Opinions - The Eastern Echo

General McChrystal's firing justified

By Sammy DeMarco · Monday, June 28, 2010

On November 4, 2008, America overwhelmingly elected Barack Obama United States president. But more importantly, especially during two ongoing wars, they elected him commander-in-chief. As a former U.S. Marine who served during the 1990s, I got very used to seeing pictures of President William “Bill” Jefferson Clinton in most military offices. I know the value of the military chain of command—and it begins with President Barack Obama at the top.

McChrystal deserves second chance

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, June 28, 2010

You wouldn’t expect that putting General David Petraeus in charge of anything would be a mistake. He’s quite possibly the greatest military mind in a generation and certainly one of the era’s most brilliant leaders, but President Obama made a mistake on Wednesday by handing the reins in Afghanistan over to the architect of success in Iraq.

Response to 'Teachers deserve respect'

By Mindy Ritter · Monday, June 28, 2010

In response to a June 15 column (“Teachers deserve respect”) by Sammy DeMarco, as an educator and parent, I am concerned about the negative attitudes held by some about public education and educators.

Safety steps good, could improve

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, June 21, 2010

Most of us who attend classes or work at Eastern Michigan University certainly understand what it means when someone says they received a “timely warning.”

Death penalty not necessary

By Michael Cassar · Monday, June 21, 2010

On Friday, Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by a firing squad. The manner in which he chose to die—now outlawed in his state of Utah but allowed for him as someone whose sentence predated the ban—has generated news.

Teachers do not get enough credit

By Sammy DeMarco · Monday, June 14, 2010

When I was in forth grade, our teacher, Mrs. Hite, used to crack us over the head with her yard stick.

Human element risked by replays

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, June 14, 2010

Instant replay. Two words you’ve probably heard plenty of times since Tigers’ pitcher Armando Galarraga tossed a perfect game that wasn’t on June 2 at Comerica Park.

Conservatives forget tradition

By Michael Cassar · Monday, June 14, 2010

Primaries are an odd thing. Blanche Lincoln found herself combating organized labor in Arkansas, while Nikki Haley of South Carolina was the target of two unsubstantiated allegations of infidelity and the recipient of a racial slur.

Gulf disaster reveals U.S. economic woes

By Clement Daly · Monday, June 7, 2010

In the democratic republic, “wealth…exercises its power indirectly, but all the more surely,” wrote Frederick Engels in 1884. “On the one hand, it does this in the form of the direct corruption of officials, of which America is the classic example, and, on the other hand, in that of an alliance between the government and the stock exchange, which is effected all the more easily the higher the national debt mounts.”

Domino's new pizza means hope for U.S.

By Chris Hoitash · Monday, June 7, 2010

For the greatest example of American perseverance, entrepreneurship and drive, few examples of the 21st century are as striking as the new recipe of Domino’s Pizza.

Obama needs to use clout now

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, June 7, 2010

Over the last couple weeks, numerous reports have surfaced that the White House offered a number of political contenders jobs within the executive branch if they would step aside in favor of an administration-backed candidate in several Democratic primaries.

Politicians should stick to beliefs

By Michael Cassar · Monday, May 31, 2010

Following his Republican primary victory in Kentucky, Dr. Rand Paul’s more Libertarian views have come under increased scrutiny.

Opinion: Stop wasting time blaming BP

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, May 31, 2010

Earlier this week, Comedy Central showed a rerun of the South Park episode mocking the global warming hysteria and the Katrina response. In the face of a terrible flood, Stan Marsh asked his father if someone was going to help the people stuck on their roofs after seeing the damage on the nightly news. Randy Marsh, always the stereotype, responded by telling Stan, “[helping the people] doesn’t really matter, son. What matters is whose fault this is.”

Republican savior yet to step forward

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, May 24, 2010

There’s a wonderful line in Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” that seems relevant amid the speculation of who is readying to take the reins of the Republican Party. Springsteen sings, “You can …waste your summer praying in vain for a savior to rise from these streets.” It seems ever since 11:00 p.m. Nov. 4, 2008, the party has been looking for its next standard bearer. First it was Sarah Palin. Then it was Bobby Jindal. After that it was Scott Brown.

Shift focus from race to Miss USA

By Mike Cassar · Monday, May 24, 2010

With the Red Wings and the Pistons no longer playing and the Tigers’ starting pitching looking a little shaky, we in Michigan may be more inclined to take note that our own Miss Michigan, Rima Fakih, was crowned Miss America. After her win, her ethnicity quickly became the focus of many articles and columns. It took the Associated Press no more than seven words to mention that Ms. Fakih is an Arab-American. Freep.com even ran an article titled “Arab-Americans across country praise Miss USA.” It would seem to me that now would be a good time to pause and look at the relationship between one’s nation and ethnicity in America.

Obama's pick adds mystery to Court bench

By Chris Hoitash · Monday, May 17, 2010

The new choice for the Supreme Court has been named, and that name is Elena Kagan. Unlike some other choices for the current vacant Court position, I’ve never heard of her, and I’m not alone.

People can handle information excess

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, May 17, 2010

When President Obama spoke at Hampton University on May 9, he took some heavy shots at the modern media environment.

Marriage should not be test-driven

By Michael Cassar · Monday, May 17, 2010

In an April 7 opinion piece published in The Echo, Ms. Hannah Schwab suggested adding an expiration date to marriage would be an improvement over its current state.

Opinion: Harwell holds special place

By Neil Weinberg · Monday, May 10, 2010

Long before I could tune into every Major League game on my Blackberry for $14.99 a year, I had a boxy gray radio that looked like a small suitcase with two round dials. It was perched next to my bed on most of the summer nights of my youth and was tuned to the smooth voice of Ernie Harwell.

Oil spill reveals GOP hypocrisy

By Sammy DeMarco · Monday, May 3, 2010

“Drill baby, drill” became the Republicans’ 2008 presidential campaign motto. Now one has to wonder if it will be “drill baby drill ‘til it spills baby spills.” The drill advocates are as silent as a swamp cricket laced in raw crude.