COMMENTARY

Confessions of a former war supporter

I was a vocal supporter of the Iraq war during its initial stages and into 2005 and believed with conviction in the stated goal of bringing democracy to the Middle East. I agreed that Saddam Hussein was a dictator against whom force was justified. I cheered when we took Baghdad and dismissed the skeptics’ claim that we were merely in it for the oil. With this admission, I join a significant portion of policy makers, government leaders and the American intelligentsia who were duped.

COMMENTARY

Facebook advertising unnecessary, annoying

Fifty million users, one CEO, two objectives. Since Facebook.com’s launch in 2004, the social network has undergone a series of face-lifts. Once upon a time the site was simply a convenient way to communicate with friends. Now gifts and applications have helped to turn Facebook into a highly profitable business.

COMMENTARY

Schools cannot condone illegal, dangerous teen sex

While I applaud Kelly Kane’s effort to address middle school sex, Birth control good idea for middle schoolers (SN 11/14) I believe her argument is flawed.

COMMENTARY

Schools superseding parents as 'teachers of moral issues'

In her column titled Birth control good idea for middle schoolers (SN 11/14) Kelly Kane lauds the fact that a public school in Maine has decided to provide free contraceptives for children in grades six to eight.

COMMENTARY

Obesity problem rampant in U.S.

Thanksgiving is approaching and most people in the U.S. are gearing up for one of the laziest days of the year — complete with copious amounts of food, making this the perfect time to address our nation’s out of control eating habits.

COMMENTARY

More time needed to see effects of Proposal 2

Almost a year after Michigan passed Proposal 2, known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, people still aren’t sure how MSU and other universities in the state will be affected.

COMMENTARY

Ron Paul supporters annoying with too much advertising

First off, presidential candidate Ron Paul’s policies are never going to take shape. Pulling the rug out from under people on welfare is just not going to happen.

COMMENTARY

Free birth control for kids is 'an idea taken too far'

This is in response to Kelly Kane’s column titled Birth control good idea for middle schoolers (SN 11/14), which attempts to argue in favor of providing 13-year-olds access to birth control in their schools.

COMMENTARY

Additional parking needed in downtown E.L.

Finding parking downtown could become a little bit easier very soon — if the City Council approves a proposal to add 45 spaces to the 76-space parking lot on the southwest corner of Albert Avenue and Bailey Street, that is.

COMMENTARY

U.S. immigration process needs improvement

While writing about Latin American-aimed racism last week, I began exploring the issue of illegal immigration — a very hot topic. Racism and discrimination of any kind is wrong and usually based on ignorance, no questions asked, and should be socially unacceptable in any form.

COMMENTARY

Politicians telling people how to raise kids annoying, wrong

In her column titled Birth control good idea for middle schoolers (SN 11/14), Kelly Kane assumes “the parents that are angry over these school districts’ decision to approve birth control are those that are not close with their children.”

COMMENTARY

Sen. Clinton best candidate choice for 2008 presidency

In response to Eric Gregory’s recent column, Principles of the middle ground (SN 11/15), I can say that I support Hillary Clinton as a more progressive Democrat.

COMMENTARY

Atheist's argument regarding 'wacky spirits' unnecessary

As Georgia descends deeper into drought, Gov. Sonny Perdue has ordered water restrictions, launched a legal battle and asked President Bush for help.

COMMENTARY

Paul sends popular message about nation's freedoms

In Drew Robert Winter’s column Supporting Ron Paul is a new fad (SN 11/13), Mr. Winter touches on a number of issues — too many to cover in this short letter.

COMMENTARY

Principles of the middle ground

We, both as Americans and Michiganians, are constantly assailed by extremist partisan rhetoric. This holds true for city council elections just as much as it holds true for national ones. Political polarization seems to be a fact of life.

COMMENTARY

Cable company choice great for consumers

The Federal Communications Commission passed a rule last week that banned exclusive contracts between cable providers and apartment building owners.

COMMENTARY

Nation needs to be smart in choosing its next leader

No matter which side of the aisle you are on, there are few Americans who feel the best leaders are the ones who are secretive, inaccessible and who waver on the issues.

COMMENTARY

Cable and apartment ties similar to 'dictatorship'

I am glad that some government agency has finally stepped in to stop the property owner and cable company dictatorship that has plagued us for so long.

COMMENTARY

Group's lack of transparency inappropriate

Even when MSU’s Young Americans for Freedom officials don’t talk, they make news. This time, they’re remaining mum about how they fund their notoriously controversial speakers, who have included British National Party Chairman Nick Griffin and Minuteman Civil Defense Corp. president and co-founder Chris Simcox.

COMMENTARY

Birth control good idea for middle schoolers

When I was the ripe age of 11, what I looked forward to was playing kickball during recess and drinking chocolate milk at lunch. It definitely wasn’t getting my next round of birth control pills, which are now available to middle school students in Maine.