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COMMENTARY

Faith needs reason, not blind beliefs

In John Bice's article "Scientology's wild claims no stranger than those of major religions" (SN 5/28) he asks: "What's the difference, rationally speaking, between believing in body-infesting souls and ancient galactic confederations, or in the stories of virgin birth, Vishnu, the Garden of Eden, transubstantiation, Noah's ark, judgment day, or the baseless concept of the Trinity?" His own answer: "Not much." Unfortunately, Mr. Bice's article tells us more about himself than it does about religious beliefs in general, and Christianity in particular.

MICHIGAN

Forensics aid murder case

Kris Turner
July 5, 2005

Death is a puzzle - at least when it comes to determining what causes it. With the recent discovery of two bags containing human remains in the Red Cedar River, the Ingham County medical examiner and a team of forensic scientists are trying to piece together the mystery behind the disassembled body parts. Police are waiting on DNA tests to confirm how many people's remains were recovered, said Sgt.

MICHIGAN

Merit Award distribution might change

Mara Deutch
July 5, 2005

House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, announced an economic plan on Thursday that included setting aside $1.5 billion of Michigan's tobacco settlement money for the Merit Award program. The money would be divided between 15 public universities, said Jason Brewer, spokesman for DeRoche. "Under the Republican plan, no politician will be able to touch the Merit scholarships," DeRoche said in a statement.

BASKETBALL

Agent says undrafted Anderson will report to Charlotte Bobcats

Megan Homanick
July 5, 2005

Former MSU forward Alan Anderson will report to the Charlotte Bobcats this week as an undrafted free agent, Anderson's agent Henry Thomas confirmed. Anderson was projected to be selected in the NBA Draft last week, as high as the 26th pick to the Detroit Pistons, but was still waiting after 60 selections. Anderson played four years at MSU, finishing his career with 1,195 points - tying him for 22nd on MSU's all-time scoring list with fellow 2005 senior Kelvin Torbert.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Forensic scientists attempt to discover identities of body parts

Kris Turner
July 4, 2005

Death is an art - well, at least when it comes to figuring out what causes it. With the recent discovery of two bags containing human remains in the Red Cedar River, the Ingham County Medical Examiner and a team of forensic scientists are trying to piece together the mystery behind the disassembled body parts. Police are waiting on DNA tests to confirm how many people's parts were recovered, said Sgt.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Geocaching attracts Mich. treasure-seekers

Lindsey Poisson
July 4, 2005

Ken Black crashed through the undergrowth, avoiding above-ground tree roots, half-exposed rocks and hundreds of mosquitos. He was out for treasure. Black is part of a growing number of people participating in geocaching. A cache is a hidden treasure - a container filled with trinkets, a historical place, or an unusual geological feature.

COMMENTARY

Flag burning isn't accepted speech

This is in response to American Civil Liberties Union intern Phil Santer's editorial opposing the constitutional amendment that would "prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States ("Flag burning offensive, but making it illegal could easily backfire," SN 6/27). In the 1984 U.S.

COMMENTARY

Columnist has little faith in anything

Once again, Mr. Bice has chosen to stir up trouble with a cynical column about religion ("Scientology's wild claims no stranger than those of major religions," SN 6/28). Tell me this, Mr. Bice, if you have no faith in God or any other spiritual entity outside of your empty self, what do you have faith in?

NEWS

Board of Trustees adds new member in August

Amy Davis
June 30, 2005

Alison Barber, senior associate dean of the Eli Broad College of Business, has been named the new secretary to the MSU Board of Trustees, pending the board's approval at a special meeting in July. Barber succeeds Sue Carter, who had served in the position since January 2002 and left to pursue other career goals. "It's really exciting," Barber said.

MICHIGAN

Business booms

Amy Davis
June 30, 2005

Some local residents will travel hundreds of miles to firework outlets just to make sure their Fourth of July goes off with a bang.

MSU

MSU could renew energy campaign

Daniel Thai
June 30, 2005

Incoming freshmen are leaving their homes, but they might not have heard the advice to turn off the lights when they leave for the last time. With the influx of new faces, the Energy Subcommittee of the University Committee for a Sustainable Campus has discussed the prospects of rejuvenating a campaign to conserve energy on campus, subcommittee member Bob Ellerhorst said.

MICHIGAN

Clinic to close after 34 years

Bob Darrow
June 30, 2005

A local low-cost medical clinic that offered health care to 1,600 uninsured area residents last year will see patients for the last time today. On Monday, the Board of Directors for the nonprofit Gateway Community Services, 2875 Northwind Drive, decided to close the operation's doors immediately. Today's closing corresponds with the end of the organization's contract with East Lansing, said Stefanie Zin, executive director at Gateway. The clinic, which has been open for 34 years, has been in danger of closing since Gateway announced a $70,000 budget deficit in May. A June 17 fundraiser at the Hannah Community Center netted $13,000 for the clinic, but it wasn't enough to patch the growing deficit, said Andrew Lathrop, marketing and community relations director at Gateway. Zin said the clinic staff, which is composed mostly of volunteers, will work through July 8 to make sure charts, bills and remaining medications are all in order. "I'm really depressed about it," said Kacie Kleinhardt, a physiology senior who volunteers at the clinic.

SPORTS

Lugnuts fall to Devil Rays, 5-4

Megan Homanick
June 30, 2005

Lansing - The Lansing Lugnuts had plenty of chances to tie the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, down one in the eighth and ninth innings, but couldn't get a run across in a 5-4 loss at Oldsmobile Park Wednesday afternoon. "When you outhit a team, you should probably win a game," manager Ken Joyce said.