The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/788622
Katie Louisell Staff Writer Kennady Sandow Staff Writer Page 2 February 17, 2017 Opinions 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 Lexi Pritchard Editor-in-Chief Britney Miranda Brooke Blythe Features Editor Claire Miller Gabriel Hale Sports Editor Becca Frey Sophia Cumpton Topics Editor Julissa Villalobos Editor-in-Chief Abby O'Sullivan Advertising Director Alisa Pelanconi Adviser Cartoonists Amanda Waugh Leslie Soto Opinions Editor Brianna Tackmier Trinity Stehno Staff Writers Sarah Herrera Yesenia Cerrillo Aly Smith Stephanie Pena Logan Carver Easton Ross Bryce Stephenson Rebeccah Smith Katie Louisell Kennady Sandow Noah Caylor Caden Moniz Marissa Mills Kourtney Sanders Shania Prieto A-&-E Editor Sarah Herrera Staff Writer A much needed time for rest and relaxation. SPARTAN THUMBS Gaga's Halftime Show Recent Flooding Upcoming February Break Valentine's Day A day full of romantic gestures. The show seemed over the top and did not relate. Its awesome to see all the effects of the storms. Senior Nights in Sports It's bittersweet to honor our seniors. **Thumbs were acquired by Noah Caylor in Mr. Dais's 3rd period class** Noah Caylor Staff Writer Logan Carver Staff Writer Nearly half of all Facebook news stories about 2016 U.S. politics were fake. This should be alarming to read because all the shares, comments and reactions probably tricked more than three out of every four adults. This effects children, teens and the elderly as well. An issue many have is identifying the credibility of a source. If the same facts are mentioned in at least three versions of the story, then it is likely safe to trust the given source. The main problem even with this fact-checking method are the statistics listed above. If nearly half of the politics stories are fake, then even this method fails us. It is time to take a stand against fake news and that's why in The Bluffer we state where our facts are from. We are committed to the truth and the value of that truth, which is why we don't play it down for our readers. News is history, but it needs to be actual history rather than a collection of unrealistic events. Should the fake news pandemic continue its spread, all known sources of information will have to be called into question, a time- consuming process people don't have time for. It is time to bring the fake news to justice with the truth. Staff Editorial The negative effect of fake news... For several months now, there have been rants on social media and reports of fake news running rampant throughout the country. As a newspaper that promotes the truth and the meaning of the truth, this "fake news" worries us. When there are multiple versions of the same story, the sources must be credible. Credible sources not just the obvious facts but also interviewee, websites and even books if necessary. If the sources on these versions of the same story aren't credible, then getting the facts can become a game of telephone. Perhaps most importantly, when the facts aren't credible or the news itself is entirely fake, it devalues the truth of the matter. The true meaning of a piece of news becomes blurred and then people might choose to believe differently, meaning that they would believe the fake news articles instead of what a credible article reports. According to expandedramlings.com, a statistics website backed by Reuters, fake news headlines about our presidential elections tricked adults 75% of the time in their survey. News Editors Lexi Pritchard Julissa Villalobos Students divided over visa bans: W hy is Donald J. Trump banning seven Muslim countries from entering the US? Trump is hoping to ban potential terrorists from entering our country to protect all Americans. This next step to defend our land is to stop seven different Muslim countries including Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Libya from entering our country and or Americans traveling out of the country. Other countries could be added to this list if a potential threat arises within this period of banning. I agree with Trump's new order in office, because I believe the best way to protect our country is to momentarily cut off immigration to and from these seven countries. It should be noted that this is only a temporary ban for 90 days in which our country will work on producing better safety technology to monitor others that wish to come into our country or leave our country. Unemployment rates plummet Diverse nation falling apart China builds military base armed for destruction I also agree with Trump's statement that he tweeted on January 30 saying, "If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there!" I believe that by not giving a notice it not only stops the dangerous people from entering but it also stops a rootless plan that could be formulated within that short period of time. Therefore, I 100% agree with Trump's plans and actions and am faithful in him for what he has in store for our future to "Make America Great Again." W hile the nation is concerned about the travel ban, there are whispers of war over Asia concerning the South China Sea. The South China Sea is huge shipping travel route that also claims to have natural