Friday, November 15, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

New endowment could prove useful

Although I am probably opposed to the particular tax increase ASMSU is proposing - due to concerns such as a lack of criteria regarding the scholarship it will set up - I'm not totally opposed to the theory behind it. Having students pay an extra $3 a semester ($24 in their whole college career, on the four year plan) is not much to ask for - I spend more on a tank of gas.

COMMENTARY

More for less

How do you make one of the fattest states in the union trim its waistline? Apparently by sitting it down at a computer and having it take health quizzes. Last week, Michigan launched a free interactive Web site (michiganstepsup.org) geared towards teaching people how to make healthy choices.

COMMENTARY

Campus clutter

The MSU Board of Trustees has been discussing some pressing issues regarding campus design lately. Namely, restructuring of the intersection that surrounds Sparty and erecting a parking ramp near Morrill Hall, with an entrance leading in from Grand River Avenue.

COMMENTARY

Medicare should put pressing health concerns before impotence

Please tell me you believe the following thesis to be correct: Preventing a death from cancer is more important than a firm penis. Women's health care is often a banner picked up by liberal folks but, regardless of political bent, I would like to call your attention to the fact that starting next January, Medicare will cover Viagra, Cialis (apparently they weren't deterred by the lackluster Super Bowl ad) and other drugs for erectile dysfunction.

COMMENTARY

Bicyclists' rights should be known

This letter is in response to Jenny Gallo's letter complaining about the bicyclist in the middle of the road ("Everyone needs to follow traffic rules," SN 2/9). First, I will agree with her that the person should not have been in the middle of the road.

COMMENTARY

Homosexuals don't have housing ease

A point of clarification on Jordan Rash's letter complaining that campus apartments are not coed and assuming that gay and lesbian partners have some special privilege of living together, "Trustees need to allow coed living" (SN 2/9). No such rule exists.

COMMENTARY

Marijuana has been socially accepted

This is in response to the article, "Officials: Marijuana becoming socially accepted locally" (SN 2/8). The fact, as I see it, is marijuana has always been socially acceptable in a large part.

COMMENTARY

Benefit both

As a paper that was fairly outspoken in its problems with Proposal 2, it was frustrating to watch it easily pass - gaining favor with roughly 59 percent of voters - in November.

COMMENTARY

Accelerate RIA

In President Bush's 2006 budget proposal, $4 million is allocated in support of the Rare Isotope Accelerator.

COMMENTARY

Letter writer wrong in his assumptions

This letter is in response to Jordan Rash's opinion letter "Trustees need to allow coed living" (SN 2/9). Admittedly, I know nothing about campus apartment rules and regulations, and I believe Rash presents a valid argument.

COMMENTARY

Myers made good points in column

I am writing to respond to those who criticized Mark Myers' column ("Abortion has negative effects on mother and father, not just unborn" SN 2/3). First of all, the connection between abortion and breast cancer is a proven fact.

COMMENTARY

Face it

Imagine the intelligence of the yellow pages combined with the recognition of Thefacebook. Combine this with a focus on sexual predators and what you have is the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry Web site. The registry will update its profiles in May with the driver's license photos of about 36,000 offenders, in our minds making the system more efficient.

COMMENTARY

Signal change

MSU students have to go elsewhere to become fluent in one of America's most commonly used languages - sign language. Sure, there are five classes available for students to get a slight grasp of the language, but the nearest place to obtain certification is located in the next town over.

COMMENTARY

Trustees need to allow coed living

OK, show of hands, how many people were aware that campus apartments prohibit coed housing? I, for one, was not. I can understand that this might be necessary in the dorms, but in the apartments?

COMMENTARY

Hockey team has to improve its game

This past weekend, the icers played a hockey series against the University of Michigan. I went to the game at Joe Louis Arena Saturday night, mostly because I miss going due to the NHL lockout.

COMMENTARY

Womens' basketball team needs respect

Where is the student support for the MSU women's basketball team? Not to insult the few students that do attend these games, but it is baffling to me that a top 10 team battling for the Big Ten title draws such minimal interest from a student body of more than 40,000 people. The atmosphere is fantastic with the band and cheerleaders; the team is hard-working, improving every game (and year), and the cost of tickets is minimal.