COMMENTARY

Religious columns do not change minds of readers

I think there should be a poll every time there's another article of faith written in the paper.

COMMENTARY

Beyond parenting

There are more than 300 million people in the U.S. today. And for some reason, people feel the need to continuously bring more into this world. According to a 2006 census poll, about four million women give birth each year in the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Introducing wasp will have ill effects in Mich.

In response to the article "Wasps may squash ash borer" (SN 6/14), I have to say it is rarely a good idea to introduce a new exotic species to counter an invasive species. When you consider the vast number of species on earth, we know very little about very few of them.

COMMENTARY

Choice should be key factor in vaccinations

I am writing in response to the column "Responsible remedy" (SN 6/13). Columnist Roxanne Dewyer's arguments for vaccination are dangerously flawed and reflect the type of guilt propaganda used by politicians, drug companies and doctors in western society today.

COMMENTARY

Internet important tool in 2008 race

"OMG, did you check out McCain's updated MySpace profile?" "No, but Barack listens to The Fugees, which rules." Yes, it's official.

COMMENTARY

Generation does not deserve acclamation

Paul B.A. Holland's column "Generation must prove importance" (SN 6/13) was an impressive hodgepodge of cloying clichés and conservative propaganda masking itself as the humble voice of a generation.

COMMENTARY

Viewing patriotism as a two-sided issue unfair

I'm writing in response to Isaac DeVille's column "Reclaim patriotism," (SN 6/12). DeVille left me cringing after I read his callow treatise on American patriotism.

COMMENTARY

Athletic priorities

Detroit Tigers' Jason Verlander's no-hitter Tuesday evoked cheers from passing cars during my evening jog.

COMMENTARY

Smoking ban infringes on businesses

For many, smoking in bars is a fact of life; an undeniable truth. Soon, though, people's habits may be drastically altered. Michigan lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday to discuss a possible statewide ban on smoking inside bars, restaurants and workplaces.

COMMENTARY

Christianity directed at saving imperfect humans

In "Not so good God," (SN 6/6), John Bice writes, "Modern Christians are free to believe any absurdity they like." Presumably, Bice intends to include Darwinists and other people of faith in his emancipation.

COMMENTARY

Responsible remedy

Recently, there has been news regarding Andrew Speaker, the man who boarded an airplane despite his tuberculosis diagnosis. Passengers on board are still being tested and, as of yet, no new cases have been reported.

COMMENTARY

More education options a good thing

Proposed bills in the Michigan House of Representatives may allow high school students to take classes at a community college or four-year university.

COMMENTARY

Generation must prove importance

2007: The year I graduate from college, the year I have been anticipating since fifth grade - it is finally here.

COMMENTARY

Next president will inherit Bush's blunders

We've passed the fourth anniversary of the day President Bush declared major Iraq combat operations over.

COMMENTARY

Reclaim patriotism

Some people often cringe when they hear the word "patriotism." They hear the word and associate it with mullet-headed morons singing "Born in the U.S.A." They think of the American flag used as thoughtless ornamentation on massive, black trucks.

COMMENTARY

Corn-based fuel not a permanent fix

Gas stations around the state have started providing E85 ethanol, including one in East Lansing that opened June 5.

COMMENTARY

Limited power would curb political corruption

The corruption in Washington is unavoidable because, as Lord Acton pointed out, power corrupts and too much power has been placed within the grasp of politicians. When originally founded, our federal government was one of the limited powers as defined by the Constitution.

COMMENTARY

Going part-time won't save state

Michigan is one of 11 states in the country that operates with a full-time legislature, and some Michigan lawmakers are attempting to change that. Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, supports a plan to make a switch from full-time to part-time work in order to save money by reducing pay rates, benefits and staff members. California and New York have full-time legislatures, and the other states that operate full-time tend to be larger as well. But switching to a part-time legislature won't fix Michigan's problems. Michigan is the eighth most populous state in the nation with a high population density.

COMMENTARY

Texan candidate should be considered in 2008

I would like to encourage people to consider presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas. Paul is the only candidate for president with a demonstrable anti-war record.

COMMENTARY

Peninsular pride

Vacation season has just about arrived, and I can't think of anywhere better to travel than right here in Michigan. This rich, diverse area is teeming with activities and opportunities to match almost any interest - where else can you cross-country ski, fish for lake trout and dance the night away at an electronic music festival within the borders of one state? I recently made my first trip to the Upper Peninsula.