The Election Edition

THE

CelebratingH 84 years as the voice ofILL Leon. TOPMay, 2May, 2004004 Leon High School 550 E. Tennessee St. Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 488-1971 Vol. LXXXV No.4 Celebrating 85 years as the voice of Leon Should 14 year olds vote? Cali thinks it may be a good idea By Emily Woodruff The idea parallels a legally,” said sophomore Hill Top Features Editor burgeoning youth-vote Waylen Roche. movement both in the U.S. Sophomore Caroline As more and more and abroad. Britain has a Campbell agrees. companies take advantage formal proposal in Parlia- “Most 14- and 15- of the enthusiastic and ea- ment to lower the age to 16 year-olds don’t know what ger work ethic high and Germany is consider- they’re doing. They need schoolers provide at a low ing giving families as many to learn about how the gov- cost, students gain more votes as there are family ernment system works be- and more responsibility, members. Parts of Ger- fore they can become a taking on several aspects many and Austria allow vot- part of it,” said Campbell. of an adult life. They work ing at 16, and Israel’s vot- The Senators of around demanding sched- ing age is 17. California believe they ules, meet challenging With more and more are doing teens a favor by deadlines, and to the dis- countries contemplating increasing their power may of some, pay taxes. As youth voting, this issue may and influence in the high school students take soon turn local. Several of voting process, but the on the duties and respon- The phrase on this t-shirt may be proven wrong if the those who would be in- general consensus seems sibilities characteristic of bill is passed. cluded in the youth elec- to say, “No thanks.” It young adults, they may be “We have apprentice- high schoolers in their tions don’t think it is such seems the students of hankering after some of ships in medicine, journal- state this right. Or at least, a good idea though. Leon High School refuse the privileges that come ism, plumbing, and car a portion of it. They have “I don’t think enough to accept a voice in this along with adult life. A par- driving, why not politics?” proposed a bill that gives kids have a comprehensive country, on the grounds ticularly desirable privi- asks state Sen. John 14 and 15-year-olds a understanding of what’s that the typical high lege that many students Vasconcellos, one of the quarter of a vote and 16 happening in the political schooler is uninformed feel they deserve is the four California senators and 17-year-olds half. world. Voting is a privi- and apathetic. Senior right to vote. who wants to change the The idea is to expose lege. I know how to drive Chris Baker sums it up: Four California legis- state’s constitution to in- kids to the political world. really well, but that doesn’t “We teenagers aren’t lators are trying to give clude youth voting. mean I should be able to exactly rational beings.” Could the draft be reinstituted, taking you out of class? By Carolina Escalera body else. States military is being With all the talk about a Hill Top Writer According to staff mem- stretched thin. The Armed draft Leon students speak up. bers in his Washington, D.C. Forces are not only on active Although it might seem that While, historically, young office, Rep. Charles B. duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, every student would be Americans have been about Rangel (D-N.Y.) only wanted but also in some areas of the opposed to a draft, others the least likely age group to to stimulate a meaningful de- former Soviet Union, South view it in a different light. vote, there is one topic of dis- bate about the war in Iraq. Korea and Europe. “They [the government] cussion that is turning the Rangel officially opposes the In fact, the evidence that should reinstate the draft if it heads of many teens, especially war. the military is overstretched is necessary,” sophomore those at Leon High School: the “There’s not an Ameri- and needs significantly more Amanda Pogo said. “If they possibility of reinstating the can ... that doesn’t understand manpower is growing virtually added women I would most military draft. what we are engaged in to- by the day. likely go, to support the cause” D-NY Charles day and what the prospects The National Guard re- However others view Rangel proposed a bill calling are for the future. Why ported just a few days ago that the situation differently. for a military draft, although the shouldn’t we ask all of our enlistments fell some 10 per- “If the draft were idea of the draft is not to nec- citizens to bear some respon- cent short of their 2004 goal. reinstated, I would not go. essarily boost the ranks of the sibility and pay some price?” However, on Tuesday The Times reported They can’t make me go to military. Rangel, who is against Rangel said. Oct. 5, the bill was defeated Monday that the Selective war, it’s taking my right: my the war on Iraq, knew the bill The bill would have re- 402-2, with