Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Vigilantes encourage security, not paranoia

By Ben Petiprin · Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

It is much easier for the supreme egocentric to find conspiracies outside of his day-to-day life. Not because he has trouble seeing connections in the events that happen around him, but because every person, animal and natural occurrence that enter his vision seem to strive for his attention or for a means to sabotage him.

Abortion debate could destroy Obama clan

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

Fewer questions will yield more impassioned answers than this one: How do you feel about abortion? When asked, a little more than half the population will support a woman’s right to choose and a little under half will be against abortion in all, or almost all, circumstances.

Christmas starts too early

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Feeling depressed, I decided to listen to some Christmas music to cheer myself up. WNIC started their 100 percent Christmas music, so I used that.

Federal government demands user logs

By David Gomez · Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Well, the federal government is at it again. Bush era policies of spying and sneaking around are alive and well within the Obama administration.

Ship helps revive America's spirit

By Neil Weinberg · Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “There are no second acts in American lives.” But from the ashes of Manhattan and the wreckage of New Orleans, the USS New York sets sail.

Letter: Proposed weapon legislation good for colleges

By Gordon Kangas · Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

In the Echo’s recent article on the proposed legislation to allow the carrying of weapons on campus, a variety of critics voiced their concerns. As a supporter of this bill, I would like to address those points. First, to Police Chief O’Dell, who said, “Say you have a situation where officers are pulling up and everyone has guns. There’s no way of telling who the bad guys are.”

GOP recovering; Democrats need more unification

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Bob McDonnell won Virginia. Or as the Associated Press put it “Conservative Republican Bob McDonnell’s victory in the Virginia governor’s race over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds was a triumph for a GOP looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008. It also was a setback for the White House in a swing state that was a crucial part of Obama’s electoral landslide just a year ago.” No matter how you say it, it seems the future of the coming elections is all ready being decided.

History holds lessons for public insurance option

By St. Louis Dispatch · Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

Back to the future for a public option. Nothing about health care reform has inspired more overheated rhetoric than the so-called public option. Opponents say it would unleash a government juggernaut against which no insurance company could compete.

Supplement regulations need strengthening

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

Next month will mark the 20th anniversary of a mass poisoning in this country that almost everyone has forgotten. But for all Americans who use dietary supplements today, the lessons to be learned from this tragic event are certainly worth remembering. In late 1989, thousands of people across the country purchased pills containing an over-the-counter dietary supplement called Tryptophan – a vital amino acid found in foods like turkey and bananas. What they didn’t know was their pills were contaminated with one of the most lethal human poisons ever created.

Say what you mean and mean what you say

By Hannah Schwab · Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

“Women are impossible to understand.” “Men have their own language.” “She speaks in codes.” “He doesn’t listen to a word I say.” We’ve all heard the arguments and probably participated in a few. Personally, I think all people are hard to decipher, no matter the age, gender or native language. And I’m here to say, I think I have a solution to this problem in communication and it’s called … (wait for it) … the truth.

Protect yourself from attacks by ninja squirrels

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

Two articles ago I mentioned ninja squirrels without any explanation at all. So, either everyone on campus is aware of them or is too busy with life to e-mail me about something so incredibly mundane.

EMU sports teams deserve better

By Donald Stuckey II · Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

Earlier this week, I went to get my haircut and grab a bite to eat when I got into another discussion about why we shouldn’t have a football team here at Eastern Michigan University.

McCain supports telecom industry on Net regulation

By David Gomez · Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

Thanks to the support of millions of Americans, the FCC has moved forward with a pledge to preserve net neutrality.

Letter: Plant in Wixom means first step in creating jobs

By Mark Neisler · Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009

I was pleased to read that an assembly plant in Wixom is reopening its doors to produce solar panels and energy efficient products (‘Green is the new gold’ in Michigan, Detroit Free Press, 10/11/2009). Wixom’s assembly plant is a good first step towards addressing Michigan’s outrageous unemployment rate.

Federal Reserve needs supervision

By David Gomez · Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009

One of the best things about America is that our government is required by law to operate openly and honestly.

Budget cuts in education are not a solution

By Marcus Teklemariam · Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009

As Michigan prepares to establish a balance budget and avoid another government shutdown like 2007, Governor Granholm has made a difficult decision and cut $60 million of school aid to select districts.

Israelis are not oppressing Palestinians

By Sean Podell · Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

I would like to respond to recent articles appearing in The Eastern Echo that concern the Israeli – “Palestinian” conflict.

Save energy to save money, planet

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

As the season changes and the months grow colder, energy efficient thoughts may come to some people’s minds.

How to navigate world of dating

By Andrea Lorfel · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

While walking around campus, I am sure you have seen guys hooting and hollering at girls. Or if you go to a bar and are female, I am sure at one point you have been grabbed or groped and given a cheesy pickup line like, “did it hurt… when you fell from heaven?” Yeah, I’ve gotten that one before.

Political games dooming state's economy, budget

By David Gomez · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

I couldn’t help but notice a flyer I saw on campus the other day. It was a Republican flyer blaming all of Michigan’s recent economic, education and unemployment woes on incumbent Gov.