Who Will Be in the Super Bowl???

Championship weekend is upon us and we have 2 great matchups that we are going to see between the Patriots and the Broncos and the Cardinals and the Panthers. Let’s take a look at the first matchup.

Broncos vs. Patriots- What is the headline here? Oh it’s nothing, just another matchup between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The Brady-Manning rivalry is one of the most historic and competitive rivalries in pro football. These two quarterbacks are easily in the top 10 for best quarterbacks of all time and have led some of the greatest teams of all time. Here’s the crazy fact: 9 out of the last 15 Super Bowls have featured one of these two gunslingers. Just think about it.  There are 16 teams in the AFC, these are just two quarterbacks in the whole conference. The only other quarterbacks to go to the Super Bowl in the AFC in the last 15 years are Ben Rothlisburger (3), Joe Flacco and Rich Gannon. So needless to say there is a heated battle here. To add to the heat, Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith told reporters this week that he believes Tom Brady is the biggest crybaby he has ever seen in the NFL due to the fact that Brady always looks at the refs after getting hit. He would finish by saying that though Brady does this, he does get right back up and he keeps on playing. HAHA! I’m sorry but, I feel bad that Denver has to play New England this weekend. Tom Brady is already one of the most dangerous players in the NFL in regular and in postseason history. Why on Earth would you want to make him mad? Don’t be surprised if psycho Tom Brady shows up in Denver this coming weekend.

Cardinals vs. Panthers- A battle of youth and experience is what I call this. While neither team has much experience in the Super Bowl (both have only been to one and they both lost), the Cardinals have an older cast of players to Panthers younger group. The Panthers snuck by the Seahawks last week after almost losing a 31 point lead in the 4th quarter. The dethroned Seahawks were shocked; I mean how else do you react after winning consecutive NFC crowns? The Cardinals played a magical game against the Packers on Saturday in what could be the game of the year. The red birds were winning by 7 with 5 seconds to go and reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers makes the greatest throw I have ever seen (50 yards in air while on the run, under pressure and having to throw across his body) to Jeff Janis for a touchdown to send the game into overtime. The Cardinals would escape after a 5 yard rushing touchdown by Larry Fitzgerald. So after both of these teams escaped last week, one will not be so lucky in this performance.

So who wins? The Patriots and Broncos I believed was going to be a great game, but after Antonio Smith opened his mouth, this could turn into a dominant performance by the Patriots. Just saying Tom Brady doesn’t like it very much when people criticize him. Just ask all the scouts that said he would never amount anything in this league back in 2000. The Cardinals and Panthers should be a fun to watch, hard hitting, high flying and action filled game. Both teams are still have the taste of victory in their mouths and are ready to get some more. But if my money is going anywhere on this game it is going to the Panthers.

Written by Kenny Quinn

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When People Get Paid to be Wrong All the Time

For those who have lived in Virginia for more than four years, we know that a weather pattern is nonexistent. The weather will go from 81 degrees on Christmas, to 21 degrees a week later. As it is right now, it is supposed to snow on Saturday night and extend to Sunday. Whether that actually happens or not is yet to be seen. I cannot blame meteorologists for not being able to predict Virginia weather. I blame them for being paid a nice yearly income for guesswork. At this point, they should just exchange their jobs for something more meaningful. Of course, if their predictions were actually right and I got a day off of school, I could probably find it in my heart to cut them some slack. But until then, I’m pretty done.

Written by Keira Zirkle

#HSM10

Only in a High School Musical is it a bad thing that a boy can sing and play basketball.  Ten years have passed since the first High School Musical movie came. At the age of 8, I thought this was exactly what high school was gonna be like.

I was wrong.

I spent a lot of P.E. time trying to do the basketball-dancing scene from “Getcha head in the game.” I could get the dribble part down but all the shuffling and tossing was just too difficult.

But, it was so good to see the original cast (minus Zac Efron)  They laughed at their old auditions and rehearsals. I noticed minor details that I never noticed before. Like how the chemistry teacher was pregnant. (They should have brought the 10 year old kid to the reunion.)All the cringe worthy early 2000 clothes. Nothing matched and there were so any colors. No, but seriously, for some reason I still don't understand why people aren't allowed to be multi-talented. It's like being divergent (from the book Divergent). Honestly, just let the pretty basketball boy sing in the musical.

