COMMENTARY

Attacking Annika

Discussion in the golf world has shifted from Tiger Woods to Vijay Singh and his comments about Annika Sorenstam playing at the PGA Tour's Colonial tournament in Fort Worth, Texas next week. Sorenstam, 32, is the first woman in 58 years to compete in the PGA and Singh is upset with her presence. Singh said in an Associated Press interview on Sunday that he " hopes she misses the cut...because she doesn't belong out here." On Tuesday, Singh tried to correct his statement by saying he did not want Sorenstam to miss the cut.

COMMENTARY

Messing with Texas politics adds twist to redistricting in Lone Star State

Who says politics aren't interesting? On Monday, demonstrating that the loyal opposition might actually be showing signs of life, a courageous group of Democratic state Legislators in Texas united to confront a shifty partisan redistricting plan by Republicans in the Texas Legislature. By emphatically walking out of the state legislature, these Democratic lawmakers deprived the Texas House of a quorum and prevented the Republican majority from passing a new Congressional redistricting plan. In order to avoid a forced return by Texas law enforcement, these bold legislators fled to Ardmore, Okla., outside the jurisdiction of Texas Rangers, thus providing a noble example of lawmakers who are willing to risk their careers for the sake of upholding democracy and the intent of the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Everyone should get equal rights

Recently, I stumbled upon an online column in The Daily Journal titled "'Lifestyle' of homosexuals can be changed" (TDJ, 05/08/03). Like every single one of the "ex-gay" pieces I have read, be it an article, book or letter to the editor, this one was laden with pure hatred, ignorance and disgust.

COMMENTARY

So far, so good for Granholm, which isn't good for local Republicans

I think Gov. Jennifer Granholm's doing a pretty decent job as governor and that pisses me off. As the top College Republican operative in the state, one of my main duties is to help lay the groundwork for defeating her in 2006.

COMMENTARY

Vulgarity is becoming an ugly norm

There was an old hermit named Dave who kept a dead ____ in his cave. Now if you can fill in the blank and finish the limerick you definitely are showing your age.

COMMENTARY

Lies never win

One easy quality to follow in the journalistic profession is honesty. The media is obligated to serve as a vehicle that brings honest information to its readers, listeners and viewers. Being honest is something that is taught to us at a young age. This past Sunday, The New York Times revealed that, as simple as it sounds, honesty does not follow all of us into adulthood. Jayson Blair, a former Times reporter, quit his job earlier this month after being questioned about an article he wrote about a missing Army mechanic in Iraq.

COMMENTARY

Pricey pigskin

In a time of looming budget woes and uncertain futures for university departments, it's everyone's job to find money-saving or money-making solutions. But charging devoted Spartan fans an upward of $500 for a season ticket to a football game isn't a fair way to generate revenue. The MSU Board of Trustees voted unanimous approval on Friday for the Scholarship Seating Plan, a donation-based season ticket system used by six other Big Ten schools.

COMMENTARY

Life is easier for men than their female counterparts

"The only way to treat a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to not if she is plain." This absurd quote, from the hilarious play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, somehow found its way into my head this weekend.

COMMENTARY

Dorm dilemma

Following recent lavish housing upgrades in residential halls, the MSU Board of Trustees decided Friday to increase housing costs by 6 percent for the 2003-04 academic year. The increased costs come during a questionable time, as the university recently spent $12 million on new amenities in Shaw Hall - hexagonal sink islands, garbage disposals, motion-sensor lights, automatic flushing toilets, shower changing stalls and, of course, hot tubs. A student living in a double-occupancy room with a 15-meal food plan in the fall will pay $5,230 instead of the $4,932 price expected when he or she signed up in the spring semester.

COMMENTARY

Patriot Act far from patriotic

Imagine a society where free speech is just a mere phrase with little significance. Imagine a society where people are incarcerated simply on suspicion, with no evidence of wrongdoing.

COMMENTARY

Let them play

The latest news for University of Michigan's basketball team is anything but fabulous for its program, players and fans.

COMMENTARY

Anti-war doesn't equal anti-American

Many Hollywood celebrities have recently been under attack by media sources and the public for simply verbalizing their anti-war opinions. While actors in Hollywood often get ahead of themselves when it comes to world issues, some also believe that just because they make millions of dollars then for some odd reason, everyone in America cares that much more about what they have to say.

COMMENTARY

Protesters have worked hard, give them respect they deserve

It was an unusually warm March day and nearly 1,000 people, myself included, thought it fit for a rally.

COMMENTARY

Prudent patrol

While the newly obtained set of four Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycles will provide MSU police with many great services, we hope this isn't just an frivolous purchase. The department says the two-wheeled vehicles are more cost effective than patrol cars and will help them better police hard-to-maneuver areas during heavy traffic periods. These perks are palatable in their own right, but it leaves one slightly skeptical, especially when the announcement comes one day after the All-University Traffic Committee upped some campus parking prices almost 25 percent without an adequate explanation. Granted, the money isn't all part of the same pot, but perceptions often speak louder than facts. It's no secret financial times are tough for the university and the state.

COMMENTARY

Committee not responsible for code

I would like to thank the current members of the All-University Elections Commission for their hard work on elections.

COMMENTARY

War isn't pleasant, but often necessary

This is in response to the column "Nothing comes from war except death, destruction" (SN 4/21) by TJ Jourian. I guess the colonies going to war with the British didn't result in anything besides death and destruction.

COMMENTARY

MSU treatment of wildlife too harsh

We were chatting in our apartment Tuesday afternoon when a raccoon ambled by. We enjoyed watching it and were commenting on how lucky we are to live in an apartment complex with many opportunities to view wildlife.

COMMENTARY

Do police bikes have to be top of line?

Arthur Alcid

April 25, 2003

This letter is in response to "'U' police ride easy on Harleys" (SN 4/24). I don't dispute the need for motorcycles, but do they really need to be name brand, top-of-the-line Harleys? Why should the Department of Police and Public Safety spend more money on bikes than repairing the atrocious road conditions plagued by constant traffic on campus?

COMMENTARY

Social dance class shouldn't be cut

I was shocked to learn recently that the university, as part of its budget cuts, plans to cut the social dance class for the next academic year and probably beyond.

COMMENTARY

Article portrayed friend in good light

My name is BJ Myers, and I am writing in response to your article about John Eckhold, the 23-year-old student found dead on Sunday "Student remembered for interests" (SN 4/23). He was a dear friend of mine I have known for as long as I can remember.