COMMENTARY

Columnist off the mark when it comes to Civil War

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln, having led the nation through a year of bloody war, wrote, “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.”

COMMENTARY

The tragedy of modern slavery

It only was a few years ago as a college freshman that my classmates and I were outraged by the artfully depicted injustice in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” — a book commonly found on the reading list of most high school or college students. As part of the discussion, my professor posed the question, “Has slavery been abolished?”

COMMENTARY

Lapses in judgement lead to moratorium extension

It would make sense that, when a city council passes an ordinance, it would take effect relatively soon afterward. Oddly enough, that is not the case with East Lansing’s recently passed medical marijuana ordinance.

COMMENTARY

Politics requires balls, not testes

Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman on a major party ticket during the presidential election of 1984. She died two weeks ago, leaving behind the legacy of a shattered glass ceiling. In her obituary, The New York Times proclaimed she had “ended the men’s club of national politics.” Still, it took another 24 years for Sarah Palin to be next.

COMMENTARY

Dialog key to enforcement, stronger community

Students under the age of 21 sneaking, tricking and haggling their ways into bars should be no surprise in a college town. And last year’s 10 reported violations of bars serving underage and inebriated individuals seems low, if anything

COMMENTARY

University aiming for mediocrity with graduate student benefits

Although last fall only was my first semester at MSU, I was as excited as anybody to watch our football team make a run at the Big Ten championship that included a third-consecutive win over Michigan.

COMMENTARY

Civil War reminds us to ask ‘why?’

This week marks the 150th anniversary of the shelling of Fort Sumter that began April 12, 1861, the event that started the American Civil War proper. This week’s Time Magazine cover story “The Way We Weren’t,” mentions some interesting facts about the collective memory of the war in the minds of the public.

COMMENTARY

Despite reprieve, education funding still shaky

The U.S. cannot “win the future” without footing the bill. Last week’s slapdash, shutdown-avoiding budget thankfully spared cuts to education and Pell grants in particular. But the future is not quite as bright.

COMMENTARY

Government funds for students lack

Michigan’s government has hit students’ wallets with blow after blow. Officials have stressed the importance of students receiving higher education and yet have eliminated any measures that make such an education affordable and therefore attainable. They don’t seem to understand how much students need this help.

COMMENTARY

Revised street vendor policy good for everyone

East Lansing never will be as vibrant and eclectic as New York City, but its new street vendor policy might be a small step in that direction. East Lansing City Council recently passed a resolution to allow local businesses to set up street vendors and sell merchandise.

COMMENTARY

A casino in the Lansing area would not be a bad gamble

Casinos always are buzzing. With flashing lights, rolling dice, clanging slot machines and laughing crowds, there is constant activity occurring inside a casino’s walls.

COMMENTARY

State News’ Lack of budget-related articles disappointing

Yesterday’s State News front page was headlined with a story about an MSU/Lugnuts baseball game, a local homicide and a litter ordinance. A small header mentioned a story on page seven about a benefit concert.

COMMENTARY

Not the time to tilt at windmills

In response to the March 20 burning of a Quran by a Florida pastor, riots have broken out in Afghanistan, leaving 22 dead so far. Among the dead are United Nations, or U.N., aid workers, rioters and Afghan police.

COMMENTARY

‘iWoz’ an upgrade, still about a decade too late

Steve, the co-founder of Apple Inc., and technology expert will speak at MSU’s Spring Commencement. If you were thinking Steve Jobs would be at MSU to do one of his dramatic product presentations, you would be wrong. In fact, Steve Wozniak, the other co-founder of Apple Inc. is MSU’s pick.

COMMENTARY

Time to consider all budget factors

If you have been paying any attention to the news lately, you are well aware the U.S. is in a budget crisis. Because of these economic woes, we must cut collective bargaining rights, pensions and health care benefits to public workers, or so we hear. Those greedy teachers, staffers and police officers are destroying the country, right?

COMMENTARY

Proposed litter ordinance decent, needs cleanup

There are a lot of parties in East Lansing. On any given night — weekday or weekend — one can find students mingling, drinking, dancing and gaming at various fraternities, houses, co-ops and apartments throughout the city.

COMMENTARY

PETA letter inaccurate, misrepresents MSU’s purpose

Last Thursday’s letter to the editor, Until abuses are corrected, MSU’s stance on animal rights suspect (SN 3/31), was grossly inaccurate in its portrayal of one of the best courses offered at MSU.

COMMENTARY

Book burning and bloodletting

Protests in Afghanistan quickly turned violent as protesters stormed a U.N. compound, killing at least seven U.N. workers and allegedly beheading two of them.

COMMENTARY

Use of FOIA on professors smacks of intimidation

Just because something can be done definitely does not mean it should be. The Mackinac Center’s recent request for MSU employees’ email including political terms is a misuse of the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA.

COMMENTARY

The power of the US legislature

There has been a long tradition of historians arguing over the justifications for expansive executive power. Among the main reasons is the idea that during the uncertainty of an emergency, a chief magistrate must carry out certain necessary actions to preserve the nation.