COMMENTARY

Iraq murder shows civilian intolerance

After watching the video from the latest attack on the American civilians that were killed and their bodies savagely mutilated, coupled with the inevitable fear of the possibility that one of them could be my sister, my morale was not lifted by White House spokesman Scott McClellan insisting that "democracy is taking root." I have begun to shift my faith in what America's ultimate goal was in toppling Saddam. When a mob of "civilians" can commit such atrocities and be proud of it, especially when their basis for hatred of America stems from lies spread by individuals with some communal leadership and personal vendettas against other religions, I can't help but think that the people that commit these atrocities need to be held under an iron fist because they cannot handle democracy.

COMMENTARY

Peace Team actions promote more death

The politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are complex, and certainly neither side has a monopoly on truth or morality.

COMMENTARY

Opportunity lost

While MSU teaching assistants confront the unemployment line, the university should not get sidetracked by the grumbling of its soon-to-be ex-workers.

COMMENTARY

Palestinians aren't sole violence victims

The Michigan Peace Team purports to be in the defense of human rights and nonviolence. However, a closer examination of the group's objectives reveals a distorted viewpoint that impinges on its ability to generate peace. From his statements, Michael Vicente Perez seems to believe that the violence inherent in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict arises predominately from the Israeli side ("Caught in the middle," SN 3/31). His statements indicate that he believes peace can be achieved by staying in the homes of suicide bombers to prevent the houses from being destroyed by the Israeli defense forces. While it is undeniable that the Palestinians have faced enormous hardships as a result of the conflict, it is also true that the Israelis have faced similar atrocities.

COMMENTARY

More Sept. 11 apologies needed from Bush administration

Last week, both Bush and Clinton administration officials testified before the commission investigating the Sept.

COMMENTARY

Late CATA routes promote 'cool' city

While probably not popular with cab drivers, Capital Area Transportation Authority has begun offering late-night service between Downtown East Lansing and the Northern Tier on route No.

COMMENTARY

Handicap stickers denote disablities

This letter is in response to Sarah Gilmour's letter about handicap parking on campus ("Handicap parking spots for disabled" SN 3/29). My best friend has a prosthetic leg and a heart condition that she has had since birth.

COMMENTARY

Gas-mask money

Michigan public schools will become the strongholds of our state against imminent terrorist attacks, thanks to a grant from the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Food not the enemy; fad diets, inactivity, self-image to blame

In the movie "School of Rock," responding to an inquiry on why he doesn't diet, Jack Black responds that "I like to eat!

COMMENTARY

Rice needs to come clean about Sept. 11

While National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice seems perfectly flexible with her time to talk to 60 Minutes and other news cameras to attack her former co-workers and employees, she cannot seem to find the time to talk to the Sept.

COMMENTARY

Bus driver makes ride more enjoyable

I am writing in regard to the bus driver story ("Bus driver brightens students' days" SN 3/30). This article further illustrates that behind each and every one of us there is a great story if only we take the time to learn about one another and our backgrounds.

COMMENTARY

Credit concern

Right now, there very well could be a tenant of Melrose Apartments relaxing in his or her living room, completely oblivious to the fact that he or she is simultaneously purchasing a fishing boat, a TiVo and a leather bustier that both lifts and separates. That, of course, is an unlikely scenario of a very plausible situation currently blooming at 16789 Chandler Road.

COMMENTARY

Internet tax pushes cool out of Michigan

As Congress considers authorizing states to create a compact to tax the Internet, Michigan stands to lose high-tech jobs.

COMMENTARY

Resident mentors don't earn their pay

This being my second semester living in a dorm, I have been feeling that resident mentors are paid too much.

COMMENTARY

Riot past

Even though the night of March 27, 1999, could be known as MSU's "darkest night," it's important to remember the sunlight that still came the next day. It has been five years since 10,000 hard-partying Spartans fans took to the streets to display their disillusionment with the MSU men's basketball team.

COMMENTARY

Kerry's campaign jump-started by veteran's Vietnam rescue

Few political stories in 2004 have been as dramatic as U.S. Sen. John Kerry's rise from defeat and political oblivion to an overwhelming come-from-behind victory in the Iowa Caucuses, a victory that eventually propelled him to the Democratic Party nomination. Only days before the Iowa caucuses, as the Democratic candidates in Iowa were marshalling their resources and supporters for the final push, Kerry had been written off by almost everyone. I had the privilege of being in Iowa during the weekend prior to the caucuses, spending my time as a volunteer for one of Kerry's Democratic opponents, Sen.

COMMENTARY

Keep it here

MSU maintains outreach centers, study programs and extension sites around the world. It truly is a global university that works to educate in all corners of the earth.

COMMENTARY

Comley needs time to build top program

Well, Eric Morath, half of your wish has come true ("Must-win for 2nd-year coach" SN 3/26). Indeed our Spartans hockey team did fall this weekend to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, and yes, we are out of the playoffs again.

COMMENTARY

Self-defense classes empower students

This letter is in response to Randolph Flick II ("Crime wave should make 'U' proactive" SN 3/29). I have been taking self-defense classes for three months now and just recently have started teaching them.

COMMENTARY

Greedy student deserves jail time

I am writing this letter in response to the story "Student accused of fraud" (SN 3/29). It is a shame that Denita Dorsey was so greedy that she would stoop to the level of stealing the identities of others so that she could purchase luxuries for herself, including a $40,000 vehicle.