Joe O'Connell invited people to argue against his points, "Responses do not counter submission" (SN 1/25), and that is what I would like to do.
I would like to respond to the editorial, "Israeli use of cluster bombs unjust" (SN 1/29), of Israel's illegal use of cluster bombs.
As a sophomore at MSU, I took a class that studied educational inequality in the United States, and I was shocked to learn some schools in low-income areas have "sewage days" the way we in Michigan have snow days.
Thanks to The State News for the editorial "Online libraries beneficial for public" (SN 1/22), concerning libraries and Google initiatives.
Iran's ambassador to Baghdad, Hassan Kazemi Qumi, said last Sunday that Iran intended to offer the Iraqi government equipment, training and advisers to help the country secure itself.
The possibility that Israel may have misused cluster bombs during the recent war against Hezbollah in Lebanon is of deep concern.
Looking through the archives of The State News, I made an interesting discovery. It seems the pro-Iraq war letters, defending Bush's magnificent leadership, have all dried up.
The purpose of my previous letter, "Religious influence alters scientific developments" (SN 1/24), was not solely as a reply to Joe O'Connell's, "Column shows ignorance in logic-based argument" (SN 1/19), which is why I didn't respond to his letter's overall meaning.
After reading the article "Winter Blues" (SN 1/23), I was surprised and disappointed not to find a single mention of the positive effects of exercise, despite the promise of "experts" weighing in on the subject. Studies have shown that following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise raises serotonin levels and alleviates some symptoms of depression.
In response to "Medical advances in embryonic stem cell research needed today" (SN 1/24), embryonic stem cell research is defensible only when life is viewed as a commodity and when the losses of individual lives are spoken of in terms of a "net loss." It is indisputably wrong to murder an innocent person and steal his or her organs for transplants to save the lives of five others.
The Republican Party kick-started a cat-and-mouse game Thursday. It announced a proposal, which will cut the state's primary business tax by $290 million, just a few weeks before Gov.
Over the course of the past two months, I have been following the aftermath of Tom Tancredo's speaking event hosted by the Young Americans for Freedom, or YAF, at the MSU College of Law. As a former MSU student, I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that not much has changed in the past six or seven years.
What a difference a few decades make. Just 40 years ago, this country found itself embroiled in a costly foreign war waged by an increasingly aloof and unpopular president while our national economy tanked.
I can't speak for Alex Kincade, "Writer should keep views about atheism to himself" (SN 1/23), but plenty of people actually enjoy reading others' opinions on theology and don't mind hearing about atheists' books.
In a genuinely surprising move, the Bush administration will inform Congress that Israel may have violated United States' arms agreements last summer during the conflict in southern Lebanon. This is remarkable for two reasons. First, Israel's use of cluster bombs against civilian targets in its fight against Hezbollah is problematic.
In response to "Managing manure" (SN 1/23), the statement that there is no single solution to MSU's manure management problem is on target.
Platitudes, empty promises, unrealistic goals, vague threats and folksy, down-home pleas for hope in the face of mounting hopelessness — ah, yes — another year, another State of the Union address. While President Bush, who delivered Tuesday's address, was more reserved and even-keeled than the aggressive, blustery incarnation from past years, the improvement is far from remarkable. On some domestic issues, he made efforts to meet the Democrats halfway.
"Why would you choose to mutilate yourself like that?" my aunt asked in reference to my new nose ring. I am sure she meant well.
I am writing in regard to Steve Sutton's letter, "Recycling does not save resources, reduce costs" (SN 1/22). In his letter, Mr. Sutton makes several shortsighted arguments wrapped in derogatory rhetoric and snide sarcasm. I am disappointed that he sees in me some kind of superficial ignoramus, interested only in patting my hipster self on the back for my "responsible" recycling participation.