abilities shone usually make a point to bring it Now she’s opening through with sultry energy throughout. At one point in the with me. Stepping off The Ride in for Maroon5 on their song, there was a vocal break that had the audience excitedly the middle of the day, I noticed that fall U.S. tour, which clapping along. almost everyone walking by me began on Saturday. The last song, aptly named Gravity, pulled the audience was distracted by the familiar and Her perfor- in and created an intimate, emotionally charged atmosphere. comforting sounds emerging from mance at Borders After introducing the song, Bareilles added, “You can thank their mp3 or cell phones. was also broadcast- my ex-boyfriend for it.” It’s very apparent how connected she Feeling lost without the tech- ed on the Ann Arbor is with every word she writes in her songs, making the audi- nologies that I seem to have with 107.1 radio station. ence fall in love with her more. It’s a slow, soft piano ballad me, I quickly realized that I had not Lots of people were filled with passion that could be felt throughout the room. At experienced the deafening sounds crammed in the tiny the climatic point in the song, she crescendos to a high, show- of traffic and city noise for quite upstairs area set stopping note that put the whole audience on the edge of their some time. I decided that I would aside for the perfor- seats. The release could literally be felt in the air as she came be friendly and smile at the next mance; most of us off the note perfectly. It was hard to remember that she’s self- person who walked past me. I did were left standing taught. At the end of the song, boisterous cheers and applause this a couple of times, and I only on the sides. There from everyone shook the room. received strange looks and blank were people of every Needless to say, I was absolutely stunned. I don’t believe stares. I realized that Michigan age, from young preteen girls to middle-aged married men. it would be a stretch to say I wasn’t the only one. Copies of her is becoming a campus that has Excitement and anticipation were buzzing in the air; people album flew off the shelves, and people raced to get in line to become dependent on technologies were talking to each other eagerly, wondering aloud which meet her. I usually don’t go out and buy CDs of singers I’m to avoid human interaction. song she’d open with. not too familiar with, and being a college student I don’t nec- College is supposed to be the Finally, the radio DJ introduced her, and Sara Bareilles essarily have the funds either, but I walked out the door with place where we tried to improve walked up in front of the keyboard. Wearing a simple pink two copies and a new song in my head. MR our interpersonal skills, not where we ignore them. It’s understand- able that we are busy. We are involved in classes and extracur- ricular activities, but what we do ‘Grey’s’ Versus ‘Private Practice’: Who Will Win the while going to and from these ac- tivities could be affecting our social skills outside of the school day. We Final Battle Between Meredith and Addison? all would like to make new friends and win the hearts of potential sig- By Sam Etters, ‘11 (McDreamy, McSteamy, and even her medicine, practiced at the center by Dr. nificant others, but if we can’t say a one-time fling with intern Alex Karev) Pete Wilder, Addison’s possible new simple “hello” to someone during he hype for the beginning of have all ended one way or another, leav- love interest. the day, it is doubtful that we will TGrey’s Anatomy’s fourth season was ing her no obvious reason to stay. So she The new series also appears to be be able to do the same at the bar. certainly immense, with many prom- does what any middle-aged woman in rather star-studded, mainly with ac- Unless, of course, you want all your ises of drama both new and old. This is the midst of a mid-life crisis would do: tors from shows recently canceled. Kate interactions out of class to be lim- mainly due to all the changes in the cast leaves for California. Walsh’s new co-workers include Taye ited to loud slurs uttered to people this season. Many have already seen the pilot Diggs, Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly, and who won’t be able to remember The shows followers welcome Chy- episode for the new show centered on Marrin Dungy. But is the reasoning be- what you