Tigers are difficult to watch even for faithful

Sigh. After meticulously counting down the moments until Opening Day arrived at Comerica Park, sitting through a 9-19 showing in spring training and returning north for eight miserable losses, I remember now why I was so eager to forget the last Tigers baseball season. Call me crazy (and I'm sure you will), but when Detroit finished 55-106 last year, I really, really thought this year couldn't be any worse. It was the worst season Detroit had since 1996.

Team goes nuts waiting on 1st game

Spring fever has hit the Lansing Lugnuts. Of course it doesn't help that it's eight days into the season and the team has yet to play a full game. The squad made it through the first three South Bend batters during its April 3 home opener before driving rain forced fans and players to scurry for cover. Since then, snow, near-freezing weather and poor field conditions have caused the cancellation of seven games - the Lugnuts' entire home-opening stand. Lansing travels to South Bend, Ind., today for a 7:30 p.m.

'U' groups to argue causes to trustees

Several student groups say MSU administrators have some explaining to do. Today, student leaders plan to ask the Board of Trustees to include gender identity in MSU's anti-discrimination policy, grant students same-sex domestic partner benefits and take a stance on affirmative action. Hundreds of students plan to rally for their causes at noon today outside the Administration Building listening to a live DJ and open mic poetry readings.

Only just begun

For those who watched with anticipation, the collapse of Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad's center Wednesday was history in the making - the fall of tyranny and the rebirth of a people. It was like witnessing the climax of a well-known fairy tale: the part where Prince Charming (coalition forces) courageously rescues the beautiful princess (the Iraqi people) from the dark and cold prison of the evil queen (Saddam). But this real-life event is far more serious than any children's story.

Rock doesn't live up to reputation in 'Head of State'

Remember when Chris Rock was edgy? Rock is infamous for being outspoken and fearless, ready to lampoon and criticize effectively without compromising his comedic integrity. "CB4" took on gangsta rap with dead-on vignettes and characters like Stab Master Arson.

Numbers up

While our counterparts in Ann Arbor are witnessing tempers rise on account of the affirmative action lawsuit concerning their admissions policy, MSU is witnessing historic highs in minority enrollment. The Office of Affirmative Action, Compliance and Monitoring released its 2001-02 statistics Tuesday, and found that while Native American enrollment decreased 14 percent, Hispanics increased by 8 percent, Asian Pacific Islanders by 6 percent and blacks by 4 percent.

Anti-war protesters confused about war

Don't the anti-war protesters see that most of the Iraqi people are welcoming our military? So much good is coming out of this campaign: the ousting of a brutal dictator, the liberation of millions who have survived his tyranny, the democratization of an Arab nation and the revival of the Iraqi oil industry (which means cheaper gas for everybody). We're not going to occupy Iraq for 20 years, and we're not permanently seizing their oil wells.The people who protest along Grand River Avenue now would be the same people protesting government inaction in 10 years after Saddam's cronies plant anthrax in New York City, or after the dictator once again uses weapons of mass destruction on his own people.Anybody who doesn't see the logic behind the war has no comprehension of international affairs.The nature of modern warfare has changed so that a threat need not necessarily show up at our doorstep; our military is so advanced that we can meet the challenges of the future before they arrive.

Police briefs 04/10/03

Councilman wrong for riot solutions

I was pleased to see East Lansing officials are taking the weekend's disturbances seriously, but their solutions were a mixed bag of good and thick-headed ("Council to seek strict punishment for participants" SN 4/2). The idea that the Big Ten would forego tournament revenue in order to punish a school is simply ludicrous, and Bill Sharp should be embarrassed that he said it in public.

tv's top 10

1. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 26.4 million viewers.2. "American Idol-Tuesday," Fox, 21.2 million viewers.3. "Friends," NBC, 20.8 million viewers.4. "American Idol-Wednesday," Fox, 20.3 million viewers.5. "Survivor: Amazon," CBS, 19.8 million viewers.6. "ER," NBC, 18.9 million viewers.7. "Everybody Loves Raymond," CBS, 18.6 million viewers.8. "CSI: Miami," CBS, 17 million viewers.9. "Law & Order: SVU," NBC, 15.8 million viewers.10. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," NBC, 15.6 million viewers.Source: Nielsen Media Research for 3/31-4/6

Pounding heart

To many Native Americans, drums represent the heartbeat of their culture. This weekend, they become the pulse of Breslin Center as thousands gather for the North American Indian Student Organization's 20th annual Pow-wow of Love.

Liles, Fast honored again

MSU (23-14-2) wasn't an elite hockey team this season, but it wasn't for a lack of elite players. Two Spartans - senior defensemen John-Michael Liles and Brad Fast - were named to the JOFA All-American teams announced Wednesday by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Liles made the West First Team, while Fast was named to the West Second Team. Of the 24 players honored Wednesday, only three were on teams that didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament - Liles, Fast and Yale forward Chris Higgins. "In order to have a good individual season, you often need to be on a successful team," Liles said.

top 10 singles

1. "In Da Club," 50 Cent, G-Unit/Shady/Aftermath. (Last week: 1) 2. "Ignition," R.

Granholm declares Day of Silence to support LBGT community

Gov. Jennifer Granholm became the first Michigan governor to issue a proclamation strongly supporting the Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered community this week, designating Wednesday a Day of Silence in Michigan."The governor is opposed to harassment and discrimination of any kind," Granholm spokeswoman Elizabeth Boyd said.

'U' gives locks for love

"Let's do it," a red-faced and teary-eyed Amy Baker said.Her boyfriend clutched his face with both hands and looked away as the scissors clipped Baker's ponytail with a few swift motions.About 10 inches of Baker's hair is going to Locks of Love, an organization which makes wigs for children with hair loss caused by severe burns, radiation treatment or other medical reasons.Baker, a veterinary technology sophomore, began to cry as the hair she had been growing out since she was 15 years old fell.

Vietnam war memories surface during conflict

As the war with Iraq rages on, MSU officials are recalling their experiences during the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, David Dwyer, then an MSU student, didn't hold signs in protest.

where the wind ...

Even in today's world, an innocent story of love in the Wild West has a place: Oklahoma."It is the perfect getaway, local getaway for two hours," said Marcus Olson, director of MSU Department of Theatre's production of the musical "Oklahoma!" "It wasn't trite, silly stuff."The show, which closes out the department's season, premieres at 7:30 p.m.

Closed meetings questioned

The ASMSU Academic Assembly's decision to close its meeting to the public Tuesday night has left some people wondering about the legality of the move, and whether it is considered a public body.The assembly, part of MSU's undergraduate student government, closed the meeting and asked about 10 people to leave so the representatives could discuss candidates for its executive board.Matt Weingarden, chairperson of ASMSU's Student Assembly, said the organization has a right to close the meeting because they aren't bound by the Michigan Open Meetings Act."We have done this for so long and it's never caused a major problem," Weingarden said.

Shut out

Although MSU's undergraduate student government doesn't truly govern anything, it is a tax-collecting student body charged with representing its constituents in the university's governance process and therefore, has an obligation to remain accountable to its members. On Tuesday, ASMSU's Academic Assembly was not accountable.

Police: At least 6 more arrests expected

A possible six more arrests related to city and campus disturbances March 28-30 could come as early as Friday, MSU police Inspector William Wardwell said.The Department of Police and Public Safety has received about 70 tips on its tipline since the disturbances and added six additional pictures to its Web site, www.dpps.msu.edu/tipline.