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Iraq smack is all Bushie’s business plan

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I still have no idea why we have spent billions of dollars of news coverage, military spending and all sorts of stuff for a job that only requires a couple thousand soldiers to clean out a couple holes in the ground somewhere halfway across the globe.

Nostradamus, the French fortuneteller in the 18th century, predicted this day would happen. He said that there would be a military strike with digits “9” and “11.” And this would happen either in the year 1999 or 2001. Aha, you say. Fortune-tellers have some truth!

But don’t you think that Osama Bin Laden actually might have done this intentionally just to mess the feeble minds of the American people? And don’t you think that our Pentagon un-intelligence would have actually said to themselves: “Ok, there is Osama Bin Laden who had been bombing our embassies in Africa, and there are suspicious looking people learning to fly planes in Arizona and the Arab governments hates us. Is anything going to happen?”

I don’t think people in Washington are that stupid. You know what I think? George W. Bush wanted this attack. The economy was plummeting, and George W. could not garner any respect out of the American people. So he needed to establish a sense of fear.

By making false claims and exaggerating about everything up until this date, Bush actually found 150 million people even more thick-headed than him to buy into everything. What George W. Bush did was very Machiavellian. He became like Napoleon, trying to conquer all the Arab countries and turn them into conformist consumers of the American culture.

What Bush did was a political and business move, and a phenomenal one at that. He was able to kill two birds with one stone. If he can garner the respect of people by constantly putting fear in them and transforming those Arabic people into idiot consumers to eventually put more money in Bush’s pocket, then all power to him.

And all power to us when I don’t have to pay $50 for gas and buy one of those deformed looking hybrid cars.

Seth Bleicher can be contacted at s.bleicher@umiami.edu.

Voting from a foreign perspective: just do it

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With the presidential election looming in the not-so-distant future, countries around the world are closely watching the American political scene. So much depends on the United States and its president – financial markets, foreign aid, war – it’s only natural for countries to be worried and openly critical of the U.S. election system. Playing devil’s advocate, here are some aspects of American elections that we foreigners don’t understand.

One: the Electoral College. Many of us weren’t even aware of this system until the confusing presidential elections in 2000, and a common reaction was, well, shock and awe. The United States, supposedly the spreader of democracy, has an indirect voting system? The so-called leader of the free world isn’t elected by the popular vote? Yes, POL 211 will teach you that this reflects the Founding Fathers’ fear of the ignorant masses. However, foreigners don’t take POL 211, and it seems that what might have been appropriate in the 18th century is somewhat outdated. Isn’t the American public educated and responsible enough to be entrusted with electing its own president?

Two: voting procedures. Pregnant chads? Hanging chads? Touch screens whose records cannot undergo public scrutiny? Whatever happened to pen-and-paper and fill-in-the-bubble? So much money and technology, and some Americans can’t even cast a ballot… Granted, this writer doesn’t know the history of voting procedures in the United States. Then again, neither does the rest of the world, nor does it care – the hanging chad story gave foreign (and domestic) cartoonists enough material to put to use in many a slow news day.

Three: the indifference and ignorance of the American public. Americans are infamous for being uninformed, uninvolved and uninterested in politics. Perhaps they can afford to be this way because they are used to their country running relatively well regardless of who’s in office – unlike in many other countries, where rampant abstention has led to social and economic unrest. Only around 50 percent of the voting age population voted in the 2000 presidential election. How is it possible that the public doesn’t feel more strongly about choosing such a prominent world figure? Furthermore, how can a public where 85 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds can’t identify Afghanistan, Iraq or Israel on a map, according to a National Geographic survey in 2002, be trusted with picking a president of global importance? (The Founding Fathers’ fears return!)

Americans have the privilege of participating in caucuses and primaries, of voting without fear of electoral corruption or sabotage and, most importantly, of choosing the most powerful person in the world. Some outsiders would just like to see them take advantage of that.

