Saturday, January 31, 2026

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Excess prices

The demise of Tower Records-Videos-Books was less the fault of Napster and other free online music services and more the result of excessive prices.Tower Records announced last week it will close its doors for good May 6.

COMMENTARY

Tower is closing because of prices

I am writing in response to the article in Friday’s paper regarding the closing of Tower Records on Grand River Avenue (“Tower to close, blames Napster,” SN 4/13). I find it interesting how it blames Napster - like everyone in the music industry seems to be doing.

COMMENTARY

Skate park needed by E.L.

After the murder of two of Lansing’s local skateboarders by a drunken driver April 6, I have taken the liberty to inform everyone that East Lansing has decided not to donate money to the $400,000 project of building the Ranney Skate Park at Ranney Park.

COMMENTARY

Local bands not covered enough

Last week, I was strolling past Tower Records, and what I saw inside got me really excited. Domestic Problems was right there, like a display in a window, playing away. I know, Domestic who? Domestic Problems is just one of the great local bands you’ve never heard of, thanks to lack of exposure.

COMMENTARY

No trust in U

Relations between MSU police and students will be further strained with President M. Peter McPherson’s approval of an undercover investigation of Students for Economic Justice, then called United Students Against Sweatshops. Beginning in February 2000, MSU police Officer Jamie Gonzales posed as elementary education junior Samantha Volare and attended SEJ meetings so she could observe meetings and activities. McPherson told The State News last Thursday of his approval of the investigation.

COMMENTARY

Union gives grads way to be heard

Amidst all the discussion about the issues raised by the upcoming Graduate Employees Union election, believe it or not, there is perhaps a point that may have been overlooked.

COMMENTARY

Home again

It is refreshing to have the crew of a U.S. spy plane back on American soil in a peaceful manner, but the situation with China could have been resolved more quickly. The 24 crew members of the plane that made an emergency landing in China nearly two weeks ago landed in Hawaii on Thursday.

COMMENTARY

Grad union would improve benefits

I am writing in response to two letters that appeared in The State News last week concerning the Graduate Employees Union (“Unionizing would hurt grad students,” SN 4/2 and “Questions raised by grad union,” SN 4/6). I am one of the 1,200 graduate students who already have joined GEU, and I am confident a union will improve the lives of graduate students at MSU.

COMMENTARY

Conference not covered enough

One of the vital roles of a university is to allow for freedom of thought and understanding while expanding the learning environment available to both students and the community.

COMMENTARY

Graduate students should unionize

I was a teaching assistant at MSU years ago, and I’m writing to explain why all eligible teaching assistants should vote “yes” for the Graduate Employees Union on Thursday.

COMMENTARY

Alcohol letter was ridiculous

Mark Melnykowycz’s response to “Alcohol can cause many nasty side effects” (SN 4/2), was probably the stupidest thing I have ever read in this newspaper.

COMMENTARY

Students should vote in primary

As an East Lansing City Council candidate for the upcoming August primary and a MSU student, I want to let everyone know your vote does count and it is very important.

COMMENTARY

Your actions can be tracked with technology

Are they all watching you?If you are one of those paranoid types - who thinks that if people are laughing when you enter a room, it is you who is the brunt of their joke - then stop reading.Put down the paper and crawl back under the rock you use for shelter from the spooky world.We, as independent college students, are particularly cautious when giving out personal information, but the simple fact is if someone was determined enough to gather information on us, they probably could do it relatively easily.Credit card receipts can track anything purchased with the plastic.

COMMENTARY

Cartoon projects wrong message

This past weekend I attended a dinner hosted by the MSU Air Force ROTC. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, spoke to us about the 24 Americans who were being detained by the Chinese government.