COMMENTARY

Managing concerns

SN podcasting hits Web After my column "SN needs your help, constructive criticism to strengthen, improve" (SN 1/23), a reader in California e-mailed me, astonished that the State News' Web site didn't have podcasting or Internet radio. The reader made a point that almost every newspaper's Web site currently hosts blogs and other forms of multimedia and The State News was "falling behind" with the times, instead of being innovative as a group of young, fresh journalists. That one hurt a little. Better late than never, The State News is in its fourth week of producing podcasts.

COMMENTARY

YAF is entitled to beliefs, should not be attacked

I don't agree with the editorial "YAF ruins conservatives' reputation" (SN 3/16). I'm not a member of the group Young Americans for Freedom, or YAF, but I have known members from past years, and to consider them a hate group is flat out wrong.

COMMENTARY

Writer's views on global warming are hypocritical

I think it is highly ironic that Jessica Byrom's column "An indefinite truth" (SN 3/15), opens with an indignant criticism of Hollywood's vocal nature with respect to contemporary issues, then finishes with an incredibly oversimplified summary of a complex geophysical problem — an expert opinion brought to you by an international relations major.

COMMENTARY

YAF promotes hate with intimidation, harassment

The labeling of the Young Americans for Freedom as a hate group at first sounded extreme in "Law center lists YAF as 'hate group'" (SN 3/15). But thinking about it, it also was accurate.

COMMENTARY

School's reputation not as important as victims

In reading Thea Neal's column "A lesson in safety" (SN 3/16), I was surprised at how shallow Neal came across.

COMMENTARY

Government accountable for actions

Last week, Sunshine Week taught a dangerous lesson about government responsibility, and the public, especially students, must take note. Sunshine Week is an event designed to periodically analyze government willingness to hand over public information and its adhesion to the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. To perform the test, volunteers request information or documents from the government and report what the results were.

COMMENTARY

Gay marriage, interracial marriage fights similar

Apparently Mr. Gary Glenn, in his letter to the editor, "Black community doesn't support same-sex unions" (SN 3/12), is suffering from a bit of selective dementia about the marriage laws that have existed in this country. Let me jog your memory.

COMMENTARY

McCain not Maverick

I'll admit it: Back in 2000, I was duped by John McCain. But for a while there, it seemed like everyone was.

COMMENTARY

YAF not hate group, law center should be accused

I almost spilled my coffee Thursday morning when I read the news that the Young Americans for Freedom were under attack by a bigoted hate organization in the South in "Law center lists YAF as 'hate group'" (SN 3/15)! YAF is anything but extreme.

COMMENTARY

Professor's behavior should not be tolerated

In contrast to David Garlock's letter "MSU associate professor fights government power" (SN 3/15), John D.

COMMENTARY

YAF ruins conservatives' reputation

On a list of hate groups across the country, MSU's chapter of Young Americans for Freedom was singled out as the first university-affiliated hate group. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a hate group watchdog organization, listed Young Americans for Freedom, or YAF, as a "hate group" on its annual list.

COMMENTARY

Letter writer's history harms black community

First, I wanted to applaud Georg Schuttler's recent letter "Gay marriage ban wrong despite black opinion" (SN 3/14), regarding the fight for gay marriage as comparable to the civil rights movement.

COMMENTARY

A lesson in safety

H.H. Dow High School. We were known for our newspaper, our tennis team and luxury cars in the parking lot.

COMMENTARY

Students, residents both contribute to community

It is unfortunate the title assigned to Jon Postema's recent letter to the editor "MSU students must run, vote for E.L.

COMMENTARY

An indefinite truth

Thank goodness for the moral compass that Hollywood provides. Without it, we would be lost and unable to form any sort of opinion on any topic that concerns humanity.

COMMENTARY

U.S. policy on drugs is wrong, must be reformed

David McAllister's column, "Drug war overhaul" (SN 2/27), is right: The core problem in this country is poverty, and we do need to address that.

COMMENTARY

MSU associate professor fights government power

Every day, our government increases its power and control over our lives. The Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act and wiretapping are but a few of the many onslaughts against personal liberty brought on by an increasingly bold and absolutist government.

COMMENTARY

Religious policy should be changed

When a student is sick and obtains a doctor's note, professors typically allow the pupil to make up any missed class — sans penalty.

COMMENTARY

Giuliani's support for abortion rights harmful

There already has been much talk this year about the presidential election of 2008, certainly earlier than ever before.

COMMENTARY

Gay marriage ban wrong despite black opinion

In "Black community doesn't support same-sex unions" (SN 3/12), Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, as far as I could discern, was attempting to rebut a previous letter by Sam Curcuruto, "Gay rights fight mirrors black civil rights struggle" (SN 2/23), which paralleled the current struggle of gays to gain the right to same-sex marriage with the struggle of blacks for civil rights in the previous century.