The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/506412
Page 2 April 24, 2015 Staff Editorial Religious Freedom Restoration Act sparks controversy... 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 Jay Boone Brianna Tackmier Kaylie Capps Opinions Editor Ceighlee Fennel Features Editor Tymberlyn Bealer Lexi Prtichard Sports Editor Savannah Sutliff Topics Editor Rebecca Blanchard Editor-in-Chief Julia Liebert Advertising Director Alisa Pelanconi Adviser Cartoonist Karla Nowicki Savannah Sutliff Leslie Soto Staff Writers Josiah Vasey Hailie Willey Julissa Villalobos Brittany Lawley Kourtney Sanders Shania Prieto Nichole Valdez Tessa Jones Britney Miranda Illeana Hilsee Rebecca Frey Sophia Cumpton Opinions Rebecca Blanchard A & E Editor Hailie Willey Staff Writer Josiah Vasey Opinions Editor A s of March 30, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that says the government cannot "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow their religious beliefs, unless it can prove a compelling interest in imposing that burden or do so in the least restrictive way. All of this is very controversial and has been a big topic in today's news. Recently Pence tweeted that he's "Not going to change religious freedom law." The law basically allows discrimination of gay, bisexual, lesbian and transsexual people due to the fact it is against their religion. We, at the Bluffer, wholeheartedly disagree with this act, because of the fact that sexual discrimination is already a big deal in today's society. It honestly is just a cop out for bigoted people to discriminate, just because of their religious beliefs. America lately has been in a progressive state of mind, states have been legalizing marriage for all sexualities, and its the negativity like this from states such as Indiana is slowing the fight. Honestly whoever is against equal rights is on the wrong side and needs to get over the fact that we live in an equal society. Companies all over the nation have made comments on this new law. Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted that " Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana's new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar HB1228." Popular TV host Larry King tweeted that " Indiana's anti-gay " Religious Freedom' signed by Gov. Pence is absurd and insulting. This is 2015. Ridiculous. Indiana's new law is sparking other bigoted states such as Arkansas and Georgia to name a few of the 16 states are starting to consider approving said Religious Freedom Law. Andy Cohen tweeted "I can now legally be denied service in Indiana because I am gay, or Jewish? Am I right, @GovPenceIN? Sounds like a fun place to visit!" And because of this law, San Francisco and Seattle Mayors are both banning city-funded flights to the state of Indiana. Good Luck dealing with that issue, Mike Pence. "So if you're an underclassman that feels like a total snot- rag, don't worry. It gets better. Sort of." W ith the stress of finals and AP tests coming up, it seems as though every teacher is giving you a huge hundred point project due the next week, the anxiety levels of high school students rise. Students, such as myself, turn to comfort foods as a way of lowering stress or "eating our feelings". What if there was a way that we could enjoy the foods that lower stress and still stay healthy? According to CNN, there is a way. There are foods that can lower stress, and also, help with lowering blood sugar and emotional response. When I was younger, my parents were always saying that I needed to eat my vegetables, but I never listened. Now, it has been proven that green vegetables contain a pleasure-inducing brain chemical that helps keep you calm. Those who eat more vegetables and fruits tend to feel calmer, happier, and more energetic. This might not want to be what every teenager wants to hear, but it could just be the difference of life or death during a stress-induced time period. One of my favorite comfort foods happens to be donuts, except they are not exactly healthy for you. One way to still get the same carbohydrates as a donut without the sugar would be oatmeal. Oatmeal contains the same amount of carbs and the same substances regulated by antidepressants. Oatmeal, also, will not contribute to high blood pressure. As bizarre as it sounds, your stomach bacteria might contribute to high levels of stress. Yogurt can reduce the brain activity in areas that handle emotions, including stress and anxiety. Yogurt is also full of calcium and protein, and it also comes in an assortment of flavors. Antioxidants and phytonutrients can help improve your body's response to stress and immunity to diseases. Berries, including blueberries and strawberries, contain these antioxidants. So, maybe eating a fruit smoothie before a test could help with the anxiety. Most teenagers (mostly female) enjoy chocolate everyday of the year. Chocolate reduces stress hormones making you feel calmer. Also, the antioxidants in cocoa trigger your blood vessels to relax, which lowers blood pressure and improves