Every year they always go all in, they have no other choice.
A wheat harvest in Kansas. Photo from gainescommunications.com
It’s spring and the weather is finally nice. It’s a big time of the year for farmers, it’s planting time. This is the time of year when every farmer around here is rushing to plant their corn, beans and many other crops. After the large amount of rain and flooding during the previous weeks, the weather was finally nice outside so all the farmers scurried to get their crops growing.
That is their gamble, by placing all their money in and hoping to get out more than they put in.
Farmer’s got an average $3.83 per bushel of corn in 2010 according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. In 2011 though, the cost per acre of planting corn is supposed to go up 13 percent to 14 percent, which means profits go down.
“For rotational corn, which is most of the corn in Indiana, our estimates show variable costs in 2011 up around 13 percent compared with 2010,” Bruce Erickson, Purdue’s director of cropping systems management and a crop guide contributor, said. “Soybean production costs will be up around 6 percent, and for winter wheat we’re estimating that costs will be 13 percent higher. If you grow continuous corn, you can expect to spend about 14 percent more next year.”
Farmer’s are essential to America’s economy and growth. They provide our food, and they supply thousands of workers all around the country with jobs. They were the base for our country for a long time and without them America would not survive.
This price increase per acre will be effecting farmers all across the nation, and even a few Penn Manor students who plant their own crops and vegetables.
Tyler Bauman and Alex Cantey of Penn Manor both plant crops for an SAE project in the FFA and for their profit.
“We have a business for selling crops together such as watermelon, tomatoes, cantalope, beans, strawberries and over 15 other various crops,” Cantey said.
Bauman and Cantey sell their crops at a vegetable stand by Central Manor Mart on Rt. 999. They also sell their vegetables to a Leola auction where they make money. Their business has been going for a year, and has gained them a profit of $15,000 during last year.
“Between sprays, seeds, chemicals and plants, it costs about $5000 for everything during the season,” Bauman said. “We plan to make anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 this year in profit.”
The duo of farmer’s aren’t going to be feeling the pain of rising prices this year though.
“The prices won’t really effect us because we don’t plant corn or soybeans,” said Cantey.
A Lancaster County Cornfield. Photo from flickr.com
“We do plant sweet corn though,” Cantey said. “With sweet corn we plant the plots one week apart so it all doesn’t come in at one day. This helps with harvesting and also lets us sell sweet corn longer.”
Another student farmer at Penn Manor is graduating senior Kaleb Long, who will be effected with his small business by the rising prices.
“The prices for feed for my animals have increased dramatically,” Long said, “The feed has already gone up $100 a ton, and it will continue to rise.”
“With all the severe weather, corn that should already be a few inches tall hasn’t even been planted yet,” said Long.
Long has a business of breeding swine or pigs. He has had his business for four years, and continues to keep his business on growing. Long has a plan though to keep his business from going under by the prices rising.
“As the prices rise for corn and feed, I will just continue to raise my prices of pigs,” Long said, “I want to keep my business growing.”
These students have been working for the past few years on their projects for the FFA to gain essential skills as farmers as well as a profit in cash. These skills will be helping them with their future goals as farmers. The skills and knowledge the students get from raising animals, planting, growing, harvesting and selling their own crops will be a great help in their career.
“We plan to make this our future and career,” Cantey said. “We want to buy or lease more land and expand our business so it grows.”
These businessmen are the future for agriculture in our area and the future for our local produce market. Without these students there wouldn’t be any more local crops and roadside stands. Even though the prices for raising produce and crops might be rising, they continue to grow and sell us crops.
These FFA students are the future for Lancaster’s local produce businesses, and they will continue to make Lancaster proud of its home grown products and animals.
Saturday, May 21 came and went without a trace of hellfire. Harold Camping, a radio-broadcaster in Oakland, California, is known for (wrongly) predicting the end of the world. His forecast of ‘Judgement Day’ on the 21st caused quite the stir across America. This false foretelling left many Americans rolling their eyes at the prediction of an end to the world.
“I don’t even really pay attention to them,” said senior Emily Hess about these horoscopes of doom.
Oops, Camping didn’t mean May 21, apparently after his prediction failed to materialize, he meant October 12. Whatever.
The future of mankind? photo courtesy of gomlab.com
“The end of the world is fine by me, but it can’t be predicted,” added librarian Sue Hostetter.
Harold Camping predicted that on May 21st, 2011 the world would be judged by God. More then 200 million people would be swept into heaven while the rest of humanity would be left to suffer for five months until the final end in October.
Apocalypse predictor Harold Camping, photo courtesy of cogwriter.com
Many religions around the world have different beliefs about what an apocalypse will entail.
According to a blog on Beliefnet.com, most Christianity-based religions believe the righteous will be raptured, or swept into heaven where they will watch the damned suffer for 1,000 years.
