Category Archives: Dems in the News

By Adam Rubenfire
January 23, 2012

Following yesterday’s announcement that President Barack Obama will be speaking at the University this Friday, campus leaders and students on both sides of the aisle expressed excitement for the upcoming visit from the nation’s leader.

Though Obama is expected to discuss college affordability in his speech, students said they hope he also discusses ongoing issues pertaining to job growth and rebuilding the economy in Michigan — topics particularly important to students getting ready to enter the workforce.

Anton Dirnberger, chair of the University’s chapter of College Republicans, said though he disagrees with Obama’s views on several issues, he respects the “office of the presidency.”

“I think as a Wolverine, that’s great to have the President — no matter what party he is a part of — come to campus,” Dirnberger said.

However, Dirnberger expressed frustration that Obama is attempting to garner electoral support amid economic difficulties that continue to afflict the nation, adding that he anticipates that the president will be more focused on campaigning in his speech than discussing impactful policy.

“It’s pretty much a campaign speech — we all know that,” Dirnberger said. “I wish, and I think a lot of people do, that he would spend more time trying to work out some ideal situations to get some Americans back to work.”

Dirnberger said though he would be somewhat interested in hearing Obama’s views on higher education, he would rather hear him speak about his decision to reject plans for the Keystone XL oil pipeline — a transnational project that would install an oil pipeline stretching from Canada to Texas.

“I know he definitely won’t be talking about that, but that’s what I would like to hear,” Dirnberger said.

Dirnberger said he hopes that Obama won’t suggest raising taxes to make college more affordable.

Though about 50 students protested at House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-Va) speech at the Michigan League in October, Dirnberger said the group does not plan to protest against Obama’s speech, adding that he was particularly upset with the protests staged during Cantor’s speech.

“As a Wolverine, I think we should hold ourselves to higher standards,” Dirnberger said.

Amanda Caldwell, chair of the University’s chapter of College Democrats, said she has received various e-mails from members requesting information about the upcoming speech, including students not involved with the organization inquiring about obtaining tickets.

“We are all very excited for him to visit,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell said she expects that the president will discuss financial strains on students and highlight research being done at the University, adding that his speech will likely be related to his State of the Union address tonight.

In addition to college affordability, Rackham student Hakeem Jefferson said he anticipates Obama to speak about job growth or educational initiatives — topics he said he thinks are important to improve the state’s economy.

“I’m excited that the president’s coming to town,” Jefferson said. “I think it’s important for him to come to town not only because he’s looking to get elected in November, but because Michigan probably needs to hear more about his jobs plan and … know more about what he’s going to do to help the economy improve.”

Nursing freshman Monica Sehgal said she’s happy that the president is returning to campus following his 2010 Spring Commencement address. But, because this is Obama’s second trip to the University in the past two years, Sehgal said the president should also make an effort to visit other colleges in Michigan.

“I feel like he’s coming to the University of Michigan because it’s a liberal school,” Sehgal said.

LSA junior Ifeoma Dike argued that Obama represents a stark contrast to former President George W. Bush, who didn’t visit the University during his eight years in office.

“For me, it’s very monumental because I know this is his second time coming,” Dike said. “It’s really good for our generation and for the school.”

Like Sehgal, Dike said other cities, like Detroit, would benefit from a visit from the president.

“If he came to Detroit, I think that would show that he is benevolent, and that he is very interested in rebuilding the community,” Dike said.

LSA junior Gabriela Recinos said Ann Arbor’s central location makes it an ideal place for Obama’s speech.

“Ann Arbor is a pretty good place because a lot of people can come,” Recinos said. “People from (Ypsilanti) can come, people from Detroit can come and hopefully people from outside of Ann Arbor will come.”

Rackham student Brad Kent said he is looking forward to hearing Obama elaborate on issues discussed in his State of the Union address.

“I’m glad that he’s coming, and I’m excited that he’s going to come after he gives the State of the Union address so we can hear him expound on his plans,” Kent said.

LSA freshman Ken Leaton said he is looking forward to hearing Obama discuss his plans leading into November’s 2012 election.

“I’m definitely excited to see him because I’m interested to hear what he’ll say for the upcoming election, “Leaton said. “I will definitely try to go.”

