Opinions - The Eastern Echo

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.

Heat is up, Cavs are down

By Eitan Mendelson · Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

Despite taking his talents to South Beach over the summer and losing credibility because of it, Miami forward LeBron James has been putting up MVP-caliber stats this season.

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.

High school sports are about fun, too

By Jesse Peck · Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011

In the case of high school sports, most parents encourage their children to play to develop their interests. They want their kids to find what they like to do and to learn social skills and discipline so they can perform with a team in a parent-independent way.

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.

Easy green changes save money, time

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011

Our world runs at a hectic, and sometimes overwhelming, pace. We demand fast access to goods and services to satisfy our whims. All of these choices come with external costs.

Let Egyptians take care of their own

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011

They rioted in Tunisia and now they’re rioting Egypt. They’re burning buildings, taking to the streets and calling for a new regime. It’s the match being held to the fuse.

'Free-Marketeers' have it wrong

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

Athos, Porthos and Aramis, the crusaders from the novel “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas reminded me of another trio of crusaders in America: Alan Greenspan, Ron Paul and Glenn Beck.

‘Trenta’ is too much

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

Starbucks is adding a new drink size, according to Reuters. The article states “Starbucks Corp will roll out its biggest drink size yet – the 31-ounce ‘Trenta’ – in all of its U.S. coffee shops by May 3, the company said on Sunday. The new size will be available only for iced coffee, iced tea and iced tea lemonade drinks in the United States. The Trenta is 7 ounces larger than Starbucks’ ‘Venti’ cup for iced drinks, which currently is its largest size on offer.”

All tests are not beneficial

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

Despite the lack of enthusiasm students have for tests, a recent article in the New York Times titled, “To really learn, quit studying and take a test,” says they actually help students remember material in class.

What's the point of driving drunk?

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

In an effort to combat drunk driving over the holidays, police officers in Michigan stepped up the number of patrols and traffic stops. Between Dec. 16-Jan. 2, officers around the state arrested 356 suspected drunk drivers and hundreds of others suspected of lesser crimes.

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.