Judaism teaches that the exiles will be gathered into Israel, the dead will be resurrected, and everyone will live in a redeemed world. Followers of Islam believe that on Judgement Day, non-believers will be distinguished by having more sweat and God will give all a sweet drink to end all thirst.
Camping collected thousands of dollars in donations to warn others about Saturday’s not-end-of-the-world prediction. Courtney Hutchinson and Ryan Creed of ABC News said he used the money to post more than 5,000 posters, flyers and billboards warning others of the upcoming catastrophic events.
Maureen Klingaman, a French teacher at Penn Manor, recalled hearing about a young couple who planned to spend all of their money before Saturday so they could enjoy life before ‘doomsday.’
Joe Newby of The Examiner writes about these ‘Real Victims of Harold Camping’, outlining the disappointment some faced after the world was intact after Saturday.
“It seems that for some entrepreneurs, the anxiety of the end of the world has created a stable market,” wrote Rachel Brown of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Brown shed light on several businesses that are using the concept of the ‘upcoming apocalypse’ to make money. Eternal Earthbound Pets has acquired more than 250 clients who have bought insurance for up to $135 each, believing their beloved furry friends “will be raptured into heaven ahead of the apocalypse.”
Another business, Rapture Wear, sells jewelry inscribed with biblical verses.
Some email companies, according to Brown, are offering to send a ‘final correspondence on their behalf’ for a fee… assuming God will allow internet access after the Rapture.
“Hopefully the messages won’t be, ‘Ha-ha, I told you so; You’re going to Hell,” quoted Mark Heard to Brown.
Also, perhaps to appeal to the younger generation, there is a Rapture Detector app available for $0.99 on the Droid app market. Supposedly this app can alert you thirty minutes before Judgment Day begins.
Numerous websites and blogs have been dedicated to the doomsday predictions. Apocalypsesoon.org opens with a quote from the Bible stating, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the things which must soon take place (Rev 1:1).”
A blog called Strange Days relates everyday occurrences, such as the Wiki leaks, DNA manipulation and the separation of church and state to the ‘foolishness of mankind’ and the end of the world.
“No doubt, the zombie apocalypse is on its way,” said Trevor Troup.
In fact, there are many things that point to an end to society as we know it. 2012apocalypse.net is a website dedicated to the factual details pointing to a possible apocalypse. The Mayan calendar, which was sacred and religious in their culture, suddenly ends on December 21st, 2012. Adrian Gilbert and Maurice Cotterell in the book The Mayan Prophecies explain that an end in sunspot cycles may flip the sun’s magnetic field, causing destructive earthquakes and floods.
The Christian Bible itself has many references to a catastrophic end to Earth. The Book of Revelation describes a rapture complete will hail, fire and flooding. In Revelations 8:10 it says “and there fell from Heaven a great star, burning as a torch”. This may relate to the scientific prediction that the asteroid Eros will pass Earth on January 31st, 2012.
The Prophecy of the Popes of the Catholic church claims this is the second-to-last pope. It says the last pope will be Peter the Roman who will serve until Judgment Day.
When all of these supporting facts are lined up together, it may seem that an end t0 Earth is possible, but the general consensus at Penn Manor is that an end to the world, although possible, cannot be predicted.
“It’s in the Bible (that) no one knows when it will happen,” said Troup.
Some students at Penn Manor had more lighthearted ideas about an apocalypse. Jocelyn Jones thought everyone will turn into Justin Bieber. Another student said she was scared of zombies.
Jokingly, an anonymous staff member said, “It would be fun to pop some zombies.”
Although Camping created a buzz about an upcoming Judgment Day, students are continuing to go on with everyday life and doubt that a prediction will ever be correct.
“I’m a religious person,” said sophomore Savannah Santiago. “When God wants me, He will have me.”
Dear females, see the “x” on the top right (or left if you’re using a Mac) of your screen? Click on it. The information below is strictly for your counterpart: males.
It’s sort of like in your sex ed class when you had to exit the room to let the boys learn about their certain “parts” that may be found below their belt. This time, although around the same area, they are the overlying garments of the groin. Some wear boxers, some wear briefs, and hopefully no one wears whitey tighties.
“They both have good qualities, but boxers really take the cake,” said senior Cody Welch.
As to why, Welch was just looking out for his land down under.
“Gotta give (them) some air,” he said.
The underwear Welch and Miller fancy. Photo from theshould.com
“Oh definitely boxers,” senior Zach Miller said, “(because) I like the movement I get in them.”
There is a special bond between Miller and his undergarments. His boxers reflect his personality, and he never would he cheat on them by wearing briefs, even if he is exercising.
Going in detail on how far he would go to stay faithful to his underwear, he said, “I’d rather be commando.”
Commando-Style, according to urbandictionary.com, “is the act of not wearing underwear under one’s outer clothing.”
When choosing boxers or briefs, many factors come into play.