circulation. Chocolate contains a unique substance that creates a sense similar to being in love. Although if you want to choose a bit more healthier option nuts like cashews can help reduce anxiety also. Cashews contain eleven percent of the daily recommended value of zinc. Zinc can decrease anxiety, irritability, and lack of ability to concentrate. Next time there is a huge essay due or finals come upon us, remember that it is not the end of the world. You don't have to turn to donuts, there are healthy ways to help lower stress and anxiety. B eing a senior in high school is kind of an emotional roller coaster. It's a colossal mess of new and old experiences that mash together into a colorful mess, and a quite fun mess at that. Sure, there's a lot (LOT) more stress involved, but after four years in high school you develop a thick skin, def lecting the judging stares of peers and angry teachers. So if you're an underclassman that feels like a total snot-rag, don't worry. It gets better. Sort of. For one thing, seniors have more friends. Like a bunch of friends. After spending four years with a single group of students you will have developed at least some loose attachments with some of them, if not most of them. It's nice being able to talk to most anyone in your class like an old friend. I'm going to preface this point by saying it's a massive generalization that is no way true at all: seniors are more attractive. Now before you tear the paper in half, I'm not saying that this senior class is just more attractive than all the underclassmen, but that in general by senior year you escape the greasy tentacles of puberty and are just generally more grown up. It's nice to feel more secure in your looks, and for me at least, that feeling is strongest as a senior. Now I've heard a lot of freshman worry about the workload as a senior. They hear horror stories of huge economic development projects and physics projects that once decapitated a student (his ghost still haunts the football field to this very day). But these stories tend to be greatly exaggerated. The truth is that the senior's workload is harder than a freshman's, but seniors have had 3 years to get used to this gradual escalation in the workload. So don't get stressed out underclassmen, life will probably get better for you soon if it hasn't already. Just work hard in high school, it's super worth it. F eminism is not a bad word. No, it does not mean I am a man hater, for anyone that personally knows me, I hate most people, but it isn't because I'm a feminist, these are separate concepts. Moreover, I am a feminist because I believe in the insane concept that women are people too. I have begun to realize that feminism, in my generation's sense describes the rights of people. Feminism defends the rights of men to dress and act how they please without being called a derogatory word like "girl." For instance, a guy throwing like a girl is not an insult, because if they can throw like the women on our high schools softball team, they would be going to college to continue playing this sport because our female athletes are amazing. A guy acting emotional is not acting like a girl, because emotions are a human construct. Not to mention, I know some cold, emotionless men AND women….and cats I guess. Feminism covers the rights of people of every ethnicity to exist without being persecuted. In 2015, people still cannot get the concept of not judging someone based on the amount of melanin in their skin. Anyway, feminism stands for the rights of those who are gay, lesbian, transgender, etc. People seem to just get so offended by things that literally don't affect them. People who are offended by seeing a gay or lesbian couple are unfathomable to me. You are literally getting mad by seeing human love. I can't really clarify more than that. I don't know why, I've heard that it might be because some bestselling book said something negative against it. I've also heard that it said love thy neighbor, but that's cool too, go ahead and pick and choose (Brief satire everybody). If somebody wants to do something that doesn't hurt anybody, like love, or being comfortable in their own body that they have to live in, this is their business. A feminist believes it is a parents right, to either stay home and raise their kids, or to go out and have a career, and not be judged for that choice. Finally, why in our society, are women taught to dress and act a certain way, rather than teach people not to rape? In our society, we have learned not to leave our drink alone, instead of don't drug someone. Saying that a woman was "asking for it" by what she is wearing, or because she has had sex before, is like asking someone who was hit with a gardening shovel, "Well, I heard you liked gardening, are you sure you didn't want him to hit you with the gardening shovel?" To be a feminist, you just have to believe in basic human rights. Feminism is not a bad word. Studies show stress eating can be beneficial to health The pros and cons of seniority Feminism is not a bad word Becca Blanchard Editor-in-Chief