Bell Ringer! Jan. 31, 3013

currently, the biggest political dispute between the Democratic and Republican parties in guns and gun laws in our country. Republicans have always been pro gun, no matter what tragedies happen, while Democrats believe we should have strict laws on gun control, but really what would that do? If someone wants a gun, good person or bad person, they're going to get one, end of story. It's like illegal drugs, people still get them, they're still all over. They say the government needs to hurry and make some kind of common meeting ground between the two feuding parties, but is there a common ground at all? It's likely that both parties are at extremely different ends of the spectrum; Democrats could want no guns for any one or any household, while Republicans only blame people for crime and not the weapons, therefore, guns for everyone. Is every situation like that? Of course not, but I'd bet there are some really die hard Democrats and Republicans who want to live to see the day either one or the other happens.

Bell Ringer! Jan. 30, 2013

Being over educated for jobs that don't necessarily require it is really unfair to me and I don't see why its happening as much as it is. For example, taxi drivers today have at least bachelor's degrees while in the 1970's you didn't need one to be a taxi driver, and the job description hasn't changed much at all. This is sad for the people going to go to college, because that means that now a bachelor's degree doesn't mean as much as it should. Now, people will have to get a higher degree just to be able to get a deserving job of it. In a lot of cases, a bachelor's degree doesn't mean anything and to really be doing the career you deserve and want, higher education is required.

Bell Ringer! Jan. 29, 2013

Happening very soon, the boy scouts, 4-H groups have announced that will be allowing gays to join, along with a few other groups who may be joining the movement. I think allowing gays is a good thing, but not because they're gay. They are making a big deal of it because of the simple fact that they are gay. More and more organizations are beginning to allow members whether they're gay or not and I don't see a problem with that. I don't, however, think their lifestyle should be encouraged, but I don't think they should be discriminated against for it. Let them join because they're people too and they're equal, but leave it there, don't bring their personal lifestyle in the picture.

Catch Up! Bell Ringer! Jan. 16, 2013

Recently, Washington had decided to start using a new license plate that states "Taxation without representation." This will be mainly used on presidential vehicles so that will be recognized as that. I think if Washington wants to start using those new license plates then more power to them. Our country was founded from the statement therefore it should be remembered. We stemmed as a nation from not wanting to pay taxes, that's when we really stood up for ourselves and made a name for ourselves. I think we all need to remember that actually, but it should say "NO" in front of it. How about "No taxation without representation" license plates for everyone!

Catch up! Bell Ringer! Jan. 15, 2013

Each state has a different stand on gun control and I'm only going to review West Virginia's

West Virginia has, for many years, been a state that supports gun rights and has been pro NRA, but after all the recent shootings and tragedies people couldn't help but wonder where it stands now. Our governor, Tomblin, said that while we are for guns we need to consider making changes to try to better the chances of not having anymore mass murders due to guns. At this time, however there are no new gun law proposals in this state. So we still want our guns, but we just think some changes need to be made to tighten the system.

Catch up! Bell Ringer Jan. 14, 2013

The NRA has been coming up with reasons as to why Congress will not pass weapons ban. Vice president Biden has been working extremely hard talking to and meeting with anyone who could potentially have a say in this. I can't see weapons ever being completely banned, because that's completely unconstitutional; it would go against the second amendment. However, I do see where adjustments need to be made within the system to better secure who has a weapon (if possible) and make sure certain guns that are deemed unnecessary are kept out of as many negative hands as possible. The intentions of a ban is a good thing, but I can't really see it working as it should, meaning I can't see only some guns being banned..people would get upset and offended even over that. I can see how Congress is in a tough position.

Bell Ringer! January 28, 2012

Ms. Hillary Clinton is said to be the next democratic candidate for the next election in a few years. Many people feel she would make an excellent president considering her husband's past work. Many are debating whether she would be able to handle the position since men have have held it since the beginning of time. I think that because she is a woman things would be different, maybe not so much different in the way things happen, but in the way they are handled. Even as a republican I would be anxious to see how she handled the position as president, because I think the time is modern enough that we could handle a woman president, and really gender shouldn't play a big role in it since we are all equal.

