COMMENTARY

Down by the river

Yeah, the Red Cedar River looks gross and unappetizing. But it's not as bad as it seems. And East Lansing is actually dealing with pollution problems as much as it can. About $40 million is being used to improve the management of pollution and water discharge in East Lansing. East Lansing's Wastewater Treatment Plant had 14 violations of a state-issued permit from July 2003 to December 2004, according to a report released by the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Women's athletics needs more respect

For the past couple of years, I have watched the women's basketball team grow. It has done better than the men, but still gets no love. I understand this is a male-dominated world, but come on.

COMMENTARY

Men also affected in many ways by rape, must help end violence

Rape does not affect women alone. Rape affects us all. Although women are generally perceived as the survivors of rape and sexual assault, eradicating this violence should not fall solely on their shoulders.

COMMENTARY

Corporations part of American dream

In Vanessa Notman's column regarding the lack of local business flavor in downtown East Lansing, "Unique feel of small downtown spots replaced with corporations" (SN 3/23), she expresses concern that locally owned businesses are being driven out by national corporations and wonders with, "Is this really the American way?" The answer to this question is a resounding yes, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. One of the American dreams is for an individual to start a business, have it be successful and expand to more locations. This individual has thereby succeeded in providing a service that many people appreciate. If people didn't appreciate it, the business would not expand.

COMMENTARY

People should learn respect for others

I'm a parking enforcer, yes, I'll admit it. So deal with it. However, my job is not what this letter is about; it's about respect. I was working and I saw someone park on a sidewalk handicap-ramp.

COMMENTARY

Patience needs to be practiced at airport

I just want to praise and shake hands with Steven Wojcikiewicz for his column on the indecency of human behavior at the airport, "Writer gets firsthand look at uncivilized human behavior" (SN 3/28). I would also like to add a bit to his commentary by pointing out the radical behavior of passengers who actually have assigned seats on a crowded flight. Not only do people begin to crowd the door before the call is made to get in line, but they actually block people from getting on who are supposed to be getting on. Planes usually board first-class passengers, passengers with disabilities and passengers with small children first.

COMMENTARY

No parking zone

A local fraternity house is the latest casualty in East Lansing's goal of creating more business in the downtown.

COMMENTARY

Getting to know religion

Debating, discussing and being introduced to an array of different religions can benefit MSU's student body. A study was recently conducted, which involved more than 40,000 faculty at 421 higher education institutions and measured their college faculty members' level of spirituality and how it might integrate into their teaching methods. The stereotype that university faculty members are not spiritual was opposed through research results said Jennifer Lindholm, the project director and lead researcher on the study. The study found out that 81 percent of college faculty members in the nation consider themselves spiritual. Although religion should not be preached to students by any professor at a public university, religious discussion can lead to more open-minded and understanding students.

COMMENTARY

All women's sports demeaned, trivialized

This letter is in response to Ethan Conley's continual vivacious attacks on athletes who are women in his past two columns, "Women's tournament needs the 'George Masons' for excitement" (SN 3/29) and "'Dunk' isn't reason to tune into w.

COMMENTARY

Economy in France stable before reforms, despite popular belief

By Mark Weisbrot Washington (KRT) — More than a million people in France have taken to the streets against their conservative government's attempts to change the country's labor law.

COMMENTARY

Analyzing the statistics

Have things really gotten better? Taken at face value, the East Lansing crime statistics released Monday show that violent crimes are down, but citations for open alcohol violations are on the rise. Of course, those numbers can't be looked at in a vacuum, considering the laws that were changed over alcohol and tailgating on campus last year. According to the statistics, aggravated assaults decreased from 157 in 2004 to 34 in 2005, but open alcohol citations are at a 10-year high. The number of citations given out for underage possession of alcohol increased from 744 in 2004 to 1,141 in 2005. East Lansing police officers have also noticed more drinking in East Lansing as well as partying, but the number of serious crimes was the lowest it's been in a decade. We might be getting more drunk, but we're not as violent. The numbers on their own don't tell the whole picture of what it's like to live in East Lansing and the level of crime.

COMMENTARY

Those caught by RIAA not worst offenders

It has been almost a year since I was subpoenaed for illegally downloading music at MSU. I have been doing research for a paper and was using The State News as a source and reading past articles.

COMMENTARY

Column denounces Europe too quickly

In response to Beth Swanson's column, "Big culture gap exists between France, U.S." (SN 3/28), I must say I'm disappointed in yet another column full of anecdotes meant to reinforce stereotypes. A single week in tourist-packed Paris, presently in a state of unrest due to youth labor laws, is hardly a means to make a fair judgment between France and the United States. First of all, there is a huge difference between a college town and an international city — has anyone had random people (who are not a little scary) say "hi" to them in New York or Los Angeles? Secondly, after spending two months in France, I found the French far more warm and willing to talk than people in the United States.

COMMENTARY

New statistics merely police propaganda

As I read the front page article on "Violent crimes down in E.L." (SN 3/28), I found myself annoyed by what I consider police propaganda.

COMMENTARY

MSU makes money off students' laziness

Related to the purchase of new parking enforcement vehicles, "6 new trucks purchased for parking enforcement" (SN 3/24): I admit, it is pretty silly for MSU to buy vehicles after five years — trucks nonetheless.

COMMENTARY

Michigan's random weather happens; stop complaining, move on

Weather, as a topic of conversation, is like a childhood blanket — comforting and dependable. Just when you fear you might not have anything to say, good ol' weather is right there to catch you before you fall. Some superfluous comment about the weather is bound to pop out of your mouth if you accidentally make eye contact with a stranger in an elevator.

COMMENTARY

More than dinner

The members of the MSU Board of Trustees should chew their food and bite their tongues — or start inviting the public to their $800 dinners. Board members often meet at Cowles House the night before their monthly public meeting to enjoy an expensive dinner and drinks.

COMMENTARY

Bring us your masses

There are millions of illegal immigrants in America. And if currently debated legislation is passed in the Senate, they could be on their way to becoming citizens.

COMMENTARY

Kalamazoo Promise buzz brought to light

I recently read Gabrielle Russon's column "Kalamazoo schools serve as prime example for others to follow" (SN 3/24). I was thrilled that she brought this wonderful idea to the attention of everyone not from the west side of the state or who missed it in the Detroit and Lansing papers. When I first heard about it I thought it was probably one of the coolest things I'd ever heard. However, I think she missed one of the main points in the story.

COMMENTARY

MRULE conference powerful, informative

I am writing to commend the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, or MRULE, for the AIDS conference, called "No Place to Hide: Student Activism and the Fight Against the Global AIDS Pandemic" which it put on this weekend. I attended the conference and was amazed at the amount of time and effort that they had put into it in order to make it a success for the hundreds of people who attended.