COMMENTARY

'Giving Pledge' sheds light on wealthy donations

It is not often we are able to use the word “magnanimous.” But with the recent philanthropy of a few billionaires, there aren’t many other words that immediately come to mind. Among those individuals is MSU alumnus Eli Broad. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? If not, you can find his name on MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business or alongside his wife’s name on the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, set to open in 2012.

COMMENTARY

The paradox of U.S. individualism

It seems we live in a paradoxical society. Our two-party political system has let fall issues — on both sides — that contradict the logicality of their respective philosophies; perhaps that’s why most civilized countries maintain a multi-party system.

COMMENTARY

Candidate took too long ending his campaign

The first time Kande Ngalamulume bowed out of the race for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, it was unsurprising to say the least. Initially, his candidacy was met with the political equivalent of “meh.” Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of political newsletter “Inside Michigan Politics,” said, “Nobody knows who he is (and) he has no money. He’s basically the classic sacrificial lamb. It will take a near miracle for him to beat (U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton).”

COMMENTARY

Foreign actions, domestic effects

I recently returned from a six-week MSU study abroad program in Russia. As part of that program, we spent a few days in Moscow. As we rode about the city on the underground subway, there remained a residual fear and uncertainty in the air from the twin suicide bombings carried out by two women, at least one of whom belonged to a group of female suicide bombers known as “black widows” — women who have lost loved ones in the insurgency in the North Caucasus.

COMMENTARY

Gubernatorial race features the 'people's champs'

Now that the primaries have ended, the real fight for governor of Michigan can begin. And even though the headline on The State News website is “Angry Mayor vs. Tough Nerd,” it looks more like “good governance vs. less government.” Sure, it isn’t as catchy, but when looking at the paths the candidates will walk in the future, the tale of tape is pretty clear.

COMMENTARY

Website returns power to people

A new piece of summer reading has become smashingly popular throughout the past week. I’m not talking about a new Stephen King novel or the latest spy thriller from Tom Clancy, but rather the 91,000-page leak of classified military documents detailing nearly every military action in Afghanistan 2004-10.

COMMENTARY

City should pursue funding for Amtrak station

It only was last week The State News published a series of articles covering the changes the city of East Lansing has undergone throughout the past few decades. In keeping with that spirit of change, city officials are looking to renovate the 35-year-old Amtrak station at 1240 S. Harrison Road.

COMMENTARY

Oil spill shows a need for change

If now is not the time to “go green,” I do not know when it will be. On July 26, an oil pipeline owned by Enbridge Inc. ruptured near the city of Marshall, Mich., about 40 miles southwest of my hometown of Portage.

COMMENTARY

Vote Bernero and Snyder in Tuesday's primary

The gubernatorial candidates The State News endorses — Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder ­— were chosen with an eye toward what they could possibly bring to students through their policies. Not all the positives and negatives are discussed in this editorial, but some of the more central issues are brought to light.

COMMENTARY

Investing in alternative energy will help Great Lakes

Whenever we turn on the TV, surf the Internet or open a newspaper, we are bombarded with stories about something negative happening because of oil. For months we sat and watched as BP tried to cap its mess, cursing the people who were to blame and hoping nothing like it would happen again.

COMMENTARY

Cracks in ban are bad for business

As I have said in the past, I am for the smoking ban. I don’t feel it infringes on the rights of property owners because if secondhand smoke is dangerous to others, it can be regulated in situations where smokers and nonsmokers mingle.

COMMENTARY

COGS deal with East Lansing mutually beneficial

Given the occasional spats between students and the city of East Lansing, it is nice to see a relationship between both parties that is mutually beneficial. On Tuesday, the East Lansing City Council approved a special parking permit program proposed by MSU’s Council of Graduate Students, or COGS.

COMMENTARY

Take special care of internet image

If we are not friends on Facebook, don’t expect the opportunity to check out my default pictures. If someone enters my name in a search engine, there is a better chance he or she will come across my stories before the tweets I’ve written. If one types in, “Toscano, Cristina” in the MSU “Find People” box, he or she probably won’t know much more about me beyond my e-mail address.

COMMENTARY

Report of manufacturing industry overblown

According to a report released by MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University last Wednesday, high-tech manufacturing holds the hope for Michigan’s economic future. The three universities make up the University Research Corridor, or URC, which commissioned the advanced manufacturing study that was prepared by East Lansing-based research organization Anderson Economic Group.

COMMENTARY

Ideals should be taught earlier

We need to think about the younger generation and things that might be useful and, more so, beneficial to the lives they will lead. The things we suggest to them, their parents and teachers shouldn’t be given as sermons or dictates from old “know-it-alls,” but rather as suggestions that could form a foundation for their personal, great new world.

COMMENTARY

If fines increase, MSU should make other changes

MSU’s support of a bill that could extend university control over parking, traffic and pedestrian ordinances and fines feels like the university raising funds through ticketing. The university is strapped for cash and a good way to raise funds would be through increasing fines.

COMMENTARY

Cultural motto: 'to be is to have'

Every morning, I log on to my computer and check my Google News feed so I can keep up with the happenings of the world. One thing I enjoy about the news feed is that articles are listed as amalgams of several published pieces from several different sources, providing an interesting breadth of journalistic bias.

COMMENTARY

MSU's tuition rate provides educational insight

Looking at the tuition numbers for public universities in Michigan makes it seem as if MSU is giving us a pretty good bang for our buck. Even given an increase of 2.5 percent from the 2009-10 academic year, MSU’s tuition is several hundred dollars less than that of the University of Michigan, which increased 1.5 percent to $11,837, and Michigan Technological University, which increased 5.9 percent to $12,017.

COMMENTARY

Vote 'yes' on CATA millage

On Aug. 3, the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, will ask voters to approve a measure that will combine two millages that go toward funding CATA services. Voters passed a millage of 2.22 mills in 2004 and an additional 0.787 mills in 2008; if the Aug. 3 millage is approved, it will combine the two and add an additional 0.0362 mills lost under a constitutional provision. Millages, according to the State of Michigan website, are the rate at which property taxes are levied on property. A mill is 1/1000 of a dollar. Approval of CATA’s millage would mean individuals with a home valued at $100,000 will pay a little more than $300 a year.

COMMENTARY

Students should thank teachers

When I drive by East Lansing High School or MacDonald Middle School, I often have to resist the temptation to pull into the parking lot and seek out my former coaches and teachers. I think it comes from a place I’ll call “The Reunion Zone.” I call it “The Reunion Zone” because I think the only reason to attend a class reunion is to either flaunt what one has become or try to hook up with former classmates.