COMMENTARY

Americas greed means drain on energy supply

Leslie Escobar

June 4, 2001

A couple of weeks ago, in the midst of President Bush’s attempt to push a solution to the energy crisis on the rest of the country, his adviser, Ari Fleisher, made one of the most completely stupid statements I’ve ever been privileged to hear from a supposedly intelligent person.“The president believes that (high-energy consumption) is an American way of life, and that it should be the goal of policymakers to protect the American way of life.

COMMENTARY

Blind decision

The College of Education’s decision to freeze admissions to the special education visual impairment program is disagreeable and detrimental to the college and the university. Administrators from the college and university have placed a hold on admissions for new students after the recent resignation of Professor Susan Bruce, essentially the program’s leader. The visual impairment specialty includes deaf blind, visual impairment and orientation and mobility education and is only one of two visual impairment programs in the state. There are currently about 30 students involved in the program, who have been assured they will be able to graduate with degrees in special education visual impairment. The National Federation for the Blind is planning to sponsor a rally June 8 in front of the Administration Building to support the program. A $1.5 million grant intended for recruitment was recently awarded to the department, but may be in danger if the program doesn’t have enough students, Bruce said. This is a terrible time to put a hold on admissions.

COMMENTARY

No good to go

While it is unfortunate the L.A. Globe nightclub is being forced to shut down because of liquor law violations and numerous police calls, the three owners of the club should try to clean up their establishment and get it back in business. The Lansing City Council voted in March to block renewal of the club’s liquor license.

COMMENTARY

Future of role model responsibility in jeopardy

Have you ever sat and listened to a group of small children talking about their parents? There is always an enormous amount of pride and fervor in their little voices.

COMMENTARY

Bushs energy crisis is a blessing in disguise

The Bush administration’s current heralding of an energy crisis is right on target. There is obviously an energy shortage, because, seriously, who would ever fabricate such a crisis for purely political and economic gain?

COMMENTARY

Billboard isnt a violation of rights

In reading what Shane Singh had to say about a billboard in East Lansing, (“Billboard doesn’t serve and protect” SN 5/23), I could not hold my tongue.

COMMENTARY

Senate was right to discipline Jaye

State Sen. David Jaye was booted from office Thursday. I’m glad. But I know a lot of people aren’t.

COMMENTARY

Article raises moral questions

The article “Knott pleads guilty to lesser charges” (SN 5/24) has me stunned.

COMMENTARY

Actions of police puzzle student

I have often heard about the cops here in East Lansing being corrupt. I have heard so many stories and once it happened to me.

COMMENTARY

Writer puzzled by political views of peers

What is it that makes young people conservative? I’ve had many arguments with young Republicans who have perfectly legitimate political arguments, but I still can’t understand what makes them conservative. Like many young people, I was initially influenced by my parents’ values.

COMMENTARY

Smooth move

The departure of Vermont Sen. James Jeffords from the Republican Party last Thursday was an accreditation to the American legislative system.

COMMENTARY

Deceased pet drives fight against parking police

Rishi Kundi

May 24, 2001

I do whatever my dead hamster tells me to do. In my junior year of college, I quit a research job and stole a hamster.

COMMENTARY

Drug war result of financial concerns

In response to your editorial (“Good Medicine,” SN 5/17), I would like to point out that cannabis has no lethal dose and its pharmacological effects have never caused a single death in more than 5,000 years of recorded history.

COMMENTARY

Student mourns loss of businesses

Recently I sat watching the lights go dim on one of my favorite restaurants. Being a long-term local I could almost say for nearly nine years it was one of my haunts.

COMMENTARY

Here to stay

Sen. David Jaye’s actions are deplorable and quite disappointing, but this does not give the Senate adequate grounds for dismissal. Jaye, R-Washington Township, faced charges in a Florida court for domestic abuse against fiancée Sonia Kloss, but the charges were dropped last week.

COMMENTARY

Courts reading of law is wrong

I can’t understand why we even have a constitution. Isn’t it so the citizens can tell their government what powers it doesn’t have and how it is supposed to exercise those it does?

COMMENTARY

Gun law deserves more consideration

It’s disappointing so many people are cheering at the news that the concealed weapons reform law our legislature passed might now be sidetracked until November 2002.

COMMENTARY

Bush needs to rethink budget

President Bush’s new budget includes little or no increase in programs that fund research projects here at the university.

COMMENTARY

Billboard doesnt serve and protect

As I was driving home from work a few days ago, a portable billboard that had been placed along Burcham Drive by one of our local police departments immediately caught my attention.

COMMENTARY

End of the road

Firestone’s decision to end its partnership with Ford Motor Co. was the best choice for the tire company. Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. announced Tuesday it would stop selling tires to Ford Motor Co. Ford has also announced intentions to replace up to 13 million Firestone tires in an effort to improve public relations since the massive tire recall last summer. Bridgestone/Firestone executives have admitted problems with its Wilderness AT tires, which used to be standard packaging on the Ford Explorer, but also attribute the sport utility vehicle’s problems to Ford’s design. General Motors still uses Firestone tires on 14 models, and has found no problems. John Lampe, Bridgestone/Firestone chief executive and president, said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday that Ford Explorers with replaced tires in Venezuela continue to roll over. While both companies clearly have problems, Firestone made a wise decision by splitting with Ford. Firestone has made attempts to improve its product by recalling the ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT model tires.