Saturday, April 11, 2026

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Proposal 2 can help lead to cure for Parkinson's disease

Many students think of Parkinson’s disease as the “shaking disease” and associate it with Michael J. Fox from “Back to the Future.” This “shaking” is known as a tremor that can be amplified by medications. The reality is that it is a serious disease of the nervous system that causes people to lose control over their muscles and affects one in every 250 people over the age of 40.

COMMENTARY

Stem cell research brings opportunity to Mich.

In the current economic climate, if one thing has become clear for Michigan it’s that it must branch out beyond the auto industry. Various ideas of how to do this have sprung up along the way, from the idea of turning the state into the leading green energy producer to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Cool Cities program.

COMMENTARY

More vegan food needed in dorms

Although each resident complex on campus offers some vegan options, most dining halls don’t offer a varied and healthy diet, forcing students to put on a coat and boots just to eat a meal.

COMMENTARY

Special interests not always bad

A special interest group is a political organization set up to influence political decisions in a way that is beneficial to the members of that group. These agendas can be ideological, such as the National Rifle Association, or they can be corporate, set on pushing agendas beneficial to a company. They also can be set up to support issues considered relevant to a specific demographic of the population like the AARP. Basically, if you can think of an issue, it probably has at least one interest group.

COMMENTARY

Obama rally e-mails meant to inform, not push agenda

After reading YAF files complaint against James Madison, MSU (SN 10/8), I am again surprised and confused by the actions of this group. As the article details, the university recently sent an e-mail to students promoting the rally for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. What I saw as efforts to promote student political involvement, Young Americans for Freedom quickly called out as partisan political endorsement.

COMMENTARY

Whole story must be told so truth is not misrepresented

UN Resolution 181 called for the partition of the land we now call Israel. This left 43 percent of the land to the Arabs and 57 percent to the Jews — though this included much land that one would probably classify as “desert.” This plan was passed in the UN General Assembly, accepted by the Jews and would be put in place for independence to be declared.

COMMENTARY

Tactics to scare voters away from polls shameful

With the election less than a month away, the dirty tricks have already begun. Drexel University in Philadelphia recently found itself awash in fliers warning students undercover police officers would be present at the polls looking to arrest those with warrants or unpaid parking tickets. The flier was attributed to an “Obama supporter.”

COMMENTARY

Control over teens' speed could reduce accidents

It’s a scene that may soon be playing out across the country: Teenager gets their first cars and immediately head out alone onto the freeway to see what their new vehicle can do. As they slam on the accelerator, the car screams forward and the speedometer arrow rushes to the right. Yet just as the car hits 80 mph, the acceleration stops, and while the teenager cries out in confusion and frustration, somewhere their parents smile.

COMMENTARY

Obama's bid for change promising

I’m voting for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama — in fact I already have, thanks to my absentee ballot. It’s not a shocking revelation. I’ve long considered myself a Democrat and have mostly voted Democratic in my life – although not always.

COMMENTARY

McCain willing to cross party lines

America is currently at a crucial point in its history, and it is important we have the leadership to guide us through the difficult decisions that need to be made. I find the leadership that America needs in Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

COMMENTARY

Set excuses aside, get out and vote

One thing every student at this university can agree on is maneuvering through the streets of campus is a lot less of a hassle now that we don’t have to fear being asked a half-dozen times about whether or not we’re registered to vote.

COMMENTARY

Candidates fail to mention Palestine

Thursday night’s vice presidential debate was relatively standard fare, and came surely as a disappointment to those hoping to see Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin melt down. Each candidate clung tightly to his or her respective party lines and delivered talking points fluidly and forcefully.

COMMENTARY

Pulling out of Mich. could hurt Republican voters

For many Michigan Republicans, the smell of betrayal hangs in the air. Thursday, just as Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama came to MSU’s campus, Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign announced it was pulling its advertising and operatives out of Michigan — in effect conceding the state to Obama.