Columns - The Eastern Echo

Abundance of ads overwhelms people

By Melissa Marguerite · Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

Put your hands in the air, because we’re surrounded! Have you ever flicked through the channels on your TV or radio for a good 5-10 minutes or more trying to find a station that wasn’t playing a commercial? Have you ever answered a phone call from a telemarketer in a different language hoping he or she would never call back and tell any telemarketer friends you must have moved?

Rich-poor difference is ominous reality

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

Census data released last month gives a glimpse of the extreme social polarization that exists in the United States. According to the Associated Press, the income gap between the rich and the poor “grew last year to its widest amount on record.” Moreover, the U.S was found to have the greatest income disparity of the world’s advanced capitalist nations.

Recession could soon become recovery

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

You can’t turn around today without someone reminding you how bad the economy is and how devastating the most recent recession has been. Agencies pile on poor recovery statistics and experts talk about horrific long-term effects, suggesting the people born in the 2000s will be worse off than their parents.

Third parties have new chances

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010

According to the Associated Press, the GOP is making a grab at the Northeast. Whether or not they have a chance, the article briefly mentions the GOP’s problem of being associated with the Tea Party.

Thought Police reminder: Weed corrupts clean life, beloved by Communists

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010

My beloved EMU students, I write to you out of desperation to beckon you to action. We as a nation have yet again become afflicted with “reefer madness.” I speak, of course, of the widespread use and gradual legalization of cannabis.

Policy failed to be repealed by Senate

By Andrew Best · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

On Sept. 21st the bid to repeal the controversial “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy failed in the Senate. The policy prohibits openly gay Americans from serving in the military while at the same time prohibiting the military from inquiring about the sexual orientation of a candidate for military service.

Gay marriage is well over due to be legal

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

It is time gay marriage be made legally possible and socially acceptable. The members of the gay community are American citizens. More importantly, they are human beings, and they deserve the same rights and opportunities as the heterosexual majority.

Opinion: Westboro Baptist Church protesting soldiers' funerals

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

On March 3, 2006, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder was killed in action in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. A similar line could describe most of the other soldiers who have died in the last 7 1/2 years of combat. But, the similarities end there.

EMU womens volleyball having superb season

By Ryan Larimore · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

Very quietly, Eastern Michigan University volleyball is having a very good season and shows no signs of slowing down. Led by Rachel Ianquaniello, the Eagles are 3-1 in a tough Mid-American Conference that will allow little room for a slip-up.

Michigan will recover, despite leadership

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

For the third time in four years, the Michigan budget came down to the wire. It appears a shutdown will be avoided.

Patriotism should be re-evaluated

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

There is a centuries-old cancer debilitating all of humanity, stunting its growth and threatening the peaceful coexistence of its members.

Although parking is competitive at Eastern, students don’t have to walk very far to get to their classes, like many University of Michigan students do.

Is Eastern's parking really that bad?

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

Parking: Putting your car in a designated spot for an allotted amount of time so as not to get a ticket.

Obama's initiative causes competition

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010

Over the summer, Michigan was passed over in the second round of the Obama administration’s “Race to the Top” initiative. Through RTT, Obama had the states compete with each other over a paltry $4 billion in federal funding for public education. The winners were those who went furthest in carrying out the administration’s education reform principles.

Take time to discover Constitution

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010

Americans love the Constitution. We might argue what it means or try to change parts of it, but as a general rule we like it. Despite this adoration, it seems people aren’t as familiar with the document as you might expect.

Eagle overused as a mascot; Should Eastern reconsider?

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010

Without being too bold, now would be an appropriate time to continue renovating EMU’s image by getting a different mascot.

Humanity lessons provided through Afghan elections

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

Saturday, an estimated 4 million Afghanis went to the polls to cast their votes in a parliamentary election despite intimidation and violence from the Taliban.

World benefits from Pope Benedict

By Michael Cassar · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

The much esteemed European tolerance was on display before and during Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to the United Kingdom.

Column: Football has purpose in spite of losing streak

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

The Eastern Michigan University football team—what is there to say? There has been an ongoing series of anticlimactic campaigns that leave the fans disappointed.

Policies support students in loans, develop colleges

By Barack Obama · Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

At colleges and universities across America, students are heading into the classroom, many for the first time. You’re taking part in a journey that will not only determine your future, but the future of this country. We know, for example, that nearly eight in ten new jobs will require workforce training or higher education by the end of this decade. And we know that in a global economy, the nation that out-educates us today will out-compete us tomorrow. In the 21st century, America’s success depends on the education our students receive.

Possible causes of fires emerge

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

Numerous fires swept through Detroit neighborhoods last Tuesday after winds knocked down more than 700 power lines. While luckily no one was killed, some 85 houses, garages and other structures were consumed in the blazes.