No. 17 Spartans win Fox Run Invitational

The No. 17 MSU gymnastics team took first place Saturday in the Fox Run Invitational, defeating West Virginia, Brown and New Hampshire, the host team. With a team score of 194.000, the Spartans edged past New Hampshire's score of 193.975, giving the Spartans their second straight first-place finish. Freshman Rochelle Robinson achieved something that every gymnast strives for in a career — the perfect 10.0. Robinson's flawless score came from her performance on the vault.

Intriguing story lines highlight NBA's year

All-Star Weekend is just a week away, which means it's time for my yearly self-indulgent NBA column.

Marriage defined in Bible as man, woman

I am writing in response to Ryan Dinkgrave's article "Definition of marriage should not be based on sexual orientation" (SN 2/7). Dinkgrave states that he cannot "understand and appreciate" the views of those opposed to same-sex marriage.

Lebanese civilian deaths from attacks unmerited

It was truly heartening to read your editorial "Israeli use of cluster bombs unjust" (SN 1/29). Thank you for pointing out the "unjust" part.

Grapplers drop pair of weekend road meets

It was a rough Friday night for the No. 20 MSU wrestling team when it was ousted, 35-4, by No. 1 Minnesota. Senior Nick Simmons recorded the lone victory for the Spartans (3-8 overall, 2-4 Big Ten), and freshman Franklin Gomez and senior Andy Simmons' Big Ten undefeated streaks came to an end. Freshman Rocky Cozart nearly recorded a victory for the Spartans, but was edged, 14-12, in a sudden-victory overtime against Minnesota's Tyler Safratowich. The Spartans returned to action to close out another weekend of road meets when they faced No.

Is an MSU program manipulating your thoughts?

After allegations of a university-sponsored "thought control" program reminiscent of George Orwell's classic "1984," MSU administrators are struggling to clarify the nature of the Student Accountability in Community Seminar. University officials said the seminar was designed as an optional punishment for students found violating a regulation through MSU's judicial process.

With win, MSU likely takes Purdue out of Big Ten contention

West Lafayette, Ind. — The looks on the faces of forward Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton and guard Jodi Howell in the post-game press conference said it all. They had just seen a 17-point lead slip away along with, more than likely, a chance to win the Big Ten after falling two games back of Ohio State with four games left to play.

Pool facility not fitting for Big Ten competitions

While reading the article "Pool patrons unhappy with renovation plans" (SN 1/31), I was smiling and shaking my head at the same time.

Column preached to choir, does not sway

Jessica Byrom's column on Christianity, "Christianity equals love, cannot be debunked in scientific terms" (SN 2/8), was heartwarming and moving, but only to people who are already Christians.

Police briefs 02/12/07

New chair elected to serve on ASMSU

Nigel Scarlett, who became the new ASMSU vice chairperson for external affairs early Friday morning, said he plans to focus his time on advocacy and spreading the word about MSU's undergraduate student government. "When students come to MSU, they don't really know about ASMSU," Scarlett said.

U.S. must face consequence for own self-defeating foreign policy

If there's one thing Americans absolutely hate to hear, it's that we're responsible for our own problems. As a nation, we prefer to think of ourselves as either: A) the enlightened country trying to bring logic and progress to a world that is so hopelessly backward and left in the dark that it needs us or B) the perpetual victim of forces who "hate freedom." After all, it's a much cleaner, nicer way to look at our foreign policy. Who wants to look at the ever-increasing levels of anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and think, "Well, maybe they don't like the United States because we have a long-standing legacy of exploiting the region for our own financial gain?" For example, in Iran in the 1950s and Iraq now, the United States has a history of overthrowing governments we disagree with only to attempt to install often-brutal pro-U.S.

YouTube users to receive profit share

There are more than 100 million videos shown each day on YouTube.com, with at least 65,000 videos uploaded daily and viewed by some 70 million users. Now, imagine if every user who uploaded a video to the Web site was paid for the content. YouTube, which recently was purchased by Google, is now offering to share ad revenue with users.

Downtown venture forced to cut back

The state has denied financial support to one of East Lansing's downtown redevelopments, eliminating one-third of the project. Without state funding, city officials and the developer are scrambling to salvage the Stonehouse Village project — by cutting Stonehouse II and focusing their efforts on Stonehouse III. The original plan called for these next two stages to be built near Stonehouse Village I, off East Grand River Avenue and Bailey Street in the city's downtown area.

Criminalizing homeless is wrong solution to problem

Though not particularly surprised, I am nevertheless appalled by the attitude taken toward the homeless by certain members of our community in East Lansing and MSU. The East Lansing City Council has proposed an ordinance banning homeless people from the city's parking structures.

Definitions of human life differ in debates

Two major arguments have been presented in response to my letter. In "Both stem cell research, organ harvesting ethical" (SN 2/6), Mr. Brian Weeks' attempt to justify embryonic stem cell research by asserting that it does "no more harm to the stem cells than was already going to come to them" is harmful for two reasons.

Spartans celebrate after this final 3-pointer

West Lafayette, Ind. — You can call her Miss Big Shot. With the clock winding down and the Spartans down by one, Mia Johnson bolted down the floor as Aisha Jefferson collected the rebound off a missed free throw. Jefferson drove the lane and drew a double-team but didn't panic.

Care of sidewalks must be improved by city, MSU

I am writing to The State News because I think there is a real problem right now with the ice-covered sidewalks throughout campus and East Lansing.

Cartoon distorts current status of global warming

I would just like to say that Mike Ramsey's cartoons usually make me want to vomit. Most are distasteful and lack credibility.

Celebrating Charles Darwin

Birthday cake and hominoid fossils meant one thing to the MSU Museum: It was time to celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday. Darwin Discovery Day, hosted by the MSU Museum for the second time ever on Sunday, was part of an international celebration of the impact Darwin's theory of evolution has had on science. The annual event is held around the world on or near Darwin's birthday, Feb.