What happened at the Inauguration

This past Monday was a very special day to some as the President, Barack Obama was sworn in again to officially begin his second term. This memorable event was held in Washington D.C. (of course) and had hundreds of gusts lining up just to witness and be a part of the event. The first Lady, Michelle Obama started things off by appearing in a stunning red gown, which has been all the recent talk on the web. It was posted that the first lady hasn’t wore red to her husband’s inauguration in over 100 years, the color of choice being white. Obama’s big speech has been perceived now as, “moving and truthful” because of how he looked back on what was done in his past term, and made it clear what would be done now. Everything will run together and everything will effects something, meaning what was done last term wasn’t just for nothing, it will continue to build a better America today, which should be any president’s main goal. Beyonce was a main entertainment point, as she performed The Star Spangled Banner. However, there have been rumors that her singing was actually lip syncing instead of actual singing, which i guess is ok as long as it was her own voice. I had also heard that while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the words "under God" were either left completely out or edited by the television station broadcasting the event. From what I've heard and read about it, it was a very moving, yet bittersweet experience to be had, again.

Bell Ringer! Jan. 2, 2013

The Fiscal Cliff:

 

     This past Tuesday, the talk has been all about the Fiscal Bill that was finally passed thanks to the agreement finally reached thanks to President Obama (the house and senate.) This Fiscal Bill has been built up and has promised to give a break to the middle class, which is what everyone has been anticipating. For years now the middle class has needed and wanting a major tax break and some people were more displeased than others when the results of the bill were reached. The plan is essentially supposed to block tax hikes and delay spending cuts, meaning fewer taxes. What I have come to have read about the fiscal cliff, is that it has raised taxes on the more wealthy people earning at least 400,000 a year. So, their taxes will increase, while nothing really happens to the middle class where everyone actually wanted a tax cut.





Review of 2012

2012 in review:



    The 100th anniversary of the Titanic:

      It’s been a year and I can still remember what a big deal it was that Titanic’s 100^th anniversary was happening in 2012. For some reason I heard a lot about it, and through it learned some pretty cool things about it in general. I had seen the movie (and love it) and thought that having something man-made that big was just amazing. They would say, “Not even God could sink this ship,” and its name, Titanic (meaning huge in size with strength) was heard close to the phrase “The unsinkable ship.” Titanic was one of the biggest sea vessels ever built, and on that specific voyage, would be carrying thousands of people who didn’t even have a chance of seeing their lives coming to an end because of the unsinkable ship. Among the hundreds of people who lost their lives, there have been Titanic survivors, the ones who got saved and who happened to be at the right place at the right time. I had read about Titanic at this time and couldn’t believe all the publicity the museum was getting, but for some people, I guess, it was more than just a movie.

 

The Hunger Games:

     My little brother could tell you everything you could ever want to know about this one, The Hunger Games. I’m pretty sure we all can remember all the buildup that came with the release of the first of The Hunger Games trilogy back in March. This was said to be the movie to change it all, directors and film critics were predicting that this movie would override all the others before it and that it was just going to be amazing, and they weren’t far from it in saying that. This movie is based on a futuristic setting of the nation where instead of states, we are divided into districts. These districts have different resources, but none seem to have the basis for successful living, nutrients. Kids from these districts are chosen and forced to fight to the death for the well-being of their specific district. I have seen this and honestly, I’m not a fan, but the 155 million dollars it brought in while in theaters says differently. Not only is it one of the top earning movies, but it also beat the ever famous Twilight on opening night.