said. ler Leigh’s new character Lexie Grey, Addison, Private Practice, when it was hind this blast of star power just to reel- I admit that I am far from in- a new intern at Seattle Grace and Mer- spliced into a two-hour Grey’s Anatomy in more viewers? Grey’s Anatomy be- nocent in this respect. I have been edith Grey’s recently discovered half- episode in May. The pilot was received came a huge success without the help of carrying around my iPod and cell sister. This is sure to stir up more than with hostility from many Grey’s fans, a well-known cast. phone with me to and from classes enough extra trouble between Meredith who were annoyed with the “mashing” Many are wondering if Dr. Mont- since my freshman year. Now I’m and Derek Shepard (Dr. McDreamy). of the two shows, especially since the gomery’s pursuit of a new adventure on a senior and have forgotten these Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington) has de- quirky and unfamiliar plot interrupted her own will attract Grey’s fans. precious pieces of technology, I parted the show, leaving Christina Yang a particularly powerful Grey’s episode. “I’m not going to watch it,” said have decided that I should come dealing with his departure on their wed- Many people thought the pilot would’ve freshman Arielle Kantor, “I’m just a out of my little world and put ding day. done better if it had been shown on its Grey’s Anatomy fan. I don’t like that [Ad- my cellphone and iPod away for Another cast member missing this own. dison] is leaving because I really liked awhile. season on Grey’s will be Kate Walsh’s However, there are still fans curi- her on Grey’s, but I don’t want to see her I’m going to put these things Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery. But ous about the new series. So far it looks on her own show.” in my bag, and then it will be up to fans needn’t worry yet—Addison hasn’t promising. It’s written by executive pro- Other people will tune in out of cu- me to make myself approachable. left completely; she’s taking on a new ducer Shonda Rhimes, who also writes riosity, but not many think it will be as This is an opportunity for you to do position in a new setting, far from the and produces Grey’s Anatomy, so fans successful as Grey’s. “Grey’s Anatomy the same. Take a break from head overwhelming drama and craziness at can be sure to expect quality scripting. is established. [Private Practice] is not. It banging on the way to class, and Seattle Grace. She’s off pursuing Private Private Practice has a lighter attitude, will make or break itself,” said freshman call your BFF Susie when you get Practice, the new spin-off that has people and is set in a much more relaxed back- Helen Zaharopoulus. home. It may seem scary and for- buzzing, but not all in harmony. drop than Grey’s. As for the new season of Grey’s eign at first, but we can get through Honestly, our favorite salmon-col- Here we see Addison at a small co- Anatomy, we expect it to bring nothing this together. Walk to class, go to ored scrubs-wearing surgeon had noth- op clinic in Los Angeles, a stark contrast less than overwhelming excitement and your meetings, and make a point to ing more to contribute to the plot of to the bustling Seattle Grace Hospital. drama for our favorite young doctors, smile at the first person that passes Grey’s. Addison’s entrance to the show Of course there’s also a whole new cast who are now starting their first year as by. Who knows, you may just get a was sudden and intrusive upon fans’ of characters, each with different stories surgical residents. But some fans worry smile back. MR beloved relationship between Mer- and personalities that at least differ from how the dynamics of the show will be edith and Derek, so fans immediately those of Grey’s. Most of the characters altered with the absence of Addison. disliked her. After a while we began to are older and more experienced, they “It will make a big difference on sympathize with Addison and her failed have all known each other, and they Grey’s, because Burke is leaving too,” marriage with Derek Shepard and torn are not surgeons, which makes for the said freshman Beth Gonbert, “but it relationship with Mark “McSteamy” lighter atmosphere (no whiny interns). leaves open space for new characters Sloan. But now all her relationships We will also get a taste of alternative and drama.” MR P. 10 10.02.07

