The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/453478
Page 2 January 23, 2014 Staff Editorial Terrorist attack threatens constitutional right... 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 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 Leslie Soto Staff Writers Josiah Vasey Kaylie Capps Hailie Willey Julissa Villalobos Brittany Lawley Kourtney Sanders Shania Prieto Nichole Vladez Tessa Jones Britney Miranda Illeana Hilsee Rebecca Frey Sophia Cumpton Nicole Valdez Opinions Rebecca Blanchard Brittany Lawley Staff Writer A & E Editor Hailie Willey Staff Writer "I believe it is only a matter of time before everything collapses." Kaylie Capps Staff Writer O n January 7, 2015 a popular French magazine Charlie Hebdo company building was attacked by two armed men killing 12 people. The known motive for the attack was because of a satirical drawing of the Muslim prophet Muhammad. Journalism and art is a great way for people to express the way we feel. And when 12 people are killed and more are injured it is scary to think that we can't express ourselves through the power of art. In the Constitution, and in the first ten amendments even, we are giving the freedom of press and these attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and even the photojournalists who were killed in Syria last year takes away that freedom. Art is a beautiful things and for some the only way they can express themselves and since the attack on the French satirical magazine artists all over the world have posted drawings that express their feelings of anguish and heartache of the terrible events that have recently passed. These terrorists who threaten artists on what they draw only made them more vocal and how true art can never be silenced. Journalism is more than just some hobby or some thing to do, not only do we inform people on current events and other things, but it is a way of life. We, as a Bluffer staff, are truly affected by this event because we value our freedom of press and it has sculpted many of us to be the people who we are today. Also we at the Bluffer class give our condolences to the victims families and people who been affected by this horrible incident and the many other journalists who have lost their lives doing what they loved the most. An artist may die, but the art will live on forever. Red Bluff crime higher than average R ed Bluff, a "great place to live". I think we've all seen that big sign while entering Red Bluff, but is it really? In the last few years, the Red Bluff crime rate is much higher than the California average crime rate, and much higher than the national average crime rate. Red Bluff's crime rate is currently at 482.7%, while the U.S. average is at 301.1%. Furthermore, Red Bluff is only safer than 4.6% of all the cities in the nation. It can be assumed Red Bluff is not a great city to compare to the rest of California, or the United States. But why is our crime rate so high? We may struggle keeping up with crime here in Red Bluff because of a lack of enough law enforcement. Because of our low population size, our high crime rate may be because our of low population compared to other cities. Red Bluff's crime rate has a high involvement with teens as well. Just about a week ago, two boys were approached in their car around 10 p.m. and assaulted by a group of youth. A press release stated both victims were hospitalized after the incident, with one being released soon after being treated for minor injuries. However, the second was flown to a center in Redding, having sustained s e r i o u s injuries to his head and face. Living in Red Bluff as a resident here you have a 1 in 14 chance of being a victim of a crime. Although, your chance of being a victim of a violent crime is lower, at 1 in 98. Violent crimes are defined with crimes such as murder, robbery, and aggravated assault. As of 2014, Red Bluff has a total population of 14,063 people. Comparing Red Bluff to other cities in California, Red Bluff is ranked number 24 in California for cities big or small with the worst crime rate. For populations in California 5,000 to 20,000, Red Bluff is ranked #6. Residents of Red Bluff having a better perspective of your city can be a good start to change it. However, it is always good to be prepared and take charge of your own safety. Good self defense classes can be found and taken at Psycho Fitness & 0 in Red Bluff. I n the 1950s, refugees came to America in search for a better life. They came looking for jobs and more opportunity. Being a teenager in today's society, we are practically blinded by our dreams. We do not realize that only ten to fifteen percent of us will achieve prosperity. Most of us will end up being paid minimum wage. In the article, "The American Dream, RIP?" an economist claims that a giant economic shift could happen in the near future and it could make it even harder for the American people to become successful with the career of their choice. The U.S. government has run up trillions of dollars in debt and soon it is believed that our creditors will no longer lend us money. This could lead to an almost instant collapse of the U.S. financial system. We have already had one economic scare in the past, and I believe it is only a matter of time before everything collapses. In the past few years, millions of average Americans have lost millions of jobs and homes, leading to the destruction of the middle class. This resulting effect will continue to build onto itself and people will no longer have the money or credit to spend to save the economy. The system will no longer be able to support the tens of millions of Americans who receive monthly government assistance. At the moment, the only thing that is good in our economy are