Students
It's been a rough year for MSU students.
On April 2-3, we saw them get tear gassed by police. Once again they were portrayed as riotous troublemakers.
The independent commission charged with investigating the events failed to hold police (or anyone, for that matter) accountable for their actions. Although, students who were arrested that night are being asked to pick up the tab in the form of fines.
Of course, the spotty attendance of ASMSU Chairperson Andrew Schepers, one of the students on the commission, didn't help.
Lou Anna K. Simon, the university's new president, sent out a letter to East Lansing students apologizing for students' drunken antics.
Tuition went up once again, as the state and the university continue to search for funding. This year also saw new tailgating restrictions and a discussion to limit outdoor drinking games in the city.
Of course students didn't exactly try to help themselves. Most can't seem to take the time to vote, attend City Council, independent commission, or any other government meetings.
All in all, MSU students are the biggest losers this year.
The GOP
Saying the Republican party has had a rough year is like saying Hurricane Katrina was only a light shower. Here's a list of people, scandals, events and failures which need no explanation:
• Terri Schiavo
• Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Jack Abramoff and Randy "Duke" Cunningham.
• Harriet Miers
• Karl Rove and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's CIA leak affair
• The Iraq war, insurgency and the rising death toll of American soldiers
• Dick Cheney and torture
• Michael Brown, FEMA and Hurricane Katrina
• Questionable appointments to government positions
• Falling poll and approval ratings
• Conservative Coming Out Day
• George W. Bush
• etc, etc, etc.
Detroit
The reputation of Detroit continues to suffer.
Following a year filled with controversy and scandals, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pulled off a surprise victory to win reelection. Now, the results of the election are undergoing a recount, and the FBI is investigating the handling of the election by the city.
A study released in November named Detroit the second most dangerous city in the country. It is the most impoverished city in the nation according to the Census Bureau.
The Lions have found a way to actually lower their reputation. The success of the Pistons and the presence of the Major League Baseball All Star game during the summer were not enough to get the city out of the "loser" column.
Hopefully the Super Bowl coming to town in February will be better for Motown.
Spartan football
When the football team starts 4-0, it's not really expected that they'll end up not being bowl-eligible.
The arrogant statement the team made with the flag after the Notre Dame game seemed to be the peak for them this year.
After letting the Fighting Irish come back from being down three touchdowns, the team barely escaped with the win in overtime.
Too bad it was their second to last victory this year. The team went from an unstoppable offense to a team that couldn't score a 25-yard field goal. With any of three kickers.
Add to that a plethora of coaching problems mixed with off-the-field debauchery and its a wonder that John L. Smith even has a job right now.
Maybe it's just as well. At least MSU still has basketball.
15 minutes of shame
For such a big news year, so many news stories were blown beyond proportion.
The following were given way too much press:
• Tom Cruise went insane with the Scientology fever.
• Michael Jackson got acquitted, but kept the monkey on his shoulder (and got to wear pajamas to court).
• Martha Stewart somehow survived her four-month house arrest.
• Natalee Holloway's disappearance.
• Kanye West shocked us all (and especially Mike Myers) with his bold statement on how he thinks the president feels about black people.
• Scott Peterson was just the latest trial of the century (coming in right after Martha Stewart and Michael Jackson, that is).
Even news stories that don't belong in the National Enquirer got enormous coverage.
Thank you 24-hour cable news. You've reminded us all, yet again, that there isn't 24 hours of "news" a day.
