The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/49940
Deember 9, 2011 Viewpoints 2 Herman Cain announces the suspension of his campaign... T his last week I was devastated to hear that Herman Cain had decided to suspend his campaign because of numerous allegation between him and different women. I had been a long-time supporter of Mr. Cain. I agreed with him not only on economic issues, but0. social issues as well. His 9-9-9 plan: pure genius. The economy is often too complicated for me to understand and it is good to see a candidate with a similar problem. I was impressed by how Mr. Cain resolved this problem by creating a very simple solution to an extremely complex dilemma. Not only this, but the 9-9-9 plan must have also had some connection to the nation's foreign policy. In a recent interview before Cain's announcement to suspend his campaign, he was asked by the interviewer what his comments and thoughts were in regards to the situation in Libya. His response was simply, "9-9-9." I only wish that Mr. Cain had been given the chance to fully reveal how his economic plan tied in with the current events in Libya, a point I am sure he would have made if he had not felt the need to suspend his campaign. Yet another aspect of Mr. Cain's campaign that I found refreshing was his stance on illegal immigration. In a speech Mr. Cain talked about securing the border "for real" with a 20-foot tall electrified fence "with a sign on the other side that says it can kill you". Finally, a policy that actually makes sense! I was tired of hearing policies like that of Candidate Newt Gingrich in which he calls for a more "humane" approach to the issue. These illegal immigrants do not deserve our sympathy, no matter how long they've lived here or how big their family is; they're still here illegally. This is why I believe in Mr. Cain's policy, which was blasted by numerous Congressmen and media outlets for being "insensitive", just what I look for in an immigration policy. Lastly, I really liked how Mr. Cain had absolutely no political experience. He has been the CEO of a pizza company, experience that would be very useful would he have been the president. Plus, pretty much everyone in our government has political experience, I think this is the main reason why Washington never gets anything done. I knew that Mr. Cain was the perfect candidate for me, but now that he's out of the race, I guess I'll just have to move on to the next best candidate: Michelle Bachman. Lunchtime is too short Black Friday shopping, too violent F rom the moment the lunch bell rings to the moment the late bell rings forty minutes later, a large portion of Red Bluff High's student body takes part in the infamous lunch rush. Lunch should be a relaxing time to hang out with friends and take a break from the stresses of schoolwork. Instead, it turns into a huge race to get to a car as fast as possible, get out of the parking lot as soon as possible, get some food as Besides the issue of relaxation, the lack of time offered for lunch at Red Bluff High, makes for a risky driving experience. It is very difficult (not to mention dangerous) to eat and drive at the same time while rushing through lunchtime traffic, especially being a relatively new driver. Even students who stay on quickly as possible, and make it back to school in time to hear the ever so pleasant "30 second warning bell." Prom needs new location I F Instead of calming people down and allowing them to unwind before their final two classes, lunch seems to actually raise tension. or the past six years the Red Bluff High School senior prom has been held in the gym. The gym has served as a decent interim location for prom, but when it comes to the event's permanent home, many seniors think that the gym has run its course. This year a group of seniors, juniors, and even a few sophomores have joined forces to scope out options for a new and grander location for our prom. This committee was formed by our President Alana Hinkston. After three years of participating in prom set up and take down, Hinkston has noticed many problems with the gym as a viable prom location. After searching through many opt ions , including many hotels in Redding, The Gaia Hotel in Cottonwood, and the banquet room at Rolling Hills Casino, their efforts have all come down to this one near perfect location: The Riverside Grill. After communicating closely with Riverside for some time, Hinkston and the committee have compiled a list of reasons that Riverside is the best location. Riverside's maximum capacity is safely above the maximum number of seniors and chaperones who will attend the dance. The location is close to downtown Red Bluff so no out-of-town travel is required. This was a major argument when it came to moving prom. Riverside has offered to serve dinner before the prom. After much discussion the final price came well within the attainable spending allowed for the prom committee. Riverside has agreed to close the restaurant and bar entirely for the prom. For all the parent worried about the bar b e i ng THE BLUFFER Editorial Staff News Editors Aaron Vasey Austin Chase Viewpoint Editor Marissa Chase Nancy Altimarano A&E Editors Payton Cumpton Arrie Hunt Ashlan Brunello Features Editors Egan Meagher Sports Editors Shelby Keeler Laurel Shoop Topic Editors 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. Editor-In-Chief Austin Chase Aaron Vasey Staff Writers Xarayna Sekscenski Bailey Patchen Veronica Smith Alaina Rudnick Carson Dunbar Nick Reinhardt open, the bar will be emptied and closed off before any students arrive. The grand room is easily decorated and requires far less than the gym. In that way costs can be cut. Another way we will save money is that the in house DJ at Riverside is also scheduled for our Prom. The deck overlooking the river will serve as the photo area where We Shoot Ya can set up their equipment. This idea, however great, must still be presented to the administrators and other school officials before it can be approved. What can you do? Join the committee, ditch the swamp cooler and let your voice be heard. Prom should be a memorable and extravagent experience not a sweaty, foot fungus ridden sesspool with a wooden floor. Carson Dunbar Since lunch is about 20 Topics Editor campus would benefit from an increased lunch break. During lunch, many students take part in club meetings, study groups, or use the time to take a test they m i s s e d due to an absence. minutes shorter than a regular class period, it is very difficult to finish an entire exam in this time span. Even if kids aren't participating in a special activity during lunch, it is always nice to spend more time