gas prices. Gas prices are now at an average of $2.14 in the United States as of January 5, 2015, which is $1.19 less than it was a year ago at this time. It seems as though gas prices are going to drop down even more. Although, in California, we have the highest gas prices as opposed to Texas with a low of $1.89 as of January 12, 2015. In President Obama's State of the Union Address, he argued that income equality was a major problem in the U.S. Now, fifty- six percent of voters believe that in America today the "rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer." The voters want the government to do more to help the economy. Barack Obama's economic policy is basically a combination of tax increases on wealthy Americans, investments in public services, and education that is meant to boost the economic and future prospects. W elcome back Red Bluff High! It's that time of year again...Yes people making New Year's resolutions and not keeping to them. If you're going to set a goal for yourself, have it be a simple but yet challenging. I hear people all the time saying what their goals are and they don't even get close to what their goal was or they don't even start it. Simple things are always the best. Don't try to put too much stuff on your plate if you know you are a typically busy person. Many people make New Year's resolutions, but few people keep them. We promise ourselves we will eat less, exercise more, pay more attention to our family and our friends and so on. Usually in the middle of January, or sooner mostly everybody stops there resolutions. That doesn't mean you shouldn't make them. Several resolutions are nothing but personal challenges. Starting a diet is a outstanding goal, but it's never easy and it's not fun at all. Losing weight is a very popular resolution, especially for young people. Most people expect it to transform themselves into a new person overnight, but sadly that's not the case. If it was that easy everybody would do it. People who typically state that there resolution is to loose weight, after a week or two they start coming off of their diet. Nobody said it would be easy. So now, why don't we make a resolution, to not make any more resolutions? That sounds pretty easy right? Here's a New Year's statistic for you. 45% of Americans usually make New Year's resolutions and 24% never succeed and fail there New Year' resolutions. For the amount of people who do make resolutions there are a lot of people who fail. That doesn't mean everyone will fail, that just means the ones who are dedicated and motivated will most likely reach there goals and those who choose to sit back and relax will not get anywhere. Here's another statistic for you. 75% of peoples resolutions only lasted through the first week, 71% can last 2 weeks, 64% can last up to 1 month and 46% can last up until 6 months. So, if you are deciding to make a New Year's resolution, look back and ask yourself: If you are actually going to do this, or are you just saying this to make yourself feel better, and to actually say that you have a New Years resolution? Remember it's not going to be easy, take it slow and take baby steps. Have fun and if you are someone who sticks with there New Years resolution...Good luck! T he winter holidays, Christmas and New Year's Eve, are the most wonderful time of the year. You look forward to them so long and then wham suddenly they are over and you don't know how it could have gone by so fast. Everything begins to return to normal, you take your decorations down and go back to school when vacation is over. Your life settles down again and you slip back into your old routines. Except maybe you can't go exactly into your old routine because you made a promise to yourself. You made a New Year's Resolution. Or maybe you didn't. Perhaps you thought 'why bother' because you thought you wouldn't complete it. Some people don't make resolutions because statistically only 8 percent of people complete their New Year's Resolutions. They believe there is no reason to make a resolution if they are not going to keep it. Others think that not completing a resolution will only make them feel bad about themselves. But if you take small steps and keep trying and doing thing consistently a resolution is easy to keep. And resolutions, when completed, could make you feel so good about yourself. You don't have to constantly tweaking everything you do. Resolutions are also a great way to start off the year. A new year is a new beginning, a new way to view the world, a new chance to change your life. A resolution helps you make that change, it shows you that the new year is truly new. Resolutions are great for you! They allow you to have an excuse for becoming a better person. A goal that brings you closer to who you want to become. Because, let's be real, no one is who they want to be. And why not make/ keep a resolution? Resolutions don't have to change you as a person, they could simply tweak a small detail. They make you better one small detail at a time. And if you complete your small resolution this year then next year you can go bigger and better. Take that step every year and make a resolution, make a commitment to become yourself in your own way. Resolutions are ultimately for the good. If you go through with them they will certainly do more good than harm. In end resolutions are good for you, they are about how you feel about yourself and about how you would rather feel about yourself. New Year's Resolutions are about the full filling of goals and the making of wishes, they are the making of a better you. Tessa Jones Staff Writer New year brings change New year changes naught Red Bluff's higher crime rate should inspire community to change Current economy puts down the poor