1. Comfort.
Tyler Beckley and Quinn Nadu, both seniors, are two men who perceive choosing underwear as no joke.
“Boxers are more comfortable,” Beckley said. “It’s like I’m wearing tights or something,” referring to when briefs are wrapped around his waist instead of the looser underwear, boxer shorts.
“Briefs are constrictive,” Nadu added.
Tyler Wilson and Eric Bear, on the other hand, disagree. They think that it’s the other way around – boxers are just plain old irritating.
Some may think that briefs are too tight and uncomfortable, but most athletes appreciate the support. Photo from socialmixclub.com
“Boxers are so annoying,” Bear said. “They always ride up on me.”
Wilson concurred, “Boxers give you wedgies,” while being enlightened by not-so-good memories full of scrunched up faces and odd, penguin-like walks.
2. Support.
Seniors Kyle Hallett, Patrick Jones, Willie Chalfant, Jaq Presbery and Mark Curtin, and junior Russell Thorsen all agree that briefs are the best bet when talking about support.
“Briefs all day,” Presbery and Curtin agreed.
“I like the support of the briefs,” Thorsen said. “It’s like a sports bra (under there).”
3. Appearance.
One thing boxers have that briefs are deprived of is design.
Thorsen, although admitting he was a “hybrid underwear-er,” as he put it, the design of his boxers swayed him towards his decision of which one to wear.
“I like the pinstripes a lot,” he said.
Thespian Cody Goldberg had no choice whether to switch it up one day since he “ordinarily (wears) briefs,” as he was left with no clean pairs.
“I was out of briefs so I’m sporting the ‘Grinch Stole Christmas’ boxers,” Goldberg said as he pulled his back out attempting to show the world his cartoon-themed underwear, possibly ripping them in the process – good thing he’s a briefs guy.
Goldberg flaunting his "Merry Grinchmas" boxers. Photo taken by Alex Geli
Some like the look of boxers, therefore putting those baggy loops through both of their legs, but some rather them be more on display for all to see.
After getting Super Man whitey tighties for Christmas, senior Jordon Lyons put them in a slightly unfamiliar place to underwear.
“They’re hanging up on my wall,” he said proudly.
4. Possibility of chafing.
First of all, what the heck is “chafing?” Again, according to urbandictionary.com, chafing “to rub and cause irritation or friction,” particularly in the groin area.
Miller, as mentioned before, is a fan of boxers. One reason why? Well, chafing occurs when briefs are conformed to the bottom half of his body; therefore, itching, some redness and possibly a rash soon comes into play.
Actually, to be specific, Miller described the “c” word as “little gnomes inside your pants with wool rags rubbing up on your legs.” To combat this epidemic, he relies on a substance called baby powder, provided by the company Johnson & Johnson.
5. The abilities.
Referring to maneuverability and breathe-ability, it is essential that the user is satisfied with the amount of air enabling the body to be more mobile.
Gnomes such as these are victimized for causing brief users to "chafe." Photo from thetandashow.com
Welch, a boxers-savvy gentleman mentioned previously, welcomes the massive amount of air suppressed inside boxer shorts.
“They breathe easier,” he said. While in briefs, “they suffocate in there,” he added.
Like Welch and Thorsen, some students choose to wear both boxer shorts or boxer briefs. The more outgoing seem to lean towards the more colorful and loose choice, boxers, while others are left with briefs.
When it comes to teachers, well, it’s a different story.
“I look to make sure I have clothes. That’s all I worry about,” said history teacher Joe Herman. The other teachers, though, weren’t as easy going.
Jon Boxleitner, another history teacher, reached into his past and pulled out the younger, marine version of himself – along with a movie quote…
There are differences in every relationship but some couples, famous or ordinary, each have to decide if the differences between them and their significant other is worth working on the relationship.
Every couple has differences, some are just worse than others.
For example, after being together for 25 years Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have split. They were one of America’s most unlikely couples. Schwarzenegger, a movie star and Austrian body builder who took the real life role of Republican governor of California, and Shriver a journalist and member of Kennedy’s Democratic dynasty.
Toward the end of Schwarzenegger’s second term as governor he announced that he would be returning to the movie business, but Shriver didn’t give any indication of what she would be doing next. Adjusting to their new life is suspected to have something to do with their separation.
Some speculated that their differences finally got the best of them.
Schwarzenegger then admitted that he fathered a child 10 years ago with a member of his household staff. New life? Apparently not, just an old one in hiding.
The joint statement said that the two were living apart but working on the future of their relationship and that they will continue to parent their four children together: Katherine Eunice Shriver Schwarzenegger, 21, Christina Maria Aurelia, 20, Patrick Arnold Schwarzenegger, 17 and Christopher Sargent Shriver Schwarzenegger, 13.
Penn Manor couples know all too well of differences in their relationships – whether it be emotionally, physically or mentally. In Schwarzenegger’s case, it was politics and let’s just say a big difference between he and his wife’s views of the wedding vows.
