Opinions

College life gives students opportunities to explore

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013

I love college. You know why? Because of the opportunities it gives those of us fortunate enough to be here. Students should actively take advantage of the possibilities this time offers.

Two are better than one: Consider a double major

By Professor Abdullah A. Dewan · Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013

Indubitably, a single major with a minor is no match for a double major in terms of job prospects, higher salary expectations and opportunities for graduate studies with financial support.

Society must find new ways to ‘do good’

By John G. Fike · Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013

Ever notice how difficult it is now to do good? Many do what’s politically expedient, or what they calculate is in their own self-interest. But doing good, especially working with others to stop the effects of economic violence on our citizens, can earn a pretty sharp rap on the knuckles from the boss, the police and the media.

American education not providing desired results

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013

America is facing an education crisis. As a country, our ranking in the world as an educational powerhouse is slowly slipping away. Finland and South Korea are current beacons of educational might. Those two countries produce some of the best students in the world, yet America, one of the most prosperous and wealthiest nations, struggles with the concept of quality public education.

Mayoral power over metropolitan economies

By James Tatum · Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013

After the financial crisis, if it was not clear that we live in a worldwide economy, it is clear now. Stories about auto plant closures have been replaced by hysteria over Greece’s debt burden and our own fiscal crises. Local unemployment rates have been put in the context of data from the International Monetary Fund. The whole affair can make local politics seem trivial. And even mayors with considerable renown like Michael Bloomberg of New York, Julian Castro of San Antonio and Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans can seem inert.

Al Willman can be heard every week on the Eastern Echo Sports Podcast with Sports Editor Eugene Evans. The podcast can be found on SoundCloud or by searching for the podcast on iTunes.

COLUMN: English lost his team's respect, then his job.

By Al Willman · Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013

Ron English proved me right. That was going to be my lead for the column I had planned on writing, after the Eastern Michigan University football coach was fired Friday. I was going to applaud his firing, though curiously timed, because I thought it should have been done a year ago.

Modern news media unreliable, pandering to government

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013

The 24-hour news cycle circus is a great example of American idiocy. A cat on jet-skis juggling flaming chainsaws is not, and never will be, news.

Is it time for America to legalize the use of marijuana?

By Joe Israel · Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013

Two days ago, voters in three separate Michigan communities had the final say in deciding whether or not local police would arrest recreational marijuana users.

Ideas from TED talks may be useful for citizens in urban communities

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013

To stay with the theme of my previous column, published earlier this week, I would like to share a few TED “talks” for citizens of urban communities. The TED (Technology, Engineering, Design) conference series was started in 1984 as a forum for the hard sciences, but quickly became a forum for all innovative ideas in areas like health care, public-policy and finance.

Technology takes away conversational intimacy

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013

Mark Twain put it best when he was quoted as saying, “Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.” His words emphasize just how powerful personal communiqué is against technology’s inability to properly convey our own complex sentiments and passions.

TED presents ideas local politicians should consider

By James Tatum · Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013

I’ve chosen four different TED talks that in total could be watched within an hour, and that I would like to share with local officials in the city of Ypsilanti.

Chivalry, feminism can go hand-in-hand

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013

Modern society seems to have this love-hate relationship with the concept of chivalry.

How can people still trust their government?

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013

“If you like your health insurance, you can keep it,” President Barack Obama said in 2009 and 2010 as he advocated for the passage of health care reform. That line is now being played over and over in the news media in light of evidence that Obama’s assurances may have been less than truthful.

This 2012 picture is meant to depict Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman. (Courtesy New York Daily News)

COLUMN: Halloween costumes: How far is too far?

By Mariya Gefter · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

Halloween is a time for expressing yourself, dressing up and having fun. This year, many college students aren’t shying away from wearing costumes that will get their peers talking. But because of this, colleges have something new to be concerned about.

Militarization of police costly in time, money and lives

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

There is an epidemic spreading across America today. It has lead to senseless killings and fear mongering in ways that would keep George Orwell up at night cowering beneath his bed sheets.

Voting can weaken elites’ power

By Professor John G. Fike · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

Our constitutional framework is not effective without continual reinforcement by our citizens – you and me. If the people don’t put up a mighty resistance every time the 1 percent try to take over, the aristocracy aggrandizes itself.

Ypsi is no Detroit, will not declare bankruptcy

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

The city is certainly in a rut, but it hasn’t fallen off a fiscal cliff like Detroit.

Republicans are new ‘Red Scare’

By Tom Brandt · Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013

Today, I’m only writing to Eastern Echo readers who agree with me that it’s the Republican Party – not socialism, communism or terrorism – which is now the single greatest threat to American national security. We have met the enemy, and they are the GOP.

Church is not just a building

By Leaha Dotson · Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013

Church isn’t one rigid definition or place – it’s a living element. It’s people. The old notions of church aren’t as true as they may appear. Church is fellowship and love with people in motion.

Does Ypsilanti have the means to carry out its Master Plan?

By James Tatum · Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013

I don’t know that I would call the Master Plan overly optimistic, and don’t mean for my analysis to be pessimistic, but I worry about how the city plans to pay for any of its amelioration efforts.

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