Friday, December 20, 2024

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Energy transition falls on all of MSU

There is a consensus in the scientific community that global climate change is occurring due to the burning of fossil fuels by automobiles and factories. In an attempt to avoid adding to the problem, MSU is looking for alternative, renewable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint.

COMMENTARY

Some charity might prove to be more harm than good

I think it’s great someone is promoting more volunteerism on the part of MSU students. We need to be more than just consumers, but also contributors to Greater Lansing. There should be compassion toward others and people should seek to serve, in tangible ways, those in less fortunate circumstances, often through little to no fault of their own.

COMMENTARY

Election reform laced with fraud

Election law is boring. There’s really no way around that fact. It doesn’t boast the furor and excitement that surround political issues such as gay marriage, abortion, gun regulation or even taxation mainly because it’s not easy to classify positions on election law into a form that can be ragefully shouted or quaintly packaged onto a placard at a rally.

COMMENTARY

Taking chance at volunteering

I’m going to try to make this column as far from sounding self-righteous as possible because it’s not about being a better person than someone else, it’s about having a little bit of humanity, sharing kindness with others in your community and being open to new experiences.

COMMENTARY

Downtown area unlike other cities

With empty storefronts and vacant buildings littering downtown East Lansing, it’s no secret that part of the city lacks any real liveliness that most downtown areas pride themselves on. Then again, it’s clear East Lansing is far from the average city. Most college towns in the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Try placing yourself at Penn State right now

Atticus Finch said you never know a man until you walk a mile in his shoes. Other people say it takes much more than a mile. I’m assuming none of us have walked a mile in Jerry Sandusky’s shoes, and if I had, I know mine wouldn’t have led me near any underage boys — hopefully, neither would yours.

COMMENTARY

Food trucks offer unique experience

As food truck popularity is growing and interest in the different type of vendor is rising, East Lansing has risen to the hype, and it’s bound to make many MSU students and local residents pleased. Last week, the East Lansing City Council passed a policy resolution allowing for two food trucks in the downtown area, on Albert Avenue between Division and Charles streets.

COMMENTARY

Thoughts from abroad

Spartans appear to be taking over the world. In my two months abroad so far, I have not only been inundated with countless Facebook photo albums and blog posts connecting me with friends everywhere from Spain to Azerbaijan, but I have also crossed paths with many MSU students and alumni.

COMMENTARY

Distance creates strong family ties

I’ve always had a “best friend” during the younger years of my life; a friend I relied on more than any other. But recently, I find the term too loose to apply to any one person. Often, it gets thrown into casual conversation between fickle participants, deciding one day who their best friend is, then turning to someone else when the timing is most convenient.

COMMENTARY

Farmers market has many local benefits

The East Lansing Farmers Market continues into its fourth season this summer. As a weekly marketplace offering residents a variety of fruits, vegetables and other fresh ingredients, the farmers market also promotes local sustainability and benefits the local economy. The East Lansing Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m.

COMMENTARY

“I’m on the pursuit of happiness”

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I’m doing my best to avoid the daily rigors of the journalism industry. And even as I sit here writing this, I’m searching far and wide for the opportunities that will keep me afloat as I chase after my dream.

COMMENTARY

US slowly has become divisible nation

Last week, while working as a lifeguard and a swim instructor at a local pool, a woman speaking broken English approached me and inquired why we would not be holding classes on July 4. After this embarrassing negligence of our nation’s most patriotic holiday, I began to think how disconnected many Americans have become from what made this country the land of the free.

COMMENTARY

FRIB will gain worldwide regard

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, is a proposed construction project at MSU that would help the university continue its research in nuclear physics at a faster pace than it ever has before.

COMMENTARY

Sexual harassment worldwide issue

After holding their first free election after the 30-year reign of former President Hosni Mubarak, last week the Egyptian people finally were able to “freely” elect their newest president, Mohamed Morsi. And although no one can deny just how important the success of this election is for Egypt, it is important to keep things in perspective.

COMMENTARY

Thoughts from abroad

There has been a lot of debate recently about the structure of the American workplace. Long hours and high stress have contributed to an increasingly grueling work environment — especially in upper-level corporate jobs, but it is visible in nearly all areas of our nation’s workforce.