COMMENTARY

SN editorial ignores candidate's agenda

Friday's editorial about my candidacy for the Board of Trustees, "No chance" (SN 3/26), was devoted to arguing that I probably won't win.

COMMENTARY

Disabilities aren't always observable

I'm sure that I will not be the only one writing in, attempting to educate Sarah Gilmour ("Handicap parking spots for disabled" SN 3/29). To make it simple, let me boil it down to five words: Handicaps are not always visible. Gilmour makes the common mistake of thinking she can make a medical diagnosis on someone in the seconds she observes them getting out of their car.

COMMENTARY

Dome additions

The sparse and yellowed field just south of the Old Horticulture Building has been the topic of debate for more than six years.

COMMENTARY

Less federal government, taxes would relieve U.S. problems

Gay marriage is one of the biggest issues in the news today. Sadly, this is not something the government should be wasting its time debating.

COMMENTARY

'U' requirements waste of time, cash

I am writing in opposition to the useless and arbitrary university-required courses. I am now a senior at MSU and I have taken every university-required class that I need to graduate.

COMMENTARY

Wallbank quality candidate for E.L.

During my years at MSU, I met many great professors and made many close friends. I am proud and privileged to call Derek Wallbank my friend, and I urge you to support his candidacy for East Lansing City Council. Wallbank has been dedicated to serving the MSU community from the moment he arrived on campus.

COMMENTARY

5th-year tuition hike hurts students

As a graduating fifth-year senior, I am appalled by the idea of increasing tuition for "super seniors." Now that I am at the threshold of the light at the end of the tunnel as described by Paul Duby in "Tuition hikes could be in 5th-year students' futures" (SN 3/24), I am very pleased with the circumstances that led to my extended stay at the university. I attended two full summer sessions and completed an eight-month internship at a medical device manufacturer in Cincinnati to complete my degree requirements in a timely fashion.

COMMENTARY

Forceful fines

The best way to eliminate underage drinking is for lawmakers and police enforcement to eliminate speeding. While the two have virtually nothing to do with each other, they share a common thread.

COMMENTARY

House parties vs. the bar: What we've learned in 2 years

I stood stonelike at Saturday's midnight, half a 12-pack of Miller Lite in my left hand and a quarter-keg of irony in my right.

COMMENTARY

Wrong words

In an ideal democracy, all voters would be objectively informed on issues by unbiased, fair and straightforward language.

COMMENTARY

Rioters' punishment fits behavior, crime

I was reading The State News in the midst of checking my e-mail, and I found Melissa Gullickson's letter titled "Riot punishment for exposure too harsh" (SN 3/26). In it, she claims the punishment her friend received last year was harsh.

COMMENTARY

Crime wave should make 'U' proactive

I am responding to The State News article "Woman robbed at gunpoint in E.L." (SN 3/23). With incidents at the 7-Eleven and the murder-suicide combined with rising numbers of robbery accounts, some students are on edge and are afraid to go out in the dark - afraid of what awaits them. Like something out of a movie, East Lansing citizens are being harassed at gunpoint around the midnight hour.

COMMENTARY

Handicap parking spots for disabled

Over the past few months while on the treadmill at IM Sports-East, I have been in the position of being able to watch passersby going about their business.

COMMENTARY

Cheney's comment proves Clarke's right

This concerns the editorial "Clarke attacks" (SN 3/25). The State News mentions that in the administration's effort to impugn the character of Richard Clarke instead of answer his claims, Dick Cheney says Clarke was "out of the loop." What The State News - and every thinking person - should ask is, "If the head of counterterrorism for the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Kerry's cause

With seven months left until the presidential election, the likability of Massachusetts senator John Kerry has finally expanded past whether a voter enjoys snowboarding or not. We kid.

COMMENTARY

Tax-and-spend Dems have earned name

It's funny that Democrats get angry when they're called tax-and-spend liberals. They have worked so hard to avoid being labeled that way, but their record shows otherwise.

COMMENTARY

A lap around the track today makes for a better tomorrow

Run. Run for your life. I'm not joking. Get outside and do it. Now. It doesn't matter where you go or how far you go, just as long as you're running. A simple run can be the solution to all of your problems: work, school, stress, whatever ails you.

COMMENTARY

Students can't deal with council issues

For years, the debate on whether to have a student on the East Lansing City Council and student participation with the city of East Lansing has raged on in the same, tedious fashion.

COMMENTARY

Riot punishment for exposure too harsh

One year after the riots, I want to explain what happened to my friend after being charged with disorderly conduct and indecent exposure.

COMMENTARY

No chance

How can we say this nicely? Stop it, Ben Burgis, stop while you're already ahead. Burgis is a Western Michigan University graduate student making a bid for a seat on the MSU Board of Trustees.