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By Andrew Schulman
September 21, 2011

LGBTQ rights advocates on campus celebrated in the wake of the official repeal of the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on Tuesday. But the repeal also raised questions about how it will affect military programs both nationally and at the University.

Following the repeal of DADT, University professors and campus organizations discussed the merits of the overturn of the legislation in advancing LGBTQ policy, while acknowledging there is much work to be done. The policy had banned openly gay soldiers from serving in the military since 1993.

In an event held Tuesday night in the Welker Room of the Michigan Union, about 20 members of the University’s chapter of Stonewall Democrats and LGBTQ rights supporters gathered to celebrate the upending of the DADT policy and to discuss how the repeal will affect the nation.

The Stonewall Democrats, many of whom were clad in buttons that read “Ask, Tell,” celebrated and proclaimed that the day was “long overdue” and a “big step for equality.” Others, while still heralding the day as a milestone for LGBTQ rights, said it was just one victory for a cause that still has ground to gain until complete equality is achieved.

Blake Mackie, co-chair of the Stonewall Democrats, said in an interview after the event that despite other laws in place that currently hinder LGBTQ rights, the DADT repeal is a milestone in advancing LGBTQ civil liberties.

“‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ was an ineffective policy that resulted in the discharge of many able and qualified service members and the silencing of LGBTQ Americans,” Mackie said. “(The end of) ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ was really important … to show the progress that can be made on LGBTQ issues.”

However, he added that progress still needs to be made on issues such as the prohibition of gay men from donating blood and the denial of military benefits for partners of those serving in the military. Additionally, though gay and lesbian soldiers are now able to serve openly, the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” did not grant that right to transgender soldiers, Mackie noted.

David Halperin, the University’s W.H. Auden distinguished university professor of the history and theory of sexuality, said the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” was “a step forward” and has the potential to advance other LGBTQ issues.

“As anti-gay discrimination becomes more and more rare, it looks more and more bizarre and archaic to more and more people, and you wonder why it still exists,” Halperin said. “So once various kinds of equality come into being, remaining forms of inequality look more and more strange and intolerable.”

Halperin also noted that the repeal of the legislation will allow for more universities around the nation to institute Reserved Officers’ Training Corps programs, since many have previously refused them on the basis that the program was not open to students of all sexual orientations.

Additionally, Halperin said many military leaders have supported the repeal for years. Because of this, Halperin said he does not foresee any problems as gay and lesbian soldiers begin to openly enlist in the military.

“It’s been clear for a long time that the only real defenders of the policy in the military and in Washington are the elderly generals and senators who were pretty much out of touch,” Halperin said.

Ariana Bostian-Kentes, the administrative and programming coordinator for the University’s Spectrum Center, said she expects gay and lesbian soldiers to join the military at a greater rate than during the era of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” She added that the repeal plays a crucial role in encouraging dialogue on LGBTQ issues and how to overturn policies that limits LGBTQ rights.

She added that the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” could help to root out other “glaring inequities” in LGBTQ rights including the Defense of Marriage Act and unfavorable marriage laws in most states.

“I think this is going to be a huge gateway in increasing equality for the entire community,” Bostian-Kentes said. “The military is such a well-respected, highly-regarded institution that when you see that service members are able to serve openly and we have a more effective military … it’s going to change people’s minds and open doors.”

Still, others were not convinced that the end of the policy would bring a deluge of military enlistment among gay and lesbian soldiers. Jonathan Marwil, a University lecturer of history, who teaches a course on 2oth-century wars as a social experience, said he anticipates a wait-and-see approach as potential LGBTQ soldiers determine how “welcoming” the program will be after the repeal.

“If a year goes by and this has worked fairly smoothly — there aren’t instances of people being picked on, humiliated, injured … then you will see more sign-up, absolutely,” Marwil said.

Like Marwil, leaders of the University’s ROTC programs said they could not predict increased enlistment. The ROTC officials also declined to comment on the implications of the repeal. Lt. Colonel Wayne Doyle, the assistant chair of the University’s Army ROTC, and Captain Richard Vanden Heuvel, commanding officer of the University’s Navy ROTC, said they would follow orders as received from command.

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