Friday, October 9, 2020

The Battle over a seat on the Bench: How Republicans and Democrats will dance on the Constitution for power




Henry Ashford
Staff Writer

In the Constitution, it is stated that “each [supreme court] justice has lifetime tenure, meaning they remain on the Court until they resign, retire, die, or are removed from office.” On Sept. 18, 2020, Supreme Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died, leaving a vacant seat in the Supreme Court. The president has the power to appoint a judge to this position, and the Senate then confirms the appointee. With a Republican controlled White House and Senate, the Republicans can choose whomever they please without being stopped or slowed by Democrats. Many think that since Trump is so close to the possible end of his presidency, he should not be able to appoint a new judge. There are also many who oppose this and believe that he has the power to and should appoint a new judge. Trump has every right to appoint a Supreme Court Justice, but doing so would be morally wrong and goes against the fairness in government that our founding fathers tried to create.

Four years ago, during Obama’s administration, Justice Scalia died with 11 months left in Obama’s final term. Republicans went after Obama for trying to appoint a new justice, Merrick Garland, because Obama was so close to the end of his term. Obama ended his final term without appointing a new justice. Since Trump has been trying to appoint a new justice close to the end of his term, this event has been brought up by Democrats, pointing out the hypocrisy of the Republican party. While Republicans were totally allowed to do this, it is now affecting Trump. Now Republicans want to pass through a justice in one month, despite their opposition to four years ago. The republicans are turning a blind eye to their hypocrisy so they can assume more power. But they are not the only guilty party.

The Constitution, while it covers a lot of parts of the government in detail, does have one loophole that is relevant in this situation. In the first 2020 Presidential debate, Joe Biden was questioned about “packing the court.” Packing the court is appointing more than nine justices. While Joe Biden refused to comment on this issue, many Democrats have stated that they will pack the court if Trump appoints a justice. While this may seem unfair, there is nothing in the constitution prohibiting it. Once again, just because it is allowed does not mean it is morally correct. If Democrats control the White House and the Senate, they could assume total control over the courts. Not only would this be bad for Republicans, but it would be bad for everyone. It would result in countless justices being added to the bench with no defined number to stop. The number of seats on the bench should stay the same, disrupting precedent will only hurt our country more than it is now. We do not need both Republicans and Democrats tampering with precedent.

Our country is in a divided state, two halves of our country separated over who they will vote for. In this state, we do not need politicians stirring the pot. We cannot allow the people who run this country to ruin the framework our government was based on. We need to vote in politicians who will uphold the Constitution. We need politicians whose first concern is to serve the people, not try and gain as much power as possible. It is evident that both sides will go to far lengths to get more influence within the government, and we as the people should see this and do something about it. We have slowly changed from the United States of America to the Republican and Democratic States of America.


Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Not following the rules puts many at risk for COVID-19

Rayna Sirken and Megan Miller
Staff Writers

Ever since COVID-19, everyone has been upset that they haven’t been able to leave their homes and hang out with friends. In our area, Governor Tom Wolfe has implemented strict “stay-at-home” orders, but are people actually following the rules?
  No, not everyone is practicing social distancing and not everyone is wearing masks as they should, especially when it’s windy. When people don’t wear masks it’s easier for the virus to spread. It is important to note the purpose of the mask: it protects other people. So, when you see someone wearing a mask, you should know that they are doing so to protect you. When you wear a mask, you are protecting others since most people who are infected go through a lengthy period of being asymptomatic.
  In the beginning people would do truck meetups but as it got more serious those started to dial down. People have also been meeting across the bridge in Lambertville to watch the sunset. The one time Rayna went with her sister, they stayed in the car because not everyone was practicing social distancing, and most people seemed to be on top of each other.
When people heard that some people in New Hope had tested positive for COVID-19, they started to take things a bit more serious. Many people started to stay home and a number of them got tested as soon as they thought they might have symptoms. This wouldn’t have happened if people just followed the rules by staying at home. If people start to listen to how serious this virus is, they might start doing things to dial it down but if they keep doing what they’re doing there are going to be consequences as the virus is in control until therapies or a vaccine are developed. People are also looking at the statistics for the week and seeing how they keep going down. They are only going to keep going down if people continue to listen to the rules and stay home.

