The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/376579
students together, but I have found, personally, it is difficult to reach out to fellow classmates for help. The irrational fear of judgment and ridicule for "showing weakness" is one everyone struggles with at some point, and when I cannot rely on our teachers to answer my questions due to them being spread out to thin with large classrooms, I find myself resorting to trying to figure things out on my own or using and more people just keep on throwing each other under the bus. So, what I can conclude is that many of us want to be oblivious to what's not happening on our phones. So, does everyone eventually not want to help someone who gets shot in San Francisco while everyone is too busy on their phones? And yes, that actually happened a few years back. Does everyone want people to die because they don't care? For many, it seems like a big deal to get off their phones, but it really isn't. Next time you pick up your phone, just think about what you're going to do first. SPARTAN THUMBS Vending machines *These Thumbs came from Mr. Null's 4th period class. New teachers New parking Page 2 August 22, 2014 Tardy policy The new tardy policy is overly strict. The vending machines have received new stock, adding variety. The new parking system is chaotic and students love it. The students are excited to meet the new teachers! Staff Editorial Our mission... Editorial Policy: Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the district, staff, or student body. We welcome signed letters to the editor. Names may be withheld upon request. We also reserve the right to edit submission based on length and/or clarity. THE BLU FFER STA FF Ryan Fisher Editor-in-Chief Ryan Fisher News Editors Brianna Tackmier Opinions Editor Ceighlee Fennel Features Editor Tymberlyn Bealer Sports Editor Savannah Sutliff Topics Editor Rebecca Blanchard Editor-in-Chief Madison Waelty Advertising Director Alisa Pelanconi Adviser Cartoonist Karla Nowicki Staff Writers Josiah Vasey Kaylie Capps Jay Boone Juanita VanMeter Hailie Willey Opinions Rebecca Blanchard The goal of the Bluffer, as a newspaper, is to tell the truth, the entirety of the truth, and nothing but the truth. It is particularly prudent in today's society for our newspaper to be a reliable source for the community of Red Bluff as well as the students of our high school. Now, more than ever, we must stand up for justice, equality as well as freedom in terms of free speech as it-and education in general- is being fought for throughout the world. We are fortunate enough to be given our chance to inform the masses and thus shall use it. Our word shall be sound and true, albeit it shall sometimes be hard to swallow. Despite this it is our obligation to be valid and authentic while shedding light on such matters or we as a community and as a result, our society will fall back into the uninformed dark ages in which our natural born rights, equality, freedom and in cases around the world, lives are stolen. It is the job of the Bluffer to be educated and enlightened on the matters around us so that we may help inform you. This pertains not only to the stories of lunch changes, to those regarding changes in RBHS staff, but also those involving the world that RBHS students live in. We plan to, in regards to news stories, features and sports stories, keep personal bias out of the raw facts so that each individual may decide for themselves how they feel concerning the information. It is important that we do what it requires to get the news to the reader, as journalists throughout the world put their lives on the line to keep people out of the dark on topics which, whether it is directly or indirectly, affect all of us. While simply trying to report the news, photographer Scott Olson was arrested August 18, 2014 in Ferguson, IL for reportedly not crossing the street fast enough, nor staying within the given media guidelines. The struggle to balance abiding by the law with the need to tell the public the truth without police censorship continued as a total of over 10 and counting journalists have been arrested. Though some have been released from jail, the risk continues. Three journalists who represented German newspapers were arrested and even referred to being treated rudely and arrested by the police as a 'new experience.' The three had been to the Soviet Union, Iraq as well as other places. The risk for honest journalism goes further in speaking of freelance journalist James Foley who was beheaded by ISIS August 19 of 2014. He had been kidnapped since November 22 of 2012 when he went missing in Syria. Due to the immense travesties that are occurring and becoming moments in our history books as we speak, we find it imperative to use the freedom of speech we are so fortunately given. It is not only our right, but our obligation, to keep our community informed on all levels. Brianna Tackmier A&E Editor A & E Editor Josiah Vasey Opinions Editor Juanita VanMeter Staff Writer/Cartoonist Focus on both sides of sexism W ith the start of the new school year, many of you are looking forward to a year of new experiences. For now, it's interesting, but soon many of the students will probably get bored and start to turn to their technology for passing time. Don't get me wrong, when you've finished your work and you have ten minutes left in class, a quick game of Angry Birds is a great time killer. But when you're in class texting a friend and you still have lots of work to do, it's just flat out wrong. There's one thing I want to know: what happened to this world? Everyone used to be able to do their work and know the appropriate times for their phones, but now it seems like many people all over the world can't put their phones away for two seconds. Have you ever seen two "friends" standing next to each other and texting each other? If you have, didn't it annoy you? Didn't you wonder, "Man, how can they be friends when they won't even talk to one another?" If you have, then you know what it seems