bthe omichigan ok s.review Universities Must Color and Money: So Ridiculous, You May Just Bolster Search for Have To Read It For Yourself

Meaning, Says By Shanda Shooter, ‘10 ments,” causing them to pointing out the flaws of and overload of statistics be left behind. the legacy admissions pro- on race and affirmative he book Color Schmidt traces these cesses at our nation’s se- action. Former Yale Dean Tand Money: How Rich developmental inequities lective schools. He argues Overall, Color and White Kids Are Winning back to birth, claiming that that often less qualified Money proves an inter- the War Over College Af- low birth rates among Af- wealthy applicants are ac- esting read, the author By Marie Cour, ‘08 firmative Action by Peter rican Americans put them cepted over others simply --probably unintention- Schmidt is one of the behind literally from day because they can pay their ally-- makes you question n the introduction to Education’s End, Yale most interesting and frus- one. He actually argues way through school with his arguments and facts IUniversity law professor Anthony T. Kronman trating reads I’ve encoun- that because of that factor no help. Schools must do frequently. Another book describes his youthful attempts to find the meaning tered. If you read it, plan and others they start kin- this in order to support could truly be written of life. He left Williams College, moved to Chicago, on wanting to shout, “Are dergarten behind other the students that can’t pay analyzing Color and Mon- and worked with Students for a Democratic Society you kidding me?” at least races and continue to fall for it all. ey, however we do not (SDS) to organize the poor of the city. Despite the a few times. behind, eventually test- Schmidt also argues have the time and space. great risk that he took by dropping out of school and The author, Peter ing below white children that children of faculty I would suggest this book moving across the country, he still felt lost. Schmidt, is a deputy edi- of the same class on na- and alumni have better to anyone who enjoys get- It was only after he returned to college and be- tor at The Chronicle of tional achievement tests. chances of admission sim- ting riled up and looking gan reading existentialists that he thought that he Higher Education and has Rather than help the case ply because universities for new ridiculous things had found some sense of direction for his life. These written for the Associated for affirmative action,this want to maintain relations to talk about to their studies gave him an opportunity to consider how he Press, the Detroit Free argument comes across as with their parents, who friends, since even pro-af- ought to live, what to care about, and the meaning of Press, as well as the Ann deterministic about con- are often donors. Only a firmative action folks will life. Arbor News. straints on a child’s op- little over a quarter of the have a problem with at In many respects, one particular class is the in- The book mostly cov- portunities. book addresses that while least one part of this book. spiration for this book. Still, Kronman could only ers, affirmative action, as He does a good job the rest gives a history MR explain the larger significance of human existence the title suggests. and the purpose of life after he had chosen to take Color and Mon- a break from his life. The book attempts to explain ey is filled with the apparent contradiction. Despite being removed so many statistics from the “real world,” this academic environment that it inevitably helped him grapple with the major questions of hu- becomes a good man existence. That is, how should he live his life, guide to affirma- what he should care about, and what would be the tive action debate, ultimate structure of his life? especially since the Kronman argues that the humanities, when statistics are from studied carefully and properly, are able to offer great both sides of the insights into the complexities of human existence. debate. This causes Nevertheless, Kronman believes that the modern the book to seem- university is ill-equipped, both ideologically and ingly have no di- structurally, to deal with the problem of human ex- rection or any one istence. Teachers are too concerned with providing point, often mak- training for future careers to concern themselves ing the case against with providing guidance to their students on these affirmative action important questions. and, likely, against His criticism of the university is even deeper Schmidt’s inten- than that, however, because it seems to suggest that tions. affirmative action, multiculturalism, and construc- Schmidt ad- tivism place blinders on professors, and that those dresses the issue of undermine any serious attempt to adopt new cur- class differences by ricula. In fact, Kronman is not clearly opposed to looking at other as- either affirmative action or multiculturalism in prin- pects of a child’s de- ciple, instead offering a lukewarm defense of both. velopment beyond Rather he is concerned that all three of these ideolo- just educational gies make people “representatives” of certain groups advantages. At in society, reducing them to mere artifacts. Students one point he goes are not asked to deal with material as something that so far as to sug- can be either accepted or rejected, instead looking at gest children from it as something deserving of context and explana- lower-class fami- tion. lies are seemingly Kronman takes an interesting approach when doomed from birth explaining the current problems. He bases his argu- to be less intelligent ment in an understanding of the intellectual forces than their richer that have shaped the education system. This under- counterparts. He standing is established by carefully describing its makes the gener- development. After the Civil War, universities did alization that since not have separate disciplines, and students were wealthier mothers expected to read widely in all fields. Contemporary are less likely to research universities, however, encourage scholars be pregnant at a to cultivate an extensive knowledge about a small young age and can topic. In the humanities, this research frequently afford better health argues that race and gender are a decisive feature care their babies to personal and social identity. In fields such as eco- will weigh more nomics or natural sciences, these assumptions are at birth which in- relatively worthless. creases their chanc- In some respects, Kronman is arguing for an in- es of keeping up clusive education. Ultimately, however, Kronman in school. He also wants an education that can suggest answers for states that lower www.michiganreview.com one’s personal and professional lives. As the title class parents “talk suggests, Kronman wants professors to address the to [their children] meaning of life in their classrooms. He understands less, read to them that big questions are usually obscured by the hum- less, are much less drum tasks of daily lives, but simultaneously wants likely to take them students to develop a foundation for the rest of their to educationally lives. 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features.the michigan review Students Travel to Lansing, Protesting Presumed Tuition Hike

