The Bluffer

Page 2 January 26, 2018 Staff Editorial Government shutdown exhibits political divide... Opinions T he government shutdown was the effect of an ongoing battle between the Democrats and the Republicans. The feud started with a bill from the Republicans in Congress not being passed in the Senate. It later turned to the issue of the DACA and President Trump's plan to tighten security in the Mexican border and limit the number of immigrants, or to "build the wall." With their inability to come to a compromise, the government felt the need to shut down on January 20. On January 23, the government reopened because of a stop-gap passed by the House of Representatives that would fund the government for four weeks. Various discussions has arisen about the state of the government and American politics, as it naturally would. Many are concerned with how polarized this nation now is, with each side demonizing and villainizing the other, with both just as guilty as the other. Instead of people agreeing to disagree with the different ideals and viewpoints people, and politicians, have, we have grown to a point where we call the other side mindless, less-than-human, and monsters. The divide this country is suffering with is one that makes both headlines and tabloids everyday, large scandals now being briefly mentioned as more and more quickly come and go. The government shutdown is one that is reminiscent of children not getting what they want. We have grown from trying to meet in the middle and make a compromise, to "if you don't agree with me, then we won't do anything." The Bluffer staff disagrees with the decision to shutdown the government. Both parties need to work better to compromise instead of demonizing each other in order to gain rank. The political system has been polarized, pitting the two sides against each other without room for compromise. Working against each other will only separate this country more, to the point of government shutdowns, as it has, and worse. The only way this country will grow and strengthen is by the two parties working together to meet in the middle. No matter what party or what side of the aisle you sit on, many would agree that the way to efficiently function and work as a country is not to fight and argue about what to do or how to do something, as it inevitably leads to something like the government shutdown, but to understand, accept, and value the differences in viewpoints without trying to convince your side is right. One great thing about living in the United States of America is the legal freedom to believe and live how you want to; what has happened in this country is that not just the political parties, but the people and citizens have been pitted against each other (with the occasional help from biased media and politicians) to create a divide. Instead of addressing and fixing issues, we have resigned to merely arguing about it, letting our stubbornness and pride get the best of us. We here at the Bluffer encourage you to encourage others to fight against the divide; instead of attacking others for their views, accept that every person has a different view than you, and appreciate that we can live in a country that has that power. N ational parks began establishment all throughout America with Yellowstone National Park being the first in 1872, and since then the United States has accumulated 417 national parks in all. These parks, no doubt, include some of the most blissful and inviting scenery around; therefore, the amount of tourists is not only immense but is also increasing continuously every year. Although the flow of visitors proves to be successful in the eyes of a business, for a park focusing on sustaining the environmental state, it can cause distress to the wildlife. When national parks are congested with visitors, a multitude of negative impacts, e.g., erosion and litter, are exposed to the environment. Fifteen years ago the first restriction was implemented at Zion which regulated the car election in 2020 because of her past commentary Taylor Bell Cartoonist Brayden Pritchard Staff Writer Oprah declares herself unfit for the presidential chum of Harvey Weinstein, and not to mention, child sex abuse scandal. If Oprah runs for president, people who are running against her are going to have some pretty bad things to say about Oprah. So, I do not think Oprah should run for president because of the many many things she has done, I don't think she will be a very strong president. Iranian women proclaim independence an aversion towards the new fees in action, but these fees will ameliorate the reserves along with aiding the inconvenience of crowded parks. The recent fees will additionally encourage individuals to explore less inundated parks. The jump in fees ultimately holds the best interest of the parks in hand; nevertheless, all who appreciate national parks should concur with the current prices