Friday, November 15, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Right-wing beliefs shown in SN letters

In a classic Republican move, Dave Coogan ("Not everyone who supports Iraq war should, or can enlist" SN 11/22), squirms at the thought of being called out for the double standard of calling for war yet spending his time in college thousands of miles away from the front line. And no, I can't serve because Republicans won't repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I think Coogan forgot to mention that gem. It seems to me that Republicans are quick to use the bully pulpit — calling people un-American and questioning their patriotism — to get what they want, but when faced with a spoonful of their own medicine, they whine about personal attacks and unprofessionalism. In doubt? Here's some of my favorite personal attacks by Republicans printed the same day as Coogan's letter: Bryan Dahl ("SN on downward spiral with talk of free speech" SN 11/22), a far right-wing columnist, insults The State News editorial board by calling them "absolutely clueless" and calls Mike Ramsey classless and unprofessional. Griffin Drew ("SN needs to evaluate maturity of its staff" SN 11/22), thinks a dialogue about the use of torture and extreme force condoned by Republican officials is "immature." For Mark St.

COMMENTARY

Show courtesy

One of the most basic parts of college life is getting to class on time. It's made harder by a "screw you" culture present on the roadways and sidewalks of MSU. Common courtesy needs to be followed and all too often its thrown to the wayside to save some time getting around campus. Cars don't always yield to pedestrians; drivers think they shouldn't have to slow down for someone walking or riding a bike.

COMMENTARY

Deal with death

Death is a part of life. Most of us have heard the saying. Unfortunately, it seems that for many Americans it is only that — a saying. The truth is, many people have a significant fear of death.

COMMENTARY

Trash can be found all over MSU campus

Our school talks the talk, but does it walk the walk? For the amount MSU talks about keeping our community "clean," it seems we literally walk on way too much paper and garbage. I was walking to class the other day when a sheet of three "Boondocks" advertisements flew off the bridge behind Wells Hall.

COMMENTARY

Cartoon commendable, not a waste of space

Jared Parko's letter "Cartoon too harsh, inappropriate for day" (SN 11/16) criticizing Mike Ramsey is wrong in so many ways that one hardly knows where to begin rebutting it. Far from impugning older veterans as "weak liberators" (whatever that means), Ramsey's cartoon juxtaposed the greatest generation's reverence for human rights with the well-documented violation of those rights by today's military. The obvious gist was that soldiers in the war on terror are not living up to the high ideals set by their predecessors. Ramsey making this point so emphatically is commendable, not deplorable.

COMMENTARY

Columnist's cheap shots unwarranted, not true

I would like to know why Jon Gunnells, "Acronyms now replace English words, people everywhere use them" (SN 11/17), found it necessary to deride the greek community with his cheap shot relating fraternities with drugs and STDs. There is a great majority of people in the greek community who do not fit this stereotype. If Gunnells' idea of journalism is simply offending people and taking cheap shots, then I suggest he find another course of study and you find a new columnist. Erik Hakala physics senior

COMMENTARY

Why are people still writing about Ramsey?

As an avid reader of The State News online, I am continually fascinated by the banter in response to Mike Ramsey's Veterans Day cartoon (SN 11/11). It has been over two weeks since this cartoon was published and still, people are writing their hate-mail.

COMMENTARY

Greek bashing uncalled for in unrelated column

Fraternities have always received a lot of negative publicity in the media. I am always glad to see The State News reports all of the great things that the greek system does for the community and university. If you look in The State News archives, you will see more good news than bad news on MSU's greek system. That being said, I thought Jon Gunnells' column, "Acronyms now replace English words, people everywhere use them" (SN 11/17) attacked fraternities for no valid reason: "It's universally known that acronyms are only suitable in three situations.

COMMENTARY

Students akin to whiny children; need to act

There has been a lot of whining on and around the MSU campus recently about a number of issues and, frankly, I'm tired of it. Permanent residents complain about the behavior of many students and, to be honest, their arguments that MSU students often display a lack of respect and civility are not completely invalid. However, some of the ordinances passed by the East Lansing City Council in recent years have been a bit excessive.

COMMENTARY

Greet the heat

Brace yourself — winter is here. Sure, the snow might be a nice change of scenery, but with the cold comes the increased heating bill.

COMMENTARY

'Run-down' Detroit has great attributes

It was so refreshing to read Ken Osborne's column, "Portrayal of city inaccurate, Detroit more than boarded-up buildings" (SN 11/16), defending Detroit instead of ridiculing it like the majority of people do. I was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.: a suburb just outside of Detroit.

COMMENTARY

Readers have right to ask Ramsey to resign

I applaud those who protested Mike Ramsey's Veterans Day (SN 11/11) cartoon as being distasteful for keeping the protest mostly positive, with the theme of supporting our troops as the main issue. However, one reader suggests they are hypocrites to call for the artist's dismissal for the comic.

COMMENTARY

Our report

The night of April 2-3 has been a frequent topic for The State News Editorial Board. For nearly eight months, we have been discussing the disturbances and the independent commission formed to investigate them.

COMMENTARY

Message cannot be made with limitations

I would like to commend Mike Ramsey for exercising his First Amendment rights in his comic on Veterans Day (SN 11/11). I strongly disagree with the readers who want to contest his position at The State News.

COMMENTARY

Many at MSU struggle with gender identity

I'd like to applaud The State News for printing the editorial "Identity right" (SN 11/16) on gender identity. Gender identity is as intrinsic and personal as anything else that we use to define ourselves to ourselves, and as such should be protected with the same safeguards as any other identifying characteristic. Yet presently at MSU, discrimination against transgender students in housing, employment and other areas of student life is permitted.