vol_25_no_5

THE MICHIGAN REVIEWTHE JOURNAL OF CAMPUS AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

10.14.06 VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 5

First two copies free, additional copies $3 each. Stealing is illegal and a sin. (Exodus 20:15)

M

RMR

InsideOpinion

Is President Coleman Fit for Duty?

Editorials, P. 4

Adam Paul and Amanda Nichols on the Election

Columns, P. 5

Race, Litigation, and Sports

Staff Opinion, P. 9

Features

Post-Election AnalysisP. 3, 6-7

The Big Controversy Over Changes to the

Big HouseP. 12

Arts & Culture

The Review has Added You as Our Girlfriend

on Facebook

Detroit Native Jeffrey Eugenides, author of

Middlesex and TheVirgin Suicides,

Visits CampusP. 11

WWW.MICHIGANREVIEW.COM

Proposition 2 Passes; Racial and Gender Preferences End

University President promises fight in courts challenging the legality of the MCRI during Diag address

BY ADAM PASCARELLA, ‘10

DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF vir-tually the entire city of Ann Arbor

to defeat Proposal 2, voters ultimately decided that race and gender will have

public service hiring. While a clear major-ity supporting the Michigan Civil RightsInitiative sent a strong message denounc-

Sue Coleman recently decided to take the

opportunity to galvanize support in the

results.During her speech the morning af-

ter Election Day to pro- and anti-MCRIforces, Ann Arbor residents, and curious students walking through the Diag, Cole-man repeatedly emphasized that diversity

absent from campus. “I am fully and com-

pletely committed to building diversity at Michigan, and I will do whatever it takes,” she commented. While she claimed she will conform to state laws concerning this issue, she stated, “I will guarantee my complete and unyielding commitment to increasing diversity in this institution.”

In regard to how the MCRI

in the immediate future, Coleman

M use only one set of admissions standards for the class of 2011. A judicial stay requesting the use of

-missions this cycle is likely. She pledged

to complete this year’s admissions cycle under our current guidelines.” Coleman

-lyze the MCRI and see if it is actually law-ful. “I have asked our attorneys for their full and undivided support in defending

I will immediately begin exploring legal action concerning the initiative,” she de-clared to the enthusiastic crowd.

Following Coleman’s speech, dem-onstrators from pro and anti-MCRI or-ganizations passionately expressed their opinions about Proposal 2 to anyone who

by the radical group By Any Means Nec-essary (BAMN) on the Diag in other cases, most of the reaction after the speech was con-structive. However, as pro-MCRI stu-dents made their presence known

by holding up signs stating “Yes on 2,” certain individuals hurled obscenities at this these demonstrators, adding to the very tense atmosphere.

While most of the pro-MCRI dem-onstrators were overjoyed by the passage of the Proposal 2, they were convinced

in the immediate future. Junior Clark

Americans for Freedom, said that “the

to try to get around the law for years.” He

Coleman Addresses U-M Students; Vows to Fight on for Diversity, Then Uses Word “Diversity” About 20 More Times

Pro-MCRI demonstrators were overjoyed but

for equality will not end in the immediate future

See “Prop 2,” Page 3

As President Coleman addressed students on the Diag, the crowd swelled from about 500 to nearly 2,000.

President Coleman gets diverse after her remarks

11.14.06

The Michigan Review is the independent, student-run journal of conservative and libertarian opinion at the University of Michigan. We neither solicit nor accept monetary donations from the University. Contribu-tions to The Michigan Review are tax-deductible under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The Michigan Review

political party or any university political group. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the ed-itorial board. Ergo, they are unequivocally correct and just. Signed articles, letters, and cartoons represent the opinions of the author, and not necessarily those of The Review. The Serpent’s Tooth shall represent the opinion of individual, anonymous contributors to The Review, and should not necessarily be taken as representative of The Review’s editorial stance. The opinions expressed in this publication do not neces-sarily those of the advertisers, or of the University

-ments about the journal.

Please address all advertising, subscription inquiries, and donations to “Publisher,” c/o The

Michigan Review:

THE MICHIGAN REVIEWTHE JOURNAL OF CAMPUS AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

911 N. University Avenue, Suite One

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1265

[email protected] www.michiganreview.com

Copyright © 2006, The Michigan Re-view, Inc. All rights reserved. TheMichigan Review is a member of the

NICK CHEOLAS

Editor-in-Chief

MICHAEL O’BRIEN

Executive Editor

ADAM PAUL

Managing Editor

AMANDA NICHOLS

Content EditorASSISTANT EDITORS:

BRIAN BIGLIN, KAREN BOORE

WEBMASTER:SHAWN OLENDER

STAFF:

Jenni Chelenyak, Rebecca Christy,Tom Church, Jane Coaston,

Putnam, Shanda Shooter, Jonny Slemrod, Evan Wladis,

Mary Wilcop, Christina Zajicek, Zack Zucker

EDITOR EMERITUS

Page TwoP. 2

We all expected the Republican beatdown. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun. If Bill Simmons can chronicle the ALCS, then we’re go-ing to cover Election Night. The ac-tion begins at 10:17pm.

