Columns - The Eastern Echo

Valentine's day not fair for homosexual couples

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011

Frederick Douglass delivered the speech in 1852 titled “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The speech posed the question of what cause for celebration was there for slaves when they were not granted the freedoms given to most Americans.

It's sad but predictable Borders could close

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011

This week, the Ann Arbor-based bookstore Borders is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One estimate suggests 50 percent of Borders’ stores will close in the next five years, with 90 percent hanging an “out of business” sign by the end of the decade.

Iran could be lesson for Egypt's protesters

By Samir Webster · Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

Feb. 11 marks the 32nd anniversary of the Islamic Republic government in Iran. After a year of strikes and protests paralyzed the country, The Shah left Iran, and days later the Islamic Republic of Iran came to be out of the many parties revolting against The Shah.

U.S. backs Tea Party ideas, not its leaders

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

The insanity of the current American political landscape is slowly eating away at my sanity and my liver. Whichever fails first, whoever finds my body; tell the remaining beer in my fridge that I love it.

Find even ground between faith, fun

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

In spite of our habit of applying labels and placing people into categories in order to make sense of things, doing so doesn’t portray an individual accurately. People are very complex, and our identities and state of minds are made up of different feelings, experiences, hopes and beliefs.

IBM might change future technology

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

Next week, the IBM computer Watson will take “Revolutionary Moments” for $1,000, Alex. This $30 million super computer will take on Jeopardy! legends Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in the newest man versus machine competition that is sure to have big implications for the future of knowledge.

People should be able to speak freely

By Jesse Peck · Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011

In today’s society, with the very diverse population of the United States, you would expect to see tensions between different groups of people. To combat these tensions, people have taken to using different language, that is politically correct language, so as not to offend people of different ethnic, racial or religious backgrounds.

Defend democratic rights, free Assange

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011

Extradition hearings begin in London today for WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange. While Sweden nominally seeks Assange’s extradition on allegations of sexual misconduct, the circumstances surrounding the charges make it clear they are politically motivated.

Where food is from can make a difference

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011

How far did your dinner travel? In the United States food travels, on average, between 1,500 and 2,000 miles from farm to table, according to WorldWatch Institute. This number is 25 percent higher than it was in 1980, conjuring up thoughts of fuel used for transport as well as questions of freshness and quality of produce that might have visited more states than you have in your entire life.

EMU needs affordable STI testing

By Kody Klein · Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011

Having engaged in my fair share of irresponsible debauchery over the course of this school year, I recently decided to get tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections. My motivation for doing so was twofold.

Government should make 'guns or butter' decision to save U.S. economy

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011

It’s simple economics when you think about it, with a mounting debt, the United States has come to a crossroads where it is going to have to make a “guns or butter” kind of decision.

GOP unsatisfied with Bachmann

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s enthusiastic political work could disrupt the unity of the Republican Party, an article from the Daily Beast claims. Bear with me here. This idea formed from the fact that she wanted a Conference Chair to give “constitutional conservatives” a clear voice.

Anti-procrastination relieves stress

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011

Everybody loves some serious stress. Right? Students just relish the days when they are so swamped, they can’t concentrate or sleep, which affects their health, both emotionally and physically.

Give rich some gratitude, not grief

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011

Despite the two-year deal reached at the end of last year, we probably haven’t heard the last of the tax cut debate. Before we know it, it’ll be campaign season again and our leaders will be out on the trail, telling us why we need to make the cuts permanent or why we need to raise the rates on the top one or two percent of the population.

Working class rising in Africa, Middle East

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011

The past weeks have seen the re-emergence of the working class as a powerful political social force in Northern Africa and the Middle East.

Legislation on drugs needs retooling

By Kody Klein · Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011

I will admit as readily as anyone America has a raging drug problem. However, I dissent from popular anti-drug dogma.

Avoid abominable drivers this winter

By Jesse Peck · Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011

It’s winter, everyone, and what do we all have to expect? Majestic, white wonderlands, graceful falling flakes and a festive cheery atmosphere. Unfortunately, with those things come poor road conditions and the inevitable subzero temperatures associated with the winter months. My advice? Bundle up and avoid driving at all costs. Now don’t get me wrong, I like the season and people in general, but what is it about winter that brings the most inept and bad decision-making drivers in the world out of the woodwork? Is it just me, because if it is I’ll shut up, or am I of a common mind when I think a light powdering of snow on the road doesn’t necessitate driving under the speed limit by 15 miles per hour? Those people, to me, are among the most annoying people in existence, but I digress.

Sudanese voters set example for U.S.

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011

Not more than two weeks ago, the international news community was positively buzzing with coverage of a vote for independence in Sudan. The nation has been plagued with devastating poverty, two civil wars and continuing violence since its independence from Egypt and Britain in 1956. Conflict is centered between the Arab-cultured North and the traditional African religion and social structure of the South.

Corporate interests cripple U.S. voters

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

I recently started reading a book titled, “What’s the Matter with Kansas” by Thomas Frank. Frank, a native of Kansas, investigated and questioned how his home state full of rural farmers and a once bedrock of liberalism could become the deeply red state it is today.

Healthcare reform distracts Democrats

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

Democrats are preparing to counter-attack the Republicans’ vote to repeal the healthcare reform. Specifically the Democrats want to “plan hometown attacks on many of the 62 House Republicans representing districts President Barack Obama carried on 2008, according to a Politico article.