Monday, December 30, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

University rules shouldn't apply off campus

The first week of classes is well under way, and MSU’s campus bustles with activity after a long summer break. Despite the little annoyances of classes, many MSU students have been waiting all summer to get back together with their friends, live in their own space off campus, and jump back into the party scene. Permanent community members, however, might not be so happy.

COMMENTARY

Lower drinking age encourages safe consumption

In a perfect world, we’d be able to use a person’s emotional age to determine when it’s appropriate for him or her to begin drinking. Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world and are forced to use age as the deciding factor. But how can we determine the appropriate age to drink?

COMMENTARY

Examine party platforms when choosing candidate

The media spotlight once again turns toward the Democratic Party as its members flock to Denver for its national convention. In addition to officially establishing the candidacy of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the convention — which occurs every four years — also will give a chance for the party to publicize to the nation exactly what it believes and the goals it will be striving to achieve in coming years.

COMMENTARY

Candidates need more feasible energy policies

A recent series of polls conducted by New York’s Quinnipiac University found that voters in six of seven key battleground states feel that energy policy is more important than the war in Iraq when they’re deciding who should be the next president. Michigan is one of those six states.

COMMENTARY

Not all parents deserve honor from children

The Fifth Commandment (or sometimes Fourth, depending on who’s counting) says to honor your father and mother. If I could qualify this commandment, I would make it applicable only to parents who are at least above average because, despite what the Bible says, reproducing your genes should not automatically entitle someone to any sort of honor.

COMMENTARY

Cutting Welcome Week cuts out fun

In just a few short weeks, this semi-empty campus will be riddled with students eager to begin the new school year. Welcome Week is right around the corner, which means it’s time to move into the dorms, make new friends and prepare for the long semester we have ahead of us. What’s different this year is that it will be the last time we enjoy our beloved five-day Welcome Week.

COMMENTARY

Important issues on state's ballot

Today is primary day in Michigan. Across the state, voters are making important decisions about which candidates they wish to see compete on their party’s ticket in November, as well as on a number of local proposals. Pollsters and statisticians will be closely watching today’s contests for indicators of what to expect in the November elections.

COMMENTARY

Obama's celebrity may bring new voters to polls

What do Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Sen. Barack Obama have in common? Their celebrity status, of course. Sen. John McCain recently released a Web ad that compares Obama to the two pop divas and dubs him as the biggest celebrity in the world.

COMMENTARY

Drug use not claim to literary fame

The drug memoir has become a popular fixture in modern literature. Examples of what I am talking about include James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces,” Jerry Stahl’s “Permanent Midnight” and “More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction” by Elizabeth Wurtzel.

COMMENTARY

Trustees' Mackinac retreat could yield results

A five-star hotel on Mackinac Island doesn’t seem like it would be the best place to conduct university business, but that’s where the MSU Board of Trustees traveled for their annual retreat. The two-day retreat gives the board some extra time to review the past year and see where the university can improve in the future.