10:17pm – My roommate, a Chris Carney

call announcing Carney’s victory, render-ing him giddy and leading him to announce to every member of the household “Chris Carney. US Congressman. Great Ameri-

cronies do in their spare time.

10:20pm – My dove hunting plans are

10:23pm

thing he had all those death squads running around campus today.

10:37pm – CNN PROJECTS PROP 2 WILL PASS

10:38pm – I try to call my black and female

10:44pm -

10:56pm

running every 5 minutes?

11:26pm

like he’s giving a eulogy before being cut

11:32pm – After somebody reminds Wolf

11:40pm -

spring break plans are still on!

12:00am

to “Missouri” as “Missoura” because the politicians do it.

1:07am

completely attributed to his hot daughters.

1:13am -

1:14am – “Cardboard cutout” has been

blinks.

1:34am-

ian in Missouri might be responsible for

Good point. I mean, if the Republicans -

dals, overspending, and touching little boys,

1:43am

liberal.

2:02am

-stone County in Montana. “They don’t like book learning much over there,” remarks my roommate. I love democracy.

2:10am --

Unfortunately, the guy behind her in the

2:15am – My roommate asks if McCaskill

Rush Limbaugh guy.”

2:30am – Looks like it’s about done for

the Indian vote?

2:40am

The stdudio just isn’t large enough to hold

-bert Gottfried.

2:45am-

disclosed location. Turns out she’s in the

2:48ambegin a shouting match. Pat Robertson is

to take her top off ” look on his face.

2:57am -bermann brings out a donut and gives it to

that approach “kicking the freshman girl out of your bed on Sunday morning” level

3:06am

3:14am

on-air strokes every Saturday.

3:30am

3:39am

coax his drunk buddy into giving him his car keys. While I’m typing this, Chris Mat-

4:09am

set already.

4:19am-

test tube as Nancy Pelosi. My roommate’s comment after the speech: “Was that a sen-tence?”

4:49am

just keeping him on the air until he’s so-ber enough to drive home. This is out of

-

MR

The Michigan Review Election Night Diary

11.14.06Aftermath of Prop 2P. 3

BY NICK CHEOLAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

T MYfaith in humanity.

faith in the University of Michigan.On Tuesday night, Michigan voters put an end to

-ing senseless racial barriers.

-

Texas, California, and Washington. They had ample

-crease the number of academically competitive minority students.

So as President Coleman took to the podium last Wednesday, she had a golden opportunity to prove that

-versity, she had a chance to extinguish the smoldering

Caught like a deer in headlights, all Coleman could

21 times in an 18 minute speech.In rather militaristic fashion, and under the guise of

“diversity,” Coleman defended a policy that seeks only a meager, arbitrary amount of skin tone variation.

I’ve learned not to expect too much from the admin-

Coleman essentially told Michigan voters (her employ-

Of course, the diversity cult cheered.And perhaps, that’s all they need. Members of the

-sponsible for change. When a black student achieves on

So our righteous leader defends a policy that gives

good about them being there.

-tant. They don’t mean to do harm – but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify

-uating high school in droves? Look around this state.

We haven’t solved a damn thing.Make no mistake: true cultural, intellectual, and as-

Coleman had a golden opportunity to display her com-mitment to this true diversity. As passionate supporters

opportunity to unite this campus like never before, and

diversity, and not by discrimination.

a smoldering pile of ashes, told reporters she had no

--

porters, and cameras rolled and beamed these pictures

back to their University-sponsored minority lounges,

peer advisors.

she had saved “diversity.”

racial games and engage in social engineering to achieve

they needn’t use 60,000 members of the campus com-munity as their guinea pigs.

“commitment to diversity,” then she should resign as President, and an African-American should be named as

discrimination in order to achieve her perverted concept of “diversity,” then she should hold herself to the same standards.

some friends. I didn’t see an African-American in the entire place.

the entire line.I couldn’t help but think that inside these establish-

-paigned so diligently in the name of “diversity” just days earlier.

-

cult. MR

President Coleman Blows Opportunity to Show A True

Commitment to Real Diversity

Diversity TrackerPresident Coleman’s Diag address featured the word “diversity” 21

times in an 18-minute speech. For those of you who were absent,

here’s how it sounded:

-sity”

5. “[Proposition 209 in California] has been a horribly

diversity of the state’s most selective universities”

7. “I have asked our attorneys for their full and undi-vided support in defending diversity”

courts”

Proposal 2 attempts to place on our reach for greater diversity.”10. “The University of Michigan embraces diversity.”

dedicated to minority affairs and campus diversity to

12. “The University of Michigan promotes diversity”

14. “The University of Michigan believes in diversity”15. “The University of Michigan is diversity”

-sity”17. “I guarantee my complete and unyielding commit-ment to increasing diversity at our institution”18. “I am fully and completely committed to building

19. “We absolutely must continue to think creatively

model for diversity in higher education”20. “The University of Michigan embraces … pro-

21. “Let’s stand together to say: We are Michigan and

further commented, “No human being should be given preferential treatment by the color of their skin.”

