The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/65294
Opinion Opinion of staff split... T he RBHS administration decided to implement a two week block schedule in order to make California Standardized Testing flow more fluidly than in past years. The block schedule consisted of having a day be only three class periods but that class period was a little over twice as long. Therefore, Tuesday you would attend only first, second, and third. Wednesday then was fourth, fifth, and six. This pattern would alternate each day, excluding the usual minimum day Mondays. What is better? The majority of the staff enjoyed the feel of the block schedule because we felt that it provided a more bearable school week. We were able to be in the classes we liked for longer and only have to take the classes we disliked every other day. On top of this, the time we had to do our homework was extended. The schedule provided a lengthier period of two days to complete any homework. We in Bluffer feel that the block schedule did provide an improved atmosphere for the students taking the CST test; however, we also feel Fox News: biased t N ews networks. We depend on them for honest, unbiased news that keeps us informed on what is going on around the world. Most networks do this quite well. But one continually puts out biased and often error filled stories: Fox News. It can hardly even be considered news, much less a legitimate news network. Fox News the most biased news source out there, regularly ignoring stories that embarrass the Republican Party and taking stories out of context to warp the truth. And often, they are so engaged in attacking the opposing party that they don't even get to real news. For example, a group of secret service agents were caught soliciting prostitutes. Fox News quickly jumped into action by totally ignoring this story and jumping on a democrat who made a remark about Mitt Romney's wife. The woman basically said that Romney's wife had not worked a day in her life, despite being a mother of five. Fox News immediately took this chance to attack all democrats. Several Fox news anchors have said, "Who's waging a war on women now?" The people at Fox News completely ignored the story about the scandalous secret service agents. They were all too focused on attacking the democratic party to actually do their jobs and report news. Another big problem with Fox News is that the newscasters spread republican propaganda while still calling it news. You know a network is biased when it regularly compares the president to Hitler and quotes its sources as "conservative blogs". But Fox News isn't just loyal to conservatives. During the scandal involving Rupert Murdoch's media empire, Fox News got an interview with him. When Murdoch was questioned about the scandal, Page 2 Testing, a block schedule was implemented for the Math and English I portions, was it a better fit for students at Red Bluff High School? During CST issue: May 3, 2012 they failed to realize the effects of this schedule on the students who aren't taking it, seniors. With respect to the fact that the block schedule did assist the majority of our school's population, the block schedule was extremely inconvenient for seniors. We feel that this time of the year is very busy for everyone but even more so for seniors. With that said, the block schedule only further convoluted senior's lives as we were unable to have face time with our teachers at important times. For example, in AP classes, this time right before tests is crucial and with block scheduling, we were unable to utilize the time to study in class with assistance from our teachers. The only thing they could do, is give packets and see you in two days. Although there were some flaws with the block schedule, we in Bluffer enjoyed the schedule as it was a nice break from the normal six period routine we undergo for one hundred and eighty days of the year. d taalk show he said he did not want to talk about it and the reporter totally backed off. Could this have something to do with the fact the Murdoch owns Fox News? Fox news also recently changed a quote from President Obama to make it seem like an attack on conservative candidate for President, Mitt Romney. Fox News is just plain wrong. And even worse, Fox News advertises itself the only unbiased news source. It just appeals to right wing nut jobs. It keeps them believing that so called "liberal machine" is controlling America and it needs to be saved. It uses fear to influence people, often saying that America's way of life is endangered by terrorists and extremists, when the threat level is the lowest it's been in years. All of this would not bother me except for the fact that so many people completely believe and support Fox News. It is one of the most popular news Women golfers should be able to participate in Master's E very year my family and I get together, sit down and watch The Master's, a major golf tournament, all weekend long. As I watch golfer after golfer hit their ball down the fairway, I can't help but think of one question. Why are there only male golfers at this tournament? Why are there no women golfers? Being a woman golfer myself, I had always wondered why men were the only golfers at The Master's. There are plenty of women golfers that are just as good as some of the men, so why can't they play? That question stayed in my head for a long time until one day I found out why. Women can't play at The or better than some of the other golfers, they should be able to get the chance to participate. I understand that the Augusta National Golf Club is just a male club, but if women can prove to everyone that they are just as good, they have every right to play in the tournament alongside play better than