Obsessive healthy eating may trigger larger problem
Dr. D, After a semester of not paying attention to my diet, I decided to make it my spring semester goal to eat healthy.
MSU faces familiar foe in 2nd round
The last time the MSU women's basketball team faced Rutgers, it was coming off a disappointing loss at Penn State. It was the second leg of the two-game road trip against the Scarlet Knights.
Lenten period used for extreme dieting
Though this is Allison Ribble's first year observing in Lent, that didn't stop the advertising freshman from plunging headfirst into the tradition — she gave up all sweets and junk food. Like other students who use Lent to initiate healthier eating habits, Ribble made a pact with her friend to swear off sweets and junk food for the 40-day season. "I was actually asked by a friend, and I had never thought about it," she said.
Tobacco tax: May increase revenue later this year
The tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products may be reduced significantly when the next fiscal year begins Oct.
Students give taste of their restrictive eating patterns
In the third grade, Liana Maffezzoli read an article about someone being a victim of food poisoning. Since then, she has only eaten food she prepares herself. "I feel like the world wants to poison me," she said.
MIDDAY UPDATE: Bristow: YAF members know we're not a hate group
As chairman of the MSU chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom, Kyle Bristow often speaks on behalf of 30 active members and 40 more who subscribe to YAF's e-mail listserv. And it was one of his statements — a 13-point agenda posted on ASMSU's Web site last fall — that caused YAF to become the first university organization listed on the Southern Poverty Law Center's annual Hate Group list, to be released in April. "This is a representation of my beliefs as a conservative," Bristow said of the agenda.
Service tax: TV ads speak out against Granholm's proposal
To prompt opposition to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposed 2 percent tax on services, a duo of Michigan business groups launched a campaign to attack her initiative. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Association of Realtors, or MAR, launched the 30-second commercials, which have aired across the Lansing area since last week. The theme of the campaign is "Give Governor Granholm Your 2 cents." People don't understand how great of an effect this excise tax would have on them, said Brad Ward, director of public policy and legal affairs for MAR. "We would like the state government's restructuring policy to save the citizens money, rather than balance its problems on their back," Ward said, adding that the companies have discussed broadening the base of the ads. The proposed service tax is part of Granholm's plan to eliminate the state's combined $3 billion budget deficit. According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, the proposed tax would generate almost $1.5 billion in revenue by taxing about 132 services — many associated with transportation, business and finance. Implementation of the tax would cost a middle-class family of four about $69 a year, according to Terry Stanton, director for the Michigan Department of Treasury. If the service tax were adopted, Michigan would have a tax system that's not in step with the rest of the country, according to a study by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Anderson Economic Group. "Many of the negative features of the governor's plan could be remedied if the 'excise tax' on business-to-business service purchases and the asset tax were eliminated from her plan," the study said. But Granholm's proposed taxes and budget cuts would allow Michigan to continue investing in education, health care and other import programs for the future, Stanton said. "This proposal was put forth by the governor ... because it combines government restructuring and some pretty significant budget cuts that would provide the state with the revenue that it needs to invest in itself," he said. Granholm has encouraged other ideas for solving the budget crisis, but no one has put anything on the table, said Liz Boyd, Granholm's spokeswoman.
Education necessary to curb false impressions
Jessica Byrom's opinion column "An indefinite truth" (SN 3/15), illustrates the danger of having a population that is under-educated in science and critical thinking.
Organic food grows in popularity
You can't put a price on your health, but it can be tough if you are a college student trying to afford organic food. "I went organic for a while," international relations freshman Chelsea Thomason said.
Council delays release of agendas
East Lansing city staff has changed the day when City Council agenda packets are available to the public. The change in availability decreases the time community members will have to review the specifics of agenda items, while giving the same amount time to council members and city staff. The agenda packets — which are available by request — are no longer released on the Friday before council meetings.
WEB EXTRA: MSU College of Law wins moot court competition for 2nd consecutive year
Knowing how to think quickly, maintain clear body language and face adversity are three main components in becoming a well-prepared lawyer. Just ask third-year law students Sean Caruthers and Susan Lumetta, MSU's Moot Court & Advocacy Board representatives who took first place at the 2007 Robert F.
Use anniversary to show opposition
It has been four years since the U.S. hurled itself into the Iraq war. Since then, more than 3,200 U.S.
Leader cause of damage done to YAF reputation
The author of the letter "YAF not hate group, law center should be accused" (SN 3/16), is clearly out of touch with how the leadership has been directing the group. Despite how the Young Americans for Freedom was run in the past, the current chairman, Kyle Bristow, is running what may have once been a respectable organization into the ground.
Comley wants tourney berth to relax Spartans
Finally, the pressure to get in is gone. MSU is in the NCAA Tournament, and one could only imagine the metaphorical sigh of relief the entire team released when it found out. After weeks of struggling, there is indeed a silver lining. There's a postseason. But still, the team has a longing to play as it did in its run that spanned more than two months.
Beliefs are mainstream, YAF not a 'hate group'
I cannot believe MSU's chapter of Young Americans for Freedom is now classified as a "hate group" in "Law center lists YAF as 'hate group'" (SN 3/15), or as I refer to it, a group that has views shared by the majority of Americans, which left-wing based institutions don't agree with. After all, since when have supporting our troops, advocating immigration reform and standing up for moral values been considered hateful acts?
WEB EXTRA: 'Mr. East Lansing' John Patriarche dies at 89
Former East Lansing City Manager John M. Patriarche, a man known to the city as "Mr. East Lansing," died Sunday.
MSU responds to group's criticism
Critics of an MSU's disciplinary program said they're confused by the university's response in reviewing the program. In February, MSU officials said the seminar was an optional punishment for students found violating a university regulation. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, said the Student Accountability in Community Seminar stifles students' constitutional rights and demanded the program's termination, prompting the university review. The accountability seminar was presented by officials from Student Life and MSU Safe Place at a 2002 Association of Student Judicial Affairs' International Conference, which FIRE's president, Greg Lukianoff, attended. "Every day they run the SAC (Student Accountability in Community) program, they're violating the Constitution of the United States," Lukianoff said. In a March 7 letter to the foundation, Lee June, MSU's vice president for Student Affairs and Services, responded to the criticism by saying "For those students who have been sanctioned through the judicial process, we see no problem in their participating in the SAC program." "Students will not be required to enter this program as the only sanction for a violation, but it will be offered as an option," he wrote. But Lukianoff said his organization is "trying to figure out what the letter actually meant." "It wasn't very clear," he said.
Mortgage plan saves green
The idea of buying their own homes may seem daunting to new college graduates. But there is a little-utilized mortgage program that can make the decision easier for anyone looking to get started building home equity right away. It also can help green-leaning homeowners limit their impact on the environment. An Energy Efficient Mortgage, or EEM, allows homeowners to borrow up to 15 percent more on their mortgage than the home's appraised value.
Experts debunk myths about trans fats
By definition, trans fat is a type of fat that contains trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acids are a type of saturated fat, which have been recognized as an unhealthy fat. "It is a fatty acid that is produced during the hydrogenation process to make oils into solids," said Professor Dale Romsos. Romsos is the nutritional sciences coordinator for the Food Science and Human Nutrition program. He said the danger of trans fat is the acid's effect on cholesterol. "The trans fatty acid acts similar metabolically to a saturated fatty acid," he said.