COMMENTARY

Evolutionary theory, science needed to vaccinate irrational beliefs

Why do creationists fight to inject their religious beliefs into public school evolution curriculum? They claim they're interested in "teaching the controversy." However, within the scientific community, there is no controversy over the reality of Darwin's brilliant insight; evolutionary theory has never been stronger and more demonstrably obvious than it is today.

COMMENTARY

Valentine's Day threat to national security, should be outlawed

I think Valentine's Day ought to be illegal. No, my objections are not based on the often-repeated complaints that it's a smarmy, greeting-card holiday that makes lonely people feel like jumping off bridges.

COMMENTARY

Danish cartoon depiction inaccurate perception; needlessly offensive

The editors of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten commissioned cartoonists to depict their impressions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). In one, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) is depicted as a devil.

FEATURES

Dos and don'ts for a memorable holiday

Valentine's Day has returned and with it, so has the notion of pleasing your significant other or seeking a new one.

COMMENTARY

People skirting issues, merely comment on 'tastelessness' of images

If you haven't noticed, political cartoons have been in the news a lot lately, both at home and abroad. The Muslim world is in an uproar over several European cartoons depicting Muhammad — the most infamous being a Danish cartoon showing the Prophet wearing a turban shaped like a bomb. Although Islam forbids visual representations of Muhammad in any context because it is considered idolatrous, the reaction seems just a bit excessive: Violent demonstrations have sprung up across the Muslim world and Europe, resulting in several deaths and the arson of numerous European embassies and consulates. In light of the fact that publications in the Muslim world routinely churn out cartoons depicting Jews as hook-nosed Nazis, the reaction seems to be not only overkill but hypocritical. To the uninitiated, it seems like the Muslim world overreacting disingenuously, even insanely.

COMMENTARY

Freedom of press must be respected; violence not suitable reaction

I am one of those ridiculous people who worship the First Amendment of the Constitution and the liberty it brings.

FEATURES

Concertgoers need to handle themselves better

The lights are shining, guitars tuned, mics checked. I'm standing in a sea of pierced, Converse-clad teens and 20-somethings and also girls sporting trendy miniskirts and flip-flops.

COMMENTARY

Government having its way with Google could reveal strange history

Instead of "Googling it," delete it. After the recent subpoena given by the U.S. Justice Department asking major Internet search engines AOL, MSN, Google and Yahoo (Ask Jeeves was not asked in this case) to reveal their search histories from users, I got a little nervous.

COMMENTARY

There's no power like presidential power reality can be altered

It must be great to be the president of the United States. There are the obvious perks: cool armored cars, bodyguards, well-appointed Air Force planes, big Marine Corps helicopters and expensive suits.

COMMENTARY

ASMSU is selling out its constituents with Mobile Campus service

ASMSU's Student Assembly, a student government body elected by and serving the students of MSU, has voted to head down a new path: corporate advocacy. Bill 42-60 allows Student Assembly to pursue a contract with Mobile Campus Inc., a private, for profit, campus text-messaging service.

COMMENTARY

If you have 2 working legs, use the stairs so I can take the elevator

Every Tuesday and Thursday, I have a class in the MSU College of Law building. And every week, people will crowd on the tiny elevator to take them upstairs.

COMMENTARY

Comprehensive look at good, bad, ugly living conditions in E.L.

Why is there a sheet of cinnamon sugar glazed across my bed? That was my first response as I tore off the sheet from my Cedar Village mattress on a fall 2004 night. After running a marathon in Chicago that day, all I yearned for was a nice, soft place to sleep.

FEATURES

Bond actors remembered

By now everyone has heard the news — Pierce Brosnan is out and Daniel Craig will be the next James Bond.

COMMENTARY

There must be balance between government, personal responsibility

Libertarians, as I mentioned in a previous column, "Lazy analysis of scandal, government spending gives narrow view"(SN 1/24), see anti-government solutions to every problem.

COMMENTARY

Beautification takes work; women need to be liberated from ritual

My upper lip is burning and tingling while my nose is subjected to harsh bleach fumes. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. I am sitting here, waiting precisely eight minutes until I can wash my face and reveal lightened baby hairs that could have potentially been a subtle set of whiskers. Clearly, this is not allowed for women. While I personally subject myself to pain and severe tingling sensations, I am reminded of all the little (and big) things that women endure to conform to the stereotype that is our gender role. Makeup.

COMMENTARY

Survival tips for football fans to remember as they head to Detroit

On Sunday, the crossroads of pop culture, professional athletics and raucous tailgating will collide some 90 miles southeast of campus.

COMMENTARY

Imposing political beliefs in classroom shouldn't intimidate students

File this one under "how incredibly ridiculous." A couple of weeks ago, a conservative alumni association at the University of California, Los Angeles offered students up to $100 dollars to out the most radical professors at the school. Students had to provide the association with transcripts from class or other proof professors were pushing their liberal ideology on them.

COMMENTARY

Bush administration's actions are played out like old Western movies

I get a disturbing feeling as I read the papers these days. It's like I'm living in a disaster movie, or a horror film, right at the beginning where everything is mostly normal, yet there are these alarming little hints of things to come. Pets are disappearing, UFOs are buzzing around and the scary music is starting — low and quiet. When I read that President George W.

COMMENTARY

International cooperation, attention not force needed in Iran

I had the chance to debate Iranian politics on an American Web site that was devoted to right-wing, neo-conservative ideology.

COMMENTARY

How did ancestors live, work without David Bowie, other essentials?

It occurred to me a few nights ago that music, like some sort of clever parasite, has taken over my life. As usual, I was fixated in front of my computer with a lot of work to do and not enough time to do it all, which, in my case, makes starting almost impossible. I told myself I'd begin as soon as Charlie Parker put down his saxophone. That recording ended and I was just about ready, but naturally I needed a new album to play while working.