To the Daily:
How can so many intelligent people at this university be so ignorant when it comes to e-mail? I belong to only three clubs at U of M, and already, I am receiving an average of 50 e-mails a day from morons who reply to all recipients requesting "to be taken off this mailing list."
Whoever invented the "reply to all recipients" option needs to be shot. In addition, I think it would also be a good idea for the Information Technology Division to post e-mail etiquette and usage info on a tiny card on each University-owned monitor.
Perhaps ITD or The Michigan Daily could also spread the word about X.500 and the "finger" command too. These are only a few of the many ways people can better direct and control their e-mails.
Eric Diez
Kinesiology sophomore
To the Daily:
As members of the University chapter of the American Medical Society-Medical Student Society, we would like to express our concern with Geoffery Fieger's disregard for the medical profession and the standards we hold. This disregard was clearly displayed on the front page of the Sept. 16 issue of The Michigan Daily ("Fieger seeks support, pushes activism"). We would like to take this opportunity to provide a response to Fieger's assertions.
In the article, Fieger states that prohibiting physician-assisted suicide causes patients to suffer. As future physicians, we are committed to standing up for the best interests of our patients. We do this by upholding principles outlined in the Hippocratic Oath. Taking this oath requires first and foremost that we "shall do no harm." We further swear to "neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor ... make a suggestion to this effect."
Contrary to Fieger's assertion that "patients" interests are being sold out" by banning physician-assisted suicide, we believe that to condone physician-assisted suicide would damage the unique character of the doctor-patient relationship, which could infringe on the rights and health of patients. At the core of the doctor-patient relationship is the trust that patients place in the recommendations of their physicians. The suggestion of assisted suicide with other treatment options may unduly influence the decisions of patients by giving weight to what may be an unnecessary course of action (and may lead to preventable tragedies). In accordance with the philosophy described in the Hippocratic Oath, we cannot support physician-assisted suicide as a general policy due to the risk of destroying the relationship with, and the very health of, our patients.
We hope that whoever is elected governor this coming November will work to improve the health-care system rather than engage in unproductive characterizations of health-care professionals.
Robert Chang Kathryn Jordan David Whalen
Members of the University Chapter of the American Medical Association
The editorial "Listed Names" (9/29/98) included some extremely valid arguments against laws which require doctors to report the names of HIV carriers to the proper officials. But when you listed the most effective methods of combatting the spread of the virus, you neglected to mention what may be the most successful of all: abstinence.
Erin Muladore
LSA sophomore
To the Daily:
I want my money back or at least a portion of it. Each semester that I teach here, the Graduate Educators' Organization forcibly robs me of a chunk of my paycheck. It does not matter that I am not a member of GEO, that I disagree with them on most of their issues, or that I have a lot better ways to spend that money. They take it anyway.
As if that were not bad enough, they then waste that money on stupid things. This week they are having a party at Dominick's with "all the beer you can drink," and I am unwillingly picking up the tab (and I do not even drink). They use my money to send out fliers for issues with which I disagree and candidates I do not support.
And what happens if I tell them I disagree. They agree to met with me to discuss it and then do not show up. They say they are very sorry that I feel this way, but take my money anyway.
So next time GEO asks me for my support, I'll ask them for my money back. Maybe you should too!
Steven Clarke
Rackham
To the Daily:
I couldn't let your editorial on the pending domestic violence legislation go by without a comment ("Stopping the violence," 9/28/98). As an activist against domestic violence, I commend all efforts to stop it. Every 14 seconds, a woman is victim to this abuse. In the state of Michigan, a woman dies at the hands of her partner every eight days. But the article talked about the the wonderful aspects of batterer-counseling programs.
Unfortunately, there really are none, as I learned when I began my SAFEHouse volunteer training. Fewer than 10 percent of men who go through these programs stop the abuse. For the other 90 percent-plus, it is used as a way to control his partner so she will not leave him. "I'm sorry I hit you again, but I'm getting help." They often use the programs to learn how to batter within the context of the law, such as by using psychological and economic abuse. Also, it is important to realize that these men do not batter because of alcohol or other excuses. Many of us have gotten drunk, but do we then go out and beat the ones we love? Of course not.
These men (I keep referring to batterers as "men" because 97 percent of them are) are in control of their battering. They make the decision to hurt these women. For them, it is all about controlling her. Finally, many do not understand why a woman doesn't just leave. Most do. However, right after a woman leaves her assailant is the most dangerous time in the relationship. That is the time he is most likely to kill her. Forgive her for being reluctant when her life is on the line. But I am proud to volunteer for such an organization that will help women when they make this monumental step (and SAFEHouse does help male survivors, as well).
We need to encourage legislation against this crime, yet we need to make sure that the legislation will not harm those it seeks to protect.
EmilyAnne Aldridge
LSA junior
To the Daily:
During this past summer, I attended more Chicago Cubs games at Wrigley Field than I did Detroit Tiger games in the past five years. What else beats watching Sammy Sosa hit home runs or drinking an ice cold beer in August heat with family and friends? Absolutely nothing. Congrats Cubs on clinching the wild card and good luck the rest of the way.
James Hachigian
LSA junior
10-01-98
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