When MSU was founded in 1855, it was heralded as a "land-grant institution," making it affordable for middle-class families to get an education. Now, 150 years later, the university needs to seriously rethink its title. It's becoming increasingly more difficult for middle-class students to pay the rising tuition rates.
I must say I was irate when I picked up my copy of The State News and saw that the film review for "Rent" ("'Rent' a disappointment" SN 11/28), was horrible and inaccurate, to say the least. I saw the big screen rendition of this phenomenal Broadway performance during Thanksgiving with my family.
As a year-round bicycle commuter, I found "Road Rules" (SN 11/28) infuriating. MSU is a bike-hostile campus. Bike lanes start from nowhere and end without warning (West Shaw). Pedestrians walk in clearly marked bike lanes (again, West Shaw). Intersections have been designed by people with their heads up their exhaust pipes.
Dan Minnis' letter, "Writer doesn't know dairy fundamentals" (SN 11/23), is a blatant lie.
It's flu season. This means running noses, sore throats, fevers, upset stomachs and many other symptoms. It can also mean missed classes. Unfortunately for students, missing class because of the flu can contribute to an already pounding headache. Without a uniform attendance policy, how to deal with a missed class is left up to each professor's discretion.
Although I have only reviewed a couple weeks of his recent cartoons, and I don't necessarily see eye to eye with his positions, I think The State News should rejoice in the skill and talent of Mike Ramsey. Wit, insight and the ability to clarify an opinion shine through most of his work.
As a proud member of the U.S. Armed Forces, and a young veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was discouraged and saddened to see the nature of the political cartoon prepared for The State News to run on Veterans Day.
Last week, college students across the country trekked home to spend a few short days with their families. It's a comforting time, getting a break from the hectic life on campus and retreating back to a familiar hometown.
It's been said that liberals have two sets of standards; one they apply to themselves and one they apply to everyone else. This has been blatantly apparent the past few days in the criticisms that have been aimed at the protesters over Mike Ramsey's editorial cartoon on the Opinion Page. Why is it that when protesters go out in support of a liberal cause they are seen as bold First Amendment warriors exercising their rights to free speech, but when conservatives wish to have their voice heard, they are accused of being flag wavers, forcing their opinions on others, spreading propaganda, and threatening free speech?
In a classic Republican move, Dave Coogan ("Not everyone who supports Iraq war should, or can enlist" SN 11/22), squirms at the thought of being called out for the double standard of calling for war yet spending his time in college thousands of miles away from the front line. And no, I can't serve because Republicans won't repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I think Coogan forgot to mention that gem. It seems to me that Republicans are quick to use the bully pulpit — calling people un-American and questioning their patriotism — to get what they want, but when faced with a spoonful of their own medicine, they whine about personal attacks and unprofessionalism. In doubt? Here's some of my favorite personal attacks by Republicans printed the same day as Coogan's letter: Bryan Dahl ("SN on downward spiral with talk of free speech" SN 11/22), a far right-wing columnist, insults The State News editorial board by calling them "absolutely clueless" and calls Mike Ramsey classless and unprofessional. Griffin Drew ("SN needs to evaluate maturity of its staff" SN 11/22), thinks a dialogue about the use of torture and extreme force condoned by Republican officials is "immature." For Mark St.
One of the most basic parts of college life is getting to class on time. It's made harder by a "screw you" culture present on the roadways and sidewalks of MSU. Common courtesy needs to be followed and all too often its thrown to the wayside to save some time getting around campus. Cars don't always yield to pedestrians; drivers think they shouldn't have to slow down for someone walking or riding a bike.
Death is a part of life. Most of us have heard the saying. Unfortunately, it seems that for many Americans it is only that — a saying. The truth is, many people have a significant fear of death.
Our school talks the talk, but does it walk the walk? For the amount MSU talks about keeping our community "clean," it seems we literally walk on way too much paper and garbage. I was walking to class the other day when a sheet of three "Boondocks" advertisements flew off the bridge behind Wells Hall.
In response to the article "Detroit ranked No.
Jared Parko's letter "Cartoon too harsh, inappropriate for day" (SN 11/16) criticizing Mike Ramsey is wrong in so many ways that one hardly knows where to begin rebutting it. Far from impugning older veterans as "weak liberators" (whatever that means), Ramsey's cartoon juxtaposed the greatest generation's reverence for human rights with the well-documented violation of those rights by today's military. The obvious gist was that soldiers in the war on terror are not living up to the high ideals set by their predecessors. Ramsey making this point so emphatically is commendable, not deplorable.
I am writing to commend the work of SN reporters Melissa Domsic and Travis Haughton in their "Miraculous journey" (SN 11/15). My brother's Sept.
I would like to know why Jon Gunnells, "Acronyms now replace English words, people everywhere use them" (SN 11/17), found it necessary to deride the greek community with his cheap shot relating fraternities with drugs and STDs. There is a great majority of people in the greek community who do not fit this stereotype. If Gunnells' idea of journalism is simply offending people and taking cheap shots, then I suggest he find another course of study and you find a new columnist. Erik Hakala physics senior
As an avid reader of The State News online, I am continually fascinated by the banter in response to Mike Ramsey's Veterans Day cartoon (SN 11/11). It has been over two weeks since this cartoon was published and still, people are writing their hate-mail.
Fraternities have always received a lot of negative publicity in the media. I am always glad to see The State News reports all of the great things that the greek system does for the community and university. If you look in The State News archives, you will see more good news than bad news on MSU's greek system. That being said, I thought Jon Gunnells' column, "Acronyms now replace English words, people everywhere use them" (SN 11/17) attacked fraternities for no valid reason: "It's universally known that acronyms are only suitable in three situations.
The images are disturbing. Cars afire, buildings reduced to rubble, police and rioters on the streets — it's madness. I, for one, am shocked.