The Anarchist
January 24, 2008
By: Shireen Korkzan <skorkzan@hilite.org>
Senior Frank Schwarzkopf shares his political view.
Q: How do you consider yourself as a self-proclaimed anarchist?
A: “To me, what anarchism means is voluntarism. That means that people should have control over their own actions as long as they do not go against anyone else’s rights. Because of that, no coercive government is legitimate.”
Q: When did you consider yourself as an anarchist?
A: “The way this happened was several years ago when I was a liberal, I believed that the government should help people economically but not interfere in personal choices such as drug use or weapons ownership. I was also very anti-war. But then I came to realize it was inconsistent to believe that the government should help people economically and also believe that the government should not interfere in personal choices. That is because controlling one’s own money is something that is up to the personal choice and the government can not help a person economically without taking money from another person.”
Q: Which presidential candidate are you rooting for in the 2008 elections?
A: “Ron Paul is running as a Republican. He is not an anarchist but he is closer to my point of view than any other candidate part of a major party for probably 100 years. He is closer to my point of view than any other candidate because he is the most strict limited government candidate to run in a long time and although he believes that there is some legitimate function for government, he would drastically reduce the size of it. Ron Paul believes that the government’s only function should be defense of the people and their party.”
Q: Who from the last 100 years have you liked?
A: “Grover Cleveland and Calvin Coolidge. Grover Cleveland was the last limited Democrat to run but he was also the last Jeffersonian president. Calvin Coolidge was known as a “do nothing” president and was often unfairly blamed for helping to bring on the Great Depression but actually it was increased interference in the economy that caused it; Calvin Coolidge was not responsible for that.”
Q: Are you happy with our government or the Bush Administration right now?
A: “The Bush Administration, no. He (Bush) has done more to go against civil liberties than any other president and he is not conservative economically. He has spent more money than any president since Lyndon Baines Johnson.”
Q: Do you plan on going into politics in the future?
A: “I am not sure but I might enjoy being a political columnist. But I would have no interest in actually being a president, obviously.”
Candidates work hard to connect with young voters
January 24, 2008
By: Ellie Seta <eseta@hilite.org>
Sitting at her usual lunch table with a few of her closest friends, junior Leah Elston eats her typical cafeteria lunch. Murmurs of gossip fill the table as Elston and her friends chat about their upcoming weekends plans, the latest celebrity breakup or next period’s history test; all of which are topics of conversation typical of a high school student’s lunch table.
Elston admits that she and her friends rarely talk about politics or anything regarding government issues. “My friends and I just don’t really like to talk about that kind of stuff,” Elston said. During the 2004 presidential election, many new campaigns were created in hopes of increasing the voting turnout of citizens ages 18 to 29. These campaigns include Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ “Vote or Die” campaign, “Rock the Vote” and MTV’s “Choose or Lose.”
Despite efforts, the voter turnout still has not risen as much as hoped. While voting turnout has risen significantly in recent years, candidates still struggle to find effective ways to continue to connect with the teenage audience.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), strategies such as e-mail, text messaging, online social networking and other new technologies are new ways candidates are using to reach young voters.
Brian Spilbeler, WHJE station manager and communications teacher, said that the politicians must change the way they share their messages with young voters if they want to continue to increase voter involvement.
“If teens were given the choice of watching a political debate on TV or a reality TV show they would choose to watch the reality TV show,” Spilbeler said. “So, the media must find a way to reach them in a more interesting way. What they are doing now is promoting celebrity endorsements.”
Today’s political candidates have begun to embrace new of media involvement. Now, every presidential candidate in the 2008 election has created his or her own MySpace or Facebook page, containing information about themselves and their views on certain issues concerning our country today. Also, web sites such as YouTube have aired political debates and other such videos, which are easily accessible to young voters.
Harold “Hal” Espey, CHTV adviser and communications teacher, said he agrees with Spilbeler’s statement regarding displaying information for teens in a more creative way. “Not many teens watch mainstream news programs,” Espey said. “Where they get their information is through programs that combine factual information with more entertaining elements,” he said.
Cable television programs such as the “Colbert Report” and “The Daily Show” try to do just that. Both of these comedy shows display political information in an entertaining and comedic way, while they are not always the most factual source, it still gets the point across.
