The State News : Opinion

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Budget cuts should be fewer for state schools

Published 03/21 No comments

It makes no sense to use state funding for students attending a private university after high school. More state money should go to state-funded universities. Although private colleges remain a fundamental part of higher education, current economic conditions should reduce the funds allocated to students attending these institutions. Read more »

Tasty Treat played nasty trick on ice cream lovers

Published 03/18 10 comments

The new Tasty Treat might be trying to replicate the formula of success used by the established, family-run Tasty Twist. But setting up shop in the same location with a name only three letters different seems more than a little deceptive. Read more »

Extending term limits would aid competent politicians

Published 03/17 6 comments

State Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, announced his plan to extend state legislators’ term limits in both the Michigan House and Senate. As Michigan’s constitution currently states, state representatives are limited to six years in the House and eight years in the Senate. Moreover, term lengths are two and four in the House and Senate, respectively. Read more »

CARTOON:

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WORD ON THE STREET:

Word on the street 2/23/10

How do you feel about the new rules restricting consumers under age 21 from applying for credit cards? Read more »

OPINION BLOGS: More blogs »

Our Specialty is Whining

Reid's questionable comments

In the first podcast of the spring semester, the State News opinion desk takes a look at U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s comment about President Barack Obama. Were Reid’s comments calling Obama “light-skinned” inappropriate? Should he have apologized, or is he just, as editorial board member Kate Jacobson says, “a cranky old dude?” Opinion editor Dan Faas, opinion writer Pat Evans and staff writer Kate Jacobson discuss. Plus, you get to hear Dan’s Obama impression — something you can’t afford to miss.

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COLUMNS:More columns »

Higher education value declining

Students repeatedly surf the Web, do homework for other classes or text message. Some professors see this as a problem and strictly prohibit the use of electronic devices in class, only to be embarrassed when their own phone rings and class is paused while he or she takes a call. Clearly, the prohibition of electronic devices is not the solution. These in-class diversions are a symptom of the actual problem: Classes aren’t engaging. Read more »

Seize opportunity to use green energy

Michigan has the perfect opportunity to transition to a cleaner, more energy efficient economy. With the American automobile industry in shambles and a lack of blue-collar jobs, now is the time to jump on the green bandwagon. Read more »

Technology barrier to human contact

Ring, ring, you have officially been dumped by someone else who was paid to do it. A new Web site, called IDUMP4U.com, will let you break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend for the cost of two Italian Night Club subs from Jimmy John’s and 50 cents in change. Read more »

Celebrate St. Patty's day with purpose

The day doesn’t have to be used to celebrate the real acts of St. Patrick, or even the mythical ones. Even if it’s just as simple as hoping to catch a little green dude and being rewarded with his pot of gold; that’s better than getting more than adequately tipsy for no reason. Read more »

Consider soldiers before arguing war

Many know the arguments for and against war on a basic level. So let’s hold in our hot air and go out to learn about what our soldiers face. Read more »

LETTERS:More letters »

New art museum a 'monstrosity'

My real reason for writing is regarding the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. It seems like this project never quite got the media attention of the MSU alumni as did the Spartans logo change proposal. It’s a shame that it didn’t! Read more »

Animal abuse shouldn't be trumped by entertainment

Abuse and exploitation of animals for human entertainment is unacceptable in and of its own right, but to suggest that an establishment with a track record as dark as the one shadowing the Royal Hanneford Circus is worthy of support reaches immorality at its highest plane. Read more »

State News misrepresents facts concerning circus

Not only do circus animals suffer physical abuse, but also emotional abuse. Even if bred in captivity, tigers, bears, elephants and other circus animals are not domestic animals. While in captivity, they have the same urges to perform natural behaviors as their counterparts in the wild. Unfortunately, almost every natural behavior is denied to them. Read more »

MSU should seek student input on campus projects

Though we may only be here for four (or five or six) years, we, as students, feel we have the right to be involved in certain decisions about our campus. Recently, students were informed of plans to construct a public art piece in the courtyard between Snyder-Phillips and Mason-Abbot halls, and we want to know where our input was during this decision making process. Read more »

MSU administrator raises lack reason, rationale

I was astounded to read the State News editorial justifying raises for William Strampel, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (58 percent), Marsha Rappley, dean of the College of Human Medicine (26 percent) and Provost Kim Wilcox (20 percent) — all within a three-year period. Read more »