supported Coleman’s plan, but had concerns about the

but let’s see if she can back it up,” said Anderson. When

At least in the short term, the battle over the MCRI

become a very long process. Just because the MCRI has

to obtain a community of fairness and diversity for all MR

“Prop 2,” From Page 1

P. 4

MRTHE MICHIGAN REVIEW

Tlibertarian opinion at the University of Michigan. Unsigned editorials represent

Signed articles, letters, and cartoons represent the opinions of the author, and not

[email protected]

Editorials 11.14.06

Oin the State of Michigan. Whether to ensure some arbitrary “critical mass” of

discrimination, racial and gender preferences have been a cancer in this state for far too long.

gender preferences. -

rejected a discriminatory policy that has succeeded in little more than erecting inter-racial barriers, the time could not be better for the state to move beyond its scarred racial history.

Unfortunately, many students and administrators at the University have left no doubt that they have little interest in actually confronting educational inequalities in

administrators seem perfectly content to spend even more time and resources de-fending a policy that gives predominately middle-class, suburban minority students

“diversity” or remedies educational disadvantages.-

their support of a meaningless, ineffective, policy as evidence of their “commitment to minorities.” A failure to educate minority students is not the result of racism. This failure is the result of calculated educational policy decisions, such as those that target only the symptoms of the problem, and do so in discriminatory fashion.

of importing just enough black students to campus to demonstrate this commitment.

form of diversity, but must focus on raising minority students above the bar of aca-

for a complex problem.

education, and implement race-neutral alternatives designed to strengthen is ability to -

to facilitate community college transfer students.Instead, the administration of this University seemed utterly blindsided by the

passage of the MCRI, and has chosen to expend its money and resources on defend-

and resources. -

ineffective educational policy decisions, it makes no sense to discriminate against stu-

a U of M education. The leaders of this University have an unprecedented opportu-

should feel guilty. MR

The MCRI Has Passed;It’s Time to Move Forward

LAST YEAR, UNIVERSITY of Michigan President Mary Sue --

cent actions in strong opposition to Proposal 2, university communities may be better -

proven herself unable to lead and unite the University during this time of transition.-

means to achieve a “fair and equal” community. The tools to build such fairness and

actually add outreach programs as a mean of achieving diversity.

-sions policies.

M does not trust them to govern themselves, instead believing itself immune in some

than a progressive visionary.

Unfortunately, Coleman is intent on preserving this very label of diversity based

the president of the state’s preeminent university are at an impasse.

-mental jurisdiction. Presidents of Universities serve to preserve the sound education

become glaringly obvious.

of the voters.

MR

President Coleman: Move on, or Move Out

The Feminine Mystique

ADAM

PAUL

AMANDA

NICHOLS

IAM NOT Michigan Civil

about the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.Why, you may ask? Well,

here at the Review have fo-cused on for almost a year. Gearing up for this election,

-vide an alternative voice on

-tive to such convincing cries

up their minds for “fairness and -

copies on the school buses and asked their “members”

So I am not going to talk about the MCRI, because

any other voices and opinions to be heard. No one is going to listen to Ward Connerly, the African American

California’s Prop. 209 and Michigan’s Proposal 2 pass.

spearheaded this legislation.

No, instead our esteemed President stands on the

raise our tuition again?

distract the University from its primary goal: education.

say that the President of our nation has acted in such a

MCRI.

--

ed all diversity at Michigan, one of my roommates said

from getting mammograms. Who, I asked, is against

-mograms aren’t involved in “public education, public

an engineer, but I thought that engineers could at least

read.Apparently, though, our esteemed University Presi-

a different form, focused more on the true factors that

--

ceived “disadvantages” based on skin color or ethnicity,

can’t.

---

-

individual over another solely because of skin color or gender.

-

their true, elitist colors.

MCRI. MR

This Column is Not About the MCRI

ColumnsP. 5 11.14.06

I to forecast the outcome of a ballot proposal election in Michigan, don’t use Ann Arbor

to not expect. Ann Arbor and the University of Michi-

banned gay marriage in the state of Michigan. This year students and community members again managed to

ballot initiatives. Students and community

members feared the passage

-gested that students vote no on Proposal 4 and yes on Proposal 5, the voters rejected this advice. In the case of Pro-

state from taking property for private development, passage

-cess of 80% of voters in favor.

--

the governorship and a contentious US Senate seat. It is

come from their incumbency and the poor performance of Republican candidates. Yet if Michiganders are re-

instance Granholm advocated strongly against Proposal -

rejected her stance.-

ticians, and parroted here in Ann Arbor, prevail by de-

turnout is rallied not in support of a candidate but through fear mongering against another. One of my fa-

This sad dialectic approach gives fuel to Ann Ar-

against the advice of established political leaders. Stu-dents use disliked voting results to claim that secret bigotries that only surface from the anonymity of the voting booth still exist. What they ignore is that their favored leaders are not the bastions of public approval

than the next-best thing. Students and the local commu--

In the case of the gay marriage ban, opponents are

come from value-sets that simply dislike homosexual-ity. The real lesson from the passage of the gay mar-riage ban is not the discrimination creates an unscalable boundary to logic, but that the rhetoric and approaches

-feated, a loss provides an opportunity to reexamine and

of itself.

