East Lansing is beginning to look more like corporate America as small, locally-owned businesses close to make room for larger, chain-owned stores. The latest victim: Blue Note Coffee Café. After four years of trying to sell the store, its owners are being forced out of their 623 E.
Guns have no place on airplanes - in the cabin or the cockpit - despite the Bush administration’s plan to test run a program that will arm America’s commercial pilots. Sources close to the White House told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the administration’s plan will be announced soon and Congressman John Mica, R-Fla., said that Bush said he will work with Capitol Hill to arm pilots.
Michigan should become a leader as far as equal rights are concerned. And the time is never better than now.
Michigan voters should be able to decide Nov. 5 whether the state should alter its Constitution to ensure 90 percent of the 1998 tobacco-settlement money is earmarked for health care. On Tuesday, the Citizens for a Healthy Michigan proposal failed to gain the Board of State Canvassers’ approval to go on the November ballot.
MSU athletics officials’ efforts to renew a ban on low-flying aerial advertisers over Spartan Stadium are unnecessary. The Federal Aviation Administration recently removed the ban placed in response to the Sept.
East Lansing police are going to have to walk a fine line if the department moves ahead with plans to send plain-clothed officers into off-campus parties. The department is planning to make its presence felt at more parties this fall by sending officers in street clothes into large gatherings, all in an effort to curb underage drinking, assaults, date rape, larcenies and other behavior associated with drunkenness. Police say their plan is to have officers hand out pamphlets detailing rules residents should follow to avoid city violations. And for those parties that might be violated city rules, plain-clothed officers are set to issue warnings to party hosts before uniformed officers are called to issue tickets and disperse guests.
Now that Russia has announced plans to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the United States stands as the only major U.N.
President Bush is beginning to overstep his bounds as he pushes for military action against Iraq. The commander in chief needs to consult Congress and other world leaders before launching a war to oust Saddam Hussein. As Congress returns to Capitol Hill from summer recess, members already are urging Bush to use caution in his endeavors and are pointing to the United Nations for guidance. Bush hopes to achieve a “regime change” in the Middle East nation to hinder Hussein’s development for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
In addition to seeing new faces on the field Saturday, those who packed into Spartan Stadium might have found themselves miffed about some new polices governing entrance to the stands. While some fan used to be able to come in with unopened, sealed bottles of water, it seems this is no longer permitted.
OK, so we’ve experienced the hype for almost as long as we can stand. The unofficial start of fall is so close we can taste it.
Sometimes we skip classes because we’d rather do something fun or just don’t feel like it.
As far as fans might be concerned, Major League Baseball players are running out of strikes. If the sluggers walk out on their jobs Friday, it could mean more Americans turn their backs on their favorite pastime. It’s no secret baseball hasn’t occupied the same place in American hearts as it did prior to the league’s strike in 1994, when sluggers and fans missed 920 games including the World Series. Since 1972, work has halted at America’s ballparks eight times.
The Michigan Merit Award scholarship program is a worthwhile venture, but it might not be benefiting those who really need it. With the program, students who pass the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test or score in the top 25 percent on the SAT or the ACT are awarded $2,500 toward college expenses. But the scholarships are doled out without any consideration for financial need.
It appears ’N Sync’s Lance Bass might be saying “Bye, Bye, Bye” to bandmates, adoring fans and planet Earth this fall. Bass plans to blast off and play astronaut with the Russian space program - and for a few months of training and about $20 million you might be able to as well. That’s all it takes, ladies and gentlemen, a few million dollars and you too can join the line of unschooled and inexperienced cosmonauts.
Although it’s title sounds important - the publishers did borrow its name from an Ivy League school after all - The Princeton Review’s 2003 “The Best 345 Colleges” is a joke and a waste of $20. Every year, the New York-based company - not affiliated with the university, mind you - ranks schools on everything from worst cafeteria to most read student newspaper.
MSU hockey fans aren’t going to be experiencing the high life they’ve been used to the past few seasons - “Miller Time” is over. Ryan Miller has added his name to a growing list of Spartan standouts going pro before completing in their senior seasons. The goaltender agreed Monday to a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, forgoing his senior year of eligibility with the green-and-white icers. While fans might be sad not to see Miller manning the net as the Spartans try for a shot at the national championship this season, the All-American had a spectacular MSU career and is ready for his next challenge. Although he had been quiet about his plans prior to Monday’s contract, Miller was seen wearing red, white and blue pads - the team colors of the Rochester Americans - at Munn Ice Arena during practice last week. Miller is expected to start in the net for the Americans, Buffalo’s top minor-league affiliate.
Although MSU’s greek community has improved its reputation dramatically during the past few years, it still has some hurdles to overcome. Since 2001, the number of greeks with grade-point averages below 2.0 increased, one fraternity was shut down by its national organization for hazing and discrimination violations and two sororities closed their doors because of a lack of interest. But while it might seem as though MSU greeks have fallen on hard times, the situation isn’t as bad as it seems. Despite last year’s lower GPAs, greek grades have been on a steady rise during the past five years. Although alcohol is a staple at many greek functions, as with many college social groups, the community isn’t perceived as the binge-drinking society it once was. On another positive note, MSU greeks have put more of an emphasis on community-service projects.
While the locations for Michigan’s gubernatorial debates are not yet set, the candidates should jump at the chance to hold at least one of their forums in East Lansing - more specifically, at MSU. The AARP, the official name of the American Association of Retired Persons, has contacted the campaigns of Democratic Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and GOP Lt.
Ceramics experts have given Sparty an ominous diagnosis - he only has eight years to live if his lifestyle doesn’t change soon. But help is on the way for MSU’s terra-cotta icon, believed to be the world’s tallest free-standing ceramic statue.
Ceramics experts have given Sparty an ominous diagnosis - he only has eight years to live if his lifestyle doesn’t change soon. But help is on the way for MSU’s terra-cotta icon, believed to be the world’s tallest free-standing ceramic statue.