COMMENTARY

Riot unjustified; letter calling Mich. a 'police state' wrong

Other than his not being able to give any examples to substantiate his claims of the state of Michigan’s oppression toward its citizens, his opinion of students as enemies couldn’t have been any more incorrect. When I read Jeremy Frazier’s letter, Weekend’s riot not pointless, shows bad intentions of police (SN 4/8), all I was hearing was a weak argument that by showing up, the police were to blame for the riot.

COMMENTARY

Life tough with no cell phone

Justin Harris

April 9, 2008

They say you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone. For the past week, that statement especially has rung true for me.

COMMENTARY

Extending Mich. bar hours has perks, problems

A proposed bill that would allow bars to stay open until 4 a.m. might seem like a two-hour legislative bonus to many college students. The bill states that bars and restaurants could remain open an extra two hours for an annual $2,500 fee.

COMMENTARY

Crowd wrongly handled with chemical weapons, police force

In an age when the Michigan economy is in tatters, is it really wise to punish those who contribute to one of the few shining sectors — education?

COMMENTARY

Spartans need to learn from past mistakes, show MSU pride

I have drawn upon one simple conclusion from the events at Cedar Village this weekend: Thousands of people do not get it. Being a proud alumnus, I am satiated with the actions of those who continue to defame what MSU stands for and its image.

COMMENTARY

Grads flee Mitten for better jobs

One of the many joys college graduates are facing — or will face in the coming weeks and months, depending on the amount of procrastination — is the inevitable job hunt.

COMMENTARY

Riotous behavior is not worth possible expulsion

For the first time, I am ashamed to be an MSU student. Why is it that we are in college? Last time I checked, it had a lot to do with getting a diploma and eventually getting a job in our field of choice. Why throw away four years of hard work and diligence for a night of partying?

COMMENTARY

Students should respect professors in class

We’ve all done it. There’s no shame in admitting to it. Students sometimes need that stimulating distraction during labs and lectures to keep from going insane. Most commonly, people choose to read a newspaper (or, more commonly, play the sudoku or crossword puzzles), text message or use laptops for something other than taking notes.

COMMENTARY

Weekend's riot not pointless, shows bad intentions of police

From the beginning of the night, you could feel the energy — everyone was talking about Cedar Fest. When Cedar Village was packed around midnight, the energy was at a peak. It was like a sporting event or a concert, except there was no focus.

COMMENTARY

Lawful reaction to riot necessary

I got back to my apartment around 11 p.m. Saturday night, only to find about 4,000 of my closest friends partying in the streets surrounding my home: Cedar Village.

COMMENTARY

MSU students hit new low with actions at cedar fest

You have shamed me, MSU. I have always bled a bold green, but for once in my life, it flows a shade of embarrassment. Don’t get me wrong, I know and have experienced the debauchery and suppressed inhibitions that are incorporated in a college lifestyle.

COMMENTARY

Student riot pointless; hurts MSU's reputation

As thousands of people gathered at Cedar Fest on Saturday night through Sunday morning, the mood was distinct. People were waiting for something to happen. Glass bottles, rocks and anything else were thrown into the crowd and at helmet-clad police officers, who stood vigilant nearby. About four fires were reportedly started in the area. Some officers used intimidation and threats of arrest in order to control participants.

COMMENTARY

Net neutrality nixes Web freedom

Telecommunications giant Comcast Corp. got itself into trouble at a Feb. 25 Federal Communications Commission hearing. It became apparent the corporation had hired people off of the street to fill seats in the hearing, ostensibly to “hold places in line” for its employees.

COMMENTARY

Police response to Cedar Fest should be commended

I would like to commend the East Lansing and MSU police (and other local police agencies) for their reaction Saturday night at Cedar Fest. Just from observing this disturbance compared to the one in 2005, I could see the police used commendable restraint until they were attacked by partygoers.

COMMENTARY

Women's WNIT appearance deserving of more coverage

OK, I know the women were not in the NCAA finals, but they were still playing in the WNIT. On Saturday, they played at home for the championship. So why are we getting 11 1/2 inches at the top of the first page of the sports section rehashing a men’s basketball season that is over, while the team that still is playing gets relegated to 4 inches below the fold?

COMMENTARY

Science, religion don't always mix

Dr. Kenneth Miller is a biologist I admire for his work promoting evolution and debunking creationism. However, he also encourages public acceptance of evolution by arguing, unconvincingly, that it’s compatible with religious belief.

COMMENTARY

Shorter Welcome Week won't prevent parties

MSU administrators are discussing a proposal that would cut Welcome Week by changing the move-in dates for incoming freshmen and transfer students. The proposed plan would bring new students into the dorms starting Sunday with the first day of class on the following Wednesday.

COMMENTARY

Martin Luther King Jr.'s death brings shock, sadness

Tonight America mourns — or should mourn. Tonight and tomorrow and the tomorrow of tomorrow and the rest of her history. For she has lost one of her authentic heroes, one of genuinely human men in the world, a real brother to all mankind. At six o’clock in Memphis, Tenn., some sick person killed Martin Luther King Jr. He shot Dr. King while the latter stood on a balcony talking to his aides below, and King never regained consciousness.

COMMENTARY

Grocery lists take hit from poor economy

Existing is starting to get a little too expensive. Not only are people having to limit their driving, but they also need to watch the cost of what they eat.

COMMENTARY

Virtual memorial helpful for vets

It’s becoming easier to live your life through the Internet each day as new Web sites emerge that allow us to connect to each other and see things in ways we never have before.