Saturday, December 6, 2025

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Common Grounds wasnt in article

While I was excited to read about the new music venue that will be opening up in the area (“New all-ages venue for local, national bands to display talent,” SN 2/22,), I couldn’t help but feel frustrated because The Common Grounds Coffeehouse, located in the basement of Akers Hall, continues to be completely ignored by The State News. Started in 1998 by an MSU student, Common Grounds has been an unbelievably positive outlet for students to come and see both local and national bands.

COMMENTARY

Council member misidentified

The State News’ editorial “Dance On” (2/22) incorrectly identified me, by name and title, as the lone dissenting vote against a special-use permit for a dance floor, coupled with other conditions, requested by the Spartan Sports Den before the East Lansing City Council at our Tuesday meeting.

COMMENTARY

Rape should be taken seriously

I have never been so motivated to write to The State News than after I read the most chauvinistic letter I’ve ever seen (“Rape accusation is very serious,” SN 2/22). How dare you assume this poor girl brought that on herself!

COMMENTARY

Rates rising

It is disappointing the Capital Area Transportation Authority has proposed raising its rates, but it’s within the parameters of its contract with MSU. CATA distributed a notice to students in some MSU dorms stating the bus system is considering raising its single-ride rates for students, senior citizens and people with disabilities from 25 cents to 50 cents.

COMMENTARY

Presidents tax cut doesnt benefit everyone

The struggle against economic slowdown, which many have foreseen and feared, has gained a leader. According to the new leader, the economy will be boosted once again, and this time everyone will reap the benefits. That fearless leader: George W.

COMMENTARY

Dance on

The East Lansing City Council should be commended for approving dance floors for local businesses. The council approved requests for dance floors at Troppo, 213 Ann St., and Spartan Sports Den, 1227 E.

COMMENTARY

Its up to U to make life easier for everyone

While walking between locations on campus, driving my car between these same places or riding my motorized skateboard with a handle (but that’s a past-tense activity, because the four or five of us scooter-riders on campus have been banned from sidewalks and streets at MSU), I kept thinking about writing a column that would carefully focus on things that irritate some of us, aggravate others and simply drive the rest of the population crazy. I knew it had to reflect the inherent beliefs of the population, but MSU is a pretty big place with a whole lot of really different people.

COMMENTARY

Petition drive to get law on ballot

In response to Ross Dykman’s misinformed letter about the Carried Concealed Weapon (CCW) petition drive (“Not all gun owners are extremists,” SN 2/21), I would simply like to make a few clarifications. The purpose of the petition drive is not to “overturn” Dykman’s precious lame-duck CCW law.

COMMENTARY

Latest bombings will only enforce stereotype

Hypothetical question: What would you do if you had an area of the world seething with religious differences, military conflicts and resentment toward the United States?If you said launch an unprovoked air strike and kill a few people, then you totally agree with our president and government.The decision of our government, along with Britain, to send 24 warplanes to attack radar and air defense sites south of Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, was hugely misguided.This attack killed a woman, Ghayda Atshaan Abdullah, and a man, Khalil Hameed Alwash.

COMMENTARY

Eliminate

While it is unfortunate Lansing Community College may eliminate six programs, it is an understandable move. Early this month, LCC President Paula Cunningham recommended the elimination of six of the college’s programs.

COMMENTARY

Not all gun owners are extremists

On behalf of Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, I would like to commend the businesses which are barring the petition circulators who are trying to overturn the new concealed weapons law that our elected representatives passed. Our members are law-abiding gun owners, and many are offended by the actions of this small band of extremists.

COMMENTARY

Put Earnhardts death on Page One

As auto-racing is the second most popular televised sport in the nation after football, I was surprised to see The State News coverage of the tragedy at Daytona 500 buried on page 2 of the sports section on Monday.

COMMENTARY

Affirmative action not for everyone

This letter is in response to Ashley Bell’s column on the “benefits of affirmative action,” and how it is beneficial to everyone (“Affirmative action is beneficial to everyone,” SN 2/20). I myself am a white male, and believe I have been shorted by the concept of affirmative action. Applying to almost all major universities in the state with an extremely good high school GPA, ACT score, plethora of extracurricular activities and early application dates got me accepted to almost every school that I applied to, save one.