'Lake House' unrealistic, original

When I first saw "The Lake House" on Friday afternoon, I was originally going to give this film two stars.

Camp Duckett

Kalamazoo — Former MSU football star T.J. Duckett has found a way to give back to his hometown — he has established a football camp at his old stomping ground, Loy Norrix High School. "First year, you're going to have your bumps and bruises, but so far everything is going smooth.

Granholm good governor, her record does speak for itself

In response to Fred Sharp's letter "Granholm blames Bush for Michigan's problems," (SN 6/16), stating that Governor Granholm's record "speaks for itself," I wholeheartedly agree. Granholm is succeeding, albeit under the radar, in her goals of creating jobs and jump-starting our economy.

Defending against Internet attacks

More than a year and a half ago, MSU's library server was breached. It was the biggest threat to online security the university had ever seen, and MSU officials scrambled to try and minimize the threat. David Gift, vice provost of libraries, computing and technology, said there was "potential" exposure to Social Security numbers, but evidence surfaced that none had been taken.

Intelligent design makes sense, complexity of life not accidental

Not long ago, President Bush got some folks upset when he suggested teaching intelligent design alongside the theory of evolution in our educational institutions.

Mich. ballot initiative faces legal challenge

Two different groups are challenging the legality of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative on grounds that petition signatures were collected fraudulently. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission and the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, are taking action against the ballot initiate that, if passed, could end race-based preferences in government hiring and public education. The commission submitted a 1,000-page report to the Michigan Supreme Court on June 7 containing compiled information from verbal and written testimonies from people saying they were lied to when they signed the petition, or that other information was fraudulent. The report is meant to prompt the court to conduct further investigations, and a copy was also provided to the state Attorney General Mike Cox's office and state legislators.

Study: Sites reinforce unhealthy behaviors

Learning how to stay healthy has become increasingly easy with the growth of the Internet — but according to a recent study, so has maintaining and hiding eating disorders.

Students should speak up to change unfair ways

I am writing to offer my support to Stephanie Giurlanda's letter "Unnecessary course packs waste students' money," (SN 6/16). I believe it to be outrageous that a professor made mandatory the buying of a coursepack that was composed of so much waste. That is not only an insult to the students of that class, but it also reflects poorly upon the faculty and the university when such obviously outrageous occurrences are allowed to pass. Here is my suggestion to all of you who are still paying for tuition and fees, and who are lugging your way to class each day to earn your degree — be proactive.

Sonic Youth still making enjoyable records

To: High Council of Pop Culture Critics (high_council@wearecritics.com) From: Erik Adams (adamser9@msu.edu) Subject: Re: Transgressions Against the Art of Criticism Dear High Council, Thank you very much for the concern expressed in your previous e-mail, but I'm not taking back anything I said about "Laguna Beach." These things happen; certainly you all have favorite pieces of junk culture, too. Anyway, the real reason I'm writing this is because I feel that if I am to be accepted as a pop culture critic, I need to get some things off my chest.

Columnist should look around; war is everywhere

In response to Vanessa Notman's column, "America doesn't look like a country at war; daily lives seem untouched," (SN 6/16), I would like to point out that the war doesn't touch people who aren't paying attention. I am currently studying in Egypt, and I know exactly how war affects my life.

Birmingham deals with drug overdose

Look closely at your best friends. Do you know whether or not they are doing drugs? Thanks to programs like Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, we are conditioned to associate drug addicts and users as having apparent physical features. For instance, someone who smokes marijuana is supposed to look like a hippie — long hair, ripped jeans and laid-back demeanor.

E.L. to host sidewalk sales for businesses

The annual East Lansing Sidewalk Sales will begin Thursday. During the event, local businesses will open their doors and offer discount prices.

Justices: Wetlands defined by states

The definition of what wetlands are and when developers can build on them was the topic of a sharply divided U.S.

Representing Youth

Walking through the suburban neighborhood of Troy, 20-year-old MSU student Eric Gregory passed out fliers Saturday on the issues and goals he wants to address if he is elected into the Michigan House of Representatives. As the Democratic candidate in the Aug.

Simon to hold final community meeting

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will hold her final community meeting with the Avondale, Bailey and Brookfield neighborhood associations this week. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

Bush administration should follow Granholm's lead

In Fred Sharp's letter "Granholm blames Bush for Michigan's problems" (SN 6/16), he asks, "If (President) Bush is such a powerful force for job losses, why is Michigan the only one suffering from his economic policies?" The answer is actually quite simple: Michigan has lost a larger percentage of its workforce due to unfair trade practices than any other state, losing one-third of its manufacturing sector since Bush took office.

Reunited for charity

Critics who are still skeptical of man's innate ability to take flight obviously didn't attend Thursday's DT Summer Slam.

Police briefs 06/19/06

Sailing season

Haslett — Students in the MSU Sailing Center got off to a chaotic start Sunday afternoon.

Strengthen the sanctity of marriage with U.S. troops

Since one of the Bush administration's main priorities continues to be strengthening the sanctity of marriage, I would like to offer up an excellent solution. First, it should be noted that the gay community has no intention to wage war on heterosexual marriage.