Monday, November 11, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Thoughts on the United Nations

With several regions of the world locked in violent conflict, it is sometimes easy to forget the United Nations is still around. It was created to allow free dialogue between countries in hopes that diplomacy will avert bloodshed. Sixty years after its founding, the organization has only been semi-effective in this endeavor.

COMMENTARY

Low science literacy should alarm educators

Although the U.S. is the only country to require a year of science for undergraduate students, only 28 percent of the U.S. public is scientifically literate, according to a study by MSU political science professor Jon Miller. Still, out of 34 countries, the U.S. ranked second in scientific literacy — after Sweden.

COMMENTARY

Political 'mudslinging' tactics 'irritating' but serve purpose

I am writing in response to Nathan Calverley’s letter Difference between political bickering, intelligent debating (SN 11/27). I would certainly agree there exists a certain degeneration of politics in our world today: Mudslinging and swift-boat tactics become very irritating when trying to debate what really matters.

COMMENTARY

Advertising for Tasers absurd

Taser International, Inc., uses Santa on the front of its Web site saying, “What does Santa bring you when you have been good but the world is getting bad?” Really, is this necessary?

COMMENTARY

Student-created e-mail system good for MSU

After endless complaints about the problems of the current MSU e-mail system, it appears the plight of students, faculty and staff could be over. Computer science and engineering senior Daniel Fiordalis has created State-Mail.com, a new e-mail service that offers more features than the current e-mail system, including a mailbox-search feature and a chat tool.

COMMENTARY

Tasers can be effective, safe

They’ve been getting a bad rap lately, but Tasers — when used responsibly and properly — can be extremely effective in terms of keeping someone safe.

COMMENTARY

E.L. Police send warning to those who drink and drive

On Thanksgiving morning at 1:30 a.m. officers of the East Lansing Police Department were called to the scene of a horrible traffic accident on U.S. 127 by the Trowbridge entrance ramp. A drunken driver had lost control of his truck and struck the guardrails on both sides of the expressway, disabling his vehicle in the middle of the road.

COMMENTARY

There's no shame in seeking help

Only the people you know really well are complex enough to have emotional problems. Everyone else is either just normal or crazy, and therapy is only for the latter.

COMMENTARY

Museum move could strengthen city, MSU ties

In its time — 150 years and counting — the MSU Museum has seen the U.S. Supreme Court rule that people of African descent would never be considered American citizens, and Congress had no authority to end slavery, which also is known as the Dred Scott case.

COMMENTARY

Comedian has good chance at Minn. senate

I rarely follow politics in other states very closely, but there is a particularly interesting and unique race for the Senate developing in Minnesota. The incumbent, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, is facing his first re-election bid since winning the seat of Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone, who died with his wife and daughter in a plane crash 11 days before the 2002 election.

COMMENTARY

Rumors regarding student campaign group untrue

Shame on MSU Students for Hillary Clinton. In a move that is absent of any tact or respect for fellow Democrats and students, members of this group have spread the rumor that MSU Students for Barack Obama forced members to sign pledge cards stating that if Hillary won the Democratic nomination, they would neither support, work for or vote for Clinton.

COMMENTARY

'Healthy' should mean more than being thin, attractive

I am tired of the word “healthy” being used as a substitute for thin and as a tool to make anyone considered overweight feel guilty. Healthy encompasses the body, mind and soul. Yet, as is apparent from the recent string of articles on obesity, the only thing being mentioned is the body and more specifically how the body looks.

COMMENTARY

Conservatives vs. Republicans

The current field of Republican candidates has failed to quench the thirsts of conservatives for another Ronald Reagan-like figure. Many conservatives do not believe any of the eight major candidates fit the mold of a conservative who can defeat Hillary Clinton in the general election.