Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Commentary

COMMENTARY

City should set homeless guidelines

The issue of whether to ban homeless people from East Lansing parking structures has been simmering on the City Council's plate for the past six months. During this time, the council has been gathering information and public opinion regarding the topic.

COMMENTARY

Becoming a reality at the gas pump

It's hard to say which is scarier — apocalyptic global warming scenarios or the economic impact of some of the proposals designed to prevent them. A recent European Environment Agency, or EEA, study reported that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles continue to rise due to increased driving, despite heavy fuel taxes that boost prices there above $6 per gallon.

COMMENTARY

Risky precedent set for free speech in media

Don Imus was fired for making a stupid comment. Was it right? No, it was not. In no way am I defending what Imus said, but it was not worth firing him over because it sets a terrible precedent for all of us. Imus is a 66-year-old man making a poor attempt at humor.

COMMENTARY

Just within reach

The movement is underway. The gay community is coming out and demanding what we deserve — equal rights and treatment in society.

COMMENTARY

Former Spartan sends congrats to hockey team

I covered the MSU hockey team for campus radio back in the mid-1970s, did some play-by-play and was in the stands when I wasn't working, so it did my heart good to watch this team of champions put on such a gutsy performance.

COMMENTARY

Shifting the blame

If there are two words that will serve as the epitaph for not just the Iraq war that has ruined the reputation and economy of the nation, but also for the administration that set those events into motion, those words are "war czar." Yes, that's right, everyone's favorite "decider" has evidently decided he's done making decisions when it comes to Iraq and Afghanistan. In President Bush's place, he has created a new post that would oversee all major decisions dealing with the war.

COMMENTARY

Military troops should be protecting our country

In response to "Counteractive steps" (SN 4/13), I feel as though Jacob Carpenter blatantly ignored the direct effects of the establishment of democracy in Iraq to the United States. Every day, the United States pumps more and more money into a nation that has lived a certain lifestyle and followed a certain form of government for years.

COMMENTARY

Inflated costs to live in dorms not reasonable

I don't know what planet Ms. Angela Brown, director of Housing and Food Services, lives on. But charging students $6,676 to live in the dorm for nine months is not "reasonable." That's nearly $750 a month for the pleasure of living in a 12-by-12 cubicle, usually with another roommate.

COMMENTARY

Attacks by Christians on other Christians wrong

I'd like to respond to Jessica Byrom's "Getting thick skin" (SN 4/10). Ms. Byrom says that the "fear" pastors in Canada have of being able to preach hate is to that of "Christian persecution in countries like China and Muslim countries." Whether or not this is true, I'll leave up to those who don't get their facts from FOXNews.com. How about the persecution of Christians by Christians in this country?

COMMENTARY

iPods for K-12 students unnecessary

When addressing the actions of Michigan's legislature, one has to sometimes step back and just wonder how any of these people got elected. Case in point: Michigan finds itself facing a debt — which comes to roughly $644 million for the current fiscal year alone, for those of you keeping track at home — and rather than the two parties working together to come up with a solution to the mounting crisis, each side just keeps wasting time. The latest example?

COMMENTARY

Counteractive steps

If there is one overarching theme of all social studies classes, it's the idea that the study of history serves as a guide for the future.

COMMENTARY

Free speech column has many flaws in argument

In response to "Getting thick skin" (SN 4/10), I would borrow from White House press secretary Tony Snow in describing Jessica Byrom's argument: "It melts on contact." First, she cannot assume people "were not outraged" at the vandalizing of a congressman's office during the anti-war protest.