Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Television threatens critical thinking skills

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012

For quite a while now, I’ve feared that the general population is relinquishing their ability to think for themselves while handing the privilege over to media corporations and advertisers who use television to decide the viewers thoughts, desires and even how they should look.

Mexican standoff in SE Asia

By Robert Uldricks · Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012

It’s been a violent month and there’s more happening than you may realize. A maritime territorial dispute between three of the United States’ most important Asian partners was overshadowed by riots in the Middle East that were caused by an awful video insulting Islam. The Senkaku Islands, also known in China as the Diaoyu Islands and in Taiwan as the Tiaoyutai Islands, are at the center of this hubbub.

Populism taking over tax debate

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012

It was the Tea Party that derailed discussions over the U.S. debt ceiling in 2011, and it was Occupy Wall Street that disrupted a few trades on the New York Stock Exchange before it dissipated. By comparison, 2012 may be the acme of idiot populism.

Is school less important than sports?

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012

Michigan is a state of dichotomies, if I may use a big word like a drunken literature major. We are a state of automotive industry and sprawling farmland, a state with a hardcore Democratic center and a sea of rural Republicanism.

Phones distract and annoy at films, concerts

By Sammy DeMarco · Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012

Have you ever tried enjoying a music show or movie in the theater only to find yourself distracted by the bright lights of people texting?

Fairness at the polls?

By Patrick Seick · Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012

Voting is important. We know this. We need only stroll through campus and see the “Rock the Vote” T-shirts and posters to know this is what Eastern Michigan University would have us believe.

Breastfeeding

By Jodi F. Bullock · Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012

The first day of class is usually a colossal bore, filled with little more than syllabus review and discussion of expensive required textbooks.

Proposal 2 to make folly of public

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012

According to the Detroit Free Press, there will be six ballot proposals this November, and five of them are proposed constitutional amendments.

Consider opposing viewpoint

By Silvana Taylor · Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012

Another week, another depiction of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad that infuriated someone enough to cause a deadly protest. It’s difficult to tell which will happen first: Non-Muslims no longer referencing the prophet in films and cartoons, or small Islamic groups no longer perpetuating the stereotype that Muslims are violent and deadly.

Election process: Apathy grows, excitement fades

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012

Finally, the Democratic and Republican national conventions are over. Mitt Romney, “Grand Duke of Stiff Collars,” has officially been nominated as the candidate of the Republican Party, with running mate Paul, “my ideas don’t even look good on paper,” Ryan.

Romney plans to cut taxes, but is that the best solution?

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012

“The president has proposed raising taxes for job creators,” said Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee. “I will cut taxes for job creators.”

Clinton delivers powerful speech

By Sammy DeMarco · Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012

Former President Bill Clinton might be the most likable, effective politician of our generation. His speech performance at last week’s Democratic National Convention made President Barack Obama’s seem mediocre.

Obama’s ‘hope and change’ dead

By David Konarske · Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012

In 2008 President Barack Obama campaigned on being better than the average politician, changing the culture of Washington D.C.

Difficult to break unfair cycle

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012

The mistreatment of impoverished people is not uncommon in the United States, where those going through the McDonald’s drive-thru are incredibly impatient with the people making their food.

Zombie tag game: Just a game, or the key to human survival?

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012

Zombies have become a fad over the last few years. They have permeated video games, films, comics and even television. The infection has now spread to real-life gaming as well.

Ignorance leads to Republican insensitivity on rape

By Silvana Taylor · Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012

Trying to be convincing is much easier when the option of denying basic facts is available, as Rep. and Senate candidate Todd Akin, R-Mo., recently proved with a truly ignorant statement about rape.

Are you better off than four years ago? Signs point to yes

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012

“Are you better off than you were four years ago?” asked Ronald Reagan during his final debate with President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Obama: Still cool enough?

By Zac Merillat · Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012

“My president is black, my lambo’s [lamborghini] blue,” rapped Young Jeezy back in 2008, recently after Barack Obama became the first African-American commander-in-chief of the United States.

Ryan right choice: Brings focus back

By David Konarske · Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012

On Aug. 11, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced that Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan is his running mate, which was met with skepticism or pride, depending on who you asked.

Go get involved

By Patrick Seick · Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012

Take a stroll through campus during the summer months, and you will quickly find that Eastern Michigan University’s campus is dead. Few people walk the sidewalks, resident advisors aren’t nearly as stressed and parking is relatively easy to find. Forunately, those days are over.