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10 THURSDAY, JULY 3, ‘2OOB SAPNA MAHESHWARI ONE IN A BILLION Sapna Maheshwari is a senior journalism and political science major. E-MAIL: SAPNA@EMAIL.UNC.EDU Beijing has given memories, lessons I've been in Beijing for a month now. and it has been absolutely jam-packed with new experiences and instances of culture shock every single day. From meals replete with foods I never expected to consume (example: the accidental shot I took of fermented horse's milk) to everyone fondly asking me where I'm from and staring at my Indian self in the fascinated manner with which one would gaze upon a Dodo bird. There's a quote by The Shins. “The years have seemed short, but the days go slowly by," and that definitely sums up my feel ings on the crazy ways time has moved here. And thus, time remains as mvs- ABROAD COLUMNIST terious to me as the success of “High School Musicals’ I and 11. Reflecting, though, my favor ite part of this trip so far has been the variety of experiences through which I’ve been able to share what I have to offer as an American college student, as well as learn more about Chinese culture. Take, for example, my recent stint as a recording artist. My Web site’s parent company is in charge of recording the government-issued “listening comprehension tests" for people who want to be English-Chinese translators, which is a nationally administered test such as the SAT. My boss thought I had a good voice for it. so she arranged for me to be a reader. Last Monday, 1 spent about an hour and a half reading vari ous sentences and passages into a microphone with an elderly British man named Geoff, and it now appears that my voice will be heard as an authoritative speaker of English by hundreds of Chinese test-takers in the near future. I can't believe I'm just like one of the %’oices on those listening comprehension tapes I used to despise in my high school Spanish class! You really never know what you'll end up being when you grow up. This cultural exchange works both ways, of course. One of the best meals I’ve had in this city so far was with the head of my company, whe treated us to Beijing's specialty Peking duck. I'm typically not an adventur ous eater (you should have seen my expression at the scorpions and centipedes cooked on sticks at the Dongzhimen night mar ket), and I have an undying phobia of undercooked meat, so meals with people from my com pany slightly scare me since my fears are paired with the obliga tion to politely try everything. 1 was alarmed at the start of the meal when the waiter brought out something in a plastic bag and showed it to my boss to “approve." The thing proceeded to jump because (drumroll please)... it was a live fish. Twenty minutes later, said fish was steamed and on the table, and I swear it looked at me with beady reproachful eyes. Who doesn’t like to witness the cycle of life at lunch? I couldn't bring myself to eat him ... err, it. But luckily; this meal turned out to be excellent overall (all 12 dishes), and I loved the Peking duck. The place settings were so elaborate that I basically w atched my boss the whole time to make sure I copied whatever he did with it. These experiences haw inspired in me an independence I've never known before. Ewry other time I’ve traveled to anew place, it’s been softened by the presence of friends or family, but here, I feel so completely on my own. I'm so eager to see who I am and what I bring home with me (lesson-wise, though the shop ping bag’s getting hefty as well) in August. Oh yes, and in the spirit of cul tural exdiangc; I’m thinking about being Mao for Halloween this war. A promiscuous Mao, of course. Watch out Franklin Street! EDITORIAL CARTOON By Wayne Stayskal , Tribune Media Services SUPREME COURT SAVS U-ST. CAN &UU? F£h/C£ ALONG ( PIANS 00U7 SAY : |='" Welcome, Holden Thorp New chancellor faces serious tasks, responsibilities Greetings, Chancellor Holden Thorp! We’re glad to have you at the helm, and w f e must congratulate you, as of July 1, for officially taking office. At 43, your career has been a model of upward mobility, and we’re eager to see what you’re capable of at this level. And, of course, we’d like to extend a hearty “thank you" to James Moeser. who served the University for eight years and will be remembered well. But let’s get dowm to busi ness. Mr. Thorp, we’re sure you understand the magnitude of the job you’ve taken on. What you do here has effects every where. Our actions as a university reflect not only this campus and the town of Chapel Hill, but also the state's university system and the Tar Heel state