Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Editor explores idea of sustainability

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

“Sustainability means being able to balance the budget, providing basic services for public safety, transportation, and business development, and encouraging development of the local resources that are special to the community,” said Paul Schreiber, mayor of Ypsilanti. “In Ypsilanti’s case, this is historic architecture, Eastern Michigan University and the proximity to Ann Arbor.”

'Duck Dynasty' star was within First Amendment rights

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

While the controversy surrounding Duck Dynasty’s show-running patriarch Phil Robertson has subsided since his reinstatement to the show, what occurred in the wake of his suspension deserves some scrutiny.

Christmas' 'spirit of giving' evolves with age

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

When I was little, around this time of year, my elementary school’s music room would be overtaken by jolly volunteers and crammed full of cheap stocking stuffers as part of the annual Santa’s Workshop fundraiser. It was this school-wide event where kids came in and bought presents for their parents and other loved ones. I loved poring over all the little knickknacks and baubles, carefully picking out the things I really wanted, and then, in the last couple minutes or so, grabbing some stuff for Mom and Dad.

Unions not doing enough to help pensioners

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

Upward social and economic mobility used to be a hallmark of America’s working classes. American workers pursuing these values typically came to the negotiating table in “good faith” when they bargained with capital for higher wages and benefits. But those clutching the purse have had little taste for such idealism – economic justice has never been America’s strong suit.

Southern states fighting over Boeing: A symptom of ongoing corporate control

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

Politicians in the states of Missouri, South Carolina, Alabama and others have started their courtship of Boeing.

Health class must step up its game

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

With the Centers for Disease Control reporting that in 2011 only 31 percent of high schoolers attended physical education class daily, it seems to be a pretty common sentiment that physical and health education classes are a poorly executed joke.

Abortion bill socially destructive

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Michigan lawmakers are quickly running out time to vote on a proposed bill that would limit abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. The bill would force insurance beneficiaries to purchase separate insurance if they would want abortion coverage.

Actions must be taken to save fine arts

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

When one thinks of the fine arts, individuals such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and William Shakespeare come to mind as pioneers of such. The skill and innovation these artists sculpted within their respective time periods has paved the way to the arts we know of today. But in recent years, it’s become apparent that the youth – the very people we are raising to be “the next generation” are obtaining less and less knowledge of these innovators.

Snyder must revive Detroit

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

On Dec. 8, Gov. Rick Snyder, Republican of the Great Lakes State, penned an opinion piece for the Detroit Free Press in which he outlined his administration’s involvement in the city of Detroit. The piece was also a rejoinder to an editorial by the Detroit Free Press which called into question his leadership and commitment to the city.

Black Friday: Why not shop until you drop?

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013

Are you not amazed at the Black Friday mobs of anxious, competitive, occasionally even violent shoppers rushing to crowd into the discount stores the day after Thanksgiving? It seems to me they’ve got more anger than cash, more vulnerability than good sense. Maybe we should take a closer look.

Libertarian Republican could earn a city council seat

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013

“This is Jack Kemp’s enterprise zones on steroids,” said Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, in his speech before the Detroit Economic Club.

Westboro Baptist Christians are the real deal

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013

“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be out to death; blood shall be upon them.” This is the common passage thrown about by some within the Christian community to justify their stance against homosexuality and gay marriage in America.

Find your spot on the Medicine Wheel

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013

At some point or another, most of us have longed for circumstances other than our own. Whether we admire someone’s wealth, status, education or relationship, the feeling of desire is the same.

Capitalism’s principles will always lead to crashes

By John G. Fike · Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013

We can now see capitalism’s last crash, and indications are that it will be a spectacular disaster.

EMU needs students, students need money

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013

Mayor Paul Schreiber of Ypsilanti has said the city needs to make the transition from a locale that relied on manufacturers to a college town. Many times over I have raised the question of whether or not the city has the money to make the transition. The debt from a real estate purchase that went badly has left the city unable to pay for capital improvements and public services like parks and recreation have been cut. But another important question is what it means to be a college town.

Citizens need protection from police corruption

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013

My column is simply an effort to improve three things in this world; truth, justice and equality. If a police officer can openly lie to a citizen, that is not truth. If a police officer has special protections that are unavailable to a civilian, that is not equality. If a police officer can fire 16 rounds into an unarmed man without consequence, that is not justice.

No Black Friday deal is worth fighting over

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013

Like many Americans, I indulged in that beloved tradition of Black Friday shopping over the past weekend. Before the sun even peeked out over the horizon, I was running frantically from shop to shop trying to find the best deals on sweatpants and whatever else I needed to stock up on for winter.

Modern hip-hop no longer motivational but racist, sexist

By Olivia Jackson · Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013

Before Lil Wayne and Rick Ross made a big deal of hustling the streets of ghettos and slinging rocks, Afrika Bambaataa made our planet rock with his crew Soul Force. In the 1980s, hip-hop was a way for musical artist to connect with people who mutually understood the struggles of living in the ghetto and who had dreams of making a way out.

Muslim students need prayer space on EMU campus

By Fatma Jaber · Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013

A designated space for prayer, meditation and reflection is an essential aspect of any well recognized and highly regarded university. This room is intended not only for Muslim students, but for all members of EMU, and its purpose is to give everyone a safe place to pray, reflect inwardly and meditate.

Veterans and Swiss cheese; rethinking tax code

By James Tatum · Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013

Gov. Rick Snyder, Republican of the Great Lakes State, recently made law a bill that offers property tax relief to veterans. More specifically the law now allows former members of the armed services who are fully disabled to qualify for an exemption from state and local property taxes.