Palestinians aren't sole violence victims

The Michigan Peace Team purports to be in the defense of human rights and nonviolence. However, a closer examination of the group's objectives reveals a distorted viewpoint that impinges on its ability to generate peace. From his statements, Michael Vicente Perez seems to believe that the violence inherent in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict arises predominately from the Israeli side ("Caught in the middle," SN 3/31). His statements indicate that he believes peace can be achieved by staying in the homes of suicide bombers to prevent the houses from being destroyed by the Israeli defense forces. While it is undeniable that the Palestinians have faced enormous hardships as a result of the conflict, it is also true that the Israelis have faced similar atrocities.

Poverty perspective

Next to the rock on Farm Lane on Wednesday, two heads popped out of a hole cut from a large box.

'Ladykillers' a fresh, dark comedy

In this corner: Marva Munson (Irma P. Hall), widowed conservative, churchgoer, naive good samaritan.

Opportunity lost

While MSU teaching assistants confront the unemployment line, the university should not get sidetracked by the grumbling of its soon-to-be ex-workers.

Battle for running back spot begins

After all of head coach John L. Smith's off-season shuffling, perhaps the position most affected is running back.

'Dateline' explores Cobain case

It's been 10 years since the Seattle Police Department, Courtney Love and the media called Kurt Cobain's death a suicide.

No joke: Newborn wins LCC award

Lansing - Twelve hours after José Robert Gutiérrez first entered the world on Thursday, he got a free chance to prove he was no fool. In a hospital lounge, surrounded by news camera crews, the baby boy and his parents, Reneé and José Gutiérrez, were presented with a free year of schooling at Lansing Community College. The scholarship, awarded every April Fools' Day for the last 10 years, is part of the college's celebration of National Community College Month.

Police briefs 04/02/04

Freshman Council to host informal dance

The Freshman Class Council is hosting an informal dance for all students from 9 p.m. until midnight on Saturday in the Union Gold Rooms. The council is a division of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government.

New school to focus on environment

A proposed new School of Planning, Design, and Construction has administration and faculty excited about collaborative possibilities. Four programs from three colleges would be combined to form the new academic unit - construction management, landscape architecture, urban and regional planning and interior design/facilities management. The school would exist as a shared unit under the administration of both the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science. Jeff Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the proposed school is "very exciting." "It will be very positive for faculty and students," he said.

Artwork sale to benefit kids

Add some artistic flair to the weekend with a visit to a local gallery. Absolute Gallery, 307 E.

Senate bills would make insurance info public

Some lawmakers are working to make the confidential factors that influence the cost of car insurance public. A nonprofit agency - created to reimburse some insurance companies for providing coverage to injured people needing lifetime coverage after car accidents - is stirring up debate because some legislators say the group is keeping secrets from Michigan's residents. Michigan is the only state that provides lifetime coverage for personal injuries in car accidents.

Out of place

Tucked into a residential district of West Jolly Road, a white Buddha statue welcomes visitors to the temple hiding inside what appears to be a plain, yellow house from the street. Inside, members of the Vietnamese community gather in the small kitchen and dining room to share meals, stories and culture.

Concerts fill school's weekend

Jazz up your weekend with performances on campus sponsored by the MSU School of Music. The MSU Jazz Spectacular will commence this weekend with concerts and master classes featuring MSU faculty, students, high school and collegiate bands and guest artists Eric Reed and Burgess Gardner.

Peace Team actions promote more death

The politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are complex, and certainly neither side has a monopoly on truth or morality.

Uncle Joey, C. Mack 'duke' it out for championship trophy

It's a good thing the prognosticators' postseason isn't a one-and-done. Both college basketball gurus picked Georgia Tech to take out Nevada, but Uncle Joey (3-1) picked two other games correctly (Xavier and St.

Looking up

Ted Mahan is optimistic for this year's Big Ten season. That's saying a lot for the MSU baseball manager, who, in his previous eight years coaching the Spartans, finished with a winning conference record once (16-12 for a third-place finish in 2002). "If there is ever a year we should compete in the top half of the Big Ten, this is the year," Mahan said. Of course, Mahan, a soft-spoken 47-year-old who is in his 13th year overall with MSU baseball, has facts to back up his statement: The Spartans play 18 conference home games this season, compared to 14 away contests.

Iraq murder shows civilian intolerance

After watching the video from the latest attack on the American civilians that were killed and their bodies savagely mutilated, coupled with the inevitable fear of the possibility that one of them could be my sister, my morale was not lifted by White House spokesman Scott McClellan insisting that "democracy is taking root." I have begun to shift my faith in what America's ultimate goal was in toppling Saddam. When a mob of "civilians" can commit such atrocities and be proud of it, especially when their basis for hatred of America stems from lies spread by individuals with some communal leadership and personal vendettas against other religions, I can't help but think that the people that commit these atrocities need to be held under an iron fist because they cannot handle democracy.

Clarke's actions contradict claims

I believe Richard Clarke should be asked a few questions about his actions against terrorism while working under the Clinton administration.

Association fills 6 of 15 Executive Board positions for upcoming session

Six of the 15 empty Executive Board positions were filled for the next session of the Residence Halls Association at its General Assembly meeting Wednesday. Among the 14 bills that were considered by the assembly, seven were dedicated to hiring for the next session's Executive Board.