Free
Thinkers are Dangerous
By Amy Porter
Editor
Photo by Stephanie Orr
Like any newspaper, student-run or otherwise, nothing gets published
without the consent of its editor. (In the case of this publication, it
is all that minus what my advisor and the school wish to censor.)
I thought you might like to know the point of view from which decisions
about what you read in this publication are based.
For those who know me, you realize at this point that I am intelligent,
opinionated and an all-round nice loudmouth. For those who do not, here
is a taste of me. I want to make you mad, I want to make you think and I
want you to base your convictions on VERY GOOD REASONS. I do not claim
to be right, nor do I wish to rule the world, but I do think freely.
First topic: abortion. I could not
be more pro-choice. Now do not get me wrong, I am not out-and-out
pro-abortion, but there are times and circumstances in which I feel
abortion is a legitimate option. Examples of such are cases of rape and
incest.
I also realize that even if abortion is not legal, the act will still be
carried out in alleys and with coat hangers. Making it illegal will not
make it stop. I also understand the standpoint that according to the
religion of a person or their personal conviction abortion could not be
more wrong for them. I do not, however, feel this gives them the right
to tell others what is right.
Second topic: sex education. Sex Ed
in schools is a joke. At least, that was my experience, and I’ve gone to
15 schools in my short lifetime. The thought seems to be that “if we
talk openly to kids about sex, these kids will want to have it.” This
thought could not be more wrong.
Sex is everywhere in our society. Advertising on billboards and
magazines, television, movies and even the radio. Then, when a kid is
curious, they can easily get the impression that sex is a “dirty” thing
because parents are embarrassed to discuss the topic.
How confusing is that? You see it all the time, but you can not talk
about it? Granted, this is not the case in all households, but it
happens far too often. The safest sex you can have is with yourself, so
why not teach that? Children’s sexual curiosity begins at age four or
five. How young is too young to start talking about “it”?
Third topic: gay rights. If two
people are in love, let them get married, even if they are of the same
sex.
Legally recognize this union and let the two live in peace. This goes
along similar lines as my abortion argument. Just because being gay is
not the chosen lifestyle of one person does not give that person the
right to tell anyone else whom they can or can not be in love with.
Gay couples and individuals should be able to adopt. If a child comes
from a loving home, regardless of whom their parents are, they will be
more likely to succeed in life. Yes, there will be challenges presented
to the first few, but we need to get past the particular hump in popular
conservative thinking that condemns a person’s romantic feelings.
Fourth topic: Affirmative Action and Racism.
Anyone who is racist should be shot (along with murderers, child
molesters, rapists and any other number of useless human beings.) When
Affirmative Action began, it was a wonderful thing. Finally, oppressed
people began to have a fair chance in the workforce.
The year is nearly 2003. I do not live in a world where Martin Luther
King has to march in the streets because some idiot white man decided it
would be a good idea to try and say that one race was better than
another. My mother has lost three jobs because her bosses had to fill
quotas, and she just happened to be the wrong color. I say, put the best
man or woman in the job, regardless or his or her color, and kick quotas
to the curb.
And I would really like someone to sit me down and explain to me how
there can be minority-exclusive organization in public schools. Maybe I
am just jealous because I am denied the right to participate because of
my particular ethnic background. If I wanted to start an
all-white-red-haired “My Family Used to Live in Scotland” Club, we could
all sit around and talk about what a bummer it is to have to wear
sunscreen all the time.
But really, if every one is the same… why is every one not the same?
To close, I would like to say that I do not expect you to agree with me.
Having different opinions out there is one of the things that make this
world an interesting one.
This editorial was in no way an open attack on anyone, and I truly hope
you, my dear readers, do not see it as such. What I do hope is that this
will inspire you to stand strong in your own beliefs and not be afraid
to speak your convictions. You are more than welcome to enlighten me as
to your opinion, as I welcome all letters to the editor.
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I Had a Bad
Day... Again
By Ryan Yepsen
Advertising Manager
Photo by Amy Porter
Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to
go right? No matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, everything
seems to go badly. Everything in the world has gone wrong, you’re sick, your
friends are being jerks and all you want to do is go home and sleep. But,
congratulations! You still have six
more hours left at school.
Everyone has had one of those days. It’s become so much of a cliché now that
everyone loves to talk about their bad days. It’s as if this were some
system of bragging rights. Hell, even Limp Bizkit decided to write a song
about bad days (which, in turn, has created a number of bad days based
solely on having heard that song).
But I figure if Limp Bizkit, and everyone else can complain about a bad day,
then I can too. The worst part about the bad day is never one or two events.
