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The Eastern Echo

Smell the roses

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014

When I first joined the workforce in the late sixties, a popular expression was “don’t work so hard -- take time to smell the roses.” The implication was that we’re in this life to enjoy ourselves and the world around us, not just to work and “get ahead.” Balance was a watchword. Those among us with “Type A” personalities--the strivers and over-achievers--were admonished to slow down, take the time to relieve our stress by valuing enjoyment of nature or time to reflect and evaluate who we were and what we were doing. Sadly, those days are over.

The Eastern Echo

Lame duck, lame voters

By David Konarske · Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014

Recently, the Michigan State Senate’s bill to raise fuel taxes to improve the roads passed by a 23 to 14 vote, in the lame duck session. For those who do not know, a lame duck session is the time between the election and the beginning of the new state senate term.

The Eastern Echo

Democrats and Republicans

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014

As I am sure you know, Election Day has just passed. I have to admit I am very glad. Politics are almost impossible to get away from, as are conversations about them.

The Eastern Echo

Democrats lack a defining message

By Andrew Kocis · Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014

Elections were last week and many predictions over their outcome came true. The Democrats lost seven contested Senate races against Republican challengers and incumbents, which cost the Democrats control of the Senate.

The Eastern Echo

Retribution for the masses, not the criminals

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014

Americans like to punish people. Despite research in fields like sociology and psychology advising that its effects are mostly harmful, retribution, for real or imagined sins, is a tradition we embrace fondly. Since colonial times, we’ve meted out punishment for whatever powerful people thought was “bad” behavior.

The Eastern Echo

Obama's surveillance state

By Alison Basely · Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014

Silencing political opponents, spying on enemies of the U.S., quarantining the diseased or suspected, and executing traitors without trial is nothing new for the United States government.  Americans were subject to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 under President John Adams which increased the residency requirement for American citizenship from five to fourteen years, authorized the president to imprison or deport aliens considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States" and restricted speech critical of the government.

The Eastern Echo

Old GM and New GM

By James Tatum · Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014

This past week, General Motors Co. was in court over a lawsuit filed by owners of vehicles that have been found to have an ignition switch defect. A defect that has been linked to 29 deaths. And the company’s opening argument to defend itself was essentially, “Oh, no, that wasn’t us that produced those defective vehicles. That was Old G.M. We’re New G.M.”

The Eastern Echo

Aquaman deserves more respect

By Andrew Kocis · Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014

When you mention Aquaman most people will probably snicker and laugh. People will probably tell okes about him only being able to talk to fish. Someone will say he has all the powers of Spongebob Squarepants, and everyone will laugh about how worthless Aquaman is compared to Superman and Batman. This is mostly because of his comical appearance on the 1973 cartoon “Super Friends” and the Cartoon Network shorts we probably grew up watching. But Aquaman is anything but a joke.

The Eastern Echo

Common Core math a terrible idea

By Lamaria Reed · Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014

The new standard of math has taken the teacher out of the classroom and instead made them into facilitators and aids of Common Core math, the new math of self-discovery.

The Eastern Echo

Don't let traditional letter writing die

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014

Last week, I wrote a friend of mine a letter. This is not a normal practice for me, but he had done the same for me upon his graduation from this university. While it was a little late, I still felt the need to reciprocate.

The Eastern Echo

EMU support of EAA shameful

By Keith Kindred · Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014

I’ve never been very good at handling shame. As a young child, I felt ashamed that my parents were divorced while all of my friend’s parents seemed happily married.

The Eastern Echo

Colorado experiment

By James Tatum · Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014

If Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado loses his race for reelection, it may well be because he didn’t tout his chief accomplishment: the legalization of marijuana. On Nov.

The Eastern Echo

The tenth amendment is Michigan's best friend

By C.A. Joseph Peters · Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014

Under the Michigan’s 1964 Constitution, no person was allowed to serve more than three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives or more than two consecutive terms in the Senate, the equivalent of six and twelve years respectively. But instead of forcing each Michigan legislator to dedicate huge swaths of time to campaigning every two or six years, why not get rid of term limits?

The Eastern Echo

Gamergate has to stop

By Andrew Kocis · Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014

This past summer a massive scandal rocked the gaming community. The ex-boyfriend of Zoe Quinn, an indie game developer, posted a blog entry accusing Zoe of cheating on him with a gaming journalist from the website Kotaku in order to secure positive press for one of her games. This sparked a firestorm in the gaming community bringing to light concerns over the integrity of gaming journalists and problems of misogyny and sexism in video games and the gaming community. Almost immediately gamers on the websites like 4chan and Reddit began harassing Quinn, and attacking her character.

Broken, but not bankrupt

By James Tatum · Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014

The city of Ypsilanti is in trouble. City revenue decreased by -0.56 percent between 2004 and 2013, while debt connected to the Water Street project accumulated.Given these problems, it is understandable that citizens would come to the conclusion that the city is a candidate for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

The Eastern Echo

Religious freedom needs to be considered

By David Konarske · Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014

Bait and switch on gay marriage?Over the course of this debate, one refrain has been consistent by those advocating in support of gay marriage: The religious liberties of clergy and religious officials will not be compromised.Even when shop owners are sued for respectfully declining to provide services to gay marriage ceremonies, the refrain continues.

Latest Podcast

Articles featured in this episode:

"Eastern Michigan alum, UFL standout Gunnar Oakes signs with Detroit Lions" - Written by Caleb Henderson

"'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' balances thrilling action scenes with loving family moments" - Written by Allie Beecher

"EMU Women’s Track & Field HC Sue Parks announces retirement after 20 seasons at helm" - Written by Caleb Henderson

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