To the Daily:
Wow, I am so glad that a big strong man like Branden Sanz is around to take care of me if some guy picks on me ("Ann Arbor: A hotbed for conversation and assault," 9/17/99). Without his masculine guidance, I might have never known that rape existed.
Please. Sanz apparently thinks he understands rape because some creep was trying to pick up two women at Village Corner. And although he had good intentions, his naivete shines through: does he really think that rape and assault will end if women stop walking home alone? Perhaps he has just realized that rape exists, but his great revelation comes off as insulting toward women.
Furthermore, his claim that it's "quite easy" to see sexual assault can occur "given the proper setting" is insulting, uninformed and plainly ignorant. He falls prey to the myth that rapists hide in bushes, just waiting to attack a woman walking by. Although this sort of assault does occur, the vast majority - 85 percent - of sexual assault is committed by acquaintances. Perhaps instead of giving advice to women, he might want to give some advice to would-be rapists. But I guess that's not as simple as telling women to be fearful, is it?
Annie Tomlin
LSA senior
To the Daily:
After reading the article about Dominick's nine-day suspension ("Dominick's forced to close doors," 9/14/99), we would like to express our profound gratitude and support for Dominick's. Throughout our last two years at Michigan, Dominick's supplied us with a tremendous atmosphere for socializing and a welcome respite from our coursework. Although the beer and sangria we consumed there has long since left our system, Dominick's is still with us in our fond memories, credit card debt and beer guts. What Dominick's provides to the University and larger community cannot be adequately expressed in words.
As alumni of Michigan and appreciative customers of Dominick's, we write in outrage against the injustice of this suspension. To show our support for Dominick's, we plan to drink heavily at the establishment throughout homecoming weekend.
Hugh Smith Jr.
Jeff Kosiorek
University alumni
To the Daily:
On football Saturdays, University students partake in many traditional fan activities at the stadium. Marshmallow throwing and "The Victors" are both traditional Michigan things. But there is one cheer that is anything but traditionally Michigan, and every time it appears at the stadium the real Michigan fans hold their heads in disbelief, agony and embarrassment for their misguided fellow Wolverines.
The cheer I am referring to occurs when the Michigan defense forces a punt, the band plays the traditional song, and fans move their arms in a chopping motion identical to the chop of Florida State University. This cheer first appeared at the Big House in the early '90s shortly after No. 1 FSU came here and taught No. 2 Michigan how to play football 51-31. In the eyes of the public and any real Michigan fan that cheer is theirs, not ours, and just because the crowd did it at your first game does not make it a Michigan tradition. At the University, we make tradition, we don't borrow it. What's next - the Texas Longhorns' "Hook 'em Horns" hand thing? The Florida Gators' gator mouth cheer? Wearing skirts like Notre Dame's Irish Guard?
The solution is easy. If we simply closed our hands into a fist while doing this cheer it would more resemble our beloved "Hail" motion. Same song, same time, same arm motion - just more Michigan. When points are put on the board we "Hail" our team with raised fists to "The Victors;" when our defense does its job we should also "Hail" them with raised fists. So at the next game I ask that all real Michigan fans make this small but symbolic change and "Hail" our defense with fists held high and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Together we will reclaim this cheer for Michigan.
Tony DiGiovanni
Rackham student
To the Daily:
MSA President Bram Elias should be commended for pushing an investigation into the Defend Affirmative Action Party and BAMN for their numerous abuses of power on the assembly. Unlike the past MSA president and some members of the Students' Party, the current administration appears dedicated to bringing MSA back to the students and away from Marxist demagogues. Recent allegations like misrepresenting MSA in an activist newsletter, running up bills on the MSA copy machine, stealing student money for leftist rallies and using MSA as an outlet for left-wing political schemes while ignoring the student body all warrant utter condemnation from everyone.
The University has a long history of student activism, intelligent discourse and ideological diversity. Sadly, BAMN rejects open minded discussion in favor of intolerance - they have been known for inciting riots, pulling fire alarms, denying Ward Connerly the right to free speech and falsely portraying all opponents of affirmative action as "racists."
Fortunately, the tables have turned, and even The Michigan Daily refused to endorse Jessica Curtin in the winter MSA election. Hopefully, students will reopen the doors of free speech and discussion and likewise slam the door on Curtin for good.
Scott Behnan
LSA sophomore
To the Daily:
I am writing in response to Mike Kegler's letter "'U' radio station needs complete makeover" (9/13/99). As a WCBN DJ, listener and avid lover of music, I find his comments to be false and offensive.
He suggests WCBN embrace local music rather than "obscure jazz, rockabilly and God knows what else," when in fact much of the local music scene is comprised of precisely these genres. Music which is generally "not popular enough to make the playlists of corporate radio stations."
We welcome all local music with open arms not only by having local musicians play live on the air, but also by setting up and sponsoring many events, including our annual Benefit Bash, which feature local artists.
He also suggests that we don't support "independent/local rap and hip-hop." Chill Will has been bringing Ann Arbor the very best in hip hop every week on the Prop Shop for several years now. Also, I can remember earlier this year, Bacardi & Rose had several local rappers and hip hop DJs featured on their show.
While the closing of Wherehouse Records and Schoolkids Annex is a blow to the local music scene, WCBN is hardly to blame. It's my understanding that they closed due to financial reasons (i.e. rent increase), and not the ennui of the community or WCBN's freeform programming. We are definitely sad to see them go, but there are several other excellent local independent record stores. PJ's, Encore and Wazoo, just to name a few.
I would think that freeform, the manifestation of artistic and intellectual open-mindedness in a broadcast medium, would be encouraged in an academic atmosphere. Alas, Kegler feels inclined to destroy that which is here to serve both him and the community.
Finally, WCBN is a student run radio station. Most of us are volunteers who feel the same way he does, that the community needs a place where good music that would otherwise go unnoticed can be heard. If he feels that we are neglecting "independent/local rap and hip-hop," I urge him and anyone else who shares his opinions to come to the station and become a DJ. The training is simple, and we can always use the help.
Aidan Dysart
LSA senior
09-20-99
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