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NEWS

Vito brings profanity, debauchery to Union

Lauren Phillips
November 17, 2005

"Heyyacmon-why-don't-you-go-to-Cancun!" shouted the man who needs 12 beers to get buzzed. Don Vito's yelps echoed throughout the Union on Wednesday afternoon at least 30 times — and that's being conservative. And all emanating from the mangled-sounding throat of the 48-year-old, Bam Margera's resident punching bag, uncle, and one of the stars of MTV's "Viva la Bam." Vito sporadically screamed it during his guerilla-style visit to MSU.

MICHIGAN

Wal-Mart faces public protest

A certain smiley face might be frowning this week as many in the MSU community join a national campaign challenging the superstore, Wal-Mart, to become a better corporate citizen. As part of Wal-Mart Higher Expectations Week, more than 1,200 events in each state, including protests, legislative town hall meetings and screenings of a new documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" have been organized, said Nu Wexler, spokesman for Wal-Mart Watch. The nonprofit organization has been working to publicize allegations that the superstore practices discrimination against employees, other corporations and the environment all in an effort to keep prices low. Wexler said the name of the week was a spin-off on a statement once made by Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. "He used to tell his employees that high expectations are the key to everything and we certainly agree," Wexler said.

NEWS

MSU reveals med school plans

Bob Darrow
November 17, 2005

Grand Rapids — MSU's College of Human Medicine will create a four-year medical program in west Michigan by 2010, officials announced Wednesday. That plan is the result of nearly a year of closed-door discussions among key stakeholders in the Grand Rapids expansion — including MSU, Grand Rapids-area hospitals, the Van Andel Institute and Grand Valley State University. "We spent a lot of time doing our homework," said David Van Andel, who acted as chairman of the stakeholders committee.

COMMENTARY

Avian flu is threat; U.S. should prepare

As a liberal outraged by many Bush administration policies, I was disappointed to read the staff editorial, "Ill Intention" (SN 11/04). In writing the piece, the State News staff has contributed to the cheap politicization of science. Avian influenza, or the H5N1 virus, poses a very grave threat and demands immediate preparation.

COMMENTARY

Calling shots

If East Lansing is going to have a mayor, at least give him some power. Sure, former Mayor Mark Meadows was the chairman of the independent commission that investigated the April 2-3 disturbances, but beyond his duty as a spokesperson of the East Lansing City Council, the mayor is essentially just another member of the council. Students who were questioned in "Word on the street: What do you think the East Lansing mayor does?" (SN 11/16) weren't even sure what the mayor's duties are.

COMMENTARY

Enough torture

The issue of torture is back in the news. As the insurgency in Iraq continues, it appears coalition forces are growing desperate to find information to stop it. On Tuesday, the new Iraqi government announced it would begin an investigation into a torture camp that was discovered by the U.S.

NEWS

'Boheme' comes to campus

Lauren Phillips
November 17, 2005

A full-scale production of "everyone's favorite opera," "La Boheme," is coming to the Wharton Center tonight. The Michigan Opera Theatre's production of the opera, written by Giacomo Puccini and premiered in Italy in 1896, will play in Wharton Center's Great Hall today. The show ended Sunday in Detroit after a week run at the Michigan Opera Theatre. "We're delighted to come to East Lansing," said David DiChiera, founder and general director of the Michigan Opera Theatre.

COMMENTARY

Torture portrayal not too far off base

In response to the stormy reactions to Mike Ramsey's cartoon (SN 11/11) and to Ivanoff's opinion, "Cartoonist must resign for cartoon" (SN 11/15), I'd like to say a few things. First, if cartoons like that one are meant to attack anything, it would be to attack the current administration and its decisions, not the troops. Next, considering the various accusations and reports of what went on at Abu Ghraib, it seems pretty obvious that Ramsey isn't fabricating these ideas on his own. Lastly, to the many who are so up in arms over this, turning criticism of the Iraq war into a sob story for our troops seems more tactical than logical to me.

COMMENTARY

Stopping donations will make MSU change

If you are unhappy with university policy or the way you are treated by the East Lansing Police Department or other entities when going to school at MSU, you do have recourse. When you graduate, the school will begin asking you to donate money to help support its programs.

MSU

New engineering lab to debut on campus

Laura Collins
November 17, 2005

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday to introduce the new site of the Energy and Automotive Research Laboratories on MSU's campus. The site is located south of the Engineering Research Complex, on the corner of Service Road and Bogue Street.

NEWS

Wizardly wardrobe

Ryan Mccormick
November 17, 2005

So it's your first day at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and you don't want the Sorting Hat to know you're nervous.

MSU

RHA reps sample, critique potential dorm fare

Kristen Daum
November 17, 2005

It smelled like home-cooked food as about 40 Residence Halls Association representatives sat down to dinner in a Williams Hall meeting room. Before them were new food dishes — fried jalapeño bottle caps, Indian curry with basmati rice and blueberry quesadillas.

NEWS

Don't milk poor 'Harry' 'til he's dry

I can only tightly clinch my Harry Potter novels and hope the little wizard's name won't become as diluted as the Star Wars manufacturing machine. The novels are enchanting and the movies come close to doing J.K.

NEWS

Area health officials react to expansion

Kris Turner  and  Margaret Harding
November 17, 2005

East Lansing, Lansing and MSU officials said on Wednesday they are pleased with the expansion of the College of Human Medicine to the Grand Rapids area. But one health group said they were unaware of the finalized plans for the move and want to continue medical studies in the surrounding community.