COMMENTARY

Students akin to whiny children; need to act

There has been a lot of whining on and around the MSU campus recently about a number of issues and, frankly, I'm tired of it. Permanent residents complain about the behavior of many students and, to be honest, their arguments that MSU students often display a lack of respect and civility are not completely invalid. However, some of the ordinances passed by the East Lansing City Council in recent years have been a bit excessive.

COMMENTARY

Greet the heat

Brace yourself — winter is here. Sure, the snow might be a nice change of scenery, but with the cold comes the increased heating bill.

COMMENTARY

'Run-down' Detroit has great attributes

It was so refreshing to read Ken Osborne's column, "Portrayal of city inaccurate, Detroit more than boarded-up buildings" (SN 11/16), defending Detroit instead of ridiculing it like the majority of people do. I was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.: a suburb just outside of Detroit.

COMMENTARY

Readers have right to ask Ramsey to resign

I applaud those who protested Mike Ramsey's Veterans Day (SN 11/11) cartoon as being distasteful for keeping the protest mostly positive, with the theme of supporting our troops as the main issue. However, one reader suggests they are hypocrites to call for the artist's dismissal for the comic.

COMMENTARY

Our report

The night of April 2-3 has been a frequent topic for The State News Editorial Board. For nearly eight months, we have been discussing the disturbances and the independent commission formed to investigate them.

COMMENTARY

Message cannot be made with limitations

I would like to commend Mike Ramsey for exercising his First Amendment rights in his comic on Veterans Day (SN 11/11). I strongly disagree with the readers who want to contest his position at The State News.

COMMENTARY

Many at MSU struggle with gender identity

I'd like to applaud The State News for printing the editorial "Identity right" (SN 11/16) on gender identity. Gender identity is as intrinsic and personal as anything else that we use to define ourselves to ourselves, and as such should be protected with the same safeguards as any other identifying characteristic. Yet presently at MSU, discrimination against transgender students in housing, employment and other areas of student life is permitted.

COMMENTARY

Students should pay for damages, own up

In response to students picking up a tab for police, remember thousands of people pouring into the streets in 1999, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage? Remember the Munn field riot?

COMMENTARY

Let SN cartoonist be; exercising his rights

This uproar about Mike Ramsey's cartoon (SN 11/11) isn't that much of a surprise to me.

COMMENTARY

SN contributes to false distinctions

Kudos to Josh McFarland for his recent letter: "Students are here permanently also" (SN 11/9). Indeed, The State News bares some responsibility as it continually distinguishes between "resident" and "student" in articles where the distinction is not important to understanding the story.

COMMENTARY

Writer doesn't know dairy fundamentals

In response to Sophia DiPietro's letter, "Dairy industry not truthful of cruelty" (SN 11/08), regarding the dairy industry, I'm sorry she doesn't see the humor in the latest "got milk" advertisement.

COMMENTARY

New program takes other resources away

When I read The State News' front-page article on the new residential college, "Living, learning collide in new college option" (SN 11/15), I thought I was reading a James Madison College brochure for prospective students.

COMMENTARY

Anyone's day

Thanksgiving means a lot to many, many people. It's one of those days in the year reserved for people to gather with family, friends and loved ones, no matter how they celebrate. However, it doesn't have to be a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. A feast, ski trip or movie at the local cinema all suffice.

COMMENTARY

Thanksgiving more than time off: day to be grateful for blessings

For some, it's just a long weekend and some days off from school. For others, it's a time to spend with family.

COMMENTARY

Aftermath

It's the day after tomorrow. The "spree." The "big dance." Marathon runners would find it familiar. During the early morning, alarms around the country will break the stillness of the hour.

COMMENTARY

Sharp's time in council valuable, many virtues

I was deeply disappointed and surprised by James Vondale's letter, "Council, students will benefit without Sharp" (SN 11/18) regarding former Councilmember Bill Sharp.

COMMENTARY

Students put effort into small matters

Attention students against Mike Ramsey: You are protesting a cartoon! Calm down — it's a cartoon, nothing else.

COMMENTARY

Soldier in Iraq: Veterans Day cartoon not appropriate for memorial

I read The State News online every day from my base in Iraq. My name is Matt Rawlins and I am a 1998 MSU graduate and a captain in the Army. I am weeks away from completing my second tour in Iraq, my first tour having been during the invasion in March of 2003.

COMMENTARY

Not everyone who supports Iraq war should, or can enlist

Apparently, I've been outed. Karl Olson in "Republicans should practice preaching" (SN 11/7) has exposed me as a chicken hawk, a yellow elephant, a gutless College Republican who supports the war in Iraq but is not serving in it.

COMMENTARY

Still Sharp

It can be seen as a changing of the guard. After 12 years of service to East Lansing as a member of the City Council, Bill Sharp lost his bid for reelection earlier this month. For more than a decade Sharp has shaped policies that have affected thousands of MSU students as they have studied, lived and worked in the city. His experience and dedication to the city cannot be questioned.