this world is coming to. Enslavement by technology. For those of us who managed to somehow retain our clarity to this crisis, we don't want that kind of future. Forget that, NO ONE wants that kind of future! Polishing computer screens and fixing battery acid leaks all day? No, thank you. I'd rather eat a pickle, to be honest. Because of all our smart phones and tablets doing our work for us, more and more people are forgetting that common courtesy is helping someone out when you can, and if you can afford to spare the time for it. Everything is slowly spiraling out of control due to our addiction to phones and other smart technology, and it seems very little is being done about it. More people are looking out just for themselves, and are not concerned for others, and not even their friends. More New year brings mixed feelings S exism against males is tragically not taken very seriously in today's culture. I would like to clarify that I am not taking a stand for mens' rights. Many sexist men have taken their misogynistic beliefs and labeled them as "men's rights". I believe in gender equality. But men are often generalized as being callous, brutish and, ironically, sexist. For example, Marilyn French, an adviser to Al Gore, said, "All patriarchates exalt the home and family as sacred, demanding it remain inviolate from prying eyes. Men want privacy for their violations of women... All women learn in childhood that women as a sex are men's prey." These brash generalizations that paint men as a bunch of barbaric sex-maniacs are simply unacceptable. I am not saying that sexism against men is more common; in fact, it is far less common than sexism against women. However, there are many elements in our society that make it easier for sexism against men less noticeable. I have a friend who was raped as a child. He was assaulted by his older female cousin. Unfortunately, at the time, the incident was not taken seriously and he was given no counseling and no consolation. The incident was seen as little more than childish fooling around. As a result, he developed deep trust issues that led to mistrust and dislike of women, which he will have struggle with for the rest of his life. I dare say that my friend would have gotten much more attention if his cousin was a man and he a woman. When I tell people that I have a friend who was raped, I am most often asked how it affected her life and her relationships. People are usually surprised when they hear my friend is a man. I've even had someone say, "Girls can't rape guys." Unfortunately this can and does happen. Men are often scared to tell anyone because they feel emasculated by the incident and are afraid of rejection, even ridicule. Masculinity is a huge part of male culture, and being sexually scarred by women does not fit in. "Men are tough," says culture. "They can't be hurt by sex!" Men with feminine traits are viewed as flawed wusses that need to "man up". This hurts both men and women, as it can emasculate men and it acts as if femininity is something to be discouraged. This leads to insecurity and lack of self- respect. Similar problems plague men who have been the victim of abuse by their spouse. While male- on-female abuse is more often physical, female on male abuse is usually more verbal, and is still very harmful. Men are often afraid to speak up about verbal abuse from their spouse as it may seem harmless compared to physical abuse. Even when men do speak about their abuse, they are often denied help. I've heard stories of men who have called abuse help lines and been hung up upon. This kind of behavior is unacceptable in a society where both sexes should be considered equal. Men and Learn to limit cell phone use A s the beginning of the school year ensues, many changes continue to flood RBHS. Last year, it was cracking down on dress code and school fights, whereas this year it's a heightened attendance system and over-crowded classrooms due to short staff and a large incoming freshman class. It's only the first few weeks of school, but already I have had to change my schedule twice and I have three classes in which there are as many as four extra students, standing and sitting in borrowed chairs. I fear the rising number of class numbers may inhibit one- on-one teaching opportunities and hinder student's individual learning experience. More classes are being arranged in groups, and told to rely on each other for help rather than the teacher. Most students don't have a problem with this, as they either have friends in the class or are skilled in making friends. This may bring some lunch and other free times to consult teachers rather than ask my fellow classmates. However, despite this drawback, I am excited about the coming months and what they might hold. For many Juniors like myself, this year is their last at the high school. Some of us are taking our GED's and moving on to full time college careers, others are doing College Connections. Whatever the situation, I have an excellent feeling about this year and I believe many good things are going to be happening for all of us. "I have had to change my schedule twice and I have three classes in which there are as many as four extra students, standing and sitting in borrowed chairs." Snack bar closes The snack bar near the village is now closed at lunch. women bleed and hurt the same. A husband can be hurt by abuse just as a wife can. Unfortunately, when men try to stand up against sexism on men, they are often declared to be sexist themselves. Standing up against sexism aimed at men is often seen as a risky move. But I encourage everyone stand up for gender equality. People, don't be afraid to speak out if your spouse berates you on a daily basis. Don't be afraid to speak out if you were sexually assaulted by a member of either gender; It is nothing to be ashamed of. We cannot be afraid to speak out against these injustices, we must rebel against society's image and admit that we have been hurt and scarred. Only then can we truly eliminate sexism against both genders.