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.
I would like to respond to Emily Mixter's comments in reference to President Bush's State of the Union address, "'Give it a chance'" (SN 1/24). News flash!
Fashion changes quicker than anyone can keep up with. What was considered cool and "in" last season is no longer socially acceptable to wear this season.
I was shocked to read Steve Sutton's negative opinion on recycling, "Recycling does not save resources, reduce costs" (SN 1/22). What sort of credentials could he possess to justify his claim that 6,000 students "should be chastised for their ignorance"? Especially after petitioning MSU to reverse the university's distinction as "the last Big Ten school without a comprehensive recycling program available to everyone within the university," according to the student environmental group Eco. The intelligent readers of this paper know that his casual observation that separate trucks are required to pick up recyclables does not prove his point.
Responding to fan mail is a privilege I enjoy. My first offering of the semester, "Rising numbers of nonbelievers increase popularity of atheism" (SN 1/16), generated a number of letters. Joe O'Connell's was my favorite.
May 2007 will release another group of MSU graduates into the job market with one question in mind: "What's next?" For some, the job search will be relatively short and painless, but many will find it a long and unwelcome trek. The most recent blow to Michigan's economical infrastructure is the recently announced closing of Pfizer Inc. research and development facility in Ann Arbor.
I didn't expect everyone to agree with my viewpoints in "Column shows ignorance in logic-based argument" (SN 1/19), but I did expect a sound and relevant response, neither of which has happened. Laura Godek made a severe error in "Ancient, current thinkers reject God's existence" (SN 1/23) by saying that I claimed "there is no evidence disproving the existence of God." Not only did I not say that, I didn't even imply it.
I am writing in response to Steve Sutton, whose letter "Recycling does not save resources, reduce costs" (SN 1/22) enlightened me to a new way of thinking about recycling.
We Americans are often known for our optimism. Still a young country, only 231 years old, we have had a great track record with our revolutions, our inventions and even our overall red-white-and-blue history.