Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Heed call to awareness: Wake up, look and listen

By Erica Mooney · Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011

America, get out from under your comfort. Do not allow the automatic nature of the modern bubble of our nation to cripple your awareness. Everywhere around you, countless beings are struggling for life.

U.S. interests secured, Haiti's pain endures

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011

It has been one year since the 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, claiming an estimated 250,000 lives, some 2 percent of the population.

Shooting not politically motivated

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011

How many times have you heard someone rail against partisanship in the last couple years? How many times have you told people you are sick of both parties? If those numbers are high, and I suspect they are, then it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. It’s time for everyone to mean it, if only for a moment.

Obama still isn't living up to promises of campaign

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011

Soaring through the 2008 presidential election with a message of “Hope and Change,” Barack Obama came into the presidency with the confidence of many that he could truly lead. Many became enamored by his message. Even those wary of the promises of politicians had faith in the newly elected commander-in-chief. But now, three years later, I find myself having to amend the message of the president: give up “hope,” but not hope.

Specter's final speech hits home ... sadly

By Chris Hoitash · Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011

Arlen Specter, former Senator of Pennsylvania, lost his primary election and left the Senate for good. Before he wandered off quietly into that good night, he made a speech on the floor. In said speech, Specter outlined everything he felt was wrong with the Senate and politics today.

Michigan crackdown on teen drivers merited

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011

In America, driving is something pretty much every teenager looks forward to. The excitement of being sixteen, of having a car and being able to go anywhere you want. On the flip side though, more practiced drivers are wary of these inexperienced, and oftentimes, reckless drivers. As anyone who has been in the vicinity of a high school undoubtedly knows, kids can be pretty crazy when they drive.

Quarterback Vick's return bittersweet

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011

When late night television became a soap opera last year George Lopez, in reference to Conan O’Brien, said that the only thing America loves more than a happy ending is a big comeback.

Has the GOP learned anything?

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010

After the results were called in and it was obvious that the GOP would overtake the House of Representatives by large majorities, John Boehner the next in line to be Speaker of the House, took to the stage to commiserate on his party’s return to power.

Season of growing ill

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010

Ah, December is here and with it, the snow, the holidays and an innumerable amount of bacterial illnesses. People coming down with colds, coughs, sniffles and things of that sort are bound to happen – and in staggering numbers.

Time to move past racial bias

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010

Of all the major events that have occurred in the past decade, including Y2K, Hurricane Katrina, and the recession, the single most notable event is undoubtedly 9/11. People of all ages remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the catastrophic crash. Understandably, it became the number one news item, and much political and media havoc ensued.

The year of the superlatives ends

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010

Over the next few weeks most of you will read and hear countless thoughts on the past year. It’s likely that the majority of those opinions will contain phrases like “most important,” “unprecedented,” “historic” and “monumental.”

Past decade brings change to U.S., but individuals have to decide extent

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

As the decade comes to a close, the end of a year and a semester can get a person thinking. These thoughts can be philosophical, like why am I going to graduate school when Alaska has free gold?

Christmas creates double standard: Festivities haved shaped Western society

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

At the shallowest margins of cultural discussion, serious implementations of tolerance are ignored in favor of power exhibitions on the future of retail slogans.

Christmas creates double standard: People who perpetuate holidays different ways are misrepresented

By Kody Klein · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

I was driving back to campus from Grand Haven and saw along I-96 a sign that said, “Merry CHRISTmas.” It seemed comical to me, and I chuckled.

Democrats must compromise less

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

Now that most of the punditry has silenced over what Pres. Obama called a “shellacking,” there is still something missing from the questions asked of the midterm election results. The question isn’t whether or not the election results were a referendum on the Obama administration and the Democratic Party. It’s not how can the Democrats possibly do anything now that they have lost their supermajority in Congress. The question is – what will the Democrats learn?

Letter to the Editor: More to Baby Boomers than supposed slacking

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

I read Neil Weinberg’s column “Baby Boomers created mess” that was in the 11/29 Echo. I am a baby boomer, born in 1957. I have no problem with the core of Weinberg’s article, and I actually enjoyed most of it.

Immigration reform still requires review for success

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010

While illegal immigration has temporarily been out of public interest, in favor of more pressing economic issues and more salacious airport security stories, there is no more an agreed-upon solution now than there was at the height of the debate surrounding Arizona’s recent, but increasingly forgotten, immigration law

Eventful last decade summed up

By Jesse Peck · Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010

Oh, the last decade – a time of tribulations, political bouts and semantic arguments. It has been a time where uncertainty springs from the violent nature of the world. Terrorist attacks from extreme militant groups have targeted not only our country, but also many different countries abroad.

Baby Boomers created mess

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010

Their parents carry one of the most admired titles of the last century. Their children will carry an enormous burden. They came of age during Vietnam and Woodstock and they put down roots after the Cold War. The Baby Boomers found an America with no ceiling, and left it with no floor.

Bipartisanship still unlikely; system flaws open chances

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

According to The Washington Post, the Young Democrats want change. One of their articles mentions how “a new class of junior lawmakers is exerting its influence by challenging the chamber’s sacred traditions and the partisan, top-down governing style that has marked the past two years.” “The young Democrats, many of whom will be on the ballot in 2012, reject the view that the Senate must move at a glacial pace that only its most senior members get to determine the policy agenda, and that bipartisanship has become the purview of the naive and nostalgic.” It’s nice there are some politicians who think there’s hope for partisanship and change in our government.