COMMENTARY
Fla. taser incident brings FOIA request topic to light
The recent use of a Taser on a University of Florida student should put local police on notice.
COMMENTARY
Alienating immigrants will not win Republicans the election
Eric Thieleman’s recent column on illegal immigration, Undocumented people a problem (SN 9/20) contained multiple inaccurate statements.
COMMENTARY
Friday classes will not target binge drinkers
In an effort to battle the scourge that is alcohol consumption on college campuses, some universities have considered scheduling more classes early Friday mornings. University of Missouri-Columbia professor Phillip K. Wood co-authored a study concluding college students enrolled in early morning Friday classes consumed about half as much alcohol on Thursdays as those without Friday classes.
COMMENTARY
Concealed weapons permits allow for safe environment
Do gun grabbers just live in some fantasy world where nobody is out to commit rape, steal your property or even murder you and others? Gun-free zones and gun bans have done nothing but empower criminals who will possess firearms anywhere, regardless of the law. Why would a criminal with intent to murder be discouraged to terrorize a place that is deemed a gun-free zone when all that means is that law-abiding citizens will be unarmed?
COMMENTARY
It's time for more mutual respect
Democracy is one of the most progressive, modern government systems. In a world of monarchies and oppressive theocracies, the democratic system gave equal voice to everybody, regardless of social class, gender or race. Granted, it took quite a while for many people to legally gain that equality in the U.S., but nonetheless, our country was designed to give the power to the people.
COMMENTARY
Illegal immigration will not feed terrorism, hurt economy
Thank you, Eric Thieleman, for bringing the topic of illegal immigration to the attention of the public with your article Undocumented people a problem (SN 9/19). I applaud your fearmongering tactics, such as tying this issue to terrorism, our economy and even the survival of our culture. Can I suggest communism for your next article?
COMMENTARY
Armed teachers could benefit schools, help deter violence
After reading Gun legislation illogical, flawed (SN 9/20) I’m left unable to reach Mr. Stevenson’s conclusions. First of all, “schoolhouse violence?” Getting your knuckles rapped by a stern-faced nun or wearing a dunce cap in the corner is hardly violence – at the time, it would have been called proper measures, and even now it’s still called discipline.
COMMENTARY
Gun legislation illogical, flawed
We’ve all heard the stories from our grandparents about how tough school was in the good ol’ days, whether it was Sister Mary Ellen smacking kids with a ruler or Father Paul forcing someone to wear the dunce cap. If you think those stories were unbelievable, fast forward to 2007 where, if Michigan House Republicans have their way, chalk in the hands of teachers may soon be replaced with handguns of their choice.
COMMENTARY
Fla. police wrong in using taser on student
Zap! Regardless of how bullheaded and rude the offender might be, there is absolutely no excuse for police officers to use a Taser on an unarmed man after they already have him pinned on the ground.
COMMENTARY
Nation must be inclusive, diversity important to history
In his column Western culture worth the fight (SN 9/13), Nate Sherman readily invokes the Founding Fathers, arguing that our society has strayed to a dangerous degree from “the dream that the Founding Fathers had when they risked everything to sever our ties with Britain over 200 years ago” and calls for Americans to “return to Christendom.”
COMMENTARY
Writer blurs line between illegals and immigrants
As an immigrant to Michigan by way of California, and as a Mexican, I was a little worried that Eric Thieleman was serious when I read his column Undocumented people a problem (SN 9/20). Was his beef with illegals or immigrants or both? More importantly, does he even see a difference?
COMMENTARY
Renaming Beaner's good move for business
Beaner’s Gourmet Coffee will change its name to Biggby Coffee by Jan. 31, 2008, because the name could be interpreted as a racial slur. Bob Fish, Beaner’s chief executive and a 1989 MSU graduate, based the store’s name on the coffee bean, and said he didn’t realize the word “beaner” was also used as a racial slur.
COMMENTARY
College should fill dean seat with controversial candidate
Very recently, the University of California, Irvine rescinded an offer to distinguished Duke University School of Law professor Erwin Chemerinsky to serve as its dean. This rescission has caused much controversy and the overriding opinion is that Chemerinsky is too politically controversial for the position because he is very liberal.
COMMENTARY
Undocumented people a problem
Our country is experiencing a major problem and the elected officials that are supposed to be representing us are sitting by while our country is being invaded. The problem of illegal immigration encompasses more than the simple fact that 10 million to 20 million people are here unlawfully; it has tremendous effects on our economy, our security and our culture.
COMMENTARY
Raising state taxes hurts Mich. citizens, economy
For once I find myself agreeing completely with the State News editorial on politics in Increasing taxes will not solve budget crisis (SN 9/17).
COMMENTARY
Be careful of annoying quirks
Out of the past comes a term that you may not have used or simply avoided because it was just plain old. That term is “pet peeve.” They are the actions, behaviors, vocabularies or a myriad number of other things that drive you crazy.
COMMENTARY
State News lack of sports coverage disappointing
I know that this letter might not be proximate to the event, but I have waited until now to see if there was ever going to be any coverage on the Spartan cross country Invitational that took place Sept. 14.
COMMENTARY
Student fan football section looks like a 'drunken slop'
This is meant to be a letter of awareness to the students that comprise the student section of the MSU football games. I feel some topics need to finally be addressed in hopes that they will be corrected.
COMMENTARY
"300" cheer shows unity, reflects Spartan history
There is a new roar from the Spartan student section, lacking originality but certainly not spirit. Of course, I am talking of the “What is your profession?” cheer borrowed from Hollywood’s blockbuster “300.”
COMMENTARY
Officials right in pushing students to vote
Thanks to www.youvote.msu.edu, students have no excuse to not register to vote or get to know the issues. The Web site is a gold mine of information for MSU students and East Lansing residents, and the university has put a lot of work into making it a valuable, easy-to-use resource.