The headlining article in Wednesday's State News ("Student found dead in E.L.") was absurdly insensitive and disrespectful to both the deceased and those in mourning. Articles reporting on serious events like the passing of a member of our student body should not be made into a creative writing piece.
Brent Hodgson should have saved his predictably melodramatic reference to Neville Chamberlain for theater club ("North Korea should not be appeased," SN 2/15). Nevermind the incredible kowtowing to Saudi Arabia, champion of human rights.
I have realized that someday I must come and visit the State News editorial board in their happy, little world full of puppy dogs and butterflies.
What is the cost of war? The figure in President Bush's requested 2006 budget to Congress would put it at $419.3 billion in military funding. An additional $82 billion, added on Monday, was requested prior to the $2.5 trillion 2006 budget Bush initially submitted.
In regard to your editorial "Campus clutter," (SN 2/11) I have a question for you: Are you aware that not a single parking place in the planned parking structure will be available for students during the day?
America is fat, and it doesn't care. It's evident by the lack of concern over the fact that while the government was planning new health and nutrition guidelines, it's paid no attention to the blatant meddling of food company lobbyists in the process. Released in January, the new nutritional guidelines call for an hour of exercise, attention to reducing calories, a large increase in fruit and vegetable consumption and acknowledgment of the value of eating whole grains.
In Monday's editorial, "Tact needed" (SN 2/14), The State News editorial board managed to present a poorly researched, factually incorrect editorial that suggested the United States should be acting more like Santa Claus than a global hegemon toward North Korea.
The lack of parking on campus has students pulling their hair out. Not only is this frustration cause for illegal parking and tickets, but the cost of meter parking can become quite expensive.
Now is the time to mail your U.S. representatives and senators a yellow sticky note that says, "Hey, remember to read that Patriot Act all the way through." You could complement this with a nice little letter asking them not to renew it, should they find any of your civil rights are being violated. They already are getting a push from President Bush to do the opposite.
Your statements that the United States should "start playing to North Korea's interests" and "it's time for the United States to get down on its knees" leave you without any credibility ("Tact needed" SN 2/14). Thank goodness the editorial staff of The State News is not in a position to influence the diplomatic or foreign affairs of the United States; with statements like these, you never will be. Whose interests do you purport to represent or serve with such words?
This letter is in response to "ASMSU continually seems unnecessary" by Ryan Gartland (SN 2/11). Although it would be a student's choice to request a refund, I would like to point out that ASMSU provides helpful services, such as legal assistance and temporary loans to students, and such services may just keep a student in school during a crisis.
I was very disheartened to read your editorial regarding North Korea ("Tact needed" SN 2/14). Its logic, as well as factual basis, is extremely flawed.
Yet again, student housing opportunities are being quelled by East Lansing officials. In the most recent case, a plan to construct five new apartment buildings on the 700 block of Burcham Drive was denied approval by the East Lansing Planning Commission. The proposition would keep students living closer to campus and eradicate the herding of cattle, err, the pushing of students, up to the Northern Tier.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the complaint of the student who tried to "inform" the campus road biker about the traffic problem he was causing.
I've been aware of the Michigan sex offender database for years, but like most people, I've never looked at it that closely.
While I applaud the efforts of MSU to reduce binge drinking and sexual assaults on campus, the recent articles regarding tailgating restrictions leave many questions unanswered.
MSU is planning to build a new parking ramp on Grand River Avenue between Morrill Hall, Olin Health Center and the Human Ecology Building.
North Korea is upset, and the United States needs to do something to repair our relationship with the country, regardless of who is right. It's time for the United States to get down on its knees because, in the nuclear-weapon relationship game, you can't just make up later. With North Korea publicly boasting on Thursday that it has "nukes," and with peace talks nonexistent, we need to give up the stubborn, tough guy act and start playing to North Korea's interests.
With tuition for college students continuously rising, it was a wonderful feeling to know Gov. Jennifer Granholm put on her cape to save the day.