COMMENTARY
Republican task forces feign inclusion
Few people in the U.S. hold the belief that there should be less involvement in the government by taxpayers.
COMMENTARY
'Green' policies show progressiveness
MSU is stepping up and becoming an environmentally friendly leader for universities everywhere - one step at a time. While it would be very easy for the university to sit back and continue doing things the way everyone is used to, MSU is spending a little bit more money and time to formulate ideas and solutions around campus to reduce emissions, promote biofuels and create a more natural environment. Lawn mowers and other landscape equipment on campus now use biofuels to replace diesel fuel, lubricants, oils and grease.
COMMENTARY
Bill recognizes worth of youth vote
The Michigan House of Representatives is looking to increase voter turnout among young people in elections.
COMMENTARY
Discrimination lingers in modern age
After almost 100 years in existence, the NAACP is still dedicated to its original cause - ending racial discrimination in the U.S.
COMMENTARY
Higher tuition drives students away
It comes every year - a tuition hike making students cringe. For many, what follows is a frantic scrambling to come up with funds to pay the bill. Students should be prepared for this to happen again this year. The university is facing at least a 6 percent increase in tuition this fall.
COMMENTARY
Wiretaps threaten privacy of citizens
Unconstitutional eavesdropping through secret wiretapping is still legal, thanks to a federal appeals court ruling Saturday. The U.S.
COMMENTARY
Murder cover-up warrants punishment
Corruption, deception, shirking accountability - these dubious activities seem to be commonplace in the area of national politics.
COMMENTARY
Friends don't let friends serve time
I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Jr. will not spend a day in jail, despite a conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice, thanks to President Bush.
COMMENTARY
Strict laws needed for drunken drivers
The choice to drive drunk is not one that begins and ends with a single person. Making that decision can put the safety of many others in jeopardy. In 2005, 16,885 out of 43,443 traffic fatalities in the U.S., or about 39 percent, were alcohol-related, according to www.alcoholalert.com.
COMMENTARY
Students' speech must be protected
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a potentially damaging blow to students' rights to free speech in a ruling Monday. In 2002, Joseph Frederick unfurled a 14-foot banner that read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" near his school in Juneau, Ala., as the Olympic torch passed through town.
COMMENTARY
Guantanamo key factor in '08 race
Presidential candidates for the 2008 election will often not give a definitive stance on many of the issues facing them. Health care, immigration, the war with Iraq and other topics are discussed but often shirked when a solution is needed.
COMMENTARY
Secrecy breeds political imbalance
When the national office overseeing classified government documents tried to work with Vice President Dick Cheney and his staff in 2003, Cheney refused to cooperate.
COMMENTARY
Lenders' interest policy makes sense
In a letter to Congress Thursday, Andrew Cuomo stated some private lenders are setting interest rates for student loans based on the college the student attends. Instead of looking at each individual student's credit history, the lenders base rates on factors such as previous graduate default rates, graduation rates or the credit trends of the colleges' neighborhoods, according to The New York Times. Cuomo wrote the letter to Congress in an effort to expose a trend of unfair lender discrimination.
COMMENTARY
Granholm must earn higher approval
With Michigan's slippery economic slope, someone has to take the fall. The easiest face to attach to the state's burdens: Gov.
COMMENTARY
Delay on passport rules necessary
By January 2008, all U.S. citizens were supposed to show a passport to reenter the country by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.
COMMENTARY
Duke prosecutor sets poor precedent
A lot of presuppositions exist regarding lawyers. There are countless jokes and jabs portraying them as liars and cheats, meant to be taken as half-jokes. Michael Nifong, the prosecuting attorney in the case against former members of Duke University lacrosse team, is making it harder to think of these assumptions as jokes. With almost 29 years of prosecuting experience, the Durham County, N.C., district attorney was found guilty Saturday of ethical violations and disbarred.
COMMENTARY
New tax renews hope for businesses
Michigan finally has a replacement for the controversial Single Business Tax, or SBT, and the change looks to be a step in the right direction. State lawmakers from both political parties worked together to craft the Michigan Business Tax, or MBT.
COMMENTARY
Internet important tool in 2008 race
"OMG, did you check out McCain's updated MySpace profile?" "No, but Barack listens to The Fugees, which rules." Yes, it's official.
COMMENTARY
Smoking ban infringes on businesses
For many, smoking in bars is a fact of life; an undeniable truth. Soon, though, people's habits may be drastically altered. Michigan lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday to discuss a possible statewide ban on smoking inside bars, restaurants and workplaces.
COMMENTARY
More education options a good thing
Proposed bills in the Michigan House of Representatives may allow high school students to take classes at a community college or four-year university.