Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Recycle: Even little things matter

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

In recent years, recycling has become a more visible part of life. Climate change warnings are severe and alarming, and pop culture has embraced going green with a surge of reusable bags at the grocery store and T-shirts promoting an earth-friendly lifestyle sold at the mall. Although we know the incredible importance of recycling, we as a society are not taking this issue seriously.

Argentina has no claim to Falklands

By Robert Uldricks · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

On Jan. 3, Argentina’s president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, published an open letter demanding the United Kingdom return the Falkland Islands back to her country. The Falklands are a British territory about the size of New Jersey 300 miles off the coast of Argentina, but Argentina has no more claim to the Falklands than Michigan has to Toledo.

Letter to the Editor

By Nino Monea and Matthew Norfleet · Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013

In the last election, youth turnout in Michigan was near an all-time high, with half of all eligible young people voting, making up a full fifth of the electorate, according to a Fox News Poll. They showed that 2008 wasn’t an anomaly. And with so many issues affecting students, from education, to healthcare and the economy, it’s not hard to see why they were so energized.

Marital status irrelevant in rape; legal system should be modernized

By Rose Carver · Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013

Is it rape if a man pretends to be a woman’s boyfriend and has sex with her while she sleeps? Of course it is, but in a bizarre case in California, what one would think is common sense is being disputed.

Each generation better than last

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013

When my elders start to reminisce about how good things were “back in the day,” I am tempted to remind them that back in their day, there was no cure for polio.

Hurricane victims get relief...10 weeks later

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013

I miss the days when politicians had the sense to return to their farms after things were sorted out. It made politics a lot less aggravating.

Human trafficking based on demand; awareness needed

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013

The 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Despite this explicit prohibition, slavery still exists in the U.S. today. This is an issue of which more Americans need to be aware.

Diversity of Obama’s Cabinet is a nonissue

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013

Over the last week, I have heard complaints from the news media about a lack of diversity in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet and inner circle. However, this is just something for the media to complain about in order to fill space in newspapers and newscasts, because it is not a big deal in a practical sense.

Facebook’s Graph Search will not replace Google

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013

It seems every Facebook announcement is surrounded by substantial buzz, and the latest is no different. On Tuesday, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Graph Search: A new feature that will allow users to search for specific items within their social circle or, in Facebook- speak, “graph.”

People should question value of sports

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013

Ray Lewis is an extraordinary football player who will undoubtedly end up in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Echoer

By Jodi F. Bullock · Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013

White House rejects Death Star petition While not the answer they were hoping for—34,435 “Star Wars” fans have received a response to their petition for the Obama Administration to begin construction of a Death Star by 2016.

Snyder can’t claim to be moderate

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013

There was little to do but chuckle as I came upon a past article by The New York Times, “Michigan’s GOP governor defies easy labels,” a hagiography of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s moderate presence in the state.

Open online classes right move

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013

In the modern era, the Internet is everywhere. This is no less true for higher education, where online use is on the rise, with entire colleges testing the digital waters by offering massive open online courses.

Don’t let stress take over your life

By Jumanah Saadeh · Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013

As we begin the new semester, there is a lot to be sorted out: Work schedules, financial aid, last-minute classes to add and homework assigned. The start of the semester is stressful and often leaves me wondering if all the stress is actually worth it.

Israel’s ban on thin useless

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

Rail-thin women who look as though they barely have the energy to stomp down a catwalk have become the typical face of fashion the world over. In an attempt to change that, Israel recently passed a law banning underweight models from appearing in photo shoots or runway shows.

‘Biggest Loser’ can inspire teens

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

In its new season, the reality television show “The Biggest Loser” is focusing on three teenagers. The intention is to inspire families, teenagers and children to start getting more active in everyday life. This is one of the best ideas I have ever heard coming from a reality television show.

Steubenville rape prompts reflection

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

While Eastern Michigan University was on break, national attention turned to a horrifying story unfolding in the small town of Steubenville, Ohio.

US citizens cannot be trusted with guns

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

After the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., many public figures have come out on the side of expanding gun control. Allowing law-abiding citizens to take affirmative actions in their own defense will do nothing more than endanger the citizens around them, because even the most educated individuals are too irresponsible to make good decisions.

Letter to the editor

By Lois Vasquez · Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013

Every semester since I transferred to Eastern Michigan University, I get angry and vow that I’m going to do something about it and every semester I don’t.

News outlets should brush up on journalism this year

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013

New Year’s resolutions can be an important step to overcoming personal shortcomings—something our twenty-four hour news cycle could certainly use.