COMMENTARY

Passive political support not welcome in class

What place does politics have in the classroom? It’s a topic this page has addressed before earlier in the semester, but it’s reared its ugly head once again. A New York City teachers’ union has filed a federal lawsuit alleging a policy mandating “complete neutrality” while on duty is violating teachers’ rights to political expression, such as wearing political buttons or hanging up political posters.

COMMENTARY

Specifics of promises deserve debate discussion

There are 21 days left until Election Day. Do you feel like you know about the candidates, their policies, their priorities and their storied histories in the Senate? Tonight, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate John McCain will take the stage for the last time before the election to discuss domestic issues.

COMMENTARY

Responsible use of credit a must for students

They should practically be in the welcome package. Every student is most likely familiar with the mountain of credit card solicitations that inevitably arrive in the mailbox after enrollment to MSU.

COMMENTARY

Legalizing medical marijuana will ease suffering

This November, along with helping select the next president, Michigan voters will be given a chance to voice their opinion on the issue of medical marijuana. Currently, 12 states have legalized the drug to assist patients with both appetite and pain control.

COMMENTARY

Stem cell research brings opportunity to Mich.

In the current economic climate, if one thing has become clear for Michigan it’s that it must branch out beyond the auto industry. Various ideas of how to do this have sprung up along the way, from the idea of turning the state into the leading green energy producer to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Cool Cities program.

COMMENTARY

Tactics to scare voters away from polls shameful

With the election less than a month away, the dirty tricks have already begun. Drexel University in Philadelphia recently found itself awash in fliers warning students undercover police officers would be present at the polls looking to arrest those with warrants or unpaid parking tickets. The flier was attributed to an “Obama supporter.”

COMMENTARY

Control over teens' speed could reduce accidents

It’s a scene that may soon be playing out across the country: Teenager gets their first cars and immediately head out alone onto the freeway to see what their new vehicle can do. As they slam on the accelerator, the car screams forward and the speedometer arrow rushes to the right. Yet just as the car hits 80 mph, the acceleration stops, and while the teenager cries out in confusion and frustration, somewhere their parents smile.

COMMENTARY

iReports deserve same scrutiny as other news

In just under an hour Friday, one person caused a $9 billion loss for a major American corporation. All it took was one little rumor — and a little help from CNN.

COMMENTARY

Pulling out of Mich. could hurt Republican voters

For many Michigan Republicans, the smell of betrayal hangs in the air. Thursday, just as Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama came to MSU’s campus, Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign announced it was pulling its advertising and operatives out of Michigan — in effect conceding the state to Obama.

COMMENTARY

Cooperation between students, city enhances E.L.

Having a say in the development of East Lansing is a way for students to let developers know what they are or are not interested in seeing in the city.

COMMENTARY

Set partisanship aside to attend Obama rally

It sounds almost Capraesque: Barack Obama goes to East Lansing. At 2:30 p.m. today at Adams Field, the Democratic nominee for president will address MSU students on several topics. Each student who is able, regardless of he or she may lie on the political scale, should take the time to go and hear the man speak.

COMMENTARY

Wall Street crisis affects college students too

If you aren’t scared, you’re not paying attention. Monday, a $700 billion deal to bail out Wall Street and attempt to solve the United States’ current financial crisis failed in a Congressional vote.

COMMENTARY

Cameras on campus would be helpful if costly

You think nobody is looking, but you could be mistaken. From shopping malls to gas stations, security cameras are following your every move. Schools are soon to follow in the growing trend of security surveillance.

COMMENTARY

Debates inform voters more than news analysts

After hours of uncertainty, the show did go on. On Friday night in Oxford, Miss., presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama met for the first of three scheduled presidential debates. Most commentators seem to have declared Obama the night’s victor, but that doesn’t mean those who consider McCain as the winner are wrong.

COMMENTARY

Suspending campaign looks like pure politics

How do you handle a crisis? As the nation’s economy continues to melt down, it’s become the question of the hour in Washington as politicians scramble to find the appropriate response to the turmoil.

COMMENTARY

ACT, SAT don't offer best picture of students

Imagine not spending money and time preparing for the ACT or SAT. Some colleges are beginning to focus less on a student’s performance on the two major standardized tests. A panel of college admissions officials is suggesting universities move away from the ACT and SAT scores and focus on other things such as high school grade-point average, extracurricular activities and classes taken while in high school.

COMMENTARY

Focus on economy first, then renewable energy

In recent weeks, the U.S. economy has suffered a heart attack. And as with any heart attack, time is needed to heal. Yet Michigan legislators are still arguing over how high a percentage of electricity should come from renewable energy sources, otherwise known as the renewable portfolio standard, or RPS.

COMMENTARY

Taking campus crime seriously important for all

Don’t cry wolf. It’s a cliché one would think doesn’t bear repeating to college students — young adults responsible for their own homework, rent, meals and general survival. But it appears lately that’s not the case. In a week’s time, two recent reports made to MSU police have been found to be false.

COMMENTARY

Bridge Card can assist struggling students

There’s no shame in asking for help. If you’re struggling through a math class, you can hire a tutor. Lost on a road trip? Pull over and ask someone at a gas station for directions. But what happens when you find yourself having to decide between paying the rent and buying groceries?

COMMENTARY

Background checks help improve campus safety

Just as the shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 have shaped the way people view the high school experience, so, unfortunately, have the Virginia Tech shootings affected people’s perception of universities.