-tinues to pervade the mainstream politics, referenda pro-vide one of the only changes for the electorate to curb

The side-effect of proposals is that the losers, espe-cially in the safety and relative political homogeneity of

--

-liefs. Wrapping themselves in moral outrage and claim-ing moral victory against actual defeat does not get the

in the political process post-election. MR

Election Failure and Moral Victory

11.14.06P. 6

The Catholic Church came out in opposition to Proposition 2, but did parishioners listen?

BY ANNA MALECKE, ‘10

I

to breach this barrier. Concerning the recently passed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or Proposal 2, the op-posite occurred.

In September, the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) published an essay entitled “Proposal 2: Unjust for Michigan.” The reasons behind the Catholic bishops’

about “detrimental effects it

policies in our state.” Citing historical practices

focuses on the repercussions of Proposal 2 for the state, rather than the church. “Pro-posal 2 represents an ominous policy shift for Michigan

-

tion,” it reads.-

Church’s choice to become involved in the heated Pro-posal 2 political debate. “I do not believe it’s appropriate for the Catholic Church to take a stance on a political issue,” she said.

-

against Proposal 2 but disliked their reasoning.

the historical and societal background of civil rights instead of presenting an argument based

-Clain authored an article for the church bulletin

-tions urging parishio-ners to vote against Proposal 2. “Saying no to this proposal continues to leave in place the ability in our State of Michigan to be proactive on behalf of those

The pastor structured his remarks around tradi-tional Catholic values and teachings, using the actions of

Jesus as an example for society. “As Christ made special efforts for the neglected, it behooves us as a society to

-tion. According to exit polls, 64% of Catholics sup-ported the proposal as compared to 58% of the general

-

stance on it myself.” The Pastor fears for the future of the state. “I am concerned that any

-tion,” he said.

Miller believes Michigan Catholics, like

of the infallible beliefs of the church. It just happens to be a current politic stance that the church took,” she said. “People looked inside

Catholics’ decision to refuse the guidance of the clergy could simply be motivated from their inability to

-mative action does not fall into the realm of religious principles.” MR

What Would Jesus Do About Prop 2?

Propositions 1, 2, and 4 pass, while 3 and 5 were rejected by Michigan voters.

BY JENNI CHELENYAK, ‘10

T over, the results are in. The outcome of Michigan’s

mixture of surprise and relief. Surprise because of the results, and relief because

about the Michigan Civil Rights Initia-

-cent of voters.

funding schools or any other purposes, thanks to the support of 81 percent of

-

after 80 percent approved Proposal 4. -

of opponents against compulsory public school funding increases, also failed to pass.

that the proposals have been implement-ed. With the success of Proposal 1, sec-

in the State Constitution. These amend-

-sure that the money collected from Mich-

-mobile account, and thus used for things

-bile safety courses.

According to the Detroit Free Press,the victory of Proposal 1 may be attrib-

uted to previous attempts of government

the past, former Governor John Engler

outdoors funds to “balance the state bud-get.” The legislature has also tried to use money allocated for outdoor funds for

funding.

a similar attempt of voters to limit the

County of Wayne v. Hathcockpart test to permit eminent domain. As

from taking private property in order to give it to other private entities in the pur-suit of “economic development.”

It is important to note the strong voter turnout in this year’s election. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land an-nounced a turnout of nearly 3.8 million

-tial election. The heavy campaigning for

the ballot proposals and especially Pro-posal 2 probably played a role in the high turnout.

Although the passage of the other

of Proposal 2 expressed their displea-

actual effects of the proposal rather than on scoring rhetorical points,” as Profes-

Michigan Association of Scholars, sug-gested.

With the passage of Proposal 2, race and gender preferences should ostensi-

is no longer legal in public contracting,

University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman addressed the campus about the MCRI in an emotional address

-tion. Coleman claimed that the University

campus.” Coleman also stated that the Univer-

this year’s admissions are completed “un-der our current guidelines,” and she said that “there are serious questions as to

-larly as it pertains to higher education.”

It seems that the University is already

-es of the University overcome the pref-erences of the entire state of Michigan? With the end of campaigning for the

-MR

Michiganders Speak Convincingly on Five Ballot MeasuresElection Follow-Up

Randy Johnson violently protests the failure of Prop 3

“As Christ made special efforts for the neglected, it behooves us as a society to ensure that the

same happens to this day.”

