Friday, November 15, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

University wrong to fund Rushdie talk

On Thursday, MSU will be hosting a talk by author Salman Rushdie. Rushdie's ascent to public attention followed the publication of his book, "The Satanic Verses," in which the life of Prophet Muhammad and much of the Islamic religion were presented in an offensive and degrading light.

COMMENTARY

More proof

There are a lot of things scientists can connect, and smoking and suicide are apparently two of them. According to a decade-long research project at MSU, researchers have found a link between smoking and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

COMMENTARY

A fair cup

When choosing between fair trade coffee or normal, the answer should be as predictable as, "regular or decaf?" The answer is fair trade. Although many people like specialty flavors and brews, there is equity to consider in every coffee purchase.

COMMENTARY

Hit delete

It can be hard for some people to get rid of e-mails, but some messages, such as notes from your mother about what your dog had for dinner last night, should generally be deleted from an inbox. ASMSU representatives want the quotas for e-mail accounts and file storage space be doubled.

COMMENTARY

Affirmative action ignores core issues

I am writing in response to George Moyer's letter ("Affirmative action can have real value" SN 3/3). I can see the intent of affirmative action, and I agree that something must be done to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for self improvement through education and employment.

COMMENTARY

Iditarod hard for dogs, not mushers

As Tasha Stielstra said about the Iditarod, "there's not a lot of fun things about it" ("MSU alumnus, sled dog team prepare for second Iditarod run" SN 3/4). Sadly, this chilling observation applies much more to the team of dogs her husband Ed Stielstra will be taking to the Iditarod than it does to Ed himself. This 1,150-mile race through the rough terrain and subzero temperatures of Alaska is not at all fun for the dogs involved - their feet become bruised and bloodied, cut by ice and worn down from running.

COMMENTARY

Stopping pills

Tiny and harmless looking, their simple nature causes some to callously regard prescription drugs as "just pills." Perhaps it is society's repeated use of them whenever a sneeze or sniffle appears that makes it seem as though they can't be abused.

COMMENTARY

Open with care

Wouldn't it be nice to get a chunk of $14 million that belonged to a former German property magnate who went down in a plane crash in the year 2000?

COMMENTARY

Innocent people killed by abortion

Mr. John Bice argues that abortion is not murder ("Unjustifiable use of reification to shape viewpoints too prevalent" SN 3/3) because of the intangibility of personhood according to the concept of "reification." However, his argument is erroneous. It would be a travesty if pro-life advocates argued that abortions were murder strictly because of the extinguishing of "personhood." The issue of personhood is almost a non sequitur to the abortion debate; as Mr. Bice points out, the concept of personhood is artificial and malleable.

COMMENTARY

Crunch time

It's all about heart, and the MSU men's basketball team doesn't seem to have it. Its counterpart, the MSU women's basketball team, does.

COMMENTARY

Irresponsible use of alcohol common

Although it's good to know that bars in and around Lansing are making an effort to curb binge drinking on people's 21st birthdays, there are another 364 days in the year that the same bars look the other way when people are drinking too much.

COMMENTARY

World needs more like fallen soldier

Your editorial touched my heart, knowing that Iraqi men, women and children are dying for a noble cause ("Hard numbers" SN 3/1). I understand your deep concern for the Iraqi people, but I don't have a clue as to why you need to write and print stories about this issue.

COMMENTARY

Facts of assaults can't be ignored

This is in response to Thursday's "Assault coverage slanted the issue" (SN 3/3). I would like to start off by saying the fact that the assault made the front page, and was reported so quickly after the incident, is a small victory in itself.

COMMENTARY

Slain soldier was worth the praise

Journalism is defined as the work of gathering news, so why does The State News think that anyone wants to hear the opinions of the editorial board who, behind their anonymity, espouse opinions on matters they have not earned the right to speak about? Specifically, the recent editorial "Hard Numbers" (SN 3/1) asks readers to remember that Iraqis are dying for their freedom.