Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
2007 5 Forum %Obnoxious campaign ads fail to inform community u K elsey S chrader ___________ Entertainment Editor Excluding people who take up two spaces to park their car or maybe dropped phone calls, this year's election advertisements might be the most irritating thing we have to live with on a day-to-day basis. For some reason, these campaigners seem to think that unclear and misleading ads actually help their cause, but really, it confuses voters or makes people not want to vote at all. Instead of clarifying campaign issues, they are doing the opposite with these dumb, unnecessary, and annoying election ads. Measure 49 is currently reigning as my #1 most irritating campaign. First, what the heck do they mean by "Love Oregon?" Honestly, that sounds like a student's last-minute attempt at a catchy motto for a student government class. Yes, I love Oregon, and I'm not saying that we should develop more (in fact, I think that West Linn needs a little construction time-out), but this argument seems to be based only on emotion. And, who hasn't seen those obnoxious Measure 50 ads they play at least once every commercial break? Maybe it's just me, but honestly, who cares if they tax the pants off tobacco? It would benefit health care for children that are uninsured. Do they even have an argument? The whole commercial is about how it is using an amendment to change the constitution. That is done all the time; that's not a valid argument. (With that aside, all the commercial boils down to is two very bad actors who apparently love tobacco and hate healthy children. Who knew America's priorities were so out of line?) The problem at hand is that campaigns use the wrong strategies to get results. Both sides use biased opinions and slanted facts to tell you what they want you to hear. In the end, the only impartial information is the measure description and the explanation listed in the Voter's Pamphlet and information from non partisan organizations like the Oregon League of Women Voters. Let's face it, once the community actually gets to the pamphlet itself, they've been subjected to so many biased opinions on billboards and through advertisements that almost no one votes with a clear idea of what they're voting for. If you are voting this year, you don't have to be confused or misled. Before voting, take a little bit of time to research both sides of the measure either online or with the Voter's Pamphlet. Make sure you understand both arguments and which one appeals to you more. Also, ask around your community. You're much more likely to understand your friends or colleagues than the dull and puzzling descriptions in the pamphlets, not to mention the deceptive commercials on TV. "If people would rather die than go through the pain of a terminal ill ness, then let the choice be theirs." ---- David Burke, senior "It's the person's right. If they're going to suffer, why can't they end in peace?” — -Kaylyn Schaber, sophomore Technology is damaging lifestyle a A dam H olmes ______________ we can accomplish amazing Staff Reporter feats as the character that 4j£ nerica is a society is running around on the where much is taken for screen. All of this, without granted: food, money, shelter, leaving the comfort of our freedom, and the list goes home. on. Another thing we take The youth of America are for granted is technology. spending more time using We use it every day, but we technology than any other think nothing of it. Well, age group. A recent study by think about it. An electronic California State University alarm clock wakes you up in showed that preteens, aged the morning to get ready for 10-12, spent 10.5 hours a day school. A cell phone provides using game, Internet and you constant communication entertainment technology. with the world. Our school is Teens, aged 12-17, spent dominated by computers and 13 hours a day, and young televisions in every direction. adults, aged 18-25, spent But with so much 11 hours a day. All of these technology at our disposal, results averaged over a year. we tend to lose track of While preteens did spend the how much we use it. We least amount of time with technology, the amount is still have become dependent on excessive. gadgets. I can't walk more Many parents consider than a few steps in this school technological entertainment without seeing someone text messaging on their cell phone a way to keep their kids entertained while being able or watching a video on their to keep an eye on them. It's laptop. If technology is being no secret that the world is a used so much, is that a good much more dangerous place thing? than it was 20 years ago. Over the past decade, Children are kidnapped by Americans have not been predators and are found dead as physically active as we several weeks later. School were a few decades ago. shootings plague us. One Over 58 million Americans disturbed youth will lose it are overweight in some and decide that he needs to way, with 40 million of kill classmates. Parents want those obese. Technology to keep their kids safe from is a major contributor to the dangers of the outside this. With television, we are world and technology can be able to find out all that is a way to keep them home. going on in the world and With more kids staying vvatch endless amounts of inside, fewer are going Ynindless entertainment. outside. Fewer are socializing With computers, we are able with other human beings. to access vast amounts of Too much time spent with information on everything that exists. With video games, technology can encourage laziness and unhealthy eating habits, which can eventually lead to becoming sick in some way, physically, mentally or socially. That's not to say that all technology is bad. With the Internet, we are able to find the necessary information for school assignments or conduct research. Then there are all the uses for e-mail. Cell phones are a tool that allow you to contact friends with the portability of fitting inside your pocket. Then there is all the other electronic appliances that make our lives easier, such as washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves and refrigerators. If we want to enjoy the benefits of both technology and a healthy lifestyle, we need to find a balance. When using your cell phone, there really is no need to send 200 text messages a day. Set limits: when watching TV, playing video games or surfing the Internet, spend 30 minutes or an hour, and then go do something else for a bit. You will find you enjoy it more. And, make sure that you go outside every once in a while. It is refreshing and healthy for you. Technology is a tool that we use. It is both necessary to survive in modem day life and provides us with entertainment as well; however, we must remember that too much of almost anything can be a bad thing. We should control technology. Technology shouldn't control us. How do you feel about doctor assisted suicide ? mi "It's better to have a doctor help you. That way it won't be a surprise for your family and they will under stand. It's not just your life; it's your families too." — Amanda Patz, junior "It's their business. I can't say it's the wrong thing to do because I've never suffered through a terminal illness, so I wouldn't know the pain of that." ---- Andrew Daniels, freshman All photos by Malia Chong
