Mentioning unmentionables

Vagina. OK, let's be honest. That's hard to write, difficult to read and embarrassing to say.

Decision to run ads is disappointing

I am upset and disappointed by The State News' decision to run ads placed by campustruth.org. Campustruth.org is a group which purports to tell the "truth" and acknowledges in its ads that there are "two sides" to every story.

State of safety

Security measures in MSU's residence halls, home to 15,500 students, could be reshaped when a report is released next week. The campus community began scrutinizing hall safety in January when two Case Hall students were threatened at knifepoint in their dorm room.

Women's hockey claims championship with victory against Badgers

The MSU women's hockey club added another impressive mark to its case for becoming a varsity sport, when it captured the American College Hockey Association championship on Saturday. The Spartans edged Wisconsin 2-1 in a hard-fought contest in Muskegon.

Speaker to visit during history series

MSU's Department of History is presenting its 2003 Lecture Series, "September 11 Historical Frameworks: Secularism, Nationalism, Islamism." Political science Professor Mark Tessler and Samuel J.

Student Life pamphlet to educate activists

With the possibility of war and recent racially motivated incidents on campus, some students are taking an active approach to get their voices heard - and the Department of Student Life wants to help."What Every Activist Should Know" is a new pamphlet created by the department in February to educate people who choose to voice their opinions.

Police briefs 03/12/03

New 'U' e-mail system online

Users of MSU's Pilot e-mail system have a new option for checking their messages - they just don't know it. A new Web site, mail.msu.edu, will replace the 10-year-old Pilot system.

Paper should be commended for ads

I would like to applaud the actions and words of Kevin Hardy regarding the ads from campustruth.org.

Good, evil aren't just identified by different-colored hats

I've come to the conclusion that life would be a lot easier if things were in fact just like Hollywood fantasies portrayed them to be. We certainly would never need to devote much thought or energy into deciphering who is good and evil in the world - the good guys would all wear white cowboy hats and the bad guys would sport black ones.

Forum dedicated to health care needs, problems of uninsured

A forum at noon today will address the importance of health care for the uninsured. The forum, held in Room A-133 Life Sciences Building, is part of a series of events recognizing national Cover the Uninsured Week through Friday.

Police confident in finding gun assailants in spite of false IDs

Lansing - After hitting a snag in obtaining warrants for the arrest of two men in connection with a gunpoint assault of three MSU students, Lansing police remain confident the assailants will be arrested. Two weeks ago, officers hoped to receive warrants from the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office, but officers are having trouble identifying the two men they believe committed the Feb.

'Tears' dry on action

"Tears of the Sun" is a flick begging to be liked. A military film, conveniently released in the heyday of international relations struggles, tries so hard to be good, yet it can't cover up the fact that, for lack of a more potent phrase, it blows. The setup could have made a great film.

E.L. police hope DNA samples help solve crime

DNA testing may help police agencies, including the East Lansing Police Department, further their investigations, but departments may have to wait to receive results.In January, an MSU student was assaulted in her East Lansing home while sleeping and to get the man off her, the woman bit the assailant's hand.

Racism isn't just against minorities

This letter is written in response to "Nonminorities are not racism victims" (SN 2/27). I would like to ask Magan Butler-Coleman to open her eyes and take a minute to actually see what the "real world" forces everyone to deal with every day. I cannot decide if your statement "because it is impossible for minorities to be the dominant race, 'black people and other minorities' cannot be racist" was made out of ignorance or arrogance. I'll never forget the numerous statements I heard from my former African-American suitemate such as, "All white girls dress as sluts" or "All you white people don't know." And, according to the dictionary, racism is, "a prejudice based on race." If those prejudiced statements aren't racist, what is racism? Gabrielle Weldon mechanical engineering junior

Pamphlet to educate student activists on their rights

The Department of Student Life is helping student activists understand their rights and the rights of others in a new pamphlet titled "What Every Activist Should Know."In it's preliminary stages the pamphlet describes the balance between a student's right to voice their opinion, as well as university guidelines."It's a ticket to be successful in terms of being an activist," said Richard Shafer, associate director of Student Life Judicial Affairs.

Council to discuss city parking issues

East Lansing officials are looking at new marketing tactics and innovative permits to attract motorists to use the city's parking system.With fewer people parking in the system, the city is looking for opportunities to improve customer convenience and efficient usage of the garages.The city council will discuss the parking budget at 6 p.m.

Rogers: Turkish role is critical

A day after returning from a congressional mission to Turkey, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers says the United States is nearing an agreement to allow troops to be stationed at the Turkish-Iraqi border. As part of a three-member delegation, Rogers, R-Brighton, met with Turkish leaders to discuss prospects of a $30-billion aid offer to Turkey as compensation for allowing troops to use the nation's land and airspace. Rogers, who joined U.S.

Safety first

A few spurs were jostled when a horse at the Michigan Horse Council's Horse Expo 2003 got out of control and went on a rampage, injuring two people.

Program faces expanding community challenges

MSU Extension's Citizen Planner, a six-part program designed to teach interested participants about facing the challenges of a growing community, begins March 19. The program will focus on the basics of planning, reviews of site plans, legalities, best practices and running productive meetings.