It’s how every little thing seems to pile up. It’s the day you get two hours
of sleep. You woke up feeling sick, waiting to throw up. Then you realize,
“Wait, I haven’t done any of my homework.”
Those are the days that, right when you step into class everyone immediately
finds it necessary to jump on your case, for no apparent reason. You are
obviously, visibly sick and upset about homework. But these vultures decide
to attack the weak. Why must it always be the weak?
So now: you’re sick. Everyone is being a complete ass to you. And don’t
forget; no homework. So, of course, today of all days, your teacher decides
to collect homework. And you sit there, in a confused and angered awe. This
teacher hardly ever collects homework, and yet for some reason it has been
decided that your day was meant to be a living hell. So why not? Why not
lower that grade another letter? You didn’t really need to pass…did you? No,
just retake it. I’m sure mom and dad won’t mind. After all, it’s practically
the only class you’re failing.
But finally, you’ve made it out of class…Jerks are gone. No more teacher.
You’ve started to forget about the homework. So you go to work on an
assignment in the library. Someone walks in, so you look up. Guess who it
is? THAT MORON! The one that seems to go out of her way to annoy you. Sure
she means well, but frankly you know that your life would be much better
without having to pretend you actually like her! So now, you’re pissed AND
you have to play nice. But not today, you’re too mad. And so it gets worse,
she tries to play sympathy. Make her day sound worse than yours, while you
sit there, wanting to scream “SHUT UP!”
Today, I have learned one thing. When it rains, it pours. Thereby, you
should safe guard yourself from all of these occurring. Step 1: Don’t get
sick. Step 2: Do your homework. Step 3: If you don’t do the homework, just
skip class. And Step 4: If you don’t like someone avoid them. Following
these simple steps should produce for a much easier ride through your crappy
day. But they will always be there, because no matter how hard you try…life
just has to suck sometimes.
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A Little
Less Talk, If You Please
By Stephanie Hoke
Assistant Editor
Photo By Amy Porter
 It
seems that lately there has been a great rise in religion, or maybe it
is just a rise in people’s willingness to talk about it. In the past
month, I have been subject to others’ beliefs in what they hold to be
sacred and true.
I am not a person to throw around my beliefs of a higher power. My
beliefs are for myself and what I believe to be sacred. I have gone to
many churches in my life to help me form a greater respect and
understanding for various religions
However, it seems that people feel the need to enlighten me. I receive
numerous e-mails telling me of the joys of being saved and the benefits
of believing in (their) God. I also receive messages of the Powers That
Be, in person.
Personal beliefs are a necessity for any person, no matter what they
concern, and without them we would all be hollow shells.
I have noticed, that when I talk to people about a problem I am having
or something I enjoy, I am almost immediately presented with a warning
of evil.
I have mentioned that I enjoy reading J.K. Roling’s Harry Potter books.
As soon as the words leave my lips, I am pelted with disapproving voices
telling me of the evils the books possess and how I may be brainwashed.
I in no way find this to be true.
Someone can tell me until he or she is blue in the face, that the Harry
Potter books are bad for children. But I have yet to hear of mass injury
due to kids mounting brooms for flight, or that children walked out of
Sunday School because of the spells they heard in the books. These books
are wonderful pieces of art, and they deserve to be deemed as the books
that inspired children to read again.
The younger generation is equipped with amazing imaginations that they
feed regularly. This example of modern day youth entertainment clearly
establishes the desire for good to overcome evil. The thought of witches
and wizards are no more traumatic to youth than talking vegetables.
My understanding was, that Americans are where we are now due to an
escape of religious persecution, so we could all have the freedom to
have our own ideas of the sacred. Then why is it that I have people
pushing their beliefs on me? It is not fair for me to be put in the
situation of having people tell me that problems I am having are because
evil is trying to get a hold of me, the weakness of my soul is what is
allowing me to be tempted and influenced.
Maybe I am just stressed because of all the responsibilities I have, or
perhaps I need to work on things more diligently. I do not need people
telling me that the only way things will get better for me is if I am
saved by (their) God.
I have been subject to these notions my entire life, from various
groups. It is not right for someone to tell someone else that his or her
beliefs, or lack there of, are wrong. Nor is it fair for a person to
shove their unwelcomed beliefs on another person.
I can not turn on the television, open my e-mail or even start a
conversation without having the feeling that I am going to be subject to
someone soliciting their “superior” idea of the sacred and devine. I do
not expect you to buy my beliefs, just as I do not expect to buy yours.
Everyone possesses their own personal beliefs and many will agree,
solicitors can be a bother, regardless the merchandise.
I do not need any, but thank you anyway.
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