-Father Thomas McClain,Pastor, St. Mary’s Student Parish

P. 7 11.14.06

Four More Years

Dems Roll to Election Night Victories Nationwide

A look at Jennifer Granholm and what her economic policies hold for the state of Michigan

BY JONNY SLEMROD, ‘10

right about one thing in his unsuccessful campaign

for governor: Michigan has some seri--

employment rate and tens of thousands of “lost” jobs has made Michigan the

economy. While one cannot hold a politi-

cian such as governor solely responsible for the failing state of an economy, it is important to examine the policies that Governor Jennifer Granholm endorses,

-

good.Granholm’s media-savvy, populist

rhetoric about the failing state of our

on other blame on the economic effects

-

brag about past accomplishments, and

are accomplishing. Granholm is no excep-

the economy is nothing groundbreaking,

nor does it require a degree in economics. While Granholm has taken a multitude of positive steps, she has also instituted

-

economic climate in general. Granholm’s “21st Century Jobs

Plan” consists mainly of diverting pri-vate sector jobs to the public sector. Ac-

-lots over $1.1 billion to road and bridge

construction projects at state universities,

-ployment rate at the time by establishing a multitude of government agencies in

Michigan’s economy can afford to trans-fer this valuable labor from the competi-tive private market to the often misman-

care of by the private sector at all.Perhaps the most chilling area of

Granholm’s plan for the future is the

enormous amount of money and tax

-

search and venture capital, and “ensure that small businesses have greater access

-tive has garnered opposition from several

Center for Public Policy, a Michigan--

cal policy. As Gary R. Wolfram remarked “One

-reaucracy to disburse to the politically

-

If the Granholm plan is going to invest massive amounts of money into venture capital, it should be immediately reconsidered and revised. Venture capi-talism is by and large one of the most

-

an unnecessary burden on the already

Instead of thrusting government -

es, Granholm should encourage a build-

obstacle to Michigan’s efforts to create jobs. What can our governor do to help

to prospective employers? -

tinue to encourage the build-up of our

-tive per dollar. Workers need to appear

-ers by developing abilities not strictly

can help usher in this economic diversity

-bility to alleviate the burden to Michigan’s taxpayers.

Jennifer Granholm, fresh off her gu-

has secured herself four more years in

decisions to make. Will she continue -

attention on promoting Michigan’s infra-structure in order to raise the value of our labor?

One thing is clear after her lacklus-

path. MR

Election Follow-Up

Republicans get throttled in midterm elec-tions, losing congressional seats and gover-norships

BY ZACK ZUCKER, ‘10

all over -

time to celebrate again as it became apparent that the

-

the Government Reform committee. On a local level,

Judiciary Committee, respectively.

seats, including six formerly held by the Republicans, to

-ers of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, the

after losing the democratic primary to Ned Lamont.

advantage.

-ocrats needed to grab six seats to take control because

-tional provision that the Vice-President can cast a tie-

-

-

African American candidate Michael Steele had hoped to pull a Republican coup in the historically democratic

leaning state. Republicans barely held in heated contests

That left Virginia as the deciding state. In a race that eerily paralleled the 2000 Presidential election, in-cumbent Republican George Allen, considered a Presi-dential candidate in 2008, appeared to pull ahead of his

out to support Webb by a substantial majority to give

--

under 1%, Allen had the right to demand a recount after

-

-publican governorships and held on to 14 others. They

-cans 22.

Republicans did not pick up a single seat held by a MR

11.14.06P. 8P. 8 News

Opponents of the MCRI pointed to educa-tional inequality in urban areas as a reason to support affirmative action. But to what extent are these inequalities the result of poor policy decisions?

BY EDDIE PERRY, ‘09

I sub-con-

companies that bid on an information technology man-

chosen from the heap to complete the contract over the

the commotion?GVC, of the 17 other companies vying for the IT

-sessment criteria integrated general

performance and history, cost, exper-tise, and employ-ment of minori-

On the other side,

the highest score

dexterous candi-date for the job.

Prior to 2000,

-

-tion came to the rescue and formed one of the most

-

the computing ability of students, teachers, and admin-

-

in reformation and advancements in ordering processes,

-lion project).

-

reached out to parents, students, and administrators. We -

be successful.”On the other side of the fence, examine the victo-

-lutions Group. As mentioned earlier, their evaluation

not paying tens of thousands of dollars in company bills.

Easily.

Coleman III referred a friend to one of the companies. -

Group. As superintendent, Coleman has a great deal of -

contract. Coleman is believed to have recommended

case in a long list of corruption. Surprisingly, race does

Tech graduates and had a 37 percent subcontractor par-

-

With approximately 135,000 students, 231 schools, roughly 19,000 administrators, a $1.5 billion annual bud-get, and a district of 133 square miles, it is irrational,

-intendent William Coleman III to gamble the already

MR

Detroit Public Schools Furthers Corruption

Wyoming officials recruit Michi-gan blue-collar workers to move west for a job

BY DANNY HARRIS, ‘10

I employment market, it seems that getting out of

-

of many job fairs early in October, a truly

the state of Wyoming attended in order

a tempting offer: $28 an hour plus bene-

made the move, even though most con-

commented Scott Parkinson, one of the

job seekers at the fair, to the Detroit Free Press

-ing point. Unemployment in Wyoming

in Michigan, and 8.3 percent in the highly

Representatives from the state of W y o m i n g claim they target Michi-

-ers because they are one of the larg-est pools of

similar climate. What they fail to mention

time recruiting here, nor their last. An-other job fair took place in Grand Rap-

of the state’s third trip to Michigan in

small population of Wyoming cannot

alienate the unemployed. With little posi-tive out-look, they are easily

by other o p p o r -tuni t ies. What is

but three already have jobs here. Yet the economic forecast is so gloomy that even the currently employed feel it is necessary to seek out other opportunities. Thus, the

have the effect of the economy losing its

On the other hand, observers of the Michigan’s economy should have seen this coming. It is only logical that the driving motivation of Michiganders is their ability to provide for their fami-lies. Stories like this are inevitable as the

in one economy to move to an economy

that college graduates do not have to

--

have the human capital to get rehired. As terrible as it sounds, Michigan residents are going to hear many more stories like

in Michigan turns around or not. MR

Head West, (Unemployed) Young Man!

