Opinions - The Eastern Echo

EMU keeps students informed with New York Times

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, March 27, 2013

There is always something happening around the world. Cyprus is wrestling with the prospect of a eurozone bailout. Florida Gulf Coast University has upset both Georgetown and San Diego State universities in the NCAA Tournament. Syria’s bloody civil war continues to rage on. Colorado signed stricter gun control into law.

Any solution to EMU’s “parking problem” would be more costly than it’s worth—there are plenty of spots available for commuter students in the Green Lot, it just means a bit more walking.

Parking problem? Not really

By David Konarske · Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Being a commuter myself, I am sympathetic to issues involving parking. And having had a car that could not go in reverse, I have had more parking problems than most people. I also agree that more attention seems to be paid to campus residents than commuter students.

Diversity not a commodity

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Diversity. We hear about it all the time. It has become the hottest new thing on the market and everyone is eager to show how diverse they are.

We must stop cycle of bullying

By Jennifer Kirby · Sunday, March 24, 2013

Bullying is a problem our society has faced for a long time. Even after so many years of advocacy on this issue, our schools still don’t know how to handle bullying as well as they should.

Trapped in the friend zone: It’s more than just a term

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 24, 2013

Let’s talk about relationships, because an introverted nerd with no social skills is naturally an expert on such matters.

Same-sex marriage is on the horizon

By Leo Romyn Fabbri · Sunday, March 24, 2013

Same-sex marriage? Give me one good reason why not.

Gun-related suicides new focus of debate

By James Tatum · Sunday, March 24, 2013

“My dad killed himself,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News.

Incident with police, neighbor teaches valuable lesson

By Robert Uldricks · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Last Tuesday, I was in my dorm stalking a nuclear wasteland in a PlayStation game with my roommate, when I heard a gentle tapping at the chamber door. When I went to investigate I saw my suitemate with strangers.

Steubenville highlights bigger education issues

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond, high school football stars in Steubenville, Ohio, have been found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl while she was drunk at a string of parties last fall.

Partisan distrust cycle needs time to overcome

By David Konarske · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

President Barack Obama ended what was dubbed the “charm offensive” by the popular media last week, where he met with Democrats and Republicans in both chambers of Congress to attempt to build trust between the parties. People hoped this would lead to a new period of bipartisan cooperation, but it is more complicated than it seems.

Bloomberg fails to address health illiteracy

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Every now and then on a long trip, my friends will stop at the nearest 7-Eleven for a drink. I always feel a sense of amusement when one of them comes back with a Double Gulp, a full 50 ounces of Coke. Not so amusingly, in a Jun. 6, 2012 article, The New York Times reported that a Double Gulp of Coke contains 600 calories, or roughly a quarter of the daily recommended calories for an average man.

Memorials should not have a gift shop because it “cheapens the memory it is there to protect.”

Memories should be thoughts, not things

By Leo Romyn Fabbri · Sunday, March 17, 2013

Everything began as normal on the day that changed the world forever. In Manhattan, busy traders, engineers, security guards, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters made their ordinary morning commute. But, as we now know, September 11, 2001 was to become the latter date on nearly 3,000 of our brothers’ and sisters’ gravestones. Three-thousand people brutally murdered in four clouds of fire, destruction and hate.

GOP should appeal to Libertarians

By James Tatum · Sunday, March 17, 2013

There has been much debate over whether or not the Republican Party should reform, and if it does, what should be the result of that reform. New Hampshire and the Free State Project offer an example of a possible end result.

Kilpatrick was a symbol of larger issues.

Kilpatrick was city scapegoat

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 17, 2013

There are a lot of words to describe Kwame Kilpatrick. Corrupt and infuriating are two that come to mind. Then there are a few words that can’t be placed in a newspaper. Still, as disdainful as the man and his actions may be, it seems to me he may have been made into a scapegoat.

Church needs reform; time will tell if new pope does it

By Drew Saunders · Sunday, March 17, 2013

The resignation by Pope Benedict XVI last month has far-reaching implications that will last well into his successor’s reign. Argentinean, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, is the first Jesuit Pope and the first Pope from South America. The new pontiff has an opportunity to right the battered ship that is the Catholic Church while he is in office. Hopefully, for the church’s sake, he can set off a domino effect of positive changes to save the institution.

Eastern forensics team dominant but under-publicized

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, March 13, 2013

This past weekend, Eastern Michigan University’s most successful program added to an already storied legacy by winning yet another team championship.

EMU should embrace solar power

By Erica Mooney and Catherine Baxter · Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Imagine walking past Eastern Michigan University’s Pray-Harrold building and glancing up to see solar panels harnessing the power of the sun. The reality is, we have a vast untapped solar resource but continue to depend on outdated energy sources like coal, gas and oil that pollute our air and water and drain our natural resources.

Teachers deserve more appreciation

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Performing artists get their fair share of awards. Between the Grammys, the Oscars, the Tonys and the Emmys, those who contribute to pop culture are presented with hundreds of awards and are recognized regularly for their achievements.

Detroit should tax pollution

By James Tatum · Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Economic development in Detroit will take money the city doesn’t have. A report by The Atlantic showed overall Detroit had $444 million in unpaid taxes and penalties owed to it. Since the crash on Wall Street in 2008, the property tax base has collapsed and state law says municipalities cannot collect sales tax.

Rejection of science makes GOP stupid

By James Tatum · Sunday, March 10, 2013

“We must stop being the stupid party,” said Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana about his beloved Grand Old Party in a speech to the Republican National Committee.