Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Kwame Kilpatrick: Redemption begins here

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011

Tomorrow at 7 p.m., former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will speak in the Eastern Michigan University Student Center Ballroom at an event hosted by the student organization Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge.

Ron Paul loses his voice in GOP

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011

It would not be a leap of the imagination to say Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is being snubbed, both by the GOP and news media. The Texas Congressman said in one Yahoo news article, “I can’t say I am surprised… Throughout the entire campaign, it’s seemed the national media and the Washington, D.C.

If you're going to fund art, do it right

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011

Annarbor.com has an article that might invoke nerd rage if you’re studying the hard sciences. In my boss’ case the rage was more economic in nature.

To protect the children, we have to look closer

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011

ESPN has been a bit boring of late, as it has continued to broadcast heavily on the Penn State Scandal.

Black Friday: real holiday cheer

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011

While the holiday season might fill some of us with memories of warm cocoa, fireplaces and family members yelling at each other, we can all agree the most important part of this time of year is Black Friday.

Herman Cain: should he be taken seriously?

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

I still am amused with Republican presidential candidate Hermain Cain. But that amusement is now tinged with a sense of annoyance.

Herman Cain: should the allegations be taken seriously?

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

Are sexual harassment accusations taken less seriously when made against someone running for political office?

Wikileaks founder ousted

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

The High Court in London has dismissed the appeal of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, paving the way for his extradition to Sweden and eventually the United States. Assange has yet to be charged with any crime but is to be forcibly sent to Sweden to answer allegations of sexual assault and rape, despite his full cooperation with Swedish authorities and his offer to make himself available remotely for questioning in their investigation.

Commentary: Joe Paterno unfairly targeted

By Theodora Robinson-Jones · Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” It’s a lesson taught from the time we start grade school … at least most us.

Commentary: Cover-ups cause downfall of great men

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

You can’t put this back together. It’s on the ground in a million pieces. An icon, a legend and by all accounts a great man stood by and watched an assistant coach allegedly molest children.

Opponents of phone booth fail to grasp the big picture

By Sammy DeMarco · Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

Recently we learned Physical Plant Chief of Operations John Donegan purchased an antique phone booth for $2,000.

Bill protects water from fracking

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

Is Michigan’s water supply worth protecting? An annarbor.com article reported “State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, joined other Democrats in Lansing Monday in urging House Republicans to take action to protect Michigan waters from fracking.

Personhood pushes agenda, not safety

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

The Duggar Family is renown for one conspicuous feature: being the stars of the popular TV show “19 and Counting.” The show stars a mother, father and 19 children.

Meat regulations needed

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

One ongoing trend among health-conscious and animal-loving individuals is cutting out meats from their diets.

Corruption

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

If you’ve followed the string of crises that have stricken America since the crash on Wall Street, you’ve heard we’ve suffered a housing crisis, credit crisis, job crisis, debt crisis and a financial crisis that really set off the previously mentioned crises. But what you haven’t heard of is any suffering from the oligarchy – or the 1 percent in this country – unless you read the Wall Street Journal where the super-rich go to whine.

Troop removal not an end

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

Three weeks ago, President Obama abruptly announced all U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of the year after the breakdown of negotiations over extending the Status of Forces Agreement.

The Echo Water Cooler: Committee on Deficit Reduction

By Neil Weinberg and James Tatum · Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011

_“With just five weeks until its deadline, a secretive Congressional committee seeking ways to cut the federal deficit is far from a consensus, and party leaders may need to step in if they want to ensure agreement, say people involved in the panel’s work,” reported the New York Times.

Occupy movement still effective without goals

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011

The Students for a Democratic Society was a group of mostly college and graduate students who caught national attention for seeking idealistic changes in the United States in early 1960s.

City council tries fixing budget mess

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011

Ypsilanti’s City Council is trying to find ways to solve the city’s budget crisis, according to an annarbor.com article: “The Ypsilanti City Council instructed city staff to begin investigating a wide range of solutions to its projected $10.69 million budget shortfall.

Don't sweat the small things

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011

It’s happening more and more. Something insignificant turns into a firestorm. You throw a stone into a river, and it floods the town.