COMMENTARY

Alcohol poisoning is not 'cool'; why must students brag about booze?

I've never been one to surround myself with drugs or alcohol, and I doubt I ever will be. As a freshman, I had preconceived notions of "college life" in terms of drinking and drugs, but I found myself a little ignorant when I saw the reality. All of the stereotypes portrayed in movies and the media about college partying appear to be true, or at least not far from it. About two days after I arrived here, the pressure was on.

COMMENTARY

SN cartoonist's point correct, Dahl wrong

I was at a loss after reading Bryan Dahl's letter, "SN cartoon shocking, ignorant of the truth" (SN 9/19). His letter expressed outrage at the "astounding demonstration of ignorance" exhibited by Mike Ramsey's cartoon on Sept.

COMMENTARY

Pumped up

Legislation to control gas prices in Michigan is a nice idea, but it won't help anything after the hurricane damage to refineries is fixed. The Michigan-based group People Against Uncontrolled Motor Vehicle Fuel Pricing - or PUMP - is rallying for a price restriction measure on the 2006 ballot, which would limit price increases to Mondays.

COMMENTARY

Editorial incorrect on Israel's safety

As a board member of the Hillel Jewish Student Center, I have watched with great pride as our students have participated in trips to Israel in our birthright Israel program.

COMMENTARY

MSU football team rude to plant flag

I would like to first take a minute to congratulate the MSU football team for their great game last Saturday here in South Bend, Ind.

COMMENTARY

Step one

East Lansing city officials and ASMSU members met on Wednesday for dinner to converse about local issues and to improve relations.

COMMENTARY

A closer look helped me understand permanent residents

"That's part of the reason I sat out there," Susan Drabik said. "So that people like you will start thinking." People like me, who are students. Two weeks ago I went to a party.

COMMENTARY

Represent

It's that time of year again. Candidates are preparing for the East Lansing City Council elections in November.

COMMENTARY

SN failed to inform about commission

I am writing in response to the article "All quiet on the student front" (SN 9/16), by Margaret Harding.

COMMENTARY

Blacks treated like second class citizens

George Bush doesn't care about black people! This is not a new idea in the black community.

COMMENTARY

Make it cool

A city-sponsored gathering on Bogue Street sounds about as much fun as a birthday party thrown by mom and dad. While trying to figure out what students could do following big sports games, the independent commission investigating the April 2-3 disturbances has kicked around the idea of designating a spot on Bogue for celebration and musical performances. The thought is nice and shows an effort to solve the problems that follow a Spartan win or loss.

COMMENTARY

Threat of being sent to hell is terrorism

John Bice does our community a great service. I really don't understand why people can't see that.

COMMENTARY

Oppression continues as conservatives try to co-opt LBGT pride

Coming out of the closet was one of the hardest things in my life to do. It was also one of the best decisions I ever made. For those not well versed in the coming out process, it's a term commonly used to describe the experience lesbian, bi, gay, and transgender people, or LGBT, go through when they announce their sexuality or gender identity as being different from the status quo.

COMMENTARY

Shot down

Many Michigan residents could have peace of mind without fear of consequence. Two bills in the state Legislature would allow people who feel threatened in or outside their homes to use deadly force to defend themselves without facing criminal charges. At first glance these bills look like self-defense laws, which already are in place.

COMMENTARY

Motorists beware of fuel-saving devices

As an engineer, I read with great interest your article "MSU student sets up gas-saving business" (SN 9/15). Clearly, any passive device which can save the consumer 10-20 percent in fuel efficiency is a true engineering wonderment. However, every reader of that article should be aware that this is merely technological "snake oil." In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has even set up a Web site to inform would-be scam victims from optimistically plunking down their hard-earned money with grand hopes of energy savings.

COMMENTARY

Victim's needs most important after rape

I was disappointed after reading last Monday's article, "Man sentenced in campus rape" (SN 9/19). What primarily angered me was the quotation from Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III that stated: "Women need to know that if they're victims of sexual assault, they need to go to Sparrow, they need to have the rape kit done and they need to file a police report." Although the statement might have been meant to be reassuring for other survivors of sexual assault, someone educated on such a sensitive issue would know otherwise. People who have experienced sexual assault have experienced a life-changing trauma in which their choice was taken from them.

COMMENTARY

SN football analysis in need of changes

In response to the article "Offensive edge goes to Spartans but Notre Dame has more depth" (SN 9/16), I feel that the way the staff looks at the game should be changed.

COMMENTARY

Trouble abroad

No place on earth is completely safe for students to travel. The MSU Office of Study Abroad provides students the opportunity to go to many locations, but a lot of things could go wrong - problems travelers just don't expect.

COMMENTARY

War on terror faulty excuse to invade Iraq

Iraq may be the central front of the war on terror, but the most important? The very name, the "war on terror," is a fabrication, not by the "liberal media," but by the government.

COMMENTARY

In de-Nile

This year, there have been 15 reported cases of West Nile virus in Michigan and two deaths caused by the virus, what, in the grand scheme of things, is the big deal? In recent years, media outlets have blown epidemics such as West Nile virus and SARS out of proportion in comparison to the amount of people they affect. Ten million people live in Michigan.