Columnists ideas ignorant, offensive

I am writing this letter in response to John La Fleur’s column. I found La Fleur’s opinions to be ignorant and offensive.

Marriage is not just about children

I would hate to be John La Fleur’s wife. I can picture La Fleur coming home after a busy day.

Iowa State swallows up U Rice Krispie Treat record

MSU’s reign over a “Snap Crackle and Pop” concoction has been usurped.And Iowa State University has snatched the title.MSU’s record for the world’s largest Rice Krispie Treat fell Saturday when Iowa State’s marshmallow treat weighed in at 2,500 pounds - 500 pounds more than the Spartans’ 1997 record-breaker.Steve Sullivan, a spokesman from Iowa State, said the school’s mission was not to beat MSU - but instead to honor alumna Mildred Day.“So it really didn’t matter who held the previous record because we would have done this anyway,” Sullivan said.Day, who died in 1996, was a Kellogg’s employee, and is said to have been one of the creators of the first prototype of the cereal-marshmallow treat that has gained worldwide popularity.In fact, most obituaries published when Day died credited her with inventing the snack, Sullivan said.Iowa State’s masterpiece - which secured a place in the next edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s largest Rice Krispie Treat - used 818 pounds of cereal, 1,466 pounds of marshmallows and 217 pounds of butter.There was one stipulation with all the cereal used.“What was funny is that we had to open all the boxes, and they all had a prize,” Sullivan said.

Guest to ring bells in Beaumont Tower

The haunting bell sounds filling the heart of campus from noon to 12:30 p.m. today will stem from the musical talents of guest carillonneur Jeffrey Bossin. A carillonneur plays the carillon, which resembles an organ.

Many marriages can be childless

In John La Fleur’s column published Friday, he made public his ignorance of the topic of gay and lesbian relationships, as well as the role marriage plays in society. Sociologists recognize marriage not as a “legal union from which children are born,” but as “a multifaceted bond based on commitment, love and intimacy.” In addition, the reality of marriage is that many marriages remain childless by choice. La Fleur should have done some research before presuming to know what marriage means to American society.

Homosexuality not related to incest

So I take it now that Pride Week is over, The State News is going to publish uninformed, uneducated, homophobic blathering? John La Fleur’s column was not only insulting, but embarrassing.

Police briefs 04/24/01

Lugnuts look for more home wins

LANSING - There doesn’t seem to be any home-field advantage for the Lansing Lugnuts so far this season. The Midwest League’s last-place Lugnuts (4-11) are now 1-7 at Oldsmobile Park after a four-game sweep at the hands of the Dayton Dragons last week. “It’s always good to see wins; obviously that’s what everyone strives for,” Lugnuts manager Julio Garcia said.

New Green film offers fans good laughs

Hot on the heels of such hilarious gags as getting testicular cancer and marrying Drew Barrymore, MTV’s Tom Green has a movie.

Freedom of speech is for everyone

In response to the letter written by Anthony Kendall (“Original messages were offensive,” SN 4/20), I would just like to say that on a campus containing diverse people with equally diverse beliefs, sensitivity to differences is vital. Freedom of speech is also vital and some will say that where the two conflict, there is no right or wrong solution.

Officials advise review of local bars

Coscarelli’s and L.A. Globe top Lansing’s list of liquor law violations.L.A. Globe, 6810 S.

Awards honor residents, U

Rollie Ledebuhr’s family knew. His friends knew. His colleagues knew.But when the 48-year city resident realized he was the only one who didn’t know he was being honored at Monday’s 14th annual East Lansing Crystal Awards, he began to cry.“I’ve always felt happy because the community accepted me when I was just a darn old dairy farmer,” he said, barely able to hold onto his engraved crystal bowl.

Former Pixies frontman talks about life, music

Eric Weir sees ex-Pixies frontman Frank Black as a modern legend. “He’s amazing,” the Detroit native said.

Column reflects hate, prejudice

John La Fleur’s column is a good example of the line of thinking that causes hatred and prejudice in society today.

Columnists ideas were outdated

The First Amendment gives us the marketplace of ideas. Even the ignorant have their say. Reasonable citizens sort out the arguments and come to a decision on issues based on this dialogue. In John La Fleur’s “market,” the produce is rotten.

Softball team struggles during weekend; golf teams finish second in tourneys

It was not a weekend to brag about for the MSU softball team, as it dropped two games each to Ohio State and Penn State, according to MSU sports information. The latest setback was a 9-2 loss to the Nittany Lions on Sunday in State College, Pa. MSU now stands 17-34 overall and 4-10 in the Big Ten.

Tennessee high school player forced to stay

Elgrace Wilborn’s hopes of playing basketball at MSU next season are over. The 6-foot-8 power forward from Springfield, Ohio, will not be released from his National Letter of Intent at Tennessee, said Tennessee head coach Buzz Peterson. “We’ve talked with Elgrace,” he said.

ASMSU shouldnt govern yearbook

As both a student and a fan of the First Amendment, I am glad to see that the battle over whether ASMSU will gain editorial control over the Red Cedar Log finally ended with a defeat of that proposal. There were some important legal concerns in the content of the bill that would allow ASMSU editorial control of MSU’s student yearbook; these concerns involved both First Amendment issues and problems relating to MSU’s anti-discrimination policy.

E.L. Council to review budget

The East Lansing City Council will continue discussing revisions to the 2001-02 budget at today’s work session. Council members are working to eliminate a proposed $325,000 dip into the city’s savings to cover recent increases in health care and recreational project costs. Another work session will be held Tuesday to discuss budget changes before it is finalized on May 15. During the April 10 work session, council members raised questions about possible ways to add revenue or cut costs. East Lansing Finance Director Gary Murphy said he hopes to provide more answers for the city council tonight. “These are just possibilities,” he said.

Infiltration story full of inconsistencies

Am I missing something or have others also noted an inconsistency in the administration’s explanation of police infiltration of Students for Economic Justice? On the one hand, MSU police Chief Bruce Benson responded to a Freedom of Information Act request for records and notes of the undercover operation by saying he destroyed them because they were no longer necessary. On the other hand, in grasping for straws to justify police spying on a legitimate student organization, President M.