Locals protest 3 years of Iraq war
In addition to Beaumont Tower's hourly bells, the banging of drums and ringing of a tambourine resounded from the campus landmark Sunday afternoon — a reminder of the ongoing war in Iraq as the United States begins its third year of fighting in the country. MSU Professor Emeritus John Masterson led protesters from campus to Grand River Avenue where they held signs promoting peace and denouncing war. "The president is not listening to the majority of the people," Masterson said.
Spartans out early: Where do they go now?
Dayton, Ohio — Like a predictable movie, you could see the ending coming. Moments into the second half of MSU's first-round exit to George Mason on Friday, senior center Paul Davis got the ball in the post, faded a ZIP code away from the basket, badly missed his shot, then picked up his third foul going over someone's back for the rebound. As George Mason brought the ball back down court, senior guard Maurice Ager slapped the floor — an unspoken MSU tradition that says it's time to tighten the defense — then failed to notice the Patriots' Gabe Norwood flying over his head to dunk an alley-oop. It was an appropriate finish for these seniors — a duo that claimed to live by head coach Tom Izzo's hard-nosed ideals, but seemed to never fully appreciate what they were. And, without veteran leaders to emulate, the rest of the Spartans seemed to forget them, too. Almost-300-pound forward Jai Lewis, who, in all fairness, should be eating Post Cereal instead of playing post offense, moved MSU defenders around like they were pawns and he was Bobby Fischer. Forward Will Thomas, who averaged less than seven rebounds a game this season, pulled in 14 — one fewer than the entire MSU starting five earned. When the massacre was over, the Patriots shot almost 60 percent from the floor, held a 40-24 advantage on the glass and outscored MSU 32-18 in the paint — all despite playing nobody taller than 6 foot 7. It was terrible.
SN editorial cartoon inaccurate, just spin
Hey, Mike Ramsey: You are entitled to your own opinion on the war in Iraq. If you don't support it, fine.
WEB EXTRA: Scholars discuss Danish cartoons with public
Debate has yet to cease about the 12 Danish cartoons that depicted the Muslim prophet Muhammad in a derogatory manner. Students, residents and media took their shoes off in the entrance of the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing on Saturday afternoon and took a seat to hear the perspectives of six scholars. The cartoons, which were published last month, have ignited protests and caused about 50 deaths throughout the world. Farhan Abdul Azeez, president of the Muslim Students' Association, said the tension of the cartoons will end only after people are educated about other faiths, adding that events like having the speakers at the center will help make the public more aware of that. "We need to turn this negative into a positive by educating people," Azeez said.
'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.
Riot plans held off for future seasons
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.
Ex-political prisoner shares experiences
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.
ASMSU more than bluebooks; elections worth students' time, effort
What are you doing tomorrow? How about Wednesday? The answer better be voting. ASMSU, the undergraduate student government, is holding elections online at studentelections.msu.edu from 7 a.m.
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.
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.
Monday musings
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?
Getting to know Kentucky
The women's basketball team takes on Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament tonight.
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.
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.
Simmons brothers finish season as All-Americans
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.
Izzo says team lacked toughness in NCAA exit
Dayton, Ohio — The hype was everywhere in October. It was difficult to look at a college basketball publication without seeing Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown or Paul Davis.
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.
CCHA champions!
Detroit— The final seconds of the clock ticked down and an adrenalized team of Spartans emptied off the bench.
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.