Student interveners do not belong in Supreme Court
To the Daily:
As I read the Daily’s editorial, Let them intervene (03/03/03), I remembered the 2002 senior spoof edition that declared Activists win! (02/01/02). The spoof article talked about how activists at the University, through candle-light vigils and rallies, were able to solve major world conflicts that seasoned statesmen and professional diplomats have not been able to for decades and centuries. Now they’re at it again, trying to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. Although I applaud the students who have passionately taken up the affirmative action cause, the Supreme Court only allows 30 precious minutes of oral arguments. Even though the case is “of tremendous import to students” we have to ask what just what we hope to gain by appearing before the most august court of the land. Are there students just trying to gain their 15 seconds of fame and bragging rights for the rest of their lives that they argued before the Supreme Court while in college? Or are we actually trying to win? I respect my high-caliber student colleagues here at this University, but I for one would rather be represented by effective professionals who have had the necessary experience before the court. Having a mish-mashed hodgepodge of “justify(ing) affirmative action in different ways” instead of a clear and focused argument might be more appropriate for a Diag rally or protest march than for the Supreme Court.
Ted W. Way
Rackham