Thanksgiving means a lot to many, many people. It's one of those days in the year reserved for people to gather with family, friends and loved ones, no matter how they celebrate. However, it doesn't have to be a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. A feast, ski trip or movie at the local cinema all suffice.
It's the day after tomorrow. The "spree." The "big dance." Marathon runners would find it familiar. During the early morning, alarms around the country will break the stillness of the hour.
It can be seen as a changing of the guard. After 12 years of service to East Lansing as a member of the City Council, Bill Sharp lost his bid for reelection earlier this month. For more than a decade Sharp has shaped policies that have affected thousands of MSU students as they have studied, lived and worked in the city. His experience and dedication to the city cannot be questioned.
The auto industry has been struggling and job opportunities seem to be disappearing for college graduates. It seems odd that as the major automakers hit the brakes, MSU has created a partnership for a new $10 million auto lab on campus.
She's our leader and representative. It's MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon's job to be the university's leader when relating to the community.
Bringing in a mediocre band with a big name doesn't mean good attendance or a profit. This is the lesson ASMSU learned — for the third time. Some members of the undergraduate student government admitted they "dropped the ball" on organizing concerts.
Wal-Mart is evil. Many people seem to think Wal-Mart takes the cake in a world full of awful, selfish corporations. What began as small towns protesting the movement of the giant corporation into their market has spread into a nationwide outcry against it.
Where have you been in the past seven months? Where were you when your students needed a strong voice backing them up at forums and meetings? Even just one week ago, when the independent commission released its report, you were nowhere to be seen. The State News has been critical of the lack of student input on the independent commission reviewing the April 2-3 whatever-you-want-to-call-it.
If East Lansing is going to have a mayor, at least give him some power. Sure, former Mayor Mark Meadows was the chairman of the independent commission that investigated the April 2-3 disturbances, but beyond his duty as a spokesperson of the East Lansing City Council, the mayor is essentially just another member of the council. Students who were questioned in "Word on the street: What do you think the East Lansing mayor does?" (SN 11/16) weren't even sure what the mayor's duties are.
The issue of torture is back in the news. As the insurgency in Iraq continues, it appears coalition forces are growing desperate to find information to stop it. On Tuesday, the new Iraqi government announced it would begin an investigation into a torture camp that was discovered by the U.S.
Let's face it: Sex is an issue that is relevant to college students. Sexually transmitted diseases are major concerns, and most college students know — or should know — they are out there. However, some people are unaware of how dangerous they are and what they need to do to protect themselves.
It's strange to walk down a hallway and realize you know nothing about anyone else. We try and place labels on everything.
Free speech. As guaranteed in the First Amendment, it's one of the most vital principles to American society.
The U.S. military was desperate for information after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Our government sought anyone with any information on potential terrorists. While the goals of the government to stop terrorism might have been noble, it exploited the desperate condition of war-ravaged nations in the Middle East.
Today, we're more than happy to applaud ASMSU. The State News criticizes ASMSU a lot on the Opinion Page. We do it for good reason.
A vote of 5-4 is hardly a clear consensus. Only one vote prompted the independent commission, created to review the April 2-3 disturbances, not to place blame in its final report. Instead, the commission provided a list of recommendations intended to prevent these types of events from occurring in the future. It seems like something is missing. If the commission can't determine who acted inappropriately that night, how can it determine the best way to prevent it from happening again? One member of the commission, Beth Alexander, has come forward and said she disagrees with the decision not to place blame. In her personal statement, which is attached to the report, Alexander wrote "Forgiveness of perceived wrongs often cannot occur until there has been acknowledgment and ownership of errors." Alexander is exactly right.
Evolution. It's a widely accepted scientific theory, based on scientific facts. Intelligent design.
"We must never forget." Many people understand the Holocaust needs to be remembered, but it goes beyond one day of memorial.
It's unconscionable. Only 14 percent of registered voters showed up to the polls. That's it. Compared to the national average for voter turnout, it's absolutely deplorable. Yes, this is an off-year and not a large presidential election.
Out of 27,321 registered voters, only 3,805 voted. That equals about 14 percent voter turnout. If this were a test grade, it would be graded a 0.0. In a country founded on democracy, it would be nice if more than 14 percent of the community took part.