 

Hurricane Sandy:

     In late October of 2012, an unusual breeze was in the air, which happened to turn out to be a full blown hurricane. Hurricane Sandy hit us hard sweeping through the east coast and starting from the southern Caribbean region. Many have never seen a storm so devastatingly destructive before, nor has many things come close to the amount of cost of damage. Hurricane Sandy has taken nothing short of billions of dollars in repairs and is still showing her effects today in some areas that got hit the hardest. The death toll for Hurricane Sandy was approximated to be around at least 149 people spanning from Georgia clear up the east coast. A few reminders of Hurricane Sandy; jersey Shore was absolutely wiped out and a given nickname of the “Frankenstorm,” due to its destructive pattern and force leading up to 70-100 mph winds tearing up everything in its path. Also, power outages were awful; people were left without power for weeks at a time based on where you were compared to where Sandy was the most aggressive.

 

The Election:

     It comes as no surprise that former president Obama did win the 2012 election against Senator Romney in the presidential election. This was an extremely close race, as Obama and Romney were neck and neck almost the entire time switching paces only momentarily up until the last few electoral votes were submitted. Ohio was the deciding state and the decision, based on voters was in favor of Obama, thus making the decision unanimous for Obama. It was reported that Obama won (obviously) the electoral votes, while Romney did win the popular vote, which I think says a lot about a candidate. I’m sure this election will be remembered for many as a nervous time; I know I will remember it as it is the first time I had ever voted.

It's the end of the world!!...again:

     This past December was said to have been the month in which the world would finally end thanks to the Mayans calender that suddenly ended on December 21, 2012. This story was even broad casted on the news as being on a lot of people's minds; many were scared as well as unshaken. The Mayan calender ended on that specific day and no one really knows why, so, what happens when we don't have an explanation for something..we panic..some of us anyway. Clearly, it was not the end, we are all still here and no one knows when the end will be.

 

Sandy Hook:

This event, unfortunately, is one that many of us would prefer to forget. On December 14, 2012 in Newton Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary school was under an attack of a gunman carrying more than 100 rounds of ammunition. The gunman entered the school through a broken window and immediately opened fire. When police arrived on the scene the gunman was dead due to suicide, while inside 20 students and six adults were found dead; the victims of this brutal crime. For weeks after and still today families mourn the deaths and all of Connecticut and surrounding areas have been showing their love and support to Sandy Hook and the families. Since this event issues such as school safety and gun control have greatly talked about and rethought. The people in Newton never expected anything like this to happen, and they shouldn’t have; it shouldn’t ever have to happen anywhere, especially in a rural town such as Newton. This is why we need to be thankful that we live in a small town with low crime and continue to keep the Sandy Hook victims in mind.

 

Man Jumps From Space:

     This one is amazing. Austrian skydiver Mr. Felix Baumgartner broke the sky fall record by falling 128,000 feet and also traveled faster than the speed of sound by falling almost 900 mph. This has been this man’s goal in life I guess to push himself to new heights. This jump passed his last jump record and even jumped ahead of his mentors own record of sky falling back in 1960. A huge percent of the world was watching on October 14, 2012 as this man made history and set a huge bar for whoever wants to try. Since then he has been on numerous talk shows and has gotten a lot of support. There is video of the entire jump documented and to watch it is pretty crazy, when he is getting ready to jump you can actually see the Earth as he is right at the edge of space; more power to him. This obviously went down in the book of world records.

 

Same Sex Marriage:

     Gay marriage is not a new thing, but it being seen as completely fine is. With this last election in November, it has been made legal to marry someone of the same sex in certain states in the United States. Currently, nine states in the nation and they are: Washington, Washington D.C., Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut. Gay marriage first became legalized on November 7, 2012. Many people knew this was coming, but the question remains if it will eventually become legal in every state. The views that usually come into play when dealing with same sex marriages revolve around your personal religious beliefs. Many people view marriage as a commitment between two people, and of course those people want to be treated as equal, thus wanting to be able to publically make the same commitment with their loved one.

