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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Help keep MSU green!" Yes indeed, but just what is MSU willing to forgo for this lofty aspiration?
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.
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.
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.
Violence erupts everywhere. In many cases, it's out of society's control. There are bad people willing to do bad things.
Mr. President, congratulations. This week you took a big step toward putting on your big-boy pants: You admitted to a mistake.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
John Knowles' latest 'masterpiece,' "Opposition is trendy, but Iraq war is justified, more popular than most," (SN 9/13) is unfit to be printed in The State News because almost all the facts are wrong, which makes his message laughable at best.
In response to the recent editorial "Inquired views" (SN 9/13), Judge John Roberts doesn't need to answer any question that would relate to something that he might have to vote on when confirmed.