A ROYAL AFFAIR

If anyone picks up the latest US or People magazine a reader can read all about the upcoming marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton. The tabloids are raving about anything and everything from what designer Middleton for her dress to the tiniest details of the ceremony. Even though the pair’s engagement has become one of the biggest news stories of the year it might be overshadowed by another story centered around Prince William. There was recent speculation the Prince William would become the next king instead of his father, but the young prince commented back and said, “he had no desire to climb the ladder of kingship before his time.” This whole debacle spiraled out of control even more when the public stated that they rather have William as a king then Charles.

To me, this whole situation seems very silly. I do not know understand why the public is so anxious to know who their next king will be especially since their Queen is still alive. The royal titles are inherited so they do not even have control over who receives the crown. It seems a bit ridiculous to be so worried about this issue whenever there is nothing they can do about it anyways. Another reason, I don’t get why this situation was blown up to reach the tabloids is because in England the monarch does not even hold very much power anymore so it is not like they are having to worry about who is going to rule and oversee their country when the Queen passes. This piece of news caught my eye because it just seems so insignificant for it too take up such a large part of the news. There are bigger problems going on in the world that should be focused on more instead of publishing an article about how a few people suspect that Prince William wants to receive the royal throne before his father. 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Within my generation the problem of academic dishonesty is growing more and more. I don’t know if it is because we have gotten lazy as students or we just have the means to cheat more then previous generations have. To me, this is a big problem because if people choose to cheat then they are not really learning anything. Getting too much help, copying another persons homework, or making a cheat sheet for a test do not help us grow intellectually. Because of these things people are learning to not think or do their own work for themselves. 

People need to realize that it is not ok for them to not study and coast along on the coattail of another. The students who choose to take part in academic dishonest such as cheating and plagiarism really need to think about the consequences. At the moment, cheating might be the easy way out to save their GPA, but in the long run it could be one of the worst decisions they ever make. For example, no one wants a doctor to operate on them who cheated their way through college and medical school. If my life were in the hands of another I would want them to have been paying attention in class and studying whenever they are going to perform a surgery or even diagnose me with something. Also, because they cheated they might not know all the information they need to become a successful practicing MD. In an emergency situation that doctor might not know the best action to save a life because he or she didn’t take the time to learn what he or she needed too.

I realize someone dying because a doctor cheated in medical school is an extreme situation, but if academic dishonest continues to occur this example could become a reality if it hasn’t already. At times cheating seems to be the best solution we as students might have but in the overall scheme of things it could really hurt someone. Now is the time to put an end to the problem and start finding a solution. 

Is Trick or Treating Safe?

Every year when October rolls around every person can see the signs that Halloween is approaching. Some people love this holiday and go all out by decorating their house with the scariest decorations and dressing up in the most elaborate costumes. A lot of others just blow it off like it is just any other day. No matter if Halloween is your most favorite or least favorite holiday everybody knows about the tradition of trick or treating. In the olden days people would be given “soul cakes” whenever you knocked on the door instead of candy. These cakes were distributed as a way of saying a prayer for the family and their deceased loved ones who received. As time has gone along candy has replaced the distribution of cakes. After years and years of children receiving all kinds of candy parents now have to worry about their children receiving poisonous treats. It is so sad to think that some people in this world have ruined one of the greatest traditions the children get to experience. Every year children look forward to the free candy, and parents can’t wait to see their kids all excited and dressed up. It is such a disappointment that it might all come to an end because of a few sick people who would want to hurt innocent strange children just because they think they can get away with it. Even if this is not very common for children to receive poisoned candy it has happened enough for it to be a worry in the back of parents’ minds. It is ridiculous that something so fun has to be spoiled because of some people’s actions. I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to children or my own, life but the frustration that the holiday will never be the same will always bother me. 

Political Attack Ads

Over the recent months there has been tons of political campaign commercials all over television telling why you should vote for this candidate and why would shouldn’t vote for another one. As Election Day creeps closer and closer I have noticed more and more slam ads talk about how awful a candidate opposition is instead of advertising about the wonderful ideas he or she has for their state. Over time, I began to realize this form of advertising for politicians took place more than any other tactic. The fact that politicians were trying to bash their opposing candidates like this really bothered me. If they want to tell the public about the awful things or events the other person has participated in they should do it for themselves and not hide behind the front of the commercial. If their desire to damage the other person’s credibility is so great they should have the nerve to stay it directly to the people.  The recording of the politicians voice saying, “I am whoever, and I approve this message” is not enough. To me, it makes who ever is endorsing the commercial seem like a coward because he or she does not want to take the risk to say it for his or her self. Most politicians do not want to be seen as a jerk or a hateful person so making direct accusations like the commercials do would not be good for their image. Because they want to have this squeaky clean image for the campaign contradicts the whole reason for having commercials of this sort.  Personally, I lose respect for those men and women who choose to do broadcast commercials slamming their opponents especially when they want to be thought of as a the best person to represent the people.