Stories like this are inevitable as the state retools its work force to be geared more towards a

modern economy.

The city of Detroit is no stranger to waste and fraud (see Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s red Lincoln Navigator and the Detroit Zoo dilemma).This is just another case in a long list of corruption.

P. 9 11.14.06P. 9

How far is too far when it comes to race and sports in society?

BY JANE COASTON, ‘09

for the

Iranian descent, began screaming at Mutombo

have been insulting the opposing team’s players -

er’s intelligence (i.e. Penn State quarterback An-thony Morelli) to physical appearance or sexual

limits. Almost. -

--

cratic Republic of Congo.

game he said, “If they didn’t kick him out of this arena,

monkey’ is an insult. It insulted my integrity, my body,

to the stands next time and [mess] somebody up…It’s sad that this is still going on in America.” Attempting

-

of the year.

been praised as justice for a racist act. On his blog for

”The Greek” Snyder in 1988 after he said that “if they [African Americans] take over coaching like everybody

had this incident happened in 2006? A riot?Sports is no longer just a form of entertainment, it

is a microcosm of American life. It is representative of values and beliefs. And race is a part of American

role of race in sports brings up too many ques-

-vertising used during college football games have an entirely different demographic than during

-ting one’s foot in one’s mouth?

-

com, there is very little room for mistakes. Is there also

--

rican-Americans are pushed into sports as a means of -

ences and their relationship to athletic ability is a forbid-den topic of conversation? If sport is a metaphor for

either? MR

Race, Political Correctness, and the Sporting Life

The role of race in sports brings up too many

questions that media and sports organizations

would prefer not to answer

Prop 2: Part 2BY MICHAEL O’BRIEN, ‘08

T -sity’ should be over.

University is planning a legal challenge to

banning racial preferences and other af--

missions and state hiring and contract-ing. Mary Sue Coleman, in her speech on November 8, proclaimed, “I believe there

-tains to higher education.” And so Prop 2: Part 2 begins.

The University of Michigan, of course, is a public educational institution, affording it status as a federally registered

-

the MCRI.--

tive action. As a defendant in the Grutterand Gratz cases, it had to respond in court and articulate a legal position in favor of racial preferences.

In the past year, President Coleman

-sition to the MCRI rather publicly. This might not have been the most appropri-

taxpayer dollars to defeat a measure that ostensibly rep-

of the taxpay-ers. Michigan is taking up a campaign of its

University has no mandate in this instance, and its stand-ing is no great-er than Wayne State Univer-sity, Michigan

-partment of Labor. This legal challenge

quibbles and defense of racial and gen-

-cal position.

Michigan is not content to simply -

our school? Well, that remains unclear. What does remain virtually certain is that our money (remember, some of us actu-

ally voted yes)

is essentially a political cam-paign.

This is not even to mention that the legal chal-lenges are likely to be fu-tile. When the Review asked U n i v e r s i t y

the nature of the legal challenges might be, he refused to elaborate, saying only, “We’re considering lots of options.”

--

teenth Amendment in order to effect

Grutter decision permit-

far as to compel its use. Also, given the current makeup of the Court, and the traditional reluctance of the high court to force a state to adopt a given policy,

doomed to failure.-

is, the claims of fraud in canvassing for

almost summarily rejected before the election, and they are unlikely to succeed

President Coleman is content to po-

about to engage in high stakes lobbying to engage in embryonic stem cell research.

-

has poisoned higher education for de-

If you thought school here had

MR

The Legal and Political Ramifications of Challenging Prop 2

In the past year, President Coleman had the option, as a policy making

voice her opposition to the MCRI rather publicly.

Now, the University will be devoting taxpayer dollars to defeat

a measure that ostensibly represents the will of the taxpayers.

11.14.06P. 10P. 10 Arts and Culture

BY LINDSEY DODGE, ‘10

sur-

potential ruin posed by a change in “rela-

in general, not conducive to a healthy academic or social life at the University

hand supporting your head, the other hand aimlessly clicking through hundreds

postings. Often these are not even your friends, but simply people remotely con-nected to you through a potentially enor-

That said, this presents an enormous amount of undue stress on those couples

The possibilities for angst are endless. Will he respect me enough in the morn-ing to mark us as “dating?” If both of us are actively dating other people, then are

-cally brands the girl a hussy on indecent proportions for the next four years? What

that you are dating other people, and

-

tentative information available to them,

Even as you insecurely change your rela-tionship status, the development is being

-rants!”

