Opinions - The Eastern Echo

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.

Gender inequality perpetuated through housework

By Jumanah Saadeh · Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013

Everyone has heard about the gender gap faced by women around the world.

EMU’s community is full of diversity, pride and hope

By Keven Sommerville · Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013

When I started looking into where I was going to go to college in 2010, Eastern Michigan University was never on my mind.

New sexuality law may not make much of a difference

By Rose Carver · Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013

Parents in Germany can now opt out of declaring “it’s a girl” or “it’s a boy,” and instead say nothing; letting their intersex baby decide his or her own gender identity later in life, or remain ambiguous.

DIA must resist plans to sell its collection

By James Tatum · Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013

There is a reason that Detroit must not pay its creditors in Rembrandts and Matisses.

Detroit hits its lowest point

By Olivia Jackson · Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013

Detroit was once a thriving city filled with an abundance of employment oppourtunies and a population that once reached into the millions.

Unrest among Americans could lead to uprising

By Keven Sommerville · Monday, June 24, 2013

As Americans grow increasingly dissatisfied with the U.S. government, patience seems to be wearing thin. What if America were on the brink of something very similar to the Arab Spring? It might be a more realistic concept than many think.

Letter to the Editor

By Beth DeMeritt · Monday, June 24, 2013

In response to “American Muslim woman faces Islamic stereotypes” by Jumanah Saadeh: I thought about this question, “Where are you from?” I am from Mt.

Voters need to avoid stereotypes

By James Tatum · Monday, June 24, 2013

Last fall semester I wrote a column titled “Blacks loyal to corrupt candidates.” Even more unfortunate than the headline was my exposition.

Detroit may have to sell the DIA’s art collection

By Chris Hoitash · Monday, June 3, 2013

Detroit may have to sell one of the few things that still lures people to the city: its art collection. A May 24 Detroit Free Press article states, “Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr is considering whether the multibillion-dollar collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts should be considered city assets that potentially could be sold to cover about $15 billion in debt.” As Detroit continues to resemble a post-apocalyptic wasteland from the Fallout video game series, (but with less valuable salvage, because it was already taken) the idea to sell off the collection sounds like a desperate bid by a disgruntled city to once again eliminate the DIA from existence. There is also some question if the collection is worth the needed amount, but with several pieces valued at around $100 million, it’s certainly possible.

Pharmaceuticals are not always the best solution

By Jumanah Saadeh · Monday, June 3, 2013

In today’s advanced, fast-paced, globalized world, we favor quick fixes and immediate solutions. This culture applies to the world of medicine in addition to broader societal norms: If you’ve got a medical problem, just solve it with pharmaceuticals. This ideology is especially prevalent in America.

American Muslim woman faces Islamic stereotypes

By Jumanah Saadeh · Monday, May 27, 2013

“Where are you from?” This is a question I have received countless times. If I had a dime for every time I was asked this question, I’d be rich.

Shaming teen moms will not prevent pregnancy

By Jodi F. Bullock · Monday, May 27, 2013

Though the rates of teen pregnancy in the U.S. have been on the decline for the past 20 years, the issue of how to deal with pregnant teenagers is still relevant to parents and educators alike.

Abercrombie and Fitch CEO’S comment sparks controversy

By Rose Carver · Monday, May 20, 2013

The over-priced and over-perfumed brand Abercrombie and Fitch is being chastised in the media lately for not carrying XL and XXL women’s sizes in their stores because the CEO of the company only wants the “cool kids” to wear his company’s clothing. Overweight women are not included in the A&F definition of the “in-crowd,” according to the personal opinion of Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries.