A not-so-Affordable Christmas

Even though i don't celebrate chirstmas or at least take Chirstmas that seriously, I'm worried about Christmas for other people. In the past few years, I've noticed Christmas trees appear on display in many houses all over my neighborhood. Last year when i walked home, I would see about a third of each block having Christmas decorations up on early December. This year, I've noticed about 1 or 2 house having christmas decorations up. Now, I wonder. Did people that celebrate Christmas move? All of them? Or is Christmas this year really that expensive? If Christmas gifts are becoming this expensive, I really do wonder about traveling. This might mean a lot of families might just stay home over the Holidays. (This might even turn out for the better for some families. Instead of wasting money on unneeded goods, famiies can spend quality time with each other.)
This is all my opinion though, I have a feeling that there's going to be a lot more unhappy families

What issue(s) are you most concerned with and that you want to do something about?

What I've noticed in every school I've visited is segregation. Where ever I go, there always seems to be segregation and so much of it that even I might start thinking its natural. I want to write about segregation before I lose this feeling on how bad this may become. I'm glad that there hasn't been intended harassing going on, but I still see some very segregated groups. One day, I hope that I'll find a school that everyone can freely talk to another person without looking like a total weirdo. In most schools, I see a lot of racial segregation and academic segregation. There are always "atheletic" groups, "academic groups" and "racial" groups. They always seem to claim a "territory" on school and never leave the spot during lunch and its always the same group of people. Maybe this might be a good thing, where everyone has their own unique personality but I have a feeling that when people are too different from one another, fights will stir up.

What power does writing (especially for a school paper) give you?

Writing for the school paper allows me to express my freedom of speech. Here, i learned that I can express myself freely, knowing that there are people out there that will want to read I write. Freedom of speech is a very powerful thing to have because I can talk about anything without people trying to harass me about it. I also like the idea that I'm reporting the truth to people. This is also very important because people want to know the truth and some people just needs to know the truth. Like always, with power comes responsibilty. Even though i have freedom of speech and able to report the news, I have to make sure that the whole truth is told. If I don't takes these privelages seriously, maybe my rights won't be worth as much.

Why are we publishing the Burtonian on the web rather than in print?

We are publishing The Burtonian online rather than on print because of many positive effects. When we post our articles online, it saves lots of paper and is more convenient to read. It is more convenient to read because there isn't much physical work. Rather than flipping through huge papers, we can just draw up articles with a few clicks online. Posting The Burtonian online also lasts longer than printing it on paper. Online articles last longer than printed paper becasue it can be read anytime as long as the writer wants it posted. While it is on paper, the writer doesn't really have control over how long the paper will be in circulation. Ways of getting news to everyone is also upgrading for the better. People want news as soon as possible and the internet is a great way to give it to them because it can constantly be revised.

"Be the Reporter" Game

In this reporting game, I learned there are more to getting information than just finding some facts. Being a reporter mans being quick, there is never time to slack off. It may sound easy: to be quick and find facts; but there is more to it, way more. My opinions and what i have learned from this is that you always have to have facts before going out to search for more facts. Always have proof, and never take sides. This game really helped me understand some basics of being a reporter and I'm glad i played this game. It showed me what to expect if i do become a reporter some day. The experience was great because it slowly gives you an idea of what questions are needed to be asked and what aren't to gather information. this is extremely helpful because of the time it saves.

The First Amendmant

What does the First Amendmant really mean to me? The First Amendmant means a great deal to me because it doesn't deny our human and natural rights. The First Amendmant lets us be who want want to be and lets us make our own desicions. For example: It allows us to be what ever religion we want. We also have freedom of speech; which allows us to protest and say our own opinion. Unlike other countries without this freedom of speech, people can be killed for questioning some one above them. We also have the freedom of press, which allows us to write our report about everything in the world. All of these laws give us our unquestionable rights and the power to fight for a cause. If our president was being unfair to all, it means we have the rights to fight for a change to this unfair rule. To me, the First Amendmant is a great thing.

Saturation Report

For my saturation report, the location I chose was during drum corps practice(near the basketball courts in Burton highschool). I sat by a rail and sat there silently; watching my drum corps members practice. It was the first time i realized how crazily my friends acted during practice. I never noticed this before because I would have been as crazy as they were if I weren't doing this report. After a long time, everyone was done fooling around; and practice had begun immediately. Even I was shocked how such a silly group of people had immediately snapped to attention of our commander and we were practicing orderly. During the middle of our practice, they stared at me and asked, "Why are you so silent? Are you doing your homework?" (Thats when I realized iI had picked a bad place for this saturation report. I immediately knew I should have picked a crowd of people that didn't know who I was.) Instantly, I answered them; and that was the end of this report.

Convicts who Deserve the Death Penalty

Joseph Edward Duncan III, a convicted pedophile was caught at the Coeur d'Alene restaurant, with his victim; an 8 year old girl. Duncan had kidnapped 8-year-old Shasta and her older brother at the age of nine. He forced upon them torturing and even forced them to watch each other get molested. Eventually, Duncan killed Shata's brother, somehow managed to kill her mother and her mother's fiance. This extremely sick man was given the death penalty and very much deserves it.

Thanks to:
http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/27159654.html

My comments on the article "Obama could be the first Technology president"

When i read the title of this article, i didn't think the writers meant it literally. When i first learned history and about the presidents controlling war; the first thing that came in my mind was the president sending messages to the military to do such and such. I had no idea that our current president or the president before him did not know how to use a computer. Thinking if Obama wins the presidential election makes me kind of excited. First, the U.S might be more advanced in ways and second, Obama will be making a ton of history. Being the first, non-full white person to run for president, first technology user and much more. Things i like learning the most are when history are being made, not the history already made. Now, i really hope Obama wins the presidential election.