COMMENTARY

Wilcox spins meaning; should be kicked out

Katie Wilcox's letter "Silence the 'Monologues;' keep indecency out" (2/24) demonstrates an interesting hypocrisy. Wilcox's general call for readers to join the MSU Young Americans for Freedom, or YAF's, effort to censor a play is an interesting approach to ensuring freedom. According to the mission statement of YAF, free will and liberty are among the most important values that need to be protected.

COMMENTARY

No smoking area

The number of places smokers can go on campus is shrinking. The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, passed a bill last week recommending that University Housing take away a student's option to smoke in the dorms.

COMMENTARY

Turning 21 doesn't mean instant maturity; still have long way to go

It was the most beautiful object I had ever seen. I held my new plastic driver's license in the air and stared at it in disbelief.

COMMENTARY

Manuscripts support many Bible passages

John Bice's latest column "Truth of Bible can't be believed" (SN 2/21) actually contains in it the refutation of his argument. He contends that there were so many early Christians churning out so many manuscripts, often chock full of errors, that we can't know what the originals said. On the contrary, it is the enormous number of manuscripts we have that allows us to determine with great certainty what the originals said.

COMMENTARY

It won't work

For the administration of President Bush, diversion seems to be a favorite tactic. And finding out who leaked news of Bush's eavesdropping program is more important to the administration than finding out if it's legal or not. Officials in Bush's administration have denied the call of several Democrats in the House of Representatives who want a special council.

COMMENTARY

Cartoons not only offensive possibilities

I, for one, sure am glad The State News chose not to publish the Danish cartoons that have offended Muslims on campus and across the world. As a Catholic, this must mean I can also be sure that I will never again see any photos or images in The State News that I find offensive to my faith, such as the infamous photos of so-called art over the years that have featured a crucifix in a jar of urine and a painting of the Blessed Virgin covered in elephant dung. I also don't want to see any photos of abortion rights activists, San Diego Padres baseball players or John Bice. This does work both ways, doesn't it?

COMMENTARY

Writer's complaints ignorant, lack facts

This letter is in response to "Police not protecting, just serving tickets" (SN 2/16). I really can't see how someone would actually believe there is a correlation between him receiving a speeding ticket and an increase in crime rate. With regards to the claim that he was going "at most, five miles over," that is highly unlikely.

COMMENTARY

Preachers' approach to passersby wrong

This is in regard to Shane Krouse's "Sidewalk preachers can easily be avoided" (SN 2/16). It is not the question of whether or not people have the legal right to peaceably assemble.

COMMENTARY

'Monologues' not graphic, male hating

I was rather taken back by Katie Wilcox's letter "Silence 'Monologues;' keep indecency out" (SN 2/24). "The Vagina Monologues" does deal with female sexuality but does not seem to be creating any problems.

COMMENTARY

Officials shouldn't be able to censor information in any publication

In California, a college radio host was pulled from the station and censured for sexual harassment after calling a member of student government a "bearded feminist" on air. In Texas, an anti-abortion group wasn't allowed to distribute pamphlets on a college campus because the pamphlets didn't list a student group sponsor on them.

COMMENTARY

Keeping the party going

Even a devastating hurricane couldn't stop Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Nearly six months ago, Hurricane Katrina flooded 80 percent of the city and displaced many of its residents.

COMMENTARY

Alcohol, no chaperones

No one knows what will happen this April, but a big, supervised party isn't going to prevent anything. With a number of incidents in the past few years, MSU has acquired a reputation as a "riot" school.

COMMENTARY

Writer's ignorant rant shows fear of issues

Katie Wilcox's uninformed rant about "The Vagina Monologues" in "Silence 'Monologues;' keep indecency out" (SN 2/24) proved nothing more than her own ignorance about the purpose of the play. She should be ashamed for protesting a play that empowers women to speak openly about issues that have been mistakenly labeled as taboo.

COMMENTARY

When your wallet goes missing, don't freak out; know what to do

A couple weeks ago, I could have sworn someone stole my wallet. I was on a bus ride home when I set my wallet on the seat next to me, making a mental note to pick it up when I got off the bus. The mental note failed when I realized I left it on the bus as soon as it pulled away, splashing me with mud. As soon as I got home, I called my boyfriend, crying.

COMMENTARY

Students to protest SpartanEdge.com

SpartanEdge.com, an online publication with links to MSU's journalism program, became the first news outlet in Michigan to publish controversial Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The Web site is paid for and run by Bonnie Bucqueroux, an MSU journalism instructor.

COMMENTARY

Seek whole story

Abortion is one of those topics that people can't seem to stop talking about. Letters about it regularly fill the Opinion Page of The State News, and people are highly polarized on both sides of the issue.

COMMENTARY

Columnist disguises attack on MCRI issue

I see the MSU staff mouthpiece and unapologetic liberal John Bice once again continues to preach falsehoods while attacking anything even remotely conservative in "There must be balance between government, personal responsibility" (SN 2/06). His recent and thinly disguised rant against the ballot issue that rightfully would abolish blatantly discriminatory affirmative action policies at MSU and across Michigan is proof Bice, like nearly all liberals, cannot see past his own narrow perspective.

COMMENTARY

Apology for April 2-3 from MSU too late

As an alumnus who saw the news about the East Lansing Police Department teargassing students, again, last April, I figured my university would take a stand for its students since the police were clearly out of line. When they did not, I took the only action I could as an alumnus and promptly wrote a letter to the new MSU President Lou Anna K.

COMMENTARY

Housing guide gives students good advice

This letter is in response to Tasha Dalstra's "SN irresponsible with housing guide how-to" (SN 2/13). I apologize if you were offended because our collegiate independent newspaper published a section "with information on how to find the cheapest keg and how to construct a beer pong table." Printing something like that might actually provide an opportunity for people to have "a little fun," and as you pointed out, "we have all seen that a little fun can quickly turn into a lot of tear gas." You called this publication "irresponsible" for trying to help people save money on beer, and for offering instructions on how to play an innocent game.

COMMENTARY

No exception

The First Amendment suffered a major blow last week when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a college censorship case.