resource riches such as gas and oil underneath the seabed. Though it doesn't sound bad, the countries claiming sovereignty to the islands and the route have already had skirmishes, and China has built the islands into military bases. A simple mishap between any country, could become war. China and Taiwan have also ignored the rulings of an international tribunal rejecting the claims to the islands. What America stands to lose if the sea route is blocked will be a fatal blow to the U.S. economy, which relies heavily on Chinese consumer goods. President Trump has told reporters that he believes China is building a military base meant to do harm, and he will stop the constructing to defend the surrounding countries. Some believe that the fighting countries will create war. Nonetheless, America will make sure to stop any more threats or building to ensure the safety our economy and our allies. F or a number of years, The Mr. Spartan pageant has been an opportunity for the senior boys at Red Bluff High to have a chance to "show what they've got" through self expression. Therefore, it's quite frustrating that a problem with transgender boys participating in the pageant has arose this year. Because of this, several contestants have removed themselves from the running simply because they disagree with the choices these individuals are making. Now, we are a society and a culture that supports each person's right to be themselves, and stay true to their values. So fine, remove yourself from a fantastic opportunity to have fun, make memories, and bond with a group of individuals. However, the actions taken should have ended at that point. Instead, a picture featuring a man and women blended together with the words "Mr. Spartan" began to circulate. Aside from being offensive and rude, this act was malicious. At what point do we stop trying to control the lives of others and instead live inside the parameters of our own? It seems absurd that someone could be so concerned with the choices of others. Just live your own life. The decisions that other people are making have no affect on the ones you make for yourself, so what's the problem? We are a society that is so scared of change , but weren't we always told to face our fears? Speaker denied opportunity at U.C. Berkeley A problem that has been escalating throughout the United States is the idea of "free" speech. The first amendment states that citizens have the freedom of expression, and the right to speak freely. However, public speakers are being denied their rights of free speech due to violence created by riots. Whether the riot is about people being against the speaker's race, or them having a different opinion. The speaker is being denied their right, e.g. on February 1, 2017 Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak, but he was denied the opportunity and the right. What started with a protest quickly escalated into a riot that ended up causing U.C. Berkeley over $100,000 in damages. At least six citizens were injured, and some were attacked by the protesters. The protest was stated to be that they were against Donald Trump and anyone with the same opinions. Nonetheless, they were agreeing with the idea of free speech; however, by the group protesting they denied Milo Yiannopoulos his right of free speech. As the constitution states, citizens have free exercise of religion, and the freedom of speech. Hence, the group of protesters contradicted themselves by denying him the opportunity to speak. We are the problem because we are hypocrites to our own constitution. We must first locate and solve the problem within ourselves. T ens of thousands of visas have been revoked from travellers heading to the United States under President Donald Trump's ban, according to a US Department of Justice Lawyer. The way President Trump has gone about this is unethical and damaging. He has started tearing apart the diverse nation that once set the example for the rest of the world. Donald Trump banned travel for people from the majority- Muslim countries Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen. Within hours of this order being signed, a widespread confusion was caused around means RBHS needs to catch up the country, including in neighboring countries, Mexico and Canada. People who flew to the United States from the seven nations while the order was being signed were detained in handcuffs at airports, questioned for hours, and many of them sent back on a return flight home. These atrocities are inhumane and heartbreaking. Tearing families apart and entangling innocent civilians is unacceptable for a country that is full of "opportunities" and "equality." There are two main categories of visas that can be obtained, the immigrant visa and the non-immigarnt visa Some are unfairly denied the chance to receive a visa, while the ones who have gone completely through the process and actually acquired a visa have suddenly had the chance of having a future here ripped away from them. With this being said, the displacement of visas has caused an uproar that will not cease until all is returned to normal. Changes in societal norms Brianna Tackmier/Bluffer A heated debate between sophomore Kennady Sandow and senior Sarah Herrera.