to enter and revel in the nation's pristine parks. flow with the intent to dwindle air pollution and the complication of an overabundance of traffic when it came to sightseeing. Recently National Park Services has increased the fees required to enter specific nature reserves. Only seventeen national parks were appointed these escalated entrance fees; those seventeen parks being the most popular and bountiful in tourists. Unfortunately, the enlarged fees do not bring smiles to everyone's face; the cost of a private vehicle would surge to seventy dollars from thirty dollars and for a bicyclist or those on foot, thirty dollars from fifteen dollars. The vast majority of people who enjoy nature and traveling to these parks most-likely harbor Janese Wagner Staff Writer A s you may know there's very violent, but liberating protests happening in Iran. The leader of these protests were started by a man by the name of Maryam Rajavi. Common people are tired of being oppressed and are tired of their abhorrent president, Hassan Rouhani not being fair and treating them like substandard citizens. People want jobs, their in parliament has said, "It is incredible and shocking that the president has ignored half of the Iranian society. Creating equal opportunities for women and elimination of gender discrimination was among the promises made by the president (during his election campaign)," she added. "Unfortunately, not only women were not granted equal opportunities, but they were granted no opportunity!" One brave Iranian woman, in an attempt to achieve her freedom took off her hijab. A common sign of oppression, and sexism, this woman has become a role model for millions of little girls who are forced to wear a hijab, who are forced to be silent, because of their gender, who are forced to cater to men. VOA News has interviewed Parvaneh Salahshouri who heads the women's faction economy is crashing, they have no means of making any sort of wages. They live in terrible conditions and are demanding a better means of living from the higher authorities of Iran. How far are you willing to go to break free from a tyrannous government? According to The Guardian, 21 people died during these violent protests for freedom, and more than 1,000 people (including 90 students) were arrested. I think it's amazing that these women are finally standing up to their government. Exercising the rights that they deserve, everyone around the world should support these young women who could be killed for their brave actions. This is what true feminism looks like, this is a worthy cause that I will stand and fight for. The Iranian government needs to stop their tyrannous actions and have equal "Recently National Park Services has increased the fees required to enter specific nature reserves." Then, in January 4, 2017 she said "Never" will she run for president. Then, in January 26, 2017 she said "Nope. Not my thing, not my thing." Lastly, in March 1, 2017 she said " 'Oh, gee, I don't have the experience, I don't know enough.' And now I'm thinking, 'Oh.'" Oprah has stated many times and thinking you are ready for the NBA. She has also said many times that she will never run for president. According to Buzzfeed, on November 15, 2015 Oprah said, "Not in this lifetime" will she run for president. Then, in June 17, 2016 Oprah said, "The one thing I know for sure, sure, sure, is that I will never run for office." S upposedly, people want Oprah to run for president in 2020, but other are doubting that she would be successful. Do you really think Oprah is actually going to run for president in 2020, let's be real here, she makes one good political speech and thinks that she should run. That is like making one basket in basketball throughout the years that she isn't going to run for president then she makes one good speech and says I'm ready. Also her campaign might look pretty bad, considering what her opponents might make of her throughout the presidential elections. Some are Fake book promoter, advocate of mythical healing powers, fearer of hamburgers and apartment Admission fees at National Parks deter tourism Money opportunities for both men and women! Time 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 Becca Frey Editor-in-Chief News Editors Becca Frey Sophie Cumpton Kourtney Sanders Opinions Editors Katie Louisell Rebeccah Smith Features Editors Claire Miller Bryce Stephenson Logan Carver Sports Editors Caden Moniz Topics Editor Sophia Cumpton Editor-in-Chief Pranav Patel Ad Director Alisa Pelanconi Adviser Brooke Blythe Trinity Stehno Staff Writers A-&-E Editor Cartoonists Rebeccah Smith Taylor Bell Easton Ross Kenzie Salinas Noel Adams Yvette Saldana Valerie Barragan Andy Garcia Emma Hale Olivia Fambrough Chris Huhn Jake Benner Tera Norton Bradyn Klein Brayden Pritchard Staff Writers Shania Prieto Estrada Stephanie Pena Student Opinions Editors Lizzy Crooks Janese Wagner Taylor Bell

• Cover