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COMMENTARY

Bugging Americans

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the issue of violating civil liberties for national security has been widely discussed and argued about. There was the issue of the no-fly list which banned certain people from being able to board airplanes. Then there was the debate about the government looking at what library books people were checking out. Now comes the news that in 2002 President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to use wiretaps on residents to monitor phone calls and e-mails without a court order.

FEATURES

The competition

In the battle for her boyfriend's attention, Lindsay Cosens fears only one foe. It's not other girls or his friends, but one many other girlfriends are facing — video games. First-person shooter games — Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 for Xbox, the Microsoft game console — are commanding the attention of many boyfriends while other girls have lost their men to the online computer game World of Warcraft. Cosens, a graduate student, first came into contact with Halo when her boyfriend, who she says has been "obsessed with video games forever," became determined to beat it. The couple has been together for more than six years, but the game did cause a few problems, Cosens said. "We've gotten into little spats where maybe I want to watch TV and he's using it, but we solved that by getting a second TV," she said. Cosens isn't alone in her struggle against video games.

SPORTS

From the road

After every MSU road game, State News reporters will share tales from their travels. Men's basketball reporter Tom Keller discusses the highs and lows of the Badger State. The bad news from this past weekend: The MSU men's basketball team kind of, you know, lost twice. The good news: State News photographer Mike Itchue, fellow reporter Matt Bishop and I had a great time on our road trip covering them! All right, so maybe that didn't make you feel any better.

COMMENTARY

Student government not representing well

I attended the joint ASMSU and Residence Halls Association meeting on Dec. 8 and must say I am appalled by the conduct of some of the student representatives. A covert bill that was not seen by any members of ASMSU and RHA was brought to the floor to be voted on, which called for the organizations to jointly condemn the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Not only were efforts to have an open and civil debate quashed, but students from the gallery, myself included, were not permitted to speak.

NEWS

Money to bolster MSU's agriculture research, improve Mich. economy

Josh Jarman
January 10, 2006

Congress allocated more than $2 million of its annual budget to MSU this year, with most of that money going into agricultural research. "In terms of federal appropriations, recognizing some cuts in the federal budget, it's very similar in size to amounts we have previously enjoyed," said Ian Gray, MSU vice president for research and graduate studies. Gray said the money comes from spending bills championed by both local legislators and industry leaders who recognize the importance of MSU's research for Michigan's economy.

MICHIGAN

Speed limits could increase

Bob Darrow
January 10, 2006

Speed limits on two of East Lansing's main thoroughfares will be going up unless the state's highest court intervenes. Portions of Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway could be 10 mph faster, increasing to 35 mph and 45 mph, respectively. The change is the latest development in a nearly yearlong court battle between the city of East Lansing and the Michigan State Police and the Department of Transportation, or MDOT. Last March, East Lansing won a decision that blocked the state's initial attempt to raise the speed limits. The Michigan Court of Appeals overturned the order in a Dec.

MICHIGAN

Big in '06: East Lansing's to-do list

Bob Darrow
January 9, 2006

It's the time of year to make resolutions for the coming months. But much of the activity in the city government leading up to the new year was more about a lack of resolution. If the city of East Lansing crafted its own list of goals for the new year, it might look something like this: • Approve an East Village Master Plan: The East Lansing Planning Commission wrestled with an outline for future developments in the East Village on Dec.

SPORTS

Monday musings

Tom Keller
January 9, 2006

A different take on the sports world. • Former U.S. Olympic skier Bode Miller announced in an interview with 60 Minutes this week that on several occasions, he has skied drunk. And you thought it was hard just walking home from the bar. • According to several NFL sources, the Houston Texans will select Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush with the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft. When news broke that Bush would be the top choice, Al Gore immediately called for a recount. • Virginia Tech quarterback/problem child Marcus Vick was dismissed from the team this week for repeated disciplinary problems, most recently when he stomped on the leg of an opposing player during the team's bowl game. So, uh, Marcus, seeing how you still have a year of eligibility left, we were kind of, you know, wondering … can you kick? • The Detroit Pistons sold out their 100th consecutive home game on Friday. To celebrate the occasion, Ben Wallace has promised to get a nice crewcut. • So, let's get this straight.

COMMENTARY

Tutorial of Opinion Page needed after responses to controversies

This is a column. I thought I'd clear that up, in case there was any confusion. When I introduce myself as the State News opinion editor, I get a few generic responses: "I like your articles." "Your political cartoon was completely uncalled for." "I can't believe your letter." Occasionally, I will find a disgruntled reader who informs me the Opinion Page's content is too biased. Duh. It's obvious there is confusion on how the Opinion Page works.

NEWS

Unresolved issues

A lot happened last year, from "disturbances" to the announcement of a college moving. As the new year begins, these, and many more issues, are still important. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative The MCRI is a ballot proposal that would amend the state constitution to prohibit Michigan's public universities and other state entities from discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. The petition has enough signatures to be put on the ballot this November, but controversy over the proposal's wording caused the Board of State Canvassers to refuse certifying the petition, despite an order from the Michigan Court of Appeals.

MSU

ASMSU in search of funding for new, affordable activity center

Kristi Jourdan
January 9, 2006

Student government officials are proposing a combined IM sports facility and student events center located on campus to lower event expenses for student organizations. While the plan is in its initial stages, a survey will be sent out to students to gather public input on the matter, said Harry Wang, a finance sophomore and Eli Broad College of Business representative for ASMSU's Student Assembly ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. "We have limited amounts of space to host student events," Wang said.

SPORTS

Young Spartans lose close meet

Nicholas Richer
January 9, 2006

Despite a high-scoring performance by freshman Katlyn Roggensack, the MSU women's gymnastics team fell a few points shy to Kentucky. The meet was the season opener for both squads, and they were encouraged by a spirited Jenison Field House crowd of about 250 fans.

NEWS

Check out what's new for SN in '06

To kick off 2006, The State News is implementing a few changes in order to make your reading experience more informative and enjoyable. The stories you used to find on the pages labeled Campus and Local & State will now be under a single new category: News.

MSU

Official New Year's resolutions

"My resolution is to continue to learn about the campus … about the values and directions and do everything I can to help the campus move forward." Kim Wilcox MSU provost "Like everyone, I want to exercise more and have a healthier diet.