But, the songs from this movie are what make it so memorable. They’re so catchy and the bring an entire generation together. I know for a fact the senior class spends a lot of time in English singing the songs from all three movies. It's altogether just a fun movie. It's the kind of movie that makes you get up and dance and quote it with your friends for days. ( I apologize to everyone who has to deal with me tomorrow)  

“We’re all in this together!”

Written Jasmine Bonner

Bath Bombs

Truly mankind’s greatest invention. And before anyone says anything, baths are neither obsolete nor gross. Bath bombs are not for cleaning yourself. They are merely for relaxation and emersion. The best kind comes from Lush. They sell them for under $7 online. You take the bomb, drop in the water and it releases colors and scents.

After that, you simply sit back and relax. I recommend getting a good playlist consisting of your favorite soft songs. If you enjoy reading, you can sit back and read your book. Don't forget to take a lot of aesthetic pictures. There's nothing prettier than lush-bath-bomb-water.

Written by Jasmine Bonner

16 and Pregnant: Harmful Influence or Helpful Life Lesson?

16 and Pregnant, a famous MTV show, has been on since 2009. The reality show details the lives of girls who, you guessed it, are sixteen years old and pregnant. A lot of people have debated whether or not the show is encouraging teenage girls to get pregnant by glamorizing pregnancy. I happen to disagree. I have watched this show since I was younger than the girls starring in the episodes. Never once did I see raising children as a fun experience that I wanted to go and try myself.

In most situations the girls get pregnant and then decide they are going to keep their baby. In the beginning, their boyfriends hang around and help them pick out things for the baby. But then after the baby is born, the girls slowly start to realize that they are on their own. Their friends are busy finishing high school and their boyfriends are out goofing around somewhere. All the plans of moving out of their parents houses go down the drain when they realize they can't even afford diapers. It is very rare to see the boyfriend stick around to help take care of the baby.

Other girls struggle with deciding whether or not to give their baby up for adoption. Sometimes they decide to keep the baby but realize they are not capable providers. Other times they choose to give the baby up but have a hard time letting go.

To me there is nothing glamorous about watching a teenager trying to handle the responsibility of keeping a human alive. Its sad to see idealism and optimism die when young girls realize the boy they trusted and loved has abandoned them.  

There is never an episode where a girl’s life was made easier or more fun by being a teen mom.  I think young girls should be allowed to watch it. To show them why it is important to talk to their parents and be careful who they trust. 16 and Pregnant shows girls the consequences of not being safe and making hasty decisions that could affect the rest of their lives.

Written by Jasmine Bonner

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Sports Stars and Racial Tension

Racial tension in sports has gone on for decades. Tensions are getting even higher after Mayweather compared himself talking trash to Connor McGregor talking to opponents. Now Mayweather does have a valid point. He is always being targeted by the media as a fluke, but has notable wins under his belt. On the other hand, McGregor has caught fire this year, and has taken the UFC by storm. He has also been redoing a lot of talking to his opponents before and after bouts. Do I think he is wrong? No, not at all. Confidence is key, but why, when Mayweather says he's the best, is there a big fuss and he is often scrutinized. The media portrays him as an arrogant egotistical person with no care in the world for others, but McGregor does the same and is viewed as a hero. Correct me if I'm wrong but they are both dominating their sports. However, one is portrayed as a villain and the other is portrayed as a hero.

There are many more cases such as Cam Newton seen as being arrogant for dancing when he scores,but why isn't this seen as passion. A mother even wrote a letter about Cam, and said that he wasn't a good role model for her child. So you are telling me that a man puts in work on his craft, and is dedicated to getting is wrong for doing celebrations that have been done for centuries? That is the worst excuse not to like someone. If you don't like someone you should just say it and not say he is a bad role model for doing celebratory dances. I can definitely understand why some think that Jon Jones is bad for the sport due to his out of the ring issues. He was battling drugs and bad life decisions, but to say Cam Newton is a bad influence is just reaching for something to dislike. I honestly just hope the media will treat all races equally in coverage.

Written by Josh Lewis

Raking the 5 Best Playoff Teams

As the 2015-2016 regular season comes to an end, the NFL playoffs are upon us. We are going to see some great matchups this year and maybe even some blowouts. So with out further ado, let’s take a look at who the top 5 teams are.

