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NEWS

Izzone fan clashes with U-M player before game

Matt Bishop
February 20, 2006

Michigan reserve center Amadou Ba was involved in an altercation with a member of the MSU men's basketball student section member about an hour before MSU's 90-71 win over U-M on Saturday. The student, communication sophomore Bobby Brock, was featured in a State News photo last Monday holding a sign that read "I'm going out w/ your mom 4 Valentines Day." University spokesman Terry Denbow would not identify the student but said he was taken to Lansing's Sparrow Hospital for evaluation after the incident and was still receiving treatment after the game. Denbow said police told him the student appeared to be "under the influence." The altercation was recorded by ESPN, and showed Brock move his face within several inches of Ba's face after being tripped up by the player.

COMMENTARY

Censoring images inhibits free speech

After all the commentary — "Freedom of press must be respected; violence not suitable reaction," "People skirting issues, merely comment on 'tastelessness' of images" and "Danish cartoon depiction inaccurate perception; needlessly offensive" (SN 2/14) — about the Danish cartoons which depicted Muhammad in an offensive light, one question stands out: Should the right to freedom of speech protect offensive or tasteless speech? I must absolutely say yes.

COMMENTARY

Logical arguments by 'pro-death' flawed

I am writing in response to the letter by Jocelyn Peirce, "Abortion, Holocaust can't be compared" (SN 2/15). We endlessly listen to pro-choicers talk about the rights of the mother, but what of the father's?

COMMENTARY

Cells are living, basis of all living things

This is in response to the letter by Shane Krouse, "Fetus not living until it exits womb, born" (SN 2/08). I'm 20 years old and still rely on my parents for survival. Yeah, this seems like an absurd claim, to compare a 20-year-old to an unborn child, but when do you draw the line?

MICHIGAN

Whitmer hopes to piggyback House work by winning Senate seat

Ken Osborne
February 20, 2006

State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer said she believes her experience as a lawmaker will be an asset for voters as she has represented the East Lansing area in the House since 2000. "This being the middle of the term, it's going to be critical that we have someone that can hit the ground running," Whitmer said.

MICHIGAN

Business background anchors Robinson's platform

Ken Osborne
February 20, 2006

Melissa Sue Robinson considers herself a businesswoman. She has 25 years of business experience that she believes will help her if she wins the special Senate election. "With my background in business, I understand how laws really affect actual businesses," said Robinson, who is running as a Democrat. Reducing taxes and reforming the regulatory environment in the state are the keys to attracting new businesses to Michigan, Robinson said. Most of her experience is in the construction business.

COMMENTARY

Fetuses show human traits, have own lives

As the mother of a 5-month-old beautiful, "baby girl," not "baby fetus," I am disgusted at the carelessness and lack of knowledge of women in our society. I am not going to indulge in the battle of whether aborting your child is wrong or right — you all can make your own moral decisions. My issue here is the ignorance of some people who might in fact disagree with my opinion but have little real knowledge of birth. A baby or "fetus" in the first trimester has a beating heart.

ICE HOCKEY

The real deal

Eric Fish
February 20, 2006

As the final minute ticked down for the No. 10 Spartans in their 3-1 Saturday win over No. 2 Miami (Ohio), MSU head coach Rick Comley sent his five seniors onto the ice to a standing ovation from the Munn Ice Arena crowd. Forwards David Booth, Colton Fretter and Chad Hontvet along with defensemen Corey Potter and Jared Nightingale — who were honored in a Senior Night ceremony prior to the game — capped off an emotional night with a weekend sweep against Miami (21-7-4 overall, 18-6-2 CCHA) in MSU's final regular season home game.

NEWS

A cop walks into a bar...

Dwayne Gill doesn't wear his bulletproof vest on stage. He doesn't bring his gun, either. A 13-year Michigan State Police veteran by day and full-time stand-up comedian by night, Sgt.

FEATURES

Repertory group full of creativity, talent

Melissa Talon
February 20, 2006

Rainbow-cloaked Sistine Chapel figures, mermaids, submissive sheep, a scuffle to acquire autonomy, a yearning love and religious zeal were interwoven to create a dreamlike quality in the MSU Repertory Dance Concert this weekend. This was artistic director Dixie Durr's last Repertory Dance Concert.

MICHIGAN

Legislators discuss Democrat issues

Ken Osborne
February 20, 2006

Hundreds of Democrats from across Michigan gathered Saturday in Lansing to listen to some of their party's biggest names lay out the issues important to them and rally their supporters for elections in the coming year. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from U.S.

MICHIGAN

Green says he brings fresh ideas for economy and businesses

Ken Osborne
February 20, 2006

Okemos attorney Vince Green's interest in politics dates back to his time as an administrator at Western Michigan University in the late '80s and early '90s. However, Green, a Republican, has not been personally involved in politics until this race. "I am not a politician," said Green, who while at Western was an assistant to the vice president of legislative affairs.

NEWS

Facts in fatal crash still under inspection

Melissa Domsic
February 20, 2006

It's been more than two weeks since MSU student Dannielle Brandt died in a car and pedestrian crash at Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road — and police still haven't released most details of the case. Meridian Township police won't release the name of the driver, how fast he was driving, results of drugs tests or where exactly it happened because police say the case still is under investigation. "When the investigation is ongoing, they're still doing research on speeds," Meridian Township police Chief David Hall said.