Back on track

Welcome back, Ager and Davis. The two seniors — guard Maurice Ager and center Paul Davis — came back in full force Wednesday night, combining for 51 points as No.

Correct claims about religion made by Bice

I would like to compliment John Bice on an insightful and clever column ("Religious dogma masked as fun, lighthearted holiday traditions" SN 01/10). In his limited space he manages to quickly demonstrate that many religions assimilate stories from peoples they conquered or that migrated into their culture, shifting them ever so slightly to better fit the current trends in spiritual values. And as Bice suggests, religions both past and present tend to use myths and fairy tales which all have very common themes that address major concerns in human history. Our terror when confronted with our own mortality has led to endless repetitions of some version of eternal life in religious folklore.

Plan focuses on urbanizing E.L.

The hotly contested East Village Master Plan is a small-scale project compared to another master plan placed on the East Lansing Planning Commission's plate this week.

Experts pan earbud listening

Turn down the music. As iPod and MP3 player users nestle earbuds into their ears, each listen could increase the possibility of permanent hearing damage, audiologists say. The popular earbuds used with iPods and MP3 players could be even more damaging than headphones, they said. "Digital music players like the iPod and MP3 players are causing more damage than old players," said Eileen Bridges, an audiologist with Mid-Michigan Ear, Nose & Throat Professional Hearing Consultants.

Download company hoping to draw users

Ruckus, a digital entertainment network, hopes its agreement with MSU to provide free music downloading to students on campus will draw users to its other services which require fees.

Student kidnapping should be warning

Last week, a 21-year-old MSU student was kidnapped. It was nearly 2 a.m. She had been walking with a group of friends but split off from them to walk the last few blocks on Charles Street alone.

Q. Latifah humorous, plot cheesy, contrived

It has the cheese. It has the daft and blatant jokes. But at its core, "Last Holiday" is a fresh, entertaining movie with a vital message.

Department might expand into Stadium

A growing MSU department could have a new home above the 50 yard line if the MSU Board of Trustees approves an $810,000 budget to build an office in Spartan Stadium. The stadium also will play host to the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing's fundraising Super Bowl Party during the big game on Feb.

Rogers calls for lobbying legislation

Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton announced yesterday his principles for lobbying reform legislation, aimed at holding lobbyists and officials accountable for the way money is raised. "The goal is to restore the accountability and the trust in government," said his spokeswoman, Sylvia Warner. Rogers called for the reform in a letter to his colleagues Monday when he announced his intention to run for the majority whip position, the House's No.

MCRI opponents testify in Detroit

Detroit — Opponents of a controversial affirmative action proposal crowded into a Michigan Civil Rights Commission hearing Wednesday to dispute methods used by petition circulators, calling them misleading and "racially targeted fraud." The Michigan Civil Rights Commission held the hearing due to requests made throughout the past year from individuals and organizations, including, most notably, Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN. According to a statement released Friday by the commission, the fraud allegations arose after several people complained that canvassers petitioning for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative claimed that their petition was in support of affirmative action-style programs in the state. The initiative, which has aroused an ardent debate with emotions running high on both sides of the issue, would make it unconstitutional to discriminate against or give preferential treatment because of skin color, gender, race, ethnicity or national origin in public contracting, employment and education. "There were even people within the department who felt they have been mislead," said Harold Core, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. In January 2004, the commission submitted a resolution that said it was opposed to the MCRI and in favor of affirmative action in Michigan, Core said.

'Brokeback Mountain' moving tale of two cowboys' lasting love

What could be more romantic than a beautiful mountain landscape with you and the one you love the only two people around for miles?

Minor details

For years, cognates, or specialties, have given students the opportunity to explore topics outside of their college. English majors have the chance to explore some seemingly unrelated classes in of crop and soil sciences.

Nothing wrong with wording, voters' opinions of MCRI will be ignored

The battle over affirmative action in Michigan and MSU has been controversial from the very beginning. In the past couple of years, speeches from affirmative action opponents and supporters at MSU have led to arguments, heated discussions and calls to the police. Much of this drama has been centered around the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, a ballot proposal that would "ban public institutions from using affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes." The supporters of the initiative gathered enough signatures and submitted them to the Secretary of State, which is the way ballot proposals make it to the voters. But the proposal has been stymied by accusations that the wording is misleading and causes people to think it would do something other than what it does. The Board of State Canvassers has repeatedly refused to certify the signatures, despite an order from the Michigan Court of Appeals that the initiative get placed on the ballot. The board is composed of two Republicans, who, at their last meeting on the issue, voted to certify the petition, while one Democrat voted against it and the other abstained. The meeting became heated and a table was almost overturned in the debate. Affirmative action debates have become a circus in Michigan — betraying the fact that it is such a serious issue that could have long-lasting implications. Accusations that voters were misled is something people should think about when voting in November.

MIDDAY UPDATE: New candidates join race for Senate seat

Three new candidates have announced their intention to run in the special Senate election held to fill the 23rd District seat vacated by Virg Bernero. Republicans John Findlay of Mason and Lance Kingsbury of Holt have announced their intention to pursue the seat as Republicans. Anthony Benavides, nephew of former Lansing mayor Tony Benavides, has also announced he will seek the Democratic nomination. For more on this story, please see Thursday's edition of The State News.

Expert: Find a sense of clarity in your food choices

Dear Dr. D. I am asking this question because I do not want to eat the wrong thing. I am a vegetarian, but I do drink fat-free milk daily and sufficient servings of cheese and eggs.

Professor to teach in Kyrgyzstan

MSU law Professor Catherine Dwyer will trade the halls of MSU for the mountains of Kyrgyzstan when she leaves on Jan.

Rogers to run for majority whip

Despite reports of other early favorites for the No. 3 Republican spot in the U.S. House, Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton could compete for the position. Rogers, whose district includes MSU and Ingham County, would be charged with gathering votes and support in the House if he was picked for the majority whip position. Four candidates have announced their intention to run for the position, which would be open if Rep.

Historic commission seeking applicants

The East Lansing Historic District Commission is seeking applicants to fill a term of appointment ending Dec.

Scholarly article connecting sex, hunting disgusting; uninformed opinions false

Hunting. Sex. Animal. Women. It's a crazy analogy, I know, but stay with me here. Three MSU sociology professors used this ridiculous comparison in regard to a fictionalized video called "Hunting for Bambi" released in 2003.

Police briefs 01/11/06