COMMENTARY
Threat of being sent to hell is terrorism
John Bice does our community a great service. I really don't understand why people can't see that.
COMMENTARY
Oppression continues as conservatives try to co-opt LBGT pride
Coming out of the closet was one of the hardest things in my life to do. It was also one of the best decisions I ever made. For those not well versed in the coming out process, it's a term commonly used to describe the experience lesbian, bi, gay, and transgender people, or LGBT, go through when they announce their sexuality or gender identity as being different from the status quo.
COMMENTARY
Shot down
Many Michigan residents could have peace of mind without fear of consequence. Two bills in the state Legislature would allow people who feel threatened in or outside their homes to use deadly force to defend themselves without facing criminal charges. At first glance these bills look like self-defense laws, which already are in place.
COMMENTARY
Motorists beware of fuel-saving devices
As an engineer, I read with great interest your article "MSU student sets up gas-saving business" (SN 9/15). Clearly, any passive device which can save the consumer 10-20 percent in fuel efficiency is a true engineering wonderment. However, every reader of that article should be aware that this is merely technological "snake oil." In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has even set up a Web site to inform would-be scam victims from optimistically plunking down their hard-earned money with grand hopes of energy savings.
COMMENTARY
Victim's needs most important after rape
I was disappointed after reading last Monday's article, "Man sentenced in campus rape" (SN 9/19). What primarily angered me was the quotation from Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III that stated: "Women need to know that if they're victims of sexual assault, they need to go to Sparrow, they need to have the rape kit done and they need to file a police report." Although the statement might have been meant to be reassuring for other survivors of sexual assault, someone educated on such a sensitive issue would know otherwise. People who have experienced sexual assault have experienced a life-changing trauma in which their choice was taken from them.
COMMENTARY
SN football analysis in need of changes
In response to the article "Offensive edge goes to Spartans but Notre Dame has more depth" (SN 9/16), I feel that the way the staff looks at the game should be changed.
COMMENTARY
Trouble abroad
No place on earth is completely safe for students to travel. The MSU Office of Study Abroad provides students the opportunity to go to many locations, but a lot of things could go wrong - problems travelers just don't expect.
COMMENTARY
War on terror faulty excuse to invade Iraq
Iraq may be the central front of the war on terror, but the most important? The very name, the "war on terror," is a fabrication, not by the "liberal media," but by the government.
COMMENTARY
In de-Nile
This year, there have been 15 reported cases of West Nile virus in Michigan and two deaths caused by the virus, what, in the grand scheme of things, is the big deal? In recent years, media outlets have blown epidemics such as West Nile virus and SARS out of proportion in comparison to the amount of people they affect. Ten million people live in Michigan.
COMMENTARY
Bigger strides needed to keep campus clean
"Help keep MSU green!" Yes indeed, but just what is MSU willing to forgo for this lofty aspiration?
COMMENTARY
Reader offers advice on campus parking
This is in response to Alex Gebauer's "City parking should be free during class" (SN 9/8). Mr. Gebauer, I am sorry that you have troubles parking off campus, however, you have to take certain things into consideration.
COMMENTARY
Football weekend parallels historical trends, great education
As I was riding my bicycle away from campus on Saturday after the game, I realized that without a cell phone I was able to entertain myself with a simple conversation with just me. I could think to myself or carry on a two-way conversation that did not require me to have to listen to anyone but yours truly.
COMMENTARY
Bush's failure to plan to blame for problems
Mr. Knowles's column, "Opposition is trendy, but Iraq war is justified, more popular than most," (SN 9/13) is typical from those such as himself who criticize any criticism of our actions in Iraq.
COMMENTARY
Safe thinking
Violence erupts everywhere. In many cases, it's out of society's control. There are bad people willing to do bad things.
COMMENTARY
You've got more to apologize for, buddy
Mr. President, congratulations. This week you took a big step toward putting on your big-boy pants: You admitted to a mistake.
COMMENTARY
Health care should be most important
Gateway Community Services closed due to a $70,000 budget shortfall. Most likely more than 1,600 people will not be able to get the necessary health care.
COMMENTARY
Out of where?
"Hi, Mom, I'm coming out." What's her first assumption here? Probably not that her son or daughter is announcing political leanings. But it's official: They're coming out … as conservatives. The first National Conservative Coming Out Day is today, and the MSU College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom are promoting this event on campus. The day is to celebrate right-leaners and enable them to show pride in their political choice. But by using the phrase "coming out," it seems a little backwards for conservatives and detrimental to the campaign's statement. When someone says he or she is "coming out," they are, more often than not, announcing his or her homosexuality. Rarely, if ever, has this phrase been associated for any other group of people. It's most likely not coincidental Republicans have chosen this phrasing to mark their celebratory day.
COMMENTARY
Drunken students ignorant, not racist
In response to Vikram Singh's letter ("Racism toward Indians problem in East Lansing" SN 9/14), I would like to express my outrage about this matter.
COMMENTARY
My first experience studying abroad was much like coming to college
This summer I had the opportunity to travel back in time. During my study abroad experience in London, my confidence acquired from being a junior who knows how to work the system disintegrated.
COMMENTARY
Dialogue must start after storm tragedy
A week ago I was having a conversation with my friends about race and Hurricane Katrina. I argued at the time that it was more important to get relief efforts up and running than to waste time pointing fingers and talking about race.