Virginia Tech tragedy serves as a reminder to live life
Editor's note: This is the final installment of the column for the semester, Dr. D will continue to accept inquiries throughout the summer. E-mail him your questions at dennis.martell@ht.msu.edu There were many questions this week in regard to the horrific shootings that occurred last week at Virginia Tech. Many of these have to do with the concept of disbelief that life could end so abruptly and tragically. The sheer number of people whose lives will never go beyond that moment seems to be the defining point of the disbelief in the minds of many students. There has been an incredible amount of dialogue and coverage by the media and pundits all over the world about the shooter, his motives, gun control, mental health and the world's reaction. All of this is expected and for some it helps; for others it does not. For me, it only serves to galvanize my thoughts as to the meaning and value of this time and space existence we call life. I have been at MSU for more than 20 years and during that time I have had the opportunity and privilege to work and interact with students — people in their teens and above. These are people who have chosen for one reason or another to come to a university to spend time and occupy space to learn and experience.
Police officers did their job at event
Like the student protesters of the Young Americans for Freedom-sponsored event on campus last week, I am strongly opposed to the organization's beliefs and values.
Controversy surrounds abortion ruling
Last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling to uphold a partial-birth abortion ban was perceived as an attack on women's rights by some and a step toward valuing the life of a child by others. The court upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, which ruled abortions past the first trimester of pregnancy are "a gruesome and inhumane procedure that is never medically necessary." "There's really no excuse for why partial-birth abortions should have been legal in the first place," said Molly Pappas, president of MSU's Students for Life.
Harmon shines for MSU
Matt Harmon has been on a roll lately. The senior golfer has made the most out of the spring golf season, finishing all four spring events in the top 10, including back-to-back first-place finishes at the Kepler Invitational two weeks ago and the Fossum/Spartan Invitational last weekend. As the lone senior on the squad, Harmon's play has catapulted the MSU men's golf team into a great position as it prepares for the Big Ten Championship this weekend. "This team has really impressed me," Harmon said.
Generation united
As a youngster, I followed politics and news more than most my age. My first Breaking News Alert was a yellow sticky note my mom placed on my bathroom sink when the '92 election results came in. But as we witnessed last week, there are some events that touch us all.
Protesters at Simcox event hypocrites
The group of protesters at The Minuteman Project speech April 19 amazes me, along with its response to what police did. First, the protesters who tried to shut down Chris Simcox's speech are hypocrites.
Retrofashion
School is almost out, and the snow may be gone for good. It is time to ditch the sweats for adorable summer duds seven days a week. Think beyond the typical tank top and shorts, and experiment with some of the season's most unique items.
Green team pounds white
The White team came into Saturday's Green-White intrasquad game beaming with confidence. The players boasted, "Our team is stacked!
Property owners question East Village
Before East Lansing's first island can be carved from the banks of the Red Cedar River, a San Diego-based developer must acquire the land necessary to begin the East Village project. On Tuesday, Theresa Nakata, the company's vice president for marketing and communications, said The Pierce Company Inc. has had progressive negotiations with the region's property owners for several months. The estimated $500 million East Village project involves redeveloping the land bounded by East Grand River Avenue, Hagadorn Road, Bogue Street and the Red Cedar River with a mix of residential, retail and entertainment properties by 2011. The project's latest concept design by Hollywood-based 5+Design calls for a man-made canal and island next to an 11-acre riverfront park, showcasing the features of the Red Cedar River. International relations freshman Kelly Steffen said she would return to the East Village if it's redeveloped, but for now, she is concerned about the student housing that could be affected by the project. "Cedar Village is the only off-campus housing that's cheap," she said.
Protest victimized Minuteman leader
It's all just a little bit of history repeating. In an event that somewhat mirrored the Dec. 1, 2006, Tom Tancredo debacle, protesters crashed a presentation put on by Chris Simcox, co-founder and president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps at Conrad Hall on Thursday. Much like Tancredo, Simcox was there to speak out against illegal immigration.
Post correspondent to share Iraq experience
Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post Middle East correspondent Anthony Shadid will speak at 3 p.m.
Drag show packs the house
Tight, flashy costumes, high heels, loud music and glitter — the MSU Drag Show was glam rock at its finest. The event was sponsored by the University Activities Board and Respecting Individuals on Neutral Ground as a part of Pride Week, which highlights the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Most participants perform as members of the opposite sex, while lip-synching and dancing to popular music from many genres. Dressed in a glittery gold evening gown, Hershae Chocolatae opened the show performing songs by Tina Turner and Macy Gray. Premedical and nutritional sciences senior Eric Harper specifically came to the show to see his friend, performing on stage as Moltyn Decadence, but thought Chocolatae did a great job. "I love the host," Harper said.
Protesters were racially profiled at Simcox event
I am appalled at the reaction of both MSU police and administrators following the Chris Simcox event the evening of April 19.
Monday musings
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 last week for wearing a cap during Super Bowl media day that promoted a sponsor not authorized by the league.
Davis looks for big senior season
At 6-foot-6 and 254 pounds, senior Kellen Davis has the prototypical frame of an NFL tight end. But he has yet to put together a breakout season in his three years at MSU, totaling 28 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns in 29 career games. That all may change under the new coaching staff, which makes an effort to involve the tight end in the offense and use the run to open up the pass. "I definitely feel like I'm going to be utilized more," said Davis, who caught a touchdown pass for the Green team in Saturday's scrimmage.
MSU police deny accusations
MSU administrators and police denied allegations that arrests made at a Thursday evening event were the result of racial profiling this weekend. Five people were arrested at an on-campus speech given by the president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.
SN video clip accurately portrays campus event
I thank you, The State News, for being there and recording the video you got with the article "YAF-sponsored event draws 5 arrests" (SN 4/20). The video shows what really happened, while the article tells another story.
Team will add 7 new members
The MSU fight song blared from the gym in the Berkowitz Basketball Complex on Saturday. Inside, about 60 women danced together and clapped to the beat. Their faces were smiling and their moves precise.
Volunteers clean up river
As they paddled Saturday morning through the waters of the Red Cedar River, Danielle Abshagen and Carolyn Schwedler were praised for the bounty they had collected. Other volunteers yelled out compliments as the pair returned with a pile of bikes so heavy it nearly tipped their canoe. "It's always the most fun finding the interesting stuff," said Abshagen, an environmental soil science senior.