Rivera and Lindeman. Photo Credit: Kendal Phillips
In Penn Manor senior Marcos Rivera’s case…
“Maturity,” senior Rivera said about his relationship with fellow senior Jessie Lindeman. “She is more mature than I am.”
So when a sticky situation arises, will Marcos step up and change his ways?
“I (would have) to step up and show her that I can be a man that she can rely on,” he said.
It’s kind of a learning, growing experience,” Lindeman said. “It could be possible (that it can affect them in the future, but) it’s fun. It’s not a bad thing.”
“Definitely as you grow older, you need to become more serious and be ready for the next step,” Rivera said.
Eric Clark, another senior, has a difference with his significant other that isn’t quite in the same ballpark as Rivera’s.
Sitting in the library, attempting to focus while playing chess with a classmate and being badgered by a student journalist, his girlfriend, Meryl Arnold, is currently in class at Penn College. A solid hour-and-a-half away is his difference. Not to discount that high school and college are two completely different worlds.
“It sucks,” said 18-year old Clark. “These last nine months have been the harshest section of our relationship.”
But thanks to Skype dates and, as he said, “keeping it touch as much as possible,” their differences in location aren’t as hard.
“You gotta man up and work though it,” Clark said.
Some couples have problems that are more because of their personality differences.
Kuster and Walker. Photo Credit: Alex Geli
“Stubbornness,” Clark Habecker said is difference was between him and his girlfriend, Emily Nickel.
Since Nickel is apparently a bit more stubborn than Habecker is at times, “it’s a bit of a bother,” he said.
“I just try and diffuse the situation; tell her she’s right and just drop it,” said Habecker.
Even though it’s a difference, it really isn’t a big deal now, nor in the long run, according to Habecker.
“It’s not that big of a problem,” he added.
Speaking of “not that big of a problem,” another minor difference around Penn Manor is level of niceness.
“She’s nice and I’m kind of a [not nice]” Alex Kirk, a junior, said. He doesn’t have anything to worry about in the future since, well, this couple isn’t quite on the same boat.
“He’s not!” his girlfriend, Sarah Bennis insisted.
“I’m a pushover and he’s not,” said Paige Kuster, girlfriend of senior Dillon Walker.
For some couples this could be problematic but according to Kuster, it’s good that they’re different. “You can help each other,” she said.
To the right of her, Walker was left contemplating.
“Weird logic but okay…” Walker said, then adding, “It’s good to complement each other.”
Penn Manor couples don’t seem to be let their differences get to them but after 25 years,the famous couple Schwarzenegger and Shriver did.
Gas prices have reached a peak of $3.87 to $4.04 a gallon. Pocket money for students is dwindling because of this economic catastrophe.
At $4 an average per gallon, many kids are paying $48 to fill their tanks according to AAA.
For students at Penn Manor High School, who work for minimum wage, their paychecks are not cutting it with these gas prices. A majority of their pay checks are going toward filling their gas tanks.
For senior Jackie Schmalhofer, who works at Denny’s on a $2.83 per hour salary, not including tips, she spends about one third of her pay check on gas.
“I get paid twice a month, including tips my pay checks are around $300,” she said. “It took me $47 on Saturday to fill my tank, which I don’t usually do. I usually just fill it half way about twice a week.”
“I work at Willow Valley making minimum wage,” said senior Olivia Rineer. “I drive a Jeep Wrangler, which is a complete gas hog. Just last week I spent fifty dollars on gas, not even filling my tank. Prices are getting ridiculous.”
Many Penn Manor student drivers can’t afford to fill their gas tanks. It is simply too costly.
Senior Alexis Russel explained that she only puts $20 worth of gas in her car about twice a week, which only gets her half a tank.
“It isn’t really an issue for me, my car is pretty good on gas, and I don’t do as much driving around as others,” said Russel. “But to fill my tank it would take about $40, that’s still up there compared to prior gas prices.”
“I am employed at Arby’s working for $7.45 an hour,” said junior Maddi Eckenrode. “I drive a Ford Taurus. The last time I put gas in my car I spent $59 to fill my tank.”
Eckenrode makes anywhere from $250 to $350 bi-weekly and gets gas once or twice a week. On this pay and with how much gas costs her, she spends roughly two-fifths of her pay check on gas.
“I’d say that a lot of my pay checks go towards gas money for my car, especially with how much I drive,” added Eckenrode.
Art will be the word at Penn Manor High School tonight.
Penn Manor will be hosting an art show tonight, May 12, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
It is free and open to the public. It will be showcasing the varied and amazing talents of students in the Penn Manor School District.
Art work will be varied and interesting at the May 12 art show. Photo by Lizzie Pflumm
Every school in the district will be participating. The 13 art teachers across the district who teach grades K-12 have selected pieces to display.
