COMMENTARY
Step one
East Lansing city officials and ASMSU members met on Wednesday for dinner to converse about local issues and to improve relations.
COMMENTARY
Represent
It's that time of year again. Candidates are preparing for the East Lansing City Council elections in November.
COMMENTARY
Make it cool
A city-sponsored gathering on Bogue Street sounds about as much fun as a birthday party thrown by mom and dad. While trying to figure out what students could do following big sports games, the independent commission investigating the April 2-3 disturbances has kicked around the idea of designating a spot on Bogue for celebration and musical performances. The thought is nice and shows an effort to solve the problems that follow a Spartan win or loss.
COMMENTARY
Shot down
Many Michigan residents could have peace of mind without fear of consequence. Two bills in the state Legislature would allow people who feel threatened in or outside their homes to use deadly force to defend themselves without facing criminal charges. At first glance these bills look like self-defense laws, which already are in place.
COMMENTARY
Trouble abroad
No place on earth is completely safe for students to travel. The MSU Office of Study Abroad provides students the opportunity to go to many locations, but a lot of things could go wrong - problems travelers just don't expect.
COMMENTARY
In de-Nile
This year, there have been 15 reported cases of West Nile virus in Michigan and two deaths caused by the virus, what, in the grand scheme of things, is the big deal? In recent years, media outlets have blown epidemics such as West Nile virus and SARS out of proportion in comparison to the amount of people they affect. Ten million people live in Michigan.
COMMENTARY
Safe thinking
Violence erupts everywhere. In many cases, it's out of society's control. There are bad people willing to do bad things.
COMMENTARY
Out of where?
"Hi, Mom, I'm coming out." What's her first assumption here? Probably not that her son or daughter is announcing political leanings. But it's official: They're coming out … as conservatives. The first National Conservative Coming Out Day is today, and the MSU College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom are promoting this event on campus. The day is to celebrate right-leaners and enable them to show pride in their political choice. But by using the phrase "coming out," it seems a little backwards for conservatives and detrimental to the campaign's statement. When someone says he or she is "coming out," they are, more often than not, announcing his or her homosexuality. Rarely, if ever, has this phrase been associated for any other group of people. It's most likely not coincidental Republicans have chosen this phrasing to mark their celebratory day.
COMMENTARY
Tragedy watch
It's true. Hurricanes are now fiercer than before because of the Earth's climate change, and Americans can, and need to, help. A new study released last week in the journal "Science" showed evidence that the average number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes increased from 10 per year in the 1970s to 18 each year after 1990, with average tropical sea surface temperatures increasing as much as 1 degree Fahrenheit in that same time. This evidence correlates with the idea that global warming might be the cause of increased devastation from hurricanes. We've got the proof.
COMMENTARY
For the people
Voters need to decide if they are willing to commit to the same legislator for 14 years. A long-term legislator might be preferable to some citizens, but it might also limit potential government leaders.
COMMENTARY
Price is right
Those who pay more receive more privileges - seems unfair, right? It's not a new concept, it's just capitalism. The MSU Board of Trustees approved the selling of beer and wine on Friday in the luxury suites of Spartan Stadium.
COMMENTARY
Didn't know?
There are a lot of groups to blame besides students for the poor attendance of the commission meeting that reviewed the April 2-3 disturbances.
COMMENTARY
Need tickets?
Students have spoken to their government and they are not happy about the new ticket policy. And the MSU athletics department needs to remedy this now. If something comes up and a season ticket holder can not make a game, there needs to be an easy way for a student to sell their ticket.
COMMENTARY
Bourgeois icon
It's contradicting to preserve Sparty for posterity and then not allow him to be seen by all Spartans.
COMMENTARY
So sorry
Finally. President Bush is taking responsibility for the government's inefficient response to Hurricane Katrina and admitting there might be problems with prevention protocol.
COMMENTARY
Wrong choice
Mable B. and Salvatore A. Mangano Sr., the owners of the nursing home in New Orleans where 34 people died during Hurricane Katrina, should be held responsible. They should have done everything within their means to make sure that their patients were safe. Officials have said they received adequate warning and made no attempt to remove people.
COMMENTARY
Garden guilt
Ever heard the phrase "look but don't touch?" Is it necessary for your mom to follow you around and tell you "don't touch that?" What is the point of stealing a plant, pulling up a tree or throwing a bench into the river?
COMMENTARY
Money matters
After cuts to higher education have plagued Michigan for years, the state Legislature made a bold move in support of public universities - unfortunately, it seems MSU got the short end of the stick. Although some schools - Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University and Oakland University - will receive funding increases of more than 7 percent from a $14 million share left in the House and Senate budgets, MSU will only receive a 0.4 percent increase. Students can't complain too much.
COMMENTARY
Inquired views
Hearings to consider Judge John Roberts for the position of chief justice of the United States are underway and both Democrats and Republicans are arguing about the selection. The nominee's background and experience will be evaluated by an 18-member Senate Judiciary Committee before a decision is reached, but what interviewers should be focusing on is his views on certain issues. As a renowned conservative, Roberts is largely backed by Republicans who are hoping he will be an asset within the court and lead it away from overruling congressional decisions.
COMMENTARY
I'm not paying
ASMSU's recent decision to advocate lower parking meter rates on campus sounds like a good idea.