COMMENTARY

Religion should stay within house of worship

The South is not mistakenly called “America’s Bible Belt.” There are always those who are prepared to share their religious doctrines, even in my chosen spring break destination of Panama City, Fla. Normally, one would not think of being bombarded by questions that will be eternally grappled in such a presumably hedonistic atmosphere. “Do you believe in God?” and “What happens to your soul after your body dies?” are profound questions too random to ask anyone, let alone college students who are currently more concerned with perfecting a tan than scrutinizing theology.

COMMENTARY

Kids shouldnt be drugged for acting their age

My name is Dylan, and I’m 8 1/2 years old. I don’t like going to the doctor. But my mommy said I had to go today.

COMMENTARY

Eating disorders enforced by media

I believe the column by Kathryn Garvale (“Pop culture trivializes dangers of eating disorder,” SN 3/12) touches on an extremely important topic that is relevant to many men and women - especially women. Magazines are addicting, and the messages conveyed within their falsified pages have turned women against themselves.

COMMENTARY

The decision to not merge agencies is commendable

While it is commendable that the MSU and East Lansing police departments work together, it is good that the agencies have decided not to merge. The departments announced Wednesday they will “enhance and expand” several collaborative efforts, but will not merge.

COMMENTARY

Hoopsters make graduate proud

If you are a couch potato like I am, and haven’t touched that remote control since 9:45 p.m. last Friday, you are not alone.

COMMENTARY

Church and state should be kept separate

Kathryn Garvale

March 14, 2001

In my small town public elementary school, time was allocated for religious worship, outrageously violating the constitutional separation of church and state.

COMMENTARY

Religious term was inappropriate

With regard to Sheena Harrison’s “Poor living conditions test Lakota Sioux spirit” (SN 3/13), I am troubled by her description of the local Native American religion as “Shamanism.” The term Shamanism depicts the traditional Lakota religion in a negative light, which is not acceptable.

COMMENTARY

Eating disorders are not diseases

I am writing in response to an column I read in The State News titled “Pop culture trivializes dangers of eating disorder” (SN 3/12). In her article, Kathryn Garvale attempts to critique society’s use of the word anorexia as an adjective to describe one’s appearance or behavior. Her data, as well as the information provided by the Web site www.anorexia-sufferers.com, attempts to exemplify this and then compare anorexia with other diseases.

COMMENTARY

Census Bureau must work to create categories for everyone

The Census Bureau should be commended for expanding racial categories in the 2000 census and should continue to work toward more inclusive categories on future census forms.Americans were allowed to check more than one box in the racial categories section of the 2000 census, making 63 possible categories.

COMMENTARY

Cartoons idea was ignorant

I’m writing this letter in response to the Bilicki cartoon that ran in the March 13 edition of The State News. This cartoon is an example of the ignorance that pervades our society as a whole.

COMMENTARY

Target missed on causes of school shootings

Michonne L. Omo

March 13, 2001

Last week, there were two school shootings and multiple arrests of teens threatening violence. Two teenagers were killed and 13 injured at the hands of a 15-year-old boy.

COMMENTARY

Support graduate employee union

The 1,500 teaching assistants and graduate assistants on MSU’s campus have been organizing the Graduate Employees Union for a while now, and with two-thirds membership they recently filed an election petition.

COMMENTARY

Union for U

The formation of the Graduate Employees Union will benefit graduate employees and is unlikely to hurt the university. The recently formed union is awaiting approval by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

COMMENTARY

State needs to end funding gap

The House Appropriations Committee will be deciding an appropriate funding level for MSU and other state colleges and universities soon.

COMMENTARY

Bush tax cut plan helps needy most

The president’s plan is fair to all income taxpayers, sending money back to the people who sent it in.

COMMENTARY

Underage drinking shouldnt be focus

This letter is in response to the article “Spotlight program targets underage drinking” (SN 3/1). It seems the “Spotlight” program is yet another attempt of the East Lansing Police Department to harass students in an attempt to cut down on victimless crimes.

COMMENTARY

Beret Battle

While a black beret is not the only definition of an Army Ranger, the U.S. Army should not make black berets standard issue for all Army personnel. Army Chief of Staff Gen.

COMMENTARY

Spring break lesson: We are all brothers

Mary Sell

March 12, 2001

He said we were brothers.I was sitting on a concrete slab in the middle of the dirt courtyard at his orphanage and it was getting dark and cold.

COMMENTARY

Pop culture trivializes dangers of eating disorder

Kathryn Garvale

March 12, 2001

I am a magazine junkie. I subscribe to Us Weekly, Allure and Maxim. I make biweekly treks to Schuler Books and peruse the shelves, fiending for a fix of Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Rolling Stone.

COMMENTARY

Enlighten U

If the university has the financial means, it should make efforts to provide more lighting along campus walkways.The Student Assembly of ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, is considering a measure encouraging university officials to provide more consistent lighting on campus.Lights have recently been added and faulty ones replaced along the trail that runs past the Kellogg Center.