Patricia Mazzei can be contacted at p.mazzei@umiami.edu.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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To the Editor:

The recent “Letter to the Editor” by Don Donelson made me seriously reconsider my application for a US citizenship. I was born in Germany, lived there for 15 years and still have strong ties to family and friends there. In short, I would consider myself a little bit more knowledgeable than Mr. Donelson on what the average European thinks about Americans.

He attacks Mr. Lockhart’s original position by arguing, “Mr. Lockhart…only portrayed a small minority of British opinion” and then tries to defend his own by citing the results of surveys. Surely, surveys do not cover every Briton. As recent as three months ago, Dean was supposed to be the nominee for the Democratic Party, and we all know what has happened since. Three months is, quite frankly, a long time in politics. Especially since in that time evidence about the non-existence of alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has come to light.

It is indeed true that the average European thinks of US citizens as obese, war-mongering, French fry loving, coffee drinking, gun loving world police who are welcomed almost nowhere, despite receiving its orders directly from God. Ah yes, we are welcomed in Iraq, according to our Texan president Mr. Bush. That’s why they keep shooting at us.

And who is to say Americans aren’t stereotyping other people as well? The average American believes that all British have bad teeth, all the French do is eat baguette and drink red wine, and Germans consume massive quantities of Sauerkraut, drink beer and walk around in Lederhosen.

I came to this country because of the opportunities that are not to be had elsewhere. These very opportunities probably constitute most of the hatred and jealousy felt against the United States. Unfortunately, it appears as if this country is incapable of dealing with such assertions short of attacking (verbally or more often physically) the offender. Exhibit A: Mr. Donelson.

Felix Boecker

EDITORIAL

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He runs the 40-yard dash faster than greased lightning. He’s been called the “ultimate linebacker” by a top college football scout. He’s Super Prep’s No. 1 prize recruit in the nation.

But he’s also been arrested.

Critics claim that if UM signs Willie Williams, the team high-tails it back to the pre-Coker days of Sports Illustrated’s infamous 1995 cover “Why the University of Miami Should Drop Football.” Back to the days of felon football players and the scholarship-sucking NCAA probation. Back to 1997, to the first losing season in 18 years, when Miami went 5-6 and its prospects were about as bright as the prospects for the School of International Studies to reopen next fall.

Those critics are dead wrong.

William’s arrest record starts to wane as he gets older. He had not violated parole until the most recent charges in Gainesville, and even those – hugging a student, getting into a bar fight and setting off fire extinguishers – were more the result of drunken slip-ups than genuine criminal intent. In fact, even his spotty criminal record has reason behind it: his father died when he was 14, and he was forced to repeat a grade after a horrendous car accident in his first year of high school.

It is doubtful that your average upper-class, Abercrombie-wearing, UM Greek would be able to deal with an upbringing like that and manage to become the No. 1 recruit in the country.

Williams has a more than respectable academic record for a football player, and his backers are not only family and friends, but school teachers and administrators.

Suspending his application to UM might have been the right reaction to the initial revelation of William’s criminal record. But at second glance, Williams is about as criminal as our school mascot. Saying we should throw away his talent in light of past problems would be like saying Georgetown shouldn’t have signed Allen Iverson in 1994.

Both sides win if Williamson plays for UM next season. Coker gets to choke the criminality out of yet another college athlete and gets to ice the cake of his already-stellar defense. And Willie gets a chance. He gets a chance to jump start UM’s defensive line for 2004 and push a world-class college team to the very top, where it failed to get this past season. In the process, he will be fitted into the ethical mold of our football team, which has had very few criminal acts recorded against it in the past decade or so.

And if Williams signs on with us now, he will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance. He will have the chance to come to a top-notch university that puts the value of a quality, well-meaning student athlete ahead of unconditional judgement against some petty past crimes.

Haitian rebellion kills over 45 as opposition takes over 18 cities

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After two months of opposition protests in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, Haitian rebel forces have recently taken over 18 towns and cities, including Saint Marc, Grand Goave and Gonaives. The political and social turmoil has left over 45 dead.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere; 80 percent of its population lives in poverty.