itself. Ultimately, we ask you to Americas reefer madness Failed drug war produces high consumption, potency American drug dealers, eye-drops salesmen and the Doritos board of executives must be ecstatic. A World Health Organization survey July 1 named the U.S. the world superpower when it comes to consuming marijuana and cocaine. We even beat out the Netherlands, where you can go to a coffee shop, roll a joint and smoke it next to a police officer without reper cussions. About 42 percent of Americans admit having tried marijuana, while a little more than 16 percent say they have tried cocaine (almost four times the amount of the second-place country, New Zealand). We should expect that our government will exploit this data to fuel its “War on Drugs’ —a multi-billion dollar exer cise in futility; For instance, in June, a group funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse released findings that showed Town rule wastes housing Only allows four unrelated tenants per lease Some anachronistic law's are so ludicrous and anti quated that w’e can’t help but laugh at them. For instance, in the United Kingdom, a pregnant woman can legally urinate anywhere, including in public. She can also request to use a policeman's helmet as a chamber pot. But some regulations don’t satisfy our sense of humor. Instead, they just strike us as foolish. In Chapel Hill, for instance, the Town Code states that no more than four unrelated peo ple can live together in the same house. They must be bound by ’blood, adoption, marriage or domestic partnership." And, unfike the U.K. law, it is actually enforced. Opinion keep North Carolina's interests at heart. Amid the multitude of tasks and challenges we re presented with, some stand out as the most pressing and the most crucial. We look to you now to stand as a figure of strength and compas sion as our community witness es two suspects go through the legal process, charged with the murder of our beloved student body president. Eve Carson. Moeser comforted us in those first days in March, and we hope you will continue his work. We need you to strike the right balance. With the economy struggling and the University in constant need of improvement and fac ulty retention, we need you to find a level ground on the issue of tuition. With UNC growing, from increased freshman enroll ment to Carolina North con marijuana had reached its highest potency ever or at least in the three decades since it has been scientifically ana lyzed. Researchers found the aver age marijuana sample con tained more than double the amount of tetrahydrocannabi nol (9.6 percent) found in simi lar tests in 1983. The NIDA pounced on it. Its press release on the study came replete with fear-monger ing rhetoric about how mari juana is the “gateway" drug and how the added strength could pose all sorts of harm. “Particularly worrisome is the possibility that the more potent THC might be more effective at triggering the changes in the brain that can lead to addiction,’ said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the NIDA. But no link between high THC levels and addiction has been established, as Volkow concedes in the next breath. Indeed, claims about the drug’s dangers continue to be exaggerated or simply It’s not that houses in Chapel Hill are built for only four peo ple; the town's motivations lie elsewhere. Complaints by neighbor ing residents about “vehicles being parked in the yards and garbage accumulating” are cited as reasons for the ban. as well as concerns about distur bances. These grievances, while understandable, do not merit keeping this regulation on the books. They are symptomatic of many residents' antagonism with UNC students. Indeed, many of the students affected by this ordinance were "told on" by neighbors who saw the houses being used by more than four people. But problems such as noise struction, wc need you to find a balance between providing an elite educational experience and enabling as many students as possible to access it. And we ask that you not for get that development brings benefits, but also costs aes thetically and environmentally. We need you to improve parking availability, so that students with cars can afford spaces nearby; We need you to remember the little guy and the little girl. That means the gifted stu dent who can’t afford a UNC education. That means the jan itors and the bus drivers and all the workers who keep this campus functioning, as well as those in our supply chain. They say that you can assess a society ’s worth by noting how it treats those who are the least well-off. We hope you’ll keep that in mind. unfounded. They