COMMENTARY
Two sides of Iraq
The "surge" is a success. The "surge" is a failure. Come September, it is likely that you'll be hearing both verdicts from politicians, analysts and your neighbors.
COMMENTARY
Nonsmokers not entitled to smoke-free settings
The argument against the smoke-free legislation is quite simple, as Amy Boersma noted in "Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights" (SN 6/25). Forget all the research, cancerous effects, or whatever other extensive scientific arguments that exist.
COMMENTARY
Both views important in anti-smoking bill debate
In Amy Ann Moore's recent letter to the editor, "Smoking ban would increase health of public" (SN 6/20), she makes the statement, "I appreciate the fact that we all have opinions.
COMMENTARY
Generosity of Broad's donation under suspicion
I was raised to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Nick Lanphear's insightful commentary in the letter "Broad's donation should be used for more art" (SN 6/26) changed my mind, however.
COMMENTARY
Strict laws needed for drunken drivers
The choice to drive drunk is not one that begins and ends with a single person. Making that decision can put the safety of many others in jeopardy. In 2005, 16,885 out of 43,443 traffic fatalities in the U.S., or about 39 percent, were alcohol-related, according to www.alcoholalert.com.
COMMENTARY
Students' speech must be protected
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a potentially damaging blow to students' rights to free speech in a ruling Monday. In 2002, Joseph Frederick unfurled a 14-foot banner that read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" near his school in Juneau, Ala., as the Olympic torch passed through town.
COMMENTARY
Second-hand smoke affects musicians in bars
In response to Amy Boersma's comments about smoking in her in "Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights" (SN 6/25), I'm a musician who spends a lot of his weekend nights in bars. I'll tell you that other people eating unhealthy food doesn't do anything bad to my voice or equipment.
COMMENTARY
Academic ranking
Americans, pressed for time and eager for dish, love lists. Not surprisingly, well-known people or institutions that fare badly on well-known lists tend to be less fond of them. So, at first blush, you might think sour grapes was on the menu this week as a gathering of college presidents blasted the influential U.S.
COMMENTARY
Nonsmokers should be able to enjoy restaurants
This letter is in response to Amy Boersma's letter "Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights" (SN 6/25). She has challenged those who support a ban on smoking to distinguish it from a ban on fast food. There is a major difference.
COMMENTARY
University's presence predates E.L.'s founding
Reading "Aging gracefully" (SN 6/25) made me think about the sesquicentennial MSU recently celebrated.
COMMENTARY
Ban on smoking does not inhibit smokers' rights
In "Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights" (SN 6/25), Amy Boersma argues a smoking ban would infringe on rights and shouldn't be passed. But that's just the headline of her letter.
COMMENTARY
Broad's donation should be used for more art
The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum will be an empty shell. The design team representatives want the building to be a work of art itself, while our collection remains insignificant to the art world. Spending the majority of the donation on the building takes a huge risk if the building is unsuccessful aesthetically and intellectually.
COMMENTARY
Guantanamo key factor in '08 race
Presidential candidates for the 2008 election will often not give a definitive stance on many of the issues facing them. Health care, immigration, the war with Iraq and other topics are discussed but often shirked when a solution is needed.
COMMENTARY
Comparing smoking to unhealthy eating unfair
Amy Boersma's commentary on the smoking ban in "Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights" (SN 6/25) makes me fear there are a lot of people missing the point about the ban.
COMMENTARY
A day of silence
If you turn on your favorite Internet radio channel today you might find it eerily silent. Today, Internet stations around America are participating in a universal Internet "Day of Silence," a symbolic gesture to arouse political awareness.
COMMENTARY
Cultural wreckage
Two weeks ago, twin explosions laid waste to the iconic, twin minarets at the al-Askari mosque in Samarra, Iraq, 65 miles north of Baghdad.
COMMENTARY
Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights
There are several apparent problems and hypocrisies from the proponents of the smoking ban legislation. First, this would unjustly infringe on the rights of businesses. Moreover, the need for this ban in restaurants is minimal.
COMMENTARY
Motorcycle helmet laws important for Michigan
Last June, after Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed the GOP helmet repeal legislation, I was relieved. Since I lost a brother in a motorcycle accident - not his fault - that same month I saw firsthand the devastating impact of such a traumatic incident. This year, the state Legislature will give the repeal a second try.
COMMENTARY
Secrecy breeds political imbalance
When the national office overseeing classified government documents tried to work with Vice President Dick Cheney and his staff in 2003, Cheney refused to cooperate.
COMMENTARY
Lenders' interest policy makes sense
In a letter to Congress Thursday, Andrew Cuomo stated some private lenders are setting interest rates for student loans based on the college the student attends. Instead of looking at each individual student's credit history, the lenders base rates on factors such as previous graduate default rates, graduation rates or the credit trends of the colleges' neighborhoods, according to The New York Times. Cuomo wrote the letter to Congress in an effort to expose a trend of unfair lender discrimination.