inside: Drunken Public Did You Hear True Life: Opinion -page 2 That? “I Was Molested In Sports: The truth about the by my Father” Swimming on to Vilisca Axe Districts Murder House -page 4 -page 3 -page 5 Y “I think it’s my responsibility V O T E R S to voice my thoughts towards the Election 2004: government and to do something Lewis Central High School U about them by voting” N What They Forgot to G Dani Mescher to get young people to vote is waiting in long lines, absentee Mention Co-Editor-In-Chief MTV, the popular music voting gives them a chance to let entertainment cable television their voices be heard without Jennifer Ettinger During this election, more station. MTV has gone to great having to jump through the hoops Copy Editor than ever before, the political world lengths to make sure every at precincts. With the presidential debates still clear in our minds and the cam- has been trying to get young voters eligible voter that watches it’s “I filled out an paign race at its climax, I can’t help but wonder what it is that isn’t active and involved in the programming has the chance to absentee ballot in case I’m busy being discussed. Bush and Kerry both have Iraq, health care, homeland government process. There are a register and vote. working that day,” said senior security, and education covered; if you don’t know their views on those October 2004 number of reasons behind this push “It’s important for Brian Warren, “This way I don’t subjects, I’d be seriously concerned about your involvement with the for new voters, one of which is the MTV to publicize voting have to worry about it and it is outside world. But is there something that has been overlooked, per- declining number of young voters because a lot of kids watch, and hassle free.” haps a problem not mentioned in the close presidential race? Well, I showing up at the polls in past they might not otherwise be Though this movement believe there are three quite serious ones that are worth mentioning. Wire years. Less than half of eligible involved,” said senior Katherine aimed at rallying young people Wire young people between the ages of Tweedt, “When they see their has been tremendously eighteen and twenty-four voted in role-models on TV encouraging successful in offering new voters Drug Abuse the last presidential election. That voting it makes them want to get a variety of options when it The first issue that hasn’t figure is both alarming and involved as well.” comes to voting, there are still been focused on in all the bashing disheartening, but at the same time One of the main ways those who will choose not to take and shouting of the campaigns is it’s understandable. to get young people voting in advantage of the right they hold drug abuse in America. Did you Because young people the election is to give them as American citizens. That know that nearly twenty million haven’t been voting, campaigns many easy opportunities to nonchalant attitude upsets those Americans over the age of twelve who do take the time to vote and haven’t felt a need to waste register. During this election, used illegal drugs regularly in get their opinions heard. resources targeting young voters. Iowa was one of six states that 2003? 8.2% of the population participated in a grassroots “If people don’t take Photo obtained from Yahoo This has created a vicious cycle of makes up marijuana users. I find campaign aimed towards young the little effort that’s needed to Search: Drugs teens not voting and campaigns not this a little bit frightening. What recruiting them. The lack of people. The New Voters Project formally voice their opinion, they using. Bush and Kerry have even The does it say about America? attention has left many young was a campaign devoted solely should keep their mouth shut and vaguely discussed their plans on The Someone should be stepping up to people feeling disengaged and to registering new voters for the never complain about how to lower the numbers. But is reverse this sad tale. unconnected to the election. November 2nd election. In Iowa, government decisions,” said it enough? Now I’m not going to say that “I haven’t really gotten 35,000 new voters registered senior Emily Shanks. While the candidates are the government hasn’t done into the election this year, and I alongside the 330,000 other Most eighteen year rattling on about millions losing don’t know enough about it to young people who registered old, eligible voters here at LC anything to try to stop these their jobs, more than ¾ of drug and vote,” said senior Molly Misfeldt. nation wide. share the same opinion. They tremendous numbers. $150 million alcohol users are employed. I Because of this year’s The main goal of the understand the importance of is being spent on anti-drug ads, think maybe the focus should be deadlock in the race for the White project was to give teens easy voting, and they consider it their which has had an effect on the switched if America is to become House, both political parties are access to registration forms so duty to make a difference by number of kids tempted to try a better place. finally realizing that young people they would be more apt to fill casting their ballot on Election Population make up a large number of voters them out. Seniors here at Lewis Day. Growth that have the potential to break the Central registered at numerous “I think it’s my Population growth is a major stalemate, and they’re starting to places including at their responsibility to voice my issue in the world today because target them. In the 2000 election churches, in the mail, on the thoughts towards the government of the increasing numbers of alone, presidential candidate Al Internet, at the courthouse, at and to do something about them people putting strains on the Issue 2 Gore beat George W. Bush by only the DOT, and with one of LC’s by voting,” said senior Jessica earth’s resources. You may think a one percent margin in Iowa. government teachers. Hargis. that the United States has nothing Though that margin was minimal, “I registered with Mr. Not only is voting a to do with the negative effects of responsibility, but many consider Gore sill got all of the state’s Drake,” said senior Kim population growth, but the truth is Photo obtained from Yahoo electoral votes. McFerrin, “It was so incredibly it an amazing opportunity that that we do, and maybe more so Search:Population. “With the unit rule that easy, and it took two minutes. shouldn’t be ignored. Because than any other nation. most states uce, candidates get all It was really convenient doing many young people aren’t able Although the U.S. doesn’t are there enough resources to the state’s electoral votes or none it here at school.” to vote, those who can should be seem to be contributing to the issue support the thousands being born of them,” said instructor John Along with easy honored to get the chance. of overpopulation, we are the ones everyday? Upcom ing Drake, “If they only lose by a few registration, one other way “It’s stupid not to vote who are using far more than our If we continue this trend and votes they still lose all of the votes political campaigns have been because it takes five minutes. share of the resources. Most people set an example such as this for Events from that state. Because of that, trying to make voting easier for Voting is a privilege, and those think that overpopulation means other countries to follow, is there it’s very important that the Iowa teens was to offer them the seniors who get the chance to that too many people are being going to be enough to go around? campaigns get as many people option to fill out an absentee vote on this election are born, but that’s only part of the And since this obviously is a huge voting as possible.” ballot. A representative from lucky,” said senior Daniel issue. The core of the problem is problem that affects the entire In order to persuade these the Iowa Democratic Gulden, “Even if people only that resources are running out. world, why hasn’t it been up and coming American leaders to headquarters explained that have one opinion and that’s all There may be enough room to hold mentioned in the presidential vote, many highly publicized media absentee voting is much simpler they’re voting on, that’s all all of the people in the world, but campaigns? November outlets and celebrities are working than actually voting at the that matters. Five minutes to together to promote Election Day. precincts. Since young voters help decide a significant part Sudan Civil War 2: Presidential Election. VOTE and One of the biggest and most well have many other things to do on of the country isn’t too much to Although the problems I have ask.” encourage others to VOTE! known supporters of the movement a Tuesday that don’t include mentioned before are quite important, I’d like to make it clear Flu Vaccine Shortage Concerns Many that I find this issue by far the most devastating.