R.I.P. Andy Griffith:

     Andy Griffith, beloved star of the famous television show, “The Andy Griffith Show” passed away on July 3, 2012. Andy died of a heart attack at his North Carolina home, was the information shortly reported after the tragic event. Many were saddened to hear the news of the American actor’s quick pass over, however many say they know exactly where he is now. Andy was a winner of the Medal of Freedom and was nominated for a Tony Award for two separate parts. He was a southern-gospel singer and lover as well as a Grammy winner. Andy was 86 years old when he died, and he was put to rest in the Griffith family cemetery on Roanoke Island approximately just five hours after the pronounced time of death. Many say Andy was a lovable man who enjoyed making people laugh and I’m sure he will continue to be greatly missed.



 

Theater Shooting:

     This is something that happened so randomly that no one was ever expecting it. On July 20, 2012 a mass shooting broke out in a casual movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. The shooting occurred during a midnight premier of the Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. On opening night, movie theaters everywhere were packed with anxious views waiting to see what was called the best Batman movie yet, and only true Batman fans would venture out just to be one of the first people to see it at midnight. At about 12:30- 12:39, the masked gunman set off tear gas grenades into the audience and began to open fire aimlessly. Police arrived on the scene just seconds after a 911 call was made from someone in the theater and on arriving they witnessed 12 people dead with 58 people injured. Police said they did not wait for ambulances to arrive before they started taking people in serious medical attention to the hospital in their own patrol cars. Later it was made public that President Obama made a special visit to Colorado to grieve with the families of the lost loved ones, it was also said that in the midst of the audience a baby was one of the victims killed.



 

Cancer Cure?:

     Amazingly, it has been coming up that the HIV/AIDS virus might possible be the key to curing certain cancers. Studies have been developed that say with the proper work and procedure an HIV/ virus could be made to go after and kill cancer cells in a person’s body. These HIV cells have to be genetically altered in some ways in order for them to mutate in a way that attacks the cancer cells in the body. Once the HIV takes over the cancer it is mutated but can be cured. There have been a couple people so far who have agreed to undergo the research by offering their bodies as test subjects; miraculously, one girl is completely cured of her cancer. Scientists have waited a long time to be able to do something as big as this and now that it’s started I believe the cure will be found. If they can continue this work and experimentation cancer can finally be put to rest.

 

R.I.P. Whitney Houston:

     Beloved, famous singer and actress, Whitney Houston was found dead on February 11, 2012, while staying in a Beverly Hilton Hotel. She was only 48 when she passed away and had just finished a movie, Sparkle, in which she played the talented mother to three girls. Houston’s body was examined in hopes to find the correct cause of death and it was indeed found. It was obvious to many that Whitney had a drug problem and upon the examination, cocaine and metabolites were found in her system along with over the counter prescriptions of various natures. An overdose/ fatal reaction was said to have been the correct cause of death. Whitney was laid to rest on February 19, 2012.



 

Bell Ringer! Jan. 3, 2013

On a funnier note, recently, a story came about involving a couple who were flying back to their Florida home from a vacation/trip to another house miles away. this couple enjoy to fly and do so in their privately owned helicopter. When the couple come back it only makes sense that they fly over their property in preparations to make their landing. While they were getting ready to land, the woman saw someone walking around their property, looking in windows and acting suspicious. Eventually it was seen that the man actually stole the couple's trailer that was in their yard; he hitched the whole thing to the back of his truck and drove off with the owners 300 ft. above him watching it happen. The cops were informed and they set out to look the man along with the owners coming to look after making their landing. Eventually the truck was found and the man was taken to the county jail. The trailer was rightfully returned to the owners who took it home with all their belongings still in it.

Bell Ringer! Dec. 18, 2012

Due to recent events that took place in Sandy Hook, words from Manchin have come out on his views of gun control. He has been pro-gun and pro-NRA, but now he's saying he may be having second thoughts. I think a lot of people may be having second thoughts on where they stand with guns (if not guns in general then school security at least.)

 “I don’t know anyone that needs 30 rounds in a clip to go hunting …”- was a quote taken from Manchin during his appearance on Morning Joe that really makes a lot of sense when thought about. No one needs all that just to hunt; it's not necessary, therefore it's not needed period.