Obama or NObama?

 

No news is more important than the upcoming elections this November when our country will decide on a president. “Aggghhh,” is the common reaction when turning on the T.V!  I’m sure you have scrolled past CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC to watch more enjoyable episodes of “America’s Got Talent” or “Glee.” Well, I don’t blame you! America has fallen into a crisis where we don’t want to hear our leaders constantly criticize and blather against one another on National Television. Sure the upcoming elections are up and Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are in a huge battle for the top position in our country. Debates, controversies, and interviews have heated up and the only thing to offer from the candidates is arguments against each other. Romney says something about Obama, Obama says something back, and it starts all over again. If you follow the commercials, I am sure you are confused about the facts. Who speaks the truth? Who has controversies? Who has the advantage this November, Obama or “NObama?”

In my opinion, Romney first –off made a mistake in saying 47% of Americans are lazy and on welfare, and that is why Obama is surging in polls!  You can’t say half of the country is not working when most people work hard just to barely meet their ends. The economy is in bad shape, and people have a hard time finding jobs. But if there is work, I am sure people would be willing to work to improve their lives.  While Obama has saved the auto industry and many “green” jobs, Romney has yet to lay out his plan for solving the economy. His own party members are asking him to come out with more details!  Romney criticizes Obama and says he will repeal ObamaCare, but as a governor of Massachusetts, he enacted a very similar health care law, which has became very popular in his state. He had moderate views when he was the Governor of Massachusetts, but he is afraid to express those because he wants to appeal to his conservative base.

Just like this incident Romney also has a tendency in changing his views and thoughts, causing voters to be unsure of what he’s really going to do if elected president. For example, his views about abortion and foreign policies have changed drastically. Another controversy was Romney’s speech in a Florida fundraiser. In my opinion, a true leader has conviction and takes responsibility for his actions. He wants to reduce the deficit, but he doesn’t give the details of how he’s going to do that. If he reduce taxes on the rich as he promised, how can he reduce the deficit?

Phew, I’m running out of words for Mitt. Now let’s talk about Obama. The president of our country has accomplished so much in so little including bringing the troops back from Afghanistan and Iraq, saving the auto industry, killing Osama Bin Laden, ObamaCare, and helped saving many of our country’s “green jobs.” Obama has been criticized for high unemployment in our country, but people forget how bad the economy was when he took office. His stimulus has prevented what could have been the biggest recession after depression! Obama has saved around 4.5 million private-sector jobs and he’s still on the verge of creating more jobs and improving the economy in the 2nd term if he is elected.  GObama!!!

-Arnav Velaparthi

A Second Chance!

“Of the 17,500 players who have played in the major leagues, no player has ever had his MLB career end on the first pitch—except Adam Greenberg” (One At Bat). On July 9, 2005, tragedy struck Chicago Cubs top prospect baseball player Adam Greenberg. It was his first plate appearance in the Major Leagues and the fresh start to his career. But as the first pitch was released from a Florida Marlins pitcher, the ball forcefully collided with Adam’s skull and the rookie tightly clutched to his head. Players were shocked and in complete awe. It was evident that Adam wouldn’t be returning back on the diamond after such a terrible injury to the head. Or at least, that’s what everyone thought.

Matt Liston, one of the many fans of the Chicago Cubs, was at this game. Being a fanatic, Liston was truly disappointed that this young star’s dreams were shattered on the first day of his career. He immediately got Adam’s number and after going through seven years of rehab, decided to make something more out of this incident. He quickly befriended Adam and promised that he would try to make a change. Liston created the campaign of “One at Bat” where he convinced not only Chicago, but America to allow Adam to have one more chance (A Second Chance!)  to make a plate appearance in the big leagues. This change resulted in the Florida Marlins signing Adam Greenberg.  A change that would stick to Adam’s life forever. A second chance to let Adam pursue what he aspired to be!

On October 5, 2012, it wasn’t about Adam’s at-bat. It wasn’t about Adam making it back to the MLB again. It wasn’t even about Adam striking out on his second at-bat with the Marlins. It was about how his story has inspired us to persevere. I personally think Matt Liston should get the credit for his efforts. Of the many to be shocked about Adam’s first bat, it was Liston who stood on the side of Adam, and thought, “Gee, that kid is going through some tough times. I can’t imagine how I would be feeling if I was like that.” Instead of ignoring the matter or “feeling sorry,” Liston took this to WHOLE another level. He made a change. He was daring and stood up for a total stranger. He felt sorrowful and empathetic towards Adam. I think this is a great example to learn from in regular day-to-day activities. This is how we should feel about helping each other. In life, people make mistakes and other people should be willing to offer another shot for those who learn from their mistakes. America is a country full of opportunities for the people who work hard, but if you miss a chance, there are people around us with big hearts to make sure you get a SECOND CHANCE!!!

-Arnav Velaparthi

Is The End Near?

A topic that interests me is the ending of the world. , Tthe Mayans created a long calendar that has an ending. This Long Count calendar has lasted for five thousand one hundred and twenty five years. Although the end of the calendar leads to many different interpretations, one of the most popular is the belief that the world will come to an end on December 21st 2012. While there is no definite proclamation of how the end of the world 2012 predictions will happen, those who have studied this calendar claim that the long calendar was created in order to correspond with a long term astronomical prediction by the Mayan people.

This topic has made many people scared of what might happen on December 21st. Even though there has been many other predictions to when the world is going to end, this one might be the most interesting. This is because it goes way back to 3114 B.C when the Mayans made the calendar and it ends on December 21st 2012. Many people believe that this is true, but others say that it is scientifically impossible. I would like to look deeper into this topic in the future, it really does interest me very much.

~James Eigner