By Michael O’Brien, Editor-in-Chief

tudents descended on the State Capitol in SLansing last Thursday, rallying against the specter of increased mid-year tuition, and injecting themselves into the debate over how to resolve the state’s $1.8 bil- lion budget deficit. Almost 150 students from U-M boarded buses to Lansing, joining a few hundred students from other universities to protest hikes in tuition at public univer- sities in Michigan. At issue was resolution of the state’s budget defi- cit. The Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget calling for hundreds of millions in budget cuts, freezing higher education funding. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, backed by Gov. Jennifer Graholm, had called for an increase in the state income tax rate to bridge the deficit, which passed late Sunday night. Michigan Student Assembly Vice President Mo- hammed Dar, who was joined by speakers from the state legislature, as well as other colleges and universi- ties, emceed the event. “We want the state to live up to its promise and its obligation to the students,” Dar said. “In addition, we want increased investment in higher education by our Michael O’Brien/The Michigan Review legislators. “ Students bused to Lansing by MSA last week rallied on the steps of the State Capitol, fearing tuition hikes in the wake of the state’s Sen. Liz Brater (D), who represents the district in- budget crisis. cluding the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, was a featured speaker. “My friends are out working two or three jobs,” Brater greeted the students warmly, and did not Crompton said. “They shouldn’t have to be paying hold back in her speech. “It’s really a crime when we an extra 700 or an extra 2,000 dollars next semester.” are spending as much or more in our budget to keep Crompton did admit, however, that he had not been people in prison as to help them get through college,” following the news on the state budget deficit.

“It’s really a crime when we are spending as much or more in our budget to keep people in prison as to help

them get through college.” MSA Vice President Mohammed Dar.

student government declined to join the other students -State Senator Liz Brater yesterday. Their student government preferred to ne- A few conservative students gathered to counter-protest the others gotiate with state legislators more directly, said Zack from across the state. (D, Ann Arbor) Yost, President of the Michigan Student Assembly. Yost and other members of MSA spent the morn- ing in meetings with state legislators to lobby them for she told the students. A small contingent of conservative students at- tuition solutions. “We’re asking for a better prioritiza- Sen. Brater quickly invoked the issue of tax hikes tended the rally, with a large float of a pig (representing versus spending cuts. She railed against former Gov- pork in the state budget) in tow. ernor Jim Engler, a Republican who passed a number Tyler Whitney is a student at Michigan State Uni- of tax cuts, most notably in the income tax. “That cut versity, where he is a member of the College Repub- alone,” Sen. Brater said, “is costing us $900 million a licans. Also a member of U-M YAF and Students for year.” The former Governor was heartily booed by the a Free Economy, Whitney was in Lansing to counter- assembled students. protest. During the speeches, current Governor Jennifer “I am out here because a lot of the students who Granholm made a brief appearance on the balcony of were bused into Lansing are unsure about why they’re the legislature overlooking the students. She waved actually here,” Whitney said. “Before we throw money to the students, at the problem, in an apparent I’d like to look at gesture of sup- transparency— port for their what they’re cause. spending the U-M stu- money on, and Students entered the Capitol from the corner, clapping while sing- dent Steve what they’re do- ing ‘The Victors.’ Crompton was ing with it.” one of the stu- W h i t n e y dents who trav- was one of the tion of higher education in general.” Yost said. eled to Lansing few Michigan MSA might have budgeted $5,700 for this event, for the pro- State students but Yost said the student government would also focus test. He said in attendance at on officials in Ann Arbor, particularly the Regents. he thought the last week’s rally. Nonetheless, Yost concluded, “I want to emphasize rally had made Though sharing that I appreciate the efforts the University has taken to a “strong, dra- Lansing with raise money and cut spending, but the University can matic” state- The president of the Eastern Michigan University student government addresses the the state capitol, always do better to be more fiscally responsible.” MR ment. crowd. Michigan State’s