After years of dictatorial rule, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected in democratically held elections in 1990. Nine months later, he was ousted by a military coup d’tat. A military junta took over power until 1994, when U.S. forces went into the island and restored power to Aristide. He was re-elected in 2000, but the Organization of American States [OAS] and other international observers claim that those elections were flawed.

Upon returning to power in 1994, Aristide disbanded the military. The government today relies solely on its police force of 5,000 to restore peace.

According to several media sources, Aristide’s police force had already retaken control of Saint Marc and Grand Goave. However, Gonaives, a city of historical importance that saw the slaves declare independence in 1804 and held student uprisings against the Duvalier dictatorship in 1985, remains under rebel control.

The rebels have also created roadblocks that are threatening the distribution of food and medical supplies, according to the Associated Press.

“There are no institutional structures strong enough to deal with issues like this [in Haiti],” Dr. Irwin Stotzky, a UM law professor and former chief human rights investigator in Haiti, told The Washington Times.

In the article, Stotzky says that, were there to be a regime change in Haiti, there is no real leader to take his place.

“If the U.S. goes in with the mentality to keep the president in power, it’s not going to work.”
CASSANDRA JEAN-BAPTISTE, Junior

“[The two main opposition groups] seem to have thrown their lot in with former army members,” Stotzky said. “They don’t have a lot in common; it’s all about power.”

Stotzky, who wrote the book Silencing the Guns in Haiti: The Promise of Deliberative Democracy, says Aristide is still popular in Haiti.

“Believe it or not, if a vote was taken now, Aristide would get 85 percent,” Stotzky said.

UM freshman Christele Francois agrees.

“He still has a lot of followers,” Francois said.

However, she does not count herself as one.

“My uncle has been in prison [in Haiti] for two years for something he didn’t do,” Francois said. “People have tried to release him, but then [Aristide] asks, ‘Who wants to take his place?'”

Like Francois, many other UM students are international students from Haiti or have family still on the island. Although it does not include all students with Haitian ties, Planet Kreyol, the Haitian Student Organization on campus, has around 40 members.

“I think [this situation] makes it more difficult for us Haitian immigrants in the U.S.,” David Pierlus, freshman, said.

“[The situation] is really sad. This might end up in civil war,” Arabelle Abellard, junior, said. “[The Haitian people] should try to come together. They don’t have to be violent.”

“People from outside the country don’t understand the struggle,” Cassandra Jean-Baptiste, junior and international student, said.

Jean-Baptiste believes the solution is for the president to leave or to open up to elections, but the United States should know that Haiti is not a democracy.

“It’s not in our culture, and we are not ready for it yet,” Jean-Baptiste said. “If the U.S. goes in with the mentality to keep the president in power, it’s not going to work.”

The Bush administration has not mentioned sending in forces to Haiti as the Clinton administration did in 1994. Yet, on Feb. 10, the State Department said that reaching a political settlement will require some fairly thorough changes in the way Haiti is governed.

However, The New York Times reported that Secretary of State Colin Powell made clear on Feb. 12 that the government was not looking to oust Aristide.

“The policy of the administration is not regime change,” Powell said.

Patricia Mazzei can be contacted at p.mazzei@umiami.edu.

SG modifies constitution, prepares for elections

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There are great opportunities coming up to find out more about the candidates and place your vote wisely. Tuesday at the Rat is the vice presidential debate at 7 p.m., and Wednesday is the presidential debate, also 7 p.m. at the Rat.

To all presidential candidates: please add to your platform the intent to modernize and keep up the Student Government [SG] website. Some of the information is over a year old, if it is there at all – check out the members of Senate who have already graduated.

On Thursday, comes the opportunity to “Meet the Candidates” on the UC Patio between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., where students can grill the Senate candidates.

The new SG constitution was discussed last Wednesday in its draft form, although no prior indication had been given to students that the constitution was being amended.

The primary given reason for this was that the majority of changes were grammatical, and the remaining changes were alterations taken from statutes.