Each art teacher will be showcasing about 50 pieces of work each. There will be around 700 pieces on display in the high school. The teachers each hand picked art work to be hung in the halls of Penn Manor, according to Penn Manor art teacher Karen Gingerich.
The art show will be held in the art wing of the high school. Rooms 335, 336, 341, 343 and 344 will also have art work on display.
The art show will have a wide variety of art forms. It will consist of black and white photography, color photography, watercolor, acrylic painting, pencil drawings, charcoal drawings, distressed paintings.
Art will be on display for the public May 12. Photo by Lizzie Pflumm
Although not officially for sale, Gingerich said “someone could (make an) offer if they are truly interested.”
When you hear the word, “America,” usually the words, “freedom, pride, power” come to mind, but of late, one man has expressed his feelings, calling the United States the “whipping post,” and the “laughing stock” of the world. That man is fed up with the lack of respect that the rest of the world has given the US. Instead of complaining about the poor reputation of America, he is striving to make a change.
That man goes by the name of Donald J. Trump.
On October 5, 2010, the cat was let out of the bag when Trump expressed his thoughts about certain subjects along with saying he is “seriously” considering running for president in 2012. Nobody took it seriously enough until Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), along with big names like Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. There, Trump ended up dead last with Paul coming out victorious. 30% of Republicans fancied Paul and 23% went with Romney according to the presidential straw poll.
More than 10,000 people tuned in to every prospected Republican nominee bring their ideals and beliefs to light.
Paul laid out his beliefs – protecting civil liberties, halting the Patriot Act and restricting the US from getting involved in foreign affairs. The crowd obviously favored him as he was the recipient of nine, count them, nine standing ovations throughout his speech.
Trump at CPAC Photo Credit: punditleague.us
“The purpose of all political activity is to promote liberty, which comes from our Creator, not the government,” he said.
“The right answer is not to believe in European solutions. The right answer is to believe in America – to believe in free enterprise, capitalism, limited government, federalism.” That and healthcare reform were amongst Romney’s speech which awarded him the label, runner-up.
On Trump’s mind is China, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and President Barack Obama’s birth certificate. China really grinds Trump’s gears. He’s tired of China manipulating their currency and taking total advantage of the US’ efforts to rebuild China. OPEC also tweaks a nerve with Trump as they raise oil prices whenever they please.
“Nobody calls up OPEC and says, ‘That price better get lower, and it better get lower fast,” Trump stated.
Trump, like he’s said before, also expressed his doubts that Obama was actually born and raised in the US.
“The people that went to school with him, they never saw him,” he said, then going a step further, “They don’t know who he is.”
He didn’t spend much time on that and changed over to the other more important subjects.
His speech ended with a little something for viewers of all shapes and sizes to ponder about on their ride home.
“If I get elected, this country will be respected again,” he said.
Other key contenders that Trump will likely need to keep a close eye on are Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, who both rejected an invitation to speak at the convention.
Palin is a mainstream name after John McCain picked her to be his running mate in 2008. Huckabee also gained notoriety after running for president in the same year. Finances forced him to drop out of the race early, handing over the republican nomination to McCain.
Without even showing up, Palin still brought in 3 percent of the vote and Huckabee 2 percent – both more than Trump.
“The Donald” may have been off to a rough start. After all, he has no political experience, and as the man himself said, “Ron Paul has zero chance of getting elected.” After the 2008 elections, where Paul scored percentages no more than single digits, that quote may be true.
Paul, Romney, Palin, Huckabee – there’s one name missing from the candidates that Trump will have to compete with. President Barack Obama will surely be Trump’s biggest competitor if he makes it to the primaries – that is, if the people are happy with their leader.
Donald Trump Photo Credit: nbc.com
Troops out of Iraq but into Afghanistan, ObamaCare, admittance into foreign affairs such as Moammar Gadhafi leading Libya into the ground, Baracketology – is America happy with Obama’s performance in his leading role as Commander-in-Chief?
According to Rasmussen Reports, 24 percent of Americans strongly approve where 42 percent disapprove of Obama since being inaugurated, giving him an approval rating of -18; 43 percent approve of the handling of the Libya situation but only 27 percent think Libya is a vital security interest at stake; 58 percent favor repealing the national healthcare law; 69 percent of Americans remain “somewhat angry” at the current policies of the government.
Though not extremely swayed either way, Obama is struggling to maintain his grip on the American people. In January of 2009, the president had 65 percent of his country’s citizens behind his back – cheering him on, not with a knife in their hands. Between January, 2009, and August, 2009, his approval rating dipped down drastically. It dropped from percentages in the mid-60’s to mid-40’s. Since then, it has steadily remained the same, with the population’s approval of the first African-American president not exceeding 55 percent.
With a possible window of opportunity, Trump can take advantage of his unique qualities to gain an edge over the more stereotypical candidates attempting to win the Republican nomination, then, in turn, the presidency.