1. Carolina Panthers- The Panthers shocked the world this year when they had a 14 game winning streak to start off the regular season. The Panthers finished 15-1 with their only loss coming to the Falcons in week 16. The Panthers have the best all around team in the NFL this year. They have MVP favorite Cam Newton running the offense with extreme precision, a pair of Pro-Bowlers in running back Jonathan Stewart and tight-end Greg Olsen and one of the best offensive lines in the league. With that, they have one of the best defenses in the NFL with 4 Pro-Bowlers including defensive tackle, Kawann Short, outside linebacker, Thomas Davis, interior linebacker, Luke Kuekly and cornerback, Josh Norman. Altogether this is a very dangerous Panthers team entering the playoffs. They have the taste of victory after finishing their season on a high note with a dominant performance over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I would not want to play this team right now.
2. Seattle Seahawks- The Seahawks are an interesting bunch to watch. It seems as though for the past few years they start off their season slow, but come December they get red hot and just win every game. Seattle made a statement in week 17 when they completely dominated the #2 seeded Arizona Cardinals 36-6. Seattle is led by quarterback, Russell Wilson, who has been the best quarterback in the NFL over the past few weeks. They have played well-disciplined, hard tackling defense to go along with their offense. In all honesty, Carolina is the best TEAM going into the playoffs but the Seahawks are the best prepared because they have been here before. The hawks are the two time reigning NFC Champs so they are very experienced in the playoffs and on top of that they are the hottest team in football. So while Carolina is the best team, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Seattle takes another NFC crown and gets a trip to the dance.
3. New England Patriots- I know it sounds old now, The Patriots win 10+ games and Tom Brady and Bill Belichek head into the playoffs trying to win the Super Bowl, but it’s happening again. The Patriots have won 10 games or more for a 13th straight season and have gone to the playoffs in 12 of those 13. It’s absolutely ridiculous how long the Patriots have sustained their success and this season was no different from that success. Even though the Pats lost their last 2 games, the reason I have them this high is because of Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichek. This duo has a history of doing well in the playoffs going to 6 Super Bowls winning 4 of them. I don’t really care how bad the team around them is, it just always seems like they just know how to win.

4. Denver Broncos- The Broncos are team that either shows up or they don’t, there isn’t really any in between. The team will have to decide on whether to start Brock Osweiler or Peyton Manning at quarterback. Everyone wants Peyton, but the problem is that Peyton is hurt so do you a hurt Manning or a young Osweiler? Regardless as to who is quarterback, the Broncos are going to need to that defense to step up and shut down the Patriots, Bengals and Steelers who all have high powered offenses. The Broncos are going to have to establish a run game to succeed

5. Pittsburgh Steelers- I might be going out on a limb here, but it’s my opinion so I like the Steelers. The Steelers are a team that will fight until the very last snap of the game even if they don’t have a chance to win. Last week the Steelers had to win and they did, while they did play the Browns, I saw a team that was determined to make the playoffs. Hopefully they can bring that intense mindset into the post season. A big reason why the Steelers are this high is quarterback Ben Rothlisberger. Big Ben has won 2 Super Bowl title and doesn’t seem to flinch in the postseason very often. The Steelers have a very good offense including the best receiver in the game, Antonio Brown and a very talented offensive line. The defense of the Steelers is good, nothing spectacular, but I’m banking on a team underestimating Pittsburgh and making a run in the playoffs.

There ya go...a ranking of the best playoff teams, hopefully we have a fantastic playoffs this season and maybe just maybe a team not on this list will win the dance, who knows?

Written by Kenny Quinn

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Aluminum VI Charge

Apple didn’t have the best 2015 in my opinion. While the Iphone 6s shattered sale records, many bought the phone out of loyalty. After the hype of the new pretty colors died down, many complained that the new phone wasn’t really all that special.  Of course, since it’s Apple, these reviews did nothing to skew their high flying numbers. In order to truly dominate the market, Apple came out with several additional products, including their new portable phone charger. This didn’t do as well. However, some good came out it. With every new apple addition, comes a competitor trying to do better. Introducing 4Second Life’s new aluminum VI Charge. Made to look “apple-esque,” you almost can’t tell that it’s not an apple product. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much where all the pros stop.  The charger completely lacks an on and off switch. The only way it  activates is if you sliding your finger across the panel on the front. The charger is also really bulky, making fitting it in your pocket while charging very difficult. Plus, it blocks the radio jack. I mean, why can’t you listen to music and charge your phone at the same time. The Aluminum VA Charge gets more expensive the higher the charge. Starting price of an Aluminum VI Charge for Iphone 6 and 6s is eighty five dollars. My advice, get a cheap portable charger. They’re everywhere, from Walgreens to Radio Shack, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Written by Billy Coles

