Columns - The Eastern Echo

Why realism and compromise trump police intervention

By Corson Nikkel · Sunday, May 3, 2015

I believe that a realist perspective is required to solve the qualms of conflicting ideologies. When amid a public relations disaster you must focus on the practical, pragmatic and probable, not the ideological, as this may add fire to the flame with further political foolishness.

The Baltimore riots are not the problem

By Andrew Kocis · Sunday, May 3, 2015

On April 25 peaceful protests over the Baltimore Police Department’s murder of Freddie Grey turned violent, escalating into riots that lasted through the night.

American religiosity in politics is terrifying

By Jacques Vorves · Sunday, May 3, 2015

Religious fundamentalists who believe that the Rapture is coming should not be elected to public office. It’s evident that U.S.

Society is not as inclusive as it should be

By Jane Mandley · Sunday, April 19, 2015

A news story came out of Midland, Michigan earlier last month about a woman suing Planet Fitness over having her membership revoked after she complained about a transgender woman sharing the women’s locker room.

Congress should not have a role in negotiations with foreign nations

By Andrew Kocis · Sunday, April 19, 2015

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed a bill last week that would require Congressional approval of any agreement made with Iran.

'American Sniper' glorifies violence of war

By Hannah Saul · Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Chris Kyle was the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history with over 160 confirmed kills. He was honorably discharged from the military in 2009 and went on to write an autobiography about his experiences.

Hillary Clinton unfit for presidency

By Jacques Vorves · Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The presidential elections are coming, and once again we’re wrought with a colossal number of candidates who have enveloped themselves in the flames of fundamentalism, extreme conservatism and globalist-capitalist rhetoric.

Letter to the Editor: Timely Warnings

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Dear Editor, The March 29 column in the Eastern Echo headlined “Are we getting all the Timely Warnings we should?” offers a good chance to clarify when the Eastern Michigan University campus community will receive such a notification and the circumstances that prompt such a message to be sent.

Religious liberty does not justify bigotry

By Jacques Vorves · Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act has been the subject of many heated debates across the country lately.

Rand Paul is right on Iran

By Alison Basley · Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Republican presidential candidate for 2016 Rand Paul presents a realistic and pragmatic position on Iran.

Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects rights of business owners

By Thomas Bieszk · Monday, April 6, 2015

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the happenings in the state of Indiana. But in case you haven’t heard yet, the state legislature of Indiana passed a bill stating business owners have the right to refuse service to individuals based on religious beliefs, or more specifically, refuse service to homosexual consumers. The aftermath has created outrage and has spawned campaigns to “Boycott Indiana.” The campaign has been spreading like wildfire over social media. I support the state of Indiana on this legislation. At around the same time Indiana created the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a florist in the state of Washington faced a lawsuit after she refused to provide flower arrangements for a gay wedding. According to ABC News, Barronelle Stutzman was fined by the state of Washington for $1,001 after a judge ruled she violated the state’s Consumer Protection Act, which protects the consumer against acts of discrimination by businesses, after declining to provide flowers for a gay wedding.

Do we really have 'free will'?

By Andrew Kocis · Monday, April 6, 2015

Free will is something we all presume we have. It is a key concept in many religions and philosophies.

Bible verses taken out of context for discrimination

By Jane Mandley · Monday, April 6, 2015

It disheartens me that the same Bible that can encourage and build someone’s faith is rubbed in the faces of those on “deviant” paths.

April Fools' Day more about the laughs than being mean

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Yesterday was the big day for jests and practical jokers alike – April Fools’ Day is an international holiday celebrated by millions across the globe.

Homelessness an unnecessary problem

By Jacques Vorves · Wednesday, April 1, 2015

All people, without exception, are entitled to a good quality of life. I deeply believe that no matter who you are or what you’re doing, you deserve comfort.

'Third-Way' churches best for welcoming everyone with open arms

By Jane Mandley · Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Recognizing the need to “agree to disagree” on certain Biblical issues is the basic foundation for what defines the idea of a “Third-Way” church.

Letter to The Eastern Echo: Response to 'Crass Rant'

By Alice Jo Rainville · Sunday, March 29, 2015

I am responding to the “Crass rant” in the comics section of the Echo. The author claims that there are too many babies.

Are we getting all the Timely Warnings we should?

By Hannah Saul · Sunday, March 29, 2015

Monday, March 23there was a disturbance near the Tower dorms here at Eastern Michigan. Lauren Stewart, a junior apparel and textile merchandising major and resident of Hill Hall, was woken up early Monday morning. “I woke up around 2 a.m.

Michigan should legalize marijuana

By Alison Basley · Sunday, March 29, 2015

As support for recreational marijuana legalization in Michigan increases, the likelihood of a ballot proposal to enact the necessary legislation is becoming a reality. According to MLive, a new poll conducted by EPIC-MRA of Lansing reports that 50 percent of Michigan voters would be likely to support a future ballot proposal to legalize the possession or cultivation of marijuana by adults 21 years of age or older and allow taxable sales at state-licensed stores. The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee plans to start its fundraising drive by May using both paid and volunteer workers to collect the needed 250,000 petition signatures. I believe that ending marijuana prohibition in Michigan would reduce violent crime and drug-related crime, while keeping the millions currently spent on incarceration and enforcement in the pockets of taxpayers. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, since Colorado stores started selling recreational pot in January of 2014 after voters chose to legalize it, drug-related crimes remained steady or dropped statewide. In addition, there has been no spike in traffic fatalities from drugged driving, according to the Washington Post. And the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting data shows that violent crime is down 5.2 percent statewide.

Spoilers do not take away from the story

By Andrew Kocis · Sunday, March 29, 2015

With the popularity of book-to-movie adaptations and TV streaming services, a new kind of fear is spreading in the American public: the fear of the spoiler.