We’re so quick to judge. It’s easy to examine the few facts we’re given and jump to conclusions. I’m not making excuses for MSU junior quarterback Jeff Smoker, but I am speaking from the perspective of someone who grew up with a family member who suffered from substance abuse.
By: CRAIG GUNN It is Election Day 2002. The pundits and naysayers, prognosticators and politicians, soothsayers and flat-out liars have all concentrated their last-minute attacks on their opponents.
Thank you to the members of Lambda Chi Alpha, who again this year, gathered hundreds of pounds of nonperishable food items for the St.
The Green and White is looking a little black and blue these days. But the good news is Athletics Director Ron Mason started the healing process Monday after firing Bobby Williams from his head coaching job. When asked if he had lost control of his 3-6 team, Williams told Mason, “I don’t know.” It seems Williams had. Three of four team captains have run into serious trouble this season - junior quarterback Jeff Smoker is suspended indefinably as he battles a substance abuse problem; senior tailback Dawan Moss was cut after being charged Sunday with drunken driving and eluding police; and junior center Brian Ottney was benched for foul trouble. Only senior safety Thomas Wright remains a steady figure on the field - knock on wood. But we wish the problems ended with the team’s leadership. Junior defensive end Greg Taplin was suspended from Saturday’s game against the University of Michigan for breaking unspecified team training rules and sophomores linebacker James Cooper and running back Jason Bradley quit the team voluntarily. And the rap sheet gets even longer when you factor in incidents the occurred before this season: • Sophomore defensive end Clifford Dukes found himself in court facing charges that he assaulted someone at an October 2001 fraternity party.
Recently, the city and university community have dealt with a rising tide of noise complaints in the neighborhoods during August and September.
In response to the article “Smoker family says QB has ‘problem’” (SN 11/04), I have a few problems with the way The State News handled this.
I am appalled at the negative tone the opponents to Proposal 4 have been taking. Proposal 4 is backed by groups like the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association.
Governor Jennifer Granholm will help change Michigan’s future for the better. Secretary of state Melvin “Butch” Hollowell understands voter education. Attorney general Gary Peters will continue the tradition of consumer’s office. U.S.
The numbers suggest that most of you reading this will not get out and vote. Whether you feel the candidates don’t represent you, your vote doesn’t count or you just don’t care about the election, your vote still matters. The mass of men and women over the course of history has not had the important privilege that we students enjoy. Even today, too many people in the world do not have the simple right to have a say in who their leaders are. Though this right is simple, the process of gaining it has been anything but.
I feel compelled to respond to The State News’ “No” endorsement of Proposal 1 (“Stay Straight” 10/25). While the Editorial Board raised some interesting points, it glossed over key issues that deserve more attention.
The State News is not “right” or “wrong” when it chooses to endorse a political candidate. This fact seems to have been forgotten when two James Madison College students and a Lyman Briggs School student wrote letters to the editor that were published Friday (“SN ought to have picked Posthumus,” “Paper proves bias in support for Granholm” and “SN right to support Bernero, Whitmer” SN 11/1). How, might I ask, can a newspaper be right or wrong when publishing support for anyone on the Opinion page? What these above students, as well as others, fail to see is that an opinion simply cannot be right or wrong. One can certainly disagree with an opinion, but people should not criticize an opinion, they will get nowhere. The State News was also called biased for supporting Attorney General Jennifer Granholm for governor.
Hungry - why wait? Grab a trustee. It’s Crunch time because the MSU Board of Trustees race is coming Tuesday, and each lucky voter gets a chance to elect two delicious candidates to the post of Candy Land official. On the Republican side, we have the familiar and comfortable Nugent center of a 3 Musketeers bar.
It is astonishing that The State News would ask its readers to gamble on Democrat party hack state Rep.
Tuesday is Election Day. What? You’re surprised? We’re not. For years, young people just like you have forgotten, made excuses or plain ignored their duty to cast a ballot in any election.
I am writing in response to Carrie Hoover’s column “Separation doesn’t promote unity” (SN 10/25) and Nathan Top’s letter to the editor “Columnist brave to make honest points” (SN 10/28). I was appalled at the bigotry and ignorance these authors presented. Pretending that racism ended in the 1960s is ignoring the power structure in which we live today.
I cannot believe The State News endorsed Jennifer Granholm for governor (“Go Granholm” SN 10/31). Dick Posthumus has the leadership experience and the record to show he supports students, whereas Granholm is only interested in making empty promises to secure votes. Posthumus helped to develop the Michigan Merit Award scholarship and he ardently opposes Proposal 4.
Marc Stemmer wrongfully criticized The State News for endorsing Virg Bernero for state senator and Gretchen Whitmer for state representative in his letter to the editor “Paper picked wrong candidates in races” (SN 10/30). Bernero did many great things during his time as state representative and as county commissioner, and his youthful energy and enthusiasm will bring him much success in the state Senate.
I love you. Those three words have evolved with us from that first crush in elementary school to the quest for a serious relationship and sexual satisfaction in college.
There are times when the voting process seems unfair. Tuesday’s ballot will ask Michigan citizens to pick just two of eight hopefuls to sit on the MSU Board of Trustees for the next eight years, but three candidates are worthy of the position - incumbents Colleen McNamara and Donald Nugent, and challenger Cal Rapson. McNamara should win, hands down.
Just when you think you can objectively read The State News, it once again shows its ugly partisan face (“Go Granholm” SN 10/31) and reminds you that no paper can actually be taken for its word.