The first SG constitution was written four years ago, and since then many amendments have been passed.

The new constitution tries to address the problem of resume-builders in Senate seats. Those who run solely for their own benefit – often on a popularity vote – and take little or no interest in meetings can be kicked out with an attendance policy. Changes to the constitution, if passed, will ensure that any Senator removed from office will not be allowed to run for or be reappointed to any seat on Senate within one year of removal.

Once the constitution has been clarified and passed by Senate on Wednesday, major changes can be debated in the future. Apparently students will be notified in advance of any major changes.

Five new elections commissioners were also ratified at last week’s meeting, each one stating the importance of getting students to vote – dj vu? Proof of this will be in voter numbers.

Also, the Richter Library is looking to form a new six-member student committee to gain feedback on the services provided and their effectiveness. This is open to all students.

The library committee will provide students with a chance to talk about issues facing library users and valuable experience as part of an active University focus group. They will meet with William D. Walker, University librarian, to discuss resources and services.

Students who frequent the library are encouraged to apply, and it is preferable that they are underclassmen who can continue with the group for at least two semesters.

The application process will consist solely of an interview, but students are welcome to submit their resumes.

All students are welcome to attend the SG Senate meeting on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the UC Ballroom.

For more information about the new library committee, contact Billy Bludgus, SG chief of staff external, at 305-284-3083, or e-mail b.bludgus@umiami.edu.

For more information about elections, visit the SG website at http://www.miami.edu/studorgs/sg/.

Amy S. Lawrence can be contacted at aslawrence@umiami.edu.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Cane Cares teaches you to love your genes

“Don’t change your genes, change your jeans” is the theme for this year’s Body Image Week (Feb. 22 through 29). Studies suggest 8 billion women want to look like supermodels; however, this goal is usually unfeasible, as there are approximately eight supermodels. Join the Cane Cares Committee for a special screening of the movie Real Women Have Curves on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Learning Center (LC) 110. The Cane Cares Committee will conduct body image screenings at the Rock on Feb. 23, 24, and 26 between 12 and 2 p.m. For more information, contact 305-284-5511.

Recycle print cartridges to help preschoolers
UM Canterbury has launched a fundraising project, Empties4Cash. Empty inkjet cartridges can be recycled and remanufactured, and UM Canterbury Preschool will receive $2 for each cartridge turned in. Any cartridge with a print head can be recycled, regardless of brand or type. Send an email to pbochman@miami.edu with the name of your organization or office, contact person and location on campus if you would like to help. A preschool representative will deliver a small collection box decorated by UM Canterbury students. Call 305-284-KIDS, and they will pick up the recycled cartridges when the box is full. Note: Epson cartridges cannot be recycled.
College Republicans host week of politics

The UM College Republicans will be hosting “Elephant Stampede: A Week in Republican Politics” from Feb. 16- 19. The week will consist of Republican speakers, a panel discussion on US Foreign Policy, Lincoln Penny Drive to benefit veterans, voter registration and much more. A kickoff “Rally for America” will take place on Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, send an email to umcrclub@umcrnc.org.

Learn wheelchair tennis

The Wellness Center is offering instruction in wheelchair tennis. No previous tennis experience is necessary, and participants will learn basic instruction in groundstrokes, serves, return of serve, volley, rules, scoring and playing procedures. The class meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Mar. 10. The cost is $50 for UM student members, $60 for Wellness Center members and $80 for non-members. Register at the Wellness Suite on the second floor of the Wellness Center. For more information call 305-284-LIFE.
Students invited to an afternoon of jazz
Students are invited for an afternoon of music performed by our award-winning student Jazz Band on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1:30 – 3 p.m. on the University Green. Picnics and blankets are welcome. Free ice cream and popcorn will be provided. Refreshments will also be available. Please R.S.V.P. by Feb. 19 at 305-284-5435 or e-mail umneighbors@miami.edu.

