COMMENTARY
Accelerate RIA
In President Bush's 2006 budget proposal, $4 million is allocated in support of the Rare Isotope Accelerator.
COMMENTARY
Face it
Imagine the intelligence of the yellow pages combined with the recognition of Thefacebook. Combine this with a focus on sexual predators and what you have is the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry Web site. The registry will update its profiles in May with the driver's license photos of about 36,000 offenders, in our minds making the system more efficient.
COMMENTARY
Signal change
MSU students have to go elsewhere to become fluent in one of America's most commonly used languages - sign language. Sure, there are five classes available for students to get a slight grasp of the language, but the nearest place to obtain certification is located in the next town over.
COMMENTARY
No smoking
Is Big Brother creeping into your home and pulling the cigarette from your mouth? It might seem like it with the recent anti-smoking policy enforcement of the Okemos-based Weyco Inc. The health care company fired four workers who refused to quit smoking. First Amendment senses tingling yet?
COMMENTARY
Ta-ta, tailgate
After reviewing the 2004 Fall Celebration Survey, it seems incredibly likely the MSU Board of Trustees will use the results to support making tailgating restrictions permanent.
COMMENTARY
Peace at last?
Although the Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Palestine has been the same for many years, a cast of ever-changing characters has flowed through its political theater. Some of these characters have made steps to push peace forward, others back.
COMMENTARY
Tax trouble
Students can expect a possible increase in their taxes this year. The ASMSU Academic and Student assemblies passed a bill on Thursday to let students vote on a proposal to raise student taxes by $3 to $16.75.
COMMENTARY
Not a question
The process for receiving financial aid might be a bit more forgiving in the future. A committee appointed by congress has made the suggestion to remove a question about whether the candidate has had a drug conviction from the aid application.
COMMENTARY
Remain secure
In our generation, it's important to understand what you don't have, or to be specific, what you won't have. Social Security is a time bomb ticking down to its last seconds.
COMMENTARY
Ted's intent
In light of all the possible job changes East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton has been considering in the last few months, we wonder what his next move will be. In November, Staton withdrew his application for a city manager position of another college town, Evanston, Ill., where Northwestern University is located. He also had been in talks with the Michigan Municipal League since October and was one of three finalists from more than 100 applicants for the position of executive director.
COMMENTARY
High marks
Did you hear? Michigan scored higher than Illinois - in a grading of state government performance. Yep, that's right.
COMMENTARY
Mobile mess
Within a community, a diversity of people is essential to the enrichment of the inhabitants' lives.
COMMENTARY
Take it indoors
It's a Saturday afternoon during football season, you've had a couple of drinks and game time is approaching.
COMMENTARY
Volunteer vigor
MSU is full of internationally minded students and our ranking as one of the nation's top 10 producers of Peace Corps volunteers is a perfect example of that. Our school is globally focused, which can be seen by MSU's Study Abroad program, one of the largest in the country.
COMMENTARY
Dire developing
The East Lansing City Council is building a wall around campus. It's a great wall of exciting street-level businesses under tiered condominium housing, stretching from Grand River Avenue all the way to East Village. But unlike the ancient structure that defended China from Mongol invasions, this wall will keep students separated from campus, help suck in young professionals and empty-nesters and, perhaps, ultimately win Gov.
COMMENTARY
Fight to vote
Now that the polls in Iraq have closed, we have to be thankful. The amount of violence expected fell short, and at least 24 people have died, as of 6:15 p.m.
COMMENTARY
Frazzled fans
Contracts, dress code, doctor's notes - participating in the Izzone under the new rules is essentially a job. As computer engineering junior Mauricio Gomes's Web site Izzonesucks.com states: "This type of system changes the nature of the organization into one that students already dislike, an organization that goes by the name of work.
COMMENTARY
Safe selection
Hold your breath. If the events of the last few days are a prelude to what is coming, Sunday's election in Iraq could be violent and disastrous. Just days before Iraqis are set to cast their ballots and voice their opinions, the U.S.
COMMENTARY
En route
Living off campus is expected to bring about more responsibilities - from cooking and cleaning to dealing with landlords and paying monthly rent.
COMMENTARY
Pill prohibition
Buying dietary supplements over the counter might get more complicated in the future. Earlier this month, the Institute of Medicine called for tougher regulations in regards to dietary supplements. Because supplements can be sold unless they are proven to be harmful, there is a possibility of an adverse effect unknown to the willing pill-taker. Advertisements for some of these supplements make it appear that taking them is safe and can, in some cases, work miracles.