Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Libya is not repeat of Iraqi conflict; America should now focus inward

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 27, 2011

With the recent missile strikes in Libya by allied forces, some people are becoming concerned Libya will become the next Iraq. This is unlikely, however.

Don't permit Bayh to confuse 'centrist' and 'corporatist' labels

By James Tatum · Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I loathe Evan Bayh, the former senator from Indiana, and either for reasons of catharsis or clarity, I thought it necessary to dedicate an entire column to my dislike of the “Democrat.” A few weeks ago, I read Bayh was signing on to be a contributor for Fox News, and without shock but much chagrin, I thought this is exactly the conundrum “centrists” pose for the Democratic Party.

Papers need online but not print

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Last week, after what seemed like years of speculation, The New York Times finally announced its plan to put all of its online content beyond a pay wall, making it the first major news outlet to do so.

Cuts and Bolts: Tigers option Sizemore to minors

By Nick Shlain · Wednesday, March 23, 2011

As spring training winds down, it becomes time for all 30 major league teams to trim the fat of the 40-man roster down to the 25 guys who get to suit up on Opening Day. Last week, teams sent their top young prospects back to minor league camp to take a longer look at those in competition for big league jobs. For the Detroit Tigers, this meant looking at second basemen Will Rhymes, whom manager Jim Leyland named a starter, and Danny Worth.

English expects improvement in 2011

By Jerime Crane · Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Football is a brutal sport, but watching it played at Eastern Michigan University can be equally as brutal lately. Ever since the change of the school mascot in 1991 when the EMU Hurons became the EMU Eagles, the football program has been abysmal, accumulating a 61-160-1 record in 19 seasons.

Odds shifting for GOP presidential candidates

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 20, 2011

Though Mitt Romney dropped out of the 2008 presidential race in order to give John McCain a better shot, it looks like he is back and intending to run for 2012.

Lessons to be learned from Iraqi occupation

By Clement Daly · Sunday, March 20, 2011

Eight years ago on March 19, 2003, the United States government flouted international law and defied the millions who protested in the U.S. and around the world by unilaterally invading Iraq. The rape of Iraq undoubtedly will be recorded as one of greatest crimes of the 21st century.

Nuclear energy not a safe bet

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, March 20, 2011

It’s impossible to ignore the flurry of opinions yet difficult to discern the facts of the current nuclear crisis. What is clear is the massive impact of the recent earthquakes and tsunami damage on Japan’s multiple nuclear reactors, which are still steaming radioactive material.

Republicans need new tactics to continue forward

By James Tatum · Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Last week, I wrote the Republican Party is suffering from an illness. At first my diagnosis was simply the carunculous Tea Party, but now I feel it is something different, or at least more than first suspected. The symptoms seem much more cerebral. It is as if the party has been suffering from a “brain-drain” as of late.

Discrimination against gays not tolerated at EMU

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Last year, student Julea Ward was expelled from Eastern Michigan University. She had been enrolled in a master’s program in pursuit of certification to be a school counselor. Her expulsion was warranted by her refusal to counsel homosexual students.

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.

March Madness in Michigan

By Jerime Crane · Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The state of Michigan is represented by three teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament: Michigan State University, Oakland University and the University of Michigan.

Regional NCAA preview

By Arturo Rodriguez , Ryan Larimore and Jerime Crane · Wednesday, March 16, 2011

It’s cliché to say anything can happen during March Madness, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

Eagles get little support in MAC title defeat

By Theodora Robinson-Jones · Sunday, March 13, 2011

For those who didn’t know, Eastern Michigan’s women’s basketball team became the first fifth seed to make an appearance in the Mid American Conference tournament. It did so by sending the No. 1-seeded Toledo home Friday and played in the championship game Saturday.

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.