Bush's speech contradicts itself

This letter is in response to Tim Phelps' letter on the editorial "State of Fear" (SN 1/30) ("Lambasting of Bush shows liberal bias," SN 1/31). During his State of the Union address, President Bush said, "Jobs are created when the economy grows; the economy grows when Americans have more money to spend and invest; and the best and fairest way to make sure Americans have that money is not to tax it away in the first place." He then proposes "only" a 4-percent increase in the federal government's discretionary spending limit, committing an additional $400 billion during the next decade to strengthen Medicare, creating a research fund of $1.2 billion to develop hydrogen-powered automobiles, earmarking $450 million to bring mentors to disadvantaged youth, a new $600-million drug treatment plan and a $15-billion commitment to treat AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. Something smells fishy.

Recruiting update: Spartans expect to sign 17 players Wednesday

On the eve of national signing day, 17 recruits have verbally committed to the Spartans. Head football coach John L.

Letter's defense of Bush off the mark

Tim Phelps' letter ("Lambasting of Bush shows liberal bias," SN 1/31) criticizing The State News' liberal bias contains an element of truth.

Amtrak seeks more funding for continued service

The fate of railway services in Michigan remains hanging in the balance after meetings Tuesday.Officials from Amtrak and the State Department of Transportation representatives met in Lansing to negotiate a deal to prevent the possible loss of trains routes in Michigan.Amtrak's contract with the state expires March 31, and the railway system is seeking a $2.2 million increase in annual funding."We want to work to make sure our service keeps going," Amtrak spokeswoman Kathleen Cantilllon said.For more on this story please see Wednesday's edition of The State News.

Police briefs 02/04/03

Spartans add 2 recruits, year's total equals 17

John L. Smith continues to land recruits as he rebuilds the Spartan football team, adding two more players for a total of 17.Joining the Spartans are linebacker Maurice Smith from Warren, Ohio, and quarterback Stephen Reaves from Tampa, Fla.Smith, who played at Howland High School and has been clocked running the 40-yard dash around the 4.6 mark, verbally committed to MSU on Sunday night.Reaves, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback told The State News he committed to MSU last week, however, kept it quiet because of one last trip he was making out to the University of Southern California.

Hillel holds vigil for Columbia astronauts

As the nation looks to the sky in remembrance of Saturday's space shuttle disaster, a group of students lowered their heads to the ground in reverence.To honor Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who died onboard Columbia, members of MSU's Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St., sat in prayer during a candlelight vigil Monday, allowing students to reflect on the loss of the hero."A lot of students do care very much about what happened and this isn't just for the Israelis, it's for all of the astronauts to remember them," Vice President Sherie Rappoport said.The flame of a single candle cast a soft glow on photographs and biographies of the seven Columbia crew members.Weinstein opened the vigil with a brief biography of each astronaut."The vigil is not to focus on the sadness but to commemorate the legacy," Program Director Shira Weinstein said, adding the group wanted a big part of the message of the vigil to be one of community and sharing.About 15 people gathered to remember those lost during the shuttle's disintegration - and to celebrate living life to its fullest, a concept the astronauts lived and died for, Rabbi Aryeh Ben David said.Ben David, a rabbi at Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, spoke soft words in Hebrew."A person who lives for himself or herself is not really alive," said Ben David, who is visiting East Lansing to work with community groups.

ASMSU gives $75K to Sparty

The campaign to find Sparty a new home got a head start with a donation of $75,000 from ASMSU, but MSU's undergraduate student government didn't make it easy for the terra-cotta statue.The bill passed with 21 votes, the minimum needed to pass a bill with the number of people attending the meeting Thursday.The money will go toward restoration and movement of the statue, formally titled "The Spartan." Built in the 1940s, the statue is now cracking and deteriorating from years of exposure to the elements.

Lack of character development hurts 'Recruit'

Remember summer camp? Arts and crafts were the norm, as was swimming in a dirty lake and roasting s'mores.

Amtrack meets with Michigan

Amtrak officials will meet with Michigan Department of Transportation representatives today to renew a contract with the state and potentially gain additional funding for railway services. Amtrak's contract with the state expires March 31.

GEU kicks off recruiting campaign

The Graduate Employees Union has begun a month-long drive to increase union membership. Informational meetings, dancing and phone calls will make up the campaign's effort to attain the group's 70 percent membership goal."I think everybody knows about GEU already," union member Brian Holcomb said.

War is not answer to Iraq conflict

Attacking Iraq will not make us safer. Indeed, Saddam Hussein will be more likely to use whatever weapons he has against us, not less likely, if we begin bombing him. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a far more dangerous opponent than Iraq could ever be.

Instead of watching 'Real World,' read a newspaper, get informed

When President Bush gave his State of the Union address, I joined my friends in someone's room, surrounding the television, hanging on every word.

'Vagina' tour hits Lansing

Lansing - "If your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?" performer Debra Hart asked.

Black History Month kicks off with speech, skits and music

Steven Couch began the second verse of "Amazing Grace" as four students sluggishly walked across the stage in the Auditorium's Fairchild Theatre with bowed heads, linked by chains and bleeding wounds exposed. As the students slowly made their way to the mock auction block in the middle of the stage, they turned around and showed the audience thin red lines on their backs, representative of slaves' lashes. The pre-med freshman sang during the program "Linked by Our Past, Bound Together By Our Future," which kicked off February as Black History Month with skits, music and speeches.

Assembly sends NAISO to board for funding

ASMSU Student Assembly officials battled back and forth over funding for a North American Indian Student Organization conference Thursday.

Police briefs 02/03/03

Baseball is great; soccer not close

My friend once told me that any game played with a "stick" should not be considered a sport. Had I been born a man, he'd probably still be eating through a straw, but since I'm a lady

Recruiting update: Smith lands former Spartan's son

Green runs in the veins of MSU's latest football recruit. Maurice Smith, son of former MSU defensive tackle Travis Davis, verbally committed to the team last night. "I liked the coach, plus there's a brand new staff, so maybe I'll get some more playing time," said Smith, a linebacker from Howland High School in Warren, Ohio.

3-pointer is difference

For the second time in as many games, the MSU men's basketball team had to rely on a 3-pointer to seal a crucial conference victory.This time, the shot was a last-second heave from sophomore forward Alan Anderson to close the first half.