Also in Letters to the Editor

• SN coverage priorities not reflective of MSU community

  Updated 04/24/2008 7:01pm

  This letter is partially replying to the letter written by Jennifer Harper, Coverage of Relay for Life appreciated, but not sufficient (SN 4/24), and partially concerning The State News’ resistance to publishing positive articles.

• Race factor doesn't mean crime is racially motivated

  Updated 04/24/2008 7:10pm

  This letter is in response to the racist and sexist incident that occurred on April 5 between two residents of Case Hall. While I do not doubt the validity of the claim by Megan Threats, I do not understand why the incident was regarded as racist. Yes, the two people involved were of two different races and genders, but were the causes behind Max Schurig slapping Threats racially rooted? Just because the victim happened to be of another race than the attacker, that does not make it a racist occurrence.

• Plastic hard hats undermine group's environmental concerns

  Updated 04/24/2008 7:06pm

  As a student concerned about the environment, I couldn’t help but notice that in the photo for the article Students rally for energy efficiency (SN 4/18) the supporters wore green hard hats. That seems like an oxymoron to me — they want better efficiency, but they supported the making of green plastic hats?

• New energy bill a 'solid step' for stronger economy

  Updated 04/23/2008 9:44pm

  In the column, New state energy plan is sketchy (SN 4/21), Eric Gregory makes some good points about the energy plan passed by the Michigan House of Representatives last week, but ultimately his focus on consumer choice is misguided.

• Cover of Relay for Life appreciated, but not sufficient

  Updated 04/23/2008 7:12pm

  I was somewhat disappointed at your coverage of the MSU Relay for Life. I was the event development chair, and the entire committee and myself worked extremely hard to put together a successful event.

• MSU alum to rioters: 'Take charge of your own future'

  Updated 04/22/2008 7:26pm

  First off, congratulations on attending a fine university. I hope your MSU experience will become as positive an experience in your life as it has been in mine. Now, let me give you a take on the Cedar Fest debacle from someone who graduated a while ago and lives far away from your immediate community.

• U-M doctoral student supports MSU's TA's strike

  Updated 04/21/2008 7:17pm

  Having just finished up negotiations here in Ann Arbor, I have watched with interest the escalating tensions in the Graduate Employees Union negotiations at MSU. I also find the indifference and contempt with which MSU’s administration is treating the university’s teaching assistants appalling.

• Options exist in place of animal testing, entertainment

  Updated 04/21/2008 7:34pm

  There is plenty of documented information about how animals suffer in circuses and why experiments on animals are not only cruel but dangerous, as results from one species can’t be accurately transferred to another (see Circuses.com and StopAnimalTests.com for cited fact sheets).

• Animal testing information available, thorough

  Updated 04/20/2008 7:29pm

  Some people love conspiracy theories, no matter how outlandish. State News readers have been subjected to such people claiming that animals are abused in “secretive” research at MSU, but the claims evaporate when the facts surface.

• SN edit overlooks critical animal rights information

  Updated 04/17/2008 7:09pm

  Students Promoting Animal Rights was very happy to see The State News editorial Treatment of animals shouldn’t be secretive (SN 4/16), encouraging transparency with animal treatment. Unfortunately, the editorial board made numerous factual errors.

• Unions, Mich. lawmakers hold state back in global market

  Updated 04/17/2008 7:14pm

  Michigan, once regarded as one of the most industrially influential states in the union, has been reduced to its current drab condition. It makes me sad as a citizen and fourth-generation Michigan family member to see the economic downturn that has resulted from years of neglect from the state government, as well as the unions. The economic outlook is bleak at best for Michigan. It has been in a recession for years, while the rest of the country catches up. It maddens me to see the disregard, incompetence and arrogance that is exuded by our “leaders.”

• Restaurants, bars should have say in whether to be smoke-free

  Updated 04/16/2008 7:07pm

  This letter is in response to Megan Joy’s letter Smoke-free restaurants, bars a logical step for Mich. (SN 4/16). The issue of forcing all restaurants and bars to become smoke-free is not an issue of her personal preference or of statewide economic concerns, as she would have the reader believe. It is simply an issue of private property, government intrusion and capitalism.

• Lack of forum coverage unfair to students, readers

  Updated 04/16/2008 7:26pm

  Last Friday, dozens of faculty, administrators and community members joined more than 500 undergraduate students at the Union for the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum — one of this campus’s most exciting and significant annual events.

• Arrested rioters shouldn't be plastered in newspaper

  Updated 04/15/2008 7:21pm

  I picked up The State News today with one hope in my mind: Please, let there not be a cover story about Cedar Fest plastered with pictures of police dolled up in riot gear, or a crowd fleeing from tear gas.

• Smoke-free restaurants, bars a logical step for Mich.

  Updated 04/15/2008 7:21pm

  I support House Bill 4163, legislation that could make all workplaces smoke-free, including bars and restaurants. As a college student, I like to go to local bars and restaurants to enjoy myself. I do not appreciate the overbearing, indiscreet stink of cigarette smoke on dry-clean-only clothing that cannot be dispelled by a douse of perfume. Nor do I appreciate having to inhale clouds of secondhand smoke.

• MSU professor's practices on cats cruel, unnecessary

  Updated 04/14/2008 7:45pm

  Thank you for your article on the invasive and lethal eye experiments that MSU’s Arthur Weber has been conducting on cats, ““MSU prof in PETA poll for worst animal offender”“:http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2008/04/msu_prof_in_peta_poll_for_worst_animal_offender (SN 4/14).

• Coverage of Common concert lacking; riot press overdone

  Updated 04/14/2008 7:48pm

  I was incredibly disappointed this morning to find no coverage of the Common concert in The State News. I attended the awe-inspiring concert along with no fewer than 1,000 hip-hop enthusiasts — it was quite refreshing!

• MSU men's Glee Club sets good example, puts on great show

  Updated 04/14/2008 7:31pm

  On Friday I had the opportunity to see the MSU Men’s Glee Club perform in Traverse City. Eighty members strong and directed by Jonathan Reed, the group was stellar. As an alumnus of the group, it brought back some great memories.