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Can't Stop the King

Yes, Lebron James is getting older, but to say that he is falling off due to age is completely wrong. Everyone expects Lebron to put up over forty points every other game. He hasn't had to do that since he played in Cleveland the first time. Everyone tries to knock him for leaving, but his performance with other superstars, such as Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade was amazing. Lebron got to facilitate the ball a lot more, and didn't have to put up thirty every other game. Now that he’s in Cleveland, he can rely on Kyrie Irving, J.R Smith, Kevin Love, and many more pieces to help win the game. I think people get caught up on the scoring and don't look at his overall game. His numbers are still consistent, and even though he may not be as fast or jump as high, he is still showing he can turn a team's playoff hopes around in one season. Honestly, I didn't believe he would go to the Finals, and he proved me wrong. Never again will I not believe in the King.

Written by Joshua Lewis

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A "Saintly" Birth

Like the British awaited the birth of their new princess, America awaited the birth of who will soon be one of the most famous babies to be born. The Kardashian-West clan just welcomed a new member to the family. Only 2 years ago, North West was born. Everyone was shocked at Kim and Kanye's name choice. While it is pretty just like the little girl herself (that girl is so adorable not to mention her left shoe is probably worth more than my house) it has become somewhat of a joke on the internet.

Multiple celebrities with unique last names joked about how they'd do the same thing with their future kids. Until yesterday (December 7, 2015) people were guessing what the new baby's name would be. Hoping for another directional name such as East or South. (Editor Zoe was hoping for Easton.)  But Kimye shocked us all once again. So we welcome to the world Saint West.

While it is not the name we expected it isn't terrible. Im sure there will be lots of praise and hate on twitter about it just like when North’s name was announced. Now we await the first sneak preview of baby Saint. What do you think about the name? Comment your thoughts below!

Written by Jasmine Bonner

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Real or Fake?

      One of the biggest symbols of the Christmas season is the Christmas Tree. We see them everywhere: stores, businesses and of course each other’s houses. Some of us, like myself, have a plastic tree that we use every year. We string on the lights, add the decorations, etc.

However, other people go and buy real trees. Personally I don't like real trees. In order to keep them healthy you have to keep them watered. The lights on the tree start to heat up and can cause the tree to catch fire.The needles fall off and cover your floor in sap. When they start to die the tree begins to look dry and the branches start to fall off.

Sure the trees look pretty if they are well taken care of but so do plastic trees. There are even realistic looking plastic trees. Don't be a hallmark character and assume that a real tree symbolizes “the true spirit of Christmas.”

Written by Jasmine Bonner

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Protect the Perfect Season or the Starters?

That is a decision Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera may have to make in less than a month. To me, it isn’t a hard one. You protect the starters, and you let 16-0 fly out the window forever. If the 12-0 Panthers can get to 15-0, they will have already clinched the homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs entering the regular-season finale Jan. 3 at home against Tampa Bay. If that happens, I would bench Cam Newton for that entire game.Why? Because Newton is both the Panthers’ franchise and, to me, the NFL’s Most Valuable Player this season. Carolina won’t win the Super Bowl without him. And that’s the big goal, whether it comes attached to a 19-0 or an 18-1 or a 17-2 season.

Written by Billy Coles

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MLB Free Agent Destinations

Well, baseball season is over we’re now entering the pre-season free agency time. So who are the best free agents and where will they land this off-season? Here are my top five.

1. Jason Heyward.

Jason Heyward has been a staple in the outfield for the Cardinals in the last two seasons. He is consistently a dominant defensive outfielder and rarely lets a ball get past him. Not only is Heyward one of the most consistent defensive players in the MLB, but he is also a great offensive player. In 2015, Jason Heyward had a very productive season, finishing with a .293 batting average, 13 homeruns, 60 RBIs and 79 runs scored. He was a threat even in his rookie season when he won the Rookie of the Year. Heyward would make a fantastic player in any outfield. The team that he would work best with is the Yankees. The Yankees are an aging team that still has the potential to do good things. Jason Heyward is young and can bring youthfulness to an aging franchise. With Heyward, the Yankees outfield would be dominant with Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jason Heyward.

