Saturday, November 16, 2024

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Editorials

COMMENTARY

Budget shows Mich.'s contempt for students

After months of debating, a two-hour government shutdown and a monthlong extension, Gov. Jennifer Granholm finally signed a new Michigan budget into law last Friday, effectively eliminating the state’s $2.8 billion deficit.

COMMENTARY

Police should handle terrorist case carefully

The word “terrorist” is a loaded one. And for a generation that has experienced the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a war on terror and the Virginia Tech massacre, “terrorism” is not a term we easily can shrug off or ignore.

COMMENTARY

HIV testing law not worth consequences

What if your doctor ordered medical testing without your consent? Imagine a person going to a doctor after injuring a knee. After sitting through all the testing and X-rays, they find that their doctor also snuck in a test for HIV without their knowledge or consent.

COMMENTARY

Overdraft bill must balance customer, bank needs

It’s a situation that, unfortunately, far too many of us are familiar with. You’re busy living your life, getting to class, buying needed supplies and occasionally — or maybe more than occasionally — attempting to have some form of a social life. You hand over your debit card without really thinking about what you’re doing.

COMMENTARY

Universities should be able to regulate guns

Many MSU students were upset with the MSU Board of Trustees when it voted to allow those with concealed weapons permits to carry a firearm on campus in June. But a new bill proposed in the Michigan Legislature might anger students even more.

COMMENTARY

Health care bill discussions should be public

One would be forgiven for giving up on the idea the U.S. ever will pass health care legislation. It’s the fight that just won’t end. However, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. The question is whether that light is a solution or yet another train coming to run the whole process down.

COMMENTARY

ASMSU needs to refocus, represent students

Last week, The State News published an editorial praising ASMSU’s recent accomplishments — most notably its attempt to start a need-based leadership scholarship and efforts to testify in favor of a student medical amnesty bill.

COMMENTARY

Free speech should be balanced with civility

Last year, when Jared Rapp confronted a university parking officer about a parking ticket, he likely didn’t intend for it to lead to a long lawsuit about his First Amendment rights. But, for better or for worse, that’s what happened.

COMMENTARY

Art plan can bring prosperity to Lansing area

When money is tight in government, the arts usually are cut right away. Considered expendable and unimportant, art, music and other cultural programs often are the first to see the chopping block in favor of more “valuable” programs or services.

COMMENTARY

Nobel committee jumps gun with Peace Prize

When President Barack Obama was campaigning last year, many compared him to do-gooders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. The hope among many was that, one day, he would be listed among those great figures.

COMMENTARY

Students deserve to know who's teaching

As we matriculate through the halls of MSU, it is almost assured that we will sit in a class taught by a teaching assistant, or TA. There is no doubt in our minds that TAs are invaluable resources. They free up time for professors to plan classes and pursue additional professional development opportunities.