COMMENTARY
Movie shooting is gun control eye-opener
The tragic event that unfolded last week in Aurora, Colo., left many harmed both mentally and physically.
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
Art museum shows MSU’s modernism
Following a setback from the original opening date, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum has now set a date for opening: Nov.
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
Snyder executes surprising veto move
Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed three election reform bills last week that were proposed by Republicans in the Michigan Legislature.
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
Obamacare helpful for college students
In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, as constitutional.
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.
COMMENTARY
MSU funding nothing to be upset about
The state budget has allocated nearly $300 million for MSU for the 2012-13 fiscal year, after Gov. Rick Snyder signed the budget Tuesday afternoon.
COMMENTARY
Not all bills made equal
When Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, took the Michigan House floor a couple of weeks ago to make a passionate speech debating a contentious abortion bill, her words resonated across the United States, gaining national attention after saying “Mr. Speaker, I’m flattered that you’re all so interested in my vagina, but no means no.”
COMMENTARY
City center II issues far from being done
After 11 years of a proposed construction project being discussed at East Lansing City Council meetings, the City Center II project was effectively killed Tuesday night when the council voted unanimously not to enter into a development agreement with Strathmore Development Co.
COMMENTARY
Finding nationalism in form of chili dog
Saturday, I sat at the counter of Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C., and ate an absurdly delicious chili dog and a side of fries. Ben’s is a quintessentially cliché destination on any D.C. tourist’s list of must-sees, and I knew I had to see it at some point while I worked for the summer in our nation’s capital.