A delay in the Academic Governance system's endeavor to see gender identity included in MSU's anti-discrimination policy demonstrates the need for education and understanding of gender identity issues.
As I write this, a powerless Iraqi parliament is reacting to a meaningless resolution passed by an ineffective United Nations.
In response to the article about banning smoking in the dorm rooms ("'U' debates hall smoking regulations," SN 11/12), I'd like to express my extreme displeasure for that choice.
Regarding the Nov. 13 article on Washington, D.C., "Under the Scope," I'd just like to say bravo to The State News for so excellently capturing what a day in the life of the average resident of the Washington-Metro Area is like.
It seems that if city leaders could have their way, all of East Lansing would be like a scene out of the "Twilight Zone" or "Pleasantville" - eerily quiet and nuclear. On Tuesday, city officials presented the East Lansing City Council with several plans to reduce noise violations, highlighted by ideas of a Responsible Landlord Council and quiet zones in the city.
MSU is correct in exploring the idea of banning smoking in the residence halls on campus. But I feel people are debating for the wrong reasons.
Shhhhh. You must be very quiet. You are in East Lansing now. This is a noise-free zone. City council is thinking (or is it napping?) and mustn't be disturbed. True, we live in momentous times.
Imagine standing patiently in line, exhausted after a day of fasting through work and classes, wanting only a small meal to tide you over until morning.
I want to applaud Shawn Wozniak for his honest and unexpected column about the pervasiveness of hunger in the world ("Hunger not just time between meals," SN 11/12). While socialization of food and arguments of natural selection are complex and tangled issues, there is one simple fact everyone needs to know: There is enough food to feed everyone in the world, yet an astonishing number of people go days or weeks without proper nutrition. Why? There are several reasons - consumer culture, our agricultural and political systems - but knowing all of the reasons is impossible, and you don't need to in order to do something about it.
Casey McNenly's review of Michael Moore's latest film, "Bowling For Columbine," was much appreciated, and his glowing rating of the film does justice to this great movie and should be seen as encouragement for everyone to go see it while it is in the theater.
In response to the letter to the editor "Moss shouldn't have been OK'd for return" (SN 11/11), I ask when do we as human beings decide to show someone mercy? If junior quarterback Jeff Smoker was kicked off the team permanently, this whole campus would have his back.
Mark Twain once said, "Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it." Though spoken more than 100 years ago, this statement bears great relevance today in the age of corporate scandals, including at Enron Corp.
Smokers beware - your days of smoking in your own room might be numbered. MSU is on track to be the last remaining Big Ten university to designate rooms in its residence halls by smoking preference.
The events of the last week have been shocking to say the least, but one would hardly know it by reading The State News. A Republican president has been joined by a Republican Congress, which has major implications for foreign policy, welfare and retirement benefits, the environment, labor relations, the judicial system and much, much more. It is disheartening to open The State News and find there is no coverage of the U.N.
If two campus groups have their way, MSU administrators will help breathe life into their ideas and campus could be a lot greener in the future. But these groups have different hopes.
Satan made me do it. I swear, he did. Oh, you don't believe Satan exists? Well, it still isn't my fault.
Elected officials, whether they are Republican, Democrat or from a third party, should work with the future in mind rather than the past; they should try to unite rather than divide.
Are you hungry? Are you really hungry? No, perhaps you don't understand. Are you really hungry, in the true sense of the word? I'm not talking about the pangs you might have right now because you haven't eaten in the last few hours.
When the news of Bobby Williams’ firing reached the West Coast, I was stunned, yet delighted. My excitement does not stem from a personal disliking for Williams, but rather a shared interest in the MSU football program with more than 40,000 other students and countless alumni. The fact of the matter is Williams’ success, or lack thereof, cannot be compared to former football head coaches George Perles or Nick Saban, because of the different circumstances. This was the year, and MSU was finally back on the map, a preseason outside pick for the national title. The only thing more upsetting than this season’s performance is the ridiculous allegations that came from MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson, who, despite what his own feelings might be, does not run MSU. I know, I ran against him for the Board of Trustees while I was still a student. Ferguson went too far; to even hint that Williams’ termination had anything to do with race is pathetic and shames Williams and all he has given to MSU. Williams was fired after an evaluation based upon the content of his character and not the color of his skin. The reason he was fired is because MSU football is a joke - a punchline across the nation.
I think it is terrible junior tailback Dawan Moss has been let back on to the football team. While I agree that Bobby Williams should have been fired, it was improper for the university to reverse his decision.