Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Ferguson: Who is to blame?

By Lamaria Reed · Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014

Looting in our own communities makes no sense. I understand that as a unit we are mad but what about when this is all over and this just becomes another faint memory we are going to look around and say we destroyed our community for what.

G.M., bailout a mistake

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014

On Nov. 24, Candice Anderson was finally cleared of a murder that she didn’t commit. For ten years, Anderson accepted the blame for the death of her boyfriend, Gene Mikale Erickson, who died in a car crash that took place on Nov.

Ending police brutality with technology

By Andrew Kocis · Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014

Over the Thanksgiving break, just before stores started opening for holiday shopping, the grand jury in Missouri announced their verdict in the Michael Brown case.

Knitting and stress

By Jane Elizabeth · Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014

Stress is most likely the most common word spoken on a college campus. It follows us around like Eeyore’s little raincloud as we try to eat, sleep, and Netflix it away.

U.S. media and the Middle East

By Jacques Vorves · Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014

For years, United States officials and the corporate media have sought to create a conflict of interest with Iran by means of misinformation and fear-mongering.

Should EMU drop athletics?

By Curt Allain · Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014

Should universities like EMU, who will likely never have a profitable athletic department, be pioneers in higher education by distancing themselves from the current collegiate athletic model?

Financial growth isn't always most important

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014

As the dentist removed my painfully infected tooth the other day, he told me about his latest experience in skiing downhill through the financiers’ maze. “I used to believe this idea that ‘If we’re not growing, then we’re dying,’’ he said.

Cowboy capitalists: Winning by breaking the rules

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014

The only way cowboy capitalists win is by breaking the rules. On an even playing field, abiding by the rules and regulations laid down by government, they can’t survive. Cowboy capitalists are the corporate globalization wizards, pushing “free-market” fundamentalism, privatization of the public sphere, de-regulation, and freedom from taxation.

A Thanksgiving in retail

By Andrew Kocis · Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014

Thanksgiving is the holiday for family. Unlike every other holiday we celebrate, Thanksgiving is the only one we dedicate to coming together with our families, both extended and immediate, in order to enjoy each other’s company, eat an excessive amount of food and bond over how thankful we all are to be together.

EMU graduate Joseph Sobran's thoughts on agnosticism

By C.A. Joseph Peters · Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014

Ypsilanti-born journalist Joseph Sobran, who received his B.A. in English from Eastern Michigan University, went on to become a specialist in Shakespearean studies.

Examining agnosticism

By C.A. Joseph Peters · Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014

If one was unsure whether fall or winter was the more beautiful season or whether Chopin or Mozart was the more masterful composer, the disagreement which would ensue would be purely academic.

Women need more sensible winter boot options

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014

The season of unique scarf, hat, and glove fashions is upon us. Winter-wear is now sold across the Midwest in all colors, patterns and styles.

What do we have to be thankful for?

By Jane Elizabeth · Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014

Growing up, my parents were very instrumental in making sure that Thanksgiving was a day on which we made time to pause and think about the past year and all the things we were thankful for.

Overweight women face too much discrimination in the workplace

By Lamaria Reed · Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014

We are often told that in order to be something in life, we ought to work hard. Through hard work and dedication we will rise to the top. For some that is true.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What did the midterm elections mean for Michigan this year?

By Jane Elizabeth · Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014

Setting aside all of the Democrat and Republican shuffling around, Michigan’s 2014 election this year centered on wolves.

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.