the men. And if they can prove themselves worthy of playing with the men, they should be able to participate. This is not the only "They should be able to prove they can play better than the men." the men. IBM has been an official Master's in Augusta, Georgia because women are not allowed to be members of the Augusta National Golf Club. Even if women can't be members of the club, they should still be able to participate in the tournament. If women can prove that they are just as good sponsor of The Master's for the last decade and guess what, IBM's new CEO is a woman. Usually all of the CEO's from every sponsor go out to the golf course and have a nice day golfing, but because IBM's CEO is a woman, she is not allowed to. Not only can women not play at the course, but they can't even try out for the tournament. They should be able to prove they can THE BLUFFER Editorial Staff News Editors Aaron Vasey Austin Chase Viewpoint Editor Marissa Chase Eddie Spidle Connor Ross A&E Editors Features Editors Natalie Almond Ashlan Brunello Bailey Patchen Sports Editors Egan Meagher Nick Reinhardt Laurel Shoop Shelby Keeler Topic Editors Andrea Hveem Illustrator 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 Xarayna Sekscenski Alaina Rudnick Carson Dunbar Payton Cumpton Brittany Villa Laura Defonte Staff Writer The voice of Red Bluff High School since 1901 Editor-In-Chief Advertising Director Shantell Estrada Staff Writers Josiah Vasey Rebecca Blanchard Armando Aguilar Ryan Fisher Claire Samay KC Jacobsen discrimination problem that the owners of the Augusta National Golf Club have faced. In 1990, they finally allowed African-Americans to be members of the club. Many people view this problem as sexist. Many organizations have tried to get the owners to allow women not just be able to participate in the tournament, but, hopefully, one day be able to be members of the club. Bailey Patchen networks out there. It has spread its propaganda so much that it has become accepted by many to be the absolute truth. It just spreads confusion and inaccuracy among the gullible people who watch it. I can't believe that Fox News can even call itself news with a straight face. Because it is not news. It's just another biased talk show. "Fox News viewers are less informed than people who don't watch any news, according to a new poll from Farleigh Dickinson University." Josiah Vasey - www.huffingtonpost.com Staff Writer An opportunity for Seniors to make a difference in their community When you hear community service, you think of complicated extra work or of inmates working with Cal Trans. This year, I, along with the rest of the senior class, have been assigned to do community service as a part to "Senior Make a Difference" day. Senior Make a Difference day is two days out of the school year that the senior class goes into the community and does a project. It is a requirement in order for us to graduate, and a lot of students think of it as being a "drag", but really, community service teaches us to help others and to lift our heads out of our cell phones and realize that there is more to high school than drama. Senior Make a Difference day is a great opportunity to help the community and get involved. This generation is so influenced by visual and social media, and we see so much of it, that community service still remains the best way to get the message out that we care to help. Beyond the personal benefits of community service, young people as a whole are rewarded in our society when they volunteer. Teens say the benefits received from volunteering are: Learning to respect others, learning to be helpful and kind, learning to understand people who are different, developing leadership skills, becoming more patient, and better understanding of citizenship. When we serve community service it also looks great on college applications. Colleges see volunteer work as an illustration that you actually care about something. They know that you can dedicate yourself to something beneficial and balance your school work and extra curricular activities. According to "The National Benefits of Life" committee, Seventy-three percent of young people think their efforts can have a positive impact on their communities. But community service isn't just to pad someone's resume, it's not something to be arrogant about, but it is for us, as a whole or individuals, to learn and grow as a person and help others. It also helps students to step out of their comfort zone, and focus on others. There are so many people in the community that don't have enough food. They don't have any education, no affection, they think they become a burden on the community. But when we give back to the community we show them that we care, and we provide them with the things that they need, no matter what it is. The community gives so much to the school by donations and helping when we need it, I think it is a great opportunity to give back. Xarayna Sekscenski A E Staff Writer Alisa Pelanconi Adviser SPARTAN THUMBS • Se • Senior P r Prrom 2012 This yearʼs prom will be held in the large gym, this Saturday, from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.. • Californiia S a State Testing CSTʼs are being taken for every grade level except seniors and this week was the history section. • No school for students this Frida Due to an Inservice Day, school will not be held, and students are looking forward to the weekend. Students were not thrilled with the block schedule during the math and English portion of the CST. • Block schedule for testing • Warm weather pleasant The warm weather that has come along with Spring is pleasant for students to be in. *These thumbs came from Mr. Michaelʼs and Mrs. Palubeskiʼs 4th period class. day Staff Editorial