Columns - The Eastern Echo

Opponent praise could ruin Obama re-election

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, March 16, 2011

President Barack Obama has had his problems since taking office, but everyone can agree he’s probably the best politician in the country. His 2008 presidential campaign was nearly flawless and managed to unseat a front runner and defeated a beloved war hero before then-Senator Obama had even spent a full term in the Senate.

Don't just celebrate, get educated

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Saint Patrick’s Day is one of revelry, food and alcohol consumption, is it not? It’s a day for people to go out to their favorite bar and drink themselves into oblivion on a bevy of dyed-green-light-beers.

GOP budget cuts help no one

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, March 13, 2011

Among all the chaos of recent headlines, the one that may most critically and directly affect me personally seems to me, the most ridiculous. You might have heard of the Republican attack on Planned Parenthood and other provisions that kill essential health programs. Perhaps not so widely covered was the U.S. helicopter that gunned down nine young boys in Afghanistan or the increasingly despicable treatment of Bradley Manning.

New bills dangerous

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 13, 2011

Certain things seem to cause a cascading effect. One group does something and all the other groups start to follow suit.

Spring break program provides fun way to spend time off

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Best. Experience. Ever. Ever had one of those? If you have, you know they are extremely satisfying and make you feel so good about yourself. If not, there’s an opportunity for you to have one right here at Eastern.

Educators carry key to our future

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is reversing a century of employment reform to reduce the state’s debt. As a result, Wisconsin has turned into a ‘Nam protest’. Actually bigger, according to crowd estimates mentioned in The Christian Science Monitor. New is news. Gov. Walker hasn’t hired Pinkerton goons to strong arm the unions yet, but probably just because he doesn’t want to escalate matters. For those not in the know, a Pinkerton is the protagonist of “Bioshock: Infinite.”

Teachers take hit, Wall Street doesn't

By Sammy DeMarco · Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Teachers in America are under assault. They are receiving a barrage of attacks from politicians, conservative commentators and worst, their own neighbors. The reason we are told these attacks are warranted is because today’s teachers are overpaid, incompetent bureaucrats living high on the hog from taxpayer money. The real reason is conservatives are taking advantage of high anxiety and anger caused by a prolonged economic downturn in order to strangle the remaining life left in the labor movement.

Libya needs more than U.S. aid

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Last month, during the first days of the Egyptian revolution, I suggested we were watching the liberalization of the Middle East. A professor of mine likened it to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

U.S. citizens can reduce foreign dependence

By Erica Mooney · Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

How will your life change when gas hits $5 a gallon? Research of potential gas prices predicts this could occur as early as two years from now, but the range extends to 2020 – a clear indication of the volatile and speculative nature of the market.

Technology overpowers 'good old days' of books

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

Pretty much all college kids remember ‘the good old days’ from when we were kids. We all remember what it was like to go bike riding around the neighborhoods, buy overpriced Popsicles from ice cream trucks, play soccer at the local park and many other things besides. One of those would undoubtedly be spending afternoons in a bookstore or renting a movie from a rental store.

Letter to the Editor: STI tests top priority of UHS

By University Health Services · Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

In response to the “EMU needs affordable STI testing” piece in the Echo’s op-ed section (Mon. 02/07/11), we here at University Health Services would like to clarify some of the concerns expressed.

Stop whining on budget cuts

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

It’s budget season, and while that usually induces more yawns than anything else, this year we’ve seen some significant reactions across the country. The federal budget has been a hot topic for months, but the state budgets have come under the microscope in recent days.

Wisconsin legislation would have devasting effects throughout U.S.

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011

Just three weeks ago, this author greeted the eruption of the working class in Northern Africa and the Middle East with the opinion similar demonstrations could be held in “almost any corner of the globe given the universality of the social grievances involved.”

Obama's courage can't touch FDR

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011

President Obama is no Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I thought it was appropriate to make this distinction on President’s Day. It was on the cover of Time magazine where I first saw the absurd comparison of the 44th president to the 32nd.

Is Board of Regents even necessary?

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

Today, I would like to talk to you about something you probably don’t know about: The Board of Regents.

U.S. needs more results

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

President Barack Obama wants to work with the Chamber of Commerce in the wake of the conflict over financial regulations and health care, according to an article from the Associated Press.

Egypt's revolt confuses

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

Egypt is turning my world upside down.

Welcome immigrants with open arms

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

Immigration is one of those problems with a million easy answers that nobody likes and only a couple everybody can live with. Over the last five years, we’ve seen the debate flare up and cool off, but it has never burned quite as hot as it did when Arizona passed a controversial law last year.

Warning to U.S. imperialists: Egypt is only the beginning

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011

Workers and young people throughout the world welcome the ouster of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak with jubilation. They salute the Egyptian people for their courageous struggle in the face of intimidation, torture and repression. Theirs is the honor of having fired the opening shot in a new era of social upheaval.

Same-sex marriage is constitutional right

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011

In the United States there is a strongly divisive argument over whether gay couples have the right to marry or not. It was ordained in the founding documents of this nation that all are equal, and all people have the same freedoms.