COMMENTARY

Cigarettes are a choice, not morality issue

I am a smoker. I really like cigarettes. I smoke around a pack of them every day. I have smoked through respiratory infections, family dysfunction, hellish work days, romantic woes and term papers. I buy cigarettes in cartons. One of my hobbies is collecting cigarettes from every state - the tax stamp on the bottom of the packs differs from state to state. I have no intention of quitting any time soon.

COMMENTARY

Sweat it out

MSU and other institutions who sign contracts with apparel companies such as Nike have the right to know where the clothing that bears their names and logos is made and under what conditions.

COMMENTARY

Vile rapper

Rapper Eminem deserves his four Grammy nominations, but the message of hate and violence in his lyrics should not be condoned. The Recording Academy announced its nominations for the Grammy Awards last week, prompting thousands of phone calls and e-mails from people angry about Eminem’s nominations.

COMMENTARY

For ratings, networks air reality television

Kristyne E. Demske

January 10, 2001

The hell has started.This week, networks have once again begun the proliferation of reality television programs, beginning with “Temptation Island,” which premiers tonight on the Fox television network.“Temptation Island” takes four unmarried couple,s who are in serious relationships, to paradise.

COMMENTARY

Avoiding Friday classes will catch up with you

Let me just tell you right now - karma is out there. It is real and it will get you. What you do to others will come back and make you a victim.

COMMENTARY

Good for U

President Clinton’s visit to campus is a credit to the university and its accomplishments. Clinton will speak at Breslin Student Events Center today to honor the men’s basketball team’s NCAA Championship and reflect on his presidency.

COMMENTARY

University accomplishments should be saved

As New Year’s Eve 2001 drew closer, I came across an interesting story in the Detroit Free Press that got me thinking.

COMMENTARY

Resolutions dont have to be self-serving

Rachel Wright

January 9, 2001

The meaning of a new year is different for a lot of people. For most, it is a time for clean slates, and the ultimate time to stop bad habits and better ourselves.

COMMENTARY

Hip-hop is more than just music

I have always been a devout fan of hip-hop music. Throughout the years, I have seen and heard much negative publicity surrounding it.

COMMENTARY

Bushs new tax cut will benefit few people

Uh-oh. Dubya’s Wranglers must be in bunches. George W. Bush must be quakin’ in his cowboy boots.Just weeks into his transition into the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Michiganians should take pride in their state

Michonne L. Omo

January 8, 2001

I’ve been thinking a lot about pride lately. While it’s certainly not hard to find school pride here, state pride is a whole other story.

COMMENTARY

Not over yet

The official declaration of George W. Bush as the next president of the United States put an end to the debate over the winner of the election, but not to questions raised about the American electoral process.Bush was certified as the winner of the election by his opponent, Vice President Al Gore, after a formal count of the electoral votes Saturday.

COMMENTARY

Letter unfair to bash SN reviews

In a recent letter to the editor (”Paper reviews unpopular music,” SN 11/28) Dallas Smoke criticized The State News for reviewing “unpopular” music such as Blink-182, Marilyn Manson and Joni Mitchell.

COMMENTARY

Gore lost race fair and square

In regards to the letter “Gore should not concede election” (SN 12/1), I have some problems with it.

COMMENTARY

A year to remember

Every year, The State News Editorial Board selects its winners and losers of the past 12 months. 2000 was one of the most remarkable 12 months for news in a long time.

COMMENTARY

Returning home has many disadvantages

For the last two and a half years of my life, I have lived without the aid of my parents. Next Thursday and for the three and a half weeks following it, I will live at home again. Each time I return, I am reminded of the warmth home brings and the comfort my family gives me.

COMMENTARY

LaFleur column condescending

I’ve read John LaFleur’s article (“Retailers sold out Christmas to be politically correct,” SN 11/30), and I’ve read many of the responses to his obviously biased article. First of all, LaFleur, isn’t one of the big themes of Christmas “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men?” Doesn’t this include all people, regardless of faith or beliefs?

COMMENTARY

Roundabouts, circles different

Does everyone in the MSU community know the difference between a traffic circle and a roundabout? They are, in fact, different.

COMMENTARY

Letter insulting to many Christians

While I in no way endorse John LaFleur’s narrow-minded views (“ Retailers sold out Christmas to be politically correct,” SN 11/30), I felt it necessary to take issue with some responses the column received. Susie Farnell’s letter (“Overadvertising is fault of Christians,” SN 12/4) was a contradiction in itself.

COMMENTARY

Fill subject lines with song lyrics

Like Kevin Hardy, I have struggled with the e-mail subject-line issue (“Please Read: Don’t include subjects with e-mails,” SN 12/1). For a while I, too, quit using subject lines altogether, but I felt guilty for copping out and filling my friends’ boxes with boring “none”s.