Elston said that she admits to liking these comedy shows more than the news. “I love watching these shows. They so much more enjoyable to watch than the news,” Elston said.
“Unfortunately teens have an apathetic attitude in terms of voting and other political concerns, this is taking their attention off of voting,” Spilbeler said. Spilbeler also said that teens do not like being told what to do, which is another reason why he said the media is not getting through to teens about voting and political awareness.
Senior Reed Taylor also said that teens have a very apathetic attitude toward voting and politics. “Regardless of what the media tries to promote teens today don’t feel like they make an impact,” said Taylor. Taylor, who plans on pursuing a career in law, is also registered to vote and plans on voting in the upcoming 2008 election.
“I really only listen to politics or political campaigns if I feel that what they are talking about really affects me,” said Elston.
“When problems arise that directly affect young people and the problems become first hand and more real, then I think they might start to pay attention and ask ‘What are our leaders doing?’ and do something about it,” said Espey.
But Taylor said that it is not entirely teens’ fault. He said that the media could do a better job of providing information. “I think that the media could do a better job of showing both sides of a political candidate, the positives and the negatives,” Reed said. “The media can spin it anyway they want,” Harris said. “But the important thing is to decide for yourself.”
But Espey said that it is not entirely the media’s responsibility to promote voting and certain candidates. “The idea behind the media having a role in the government is by informing the public,” Espey said. “They do not tell you who to vote for but rather question a certain public figure’s importance.”
Spilbeler said the bottom line is that teens need to acknowledge what is going on and do something to change it, and to not rely on the media to tell us what we should believe or do. He also said that in terms of voting young people should stay involved.
“Teens are somewhat complacent,” Spilbeler said. “When things are going okay then they are not concerned about their political leaders because they don’t have anything to complain about.” “In the end it is your choice,” said Elston. “Ultimately, you must make your own decision.”
‘Cloverfield’ wows with visuals, disappoints with overhyped plot
January 24, 2008
By Reid Conner (rconner@hilite.org)
Did the new Americanized Godzilla-type movie live up to the hype? With “Cloverfield’s” marketing strategy making it one of the most talked about and anticipated movies since “Snakes on a Plane” (not exactly something to brag about seeing how that movie turned out), it was obviously going to do well, but is it any good? If you ask me, “Cloverfield” was not as good as it should have been. Read more
Blast from the past
January 24, 2008
By Renny Logan (rlogan@hilite.org)
Twenty years ago this month, a myriad of change was occurring in music. Amid the decline of punk and the rise of metal, a smaller movement began with the Stray Cats.
It was the Stray Cats’ interesting blend of punk undertones and rockabilly style in addition to guitarist and vocalist Brian Setzer’s finesse for jazz guitar that would forever etch the band into music history. While the mainstream potential of the band’s music caused the rockabilly underground to hate it, the integration of punk angered rockabilly purists.
However, in order to understand the contrast of the sounds the Stray Cats had melded together, it is pivotal to have an understanding of rockabilly. The genre, formed and popularized by the likes of Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Big Bopper and early Elvis Presley, was a combination itself of country bluegrass and early rock with a slight integration of blues and jazz. Read more
Thai Castle provides quick service, low price tag, variety of classic Thai dishes
January 24, 2008
By Shireen Korkzan (skorkzan@hilite.org)
I’ve always considered Jasmine Thai Restaurant on 96th St. as my favorite place to go because Thai food is my favorite, and it was the only Thai restaurant near my house. But then in September, a new Thai restaurant opened in the Mohawk Landing Shopping Center on Rangeline Road, which is an even easier drive for me than Jasmine. Called Thai Castle, it more than exceeded my expectations. Read more
Kabob Korner has limited but appetizing selection
January 24, 2008
By Meher Ahmad (mahmad@hilite.org)
The scent of freshly cooked lamb skewers lures in kabob-loving patrons daily to the quaint Kabob Korner.
The Afghani café’s feel is more relaxed, with metallic chairs and small round tables. The bright walls, shocking pink and purple, lighten up the small enclave. At a small counter in the back of the restaurant, patrons may order from a small choice of Afghani staples, ranging from soup to kabobs. Ordering at a counter as opposed to the table was more informal than one would expect, but don’t be fooled by the relaxed atmosphere: their kabobs rival some of the best available in the Indianapolis area. Read more
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