with friends. Giving students more time to socialize during lunch would reduce the amount of texting, note passing, and talking during class time, because instead they would be getting those types of things out of the way at lunch. Even the addition of five to ten minutes would be much appreciated. Whatever reason the school may have for keeping lunches short, the need for a longer lunch is readily apparent. Laurel Shoop hanksgiving is a good day to spend eating a bunch of food and hanging out with your family. The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) is the day to buy good stuff for cheap prices, or for me, a day to buy a coffee, Snickers, and watch the rest of the people in the world running a rat race trying to get every deal they possibly can. Don't get me wrong, I agree it's a great day to get good deals. But when it gets so bad that you have little kids fighting with other little kids over a game, and an elderly woman fighting over her grandson's new Xbox or ps3, it's ridiculous. It seems it got bad enough for pepper spray and people shooting other people over these great deals. People, is it worth that much to you to get a good deal, to go to jail and or prison for an attempt to buy an electronic device? Maybe next year everyone needs to eat a little more turkey so it will make them more tired and hopefully prevent these angry shoppers from hurting others. Some people really enjoy staying up all night and take advantage of all of the incredible sales that most stores offer. I, myself, like to witness the mass mayhem. Some people just could use a little more self control from the extremists. You may want that hundred and ninety-nine dollar ps3 bundle, but think about this. You're in an aisle about to grab it, you see the price tag, your thoughts are "Yes I got it!" Then, you see it's the last one, but some lady is going for it Holidays are meant for family and fun, not shopping T right when you grabbed it and pulls out a colt 45 and aims at you. I don't think it's in anyone's best interest to get so into Black Friday that they resort to using violence. The smart thing to do is to buy your cheap stuff online during Cyber Monday where the deals are twice as good. People should just stay calm and next year should be safer and more enjoyable. Nick Reinhardt Staff Writer Behind the Podium A teacher's perspective t was the month of October and I was walking through the store when I heard it, "I can't believe they are already putting things out for Christmas. It's not even Halloween yet." I smiled to myself. In November, it was holiday music playing over the store speakers. I was humming along when the cashier mentioned that she didn't think she could make it through the next couple of months without screaming. I had to giggle a little bit because I was thrilled that all of the holidays were approaching. I listen without debate as I hear within the crowds the grumbling of a season begun too early and it being a time of greed and materialism without thought or contemplation. So, I cruise through the mall appreciating the decorations and the fun thinking how this year the holiday season means so much more to me. This year I feel the holidays. Really. It's as if the holidays are a part of who I am, the joy and the excitement because, you see, I might not have been here to celebrate. Last year, at this time, I was undergoing mega-blastings of chemo in Southern California, City of Hope to be precise. I had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, stage 4, in September. That stage means that it had not only entered my organs, but had also reached inside my bones. At this time last year I was living day-to-day until my husband and sons could come down for a visit. The holidays brought vacation time and, therefore, a break from school and a time for the family to be together. I couldn't have been more grateful over Thanksgiving just for being able to enjoy them under one roof, to have the chance to say, "I love you" in person. Thankful for that meal we shared together with my sister-in-law and her family. Thankful for still being around to be planning for the next holiday. When you're alone for most of your day, wandering the greenbelts with your sister's dog, you have vast amounts of time to ponder, well, everything. I had time to really appreciate, deep down, the family, friends, colleagues, and students who supported me through packages, cards, e-mails and facebook postings. All of the churches and individuals that sent prayers asking for my recovery. Strangers who offered their encouragement. Under the Christmas lights of a neighborhood that wasn't mine, I learned to appreciate my blessings and realized I still had a lot to learn about life and living. Back in Red Bluff, now, I grin and think how much I enjoy this time of year because, in spite of Betsy Palubeski Black Friday and Cyber Monday, people are thinking of others in need. Most are digging down into their pockets to find donations or simply giving of their time more freely. Families are planning their get-togethers. Charities are in full-swing. The bells are ringing as the kettles are getting filled and little paper angels are being adopted. Meanwhile children are looking to the sky hoping their good behavior will be rewarded as parents try to keep them little and prayers are being said to bring happiness and good health. Can those things really start too early? Please remember, as the holiday season comes and goes, to try StaffWriter The voice of Red Bluff High School since 1901 Editor-In-Chief Advertising Director Shantell Estrada Guest Writers Josiah Vasey Rebecca Blanchard Jacobe Conrad Ryan Fisher Mayson Trujillo Claire Samay Michael DeFonte Alisa Pelanconi Adviser Insert and Program Eddie Spidle Connor Ross Nick Reinhardt Xarayna Sekscenski Shelby Keeler Ashlan Brunello French Teacher to keep the spirit alive in you the whole year round. When you support someone else in need, even if it's simply a kind word, you have the ability to make a difference, maybe even, save a life. SPARTAN THUMBS • Finals start next Tuesday • Band concert tonight Red Bluff High Schoolʼs band is having a holiday-themed concert tonight at 7p.m.. Finals are next week and students are already stressing and studying a lot. • Holiday Classic coming soon The Holiday Classic tournament for wrestling is this weekend and next week it is basketball. •Red Bluff's holiday decorations Main Street in Red Bluff is decorated with lights for the upcoming holiday season. • Closed campus for future Students are frustrated with the possibility of having a closed campus in the future. *These thumbs came from Mrs. Rodriguezʼs 4th period class. Staff Editorial