Columns - The Eastern Echo

Say no to minimum pay raise

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

I do not know anyone who is for poverty in the U.S. In fact, I am confident most Americans are against poverty in general. As odd as it may sound, poverty is one of the reasons Americans should be against raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour as proposed by President Barack Obama in his recent State of the Union speech. As nice as eliminating poverty by giving low-income workers more money sounds, it has many unintended consequences attached to it.

Stop oversimplifying people

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

During the 2012 presidential election, there was much debate about immigration policy and the rapidly shifting American population. Specifically, the quickly growing Latino population. According to the Pew Hispanic Research Center, Latinos made up 17 percent of the American population in 2011. By 2030, Latinos are expected to make up a quarter of the American population.

Obama’s State of the Union addressed nothing

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

President Barack Obama has given the first State of the Union address of his second term. The State of the Union? We’re frakked.

Florida Republican senator delivers awful union speech

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

Marco Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, delivered his party’s response to President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address of his second term—and it was awful.

Leo Fabbri shoots a gun for the first time.

Englishman practices his right to bear arms

By Leo Romyn Fabbri · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

“Now, please remember: The items on this counter can and will kill something if given the chance, regardless of whether you are handling the .45 caliber or the .22.”

A gender-neutral restroom sign in Ann Arbor.

U of M’s new gender-neutral housing option great idea

By Rose Carver · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

It’s not very often a university is commended for being totally inclusive to people who exist outside of the gender binary. But recently, the University of Michigan announced gender-neutral university housing will be an option on their campus in Ann Arbor at the start of the next fall semester.

People should stay in Michigan because they desire to

By Robert Uldricks · Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, in 2011 there was a net loss of 47,347 people from the state. Michigan’s population has decreased in the last decade, while the entire American population increased. The number of people aged 25-34 living in Michigan has also been in decline since 2000.

US group fuels anti-gay bill

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

For months, many Americans have paid close attention to whether the Supreme Court will take up the issue of gay marriage and put the U.S. on the fast track to legal acceptance. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community advocates in the U.S. are vying for legal equality, while elsewhere in the world they have to fear for their lives.

Love is not about buying

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. What’s the best way to show your love? Buy stuff. At least, that’s what the endless advertisements for products one might gift on Valentine’s Day are advocating.

Polls show plenty of Republicans

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Since President Barack Obama’s victory over Mitt Romney in last year’s election, I have had to listen to people trying to force the Republican Party to become “moderate.” Much like after the 2008 election, the press and many people from both parties have come out of the woodwork to claim the party needs to make major changes in order to be competitive. I have even heard the modern Republican Party, as a whole, described as “radical.”

Jase Bolger still not pro-choice ally

By Jodi F. Bullock · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Last week, Michigan Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, proposed a bill that would require a woman seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound using “the most technologically advanced ultrasound equipment available at that location.”

Ex-gay therapy harms, not helps

By Jodi F. Bullock · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

At a public school in Maryland, seventh-graders were recently shown an anti-bullying video featuring stories about gay students who underwent therapy to become straight, and they were also shown an interview with an ex-gay therapist. After public outcry, the video was pulled from classrooms, and rightfully so, but such garbage never should have been allowed in a public school in the first place.

All hail Walter: King of the common man

By Leo Romyn Fabbri · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Considering nearly half of American households tune into the Super Bowl every year, I will start by assuming many of you sat down to enjoy this year’s, where a typically hour-long game was the length of a Peter Jackson movie. The annual broadcast is saturated with some of the most expensive commercial breaks in the world and, not surprisingly, they are part of the attraction.

Gas taxes not good source for revenue

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Far from the penurious tendencies of his conservative counterparts in other states, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants to raise taxes and spend more.

Due process out the window

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

The United States of America: now sporting more drones than the Gallente Federation from “EVE Online.”

Obama’s Middle East policies inconsistent

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

President Barack Obama has defended his actions in the Middle East and North Africa for a while now. He has taken credit for ending the war in Iraq, trying to end the war in Afghanistan and toppling Middle-Eastern dictators, all while keeping America’s interests in mind.

Gun talk stupid

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

Gun control is a hot topic these days. Unfortunately, to make a play on Ben Parker’s wise words: “With great controversy comes great stupidity.” And nothing could characterize the debate over gun control more aptly.

World peace boils down to respect

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

We’ve all seen the plethora of bumper stickers advocating peace: “Another family for peace,” “Make love not war” and, my personal favorite, the word “Coexist” written using the symbols for different religions. But these logos and mottos don’t really mean anything by themselves.

‘Bad things happen to a lousy tipper’s food’

By Robert Uldricks · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

While surfing the Internet recently, I stumbled upon an infuriating tidbit on Reddit about a St. Louis waitress who was fired over posting a photo of a rude note left on a receipt. The message, “I give God 10 percent. Why do you get 18?” was written by Pastor Alois Bell.

If Republicans can’t win with ideas, they cheat

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013

They say cheaters never win, but Republicans across the country are determined to try.