Monday, December 30, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Research loan companies before signing up

As the credit crunch continues to wreak havoc, students in need are finding their financial aid awards are becoming smaller and smaller while tuition costs rise and rise. Many are turning to private loans to bridge the gap and get the money they need to continue their education.

COMMENTARY

Much to consider in debate on lowering the drinking age

With an master’s degree in communication from MSU, I have been interested in The State News coverage about the possibility of lowering the drinking age to 18. The Amethyst Initiative, calling for “an informed and dispassionate debate” on lowering the drinking age has been signed by 129 college presidents.

COMMENTARY

Change starts here for MSU students

This November, many students will cast their votes and have a voice in who will be the next president of the United States. Besides just voting, students across campus have taken active roles in organizations and campaigns to help elect the candidate they support. Yes, the presidential election this November is very important.

COMMENTARY

Politically correct language needed

Everyone is offended by everything these days. If it’s not a slip of the tongue on the radio or a comedic routine gone dreadfully awry, it’s a coffee house name change or a radical political author fighting for free speech.

COMMENTARY

True masculinity lacking on campus

Ladies, you may kindly move on to page 5. This one’s for the guys. Men, what the hell happened to manliness? No, I’m serious. And I’m not talking about society’s idea of masculinity either — loudmouthed men who love beer, baseball, brothels and “Braveheart.”

COMMENTARY

Palin pregnancy takes focus off McCain campaign

It’s been an eventful week for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. The little-known politician took the national stage after presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain chose her to be his running mate and subsequently endured a media storm rarely seen outside the Lohan family.

COMMENTARY

Charging residents more for green energy unfair

When it comes to green power in Michigan, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is Michigan lawmakers recently passed legislation to reduce the percentage businesses contribute for new renewable energy for the state. The bad news is Michigan residents now will be footing the majority of the bill.

COMMENTARY

McCain differs from Republicans on platform

All eyes might have been on Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and the Democrats last week, but starting today, the media spotlight shifts to the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis where the Republicans are holding their National Convention.

COMMENTARY

Response to Gustav lacks sincerity

Gustav — yet another hurricane decimating the Gulf Coast — has presented our country with the opportunity to right the wrongs that made Hurricane Katrina so devastating three years ago.

COMMENTARY

Publishing names of students charged for Cedar Fest wrong

As I begin my senior year at MSU, I have always used The State News as an informative and entertaining tool to stay updated on my campus town. Unfortunately, I have recently become concerned with articles published about students involved in the Cedar Fest riots/celebration.

COMMENTARY

Governor should remove Kilpatrick from office

Congratulations, Kwame Kilpatrick. You’ve made it eight months bogged down in a quagmire of legal scandal and felony charges. Eight months of sitting in office while accusation after accusation has come at you. It’s high time your ride ends.

COMMENTARY

Support war before enlisting

To most Americans, military enlistment is admirable service to one’s country – no questions asked. Military members are praised with such fervor that questioning this automatic gratitude and approval is met with outright hostility.

COMMENTARY

Democrats should unite behind one candidate

In an effort to unite the Democratic Party, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., officially released her delegates Wednesday. Finally. At long last, Clinton took her hard-earned delegates aside, thanked them, and for the first time, encouraged them to vote for and work to elect Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who will presumably accept his official nomination tonight.

COMMENTARY

'I have a dream' speech still remembered by professor

Forty-five years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his celebrated “I Have a Dream” speech. The success of King’s speech, however, was ironic. At the end of his allotted eight minutes, the minister improvised. The memorable lines, “I have a dream” and “let freedom ring,” came spontaneously. The prepared text was adequate, the improvised remarks inspiring. Woven together, the two parts of the speech were powerful.

COMMENTARY

Consistent views on life a must

Abortion is a hot topic in our society, but it basically boils down to one question: When does an embryo or fetus deserve basic human rights? People who are pro-choice believe that this change comes later in the pregnancy or at birth, while those who are pro-life believe that this important change comes at conception.

COMMENTARY

Issues matter more than vice president

For news junkies, Friday was both heaven and hell. In the excruciatingly long wait for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to send out the infamous text message announcing his choice of a running mate, viewers of the cable news networks were witness to some classic TV moments.