2. Justin Upton

Justin Upton is the best all around offensive player still available in the free agent market. Upton finished 2015 with a .251 average, 26 homeruns, 81 RBIs and 85 runs scored. He is consistently hitting upwards of 20 homeruns and 80 RBIs so he has definitely become a valuable offensive asset on the market. So where does Upton end up? The team he needs to go to is the Texan Rangers. The Rangers roared back last year after having little to no expectations earlier in the year. The Rangers outfield is a bit rusty and could use Upton’s hitting ability very much. Upton would be joining outfielders: Shin-Soo-Choo and Leyonis Martin who both are very talented players, but with the rest of the Rangers outfield being either rookies or castaways, the Rangers definitely need an outfield with good batting ability.

3. Chris Davis

Chris Davis is the best pure hitter on the market right now and one of the best home run hitters in the game. Davis posted a .262 average, 47 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 100 runs over the 2015 season. Over the past three seasons, no player in baseball has hit more home runs than Davis’ 126 bombs and he has led the league in home runs in two of the last three years. So who needs Chris Davis the most? The St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals and Cubs are now the best teams in the NL Central and will be competing for the top spot this coming year. The redbirds are a powerhouse hitter away from winner yet again another World Series ring. Davis would be the perfect fit, considering that he is the best power-hitter in the game the Cardinals could not make a better move. They are the best team in the league when it comes to small ball but they need to bring in that one guy that can consistently knock one over the fence. If the Cardinals make this move, watch-out!

4. Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto was at one point an front runner for the Reds. He was dominant in every start and was extremely consistent. In the mid-season, he was moved to the Royals and played a big part in their World Series victory. Cueto finished 2015 with 11 wins, 13 losses, a 3.44 era and 176 strikeouts. Though his win-loss record isn’t amazing he still has a solid era and high strikeout rate. Johnny Cueto belongs with the Cubs. Cueto is a front line starter and would make one of the best 1-2 starters in baseball behind Jake Arrieta. This is such a good fit because we know that Cueto is great in the NL and especially the NL Central. He dominated the teams in his division in his time with the Reds. The Cubs are one dominant starter away from the World Series so if the Cubbies make this move, mark my words, in 2016 we will hear “Your 2016 World Series champions, your CHICAGO CUBS!”

5. Scott Kazmir

This is my dark horse pick. Scott Kazmir is one of those guys who struggled in the beginning of his career, but has found his groove over the last few seasons. Kazmir is a valuable piece for a two reasons. Reason 1: He has had an era under 3.60 over the last two years and last year was in the Cy Young talks. Reason 2: He would be a valuable teacher to younger players. Scott has been through a lot in his career with many injuries and a need to redefine his game. So who need this player the most? The Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays made it all the way to the AL title game this year and lost to the eventual World Champs, the Kansas City Royals. The Blue Jays already have the best offense in baseball and not many would argue that, but they need to be able to pitch. Their best starter at this point has been Marco Estrada who is slightly above average at best. The Jays could really use Kazmir because is talented. He maintains a low era and he can help teach the young staff on this team. The Blue Jays have two young starters who I think can do great things in Marcus Strowman and Aaron Sanchez. These two could be the keys to success for the Blue Jays. They are young and have plenty of raw talent, but the Jays also need that experienced teacher-like player who can lead them to the Promised Land. I think that player is Kazmir.

There you have it: the top five free agents still on the market and their destinations. Who do you think is the most valuable and where will they go? Feel free to comment below and give your opinion.

Written by Kenny Quinn

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George: Better Than Ever

Paul George is tearing up the court like he never left. He broke his leg a year ago, but is putting up stats like he never had that fateful night in the USA team scrimmage. Now, he is back and more improved than ever. We all saw the video of his horrific accident and  while people were quick to wish him well, many considered it the end of his career. Imagine their surprise when George came back healed and ready for blood. He’s currently averaging 26.5 points per game. With this great attitude and formidable spirit, I definitely see him as a candidate for MVP. While I don’t think that this will happen with Steph Curry’s perfect season, it does bode extremely well for his performance next season too. This is still a happy sight for me though. Seeing George playing ten times better than when he was first healthy gives me hope and faith in his longevity in the league.

