I’m in the process of updating this website to reflect the “end” of Gulf War II, as well as making a number of overdue corrections. Spot anything that needs fixing? Let me know: rob(at)goodspeedupdate.com.

In their Thursday meeting, the Regents approved a 5% increase in residence halls rates, and the News observes U-M has the second-highest on-campus housing costs in the big ten (behind Northwestern). The Regents also approved money to renovate campus rec buildings.

The New York ACLU is working with state lawmakers to pass a law protecting freedom of speech rights in malls after a 61-year-old man was arrested in a shopping mall for wearing a t-shirt that said “Give Peace a Chance.” As far as I know, there have only been a few states that have passed laws protecting some amount of speech in malls, which legally can regulate any speech they like. The kicker? The New York ACLU bought a billboard near the mall reading “Welcome to the mall. You have the right to remain silent. Value free speech.” with a photo of a gagged person on it.

Also, a SARS case was found in Washtenaw county.

The University of Minnesota is writing an anti-riot policy.:The university’s anti-riot policy, which is being developed by a task force that is surveying policies elsewhere, will go to the Board of Regents for approval in June. It would augment the student code of conduct, which doesn’t directly address off-campus behavior.’

The Ann Arbor News finally covered the ending of the AATU for students: “Tenants union halts U-M services”

One of Detroit’s oldest structures has been saved from destruction, and they plan on moving it to Greenfield Village, where it will be placed to look like it’s part of a fake town.

FRIDAY SMORGASBORD

The Dearborn teen who was sent home for wearing an anti-bush t-shirt will be honored by the ACLU of Michigan at their annual meeting in November by John Tinker of Tinker v. Des Moines.

And, MSU President McPherson will help “rebuild” Iraq.

Inside Saddam’s head: “What does this painting tell us?”, BBC: Saddam’s Art, (another photo here), and “Saddam starred in gay porn films”

Also, “Saddam’s on the run, say the street-wise”, “Baghdad did not fall - it was handed over”
> “U.S. sends FBI to find looted antiquities”
> “U.S. bans media from protests”

I was just reminded that the Metro Detroit area is home to two of the wealthiest towns in the U.S.: Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield Township, in a list that includes, of all places, Levittown NY.

You may have noticed their flyers in Angel Hall - a new student group called the “Men’s Union” is trying to recruit members. Their slightly whimsical mission statement (To standardize, promote and further the ideals of Mandom through the unification of its members and to pursue masculine interests for the betterment and benefit of men everywhere.” ) found on their website and email list makes me hope it’s something more enlightened than Michigan Madness, where the “playoff” enters the sweet 16.

To ‘Ann Arbor is Overrated’: While the Current may need to break out a thesaurus, I discovered Tuptim Thai Cuisine really is excellent after a friend insisted I go!

As expected, the Naked Mile was a flop. The Ann Arbor News has declared the death of the tradition: “Seems Naked Mile has run its course”, and the Free Press ran this AP story apparently written by someone who didn’t venture outside: “Police: Five arrests, few spectators, at ‘Naked Mile’”

From the N.Y. Times’ obituary of Dr. Robert Atkins, creator of the low-carb, high-fat diet who died yesterday: “He graduated from the University of Michigan and spent a summer as a waiter and entertainer at resorts in the Adirondacks.” apparently sometime in the 1950s.

Also, an Ann Arbor man held a drunk intruder he caught trying to steal his dog.