COMMENTARY

Lifting gas tax won't boost tourism, economy

Gas prices don’t seem to be lowering any time soon, but Michigan residents could be seeing a little relief at the pump this summer. After Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and John McCain, R-Ariz, suggested a tax break on gas, local Republican lawmakers are pushing for their own version of a gas tax holiday by proposing to temporarily eliminate Michigan’s sales tax on gas for the summer driving season.

COMMENTARY

High food stamp usage indicates larger problem

Welfare has long been associated with the poor, the disabled and elderly, or those who are too lazy to find work, but with the country in a recession, the Bridge Card is becoming a common card in the purses and wallets of wealthier families. Swiped like a credit card at checkout, a Bridge Card is the debit card that replaced the paper food stamps in 2001.

COMMENTARY

Candidates share similar politics

News flash: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are not different. When this stupid primary started, I seem to recall that being the general consensus. Disturbingly, a few months of verbal excrement from the candidates has severely polarized many Democratic voters.

COMMENTARY

'Poorly researched' article warrants apology to Schurig

I would like to write in response to the article published on April 23 titled MSU students protest sexist, racist incidents on campus. This article was very poorly researched.

COMMENTARY

SN coverage priorities not reflective of MSU community

This letter is partially replying to the letter written by Jennifer Harper, Coverage of Relay for Life appreciated, but not sufficient (SN 4/24), and partially concerning The State News’ resistance to publishing positive articles.

COMMENTARY

Take advantage of diverse campus

After living on campus for nine months, besides the people I work with, I can count on one hand the number of friends I have who aren’t black.

COMMENTARY

Plastic hard hats undermine group's environmental concerns

As a student concerned about the environment, I couldn’t help but notice that in the photo for the article Students rally for energy efficiency (SN 4/18) the supporters wore green hard hats. That seems like an oxymoron to me — they want better efficiency, but they supported the making of green plastic hats?

COMMENTARY

Race factor doesn't mean crime is racially motivated

This letter is in response to the racist and sexist incident that occurred on April 5 between two residents of Case Hall. While I do not doubt the validity of the claim by Megan Threats, I do not understand why the incident was regarded as racist. Yes, the two people involved were of two different races and genders, but were the causes behind Max Schurig slapping Threats racially rooted? Just because the victim happened to be of another race than the attacker, that does not make it a racist occurrence.

COMMENTARY

State's efforts to expand sex education smart

Sex is everywhere — it’s in magazines, movies, music videos, on the Internet and many other mediums. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Democratic state lawmakers are introducing legislation that would require health insurance plans that cover prescriptions to also include coverage for contraception.

COMMENTARY

Recruiting felons for military risky, unavoidable

The U.S. military branches have had their fair share of scandals in the last few years. But now for the latest shocker: felons in the military.

COMMENTARY

Goals vary for pope, Dalai Lama

For the past two weeks, the attention of American media has been largely focused on religion, spirituality and philosophy as the country hosted two of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders: the pope and the Dalai Lama. I think their experiences here illustrate how great of a distance exists between their worlds.

COMMENTARY

New energy bill a 'solid step' for stronger economy

In the column, New state energy plan is sketchy (SN 4/21), Eric Gregory makes some good points about the energy plan passed by the Michigan House of Representatives last week, but ultimately his focus on consumer choice is misguided.

COMMENTARY

Cover of Relay for Life appreciated, but not sufficient

I was somewhat disappointed at your coverage of the MSU Relay for Life. I was the event development chair, and the entire committee and myself worked extremely hard to put together a successful event.

COMMENTARY

Lots of lessons learned at MSU

This is the time of year most seniors would choose to eulogize their college experience with a teary farewell. But I somehow doubt the impact of sappy senior goodbyes — especially when they all tend to say the same things.

COMMENTARY

Candidates' Internet use may boost interest, votes

Public figures are increasingly resorting to unique Internet domains in an effort to relate to the masses. First, it was the pope — with a snazzy Web site that tracks his every move — and now it’s the presidential candidates.

COMMENTARY

MSU alum to rioters: 'Take charge of your own future'

First off, congratulations on attending a fine university. I hope your MSU experience will become as positive an experience in your life as it has been in mine. Now, let me give you a take on the Cedar Fest debacle from someone who graduated a while ago and lives far away from your immediate community.

COMMENTARY

Options exist in place of animal testing, entertainment

There is plenty of documented information about how animals suffer in circuses and why experiments on animals are not only cruel but dangerous, as results from one species can’t be accurately transferred to another (see Circuses.com and StopAnimalTests.com for cited fact sheets).

COMMENTARY

Youth use web as source of action

Every time I hear a sentence that starts with “Kids these days ? “ a negative assumption about Generation Y is sure to follow. Some parents, professors and peers think society has taken a dive into immorality rather than into progress within the past 20 years.

COMMENTARY

U-M doctoral student supports MSU's TA's strike

Having just finished up negotiations here in Ann Arbor, I have watched with interest the escalating tensions in the Graduate Employees Union negotiations at MSU. I also find the indifference and contempt with which MSU’s administration is treating the university’s teaching assistants appalling.

COMMENTARY

Earth Day must be more effective to be useful

Guess what today is. Apart from the obvious “Tuesday,” many people might not know what falls on April 22. After all, unlike major and secondary holidays that receive a lot of fanfare when individuals might enjoy a day off, Earth Day doesn’t do much. Not a lot of guidance from Hallmark this time.