Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Partisanship in Congress will thwart all compromising efforts

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, April 22, 2012

Warren Buffett, the outspoken business billionaire, published a well-known editorial a few months ago in The New York Times that criticized what he called a “billionaire-friendly Congress.” As a result, the “Buffett Rule” was devised, a measure motivated more by politics than economics.

Take pride in where you're from

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, April 22, 2012

I signed onto The Echo in January 2009 and penned my first column about the need to hold President Obama accountable for his campaign promises.

Romney introvert, not robot

By James Tatum · Wednesday, April 18, 2012

In March, I wrote an op-ed titled “Robotic Romney too fake to support,” in which I might have been too harsh on Mitt Romney.

Stay informed, speak up

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, April 18, 2012

When immigrants wish to become naturalized United States citizens, they are expected to take an exam administered by the U.S.

Detroit's draft options limited

By Jimmy King · Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Detroit Lions’ off-season has been one from the seventh circle of hell. With the 2012 NFL Draft a week away, the Lions have had their fair share of off-season problems.

Look forward to your job

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, April 15, 2012

For those curious if the University of Michigan will continue to annoy Michiganders, the answer is yes.

USA is depressed

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, April 15, 2012

One of my daily rituals is to read the day’s tweets, sort of like a modern day reading of the newspaper.

To know America, know Simpsons

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, April 15, 2012

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of TV’s most iconic family, “The Simpsons,” on the “Tracy Ullman Show.” Take a moment to think about how old that makes you feel. Countless essays tell the story of the family living at 742 Evergreen Terrace and this is a daunting column to write because what could I say about “The Simpsons” that hasn’t already been said? While I can proudly say I’ve seen every Simpsons episode ever made (many more than once), and could likely go round for round in some kind of trivia knowledge contest against anyone short of the Comic Book Guy or the nerds Homer lived with at Springfield University, it’s hard to have something original to say about a show that’s been around longer than I’ve been alive. But there’s something about the show that has always captivated me, and I finally got a grasp on what it was a few years ago in a high school literature class. Aside from being extraordinarily clever and enjoyable, “The Simpsons” is a cultural phenomenon.

Do you really know what's in your meat?

By James Tatum · Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Earlier this month, Gov. Terry Branstad (R-Iowa), Gov. Rick Perry (R-Tex.) and Gov. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) rode off into the Midwest to save the damsel in distress – the meatpacking industry.

Wings compete

By Jimmy King · Wednesday, April 11, 2012

While the Tigers are busy scoring sixty runs a game and the Pistons are losing by sixty points a game, Detroit seems to be forgetting about the fact the Detroit Red Wings are in the playoffs…again. This is something Wings fans have a tendency to take for granted.

Santorum channels Comstock

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, April 11, 2012

As of April 10, former presidential hopeful Rick Santorum formally withdrew as a candidate for the Republican Party ticket.

Setting fire to truth as we know it

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, April 8, 2012

Everything you know is wrong. At least it could be. This is according to findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that show evidence humans used fire one million years ago – 600,000 years earlier than previously thought. I consider myself an amateur student of historiography, the study of history, so I recognize how we perceive the past is very often about who we are now.

Remembering the 'T' in LBGT

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, April 8, 2012

Eastern Michigan University is one of the most LGBT-accepting schools in the country. A simple walk around campus is a testament to our university’s socially liberal streak.

Guns allowed at school?

By Sammy DeMarco · Sunday, April 8, 2012

Concealed weapons should be allowed on campus. There, I said it. After years of believing weapons should not be allowed on university property, I have flipped my position.

Competition fail: NBA joke of professional sports

By Jimmy King · Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Opening Day in southeast Michigan is a holiday. Downtown Detroit shuts down and turns into the only place to be every year.

'Pope' Santorum?

By James Tatum · Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I’ve often joked that if Rick Santorum fails to receive the Republican nomination for presidency, he should launch his candidacy for the papacy.

LGBT 'It Gets Better' campaign lacks reasonable goals

By Silvana Taylor · Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The “It Gets Better” campaign has good intentions, but lack legitimacy and realistic goals concerning ostracized young adults.

Getting Detroit back on its feet financially

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, April 1, 2012

Governor Rick Snyder is trying his best to reassure Detroiters he’s looking out for them while trying to save the city from financial ruin.

Zimmerman vs. Martin case

By Patrick Seick · Sunday, April 1, 2012

On Oct. 30, 1938, author Orson Welles narrated his famous story, “The War of the Worlds.” After the radio narration a widespread hysteria took place, as many actually believed aliens were invading their world.

Opening Day gives hope to all fans

By Neil Weinberg · Sunday, April 1, 2012

As far as I can tell, Alexander Pope popularized the phrase “hope springs eternal” in 1733. One Internet poster without a citation carried it back to ancient Rome, but either way, I’m sure they were talking about Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. Now you might say Pope wrote that 150 years before anyone had even heard of baseball, but that’s an irrelevant detail. Three days from now, the boys of summer will walk back into our lives and another long, dreary winter will come to an end. This is the time of year when everything is still possible.