Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Gas taxes not good source for revenue

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Far from the penurious tendencies of his conservative counterparts in other states, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants to raise taxes and spend more.

Due process out the window

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

The United States of America: now sporting more drones than the Gallente Federation from “EVE Online.”

Obama’s Middle East policies inconsistent

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

President Barack Obama has defended his actions in the Middle East and North Africa for a while now. He has taken credit for ending the war in Iraq, trying to end the war in Afghanistan and toppling Middle-Eastern dictators, all while keeping America’s interests in mind.

Gun talk stupid

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

Gun control is a hot topic these days. Unfortunately, to make a play on Ben Parker’s wise words: “With great controversy comes great stupidity.” And nothing could characterize the debate over gun control more aptly.

World peace boils down to respect

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

We’ve all seen the plethora of bumper stickers advocating peace: “Another family for peace,” “Make love not war” and, my personal favorite, the word “Coexist” written using the symbols for different religions. But these logos and mottos don’t really mean anything by themselves.

‘Bad things happen to a lousy tipper’s food’

By Robert Uldricks · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

While surfing the Internet recently, I stumbled upon an infuriating tidbit on Reddit about a St. Louis waitress who was fired over posting a photo of a rude note left on a receipt. The message, “I give God 10 percent. Why do you get 18?” was written by Pastor Alois Bell.

If Republicans can’t win with ideas, they cheat

By James Tatum · Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013

They say cheaters never win, but Republicans across the country are determined to try.

Politics trumps lives with Obama Administration

By Daniel Ouellette · Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013

President Barack Obama held a news conference last month regarding the Newtown, Conn. shootings. His response included a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity clips. The people of Newtown aren’t taking his lead. The Newtown school board just approved armed guards in its schools, as the National Rifle Association proposed. Sadly, our president is a politician first, and a protector of lives second. Recent events and his policies prove this.

New app for lazy men

By Rose Carver · Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013

To say the way human beings interact has changed immensely in the past 10 years would be an understatement. That fact is clearly on display in the new application available on Facebook called Bang With Friends.

Immigration reform about America, not getting votes

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013

Let’s talk about immigration reform, because that horse hasn’t been beaten into delicious, tender “mutton” yet.

People, government kick debt can down the road

By Robert Uldricks · Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

When it comes to the debt ceiling, Americans have the attention span of a duck. At least the media seems to think so. In January we have been subjected to many distractions.

Obama has finally pushed limits too far

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

Our history is full of activist presidents who pushed the limits of executive power. While pushing is sometimes necessary to make things happen, it’s possible to push too far, as former President Franklin Roosevelt found when he introduced a bill to add more justices to the Supreme Court to get more favorable rulings regarding his New Deal legislation.

Every student should contribute to education

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

If you’re one of the many Eastern Michigan University students who deal with the stress of juggling a job, attending classes and having a mountain of student loan debt growing with every semester, it may be hard to imagine a downside to having someone else pay for your college education.

Catholic church scandal-ridden

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

On Jan. 21, a series of memos and letters filed in a civil case found Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony and a host of other church officials conspired to shield known pedophile priests from police.

Echoer

By Jodi F. Bullock · Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

You are who you were Though some of us would rather forget high school ever happened, an intriguing article in New York Magazine by Jennifer Senior claims our experiences in high school shape who we are as adults.

Elephants in danger of extinction

By Rose Carver · Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

Bookmarks, jewelry, piano keys, picture frames—you name it—all fuel elephant poaching and the rush for ivory.

Obama takes a stance for last term

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

This just in: President Barack Obama is a Democrat with nothing to lose.

War not just live version of video games

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

Prince Harry of Wales recently compared his experience in active combat to playing video games during an interview with Britain’s Channel 4. The prince is brave to have left a comfortable life for warfare, but it was wrong to compare it to a video game. It reinforces an impression of a perilous situation, that while they may not admit it, many Americans already have of our campaigns in the Middle East.

Obama should shut down Guantanamo Bay

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

As President Barack Obama was sworn in for his second term, his inaugural speech was thick with messages of social justice. Drawing on the day we remember him, Obama echoed and invoked the legacy of the great Martin Luther King Jr., as he declared, “We cannot walk alone … our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.”

Obama campaign reaches new level

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

President Barack Obama’s campaign organization has officially turned into a nonprofit group. The group, called Organizing for Action, will be classified as a group that cannot influence an election and will be mainly tasked with pushing the president’s agenda for the next four years.