COMMENTARY

Significant budget typo

Maybe some college students don't understand all the particulars of balancing a checkbook or keeping track of money. But you'd think that members of ASMSU — with a budget of about $850,000 — would be a little more knowledgeable when it comes to financial matters. Unfortunately, however, ASMSU's Academic Assembly found errors before the undergraduate student government's budget was proposed at its meeting Tuesday. The "typo" was an addition error that failed to account for $5,000 on promotional spending and changed the total amount presented on the budget. That's quite a typo. Sure, everyone makes mistakes.

COMMENTARY

Learn political beliefs from Libertarian, not Bice's one-sided views

In John Bice's columns, "Lazy analysis of scandal, government spending gives narrow view" (SN 1/24) and "There must be balance between government, personal responsibility" (SN 2/06), he explained libertarian ideas and then commented on why they are "the most radical, simplistic and generally unappealing answer of all." I hate it when someone tries to tell you what to think and why you're wrong without consulting you first.

COMMENTARY

Self-sustaining not only 'human' sign

In response to Shane Krouse's article, "Fetus not living until it exits womb, born" (SN 2/8), I began to question my opinion on this timely debate.

COMMENTARY

Sidewalk preachers can easily be avoided

This opinion is in opposition to Dan Jakeway's "Sidewalk preaching harmful to listen to" (2/8). I could sum this up into one sentence that would resolve the issue titled: Don't listen to these preachers if it harms you! Some individuals are interested in the word of the Bible, and a few have actually been enlightened by the preachers outside Wells Hall. People need to realize that the preachers are not violating any ordinances.

COMMENTARY

Bill unlikely to succeed

One of the worst parts of being a college student is spending ridiculous amounts of money on books you often don't even want to read. Complaints about exorbitant prices and professors who require too many books are everywhere during the first few weeks of classes. In response to the issue, ASMSU (MSU's student government) is working on a plan that could lower textbook costs through a projected $50-per-year refund for students.

COMMENTARY

Police not protecting, just serving tickets

A lot of people talk about how television inflames fantasy and myths into the minds of people — I agree completely — but probably differently than you might think.

COMMENTARY

After response

Although President Bush's administration has admitted to a slow response to Hurricane Katrina, it still needs to work a few things out. More criticism of the federal government's response to the hurricane that decimated New Orleans and parts of the Gulf Coast region has been voiced this week as the House of Representatives and Senate held hearings about the slow government response to the disaster. Admitting that mistakes were made in how the hurricane was handled, government officials said they plan on making more than 100 recommendations to improve government response to disasters.

COMMENTARY

Evolutionary theory, science needed to vaccinate irrational beliefs

Why do creationists fight to inject their religious beliefs into public school evolution curriculum? They claim they're interested in "teaching the controversy." However, within the scientific community, there is no controversy over the reality of Darwin's brilliant insight; evolutionary theory has never been stronger and more demonstrably obvious than it is today.

COMMENTARY

Student's death is reminder to others

Stems of yellow flowers lie on top of the cold white snow held together by a ribbon and carefully placed at the base of the street sign where Dannielle Brandt's life ended last Friday night while crossing the street at Mt.

COMMENTARY

Sex education key to making abortion rare

I am writing in response to all the letters regarding abortion that have been published recently. First, I think everybody needs to realize that anybody who has strong views on this emotionally and politically sensitive issue will not change their minds.

COMMENTARY

Valentine's Day threat to national security, should be outlawed

I think Valentine's Day ought to be illegal. No, my objections are not based on the often-repeated complaints that it's a smarmy, greeting-card holiday that makes lonely people feel like jumping off bridges.

COMMENTARY

Keeping the peace

Almost everyone agrees what happened last April 2-3 was a disaster. The events that took place after the MSU men's basketball team lost in the Final Four were a shame to the city and students.

COMMENTARY

Unwanted pregnancy could be avoidable

In response to Kyle Coveart's inflammatory letter, "Fetus is human, not merely 'wad of cells'" (SN 2/10), I would like to stand up for the "left in this country" in negating his statement that we are pro-choice because "pregnancy is such an inconvenience to (our) promiscuous sexual lifestyles." Not only is this an atrocious statement to make, but it is extremely fallacious.

COMMENTARY

Losing the flame

Despite Friday's opening ceremonies for the Olympics being the most-watched program on NBC all year, the games have been losing popularity. The 22.8 million viewers that tuned in are only half the number that watched the events four years ago.

COMMENTARY

Abortion, Holocaust can't be compared

Several of the letters have offended me in this overly drawn-out discussion of the morality of abortion sparked because of some cartoon I didn't even see.

COMMENTARY

Danish cartoon depiction inaccurate perception; needlessly offensive

The editors of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten commissioned cartoonists to depict their impressions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). In one, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) is depicted as a devil.

COMMENTARY

Slaves were humans, fetuses must be born

It was quite entertaining to read Kyle Coveart's, "Fetus is human, not merely 'wad of cells'" (SN 2/10). It astounded me how he tried to connect a "wad of cells" to a slave.

COMMENTARY

People skirting issues, merely comment on 'tastelessness' of images

If you haven't noticed, political cartoons have been in the news a lot lately, both at home and abroad. The Muslim world is in an uproar over several European cartoons depicting Muhammad — the most infamous being a Danish cartoon showing the Prophet wearing a turban shaped like a bomb. Although Islam forbids visual representations of Muhammad in any context because it is considered idolatrous, the reaction seems just a bit excessive: Violent demonstrations have sprung up across the Muslim world and Europe, resulting in several deaths and the arson of numerous European embassies and consulates. In light of the fact that publications in the Muslim world routinely churn out cartoons depicting Jews as hook-nosed Nazis, the reaction seems to be not only overkill but hypocritical. To the uninitiated, it seems like the Muslim world overreacting disingenuously, even insanely.

COMMENTARY

Freedom of press must be respected; violence not suitable reaction

I am one of those ridiculous people who worship the First Amendment of the Constitution and the liberty it brings.

COMMENTARY

Following the plan

The wait might be over, but anxiety about the East Village Master Plan remains. The new development in the Cedar Village area will include buildings with space for residential, retail and office use, provide higher-density housing and allow for better public access to the area through the creation of a park and pedestrian-friendly streets. There's no question that the development will improve the shabby looking area.