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Vote no on Prop. 73 If Cal State Fullerton students find any reason to vote in next monthʼs special election, it should be to speak out against the absurdity of Proposition 73. On first glance, the abortionrelated ballot seems relatively harmless. After all, Prop. 73 is not trying to illegalize abortion. On second glance, however, voters will discover it denies abortion rights to unemancipated minors until 48 hours after a physician has notified the minorʼs guardian, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in a statement. Apparently no one told Lockyer that the Supreme Court already ruled it unconstitutional for courts to require parental consent in order for a minor to have an abortion (Bellotti v. Baird 443 U.S. 622, 1976). The court ruled that mature and competent minors are perfectly capable of choosing whether or not to have an abortion after a Massachusetts law attempted to require that minors obtain parental consent before having an abortion. Under more careful analysis, voters will discover that Prop. 73 is a wolf in sheepʼs clothing that attempts to fool Californiaʼs largely Democratic constituency. Prop. 73 actually amends the language of the state constitution and takes away a young
womanʼs right to choose, citing that the potential amount of money saved in health and social services justifies the action. Who, even among the strongest of pro-choice advocates, would not want to save money on health and social services, or lower teenage abortion rates while offering adolescents support and guidance? The supporters of the proposition argue that 30-plus states have similar laws requiring parental notification and that these states have successfully lowered their teenage abortion rates. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The University of Southern California released a study, which suggests that abortion rates for minors in some states have decreased because girls have the procedure performed in other states. The Golden State already ranks low teen in pregnancy and abortion rates, far below the national average. Essentially, the ballot is a backhanded attempt at denying women – particularly minors with no means of recourse – their right to do what is best for their bodies. As CSUF students, and as citizens of a nation that guarantees all women the right to choose, we should all be vehemently opposed to the proposition.
Editorial Board Julie Kim, Opinion Editor Nicole M. Smith, Executive Editor Kim Orr, Managing Editor In deference to the paradigm established by venerable Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, unsigned Titan Editorials strive to represent the general will of the Daily Titan editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the view of the university.
Monday, October 10, 2005 5
ASI fee increase proposal should be turned down
Growth of campus programs not reason for increasing fees By KARI HAMANAKA Daily Titan Staff
The proposed fee increase Associated Students Inc. and the Athletics Department would like to see pass in the Nov. 2 and 3 vote remains a misguided attempt to address what is irrelevant to many Cal State Fullerton students. Should this proposal from the Student Affairs Fee Advisory Committee pass, the Student Body Association Fee would increase $20 over four semesters beginning next fall. By fall 2008, this fee would total $74 each semester, with $22 of it going directly to Athletics. Proponents of this fee increase believe it would positively address program growth. The logic is that since campus clubs and organiza-
tions are open to every student, every student should pay a little more. This logic is flawed not only because it assumes that every student cares to be involved in a campus organization, but also because it fails to distinguish between needs and wants. According to the ASI annual fiscal budget for 2005-2006, ASI Productions, which pays for the live entertainment offered in the Titan Student Union Pub, allotted $137, 677 and the Panhellenic organizations allotted $10,850, mostly done out of desires for fun or entertainment. Clubs and performances outside the of TSU are wants. Obtaining the classes one needs to graduate is a need. It is nice to have clubs. It is nice to be in a fraternity or sorority. It is nice to play a sport. In the setting of a school, those things are all privileges. They are not rights. When it boils down to what
matters and what justifies campus spending, CSUF is an academic institution above all else. When extracurricular programs grow, clubs and organizations need to make up for this difference on their own. Proponents of this fee increase might also argue that nothing can be cut from the existing ASI budget. In a Daily Titan story published Sept. 19, ASI Executive Vice President Drew Wiley said, “We have to holistically reach out to the general campus community” when it comes to which programs receive ASI fee money as part of their income. The Childrenʼs Center, located between parking lots A and B, serves between 165 to 190 children each semester. There were 33,413 students enrolled in classes in spring 2005, according to the universityʼs Public Affairs office. The small number of those aided by the Childrenʼs Center does not reach out to a “general” number
of students. In addition, the center closes at 6:45 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and at 4 p.m. on Fridays, which renders this privilege completely useless for night students who have children. Spending on the center is not a question of helping out studentparents who are not able to find baby sitters. The $494,800 that funds the center and the additional $484,512 set aside for the construction of a future center should have been one of the first things cut before the decision was made to dip into the ASI contingency fund. Less money could have been allocated for the centerʼs future building funds and instead, could have gone to other programs. The unecessary fees argument all goes back to the bare basics of what this school is for: learning. Justifying increased fees to retain or add new programs sounds more like an excuse rather than a solution.
Bicyclists burden Daily Titan editor
By MAHSA KHALILIFAR
Daily Titan Asst. Entertainment Editor
We all know driving can be a feat in itself, but there is another scenario far scarier. For example, Iʼm driving down a street in Irvine, minding my own business in my Honda. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, there he is – a bicyclist in front me, trying to make his way into my lane. First, let me address that I, for one, love riding my bike when I can. It is a great way to get out and exercise while the wheels lead the way. But when you are endangering my carʼs new paint job or my future by causing me to – God forbid – not
see you and possibly hit you, thatʼs when the trouble starts. Iʼm not referring to regular bicyclists riding around the neighborhood. Families, kids and friends should share this experience together, but when youʼre taking it on the road – that scares me. What really irks me is that professional bicyclists think they own the road. With their shiny spandex outfits and high-tech helmets, these men and women invading my street territory have become a sunny dayʼs nuisance. I can understand if you are in your own bicycle lane, but when you start motioning to me that you need to come in front of me – are
you crazy? I am going 50 mph, and for your tiny bicycle to come in front of me is madness. I am already on edge, trying not to hurt myself on the road, but now I have to worry about a middle-aged bicyclistʼs life. The worst is when they reach out their hand to let you know that they are coming in front of you – they donʼt even give me a chance to brake; Iʼm forced to switch lanes and pray they donʼt switch along with me – or when they randomly sway as they are riding in the bike lane. Now, these people should be able to ride their bicycles, but if they need to be on the road, get a motorcycle. Professional bicyclists should
stick to roads and areas designed for them, where they are not causing traffic concerns. The outfit alone causes whiplash for drivers. Another problem is when they have these marathons going on. I am all for charity and good will, but my day does not include staying behind a group of hundreds of bicyclists making their way in front of me for my 20-minute journey home. I will only apologize for my cynicism and to my friends who are in the cycling world. But really, for your own safety and our conscience, please stay clear of our front bumpers and blind spots. Yes, that is my vehicle next to you, so please watch out.