-

-one, and noticing the little red heart in

-lationship.”

There is also the development of the “fake relationship.” The temptation of

as “engaged” or “married” proves too

great for college students, for according

among those aged 18 to 21 is unusually high. Marriages to best friends, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, are com-mon. Engagements being broken off at a moments notice occur frequently. The

--

lous amusements (not to demean any-

-

as married to another guy.

-

status, one of your friends posts on your

interest that she is the “girl” your friend

-lationships today tend to be nasty, brut-ish, and short, much like the lives of the

-

entirely possible that real relationships MR

Professor from the University of Rochester examines the music of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and its Christian implications

BY CHRISTINA ZAJICEK, ‘10

G angry screams in-

-

nature, and poking fun at his age on more than one

sample of a Gregorian chant and half of Smells

make parallels to. The volume of the monastic chant builds upon

then after each “Alleluia,” the volume diminishes -

gues that the purpose of their style is to move the

-

“Alleluia’s?” “It’s a deliberate inversion of monastic chant. The

except they use incoherent rhetoric and loud guitars to

Nirvana, one of the most popular grunge rock

-ing and the suffering of others through the only chan-

nel he could: music. The pain and suffering Cobain took

--

-

up their lives.The speaker continues on to read graphic excerpts

-bain asserts himself to be a “Pisces Jesus-Man”,

Suddenly a familiar guitar intro is heard.

once the song has completed. These are the infa-

-

exist.-

Christianity, and if you listen closely enough to Nirvana,

that’s true in a lot of rock music.” MR

The Theology of Kurt Cobain

It’s Complicated With...The FacebookEVENTS CALENDAR

-

ISRAELISLECTURE, AFIF SAFIEH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 4:00PM

MLB AUDITORIUM 3

--

ian Ambassador to the United States, though U.S. authorities do not regard

him as having diplomatic status.

“WATERTOWERS, ERRATICS, AND STUMP

RUGS”THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 5:00PM

MICHIGAN THEATER

landscape pieces. The artist, featured in numerous national and international

material for the Penny Stamps Lecture series.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAINNOVEMBER 17,18, 8:00PM, & 19, 2:00PM

POWER CENTER

TICKETS AT MUTO-

performance of the iconic stage musical Singin’ in the Rain.

The similarities are endless...

11.14.06P. 11 Arts & CultureP. 11

Native of metro Detroit, Jeffrey Eugenides spends a week at the University discussing writing, research, and even bodily func-tions

BY AMANDA NICHOLS, ‘07

Sa great mind? On October 31, an audi-

-

Eugenides read from both his acclaimed

The image of the author on the dust jackets of his books proved quite accurate: he is every bit the stereotypical Greek (or

taller than expected, certainly taller than the image of his grandfather, George Eu-genides, published over ten years ago in the New Yorkerof him, the Anglo-Irish lineage from his

-portunity, and he did not disappoint.

Introducing himself as a member of

of Michigan dropouts (Eugenides him--

buttons. Eager undergrads looking for -

AARP constituency

Middlesex, all laughed raucously in admira-tion of such an es-

In his reading, Eugenides shared selections from his novels, The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex,and then indulged the

-tion called “Special

-est novel. Written in 1993, he commented that The Virgin Suicidesbook by Germany’s Stern

-ed the audience. “I haven’t earned that

“best book,” and one he hadn’t read from in quite some time, Eugenides decided to

a major motion picture, The Virgin Suicides

the close-knit Grosse Pointe, MI commu-

Middlesex, Eugenides’ sophomore ef-

Introducing the audience to Cal, Middle-sex’s narrator, Eu-genides comment-ed that, because of a genetic mix-up, Cal can never

charismatic and self-deprecating Eugenides pauses, and gestures to his

“What an imagination I have,” he said to an auditorium full of laughs. Middlesex,

the Stephanides family from Asia

suburban perfection of Grosse Pointe,

racial tensions in the 1960s.

Eugenides crafts a coming-of-age tale

progresses, discovers she’s not exactly the girl her parents have raised her to be. Eugenides said the title stemmed from

the obvious middle ground of hermaph-rodism, but it is also the Grosse Pointe

When asked about the autobio-graphical nature of Middlesex, Eugenides told the audience that, contrary to some popular ideas, he is not a hermaphrodite.

nameless group of narrators in The Virgin Suicides

about college-aged adults, Eugenides deftly shared a boyfriend’s observation of

and, after much serious subject matter, earned even more laughs. When pressed

though, he dodged the question, saying

In Ann Arbor from October 30-No-

the University’s Zell Visiting Writers Series, Eugenides also visited English classes and gave a lecture entitled, “On Obstacles and Omens” about the chal-

Middlesex

tattered copies of his novels, quipping at

MR

Pulitzer Prize Winner Comes Home For Residency

BY MARY WILCOP, ‘08

T Shakespeare Company Residency came to a close this Sunday, ending its 5-year, 3-resi-

attendees this year’s performances and events became

-ety began.

