Wednesday, July 8, 2026

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Commentary

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

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

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.

COMMENTARY

Writer has mediocre knowledge of law

Undergraduate student Peter G. Ashmore's response to my recent letter, "Columnist correct, court case unlawful" (SN 11/01) is disappointing (to say the least), although he has succeeded in baiting me into a response. While he is apparently able to regurgitate the talking points of gay rights opponents and critics of the legal community, I'm disappointed his reactionary fervor has made him unable to discern that my letter simply laid out the facts of the Romer v.

COMMENTARY

Vic Loomis and John Fournier

Each of the East Lansing City Council candidates has his own vision for the city's future. The State News met with all four candidates and grilled them about relations between permanent residents and students, the April 2-3 disturbances, housing and other issues East Lansing has potential to improve on. We've done the research and made decisions about what we think is best for the city. Agree or disagree, it's now left in your hands to vote on Tuesday. You can learn more at www.votesmart.msu.edu and www.youvote.msu.edu. Don't waste the liberties given to you as an American citizen. Out of four leaders, we need the two most capable of helping the city grow. Those two are John Fournier and Vic Loomis. Fournier's campaign is professional and mature.

COMMENTARY

Torture not allowed from anyone, bill should restrain CIA actions

On the front page of Wednesday's Washington Post read the following large, bold words: "CIA Holds Terror Suspects in Secret Prisons." According to the article, suspects held in these prisons are subjected to interrogation techniques such as "waterboarding," whereby a victim is submerged into a vat of water until drowning is imminent, revived and nearly drowned again as necessary.