More objectivity needed in evaluation of chief justices

I take issue with the contention by professor Frank Ravitch in Potential Supreme Court Selections Factor in Election (SN 10/1), that Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts are “judicial activists” and, if elected, Republican presidential nominee John McCain would be beholden to the religious right to the point where he would be forced to appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court.

City officials urge students to vote

Election Day is near. As East Lansing’s city officials, we have one question for students: How’s your REP? You might think we’re talking about your reputation, but we’re talking about another kind of REP. REP is an acronym that stands for registration, education and participation. If you plan to vote in the Nov. 4 general election, it’s time you take a close look at your REP and make sure you have taken all the appropriate steps to ensure a successful Election Day.

Set partisanship aside to attend Obama rally

It sounds almost Capraesque: Barack Obama goes to East Lansing. At 2:30 p.m. today at Adams Field, the Democratic nominee for president will address MSU students on several topics. Each student who is able, regardless of he or she may lie on the political scale, should take the time to go and hear the man speak.

Midterms bring usual headaches

It’s time to pay the piper. Yes, once again we — or at least I — have reached that week in the semester where suddenly every class is a test and assignments are due left and right.

Wall Street crisis affects college students too

If you aren’t scared, you’re not paying attention. Monday, a $700 billion deal to bail out Wall Street and attempt to solve the United States’ current financial crisis failed in a Congressional vote.

Opening up debates benefits voters before going to polls

The 2008 presidential debates need to be opened up to more candidates than just from the two major parties. If this happened, Americans would be able to vote for a candidate who really represented their beliefs, not just the one who loosely stood for something they believe in.

Cameras on campus would be helpful if costly

You think nobody is looking, but you could be mistaken. From shopping malls to gas stations, security cameras are following your every move. Schools are soon to follow in the growing trend of security surveillance.

Debates exclude some candidates

What is a debate supposed to look like, anyway? Dictionaries tell us, by definition, a debate is an argument where different, opposing viewpoints are deliberated, usually in the format of a formal discussion.

Expanding renewable energy portfolio creates new jobs

On Sept. 24, an editorial was published in The State News titled Focus on economy first, then renewable energy. It was a well-written piece that highlighted the benefits of bringing sustainability to Michigan; however, it called for our state legislators to hold off on implementing an increase in the renewable portfolio standard, or RPS, for another year.

Government meddling to blame for Wall Street's meltdown

With the financial market’s $700 billion bailout proposal for troubled subprime mortgage lenders, everyone is quick to point their fingers and assign blame.

Word on the street

Debates inform voters more than news analysts

After hours of uncertainty, the show did go on. On Friday night in Oxford, Miss., presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama met for the first of three scheduled presidential debates. Most commentators seem to have declared Obama the night’s victor, but that doesn’t mean those who consider McCain as the winner are wrong.

Renewable energy portfolio could have economic benefits

The editorial Focus on economy first, then renewable energy (SN 9/24) claimed Michigan must revitalize its economy before developing renewable energy. This editorial suggests that a renewable portfolio standard, or RPS, and Michigan’s economy cannot be developed concurrently; this claim is illogical and is not founded on fact. An RPS will help pull Michigan out of this economic crisis and will perpetuate future economic growth.

Voters to blame for economy woes

What a difference eight years makes. As President Clinton was leaving office in 2001, the federal budget surplus was the largest in U.S. history at $236 billion. A year earlier, Clinton offered a plan to pay off the national debt by 2015.

Student's vote for Obama based on core values upheld by party

I’d like to give a few reasons why I’m voting Democrat this November. Every time I hear about a school shooting, such as the one at Virginia Tech, I’m reminded that we live in a country that allows almost anyone to buy as many assault rifles as they want.

Voter registration process not as complicated as it seems

While reading through James Harrison’s editorial Rogers’ law could affect your vote (SN 9/24), I found his anecdote entertaining and thanked it for bringing up an important point — how students can register to vote. However, I felt his discussion of student registration insufficient.

Suspending campaign looks like pure politics

How do you handle a crisis? As the nation’s economy continues to melt down, it’s become the question of the hour in Washington as politicians scramble to find the appropriate response to the turmoil.

Salvia poses less risk than alcohol

One drug was related to 390 Michigan deaths in 2006, and more than 16,000 since 1982. The other was related to zero nationwide, perhaps worldwide. Which one is under threat of becoming illegal, of course, has nothing to do with that.

ACT, SAT don't offer best picture of students

Imagine not spending money and time preparing for the ACT or SAT. Some colleges are beginning to focus less on a student’s performance on the two major standardized tests. A panel of college admissions officials is suggesting universities move away from the ACT and SAT scores and focus on other things such as high school grade-point average, extracurricular activities and classes taken while in high school.

Everyday details now spark debate

I drink fair trade coffee and drive a fuel-efficient car. I get a thrill out of recycling and I listen to bands you haven’t even heard of yet. I admit that global warming and social inequalities are things that keep me up late into the night and I’ve often considered career changes that would allow me to work for a greater good.