Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

MSU on right track with LGBT accommodations

Living in the dorms as a college freshman can be a mind-expanding, intimidating experience and could be the first time students have lived on their own. It’s a time to grow, explore and understand different walks of life. Facing these enormous challenges, imagine facing prejudice and judgement about a fundamental fact you can’t change about yourself.

COMMENTARY

Graduating in four years unlikely plan

I came to MSU with 30 credits before I even enrolled in a college class because of Advanced Placement class credit. I didn’t have to take prerequisite classes such as Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities and Integrative Studies in Biological Science. I tested out of Economics 201 and 202.

COMMENTARY

Arguments vary for future of newspapers

It seems as though a newspaper dies every day. The Ann Arbor News will remain active online with a smaller staff. The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News announced they will soon follow plans to only deliver print editions to homes three times a week. Newspapers are announcing staff cuts and buyouts across the nation. The prognosis for the industry seems bleak.

COMMENTARY

Balance needed amid technology

Human ingenuity is impressive, and the things that have been created are marvelous. However, technology must be made to offset technology, a principle that has been part of America since the founders.

COMMENTARY

Fraternity apologizes for prematurely painting rock

On behalf of Theta Chi Fraternity and the spring pledge class of 2009, we would like to extend an apology to the family and friends of Josh Parks. Painting the rock on Farm Lane is a traditional part of becoming an active member of the fraternity.

COMMENTARY

National wrestling champion deserves more coverage

I was shocked and disappointed when I opened the sports section of Monday’s edition of The State News. Instead of gracing the cover with (junior wrestler) Franklin Gomez, the reigning 133-pound national champion in wrestling, you had the women’s basketball team, who barely knocked off Middle Tennessee State at the last second.

COMMENTARY

Lansing in dire need of quality films

As the East Lansing Film Festival wraps up, I can’t help but feel saddened I’ll have to go back to scouring the Internet in hopes of finding the next limited release showing in the area.

COMMENTARY

Practice caution when traveling abroad

The kidnapping of MSU students in Guatemala during spring break has raised some important issues regarding the ethical implications of sending students abroad when their safety cannot be guaranteed.

COMMENTARY

Spending transparency needed for Mich.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had X-ray vision for all things in life? For one thing, we’d be able to tell if there really are worms carving through our apples before we purchase them (whether worms actually do live in apples is debatable, as this editorial board has never collectively bitten a worm-infested apple).

COMMENTARY

Remain skeptical of government warnings

After a strenuous eight weeks of classes, the weeklong sabbatical known as spring break usually sends MSU students scrambling frequent flyer miles and calling up distant relatives in different area codes, desperately searching for a reprieve.

COMMENTARY

Politician makes sweeping generalizations in column

If there is one thing I hate that politicians love, it is blind statistics. According to Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, in her column Making Mich. smokefree matter of public health (SN 3/19), an autopsy confirms secondhand smoke as the cause of death nearly 3,000 times a year? OK, I don’t remember seeing that in any obituary, but perhaps.

COMMENTARY

Be skeptical when consuming news

There is no such thing as “unbiased journalism.” It is a myth and a falsity. More importantly, it is an irresponsible and even potentially dangerous concept for someone to believe.

COMMENTARY

Student government made wise tuition decision

Students often feel they have little power in matters that concern the university. If this school were anything like the movie “Accepted,” in which students devise their own curriculum and grading system, we would have tremendous difficulty explaining that our degrees meant anything.

COMMENTARY

Images of Israeli conflicts skewed

After illegally occupying territory for more than 40 years, killing thousands of civilians in its frequent military offensives, ignoring constant resolutions from the United Nations, and habitually imprisoning and starving an entire population, Israel has finally admitted it has a problem. But not a policy problem — an image problem.

COMMENTARY

Limit residence hall renovations to cut costs

It’s a common sight in many MSU residence halls — large, open space lounge areas that look even larger with no people using them. There are tables and couches and sometimes even a TV, but rarely people. Even in the recently renovated Snyder and Phillips halls, often there are no bodies to fill the new leather couches and chairs.