Brains. Trump graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Science of Business and Concentration in Science; he is the author of over ten books, one being The Way to Success in 2007. He has the degree and ink on the pages of his books to prove it. He’s got the intelligence, at least in the business world and about running a company, to make an attempt at running for president.
A good business man. Ever since he graduated from business school, time has been one of the most important things Trump doesn’t want to waste. Jumping into a business career with his father to work for Trump Organization was only the first step to a fulfilling and successful business career. Before long, he became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company and has built buildings all around the country, always displaying either the word “Trump” in the front or the letter, “T.”
Able to interact with political and business hierarchies. Trump, being the CEO of a major real estate company and the owner of many buildings and properties, interacts and barters with many important businessmen across the globe on a daily basis. One country that Trump deals with often is China. China is where he’s seen and heard how other countries are supposedly making a fool of the US. China takes money and uses it to make products for themselves which is something that foreigners believe the US doesn’t do. “Made In China” are three words that US people are very familiar with seeing on the bottom of their products. To put an end to this manipulation, Trump would tax the, as he calls them, “enemy’s,” products 25 percent.
The Trump family Photo Credit: Oprah.com
Able to manage and lead. The term, “You’re fired,” didn’t get famous from just anyone. Trump made that his favorite line in his television show, The Apprentice, and there’s a good chance that he’s also directed that line to an unfortunate employee off camera. Being the boss, running the show is what Trump has been doing for years now.
Years of prior experience. Being a TV personality isn’t exactly a attribute to be on the top of your resume when applying for the title as President, but he has had to deal with many important people and businessmen around the world. The only downsides are that Trump doesn’t have any prior political experience – except for toying with the idea to run in 2000 – and not being able to say he’s fought in a war for his country, which has been a theme between past presidents; although, back in 1964, he did graduate from New York Military Academy.
Financially able. According to Forbes Magazine, Trump is worth a whopping $2.7 billion. Depending on how much a candidate raises and how much he promotes himself in the media for the people to see, running for president can very pricey. How much? Well, to get an idea, Obama raised and spent a combined $750 million for his victorious 2008 campaign. That leaves, what, around 2.69 billion? That seems enough for a roof over his head and a solid three meals a day – he might want to sell another building though, just in case.
The rundown: Trump stated that he is pro-life, against gun control, anti-ObamaCare, wouldn’t raise taxes, would take back hundreds of billions of dollars back “from countries that are screwing us,” would create vast numbers of jobs and “rebuild our country so we can be proud.”
“Our country will be will be great again,” Trump promised if he would get elected.
He may have the chops to make Obama stink up the debate room with some perspiration, but will Trump actually run? Does he honestly have what it takes to lead the whole country? It is suspected that everyone could know the answers to these questions around June, but for now, Government and Economics teacher John Erisman can give people an idea.
Donald Trump Photo credit: nbc.com
“I don’t see him going through with it. It’s early. (June is) three months away,” he said. (Chances are) 50/50 (for him) to be on the ticket.”
Comparing his views to former president and the late John F. Kennedy’s, one of Erisman’s idols, he yet remains questionable of Trump’s motives.
“If he’s doing this for himself, then he’s doing it for all the wrong reasons,” he said.”He must prove that he’s doing this for the American people, not himself.
The citizens of the US won’t know if “The Donald” is running for president until the summer time. Just like in 2000, this could all be just a stunt.
Somehow landing himself $900 million in debt in the ’90s, according to his Who2 biography, Trump told his caddy to take out the bankruptcy-iron to help him escape from the sand trap that is financial crisis. People were bedazzled by the fact that he all of a sudden decided to run for president soon after his whole money debacle was over with. This leads some skeptics to believe that this is just another joke that Trump is pulling on the people of the United States.
“Anything’s possible,” said Erisman.
For all he knows, it’ll be a race for the ages.
“It’ll be very interesting to say the least to see how far Donald Trump could get,” Erisman said. “2012 will be a case study in history. (The) US is facing foreign and domestic issues that could change history.”
“Hopefully it’s all for the good.”
Something to think about.... Photo Credit: squidoo.com
“They killed Osama bin Laden,” said National Security Deputy Adviser for strategic communication Ben Rhodes.
Rhodes, a New York native who was in the city during the September 11 terrorist attacks was part of the 9/11 Commission that was responsible for trying to understand the tragic events. On Thursday he told more than 1600 students live how the Navy Seals were able to carry out this mission.
The Penn Manor’s library played host to the live stream from the National Security Council in Washington, D.C., where 40 students listened intently as Rhodes informed them of the events leading up to the raid on the al Qaeda leader.
Social studies teacher Donna Brady received an email from the Council Wednesday afternoon and set up the interactive session. Students were asked and encouraged to type questions to Rhodes, who answered the questions live.
Ben Rhodes of the National Security Council. Photo by Alex Blythe
“We weren’t 100 percent sure, but we were fairly certain (that Osama was there),” said Rhodes.
