No one celebrates Columbus anyway

Monday was Columbus Day. It caught me by surprise, and I’m sure most of my friends didn’t know about it.

Commission choice followed state law

The Michigan Public Service Commission would like to provide clarification to your Oct. 2 editorial “Power play.” Your editorial questioned whether the selection of three public relations consultants in connection with the energy competition customer education campaign required by Public Act 141 of 2000 was done in a manner that advantages the major electric utilities.

Secrecy, please

Congress needs to exercise a little more restraint. Certainly many members have heard the cliché “loose lips sink ships.”Yet, that’s just exactly what could happen if certain members of Congress continue their methods of handling classified information.It was discovered last week that congressional leaders had leaked sensitive information regarding troop deployments and military security to the press.A furious President Bush sent out a memo in response, ordering key department heads limit their briefings to the four major leaders - Senate majority and minority leaders, and House majority and minority leaders - and the chairpersons and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees.The president is willing to compromise with Congress and expand the circle of lawmakers who are allowed to receive the most confidential briefings.

Capitol steps host rally for equality bills

Lansing - A rally of student organizations and representatives gathered on the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday to promote legislation and lobby for candidate support of lesbian-bi-gay and transgendered issues. The event, “Building the Beloved Community: Michigan Students for Equality,” was sponsored by the Triangle Foundation, a Detroit-based anti-violence civil rights advocacy group. The purpose of the event was to gain support for three bills which focus on helping promote gay and lesbian equal rights legislation and preventing gender-related hate crimes.

Local leaders go on alert after attacks

Even when pagers became a popular communication tool years ago, Lansing Mayor David Hollister didn’t bother to carry one. But life is different now. Since Sept.

One month later: Campus reflects while attempting to recover

One month after terrorists attacked New York and Washington, D.C., the effects still linger for MSU students, faculty and staff. Howard Gobstein, associate vice president for governmental affairs, has experienced the recovery period in Washington. “People I know that work in the Capitol are shaken deeply because they know they work in a target,” he said.

Core of LBGT oppression lies in silence

Our silence is our most menacing enemy. That silence allows society to make the rules for us by defining who we are, and what we hope to accomplish in our lives.

Government critics need to continue

After sifting through endless jargon, I feel that I can summarize all of Rishi Kundi’s points into one long-winded, yet effective sentence (“Scholars must remember they’re Americans,” SN 10/4). I interpret he says that we (being Americans) must maintain a low level of objectivity and scrutiny toward the Sept.

Trustees to vote on $20,000 Mason raise

MSU hockey head coach Ron Mason is scheduled to receive a roughly $20,000 raise to his annual base salary at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting Friday.The Board will vote to increase his salary from $153,215 to $173,215.

Fraternity working to regain house

Members of Sigma Chi are determined to earn back their chapter house with the support of alumni throughout the country.“We recently had a vote that the house is not going to be sold right now,” said Sigma Chi president Jeff Maxwell.

Denzel good, movie bad

Denzel is good. Denzel is great. Denzel can carry almost any movie. So, what hasn’t Denzel done?

Slowing economy raises concerns on appropriations

Addressing the per student funding gap is key to the 2002-03 appropriation request that will be reviewed Friday by the Board of Trustees.

Programs offer training for nurses collecting evidence from sexual assault victims

Heather said she felt powerless after she was raped by a house intruder when she was 14 in 1985.After the assault, Heather, a Lansing resident, said she would have been more comfortable with a female doctor.“At 14, I had a big, burly man doing my examination,” she said.

Campus Briefs

McPherson promotes open dialogue todayMSU President M. Peter McPherson will visit Akers Hall today in an effort to promote open dialogue among students living on campus. The open forum, which is organized by the Residence Halls Association, will be held from 7:30 p.m.

Volleyball shows grace, excitement

I came to MSU as an assistant professor in fall 1966 and have been fortunate since that time to attend many exciting sporting events, including being in the stands for the 1966 game against Notre Dame, and in Indianapolis for the Final Four tournament two years ago. At the urging of our daughter, I attended my first women’s volleyball game in Jenison Field House recently.

U.S. needs unity among all people

“Celebrate indigenous people. We were here 1st.” That was the painting that adorned the rock on Farm Lane as I walked home from class Monday.

U to celebrate patriotic homecoming

Homecoming activities planned for this weekend will allow students to show pride in their country as well as their school. University officials say this year’s theme, Spartan Pride Worldwide, was chosen long before the tragic events of Sept.

Police briefs 10/10/01

Student fulfills fashion needs with own designs

Byron McGhee is starting his new fashion line at the beginning.The communication junior is developing a line of clothing called Shione, which means beginning.“Right now we just have T-shirts, and we have baby T-shirts for the girls,” he said.

Oh, my gas!

The Cadillac Escalade, the Ford Expedition, the Lincoln Navigator. Top-of-the-line sport utility vehicles are the newest, most popular vehicles on the market, meeting consumer demands of size, safety and quality. These SUVs are eye-catching and you may look good driving them, but those who own these vehicles fail to realize how they affect carbon dioxide emissions or how much money they waste on gas. King-size SUVs such as the Escalade and Navigator are among the worst gas mileage models of the new 2002 passenger vehicles, as rated by the Environmental Protection Agency.