Why classroom learning is the only way to go

Cheyenne Carr
Staff Writer

Online learning vs. classroom learning. We have all experienced both and have our opinions of both. However, I think that all of us can agree we would much rather be in school right now and to be in class. I had never realized just how hard this online school would be until we started.
  Online school can be difficult as far as communicating with teachers and asking questions. It’s much easier to go up to the teacher and ask them a question at school than it is to communicate via email or Zoom. When you don’t understand something or something is wrong on the computer or there is something wrong with technology, it is simply easier to resort to good old-fashioned verbal communication. It’s very difficult for a teacher, librarian or technologist to understand what your problem is when sometimes you don’t even understand it yourself. I also find it annoying that we don’t get to communicate much with our classmates, through group projects or group work.
  Being in class is way different, easier, and a much better way of learning.You can communicate with your classmates and teachers way easier, like a human. You are able to get more opportunities for learning by being in class. Even though we have to wake up early and it’s a long day, we still get the opportunities to socialize and get the right way of learning. Not only does it make it a better way of learning for classes, but you get to do all the fun activities that go along with school. Every athlete gets to practice and go to games and do what they do best. I never saw this coming, and never thought I would have to experience online learning.

Sexual Assault Allegations Against Vice President Joe Biden Must Be Addressed

Ryan Viehweger
Copy Editor

I find myself on neither extreme of the political spectrum.  Like most Americans, I find myself in the middle on most issues, and I want there to be transparency, especially when handling high stakes situations in government.
It is often tough to seek reliable sources that strive to deliver real information to the American public, without shaping everything to fit a political agenda.  This leads me to always be searching for information on a variety of platforms, and at a time when the coronavirus has taken over, it is even more difficult.
Sensationalism has taken over on the news, leading to utter avoidance of other very important things going on in the world.  It is no question that the coronavirus must be discussed at all angles, but it also should not be shoved down the throats of Americans, to the point where it is causing more psychological worrying to Americans than warranted.
A story that should be reaching headlines barely even got a mention on the New York Times’ Daily Briefing, are the allegations of sexual assault that Tara Reade accuses Presidential Candidate Joe Biden of.
Counting back to the time when Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh was awaiting approval to the Supreme Court, there was a similar case of sexual assault that was presented.  This allegation spread like wildfire and was the top story on the New York Times’ Daily Briefing and other news outlets for several days.  They took the allegations seriously, as they should be taken.
However, now that the tables are turned, and Democrat Joe Biden is running for president,  allegations against him were swept under the carpet for several weeks.  In the plethora of interviews Biden participated in, he was not once asked about the sexual assault allegations and thus did not officially commented on the matter.  Just this last Sunday he finally made an announcement denouncing these claims as false.  Even though Joe Biden now adamantly refutes the allegations, they should still be investigated.
Sexual assault is a very serious issue and problem that must be analyzed and addressed, no matter who is being accused.  I want there to be fairness across the board, and the fact that the mainstream media will go as far to protect the democratic nominee by not reporting these allegations for a few weeks is astounding, and they should acknowledge this double standard.  This is not about if Joe said something that can ruffle feathers, like what Trump does, it is about if Joe sexually assaulted a woman, which should never be taken lightly and ignored, no matter whose career could be in jeopardy.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Phone Addiction: It’s real, but it was inevitable

Cheyenne Carr
Staff Writer

I do think teens are addicted to their phones. I’m addicted to my phone, it’s a bad habit but that’s how I grew up. I grew up with two parents and two older siblings who were always on their phone. I used to think to myself: “Why are they always on their phone?” They used to always text when I was trying to talk to them. I thought to myself, that was so rude. But now I do the same thing. I know that parents and most teachers don’t like kids being on their phones 24/7 but that’s the environment we grew up in, they grew up in a completely different one.
  I think that phones should be allowed in class. Kids should be able to have the option of being on their phone during class or not. If a student is on their phone during class then it’s their fault if they are not paying attention. If a student has their phone in their backpack then they will always be thinking about who is texting them or trying to get in contact with them. I know it can be distracting but then it’s going to be the student’s problem when they don’t have any of the notes or have know idea what’s going on in class.
  Phones can make us feel connected and isolated. We feel connected because we’re always talking to someone on Snapchat or texting someone. How we use our phone for everything. But we can also feel isolated because we might be able to connect to someone over the phone but it’s not the same as connecting in person. There are no emotions or facial expressions over the phone. Kids my age don’t know how to have a real conversation with someone in person.

