Opinions - The Eastern Echo

State of the City proposes realistic goals

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 11, 2012

Wednesday night, March 6th, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing presented his State of the City address. In a city that could best be described as a cross between the post-apocalyptic city of Shady Sands and the remains of a post race-war apocalyptic Jericho-the comic, the Mayor’s address was looked to as a spot of hope as Detroit faces bankruptcy. The Mayor started with a somber tone that recognized the city’s dire straits, stating “There are those who believe the final chapter of our story has been written.

Professor partisan beliefs shared too often in class

By Adam Nannini · Wednesday, March 7, 2012

I regularly walk through the hallways of faculty offices and can’t help but stop to read all of the comics, notes, flyers and assorted materials taped to the doors.

Lions need strategy

By Jimmy King · Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Detroit Lions finished the 2011 NFL regular season 10-6, but fell short in the opening round of the playoffs.

Robotic Romney too fake to support

By James Tatum · Wednesday, March 7, 2012

“I love this state. It seems right here. Trees are the right height,” opined Mitt Romney about his home state.

Drones flying in US airspace soon

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 4, 2012

If you’re worried about black helicopters, you might want to trade in your anti-aircraft gun for a good electromagnetic pulse device. An Associated Press article from last week states, “Civilian cousins of the unmanned military aircraft that have tracked and killed terrorists in the Middle East and Asia are in demand by police departments, border patrols, power companies, news organizations and others wanting a bird’s-eye view that’s too impractical or dangerous for conventional planes or helicopters to get.” Besides a possible increase in scrap parts, privacy concerns are a major issue if drones start entering the civilian market.

Linsanity erupts

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sports, for many people, are life. They are also an interesting microcosm of a larger American society: from Jackie Robinson’s breaking down baseball’s racial barriers to Muhammed Ali’s divisive tirades against American militarism (as particularly exemplified in Vietnam). Fast-forward to 2012 and we have a new focal point for conversation: Linsanity. For those who are unfamiliar with Jeremy Lin, he is the current point guard for the New York Knicks.

International affairs: Cost of doing nothing

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, March 4, 2012

You’re walking down the typical neighborhood street when you spot two people in the midst of an argument just a stone’s throw from where you are.

Legislators should learn lesson from '60s

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

February is not only noted as Black History Month, but it has been a month full of victories for the civil rights movement of our time.

Detroit Red Wings are hot

By Jimmy King · Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

The Detroit Red Wings are the hottest team in hockey right now. This is an undeniable fact. The Wings are boasting the NHL’s best record, picking up significant accolades along the way. A week ago, the Wings had a record 21-straight wins at home.

Banks not accountable for housing crisis

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Earlier this month, the Obama administration brokered a multi-billion-dollar settlement between 49 state attorneys general and five major US banks over widespread fraud in the rush to foreclose on millions of American homeowners after the housing bubble burst. The five banks – Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Ally Financial – will be granted immunity from future prosecution in exchange for some $6 billion in cash and approximately $25 billion more to be paid over three years to the states and federal government for mortgage modifications. In the mania of the housing boom, the banks issued a flood of mortgages under misleading terms, which were bundled with complex financial instruments and quickly sold off to other investors.

Substandard MEAP scores spur solutions to school reform

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

Education is important. If you’ve bothered to read my ramblings, you probably know I believe that.

America turns inward: Results require reflection

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

Nothing is more interesting than listening to two people discuss the multiplicity of conundrums facing international politics today.

Incorrectly cast GOP candidates cause confusion

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

It finally dawned on me, and now I can’t remember what everything looked like before. I know why the GOP is having such a hard time picking a candidate this year.

Republicans differ at CPAC

By Jimmy King · Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

The Michigan primaries are only a few weeks away on the GOP nomination calendar. Nine states have already been decided, yet nothing has been resolved.

GOP candidates all a game of Risk

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

“On your turn, try to capture territories by defeating your opponents’ armies. But be careful: Winning battles will depend on careful planning, quick decisions and bold moves.

Komen's donation drama

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Does the Susan G. Komen Foundation truly care about preventing breast cancer, or is there a political agenda that influences its decisions?

Remember: Women are more than just breasts

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012

Keep A Breast Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and eradicating cancer for the American public.

Valentine's Day an overrated holiday

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. A day of romance, love, cards, chocolate and murdered gangsters. A day where couples everywhere delude themselves that because they get to show everyone else once a year how much they love each other with flowers and big chocolate boxes, their love is enduring and forever. Yeah, I hate Valentine’s Day.

Campaign finance laws not right for Left, Right

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012

The amazing thing about the current campaign finance laws is exactly no one is happy with them. The Left thinks the current situation offers the wealthy too much power, and the Right thinks this climate awkwardly restricts free speech. We’ve always debated free speech versus political corruption.

Contract questioned

By Jimmy King · Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Detroit Tigers fans were given reprieve from an unlikely source after the news came that Victor Martinez will not play in 2012.