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FEATURES

Final 'X-Men' flick action-packed, well-acted

Ryan Mccormick
May 31, 2006

Hot bodies in tight-fitting costumes. All kinds of particle-splitting death. And a whole lot of destruction from San Francisco to the untamed woods. But what else would you expect from the new X-Men film — "X-Men: The Last Stand." In any case, there were a couple of differences between the latest film and the first two X-Men big-screeners — new cast members, a new director, an increase in swearing, shorter running time and a bit more goofy banter among mutants. The main two additions to the mutant crew are Beast/Dr. Hank McCoy (Kelsey Grammer), and Juggernaut/Cain Marko (Vinnie Jones). Both characters add a level of harmlessly eccentric humor to the overall feel of the fantastic film that was absent in the previous two.

NEWS

Student charged for stolen projectors

Lindsey Poisson
May 31, 2006

MSU student Jason William Trew was charged Friday with criminal enterprising in connection with at least 20 on-campus thefts worth about $200,000. The thefts included more than 35 data projectors and other university property. Criminal enterprising is a felony that carries a sentence of up to 20 years. Trew pleaded not guilty to the charge, according to records at the 54-B District Court in East Lansing.

MSU

Professor joins national board

Stephanie Pittman
May 31, 2006

For the next five years, MSU Professor Thomas Linsmeier's job will be to ensure financial reports from companies all over the United States are clean, clear and transparent. Linsmeier was recently appointed to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, a national body that creates and determines corporate financial reporting guidelines.

NEWS

Splashing into summer

Amy Oprean
May 31, 2006

Slip 'N Slides and bikini lines ushered in unofficial summertime this weekend. A Memorial Day heat wave swept across the state, raising temperatures 15-20 degrees above seasonal averages, according to the Detroit office of the National Weather Service.

NEWS

Research ranks high

Angelo Napolitano, farm manager for the Poultry Research and Teaching Center at MSU, opened a cage to a group of turkeys that flapped their wings and clucked wildly.

COMMENTARY

Monsters among us always have reason

There's always a reason. Every time one of these spring-loaded sociopaths breaks out in a homicidal rage, we hear how it all stemmed from something that happened to him. He came up one hug short of a happy childhood, or his porridge was too hot or too cold, or society failed to remove a thorn from his paw.

COMMENTARY

Creationist should study evolutionary theory

I enjoyed the humorous, albeit tragically misinformed, letter by Christopher Bunke "Intelligent design valid stance, not anti-science" (SN 5/25). Bunke spewed the typical bunk offered by the "intelligent design creationism" faithful, the same repackaged creationist twaddle that's been repeatedly debunked by respected scientists, philosophers and anyone with a passing understanding of the concepts involved. Creationists offer baseless assertions that evolutionary theory is "in crisis," and habitually promote a variety of fallacies, most outrageous being the ignorance-fueled nonsense that intelligent design represents a scientific alternative. Even a Bush-nominated Republican judge, who presided over the Pennsylvania intelligent design case, correctly concluded that intelligent design was not science, but merely "creationism relabeled." Evolution is demonstrably true, a fact that prompted renowned biologist Richard Dawkins to correctly assert, "You cannot be both sane and well educated and disbelieve in evolution." The dovetailing supporting evidence is multidisciplinary, undeniable, overwhelming and still growing.

COMMENTARY

Perfection not goal of religion, Scuderi misled

Caitlin Scuderi in her column, "Religion shouldn't define who you are; too many contradictions, too much controversy," SN (5/25), states that "We should never define ourselves by our religion … religion has little room in a modern life of contradictions." I, however, disagree. Age-tested, unchanging moral principles firmly founded in religion are just what is needed to balance the contradictions and uncertainties found in everyday life.

NEWS

Many attend popular professor's funeral

Lindsey Poisson
May 30, 2006

For people who knew him, Michael Pressley was a "literacy rock star," as well as a "caring" and "devoted" MSU professor. Pressley, a 55-year-old education professor, died May 22 after a more than 30-year battle with various forms of cancer in his respiratory system — including in the esophagus and lungs.

NEWS

East Village waits for rezoning decision

Kris Turner
May 30, 2006

The East Lansing City Council should keep plans to make the East Village student-friendly, as they begin changing the area's building requirements, computer engineering junior Namruth Nalla said. "This should still be student housing," the East Village resident said.

MICHIGAN

Fire doesn't spark concern

Justin Kroll
May 30, 2006

When a student moves into a house or apartment for the first time, there can be plenty of concerns — but for some, fire safety is not one of them. Julie Bodwell, a third-year medical student who lives at Club Meridian Apartments in Okemos, said fire safety around her apartment is not a major concern because it has already been made fire resistant. "There are plenty of smoke detectors and fire sprinklers around the apartment building that make it fireproof," Bodwell said.

MICHIGAN

E.L. recycling program to be held this weekend

Rebecca Mcnulty
May 30, 2006

East Lansing will hold its spring recycling program, Project Pride, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Abbott Center, 1400-1500 Abbott Road. Residents can bring recyclable materials such as scrap metal, plastic foam, car and household batteries and small appliances. Materials such as fluorescent lights, wire, paint, chemicals and glass will not be accepted. For more information, contact East Lansing Environmental Specialist Dave Smith at (517) 337-9459.

COMMENTARY

Professor was mentor, hero, legacy will live on

Professor Hoekstra's passing comes as a shock to me, as he was a great mentor, adviser and professor who changed my life. Hoekstra was by far the most challenging, uncompromising and dedicated teacher I have ever had — someone who never let you settle for second best.

COMMENTARY

Although not missed, Gore back in public eye supporting global issue

I'll be honest with you — I haven't missed Al Gore. After he rode off into the sunset after falling ever-so-short of moving into the White House in 2000, I've heard a murmur here or there about him teaching or working on a book, but the stories never held much interest for me. I didn't pay much attention to Gore when he was vice president because, well, he was a vice president.

FEATURES

Band plays in local store

Erik Adams
May 30, 2006

Customers at Flat, Black & Circular, 541 Grand River Ave., were treated to a surprise Friday — a four-piece rock band sandwiched between the jazz LPs and compilation CDs. Bloomington, Ind.