Opinions - The Eastern Echo

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.

Don't dismiss independents

By Sammy DeMarco · Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010

The midterm elections are finally here, and many of us still are not sure which candidates for whom we are voting.

Populist Bernero brings pitch to EMU

By Clement Daly · Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010

Tonight, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero will attempt to convince students and staff at Eastern their vote should be cast for him in the approaching midterm election.

Abundance of ads overwhelms people

By Melissa Marguerite · Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

Put your hands in the air, because we’re surrounded! Have you ever flicked through the channels on your TV or radio for a good 5-10 minutes or more trying to find a station that wasn’t playing a commercial? Have you ever answered a phone call from a telemarketer in a different language hoping he or she would never call back and tell any telemarketer friends you must have moved?

Rich-poor difference is ominous reality

By Clement Daly · Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

Census data released last month gives a glimpse of the extreme social polarization that exists in the United States. According to the Associated Press, the income gap between the rich and the poor “grew last year to its widest amount on record.” Moreover, the U.S was found to have the greatest income disparity of the world’s advanced capitalist nations.

Recession could soon become recovery

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

You can’t turn around today without someone reminding you how bad the economy is and how devastating the most recent recession has been. Agencies pile on poor recovery statistics and experts talk about horrific long-term effects, suggesting the people born in the 2000s will be worse off than their parents.

Third parties have new chances

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010

According to the Associated Press, the GOP is making a grab at the Northeast. Whether or not they have a chance, the article briefly mentions the GOP’s problem of being associated with the Tea Party.

Fincher film draws attention to social issues

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010

Since its release, “The Social Network,” a David Fincher directed film about the founding of Facebook, has enjoyed positive critical reception, garnering a 97 percent rating from Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie review website, and earning encouraging reviews from established critics such as Roger Ebert and Michael Phillips.

GOP and Big oil destroying USA

By Donald Stuckey II · Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010

How many people talk about finding a perfect partner, the people they’re going to spend the rest of their life with?

Thought Police reminder: Weed corrupts clean life, beloved by Communists

By Kody Klein · Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010

My beloved EMU students, I write to you out of desperation to beckon you to action. We as a nation have yet again become afflicted with “reefer madness.” I speak, of course, of the widespread use and gradual legalization of cannabis.

Homophobic nation stifles gay rights

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010

On Nov. 2, the primary issue on the minds of voters will be the economy. Most people will be thinking about jobs, taxes and trillion dollar deficits.

Fixing deficit may require new strategy

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010

President Obama has been busy lately. In a relatively recent Reuters article he spoke about the national deficit, which the article stated is at $1.47 trillion.

Obama backs debatable candidate for Congress

By Michael Cassar · Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010

At first glance, it should not be particularly noteworthy that President Obama should choose to make an appearance in a political ad on behalf of Cedric Richmond, the Democratic challenger to Republican Joseph Cao’s seat.

Policy failed to be repealed by Senate

By Andrew Best · Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

On Sept. 21st the bid to repeal the controversial “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy failed in the Senate. The policy prohibits openly gay Americans from serving in the military while at the same time prohibiting the military from inquiring about the sexual orientation of a candidate for military service.

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.