Activities include mystery theatre, arts and crafts, music therapy, a barbecue, and events on the commencement field. It was created by Dr. Foote over 20 years ago and is a long-standing UM tradition. Fun Day takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2004 at 9 a.m. Buddy sign-ups take place in the breezeway from January 22- February 17. For more information, contact the Volunteer Services Center, located in UC 240, at 305-284-4483.

Spring Career Expo 2004 is scheduled to take place in the Wellness Center on Wednesday, February 18, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Information can be found on the Career Expo website. Be one of the first students to network with employers by volunteering during Expo! We need volunteers to help us with a variety of tasks between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you’re interested, please email us with your available times at careerexpo@miami.edu. If you have not updated your resume or have not uploaded it onto CaneTRAK you should do it now! Stop by the Toppel Career Center, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. to have someone critique it for you. No appointment is necessary!

Meet the candidates and Referanda Sponsors of this year’s Student Government Elections on the UC Patio on February 19 from 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. The vice-presidential debate is on February 17th at the Rat at 7 p.m. and the presidential debate will be held on February 18 at the Rat at 7 p.m.

There’s a new club on campus! Join the Field Hockey Club and help promote awareness, good sportsmanship, and teamwork. The objectives of the Field Hockey Club are to educate students about the sport and history of field hockey, develop skills, and maintain physical fitness through its practices and friendly competition. Practices are every Tuesday and Friday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Yaron Athletic Fields. Practices and scrimmages are open to all levels. For more information, contact Kristen Goodrich at 305-689-4199.

Interested in being involved with the Hispanic heritage Month 2004? Advisor Ms. Nanette Vega, Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs [MSA], is currently accepting applications for the executive board. For more information, please contact MSA at 305-284-2855 or at nvega@miami.edu. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about the Hispanic culture.

Start getting your team together for another exciting round of intramural sports. Entries are now being accepted at the Wellness Center for basketball, arena football, flag football, and kickball. If you don’t have a team, then sign up on the free agent roster. To find out more about the intramural program, call Jason Carroll at 305-284-8518.

Registration is now taking place for the spring semester instructional classes at the Wellness Center. These classes are open to members and non-members so tell your friends, family, and fellow students! Instruction varies from dance classes to martial arts. You must register in person. For more information, call the Wellness Center at 305-284-5433.

In response to requests from students and faculty, the Richter Library will stay open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays during the Spring Semester. Throughout the semester, use will be analyzed to determine whether Saturday hours need to be expanded on a permanent basis. For information about hours over breaks and at other University of Miami Libraries, please see www.library.miami.edu

The Ibis yearbook is in need of writers. The theme of the book this year is school spirit, and they want to include as many voices and reactions as possible in the book. The Ibis covers anything and everything that takes place on campus, and even things off campus, like summer blockbusters, or the World Series. Everyone is encouraged to submit their stories, even if they think it’s not something that would be included. The stories are usually 250 through 300 words, but it is also okay if the articles are more, as that is something that can be worked with. There are plenty of assignments that need to be covered, and stories that are printed in the yearbook are considered published work, so it looks great on resumes! The Ibis yearbook wins awards every year, why not be a part of it? All quotes and stories can be sent to ibiswriter@hotmail.com or dropped off at the yearbook office in the UC 229. Include your name, year, and an e-mail address.

CALENDAR

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TODAY
The Toppel Career Center presents “No Med School, Now What? Alternative Careers for Science Majors” at 5:30 p.m. at the Toppel Library. If you were planning to attend medical school and your plans have changed, don’t miss this program. Learn about other opportunities in science-related professions, including teaching, pharmaceutical sales and hospital administration.

Have your resume critiqued by an employer who will be attending Wednesday’s Career Expo. Critiques are by appointment only and take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Toppel Career Center Library. Call 305-284-5451 to schedule an appointment.

As part of Black Awareness Month, the Black Filmmakers Association presents Do The Right Thing as part of the Black Film Series at 8 p.m. in Hecht.

The Student Government vice-presidential debate will be held at 7 p.m. at the Rat.

