Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Education plan worthy

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012

In a Nov. 18 article, the Detroit Free Press announced that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is proposing a massive overhaul of the state’s education system, called the Michigan Public Education Finance Act. Opposition has come from many directions, including public school officials and the American Federation of Teachers.

Greetings during holidays in need of common ground

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012

It’s that time of year again: Christmas time! Er, Kwanzaa time! No, Hanukkah time! No, no, all of those are offensive. So, Happy Holidays!

Concept by Jodi F. Bullock and artwork by David Woodward.

Author’s ‘War on Men’ is nonexistent

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012

In two recent columns on FoxNews.com, author Suzanne Venker sought to warn the public about a brutal war being fought right here in our own country: the war on men.

Response to 'Letter to the editor': Team success should determine funds

By Sammy DeMarco · Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012

In my Dec. 6 column, “Athletic funds could be used for academics,” I incorrectly used “Athletic Department” and “football program” interchangeably, as Eastern Michigan University athlete Katherine Anderson’s letter stated.

Letter to the editor

By Katherine Anderson · Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012

I am a student-athlete at Eastern Michigan University and in response to the Dec. 6 article “Athletic funds could be used for academics” in The Eastern Echo, more specifically the statement that “it’s time the board takes a timeout from the unfettered, lavish spending on the Athletic Department.”

Women have every right to serve on the frontline

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012

Women in the military: I see nothing wrong with this. If only everyone shared such a naively open-minded view of the world.

Right to Work will weaken union power

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012

Was it the political miscalculation made by Michigan’s labor movement to forward an amendment to the state’s Constitution that ultimately failed?

Death of Hostess treats, Twinkie sad day for America

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

American Culture has been devastated. As of now, the ever-popular Hostess Twinkie is on its deathbed. A generation of Americans will grow up without having so much as a bite of a Twinkie. The Hostess business is closing, and taking an iconic piece of American culture with it.

Conservative lobbyist shares idiocy like plague

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

Who is John Galt? The opening line of the Grand Old Party’s quasi-manifesto from Ayn Rand can be bastardized to apply to modern politics. Who is Grover Norquist? The answer is needed now more than ever as his agenda directly conflicts with what the American public has openly voiced.

Tax breaks for fetuses GOP anti-choice scheme

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

While it may sound like something ripped straight from The Onion, Michigan Republican lawmakers really have proposed an amendment to the state tax code that would allow pregnant women to claim a fetus over 12 weeks old as a dependent and receive an estimated $160 tax break.

Athletic funds could be used for academics

By Sammy DeMarco · Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

It’s time we re-examine Eastern Michigan University’s football program. Again. In a Dec. 3 front-page column, The Eastern Echo sports editor called for the firing of head coach Ron English. With an overall record of 10-38, I agree. However, I suggest the Board of Regents refrain from its usual knee-jerk reaction of addressing the football program’s failure by tossing more dollars at it.

Allow people to die with dignity

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012

Assisted suicide is a controversial issue, so naturally it requires a sarcastic, caustic and mentally questionable touch when being discussed.

Snyder improves MI economy

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012

I was disappointed early into Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration, which started in January 2011. He said he wanted to “reinvent” the state.

Texans use chips to track students

By Robert Uldricks · Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012

The BBC posted a story Nov. 23 about a girl, Andrea Hernandez, being expelled from a Texan school for refusing to wear a tracking device.

Concept by Sammy DeMarco and John Fike and drawn by David Woodward (The Eastern Echo/2012).

Keep market values out of nonprofit sector

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012

Caution: We’re being invaded by aliens from inner space. Yes, it’s something we’re doing to ourselves. But don’t panic; let me explain.

Why do young people care about social media, but not the news?

By Jennifer Kirby · Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

There are many horrific events going on in the world right now. Israel and Hamas were recently firing at each other, an earthquake tore apart Guatemala and citizens in 23 European countries went on strike over a financial crisis; all important events that many people have not heard about. College students should be more mindful of the world around them.

Affirmative Action serves as a step backwards for equality

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit struck down Michigan’s ban on Affirmative Action Nov. 15. The ban, known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, was added to our State Constitution in 2006 after being approved by 58 percent of the electorate.

Politics needs more women

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

Now that the presidential election has finally ended, we can begin our next conversation: the 2016 presidential election. Our creativity of topics aside, the search for presidential candidates has already begun. Most interesting to me is the reemergence of an old name: Hillary Clinton.

Churches should be held accountable

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

A University of Tampa sociology professor recently published a report in which he estimated that the United States is losing $71 billion per year because of its automatic tax exemptions for religious institutions.

Herds of people give up family time to shop

By Sammy DeMarco · Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012

I have a confession to make. I experience a moment of schadenfreud reading about people getting trampled and violent frenzies that break out.