Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Snow days, all grown up

By Laura Merz · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

Rewind your life about 10 years. Remember what school in January was like as a middle-schooler? Anxiously listening to the radio for school closings was probably up there on your top-10 list of exciting activities. Remember running over to the speaker every five minutes to see if your district was added to the bill of winners?

Voluntary fatherhood bad for women, children

By Mandy Grenier · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

Proposed voluntary fatherhood rights will allow men to opt out of parenthood, leaving millions of children without the necessary financing for proper care.

Relationships have value

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think of all the things there are to do: complete undergrad, go on to grad school, start a successful career, spend time with family and friends, eat well, find the time to work out (Work out? No one has time for that!) and a million other things on the list.

Zero tolerence schools lead to racial disparities, youth in prison

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

Imagine yourself getting in trouble at school for a simple dress code violation, like an inappropriate hoodie. You’d think the last thing to happen to you would be a ride to jail, yet for many in this country, it is a reality they must fear everyday.

Causes of distrust in society must be addressed

By Professor John G. Fike · Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

Looking to the year ahead, wouldn’t it be great if we could take significant strides toward economic sustainability, peace and real justice for the people of our world? But corporate use of government to pleasure the privileged prevents us from exercising world leadership in humanity’s quest for a better life for everyone.

Poor understanding of poverty leads to poor policy

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

Since the Great Recession, the blame for current misfortunes has been shifted from those who caused it to those who now suffer from it. It has become acceptable to have antipathy for the poor – it has become acceptable to make the worst kind of assumptions about people who are less fortunate.

LGBT allies need to show it in their everyday behavior

By Quinn Ellison · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

I am conflicted about something that is often seen as an unquestionably positive boon for social movements – it bothers me when people refer to themselves as allies to the LGBT community. This qualm also applies to when people label themselves as allies to other marginalized groups of people, but I’m only going to speak from my own experience here as a person who identifies as transgender and bisexual.

Young people fall into 'Busy Trap', get stressed

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

As students and bonafide busybodies, we can stress out very easily. Yet the simple fact that we continually take part in activities that bring us physical and mental strain is outright mind-boggling. For some, it’s not a choice; they have to stay busy to provide for themselves, provide for others, or stay on top of schoolwork.

'Affluenza' not an excuse

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

It is hard to live in America and not notice that there is a great disparity between the rich and poor. According to the 2012 edition of the State of Working America from the Economic Policy Institute, household income, adjusted for inflation, has grown 12 times more for the top 1 percent than for the middle 20 percent, and 24 times more than the bottom 20 percent.

'Fair Sentencing Act' not all that fair

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

In Aug. 2010, President Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. While its name is misleading, it does help begin to reduce the disparities created out of the “War on Drugs.”

There's no wrong way to make decisions in life, love

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

Those dang kids keep getting married younger and younger, I say. Actually, not really – according to the Pew Research Center, the average marrying age is 26.9 and 29.8, for women and men respectively. But “23 Things to do Instead of Getting Engaged Before You’re 23,” an article that has recently exploded across social media, would have you think otherwise.

Editor explores idea of sustainability

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

“Sustainability means being able to balance the budget, providing basic services for public safety, transportation, and business development, and encouraging development of the local resources that are special to the community,” said Paul Schreiber, mayor of Ypsilanti. “In Ypsilanti’s case, this is historic architecture, Eastern Michigan University and the proximity to Ann Arbor.”

'Duck Dynasty' star was within First Amendment rights

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

While the controversy surrounding Duck Dynasty’s show-running patriarch Phil Robertson has subsided since his reinstatement to the show, what occurred in the wake of his suspension deserves some scrutiny.

Christmas' 'spirit of giving' evolves with age

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

When I was little, around this time of year, my elementary school’s music room would be overtaken by jolly volunteers and crammed full of cheap stocking stuffers as part of the annual Santa’s Workshop fundraiser. It was this school-wide event where kids came in and bought presents for their parents and other loved ones. I loved poring over all the little knickknacks and baubles, carefully picking out the things I really wanted, and then, in the last couple minutes or so, grabbing some stuff for Mom and Dad.

Unions not doing enough to help pensioners

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

Upward social and economic mobility used to be a hallmark of America’s working classes. American workers pursuing these values typically came to the negotiating table in “good faith” when they bargained with capital for higher wages and benefits. But those clutching the purse have had little taste for such idealism – economic justice has never been America’s strong suit.

Southern states fighting over Boeing: A symptom of ongoing corporate control

By James Tatum · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

Politicians in the states of Missouri, South Carolina, Alabama and others have started their courtship of Boeing.

Health class must step up its game

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

With the Centers for Disease Control reporting that in 2011 only 31 percent of high schoolers attended physical education class daily, it seems to be a pretty common sentiment that physical and health education classes are a poorly executed joke.

Abortion bill socially destructive

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Michigan lawmakers are quickly running out time to vote on a proposed bill that would limit abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. The bill would force insurance beneficiaries to purchase separate insurance if they would want abortion coverage.

Actions must be taken to save fine arts

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

When one thinks of the fine arts, individuals such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and William Shakespeare come to mind as pioneers of such. The skill and innovation these artists sculpted within their respective time periods has paved the way to the arts we know of today. But in recent years, it’s become apparent that the youth – the very people we are raising to be “the next generation” are obtaining less and less knowledge of these innovators.

Snyder must revive Detroit

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

On Dec. 8, Gov. Rick Snyder, Republican of the Great Lakes State, penned an opinion piece for the Detroit Free Press in which he outlined his administration’s involvement in the city of Detroit. The piece was also a rejoinder to an editorial by the Detroit Free Press which called into question his leadership and commitment to the city.