COMMENTARY

Affirmative action worthy of debate

As chairman of the Board of Directors of Toward A Fair Michigan (TAFM), I noted with interest the desire expressed in the recent editorial entitled "Dirty dealings" (SN 4/21) to elevate the level of political discourse within Michigan - in general and specifically with regard to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Assuming approval of the petition signatures gathered, Michiganians will vote in November 2006 on the ballot initiative to amend the state constitution to ban affirmative action preferences in state and local government and in universities.

COMMENTARY

Grad assistants not fairly compensated

Upon reading the letter "GEU members are fairly compensated" (SN 4/20), I felt compelled to respond.

COMMENTARY

Creationism in schools at fault for nation's dwindling science skills

According to a 2004 article from The New York Times, "The United States has started to lose its worldwide dominance in critical areas of science and innovation." Our Republican-dominated government hasn't exactly leapt into action.

COMMENTARY

Convict control

When a convicted sex offender is able to live invisibly within a community, no one can be sure they won't hurt someone again. Such was the case in two separate cases in Florida in recent weeks.

COMMENTARY

Parking issue irks coffee shop patron

Until April 16, I used to love Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, 270 W. Grand River Ave., so much. Great coffee, great place to study and hang out.

COMMENTARY

People should appreciate joys of life while they have the chance

In most conversation, death is an understandably avoided topic. This is especially true for college-age people who seem to have so many years ahead of them.

COMMENTARY

American politics has taken bad turn

This letter is in response to the editorial "Dirty dealings" (SN 4/21). I wholeheartedly agree that the political process in this country has taken a turn for the worse.

COMMENTARY

Carter deserving of newspaper's respect

In response to the editorial ("Power player" SN 4/20), I was shocked to read the negative regard that the author has for Sue Carter.

COMMENTARY

Mother love

The past year hasn't been a great one for Mother Earth - both on campus and abroad. President Bush again opted not to join the Kyoto Protocol, an agreement among many leading industrial nations to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions.

COMMENTARY

Impartial jury

A new door has opened in the ongoing dispute between police and students over the April 2-3 disturbances. Although not as powerful a reaction as could be hoped for, the East Lansing City Council's decision to create an independent review commission to hear testimony about the disturbances is, at least, one prospect to uncover the police's unnecessary action. The council's goal is to create a nine to 11 member group consisting of community members, students, university officials and law enforcement officials who were not in East Lansing during the disturbances.

COMMENTARY

CRC provides vital service for the area

Be assured, your local Community Relations Coalition cares deeply about the conflict in East Lansing/MSU surroundings, and is hardly sitting around hoping the issue might blow over.

COMMENTARY

East Lansing officials are using silence tactics to avoid repercussions

Closed-door meetings among police, craftily worded public statements from the university president and apprehensive silence from the East Lansing City Council - this is what our community leaders have given to us after nearly three weeks. The latest decision by law enforcement officials to keep their discussions about the April 2-3 disturbances quiet is the straw that broke the back of my belief in the civic process.

COMMENTARY

On your sleeve

GO BLOW YOURSELVES ELPD. These crass words, written in block print on the back of T-shirts made after the April 2-3 disturbances, might adequately convey the feelings of students who feel they were wronged that evening.

COMMENTARY

Writer needs to get facts straight on GEU

I'm writing in response to "GEU members are fairly compensated" (SN 4/20). I'm just wondering - if I make such good money, why can't I pay my bills?

COMMENTARY

Dirty dealings

The methods by which our nation's system of democracy functions have turned into a slick mud hole of deception. It seems like disputing the ballot process or - in the case of the latest issue with the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative - a signature-gathering technique is the best way to oust a rival who differs on an issue. History is repeating itself as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI, is being challenged by By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, a political group dedicated to keeping affirmative action a part of the process in which university admissions and job hiring are decided.

COMMENTARY

GEU members are not paid enough

I am appalled at the way the MSU administration is handling the teaching assistants' contract, and this is the general sentiment throughout the MSU community.

COMMENTARY

E.L. officials should stop bad landlords

This letter is in response to the April 20 article, "Word on the street: What do you think about rental housing in East Lansing?" I lived in just about every kind of housing East Lansing had to offer: a house, fraternity house and an apartment.

COMMENTARY

Bush was correct to honor John Paul

This letter is in response to Ryan Gartland's letter concerning the president's attendance of Pope John Paul II's funeral ("Bush funeral visit for publicity only" SN 4/19). I am amazed, Ryan, at your apparent interest in the extremist views within the Christian faith.

COMMENTARY

GEU members are fairly compensated

As a former graduate student who was fortunate enough to have two appointments during my graduate studies, I feel compelled to share a secret with the university community.

COMMENTARY

Smoke screen

You know there has to be something amiss when Republicans are advocating more government control in the affairs of business. In a recent case, Rep.