Thank you for highlighting the need for more work on hunger and malnutrition in your editorial "Magic beans" (SN 11/19). However, biofortification is not the magic bullet that will rid the world of malnutrition. Biofortification is a stop-gap measure that will address only a very small portion of the malnutrition problem.
In response to the recent media coverage on the budget cuts coming before the House and the Senate, I must advise caution to our state government.
As a transgender activist, I ask the people of Lansing to pass a civil rights ordinance that will protect the transgender population.
I am an MSU alumnus and a Vietnam infantry veteran. On Nov. 14, I gave a short address to the MSU Board of Trustees.
They're not scanning students' retinas or asking for thumbprints - yet. MSU officials announced Monday that they would be testing a keyless-entry system in Emmons Hall next fall.
The last thing we at The State News want to do is continually acknowledge the "Wolverines Pack Fudge" slogan that has offended so many people. The logo of cartoon animals participating in crude sex acts rightfully offended many members of the university community, especially those who identify as lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender or allies. The concept is ignorant and abhorrent, but the students involved should not be punished by the Department of Student Life. The T-shirts, their makers and the fliers advertising them were publicly decried by the Alliance of Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transgender Students, the Residence Halls Association and ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government. Each organization called for public condemnation of the shirt by university officials. That immediate and harsh condemnation was enough for this situation; a line must be drawn before general speech, however horrible, becomes criminal. There was no specific threat made or perceived from the logo to any specific person and, therefore, the shirt is no basis for prosecution. As we said before, there should be criticism from all areas of MSU, to make sure the creators realize their actions were tasteless and will not be tolerated at this university. That has happened, and no further action should be taken.
In 2000, following a controversial campaign stop by President Bush, Bob Jones University, a fanatically fundamentalist private school in Greenville, S.C., finally decided to eliminate its ban on interracial dating.
The writer of "Abortion isn't easy decision for women" (SN 11/18) completely contradicts herself.
I was disappointed with The State News' presentation of the article "Evolution of a theory" (SN 11/19). Creationism had no place in that story.
This is in regards to The State News opinion on the issue of lighting the state Capitol dome for Michigan one evening a year, in the colors of the nation's flag "Bad timing" (SN 11/14). Any time is the right time to pay honor and homage to people who have earned the right to be respected in tribute for their endeavors to mankind - in good times and less than them.
"The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society." These are words written by Chief Justice Margaret Marshall on the decision to end the ban on gay marriage in Massachusetts.
The people of Arlington, Texas, are most pleased that Dean James Spaniolo has been named as the new president of the University of Texas at Arlington.
ASMSU is by no means the U.S. Congress. Although some members of MSU's undergraduate student government believe this, it should not deter representatives from restructuring the organization into a single assembly.
Looking at the recent flurry of letters, you'd think Preeti Prasad had ordered the head of every child on her plate ("Right to abort between women, doctor not her legislators" SN 11/11). She didn't. The point that she made is that the ban signed by President Bush targets a procedure used in the third trimester - when abortion is only legal if a woman's life is in danger.
I read, with no small degree of interest, Mike Dunker's letter "Required classes are waste of time" (SN 11/19), regarding being required to take a remedial math course in order to graduate.
I am writing in response to Jason Misleh's column "Police officers put themselves at risk, deserve 'U' respect" (SN 11/17). The purpose of police officers is to serve and protect.
Forget the red and green. Bring on the green and white. The reason for the season festivities should be the MSU football team, because fans have a lot to be thankful for after this year's run. After a surprisingly successful season that started with a bang, the Spartans beat Pennsylvania State University on Saturday, to finish the season with its best record since 1999.
This is in response to the letter titled "Required classes are waste of time" (SN 11/19). I now feel more stupid for having read that letter.
This is in response to Maria Raviele's letter "Abortion isn't easy decision for women" (SN 11/18). Abortion is not an easy thing because of what it does - takes a human life.
Finally. Someone has heard students' pleading for help regarding textbook costs. U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., has introduced a bill to investigate textbook costs for American students versus what international students pay for the same books. It's nice to see someone in government trying to alleviate some of the costs of attending college, which only seem to get worse every time a legislative body meets. As we found out, a chemistry book costs $130 on www.amazon.com but less than $60 on Amazon's United Kingdom version.