Tips for reducing stress as Lions face unsteady times

Belinda Henry and Kaitlyn Ardite
Staff Writers

Spring is a time of new beginnings but also rain and allergies. From coronavirus to testing to prom, we students have a lot of things that we are worried about this spring. Here are some ways to relax and give yourself a break from the turmoils of modern life.
  The benefits of meditation are extensive. It can reduce your body’s stress response, help control anxiety, and strengthen focus. Basically it is like weight lifting for your brain. Meditation has a certain connotation that might repel you, and it kind of sounds extremely boring. You might think that you have to have a long attention span to meditate, or that you have to do it for a really long time. Meditation is just sitting still, closing your eyes, and breathing. There is not only one way to meditate, and there are many guided meditations on youtube as well. Try sitting still and closing your eyes for 5 minutes. If you do this consistently, you will start to feel more aware of your thoughts and your reactions to your thoughts. It is a common misconception that you aren’t supposed to think at all when you meditate. You might find yourself thinking of new ideas, theories, or jokes. You might have trouble focusing due to a looming schedule or overwhelming workload. The trick isn’t to make these thoughts go away, just to notice them, and how they make you feel. By practicing meditation, you will be giving yourself the skills to relax and live in the moment instead of stressing about the future.
  Do you like to doodle? Doodling can help you zone out when you are bored, and help you to express yourself. This is actually very mindful! One popular form of art therapy is zentangling. Zentangles are a small design, repeated over and over, like drawing a checker print or pattern. If you google pictures of zentangles, the complicated drawings might seem daunting to attempt, but they are secretly pretty easy. There are so many different designs and tangles, and you can even make your own. Doing this can give you some of the same benefits as meditation. They can be very calming to make, and help to reduce anxiety and anxiousness. Focusing on the small details can help you zone out and destress, and express yourself through art. They are also extremely accessible to try, all you need is paper and a pen or pencil (and maybe your phone for tangle inspiration).
  We sit at our desks for most of the day hunched over our computers and homework. Being a student is tough on our spines and bodies, not just our brains. Yoga can be healing for both. There are many different types of yoga to suit your preferences, but most types will help you release body tension, which improves your mood, and direct you to breathe deeply, which helps you slow down and focus on the present moment. It doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes or if you can do a split on command, yoga is equally beneficial no matter what level you are at. Youtube has a vast array of yoga instructors who can guide you from the comfort of your own home, which is good for people who are shy about going to a public class, or people who don’t have the time/money. There is a large variety of yoga videos online. You could also go to a public class if you want to get feedback on your form/ you like doing yoga with a group.
  Everyone knows that exercise helps you improve your coordination, strength, and general fitness. Improving yourself physically can be one of the most motivating reasons to exercise. For example, you might want giant arm muscles so you can punch walls and impress people, or you might want to get really speedy so you can surprise everyone in the hallway with how fast you are so no one makes fun of you anymore. Besides physical improvement, exercise also helps to produce endorphins, a group of hormones that relieve stress and pain, and it reduces stress hormone levels. Exercising can clear your mind, because when you are working hard physically, your brain will be focused on doing that instead of thinking things like “will I be living the same day over and over until I retire”, or “I have 5 assignments due tomorrow and one hour to do them”. You might think you don’t have the time, but even a small amount of exercise can help you destress. High intensity interval training might be your go to if you only ever have a few minutes. Going on a run after school can be really relaxing, especially outdoors. Outdoors is more moodlifting because you can soak up that vitamin D, enjoy the warm weather, and spend time in nature. Strength training can help you develop a mind to muscle connection in addition to the hormonal benefits. There are countless benefits to regular exercise.
  Taking a nap can be beneficial to your stressful life. Working all the time with tires and stressing anyone out and you should just sometimes take a break and sleep. Sleep is important for a healthy lifestyle
  You can unwind and destress by taking a bath. This helps alleviate muscles and tension. This also helps to calm your brain down and help you feel at peace.
