COMMENTARY

Americans can idolize King, not protest like him

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would bellow words eloquent and provocative if he knew now, in this American political climate, that his birthday is celebrated as a token gesture of “diversity,” or whatever Band-Aid platitude politicians like to slap on our diseased society. Yes, lauding King is preferable to saluting somebody like murderous imperialist Christopher Columbus and yes, Monday’s celebrations did enliven many citizens but there is a catch to King’s day and the American interpretation of his legacy. Americans can celebrate King but our totalitarian society forcibly limits our involvement with King’s philosophy to idolatry.

COMMENTARY

U overlooks sweatshop work

I have been lied to many times before, but few of those lies really trouble me as much as the ones told to me by this school’s top officials.

COMMENTARY

Ashcrofts nomination raises many questions

Dan Austin

January 17, 2001

John Ashcroft. The very name strikes fear in the hearts of all red-blooded Democrats across America.

COMMENTARY

Dorm standards need discipline

I agree with Michonne L. Omo’s view on the community standards and resident mentor system (“Dorm standards should be higher for all,” SN 1/16). This is my fourth year in the dorms, and as far as my living situation is concerned, the worst.

COMMENTARY

Cigarettes harm more than smoker

Nicole Winton’s column on Thursday expressed the most selfish argument I have ever heard for pro-smokers (“Cigarettes are a choice, not morality issue,” SN 1/11). Everyone knows the harmful effects smoking has on the body.

COMMENTARY

Day of honor

The university should continue to give students the day off to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.In 1999, the university canceled classes for the first time on the holiday, beginning a three year trial period.

COMMENTARY

Eminem deserves artistic recognition

Here I am in my final year at MSU and am thinking how amazing it is that nothing in The State News has irritated me enough to write in.

COMMENTARY

Dorm standards should be higher for all

I tried to let it go, I tried to be understanding about it. But I just can’t stand it anymore.

COMMENTARY

A guide to find out what kind of drunk U are

“Braaaad! Braaad in apartment one! Wake uuup!” I’m not Brad, and I don’t live in apartment one, but I woke up anyway.

COMMENTARY

Other options

The United States should follow the lead of the British government and allow over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill.The morning-after pill, a form of emergency contraception, releases two strong doses of progestogen.

COMMENTARY

Newspaper brings Christmas year round

Mary Sell

January 12, 2001

There are a few things I have learned in my three-and-a-half years at MSU that are concrete: Unless I have an 8 a.m.

COMMENTARY

Breaking ties

The Jewish Reform movement should be commended for calling its members to break ties with the Boy Scouts.In a letter to Reform movement congregations earlier this month, the Joint Commission on Social Action said the Boy Scouts of America’s stance on gays is “incompatible with our consistent belief that every individual - regardless of his or her sexual orientation - is created in the image of God and is deserving of equal treatment.” In June 2000, the U.S.

COMMENTARY

Clintons visit didnt allow free speech

While I agree with The State News (”Our Voice” SN, 1/9) that President Clinton’s visit to campus Tuesday brought honor and positive attention to MSU, more attention must be paid to the denial of citizens’ constitutional right to free speech that coincided with this visit.First, the order that no signs be allowed into Breslin Student Events Center, enforced by security at the entrances, is a denial of an American citizen’s right to free speech.

COMMENTARY

Column neglected Maddens statistics

I am writing in regard to Keith Dunlap’s column “‘U’ sports give fans big relief” (SN 1/10). While I agree with his points that the major Detroit franchises are either on the decline or have been in shambles for years, I have a problem with his usage of John Madden’s name in his column.

COMMENTARY

Rap music unfairly criticized by press

It’s funny how rap music is always under the microscopic eye of the public and politics. No one criticized Quentin Tarantino about his overtly violent and controversial films.

COMMENTARY

New Year brings evaluation of new resolutions

Krista Latham

January 11, 2001

Dear diary,Hi. It’s me. You know, Krista, the girl who writes in this diary? Yeah, you got it.Anyway, besides driving more than 24 hours to cover a women’s basketball game, life has been pretty normal lately.

COMMENTARY

Cigarettes are a choice, not morality issue

I am a smoker. I really like cigarettes. I smoke around a pack of them every day. I have smoked through respiratory infections, family dysfunction, hellish work days, romantic woes and term papers. I buy cigarettes in cartons. One of my hobbies is collecting cigarettes from every state - the tax stamp on the bottom of the packs differs from state to state. I have no intention of quitting any time soon.

COMMENTARY

Sweat it out

MSU and other institutions who sign contracts with apparel companies such as Nike have the right to know where the clothing that bears their names and logos is made and under what conditions.

COMMENTARY

Vile rapper

Rapper Eminem deserves his four Grammy nominations, but the message of hate and violence in his lyrics should not be condoned. The Recording Academy announced its nominations for the Grammy Awards last week, prompting thousands of phone calls and e-mails from people angry about Eminem’s nominations.

COMMENTARY

For ratings, networks air reality television

Kristyne E. Demske

January 10, 2001

The hell has started.This week, networks have once again begun the proliferation of reality television programs, beginning with “Temptation Island,” which premiers tonight on the Fox television network.“Temptation Island” takes four unmarried couple,s who are in serious relationships, to paradise.