Written by Josh Lewis

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What Does Dallas Need to Do?

The Dallas Cowboys, what can you say about them? Maybe it’s the fact that they’re “America’s Team” or maybe it’s that they can’t seem to pull out the win late in games, but opinion has always been mixed about this team. This year, the Cowboys were billed as the team that was going to the Super Bowl and run away with the NFC East midway through the year. But as you can see now the Cowboys are 3-8 and are sitting at the bottom of the NFC. So what happened?

Well, they had a 2-0 start and it seemed like it was going to be smooth sailing. However in week one, they lost Dez Bryant to a foot injury and in week two they lost quarterback Tony Romo to a broken collarbone. Once they lost those two, they went on a seven game losing streak with backups Terrance Williams and Matt Cassel taking over. Then it was a miracle, Tony Romo returned against the Dolphins and the Cowboys won! The following week on Thanksgiving day, Dallas played the Panthers and got killed 33-14. The worse news was that Romo broke the SAME collarbone he broke in week .

With all of that being said,the Cowboys should probably just count this season as an unfortunate year where they couldn’t stay healthy enough to win. If you ask me, I believe that the cowboys should just call this year quits. They’re probably lose a good chunk of the rest of their games if not all of them. The reason: the team with the worst records gets higher draft picks. Dallas already has a championship caliber team that is very talented and just has a problem staying healthy. So losing games and getting a higher pick should help the ‘Boys get back in the swing of things. If you ask me what their draft should consist of is a first round pick where they get a safety or defensive back. Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey is a very tempting pick for Dallas. Ramsey was a 2014 first team All-American cornerback last season for the ACC, USA Today and the Associated Press. They value of Ramsey is that he can play either cornerback or safety and can play both equally well. Dallas’ struggling secondary has had a rough year with cornerbacks Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr and Tyler Patmon struggling week in and week out along with struggling safeties Barry Church and JJ Wilcox. In the next round they need to draft a strong defensive lineman, possibilities include Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson and Ole Miss’ Robert Nkemdiche. Both players are strong interior lineman with great NFL potential. Finally, they need to draft a running back. The draft this year will showcase some talented running backs and Dallas definitely could use some of them. The Cowboys have cut two tailbacks and have lost another to injury. Derrick Henry of Alabama seems to be a very good fit in Dallas’ system. The Cowboys already have the best offensive line in the NFL which definitely helps any rookie running back just coming into the league. The great thing about Derrick Henry is that he is able to score with the football and  can just take off running on teams. This season, Henry has 1044 yards and 14 touchdowns which leads the NCAA. Henry is a big strong back that can just bully defensive player.

The last thing the Cowboys need to do is  make a trade for a quarterback. They need is a young quarterback with some experience, but not someone who is too old. My option for quarterback would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup QB Mike Glennon who has proved that he can be a valuable quarterback in this league. When he first came up a few years ago he had his breakout season where he threw 25 touchdown passes. So while I believe the Cowboys’ Tony Romo definitely has a good few years left in him, I believe that he needs a backup who can assure Dallas that they have a future. What do you think? Does Dallas have a fighting chance? Comment your thoughts below!

Written by Kenny Quinn

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The Deal With Guns

In recent years, gun control has become one of the most pressing issues facing the United States. So what are the facts? There are currently 270 million registered guns in the United States and 319 million people. 30,000 people die each year from gun related violence. First off let’s dissect that fact: the cities in America with the highest gun murder rate are as follows, 1. Los Angeles 2. Chicago 3. New York City and 4. Philadelphia. So what does that have to do with anything? It’s no coincidence that of these top four gun crime cities, each of their states is in the top 10 for strictest gun control laws. In other words, it is harder to get a gun as a civilian who is mentally stable in these cities than anywhere else. So, as criminals, why not go into the cities where it’s almost guaranteed that not many have a gun to defend themselves. By logic, a criminal would attack those areas because it has the least resistance. Now, to be clear, I do believe in background checks and that the goal should be to get guns out of the hands of criminals and into the hands of the responsible gun owners. I believe there are limits to who can have a gun. For me, these limits are anyone with an unstable mental capacity and people who are convicted felons as well as if you live with someone who is mentally unstable or has criminal background.  I say that we can do this through extensive checking on mental screening and checking criminal history.

