Monday, December 23, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

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.

COMMENTARY

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.

COMMENTARY

No Child Left Behind revisions sorely needed

No Child Left Behind was crafted with good intentions but created a lot of difficulties once it was implemented. The plan left behind teachers, forcing them to spend most of their time on reading and math proficiency, especially in primary schools where one teacher taught most of the subjects.

COMMENTARY

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.

COMMENTARY

Increasing number of Mich. casinos a gamble

What does it say about our state when we fund education ­— our future generations — through gambling? Should the proposal pass, the electorate is betting casinos will be the state’s magic bullet to solve part of the education budget crisis. Ideally, Michigan will be seen as a place of entertainment and thriving school districts all within the foreground of the state’s natural beauty.

COMMENTARY

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.

COMMENTARY

Animal abuse abounds in circus

I am writing with a concern about the State News editorial “Royal Hanneford Circus should remain on campus”:http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/03/royal_hanneford_circus_should_remain_on_campus_ (SN 3/5). I myself am an avid animal rights activist.

COMMENTARY

Government agencies need restructuring

According to a recent report released by the Department of Homeland Security’s, or DHS, Office of Inspector General, between 2006 and 2008 the department lost 289 weapons in the line of duty. No amount of language can demonstrate the actual gravity of this properly enough, so I will just state it as plainly as possible: DHS agents literally lost and forgot their weapons.

COMMENTARY

Vet practices shouldn't harm animals, learning process

Many students might be shocked to learn that after MSU veterinary students perform educational surgery on a live animal, the subjects are euthanized shortly thereafter. That method soon will be history now that MSU has decided to change its policies on the use of live animals for learning — a right move as long as the quality of education doesn’t suffer.

COMMENTARY

Be conscious of endangered species when buying souvenirs

The approach of spring break draws near, a time when millions of families and students travel to Mexico and the Caribbean for a sun- and sand-filled beach vacation. Many vacationers will try multiple activities at their destination, such as snorkeling and deep-sea fishing, while others may spend their entire vacation lazing around on white-sand beaches. Whatever activities the tourists participate in, it almost can be guaranteed that purchasing souvenirs and gifts to take home will be one of them. Herein lies the problem.

COMMENTARY

Take time to enjoy beauties of campus

Good thing I went to Beaumont Tower. Good thing I walked the skinny, turning staircase to the top. Good thing I was sitting in a softly sunlit room in an old folding chair watching Ray McLellan play the carillon to north campus.

COMMENTARY

Royal Hanneford Circus should remain on campus

In the grand scheme of things, the debate over the circus performance is a matter of ideology. What exactly constitutes animal abuse? Some might see the idea of a circus itself as abuse to all the animals involved, while others might be more concerned with whether or not these animals are undergoing unnecessary stress or suffering. SPAR members have a right to be concerned for animal safety, but they must realize that their ideology might not align with every student at this university.

COMMENTARY

Friends remember life of MSU alumna, disability activist

Karey’s goals were to help to tear down the barriers and help to dispel the rumors about people with disabilities. Karey believed that you could never judge someone by how they appeared, because she was misunderstood by everyone who ever met her. She may have passed away before her full impact on the world could be felt, but those who had the pleasure of meeting her will be forever impacted by her memory.

COMMENTARY

Nation in state of ethical decay

Babylon has something for everybody! For the rebellious among you, we’ve got “alternative” music, thick black plastic glasses, clothing sporting the image of Che Guevara (possibly made in the “sweat-free” sweatshops of Cambodia), mineral water imported from Europe and even a “progressive” president — who’s black!

COMMENTARY

O'Brien appearance might exclude some students

As NBC welcomed Jay Leno back to his position as host of “The Tonight Show” this week, ASMSU members attempted to welcome its former host, Conan O’Brien, to MSU. ASMSU placed a bid last week to persuade O’Brien to stop by campus to perform in May. If O’Brien comes to campus, he potentially could perform May 10-13 and 16-21, a time when many students are off campus for summer break.

COMMENTARY

BEACON center should not take place of science library

It is hard to believe that MSU could not find a different place for the new center, and that it was absolutely necessary to demolish the library. The decision was taken so fast that even the professors of the Department of Physics and Astronomy learned about that news at the faculty meeting, so that their following letter with objections was too late because the matter was already decided without asking for their opinion.

COMMENTARY

Alternative club sports, athletes deserve attention

Numerous times, club sports at our university achieve great accomplishments with little acknowledgement from The State News. The particular event that motivated me recently was a member of our team, microbiology senior Adetayo Mafe, was listed on the USA rugby site as a reserve competing right now to be a member of the 2010 USA National Women’s World Cup Team.

COMMENTARY

MSU administrators deserve raises, recognition

An average student might look at these salary increases and be angry, especially considering MSU’s recent cuts in other areas. But in the grand scheme of things, raises for university officials are a normal occurrence, and students shouldn’t be upset without looking further into the situation.

COMMENTARY

Studying abroad an individual choice

I’m more than a little hesitant to jump on board of one of MSU’s fine study abroad programs. I like my trips to be a nice mixture of educational and relaxation activities, so I’d rather not base my trek on an education. Although my mind is teetering back and forth between going, I acknowledge the fact there are countless benefits for participants and that experiences vary from person to person.