COMMENTARY

Kerry's campaign jump-started by veteran's Vietnam rescue

Few political stories in 2004 have been as dramatic as U.S. Sen. John Kerry's rise from defeat and political oblivion to an overwhelming come-from-behind victory in the Iowa Caucuses, a victory that eventually propelled him to the Democratic Party nomination. Only days before the Iowa caucuses, as the Democratic candidates in Iowa were marshalling their resources and supporters for the final push, Kerry had been written off by almost everyone. I had the privilege of being in Iowa during the weekend prior to the caucuses, spending my time as a volunteer for one of Kerry's Democratic opponents, Sen.

COMMENTARY

Keep it here

MSU maintains outreach centers, study programs and extension sites around the world. It truly is a global university that works to educate in all corners of the earth.

COMMENTARY

Comley needs time to build top program

Well, Eric Morath, half of your wish has come true ("Must-win for 2nd-year coach" SN 3/26). Indeed our Spartans hockey team did fall this weekend to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, and yes, we are out of the playoffs again.

COMMENTARY

Self-defense classes empower students

This letter is in response to Randolph Flick II ("Crime wave should make 'U' proactive" SN 3/29). I have been taking self-defense classes for three months now and just recently have started teaching them.

COMMENTARY

Greedy student deserves jail time

I am writing this letter in response to the story "Student accused of fraud" (SN 3/29). It is a shame that Denita Dorsey was so greedy that she would stoop to the level of stealing the identities of others so that she could purchase luxuries for herself, including a $40,000 vehicle.

COMMENTARY

SN editorial ignores candidate's agenda

Friday's editorial about my candidacy for the Board of Trustees, "No chance" (SN 3/26), was devoted to arguing that I probably won't win.

COMMENTARY

Disabilities aren't always observable

I'm sure that I will not be the only one writing in, attempting to educate Sarah Gilmour ("Handicap parking spots for disabled" SN 3/29). To make it simple, let me boil it down to five words: Handicaps are not always visible. Gilmour makes the common mistake of thinking she can make a medical diagnosis on someone in the seconds she observes them getting out of their car.

COMMENTARY

Dome additions

The sparse and yellowed field just south of the Old Horticulture Building has been the topic of debate for more than six years.

COMMENTARY

Less federal government, taxes would relieve U.S. problems

Gay marriage is one of the biggest issues in the news today. Sadly, this is not something the government should be wasting its time debating.

COMMENTARY

'U' requirements waste of time, cash

I am writing in opposition to the useless and arbitrary university-required courses. I am now a senior at MSU and I have taken every university-required class that I need to graduate.

COMMENTARY

Wallbank quality candidate for E.L.

During my years at MSU, I met many great professors and made many close friends. I am proud and privileged to call Derek Wallbank my friend, and I urge you to support his candidacy for East Lansing City Council. Wallbank has been dedicated to serving the MSU community from the moment he arrived on campus.

COMMENTARY

5th-year tuition hike hurts students

As a graduating fifth-year senior, I am appalled by the idea of increasing tuition for "super seniors." Now that I am at the threshold of the light at the end of the tunnel as described by Paul Duby in "Tuition hikes could be in 5th-year students' futures" (SN 3/24), I am very pleased with the circumstances that led to my extended stay at the university. I attended two full summer sessions and completed an eight-month internship at a medical device manufacturer in Cincinnati to complete my degree requirements in a timely fashion.

COMMENTARY

Forceful fines

The best way to eliminate underage drinking is for lawmakers and police enforcement to eliminate speeding. While the two have virtually nothing to do with each other, they share a common thread.

COMMENTARY

House parties vs. the bar: What we've learned in 2 years

I stood stonelike at Saturday's midnight, half a 12-pack of Miller Lite in my left hand and a quarter-keg of irony in my right.

COMMENTARY

Wrong words

In an ideal democracy, all voters would be objectively informed on issues by unbiased, fair and straightforward language.

COMMENTARY

Rioters' punishment fits behavior, crime

I was reading The State News in the midst of checking my e-mail, and I found Melissa Gullickson's letter titled "Riot punishment for exposure too harsh" (SN 3/26). In it, she claims the punishment her friend received last year was harsh.

COMMENTARY

Crime wave should make 'U' proactive

I am responding to The State News article "Woman robbed at gunpoint in E.L." (SN 3/23). With incidents at the 7-Eleven and the murder-suicide combined with rising numbers of robbery accounts, some students are on edge and are afraid to go out in the dark - afraid of what awaits them. Like something out of a movie, East Lansing citizens are being harassed at gunpoint around the midnight hour.

COMMENTARY

Handicap parking spots for disabled

Over the past few months while on the treadmill at IM Sports-East, I have been in the position of being able to watch passersby going about their business.

COMMENTARY

Cheney's comment proves Clarke's right

This concerns the editorial "Clarke attacks" (SN 3/25). The State News mentions that in the administration's effort to impugn the character of Richard Clarke instead of answer his claims, Dick Cheney says Clarke was "out of the loop." What The State News - and every thinking person - should ask is, "If the head of counterterrorism for the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Kerry's cause

With seven months left until the presidential election, the likability of Massachusetts senator John Kerry has finally expanded past whether a voter enjoys snowboarding or not. We kid.