While UMS has sponsored music and dance for

-

honor its late founder, Martha Graham. The success of this initial residency proved UMS capable of pulling off additional groundbreaking projects.

project as a great opportunity for Michigan. Explains

religion, gender, history, drama […] all the themes one

project, as long as education and community engagement -

outreach projects to communities throughout England.Another important aspect of the UM-RSC rela-

tionship has been the close professional friendship that

Shakespeare devotees found mutual respect for each

says, “I think that has really been part of the glue.” While

are anticipate the future of the residency and UMS’s re-

is comparable to their base in Stratford. The residency

has found in the University an enthusiastic partner open

-

-tor. Though the totals have not yet been added, over

New York Times MR

U-M Fosters Great Relationship with Britain’s RSC

Jeffrey Eugenides, Detroit native and author of award-winning novels Middlesex and The Virgin Suicides

11.14.06P. 12 FeatureP. 12

Group opposes U-M Athletic Department’s plans for stadium renovation, but questions are raised about future economic impacts

BY EVAN WLADIS, ‘10

B Restrictions on . Equal-ity in name only. Sounds more like a

communist state than Michigan Stadium,doesn’t it?

Yet with debate raging over how best to repay the debt accrued by a massive renova-tion of the nation’s largest collegiate stadium, these are the effects that one group, Save the Big House, seemingly endorses.

of Michigan agrees that its iconic stadium is badly in need of an overhaul (which would include a new press box, upgraded player fa-cilities, and wider seats and aisles, among oth-

resistance. Their plan, which proposes creat-ing new streams of revenue by installing club seats and luxury boxes, or “enclosed seating,”

“traditional” alumni.The most vocal and active of these

forces is Save the Big House, a coalition of Wolverines expressing concern that enclosed seating will cripple the stadium’s ability to expand in the future. In addition, they believe that luxury boxes disrespect the “egalitarian

Their proposal, the Big House Renovation Plan,calls for the addition of 10,000 more bleacher seats around the outer rim of the stadium, scrapping any plans for luxury boxes, which members claim “divide Michigan fans by income, undermining the unity and ca-

maraderie that fans of all ages and backgrounds share as they experience the game together.”

These grand notions of equality, however, are perhaps a bit overdone. Most students sit in the cheap seats behind the end zone while wealthy patrons who can afford the steep costs of pre-mium tickets get the seats 20 rows up on the 50-yard-line.

Robert Kennedy, a corporate strategy pro-

fessor at the Ross School of Business, notes that, if the Athletic Department’s plan is implemented, the Big House’s standing as the largest collegiate stadium in the country will not be in jeopardy. “The architect has said that the proposed renovation will easily support up to 7,500 more seats in each end zone. And if, in 10 or

additional concourses in the end zones [to get up to] 140,000 or 150,000 seats,” Kennedy says.

Even doubts surrounding the new stadium’s attractiveness, thought to be compromised by pro-posed brick concourses several sto-ries high on the east and west sides

-sonal taste. John Pollack, a former speechwriter for the Clinton admin-istration and current spokesperson for Save the Big House, compares the new stadium’s exterior to “a col-lision between the Roman Coliseum and the parking structure on Fourth and Washington.”

However, Save the Big House maintains that their

-ing enclosed seating “don’t add up.” Luxury boxes, in his opinion, are merely an effort by the university to “keep up with the Joneses,” in this case, Ohio State and Michigan State. Pollack says it will take 25 years for the

Plan would need only 3 years to get out of the red. Looking at all the available numbers, it appears he

is correct. In the 22 years between these estimates, the 10,000 new bleacher seats would generate an income of about $65.34 million ($2.97 million per year). Not bad, especially when you consider that after 25 years, en-

closed seating will not have earned a single dime. The 35-year-mark, however, tells a dif-ferent story; ten years after reaching the black, luxury boxes will have generated a whopping $140.1 million dollars: outpacing the pro-posed bleacher seats by nearly $45 million. Income from luxury boxes grows almost ex-ponentially in the years that follow as well;

Still, Professor Kennedy claims that even these comparisons are conservative. “It’s almost guaranteed that private donations to the athletic department will go up [because of enclosed seating],” he says.

“Access to the best boxes and club seats near the 50-yard line will depend on cumu-lative giving. Ford, GM, and Comerica, in order to secure access to the ‘good’ loca-tions, [will] have to up their donations. Thisis probably worth another $5 to $15 million

athletic department and can be used to fund all the ath-letic teams.”

Perhaps most importantly, the new structures will better capture noise generated by Michigan fans, and

As the Michigan crowd has been characterized, per-haps wrongfully, as one of the quietest in the nation, the

structural changes meant to challenge that reputa-tion may be a major sell-ing point among students and players. It all adds up to the largest and loudest home crowd in college football. MR

The Invisible Hand of Enclosed Seating

If the stadium was truly “dedicated -

brackets, why not just sell every ticket -

-

-

Damn those capitalist pigs and their brick architecture!

The blueprints look promising to some, but are a strike in the heart to others. Only time will tell if they will pass.