are based on politics, not science. Unfortunately; a lie repeated often enough can become truth to many people. As several doctors have already pointed out, increased marijuana potency does not imply increased harm. If strength increases, smokers simply adapt and smoke less. Drug officials in the U.S. should consider the meaning of these two developments the high rate of drug use and the increased potency; These statistics suggest that the “War on Drugs’ has failed and should not continue to be a drain on this country’s resources. But so long as organiza tions such as the NIDA pro duce dishonest conclusions, that cannot be the case. The group’s stated goal is to “lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addic tion." It’s no surprise that their work can hardly be distin guished from propaganda. violations can come from four people as easily as they can come from six people. It’s the type of neighbor that matters most. Predictably; this regulation hikes up the cost of rent in town. It makes four people split the cost of renting houses that were intended to accommo date perhaps five or six ten ants. The subsequent lack of prime-location available hous ing in Chapel Hill also allows landlords to charge more. And it is an obvious waste of space and energy. Spreading people out means more gas and electricity will be consumed, and it means more land will be used building unneeded homes. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There's a great history that goes with this place. ...It's a great , great traditional program." TONY FLORKOWSKI, ESPN PRODUCER, ON UNC BASKETBALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Due to space constraints, letters are sometimes cut Read the full-length versions online at the letters blog, or post your own response to a letter VISIT// apps.dailytarheel.com/wrpblogs/archives/category/tetters UNC police should secure Chatham park and ride lots TO THE EDITOR: As all readers are aware, the park and ride lots are sites of crime. My wife’s Honda Element was one of the cars which was targeted for a catalytic con verter last week at the Chatham County park and ride lot. Insurance had to pay SI,BOO for the repair and replacement! Such theft has been occurring for more than one year. Besides monetary concerns, the issue is one of responsibility for the safety of lives and property; espe cially at our park and ride. Women and all other riders are concerned that there is no security in place at our location. Cameras will not stop anyone from steal ing or breaking into automobiles or committing some worse crime. Only on-site employees will hin der illegal activity. There are additional issues: 1. Who is responsible for secu rity? It appears that w’hile the park and ride lot is in Chatham County, the Chatham Sheriff’s Office is not responsible. Only the University police have that responsibility. This is unfortunate due to the distance of the lot from campus. Also, it took three phone calls to report the crime and, in addi tion, each law enforcement office (Chatham, Orange Country and UNC) told me at first that the lot was not in their jurisdiction. There needs to be better com munication between offices. 2. While the expense of a full-time employee at all park and ride lots would be high, the alternative possibility could be something far worse namely; bodily harm or something more ominous to commuters. The University should keep its “eye on the prize’ namely the safety of its faithful students, staff and faculty. Richard Falvo, Chatham County Park and Ride User . Adjunct Professor School of Medicine Pa'lante grateful to locals for successful celebration TO THE EDITOR: At Pa’lante’s celebration of Latino high school graduates last month, a young man encouraged his younger peers. “Even if you think you’ll never get English, keep trying, because you will get it eventually. And keep studying until you graduate, because it’s not that hard after all. And standing here ready to graduate feels really good." SPEAK OUT WRITING GUIDELINES: • ► Please type: Handwritten tetters will not be accepted. ► Sign and date: No more than two people should sign letters. ► Students: Include your year, major and phone number. ► Faculty/staff: Include your department and phone number. ► Edit: The DTH edits for space, clarity, accuracy and vulgarity. Limit letters to 2SO words. SUBMISSION: ► Drop-off: at our office at Suite 2409 in the Student Union. ► E-mail: to edhdeskOunc.edu ► Send: to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill. N.C.. 27515. (Thr Daily (Ear Brrl PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF lusimu