Saturday, January 31, 2026

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

The decision to not merge agencies is commendable

While it is commendable that the MSU and East Lansing police departments work together, it is good that the agencies have decided not to merge. The departments announced Wednesday they will “enhance and expand” several collaborative efforts, but will not merge.

COMMENTARY

Religious term was inappropriate

With regard to Sheena Harrison’s “Poor living conditions test Lakota Sioux spirit” (SN 3/13), I am troubled by her description of the local Native American religion as “Shamanism.” The term Shamanism depicts the traditional Lakota religion in a negative light, which is not acceptable.

COMMENTARY

Eating disorders are not diseases

I am writing in response to an column I read in The State News titled “Pop culture trivializes dangers of eating disorder” (SN 3/12). In her article, Kathryn Garvale attempts to critique society’s use of the word anorexia as an adjective to describe one’s appearance or behavior. Her data, as well as the information provided by the Web site www.anorexia-sufferers.com, attempts to exemplify this and then compare anorexia with other diseases.

COMMENTARY

Census Bureau must work to create categories for everyone

The Census Bureau should be commended for expanding racial categories in the 2000 census and should continue to work toward more inclusive categories on future census forms.Americans were allowed to check more than one box in the racial categories section of the 2000 census, making 63 possible categories.

COMMENTARY

Cartoons idea was ignorant

I’m writing this letter in response to the Bilicki cartoon that ran in the March 13 edition of The State News. This cartoon is an example of the ignorance that pervades our society as a whole.

COMMENTARY

Support graduate employee union

The 1,500 teaching assistants and graduate assistants on MSU’s campus have been organizing the Graduate Employees Union for a while now, and with two-thirds membership they recently filed an election petition.

COMMENTARY

Union for U

The formation of the Graduate Employees Union will benefit graduate employees and is unlikely to hurt the university. The recently formed union is awaiting approval by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

COMMENTARY

Underage drinking shouldnt be focus

This letter is in response to the article “Spotlight program targets underage drinking” (SN 3/1). It seems the “Spotlight” program is yet another attempt of the East Lansing Police Department to harass students in an attempt to cut down on victimless crimes.

COMMENTARY

Beret Battle

While a black beret is not the only definition of an Army Ranger, the U.S. Army should not make black berets standard issue for all Army personnel. Army Chief of Staff Gen.

COMMENTARY

Enlighten U

If the university has the financial means, it should make efforts to provide more lighting along campus walkways.The Student Assembly of ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, is considering a measure encouraging university officials to provide more consistent lighting on campus.Lights have recently been added and faulty ones replaced along the trail that runs past the Kellogg Center.

COMMENTARY

Iraq encouraged Allied airstrikes

Last Friday’s attack on the five Iraqi Air Defense sites was provoked, contrary to Brian Emerson Jones’ column (“Latest bombings will only enforce stereotypes,” SN 2/21). In the month of January alone, Iraq launched over a dozen surface-to-air missiles at British and American planes patrolling the no-fly zone, more than were launched in all of last year.