COMMENTARY

Americans must take interest in the world, not just the United States

I was listening to the radio a couple weeks back, and there was a clip of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan talking about how grateful he was for the support from the United States and other countries in the aid to tsunami victims. But he didn't stop there. He went on to say that he hopes the tragedy opened people's eyes to situations across the world and that, in the future, it won't take a natural disaster like a tsunami to move people to give their time and money to those who are being victimized around the world. The movie "Hotel Rwanda" tells the story of a hotel manager whose hotel was transformed into a refugee camp for Rwandans during an intense time of rebellion and genocide in 1994.

COMMENTARY

In session

The Academic Senate met Friday to discuss university issues that affect faculty members. I was the body's first meeting since April, when 700 senate members convened for the first time in eight years. The Senate failed to reach a quorum, making it impossible for anything beyond discussion to take place.

COMMENTARY

Columnist's point poorly reasoned

David Thompson has had some bad columns before, but his Feb. 25 "Conservatives, liberals both have their fair share of shortcomings" is a poorly reasoned piece.

COMMENTARY

RHA not involved in Channel 12 demise

In your editorial "Poor reception" (SN 2/24), you have misrepresented the situation surrounding Channel 12 and the role of the Residence Halls Association.

COMMENTARY

Editorial lacking in historical context

I am writing in response to your editorial "Two's company" (SN 2/22) on the proposal Rep.

COMMENTARY

Action needed

Although affirmative action might be helping black students and other minorities get in to institutions of higher learning, it isn't necessarily keeping them there. For a variety of reasons, less than half of black students in the nation aren't making it through college.

COMMENTARY

Columnist's 'nerd' viewpoint offensive

Aaron Foley's column in Wednesday's The State News entitled "Hackers create headaches, celebrity break-ins" (2/23) was the most hateful piece of juvenile trash I have ever read in The State News.

COMMENTARY

Great job

Chalk one up for the MSU women's basketball team. With at least a share of the Big Ten Championship under their belts, the Spartans head to Indianapolis March 4 to compete in the Big Ten Tournament.

COMMENTARY

Fallen alumnus will be sorely missed

It is with my deepest regret that I learned this weekend of 1st Lt. Adam Malson's death. Adam was not only a fellow soldier, but a best friend. I first met Adam four-and-a-half years ago as a freshman at MSU.

COMMENTARY

Conservatives, liberals both have their fair share of shortcomings

A note on the political climate in the United States: None of us have it right. Don't assume from this sentence that I think I do, but it serves well to reflect time and again. Since the election last November, liberals have complained and conservatives have rejoiced. Liberals think the world is going to hell and that America is largely responsible.

COMMENTARY

Error in article had ominous potential

Your "The face of poker" article (SN 2/23) just cost us our life savings.

COMMENTARY

Stop the flow

The "Where do we put our trash?" dilemma faced by U.S. states and Canadian provinces is a game where the outcome is always undesirable for someone.

COMMENTARY

Article provided great perspective

What an excellent article ("Learning mother" SN 2/22). As I read it, the only thing I could say is "wow." It's about time a single mother's voice was printed in The State News, instead of the usual football, basketball or tailgating "dilemmas." I am also a single mother, full-time student and part-time employee at a bookstore.

COMMENTARY

Izzone hopeful speaks on issues stemming from back ailment

MSU head coach Izzo celebrated his 50th birthday on Jan. 30, the same day I turned 25. Do the math; I popped out nine months after Magic Johnson brought home our first title.

COMMENTARY

Singer claims wins due to performance

I sang the national anthem for the Lions in 1998, where I made eye contact with Barry Sanders. We gave each other the "cool" nod just before I sang.

COMMENTARY

NHL players share fault with owners

The "Point Counterpoint" (SN 2/22) doesn't work in this situation. Matt Bishop (SN2/22) and Esther Gim (SN 2/22) both have good points as to the problems leading up to the lockout.

COMMENTARY

East Lansing would fail without MSU

In regards to Kris Turner's excellent article ("The changing face of a college town" SN 2/22), here's an interesting thought experiment: Pick up MSU - the whole thing - and take it far away from East Lansing.

COMMENTARY

Educators should have English skills

Something must be done about faculty, teaching assistants or whoever wants to teach who are not fluent or proficient in English.

COMMENTARY

Poor reception

Can you hear the sound of taps playing lightly in the background? Wave good-bye to the campus movie channel. At the end of the school year, Channel 12, which broadcasts free movies and student-produced programming to MSU's campus and surrounding cities, will go off the air.

COMMENTARY

Cover bases

The 23 undergraduate halls, one graduate hall and three apartment villages at MSU have racked up a hefty yearly maintenance bill. The university has spent about $11.5 million a year during the last 10 years to maintain the nation's largest residence hall system.