COMMENTARY

Open your mind to other people's ideals

Matt Fagan

July 10, 2013

Being a political intern in Washington, D.C. this summer, I have gained valuable skills that go beyond the political realm. Besides becoming more knowledgeable in how our government works by observing it firsthand, I have gained skills that enable me to interact and peacefully coexist with many of those on the other side of the aisle. Having a roommate that comes from a different world and generally being surrounded by people who have different beliefs than me has strengthened my abilities to speak about political matters in a civil way.

COMMENTARY

United States needs to scale back aid in Egypt

Editorial Board

July 10, 2013

Political unrest has been going on in Egypt for quite some time. And it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. 

COMMENTARY

Loan increase puts congress in hot seat

Editorial Board

July 7, 2013

In the midst of a congressional gridlock last week, student loan interest rates doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Congress failed to meet its July 1 deadline to stop the increase, and if it fails to reach any agreement, this would mean each student will have to pay an extra $800 more on a student loan, according to Philly.com

COMMENTARY

I learned from my mistakes, and so can you!

Michael Koury

July 7, 2013

Every single person, at one point or another in their life, will do something extremely stupid. It’s almost a rite of passage you wish would never have to happen, but does.

COMMENTARY

How to go about spending your refund check

James Edwards III

July 3, 2013

Let’s be honest, the only reason students get excited for the semester to start is because of the refund checks dispersed by their university.

COMMENTARY

Lansing casino would be economically positive for downtown

Editorial Board

July 3, 2013

The United States Supreme Court recently decided it will hear a case to determine if the state of Michigan has any power to shut down an American Indian casino.

COMMENTARY

ASMSU needs to prove its worth in future

Editorial Board

June 30, 2013

Last Wednesday, MSU’s undergraduate student government, ASMSU, voted 12-2 to move all of its funds into an on-campus account at an emergency meeting.

COMMENTARY

Past week proves politics not boring

Rachel Jackson

June 30, 2013

Last week was a whirlwind for political news. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key section of the Voting Rights Act. Later that same day, a female Texas senator made headlines with a nearly 12-hour filibuster against abortion restrictions. And just a few hours after that, the Supreme Court returned to the spotlight with some opinions that were certainly at least small victories for gay marriage advocates. And all of that happened before noon on Wednesday.

COMMENTARY

Biking sheds light on MSU’s natural beauty

James Edwards III

June 26, 2013

Even if this is your last summer on campus, go ahead and cruise around so you can savor the natural beauty MSU has to offer before you step into the real world.

COMMENTARY

U.S. Supreme Court’s DOMA decision signals proactive step for equality

Editorial Board

June 26, 2013

The United States Supreme Court reached a controversial and critical decision on the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, striking down the law prohibiting the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages that have been legalized by the states, by a 5-4 vote in the case of United States v. Windsor.

COMMENTARY

Make memories out of MSU’s summer sessions

Christian Suero

June 23, 2013

It’s that time of the year where the air is cool, the days are hot and construction never seems to end. However, one thing that is ending is the first session of summer classes.

COMMENTARY

Tuition hike, renovations headline trustees meeting

Editorial Board

June 23, 2013

While most students envision MSU official meetings as uneventful — affairs only attended by university bigwigs and media representatives — the June 21 MSU Board of Trustees meeting was chock-full of important legislation that will impact East Lansing residents.

COMMENTARY

Unpaid internships as valuable as paid

Editorial Board

June 19, 2013

A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers showed college students who had a paid internship have a better chance of getting a job offer than those who have an unpaid internship or none at all.

COMMENTARY

Dancing away from one's passion leads to another

Danyelle Morrow

June 19, 2013

In the fall of 2011, I fell in love. I found something that seemed to make my life so incredibly complete and make me feel like I had a place to stay when I felt like the world was imploding.

COMMENTARY

Technology hinders basic working skills

Editorial Board

June 16, 2013

In multiple surveys released recently, college graduates reported feeling unprepared as they enter the workforce. And likewise, a small majority of employers plan to hire graduates after they leave school.

COMMENTARY

China major player in Korea situation

Derek Kim

June 16, 2013

If you paid attention to international affairs this past spring, tension on the Korean Peninsula was an unavoidable matter. Once again, the Kim regime unleashed its bellicose rhetoric, threatening peace in the Far East while also intimidating the United States. To top it all off, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sentenced U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae to a 15-year prison sentence for unspecified “hostile acts” against the reclusive Stalinist state.

COMMENTARY

Choice for downtown space underwhelming

Editorial Board

June 12, 2013

In the past week, East Lansing has been abuzz with the possibility the former Barnes & Noble Booksellers, located at 333 E. Grand River Ave., might have found a new tenant after being vacated for more than a year.

COMMENTARY

Jewish faith grows through Israel trip

Marlee Delaney

June 12, 2013

As a young Jewish adult, I am granted a free 10-day trip to Israel, called Taglit- Birthright. This program is supported through many philanthropists, the government of Israel and through Jewish organizations and communities.

COMMENTARY

Privacy dwindling with NSA scandal

Editorial Board

June 9, 2013

Last week, it was revealed the National Security Agency, or NSA, has been collecting phone records from millions of U.S. Verizon customers since a secret court order was issued in April.

COMMENTARY

ASMSU needs to swallow its pride

RJ Wolcott

June 9, 2013

Think about the first time you heard about ASMSU. For me, the first time I ever heard about student government was when its elections rolled around. And I reacted like most freshmen would.