COMMENTARY

SEJ member fails to cite examples

Tommy Simon's letter "Group's efforts very effective worldwide" (SN 11/03) demonstrates his inability to pay attention to detail and the gullibility of an ineffective group, the Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ. Mr. Simon writes, "To correct his largest error, as a member of SEJ, I guarantee you that MSU has joined the Worker Rights Consortium, or WRC (see for yourself www.workersrights.org)." I suggest Mr. Simon re-read my letter.

COMMENTARY

Unbelievable

Out of 27,321 registered voters, only 3,805 voted. That equals about 14 percent voter turnout. If this were a test grade, it would be graded a 0.0. In a country founded on democracy, it would be nice if more than 14 percent of the community took part.

COMMENTARY

To tip or not to tip; no set rules on who and what to tip until now

I have to admit, I am a bit confused. Recently, I was having dinner with my fiancée and after getting the bill she asked me what we should leave for a tip.

COMMENTARY

Bice should check facts before writing

I would like to take issue with some points that John Bice made in his latest column, "Consequences in afterlife prevent promotion of contraceptives" (SN 11/2). In his column, Bice alludes to the notion that Christians aren't afraid of death and then implies Christians are unconcerned with "preventing loss of human life." What Bice ignores, however, is that most Christians advocate the protection of life, starting at the earliest stages of conception.

COMMENTARY

Olin skit inoffensive, writer overreacting

This is in response to "Troupe shouldn't be sponsored by Olin" (SN 10/28) regarding the In Your Face Reality Troupe and the writer being deeply offended by the opening scene. I attended the same Case Hall showing of the Reality Troupe this student attended and was not offended at all.

COMMENTARY

Money keeping zoo animals is wasted

Despite not having enough "space or facilities" to properly care for them, the Potter Park Zoo continues to breed tiger cubs, according to "Tiger cubs frolick for public at zoo" (SN 10/26). Zoos breed tigers because babies bring in dollars, but the cubs' mother has already been shipped out.

COMMENTARY

No middle ground in SN; Bice one extreme

In high school, I was a minority in that I was not sure what exactly my political beliefs were. But in the short two months I have been here, The State News Opinion Page has convinced me that I am a hard-line moderate (if such a thing exists). It publishes what must be the most absurd beliefs on both "sides." On the right, there are those who dare to suggest that membership in a specific subset of a specific religion should be not only considered, but a deciding factor when determining who will interpret the most important law of a country settled for the purpose of religious freedom. Then on the left is John Bice, who surely is kept on retainer solely for when the editors feel The State News isn't edgy enough. Ignoring the social merits of belief in an afterlife, his attack on religious faith as unsubstantiated is entirely hypocritical, as he conveniently forgets that believing in science alone requires just as much faith in the unprovable as religion does. When Bice can show how matter created itself or why earth in general, and life in particular, violate the second law of thermodynamics, then I will congratulate him on his Nobel Prize.

COMMENTARY

True Christian beliefs don't include denying rights to anyone

Why do people feel the need to force their own beliefs on others? The fact that I disapprove of something doesn't mean others should automatically disapprove too.

COMMENTARY

High stakes

Bonds should reflect the nature of the crime. A $1.5 million one, in the case of Karim M. Nasr seems fitting. Nasr is accused of attacking an MSU student in October. The charges he faces seem to justify a large bond: second-degree criminal sexual conduct, criminal sexual conduct assault with the intent to commit sexual penetration, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and minor in possession of alcohol. Defense attorney Nabhi Ayad argued that because the charge of kidnapping was no longer being pursued, his client's bond should have been lowered.

COMMENTARY

Troupe needed to relay information

I have seen this troupe perform more than once, and "Troupe shouldn't be sponsored by Olin" (SN 10/28) is a terribly uneducated letter reprimanding a group for acts presented without even taking note as to why this group is presenting such acts. As a sexually active college student, it's entirely important to be aware of the reality that is "sex" in any form or act.

COMMENTARY

Columnist wrongly states song's origin

Aaron Foley's column, "Rosa Parks deserves a worthy dedication" (SN 11/02), is full of uneducated assumptions that defile many individuals and their tribute songs. The entire column is filled with meaningless banter that shocked and offended me.

COMMENTARY

Paris burning

MSU is considered a party school with rambunctious students. We like to celebrate, and riots have been known to happen with either a sports victory or defeat. However, the riots in East Lansing over the years don't compare with what's happening in France. Rioting by French adolescents spread across 300 towns in 14 days of violence and led to several injuries, including 36 police, and one death. More than 1,200 rioters were arrested, and more than 2,000 cars were burned. French officials have been unable to stop the riots within their own country, which have already spread into Belgium and Germany. East Lansing police could probably handle it. In comparison, the situation in France shows the perception of the April 2-3 disturbances as a "riot" is overblown. When a riot or disturbance occurs on campus, those who participate aren't filled with anarchy but just want to rattle cages.

COMMENTARY

Fire MSU President; Simon unsupportive

Fire MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. That is the only option after reading her despicable letter sent out to permanent residents dated Oct.

COMMENTARY

Students are here permanently also

The fact that the MSU students have been classified as temporary residents in all the articles I have been reading lately is disappointing.

COMMENTARY

American culture driven by fear of unknown, avian flu just new fad

Paranoia grips the American culture. It's not just the recent crop of scary movies, but Americans like to fear some of the strangest things. Some fear is justified — fear of death, losing a loved one or losing control. However, a lot of it isn't rational.

COMMENTARY

Oh, that war

Amid an ongoing war in Iraq, post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction and many scandals in government, we seem to be forgetting something. Oh yeah, Afghanistan. As the United States passes its fourth year with military presence in Afghanistan, we have spent $1.3 billion on the country's reconstruction. Fighting in Iraq, we have spent more than $212 billion.

COMMENTARY

Vote, please

Vote. On the Opinion Page, we print letters from readers who are concerned about issues affecting them in East Lansing. We know you're out there.

COMMENTARY

Dairy industry not truthful of cruelty

The dairy industry is in trouble again for another ludicrous advertisement. Its latest "Got Milk?" television ad depicts a baseball player getting pulled from a game "after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance." In the next scene, a coach pulls a carton of milk from the slugger's locker.

COMMENTARY

E.L. residents should know noise issues

The permanent residents in East Lansing who complain about student noise should stop whining. Let's look at this realistically. You are a potential home buyer and are considering purchasing a home in an area highly populated by students.

COMMENTARY

Assumed opinions not factual in column

When my roommates asked what I thought of Chris Barsotti's "Sox success irks Cubs fan" (SN 10/25), I sat down to read it. All four of us are avid sports fans and — between two of us — hold three sports column awards from the Michigan Press Association in the last three years.