He explained that their intelligence was very good but that they had not received any type of visual confirmation. He also said that the President had received this intelligence last August.
The Seals carried out the mission late Sunday night.
“It was a very tense situation, we were worried about the U.S soldiers, their safety was our main concern,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes was in the situation room at the White House with President Obama while the operation was carried out.
They received real time updates during the mission, Rhodes said, and that,”minutes and hours and felt like days.”
Eventually they were able to relax once the troops had landed safely back on their base.
News of the events hit the the airwaves Sunday night, the man that had been on the run for nearly 10 years, and who we hold accountable for the most devastating attack in the history of the United States was brought to justice.
“[It shows] we can overcome challenges and were able to achieve justice.” said Rhodes.
As for possible retaliation, Rhodes did not seem too worried.
“Al Qaeda is the most dangerous threat in the world, in their history they have had one leader, Osama Bin laden, so we felt it was essential he be removed,” said Rhodes, in response to student’s question.
The original plan did not intend for Osama to be killed but the Seals on the mission deemed it a necessary course of action.
Rhodes noted that the threat level was not elevated by the department of Homeland Security.
Rhodes concluded by saying that, in the long run, the world will be a better place because it is rid of Osama bin Laden.
What’s full of flowers, occurs on the second Sunday of May and is often accidentally forgotten?
That’s right, Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day has only recently been connected to actual “mothers.” It began in ancient times with celebrations dedicated to goddesses and such figures in Greek, Egyptian and Roman civilizations. Christians designated a day to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, on a Sunday in Lent.
The modernized idea of thanking your mother was brought to light in 1905 when a woman named Anna Jarvis began lobbying for the creation of a national day for mothers in order to celebrate the life of her mother and others across the country. A bill was passed in 1914 creating just that holiday.
Today, mothers, young and old, are honored with phone calls, flowers, jewelry, breakfast in bed and countless other things.
Sophomore Zac Burke wants to show his mom she is the greatest.
“[I will] probably go out to eat with her somewhere. Spend the day with her,” said Burke.
“Go out to dinner with my family and have a Mother’s Day picnic,” said junior Austin Richwine.
Steve Long's mom was there for him when he broke his wrists. Photo by Sarah Schaeffer
“Taking her out to dinner like all the time, but I work,” said senior Vennessa Nogueras.
“I am going to make [my mom] breakfast, get her a card…my dad buys it, but I sign it,” said freshman Matt Gue.
“We are going to take [my mom] out to lunch as a family,” said freshman Alisa Herr.
“My brother bought my mom flowers, he hid them in my room too,” said senior Brock Kauffman.
“I asked her and she said she didn’t want anything, so I’m going to make her breakfast,” said junior Samantha Smith.
“I’m getting her a gift card to go get her nails done because she never gets to do that,” said senior Bobby Rehm.
“My mom was like ‘Oh by the way, for Mother’s Day…’ so I bought her a cute pair of flip flops,” said junior Abby Talbot.
Some students have thought “outside the box” for past Mother’s Day celebrations.
“Made her breakfast and knitted her a sweater,” said senior Paul Slaugh.
Maddy Hess talks about her mom. Photo by Sarah Schaeffer
“I made breakfast in bed,” said sophomore Addison Myer.
“I washed her car,” said Nate Butcher.
Teachers, believe it or not, also have mothers with whom they celebrate the day.
“When my mother was alive I treated everyday like mothers day,” said librarian Sue Hostetter.
“My son in the Air Force gave me flowers,” said librarian Pam Yarnell.
“Yes, I’ve given [my mom] flowers,” said gym teacher Stephen Weidner.
“I buy her flowers. I tell her I love her,” said P.E. teacher Billie Jo Atkins.
Many students have positive feelings towards their moms.
“I admire her,” said Taylor Breidenbaugh.
“I love her,” said Emily Hess
“She’s always there for me,” said Caitlyn Whirt.
“She’s the best,” Kael Miller said.
“She’s pretty chill,” said Alex LaFrance.
Some students shared their favorite “Mom Memories.”
“Yeah, me and my mom went to the moon last mother’s day. It was stellar!” said Cassie Funk.
Taylor Goldberg admires her mom for starting a group that raises money for people fighting breast cancer. Photo by Sarah Schaeffer
“My mom and I would sit in parking lots and make fun of random people, it was very fun,” said Kira Klaassen.
“The other month, my mom randomly decided to celebrate a birthday party for a one-year-old; she made me dress up as a character from Yo Gabba Gabba, The orange one with one eye,” said junior Bryer Rehm.
Miller said her favorite “Mom Memory” is very sentimental for her.
“I went hiking with my mom about 4 or 5 months before she got into a motorcycle accident, she hasn’t quite been the same since then,” she said.
“When she started the Help The Fight foundation that raises money for people fighting breast cancer,” said junior Taylor Goldberg.