So how do criminals acquire these guns?  It has been shown that of all shootings in the United States, 39.6% of criminals obtained a gun from a friend or family member, 39.2% of criminals obtained a gun on the street or from an illegal source, 0.7% of criminals purchased a gun at a gun show, 1% of criminals purchased a gun at a flea market, 3.8% of criminals purchased a gun from a pawn shop, and only 8.3% of criminals actually bought their guns from retail outlets. These facts show that almost 79% of criminals get their guns illegally and only about 21% of criminals acquire their guns legally. Ridiculously high rate right? So, we know about that 79%, let’s talk about that 21%. I believe this area is where we can start to help making a noticeable difference. Acquiring guns at gun shows, flea markets, pawn shops, and retailers is obviously legal so we can make ground by making sure that we have the best and most up to date mental screenings possible as well as criminal background checks. Obviously we are all human and make mistakes, but we cannot afford to make any mistakes here. People who are mentally ill need to be kept as far away from guns as possible. They can be incredibly  unstable and often are unable to be rational in situations where guns can and should be used. Automatically, criminals are not supposed to have guns; therefore, anyone with a criminal background should be prohibited from purchasing or using any firearm due to their past history of violence.

Next week, I will continue this ongoing discussion about guns and how our country should deal with it, I will be talking about solutions to problems, both moral and logical reasons behind guns and how and when guns were first allowed in the US. Join me next week and I would love to have discussions and feedback with all of you. Comment your thoughts below!

Written by Kenny Quinn

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Is Santa Baby In the Christmas Spirit?

Written by Jasmine Bonner

 

 

             Santa Baby. Usually sung by a female artist, it’s a pretty famous Christmas song. You know, the one where the singer asks Santa for lots of expensive gifts in a sultry/sexy tone . While the song does have a slightly sexy tone, I don’t think that’s its main focus. If you read the lyrics it's pretty much just requests for really expensive gifts.  

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me

Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot

Personally I wouldn't mind getting a yacht or a brand new convertible.  (If anyone wants to hook me up with one of those this Christmas my number is 555-0000)

I can agree that some of the lyrics are just a tiny bit risque

Think of all the fun I've missed

Think of all the boys I haven't kissed

Next year I could be just as good

If you check off my Christmas list

Ok. Yeah I could see how that was supposed to sound sexy. But if you don't read too much into the lyrics then it isn't too bad.

Now a question that could be asked about Santa Baby. “Is it wrong to ask for so many things that cost a lot of money?"  Sure, you could say the song implies “greediness” or “selfishness”, especially in a season that supposed to be about Christ. First of all, if the song was supposed to be about the “real reason for the season,” I doubt the singers would be asking little baby Jesus for a Porsche. I really think that it's just a fun Christmas song about a fictional fat man in a red suit who won't be bringing you any of the items requested, regardless if you sing it in a sultry voice and a short red santa dress.What do you think? Does Santa Baby seriously take away your Christmas joys? Or are selfishness and Christmas already too intertwined to make a difference? Comment your thoughts below!

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Troll Trouble

Hampton Roads has successfully gone through normal week days without tolls; however, that may change in the near future. Del. S. Chris Jones, chairman of the Virginia House Appropriations Committee and a voting member of the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) will be proposing that bridges and tunnels in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads areas be tolled. He has qualified it though to the High Rise Bridge in Chesapeake and a couple other bridges. Bridges like the Monitor Merrimack, James River Bridge, and Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel will not have a toll added to the existing lanes. The toll would be added if construction is made to create more lanes or HOT lanes. The reasoning behind the tolls is to create revenue to make roads to reduce traffic on I-664, I-64, and I-495 DC beltway.

If these tolls are put into action, it would restrict the workforce that travel the bridges in the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads areas. From personal perspective, crossing from Suffolk to Hampton by means of the Monitor and Merrimack Bridge Tunnel, two to four times a day would create a lot of revenue for the state, but have my family broke. On the interstates in question, there are traffic jams lasting for hours because of the many people coming and going to jobs. Washington D.C. might have the higher income status, but Hampton Roads does not. Hampton Roads is not classified by the upper, richer class, but by the middle and lower class who have fathers and mothers traveling to jobs. If the bridges, that are mostly travelled over by the middle and lower class, have a toll added, then the families depending on work from another county are going to be bankrupt. Obviously, I am not for the proposed tolls. What about you? Comment your thoughts below!

Written by Keira Zirkle

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