Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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COMMENTARY

Secret war

As the United States adds another armed conflict to its list of battles through the years, the American public and the media begin clamoring for all the information that can be found. In an intense campaign where information is paramount to success, how much can we really expect to know? President Bush has told us many times in various addresses that this will not be a war like what we’re used to.

COMMENTARY

Diverse downtown

May’s closing of Bagel-Fragel Deli, and the gradual disappearance of other locally owned stores in East Lansing, brings about a sense of loss to many students and longtime community members.

COMMENTARY

Religious fanatics misguide too many

I’m surprised someone finally spoke out about an issue I find somewhat prominent: misguided religious fanaticism. Craig Gunn’s assessment of atrocities carried out in the name of religion is accurate (“Time for the dissolution of organized religion,” SN 10/4). While I’m not a religious person, I do think religion can be a good institution when it isn’t being moderated by fundamentalist demagogues.

COMMENTARY

SNs music taste misses truly local

I was delighted to see your article on local music in Friday’s State News (“Broken melody”10/5). But I wasn’t at all surprised by what I found in the content. Any exposure for local bands is great, but it seems as though every time there is an article on local music, the same bands are mentioned.

COMMENTARY

Retaliation

For the last three weeks, the Bush administration has been warning Taliban officials they had better accede to our country’s demands, “or else.” Sunday, the first wave of our “or else” struck targets in Afghanistan, including the capital city of Kabul. B-2 stealth bombers and cruise missiles were used in attacks throughout the Texas-sized nation beginning about 12:30 p.m.

COMMENTARY

Fighting fire

Budget problems in Michigan have affected everything from higher education to the drive for an Internet sales tax. Firefighters stand to receive the latest fiscal hit if the Legislature doesn’t restore a $7.4 million fire protection grant.

COMMENTARY

Crime stats dont prove CCW success

I am writing in response to Bobbyjoe Glover’s letter regarding the new concealed weapons law (“Fewer CCW permits doesn’t mean safer,” SN 10/1). The writer says in the end of his letter, “I have to reply, prove it.” After I read Glover’s letter, I have to reply, you’ve proved nothing. Glover states Macomb County has had a drop in violent crimes since 1995.

COMMENTARY

Light the way

For many students who have felt threatened or faced sexual assault, the green light emergency phones scattered around campus are a welcome sight.

COMMENTARY

SN ignored water report problems

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility was perplexed by your Sept. 28 editorial, “Meets quality.” Your newspaper missed the boat on a number of issues the Ingham County Health Department water report that may affect the health of all county residents. The State News inaccurately stated that all critical information was included in the county brochure.

COMMENTARY

Right of way means nothing to SUVs

Riding my bike on campus has always been a joy. Although hurling unsuspecting pedestrians from sidewalks with my two-wheeled missile is a beloved pastime, I sometimes choose to exercise my legal rights of riding on the road on campus with other Spartans, the tolerant, intelligent, sympathetic people they are. I’d like to thank the gentleman who bestowed upon me a gracious honk as I made my way home on my bike from class.

COMMENTARY

GEU did right thing delivering message

It is easy for a graduate student to criticize the actions of its union (“‘Buffoons’ running graduate union ,” SN 10/2). In fact, it is the responsibility of each member to hold leaders accountable.

COMMENTARY

Buurrrr. Its cold

A new Cold War will break out this weekend. On Saturday, MSU will set the world record for the most-attended hockey game in history, converting a football field into a hockey rink and, we hope, toppling Michigan.This game has been in the works since late June, when MSU sports officials first toyed with the idea.