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COMMENTARY

'Crash' not great; doesn't stop racism

I am writing partially in response to Stefanie Spiro's letter, "Brilliant films deserved recognition at Oscars" (SN 3/13). I agree with Ryan McCormick's column, "'Crash' doesn't deserve best picture nomination" (SN 3/02), in that the film was a shallow attempt to produce strong sentiment regarding various differential issues in society. Regarding the highly debated character portrayed by Sandra Bullock, the whole turning-to-her-maid-in-desperation affair was indeed pretty weak.

NEWS

Riot plans held off for future seasons

Bob Darrow
March 20, 2006

Fifteen thousand fliers are about to get packed away in campus storage rooms. The fliers, which were meant to advise students on how to celebrate safely after MSU men's basketball games, won't be distributed for at least a year. They're just one aspect of a planning process cut short after the basketball team's season ended Friday with a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament. From the time the tear gas cleared in East Lansing the morning after the team's Final Four loss to North Carolina last April, city and university officials have been working to prevent a repeat of the confrontation that occurred between police and postgame revelers the night of April 2. In recent months, the task of coordinating preparations for this year's tournament fell to the joint city and university Celebrations Committee, composed of representatives from East Lansing, MSU and local police departments. Committee members agreed that much of the work undertaken in the past months can be applied in upcoming years. "By and large, we developed a process that will work in the future," said Ginny Haas, MSU's director of community relations and co-chairperson of the Celebrations Committee.

MSU

Ex-political prisoner shares experiences

Josh Jarman
March 20, 2006

After more than 25 years in prison, including time spent with Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada emerged to become a beloved political figure in post-apartheid South Africa. On Sunday, he came to MSU to talk about his experiences as a political prisoner and to sign copies of his latest book, "Memoirs." His first work, "Letters from Robben Island," was published by MSU Press in 1999. Speaking about the almost total isolation in which the prisoners were kept, Kathrada shared the story of the night he and his fellow prisoners were informed of their imminent release in October 1989. "That Saturday night, they came to our cell and said they had just received a fax from prison headquarters saying we were going to go free," Kathrada said.

COMMENTARY

Taxing workaholics not biggest concerns

In response to the State News editorial, "Taxing workaholics" (SN 3/13), regarding a University of Michigan professor of economics' proposal to levy a workaholic tax on higher-income earners who might be placing their own physical and mental health in danger by working excessive hours, I wholeheartedly agree that this idea is ridiculous. People working too hard in order to make more money is by no means one of the major economic concerns of our era.

COMMENTARY

Penetrable fortress

In the never-ending quest to keep students safe in residence halls and keep trouble-makers out, MSU officials are considering a change in how students are checked in after midnight. A new policy would require night receptionists to take residents' guests' ID cards, which could then be reclaimed when they leave the hall.

SPORTS

Monday musings

Tom Keller
March 20, 2006

A different take on the sports world. Wide receiver Terrell Owens, who was cut from the Philadelphia Eagles last season for his repeated on- and off-the-field antics, signed with the Dallas Cowboys last week. As part of the deal, Dallas head coach Bill Parcells will receive an aspirin to be named later. A Chicago-based consulting firm estimates that this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament will cost employers $3.8 billion in lost productivity. Ironically, that's also the number of times the phrase, "My bracket is so screwed," will be uttered during the next month. In a related story, Bradley, George Mason and Wichita State all made surprise advances to the Sweet 16. What conference are these teams from again?

SPORTS

Catching up with...

Get the lowdown on how the players of the next men's hoops class still playing in the high school boys' playoffs fared. Isaiah Dahlman Shooting guard/small forward 6-foot-6, 175 pounds Braham Area High School (Braham, Minn.) With a 41-point effort Friday in the Section 6AA finals, Dahlman broke the all-time Minnesota boys' basketball scoring record, the Isanti County News reported.

ICE HOCKEY

Comley and his seniors endured the ups, downs

There's a saying that goes "You're only as good as your seniors." Well this weekend, the four regularly dressed MSU seniors were about as good as you can be on and off the ice. Defensemen Corey Potter and Jared Nightingale and forwards Colton Fretter and David Booth have been through the downs of the program and have helped return the Spartans to a status of national superiority. It took them four years, but finally each of these well-deserving seniors will leave with a sense of satisfaction.

SPORTS

Simmons brothers finish season as All-Americans

Steve Highfield
March 20, 2006

Nick and Andy Simmons repeated as wrestling All-Americans at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City this past weekend, but fell short of their goals to bring home national championships. Nick Simmons earned a fourth-place finish at 125 pounds for the second straight year, and 141-pound Andy Simmons improved from sixth place in 2005 to fifth place. Two other MSU wrestlers — seniors R.J.

SPORTS

From the road

Men's basketball reporter Tom Keller concluded his days on the road in Dayton, Ohio. We stayed in the Dayton Marriott, which was quite a change of pace from the steady diet of Best Westerns and Days Inns we've stayed at all season.

MSU

Campus talent show highlights tradition of Latinos, Chicanos

By Toshira Johnson For The State News A hushed "awww" escaped the lips of the crowd as nearly a dozen dancers, ranging in age from 9 to 60, took the stage, the subtle tapping of their handcrafted white-leather metallic boots filling the Auditorium. Claps of approval rang throughout the Auditorium as they performed the quick steps and fancy footwork of a traditional dance of Guerrero, Mexico.

SPORTS

Front and center

Angela Bianchi
March 20, 2006

The State News recently caught up with MSU women's basketball junior guard Victoria Lucas-Perry. • Her favorite movie… "I love 'Dodgeball' — it's hilarious." • Her favorite song… "'Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It' (by Dem Franchize Boyz). Me and my teammates do a dance to it." • Her favorite ice cream… "Chocolate chip cookie dough.

COMMENTARY

MSU will get more green

Small universities should have the chance to increase their funding, but MSU has more bang for its buck. A Republican proposal by a Senate panel last week might mean 11 Michigan universities would see a funding increase of less than 2 percent this fall.

MSU

Cultural ceremony

For Crystal Recollet, powwows are a family affair. The 24-year-old said she's danced in powwows for as long as she can remember, but this is her first year at MSU's Pow-Wow of Love. Recollet crafted a yellow-beaded headband for her friend's son as she explained her family's involvement with powwows. "My sister's here, my cousin's here, my nephew's here," she said.

NEWS

Hopeful Spartans icers to take on NCAA

Eric Fish
March 20, 2006

The No. 5 MSU hockey team accomplished its goal of winning the CCHA's postseason tournament, but the real test will begin Saturday afternoon in Albany, N.Y. The Spartans (24-11-8) were awarded a No.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Protesters promote peace on campus as part of U.S. observance of third year fighting in Iraq

Melissa Domsic
March 19, 2006

In addition to Beaumont Tower's hourly bells, the banging of drums and ringing of a tambourine resounded from the campus landmark Sunday afternoon. It was a reminder of the ongoing war in Iraq as the United States observes its third year of fighting in the country. MSU Professor Emeritus John Masterson led protesters from campus to Grand River Avenue, where they held peace-promoting and anti-war signs. "The president is not listening to the majority of the people," Masterson said.