“The day I broke both of my wrists my mom came booking down the hill yelling ‘What did you do?!'” said sophomore Steve Long.
“The day I had my shoe fall off and she yanked me out of the street because a truck was coming. The truck hit my shoe and it flew up and hit me in the forehead,” said Cody Beaner.
“The day my mom bought me a necklace and explained what it meant to her,” said senior Maddy Hess.
You have one notification. click. Friend request. click. Confirm or deny?
Chose wisely because you don’t know who your real “friends” are.
Kids are able to escaspe school bullies when they get home, at least that used to be the case. But technology, most namely Facebook, has changed this.
“It’s a growing problem,” said Penn Manor Student Assistance Program (SAP) leader Darrin Donmoyer, while discussing the use of Facebook as a new means of bullying.
This problem was highlighted when a former Penn Manor student, Iian Michaele Pierce, was charged with intimidation of a witness and criminal conspiracy via a social network site.
Mug shot of Gueressi courtesy of lancaster online
Police say Pierce recruited two 17-year old students, one from Elizabethtown High School the other from Penn Manor High School, to intimidate the victim/witness in an alleged rape case.
The rape case involved another former Penn Manor student, Dominick Guerrisi, who is charged with rape, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors with the selling of alcohol and unlawful contact with a minor, according to Lancaster City police.
Both young men are charged with felonies.
Not a “status” that will get many “likes.”
Lancaster Detective Aaron Harnish worked on the case, and explored the internet aspect of the investigation.
Harnish explained the process of looking for information via social networking websites.
“What we’ll do, a lot of times names of interest have social networking sites and if they do we will review those sites for info,” said Harnish.
Using internet outlets to aid investigations is becoming more of a common practice.
“We will look for anything that will provide us information,” said Harnish.
He said that using social networking sites is a growing trend among law enforcement officers but “mostly the younger ones.”
In the case of Dominic Gueressi and the subsequent charges for Facebook intimidation of a witness, Harnish declined making specific comments on the case but predicted “within the next year it should come to a resolution.”
As for the cyber bullying problem Harnish said,”We don’t receive many reports but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t taking place.”
While the case of Pierce and Guerrisi is an extreme example, bullying on Facebook and through other media outlets is becoming more the norm. The National Crime Prevention Council says research shows more than 40 percent of young people have been cyber bullied.
And teens don’t seem to be aware of the effects of putting their rage on the Internet.
“You can say so much, but people don’t realize what you can get in trouble for,” added Donmoyer.
Penn Manor school resource officer Jason Hottenstein said he assisted the Lancaster Police with the investigation of Guerrisi.
“Kids need to realize more than anything, once you hit send or comment, it’s out there,” said Hottenstein.
He also said that bullying through social networking is a growing problem.
Hottenstein said that while the cases are related they will be tried completely seperate.
“Ian’s case will be first, which will actually benefit him,” Hottenstein explained. If Guerrisi was found guilty before Pierce’s case it would look bad for Pierce according to Hottenstein.
“Dom’s case could take years to settle because it’s a major crime,” Hottenstein said.
While cyber bullying usually takes place outside of school it becomes a school issue when the things said online carry on into the school.
“It is my belief that for the school to take action some form of it has to spill over into the actual school,” said Donmoyer.
In Guerrisi’s case, he is a former Penn Manor student, some students protested his charges by wearing “Free Dom” shirts which they were promptly asked to remove them.
Sophomore Jacii Killian wore the “Free Dom” shirt.
“I represented for Dom because he is one of my closest friends,” said Killian.
Killian was asked to removed the “Free Dom” shirt, the next day she wore a “Freedom” shirt which she also had to remove, then two days later she said she wore a first amendment shirt and she was suspended for a day for wearing the shirt.
A similar incident occurred in Massachusetts when 15-year-old Phoebe Prince was bullied in person, online and through a variety of media sources which eventually led to her taking her own life.
Other incidents of cyber bullying have occurred on Facebook to some of Penn Manor students.
“Sometimes people make fun of me cause the way I look, it really hurts my feelings and I just wish there was something I could do about it,” said one Penn Manor students who asked to remain anonymous.
Penn Manor junior Megan Schlegelmilch says she has been repeatedly bullied on Facebook.
“It happens all the time,” said Schlegelmilch, “people call me a slut because they can’t say it to my face.”
Another junior, Alyssa Thompson, says she has been harassed multiple times by the same person.
“He messages me once a month saying stuff like when he sees me he wants throw up,” said Thompson.
All three said they never reported any such harassment to the school.
This recent series may be a disturbing trend but it’s too early to determine the extent, according to isafe.org 42 percent of kids have been bullied online and 35 percent of kids have been threatened online. This survey was conducted in 2003 so all indications point to these numbers being low.
In this new media-based era, one click can change everything.
“Once you hit send it’s out there,” said Donmoyer.
