very positive relationship. He was chair for a really long time, but that let him get a better handle on what he was doing and how to be a great leader. I have a lot of really glowing things to say about him.” Aside from one‐on‐one interactions, the relatively good relationships have been influenced by the moderate views shared by the leadership as well. Ben Kaminsky is taking an active role in collaboration by participating in the IGR (Program on Intergroup‐Relations)‐sponsored dialogue on the Arab‐Israeli conflict, begun this very year (2009). He has stated his views in the past on the need for mutual cooperation between the two sides of this struggle. “If there ever is going to be a solution to this conflict, pragmatists need to come together to find solutions” (Muslow). At the January 14th Union rally, Andrew Dalack shared his frustration at the lack of restraint that some of the protestors displayed. “I was disappointed by the ignorance some people displayed in their language, signage and behavior to onlookers as well.” Although most of the perpetrators were private residents of Ann Arbor, and not students in SAFE, Dalack still felt that their actions reflected poorly on SAFE and the pro‐Palestinian community, and hoped that “the inappropriate behavior by some community members does not reflect on the community as a whole, as they are supportive, rational and of high moral caliber” (Aber). Bria Gray was also frustrated over the issue that popped up on January 14th, regarding her quote in the Daily about the motivation behind the AMI/IDEA/UPZ – organized Blue‐Out. “My quote from the daily was taken out of context to make it look way more controversial than it ever really was. I would say that the most confrontation we (UPZ) have had with SAFE is now, when we are trying to figure out how to 21
First-Year Writing 2010