WEDNESDAY
Spring Career Expo 2004 will be held in the Wellness Center from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Professional dress is required, and bring your ‘Cane card. For more information, visit www.miami.edu/careerexpo. If you have not updated your resume or have not uploaded it onto CaneTRAK, you should do it now! Stop by the Toppel Career Center, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. to have someone critique it for you. No appointment is necessary!

We the Students, a political talk show, invites you to discuss “The Politics of Sex.” Take part in the interactive audience at Studio C in the Wolfson Communications building at 7:15 p.m.

An Ambitious Bunch Part 2 of 2

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SG elections are heating up, and with eight candidates – each with his own merits and weaknesses – the decision is sure to be tough. Throughout the week, opportunities to hear the candidates discuss the issues will help students narrow down the choices. The vice-presidential debates are going to be held today at 7 p.m. in the Rat. On Wednesday, the presidential candidates will discuss their platforms, same time, same place. Here’s a brief intro to the gentlemen who hope to serve you as SG President next year:

An Ambitious Bunch Part 1 of 2

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SG elections are heating up, and with eight candidates – each with his own merits and weaknesses – the decision is sure to be tough. Throughout the week, opportunities to hear the candidates discuss the issues will help students narrow down the choices. The vice-presidential debates are going to be held today at 7 p.m. in the Rat. On Wednesday, the presidential candidates will discuss their platforms, same time, same place. Here’s a brief intro to the gentlemen who hope to serve you as SG President next year:

THE WRAP

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but She’s keeping the dream house
The hottest couple in all of history is finally over…
Barbie and Ken have recently split and the world is up in arms. Mattel announced last week that Barbie and Ken were splitting due to differences; apparently the couple, which have been connected for over 40 years now, have decided that it was time for a break. Barbie, who has been marketed as everything from a doctor to a pop diva has outshined Ken for several years now, surviving without Ken’s commitment. Rumor has it that Barbie is now heading to Cali to work on her already glowing tan and frolic in the surf with new crush, Australian boarder Blaine. Only time will tell if Ken will become vengeful and fraternize with Barbie’s hot friends, Teresa and Lara. Can we say mnage?

SEARCHING FOR A JOB?
Ambitious and hopeful? Word is out that stations are looking for new VJ’s in, forget this…South America. Talent agencies are scouring the country for new VJ’s for shows related to ones that air on what used to be music channel MTV. Hit up the COM school for applications and make sure to give a shout out to The Hurricane for letting the word out.

HAAA-VAhD GETS DIRTY… in the yaaahd, in the backseat of yah caaah..
Announcement, Announcement…Harvard University has just approved a student porn magazine. Featuring art, sex advice, and fiction, the glossy pages are supposedly “a publication for freedom of expression.” Titled the H-bomb, Harvard’s new porn mag will feature everything and anything sexual, the only stipulation is no on-campus photos, due to university liability.

And for all the single mingles out in MIA, guess what? You survived Valentine’s Day. Congratulations, it wasn’t so bad.

CD REVIEW

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Lockwood is self-labeled as industrial rock, and a few tracks on this album might please fans of that genre. His song “Meat Parade” is the most (if not the only) ear-friendly song, and it is supposedly getting played on college radio stations around the country. The first minute of the track “Do Not Disturb” is actually entertaining, as Lockwood’s arrangement is somewhat upbeat. This lasts for about a minute until he slows it down and it reverts to the monotonous, depressing sound that makes up most of the album.

Lockwood’s only real success is his dark but poetic writing. The lyrics could be enough to give this album more consideration if you could only hear them over the thumping bass and repeating machine noises in the background.

This CD is worth checking out for those who are into rather abstract and dark industrial rock that does seem to have some depth. It’s a shame that a lot of people won’t appreciate Lockwood, because he is an artist with something to say. As far as music goes, however, it takes more than just an artistic streak to produce something that people will want to listen to.

Matt Dingerdissen can be contacted at m.dingerdissen@miami.edu.

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