and Advertising: kewt Sdwaiu. dreoor/generS manger. Megt McGnty. advemsaig drvclor lisa Recife, busnass manager Cr. fernett Campbell. Will Hamson. o*rt Pernor, mot writers kathryn Arrtaone. Melissa fawn, Jonathon Crook katherme Demby. Ashby Lewis, Sarah Riatab. •Nary White Design: Jeffrey SUhan Omfca: Magg* HuUfl OwWiwuMndia: Mary Catherne Awn. Anna Grace Koerter Photography: Anita Anand. Maty Katherine Ayevs, Larry Baum. Dame* Customer Service: kristen Bidets, nnesentatw Display Advertising. Lute Ui and Megan Wnterhahei arcounr EDITORIAL STAFF Bokk. Jemwlei Datum, Adam Graec. Nicholas Gules Bawd luthet. Kate Nap*i. Rachael Oehrmg. Sarah Riatiti. Alan Sharpe. NraWWydw. JennZeng Sports: MAe Clutch, Daw) Ely. Gabe Hiatt. Sam Rosenthal, tenor renters. John Dougherty Anti Km. Dawd Reynolds, Christian Wisseh State B National: Dan Bohck. Sean Band Chttrs Stephan* Mewn. Brittany Murphy the Daily Tar Heel is published by the OTH Publishing Corp. a nonprofit North Carolina corporation. Monday through Friday. according to the University calendar Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should call 962-1163 between 9 a m and 5 p m Questions about classified ads should call 962-0252 Editorial questions should be directed to 962-0245 OFFICE: Suite 2409 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CS4 5210, Carolina Union Bp JSj ICkl U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Bo* 3257. WJKUH liN *'2709436 Chapel Hill. NC 27515-3257 Member EDITOR’S MOTE: Columns, cartoons and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Dady Tar Heel or its staff Editorials are the opinions solely oflhe Daily Tar Heel editorial board. It consists oi editorial board members, the opinion edhor and the sum nee editor. The 2006 summer edhor decided not to vote on the board. ahr Daily (Tor Brrl The graduating senior speak ing these words had overcome the odds by succeeding in a rigor ous technology program despite coming from a family headed by a limited-English-speaking sin gle mom who did not have much formal schooling. He was participating in Noche de Estrellas, or Night of the Stars, the graduation cel ebration hosted by Pa'lante, a Spanish-language youth media program serving the community in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Pa'lante would like to thank the diverse local businesses that helped make Noche such a suc cess. Pa’lante means “Let’s Roll!’, and, with the help of our com munity, our immigrant children are successfully rolling ahead. Laura Wenzel Director, Pa’lante Indefinite hunger strike for justice in Bhopal, India TO THE EDITOR: On December 3rd, 1984, thou sands of people in Bhopal, India were gassed to death after a cata strophic chemical leak at a Union Carbide pesticide plant. Union Carbide’s own docu ments prove the company designed the plant with “unprov en’ and “untested" technology and cut comers on safety and mainte nance in order to save money. Today, 23 years after the Bhopal disaster, at least 50,000 people are too sick to work for a living. Although Dow Chemical acquired Carbide's liabilities when it purchased the company, it still refuses to address its liabilities in Bhopal. To date, Dow-Carbide has refused to dean up the site, fund medical care, provide alternate livelihood opportunities or stand trial before the chief judidal mag istrate's court in Bhopal. Nine Bhopali survivors are on indefinite hunger fast (since June 10,2008), after a 800 km.- long march to Delhi follow>ed by a three-month peace campaign did not move the prime minis ter. The survivors of the Bhopal disasters have been pursuing justice through the Indian legal system for more than 20 years. But the politicians, with the companies behind them, have undermined and blocked the course of justice. As such, they have resorted to their last option an indefinite hunger strike. Yet the government has not responded. If the Bhopal is are not given dean water, medical care and justice, all ideals of democ racy and human rights become meaningless. Sudipta Sinha Research Assistant Computer Science ahr oaili| Oar Hrrl Established 1893, 115 years ofeditorialfreedom RACHEL ULLRICH SUMMER EDITOR. 9624086 RULLRKHOEMAILUNC.EDU CUNT JOHNSON OPINION EDITOR. 962-0750 CLWTOUNC.EDU esecuiws Advertising Production: Penny Persons manager: Beth O’Brien, ad production coordnaror University: Amka Anand. kane Anderson. Mary katherme Ayers Ashley Bern*!, lennder Durham. Sarah Henderson. Nate Hewitt. Ales brvaiski. Mia Moore. Sarah Smith Editorial Production: Stacy Wym. managee MM&g: Inangle Web Pmbng Cos Distribution: Stacy Wynn
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