Opinions - The Eastern Echo

‘Rape culture’ needs to stop

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

There is a dark underbelly to American culture that rarely, if ever, receives fair coverage in the media today. It is passed off as slut shaming, victim blaming, no big deal or pretty much anything other than what it really is: rape.

WiFi routers are a plus

By Christoper Drouillard · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

When I first started college, it was hard for me to connect to the wireless Internet. I would have to open my door as if I were inviting the wireless into my room just so my computer could actually find and connect to it. Eventually I was brought a router from home and I never had trouble with connecting to the wireless again – until now.

Men don’t have to be ‘tough’

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

“Man, you’re whipped.” “Who’s wearing the pants?” “Man up.” These are the sorts of negative phrases that, if not directly said to impressionable young men, are passed on to them through media as cultural expectations of what it means to be a man.

Letter To the Editor

By Oona Friedland · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

Dear Eastern Echo, I am extremely upset and offended by the article titled, “Students for Life Informs about Planned Parenthood,” as the title in and of itself seems contradictory.

Parking problems prompt a solution

By Keven Sommerville · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

From what you could call the penthouse here at Eastern Michigan University, the 10th floor lounge in Hill Hall overlooks all of campus and miles upon miles beyond.

Media shield law might violate amendment

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

We live in a country that prides itself on freedom – freedom of speech, religion and the press. Americans take pride in what we have in this country today. Yes, it can easily be argued that those freedoms are eroding thanks to our government’s fear mongering, but for the most part, we do live in a very special place.

Cooperation needed between EMU, Ypsi

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

Earlier this month at a presentation on campus, Teresa Gillotti, the city planner of Ypsilanti, spoke about how much of an asset Eastern Michigan University is to the city.

Festival surprisingly fun

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

The Renaissance era: a turning point in world history for art, literature and human ideology.

African-Americans endure economic inequalities

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

The Great Recession has been particularly hard for Michigan and its workers. When General Motors and Chrysler fumbled financially, they fell into bankruptcy. By not compensating consumers weary of growing gas prices with practical alternatives, Michigan’s economic core was poised to crumble.

If people take action, Detroit can be rebuilt

By Olivia Jackson · Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

Neighborhoods that once grew beautiful pastel peonies and shining marigolds are now barren. Homes that held memories of a bright-eyed baby’s first steps are replaced with blown out windows and graffiti-stained walls. This is the depiction of the average Detroit urban community. The urban communities have been neglected and left to wither away to nothing. With help and dedication from the community, neighborhoods can be rebuilt to provide better and safer living.

US unemployment drops while Michigan’s rises

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

Despite the drop in the national unemployment rate reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier this month, the state of Michigan saw an increase in the number of jobless claims.

Effects of tax subsidies create skepticism

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

The National Bureau of Economic Research announced a nascent recession in the United States in 2007, and then cited its end in 2009. There has since, however, been an economic malaise, with the national unemployment rate at 7.3 percent and state unemployment rate at 8.8 percent.

Mental illnesses: Let’s end the stigma

By Jess Salisbury · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

It’s easy to be afraid of something you don’t understand – why do you think people are scared of ghosts, death or One Direction’s fandom? But what happens when the very thing people don’t understand is that big gray blob of meat inside your skull?

Increase in jobless claims causes doubts

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

Despite the drop in the national unemployment rate reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier this month, the state of Michigan saw an increase in the number of jobless claims.

America doesn’t need any more wars

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

America, as a country, is exhausted by war. And not just the boots-on-the-ground type — a phrase I loathe and will explain why later – but everything about it: the rhetoric, the fear mongering, the clear ignorance to the will of the American people.

Commonly broken rules of social media

By Chelsea Idzior · Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013

Let’s face it — it can definitely be said that social media is at the center of everyone’s lives these days. But as much as we love and rely on social media for not only entertainment, but communication and even professional purposes, there are things people post on social media that make us want to reach through the computer and thump them on the head.

Digital footprints may embarass or worse

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013

We’ve all done questionably illegal things in our lives (allegedly), whether partaking in recreational drug use in college, sipping on alcohol in our parents’ basements well before reaching the legal drinking age, or other dubious acts we feel best left tucked away.

Detroit’s financial issues could have been prevented

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013

“No,” answered Republican Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan when asked by Bob Scheiffer whether or not the state would ask for federal bailout funds for Detroit. “I’ve said before, ‘the state cannot bailout the city of Detroit.’ It’s not just about putting more money in the situation. It’s about better services to citizens…It’s about accountable government.”

New education reforming bill just doesn’t hit the mark

By Nino Monea · Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013

On July 19th, House Republicans, sans Democratic support, passed a bill to overhaul America’s education system and repeal No Child Left Behind. I applaud their interest in education policy and willingness to address NCLB, but the Student Success Act, as it is called, misses the mark. It is predicated on the belief that the federal government is what’s causing the problems in America’s schools, and that removing it will be the remedy. But this view is at odds with reality.

Why Miguel Cabrera is a man among boys

By Joe Israel · Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013

Jose Miguel Cabrera Torres is simply a man among boys. If anyone has had the fortune – or, depending on where you reside and whom you root for, the misfortune – of watching him play baseball, it’s difficult not to share the same sentiment. Since exploding onto the scene in 2003 at age 20, he has changed the sport in a time where performance enhancing drugs (PED) and steroids run rampant. Ryan Braun or any other major leaguer couldn’t even afford all the PEDs in the world it would take to hit the ball like “Miggy” can.