Both testaments preach discrimination, promote inequality

A recent letter to the editor, "Bice column lacks biblical knowledge," (SN 8/4) took issue with my last column, "Homosexuality as a sin one more example of Bible's primitiveness" (SN 8/1). In that column, I offered several examples of savagely intolerant and archaic Old Testament moral laws that share the same willful ignorance and small-minded bigotry as modern religious-based homophobia. My favorite aspect of the critical letter was the certitude with which the author proclaimed the Old Testament laws I referenced were "done away with" by the arrival of Jesus, as though it were an objective fact.

Predicting football is as easy as going to class

It has always been a tradition here at The State News to have our two football reporters give predictions for several college football games each week, including the MSU game.

Students, city need better relationship

So much is being said regarding the relationship between a permanent resident and a temporary student living in East Lansing.

Alvarez starts farewell season vs. Bowling Green

Preseason Mid-American Conference favorite Bowling Green will get a chance to put its skills to the test when it heads into a renovated Camp Randall Stadium to meet a Barry Alvarez-led Wisconsin Badgers team this Saturday. Although Alvarez already announced that this will be his last year as head coach, he knows this season's opener could present more of a challenge than past ones, as he plans to take on a qualified Falcons team. "We'll certainly have our hands full this weekend," Alvarez said.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Whitmer to run for Senate seat if Bernero wins mayoral election

State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, said she would run to fill a vacancy in the Senate if Sen.

Columnist doesn't understand citizens

The many positive, hopeful thoughts expressed by Joseph Montes in his Monday (SN 8/29) column are, sadly, lost by the same problematic mindset that so often stands in the way of community progress.

West registers a classic CD

Kanye West has done the impossible: He has created an album even better than "College Dropout." He strays from the norm of hip-hop yet again with "Late Registration", a 21-track album full of collaborations with everyone from Adam Levine of Maroon 5 to Jamie Foxx, as well as Brandy. "I'm sky high," West says in "Touch the Sky," and he's right.

Terror tantrum

Are terrorists' plots secretly hatching in the shell of well-known local activist groups? Or, is Big Brother FBI peeling away the thin layer of privacy that holds together our civil rights? What might really be radical is the ease at which both authorities and activists can jump to these assumptions. On Monday the American Civil Liberties Union released a document they received from the FBI stating several local activist groups had been discussed by police at a meeting about terrorist activities.

MIDDAY UPDATE: East Lansing offers entertainment for under-21 crowd

You've (almost) survived the first week of classes, and now it's time to start thinking about what to do this weekend. If you are new to town, it can be hard to know what's available and where to find it.

Know when it's time to give that song a rest

I've only been back in East Lansing a few days and I've already noticed a disturbing trend. I was hoping this trend wouldn't start back up again.

DTN begins free Napster service for its residents

DTN Management Co. is offering free Napster music subscription services to residents who subscribe to its Spartan-NET Internet service after nearly a year of planning. Between 3,000 and 4,000 residents in 1,500 of DTN's apartment units are expected to be offered the free music download service in August and September, said Richard Laing, director of DTN broadband services. A Napster subscription usually costs $9.95 per month. After receiving complaints from the Recording Industry Association of America and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act concerning DTN residents illegally downloading music and movies, Laing said the rental property firm collaborated with Napster to rectify the complaints. "We know what our residents do &30133; they are a lot of college kids and they download a lot of music and movies which is technically illegal to do," he said.

Organically speaking

It's just bananas. But the organic bananas that political science and pre-law junior Tara Kramar might buy in a health food store or a special section at a conventional grocery store are definitely different than the bananas someone might pick up in a regular produce section. "At first, it took getting used to," Kramar said.

Abstract paintings highlight Anselmo Gallery showing

Tucked near the border of East Lansing, a combination interior-design showroom and art gallery offers customers a worldly selection of artwork. Anselmo Gallery, 3320 E.

Expert: slow down, use friends, trust instincts

Dear Dr. D., What is a safe amount of alcohol to drink in one night? Dear Six Pack, This is a 'loaded' question, no pun intended.

A few good tracks won't save Tight Phantomz' release from mediocrity

Tight Phantomz is one of those easily forgettable rock bands: They're not bad at what they do, which is generic hard rock, but they could be replaced by any one of the dozen or so other bands just like them.

Police briefs 08/30/05

ASMSU Web site redesigned to offer more info

Less than a month ago, ASMSU's Web site had half finished pages, broken links and missing information, but with some quick fixes and an outsourced webmaster, the Web site was revamped in time for Welcome Week. "We put as much information on the Web site for students, to show not only what exactly we offer, but what we're giving back to students," said Association Director Jason Bucholz.

Book store rush fuels $$$

Name: Howard Ballein Age: 71 Business: Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave. Years with the store: 45 Education: Bachelor's degree in animal science from The Ohio State University How he started working with books: In college he was hired at a local bookstore.

Kite Runner 'surpassed hopes'

By Don Jordan The State News Khaled Hosseini describes the writing of his book, "The Kite Runner," as an "act of resurrecting the dead." The Afghan doctor and author used his own childhood experiences of growing up in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, to craft the novel, which chronicles the life of an Afghan boy alongside the history and politics of his country. The best-selling book is being used in the One Book, One Community program, which urges MSU freshman and East Lansing residents to read the book and then discuss it at various events throughout August and September. Hosseini was born in Kabul in 1965, but moved to France in 1976 after his diplomat father was assigned to the Afghan embassy in Paris.

Violence increases, arrests typical

Police officials said it was a typical Welcome Week this year - meaning they were handling nearly 100 alcohol-related incidents. Close to the same number of underage drinkers were arrested both on and off campus during this year's Welcome Week.