Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Gay marriage is well over due to be legal

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

It is time gay marriage be made legally possible and socially acceptable. The members of the gay community are American citizens. More importantly, they are human beings, and they deserve the same rights and opportunities as the heterosexual majority.

Opinion: Westboro Baptist Church protesting soldiers' funerals

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

On March 3, 2006, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder was killed in action in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. A similar line could describe most of the other soldiers who have died in the last 7 1/2 years of combat. But, the similarities end there.

Letter to the editor: Echo cartoon creates local controversy

Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010

The recent publication of Jason Promo’s Sept. 27 comic illustrating several characters dressed in hoods, a tree with a noose, and one character saying to the other, “Honey, this is the tree where we met” horrified me.

Supreme Court approves human rights violations

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010

The last two weeks have marked a turning point in the erosion of democratic rights in the United States.

Representative Grayson launches verbal attack

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010

Firebrand Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson is now facing a strong backlash after an attack ad launched against his opponent, Daniel Webster, took Webster’s words out of context while comparing him to the Taliban.

Michigan will recover, despite leadership

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

For the third time in four years, the Michigan budget came down to the wire. It appears a shutdown will be avoided.

Patriotism should be re-evaluated

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

There is a centuries-old cancer debilitating all of humanity, stunting its growth and threatening the peaceful coexistence of its members.

Although parking is competitive at Eastern, students don’t have to walk very far to get to their classes, like many University of Michigan students do.

Is Eastern's parking really that bad?

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

Parking: Putting your car in a designated spot for an allotted amount of time so as not to get a ticket.

Obama's initiative causes competition

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010

Over the summer, Michigan was passed over in the second round of the Obama administration’s “Race to the Top” initiative. Through RTT, Obama had the states compete with each other over a paltry $4 billion in federal funding for public education. The winners were those who went furthest in carrying out the administration’s education reform principles.

Take time to discover Constitution

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010

Americans love the Constitution. We might argue what it means or try to change parts of it, but as a general rule we like it. Despite this adoration, it seems people aren’t as familiar with the document as you might expect.

Eagle overused as a mascot; Should Eastern reconsider?

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010

Without being too bold, now would be an appropriate time to continue renovating EMU’s image by getting a different mascot.

Humanity lessons provided through Afghan elections

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

Saturday, an estimated 4 million Afghanis went to the polls to cast their votes in a parliamentary election despite intimidation and violence from the Taliban.

World benefits from Pope Benedict

By Michael Cassar · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

The much esteemed European tolerance was on display before and during Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to the United Kingdom.

Column: Football has purpose in spite of losing streak

By Jesse Peck · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

The Eastern Michigan University football team—what is there to say? There has been an ongoing series of anticlimactic campaigns that leave the fans disappointed.

Bing's new proposal awful for Detroiters

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010

Last week saw a series of public meetings organized by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing in an attempt to lend a democratic façade to his plan to downsize and reshape the city.

Democrats appear scared to stand up for themselves

By Sammy DeMarco · Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010

“May we borrow a spine? Ours is missing. Again.” I wonder if the Democratic leadership is ready to run classified ads in an effort to find its backbone for the November elections.

Colbert's jokes could bring consequences

By Ben Petiprin · Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010

Sometimes it’s hard to peel back the many layers of irony Stephen Colbert is currently working under and see his real intention.

Policies support students in loans, develop colleges

By Barack Obama · Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

At colleges and universities across America, students are heading into the classroom, many for the first time. You’re taking part in a journey that will not only determine your future, but the future of this country. We know, for example, that nearly eight in ten new jobs will require workforce training or higher education by the end of this decade. And we know that in a global economy, the nation that out-educates us today will out-compete us tomorrow. In the 21st century, America’s success depends on the education our students receive.

Possible causes of fires emerge

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

Numerous fires swept through Detroit neighborhoods last Tuesday after winds knocked down more than 700 power lines. While luckily no one was killed, some 85 houses, garages and other structures were consumed in the blazes.

Obama's promise goes unfulfilled

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

Last Friday, President Obama held a rare press conference. Among the president’s long answers and defensive responses, NBC’s Chuck Todd asked a simple question focusing on the very foundation of the 2008 campaign that earned President Obama his title. The question was, “How have you changed Washington?” President Obama answered the question by saying he had brought health care to families, fair credit card practices to borrowers, clean air and water to all Americans, tax cuts for the middle class and an overall policy for growth that has put us on the path to recovery.