COMMENTARY

Rodeo riders treat animals with care

As a rodeo competitor, I must respond to Jeanne Mladonicky’s recent letter (“Rodeos do nothing but hurt animals,” SN 2/22). Current rules include mandatory inspection before each event, on-site veterinarians at every contest, fines and disqualifications for mistreatment, limitation to the length of an animal’s career and use of protective equipment for the animals. A flank strap is not the reason animals buck.

COMMENTARY

Silenced

Although many ASMSU officials talk about working for the best interests of students, the undergraduate government’s recent actions tell another story. Last week, ASMSU officials refused to release proposed guidelines for undercover police work at MSU to The State News, even though the guidelines were passed out to Student Assembly members at a public meeting. The student guidelines were finally released to The State News on Sunday, and officials released the administration’s guidelines Monday. Jeff Ziarko, ASMSU director of university governmental and budgetary affairs, said it is in the best interest of students not to be aware of such proposals until a policy is finalized.

COMMENTARY

NHL would benefit from shorter games

These Olympics were very good for the game of hockey. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman got the exact finals matchup he wanted, pinning two North American teams against each other to showcase the NHL.

COMMENTARY

SN hypocritical in stance on speaker

Your editorial objecting to the student funding of my appearance at MSU has just come to my attention (“Why him?” SN 2/19). You describe my views as being “extreme anti-affirmative action and anti-reparations” and sum up your own perspective in opposing my appearance this way: “Horowitz’s views do not appeal to a larger mass of individuals.

COMMENTARY

No refuge

Would somebody please tell President Bush that the oil fields in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are not the solution to the United States’ long-term energy problems? Calling fuel cells and hybrid cars “the wave of the future,” Bush, at the White House on Monday, pressed the Senate to pass his controversial comprehensive energy plan, which is highlighted by plans to drill in the refuge to increase domestic oil production. Bush said more oil production within the United States will decrease the country’s dependence on foreign oil. The president’s conclusion is oxymoronic. If the government invests more resources into the production of affordable hybrid vehicles and fuel cells, the United States’ dependency on oil will be reduced, and dependency on foreign oil will also decrease. Depleting the globe of more finite natural resources is not the solution for America’s energy future.

COMMENTARY

U can learn a thing or two from Sesame Street

If you ever watched “Sesame Street,” you have to remember Telly. You know the one: He’s tall, fuschia, with blue eyelids and a long orange nose.

COMMENTARY

U should utilize transit system more

When I attended MSU, the college was a different place. There were greener places and better parking.

COMMENTARY

Conservative voices refreshing compared to liberal campus majority

I have never idolized Ronald Reagan. This is not altogether surprising, since my political bias is in the opposite direction.

COMMENTARY

Its a shame

Worries that university officials may be moving to eliminate the Department of Religious Studies seem awfully valid unless the College of Arts & Letters can provide more assurance to the contrary. If the college’s leaders go ahead with the discipline’s deletion, they will be doing the university a capital injustice. Since 1998, College of Arts & Letters officials and faculty have debated the merits of downgrading its Department of Religious Studies to a program.

COMMENTARY

Toughen up

The recent agreement between state Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and Walgreen Co. will have the drugstore chain honing in on tobacco sales regulation in efforts to help curb underage smoking.

COMMENTARY

Many rodeos treat animals humanely

In the letter, “Rodeos do nothing but harm animals” (SN, 2/22), it was said that animals are cruelly provoked to buck and act wild.

COMMENTARY

SN stories lacking quality, substance

I am writing out of concern for the quality of The State News. I have been reading this paper loyally since I began school here in the fall, and I would be lying if I said the paper hasn’t brought me a few brief moments of enjoyment while reading cynical movie reviews graded off of a popcorn rating scale, as well as other pieces.

COMMENTARY

Students need more classroom courtesy

I could not agree more with Justin King’s column (“Leaving class, phones distract ‘U’ professors,” SN 2/20). But I think one more thing needs to be added - the age-old problem of students talking while in lecture.

COMMENTARY

U wrong in not renewing contract

I just wanted to respond to your article concerning the Department of Religious Studies. (“Religious Studies’ fate uncertain,” SN 2/22). Let me say it is a true shame, a tragedy even, what is happening to Professor John Grimes.

COMMENTARY

Riding bicycles can solve parking issues

In response to “Graduate students question parking” (SN 2/21), while this is one of the first steps in creating a green central campus, those who move first are going to speak the loudest.

COMMENTARY

Life lessons

University officials should remember the importance of having - and maintaining - a diverse campus. College is a life opportunity. More minority students are enrolling into colleges and universities - including MSU - but an high dropout rates also have continued to plague the schools despite recruiting methods.

COMMENTARY

Concept of true freedom is found far beyond American ideal

Freedom is a force more powerful than man or society. Liberty’s power transcends borders and cultures.

COMMENTARY

Do research before giving responses

Since Tuesday, I have picked up my copy of The State News and read one controversial editorial and letter after another.

COMMENTARY

Park it

The trend of creating larger plots for black, endless seas of pavement in the far reaches of campus has offered little solution to the parking problems on campus.

COMMENTARY

Campaigns better without soft money

I agree campaigns cost money, but cutting soft money won’t narrow the playing field to private billionaires with their own personal agendas in mind (“Special interest needed in politics,” SN 2/19). I believe it will lower the financial platform of the political arena so more candidates who have limited campaign funds can participate in democracy.