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.
Bonds should reflect the nature of the crime. A $1.5 million one, in the case of Karim M. Nasr seems fitting. Nasr is accused of attacking an MSU student in October. The charges he faces seem to justify a large bond: second-degree criminal sexual conduct, criminal sexual conduct assault with the intent to commit sexual penetration, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and minor in possession of alcohol. Defense attorney Nabhi Ayad argued that because the charge of kidnapping was no longer being pursued, his client's bond should have been lowered.
MSU is considered a party school with rambunctious students. We like to celebrate, and riots have been known to happen with either a sports victory or defeat. However, the riots in East Lansing over the years don't compare with what's happening in France. Rioting by French adolescents spread across 300 towns in 14 days of violence and led to several injuries, including 36 police, and one death. More than 1,200 rioters were arrested, and more than 2,000 cars were burned. French officials have been unable to stop the riots within their own country, which have already spread into Belgium and Germany. East Lansing police could probably handle it. In comparison, the situation in France shows the perception of the April 2-3 disturbances as a "riot" is overblown. When a riot or disturbance occurs on campus, those who participate aren't filled with anarchy but just want to rattle cages.
Amid an ongoing war in Iraq, post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction and many scandals in government, we seem to be forgetting something. Oh yeah, Afghanistan. As the United States passes its fourth year with military presence in Afghanistan, we have spent $1.3 billion on the country's reconstruction. Fighting in Iraq, we have spent more than $212 billion.
Vote. On the Opinion Page, we print letters from readers who are concerned about issues affecting them in East Lansing. We know you're out there.
Each of the East Lansing City Council candidates has his own vision for the city's future. The State News met with all four candidates and grilled them about relations between permanent residents and students, the April 2-3 disturbances, housing and other issues East Lansing has potential to improve on. We've done the research and made decisions about what we think is best for the city. Agree or disagree, it's now left in your hands to vote on Tuesday. You can learn more at www.votesmart.msu.edu and www.youvote.msu.edu. Don't waste the liberties given to you as an American citizen. Out of four leaders, we need the two most capable of helping the city grow. Those two are John Fournier and Vic Loomis. Fournier's campaign is professional and mature.
When elected officials spend money, those who elect them need to see results. ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, plans to spend the $11,000 it recently allocated for updating office equipment, software, signs and insurance.
At least President George W. Bush is being proactive. Bush's announcement of a $7.1 billion plan to research, develop and stockpile vaccines to prepare the country for a possible flu pandemic is a preemptive approach to protecting the country. Many scientists believe a deadly flu outbreak is one of the greatest dangers for the United States and the world.
Nobody did anything. A crowd of 3,000 people gathered in the streets and were met by police with tear gas and pepper spray.
The Democrats finally got the nerve to try to get answers about the war in Iraq. It's about time, but it's too late. As a testament to the country's division, Democratic senators invoked a rarely used parliamentary procedure on Tuesday to effectively shut down the Senate in an attempt to complete an investigation into the cause of war. It's part of an ongoing battle between Democrats and Republicans.
Finally. When Valley Forge Military College in Pennsylvania begins its fall 2006 semester, women will be able to attend classes alongside men for the first time in the school's history. For some, this represents an end to an archaic practice of separating men and women in educational environments. For others, it represents the end of a tradition.
Money in political campaigns is hard to come by, but candidates for the East Lansing City Council election seem to be doing well. Local elections, like the one on Nov.
It's scary to imagine where this country will be in 10 years. Considering the recent string of nominees coming out of the White House, the future seems rather uncertain. After the nomination of Harriet Miers failed, President Bush nominated Judge Samuel A.
MSU is known for a lot of things: football, the Izzone, partying. But rarely do people take the time to recognize the faculty members and students researching for new knowledge and innovation. MSU has a research center for bioterror threats.
It's been a really bad week for President Bush. And it will get worse. With further controversies involving Tom DeLay, Karl Rove and Bill Frist stretching to the upper echelons of the Republican Party, it's no wonder Bush's approval ratings are at a dismal 39 percent. It's hardly surprising the president said he wants to restart his second term.
As if students didn't have enough to worry about between classes, studying and working, they're now being asked to help guard cars in MSU commuter lots. Recent vehicle break-ins have prompted police to tell students they're partly responsible for looking after the commuter lots. "Police officers can't do everything," MSU police Sgt.
Jennifer Gumas stepped up to the microphone and introduced herself to the 12 independent commission members sitting across from her. This was after she handed each member a document with the topics she was about to discuss. "A lot of students feel alienated by East Lansing," she said.
"Are you going to stand up?" the bus driver asked. "No," Rosa Parks replied. "Well, by God, I'm going to have you arrested," the bus driver said. "You may do that," Parks said. It's been almost 50 years since the above conversation, recreated in a video for the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, took place.
More than 2,000. It's a sizable number, but purely symbolic. As the number of U.S.