Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Capitalism fails to promote access to culture

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

An essential component to any healthy society is the level of culture enjoyed by its population. In a modern, complex society such as ours, access to culture becomes a basic requirement for a comfortable, productive and meaningful existence. By this virtue, the access to culture is a social right of the population which is inalienable – it cannot be taken away, nor can it be ceded by those who possess it.

New congress to deal with earmark issues

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

The Tea Partiers who made it into office are trying to do something sane for a change and ban earmarks.

Black charges challenged by hindsight and courts

Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

The hardest part of writing about the innocence of Conrad Black, the Canadian-born member of the House of Lords and former newspaper mogul, is trying to figure out what he is supposed to be guilty of. As a would-be defender of Black, I feel this gap in knowledge would hurt my case if not for the fortunate surprise, It appears, the prosecution has no advantage over me in this regard.

Palin may move to run for presidency

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010

With the Midterm elections over, some are already preparing for the presidential election. As these groups prepare, a new voice has risen. From the depths of the Republican Party, a strong voice has united under one banner, the banner of solidarity against a common enemy. That voice rings loud and true, and it says clearly, “Sarah Palin must be stopped.”

4th Amendment rights endangered

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010

n our post-9/11 world, we watch carefully and take tedious note of those who excite our paranoia. We tap, tape and follow. We incarcerate and interrogate based entirely on suspicion. We do this in the name of safety.

Republican goals are in sight

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010

The Republican Party rose to power last week on the mantle of smaller government, spending cuts and tax breaks for everyone. However, its main asset last Tuesday was an unpopular opponent.

Recession might become stagnant before improving

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010

The Associated Press released information regarding the National Association for Business Economics survey.

Democrats lose ground

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010

The elections this past week showed heavy Republican gains at every level of government, falling 38 years short of James Carville’s predicted 40 years of Democratic dominance.

Low voter turnout boosts Republicans

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010

Two weeks ago, in a piece penned on Virg Bernero’s visit to the campus, I made the point any Republican gains in the mid-term election would be seized upon by the Obama administration as “political cover for its continual lurch to the right.” Moreover, I speculated the media would “inevitably chime in (saying) the American people have rejected the ‘left-wing’ and even ‘socialist’ policies pursued by the Obama administration.” Since the elections, this perspective has been confirmed.

Freedom of speech permits vitriol, too

By Krista Gjestland · Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010

The recent Supreme Court case, Snyder vs. Phelps, has brought out a lot of discussion about freedom of speech. The case involves the protests of the Westboro Baptist Church at the funeral of military man matthew Snyder in 2006 .

Musical stereotypes can create prejudice

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010

The idea of the stereotype surrounds our everyday life. Even one of the simplest human pleasures, music, has people up in arms. It seems like no matter which genre one may listen to or enjoy, there will be some sort of outside adversity that stems from the ignorant idea what is different is bad.

Republicans get shot to effect change

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010

In an election of hyperbole, those shouting the loudest carried the day. Negative ads filled the airwaves, and talking heads on cable news channels couldn’t help but fan the flames.

Ignorant voters pose danger to elections

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010

Try as I might, I cannot seem to recall ever voting on whether or not I wanted to have a civic duty.

Capitalism leads exploited symphony to strike

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010

In a powerful display of solidarity, musicians from the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra joined their counterparts in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a moving performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Johannes Brahms’ “Symphony No.

One-stop campaign financing?

By David Kanaan · Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010

Beware the apparently wholesome name. The Supreme Court decision Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission from earlier this year, more commonly referred to as “Citizens United,” was another free market milestone toward creating the illusion that a corporation is a living, breathing and naturalized constituent.

Christianity limiting science and political progression

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010

Christianity has become too influential on our government. The rights of all American citizens and the general progress of our nation depend on a renewed enthusiasm for the exclusion of religion from politics.

Rick Synder has big thoughts for Michigan

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010

Before he introduced himself to the state as “One Tough Nerd” during the Super Bowl in February and won the Republican nomination for governor in August, Rick Snyder came to Eastern Michigan University. It was a small gathering of fewer than ten people held last December in the Walton/Putnam Lounge.

Food at EMU pales compared to GVSU

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010

As with any college, our beloved Eastern Michigan has Dining Services. From the Eateries, to the Commons, to the food court in the Student Center it is an obvious presence here on campus. Dining Services is even responsible for many on-campus jobs for individuals with work-study.

Catholics threatened in Middle East

By Michael Cassar · Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010

For the past few weeks, 250 participants in the Catholic Church’s Synod of Bishops for the Middle East have converged to discuss issues facing the Church in the region. John L. Allen reports that of the 185 attending bishops, 140 do not belong to the Latin Rite.

Michigan economy up for overhaul

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010

The midterm elections are drawing near. Congressional posts and Michigan’s governorship are up for election.