  Cleaning isn’t fun to do, but if you put on your favorite music, and just do it, it will be over before you know it! You might find an old shirt you forgot about in your closet, or discover a horrible animal under your bed. Putting off cleaning could hypothetically let that animal reproduce, make a mess, and infect you. Cleaning often can prevent disasters like on hoarders. It’s a slippery slope, and the longer you wait to start, the harder it will be. Straightening up your room often can prevent situations like this, and will help you feel less stressed long term. It is so nice to come home to a clean bedroom, and your parents will treat you like God if you clean outside of your room.
  Sometimes you just need to buy something that will make you happy or lighten the mood to get stress away from you. This includes things you always wanted to buy but never really needed like, a bucket hat or chocolate.
  Imagine you were hanging out with a group of elderlies, and you wanted to impress them to earn their trust. A lot of times they will not talk to you directly unless it is about college or work. If this happens, don’t whip out your phone, bring a book with you and read that instead. They will be floored because a lot of them read on facebook that children don’t read. They will hopefully ask you about the book and think of you as a genius and give you fat envelopes of money and leave you the inheritance. That is just one hypothetical example where reading could make you look great. Besides helping you merge with elders and making you look like a genius or like you are trying really hard to look like a genius, reading has many mental benefits. You focus on the content of the book which keeps you in the moment when you read, and as you read more regularly, you will naturally get faster and better at it, which could help you at school. Sadly, there are lots of undesirable books out there, and you have probably read a few. I just read a really disturbing self help book about child conditioning. The more you read, the better you’ll know your preferences. I love science fiction and any book with good character development. I hate anything about the medieval times or dragons. School can make reading seem like a task, but books are really great when you aren’t told what to read. If you like to learn new things, try non fiction. Last year I read a nonfiction book about the dangers of coffee from 1993 and it was hilarious. Another time I read a philosophy book about death and it gave me a lot to think about. Books can change your perspective, tell you an intriguing story, and teach you new information.
  If you are stressed to the point of bursting a blood vessel and having a panic attack, one thing that might help you is giving up completely. This may sound silly and like a bad idea, and I don’t mean stop doing work, I mean stop caring so much. You should do your best, but not get upset about the small things and be a perfectionist. Your future doesn’t depend on one small assignment, focus on the major ones. Knowing your priorities and giving up being perfect could help you feel less anxious when it comes to school.
  Listening to music is a great way to clear your mind. Listen to your favorite song if you want to wind down at the end of the day or be in a good mood.
  Your friends are (hypothetically) always there for you so you should be there for them too. You can make them a card saying how thankful you are or you can make them a homemade present. Either way they are sure to enjoy it, and it will bring some happiness into your day. Helping others can be overlooked. With self care and self love being promoted constantly, you might think focusing on making yourself happy will make you happy, but that is wrong. When you pay attention to others and try to do nice things for people, you will make the world a little bit better, which in turn, makes you feel better. The next time you feel a little bit down, consider that maybe everyone else is too! By improving the attitude of others around you, you will become a more happy person.
  Elder advice:
  My grandmother is the most relaxed person I know. She says she likes to relax by solving puzzles like sudoku, going shopping, taking walks, hanging out with her friends, praying, and saying “I’ll think about that tomorrow!”

Take it from me: Online schooling is not much fun

Gretchen Newman
Staff Writer

With the Coronavirus outbreak, schools are closing all around the world. School work is becoming online so that germs are not spreading around in public. Students get excited that they do not have to wake up early and get ready for school but on the other hand, there is a virus spreading around and most people are quarantined into their house. Although it is a lesser risk on younger kids, parents do not want their kids bringing back anything into their house.
  Some online school work is optional and when a student sees optional they most likely are not going to want to do it. Being stuck inside all day, the smarter decision would be to keep up with your school work. For seniors, it is a concern they are not going to have their last senior prom or a normal graduation on time. Students participating in spring sports are all disappointed that their season they have been training for is now cancelled.
  Coronavirus is no joke. The fact the actions are being taken with much caution shows how serious this all is. Staying inside where you can not spread or receive germs in the cleanest option you can do right now. Always keep hand sanitizer around and stay clean!