even Mr. Rangel Service, which is charged with free choice,” sophomore would probably not pass, but quired all men and women voting against the proposal. overseeing the military draft, Danielle Gross said. he wanted people to acknowl- ages 18-26 to perform a two- Although both parties began updating its contingency Junior Adrianne Carter edge that there are a dispro- year period of national service. have denied the fact that they plans for the draft of doctors, agrees. portionate number of minori- The bill defined national ser- will not reinstate the draft, there nurses and other health-care “I think enough soldiers ties and people from low-in- vice as a “component of has been substantial evidence workers in the event of a have died for oil and they come families serving in the armed forces or in a civilian that points to the issue. national emergency just last don’t need to send anyone else military and it is not fair to ask capacity that promotes na- First of all, there’s no summer. to die” Carter said. them to fight a war for every- tional defense.” question about it: the United November Page 2 Try third parties after 148 years of political monotony This election year, the tic chance of winning. multi-party democracy is Democrats and This has many pros and in present-day Germany, Republicans are both cons. People who defend which operates through slandering each other this system praise its sta- proportional representa- while promoting the bility citing unstabl tion. same causes with their ecoalition governments They also believe in typical diatribe. like Germany where the two-party systems new Nazis gained credibility. ideas are non-influential By Cameron Foltz They also claim it is and often go unheard be- Hill Top Writer easier for the voter to tell cause the party are pro- The amount of if an administration has posed by are not consid- young people, those un- fulfilled its promises; ered legitimate. der 25, who voted in whereas under a coalition Another contention 2000 declined for the of typical Democrats and the Democratic candidate diversity can be blamed is the candidates from third straight decade to Republicans are not ring- Bill Clinton, and the in- for a lack of progress. major parties are ex- 42 percent. In 1972, 55 ing true in an age group dependent candidate Defenders of the pected to run meaning- percent of young people that is, by nature, ideal- Ross Perot, 22 percent of two-party system also less, negative campaign cast ballots. istic. young people voted for say it is less prone to ads instead of discussing These facts raise an Political analysts Perot when he only got coups, civil wars and issues of true importance. important question. Why have pointed out that the 19 percent of the total other forms of political It is more likely that is political indifference youth are more likely to vote. strife. young people would vote growing every year vote for independent or Since 1856, there Proponents of a in higher numbers if the amongst the youth? third-party candidates has not been a U.S. presi- multi-party system rebut United States had a po- Obviously, they feel than older voters. For ex- dent who was not either this by claiming a two- litical system that inte- their voices are not being ample, in the 1992 presi- a Republican or Demo- party system creates a grated more parties than heard or they would not dential election, which crat. America has a two- stable government but just the Democrats and have stopped “speaking.” contested the Republican party system where only not stable democracy. Republicans. The monotonous voices incumbent George Bush, two parties have a realis- Their best example of a Kilmer, Boyd face off in congressional race Canadites bring eral votes’’ in Congress. Subcommittee and the Agri- different strengths to the To really know how culture, Rural Development, table in a lower profile to vote for a candidate it is Food and Drug Administration important to have information and Related Agencies Sub- political battle. about them. committee of the Appropria- By Carolina Escalera gradu- tions Committee. Hill Top Writer ated from State Uni- Boyd’s issues range from versity in 1969. From 1989 education to the second Many students might be until his election to Congress amendment aware of the presidential race Boyd served in the Florida “As a fiscal conservative, and the parties involved, but House of Representatives. I believe one of the most im- very few students know who Boyd was elected to Con- portant roles the federal gov- is running for U.S. Congress gress in 1996. On January 7, ernment can play in assuring 1997 Boyd was sworn into that our economy remains for Florida’s 2nd Congres- Allan Boyd Bev Kilmer sional District. The District office as a Democratic mem- strong is to keep our fiscal spans 16 counties, from ber of the 105th Congress house in order,” said Boyd. cation K-20 and serves on dorsed by many people and Okaloosa and South Walton representing Florida’s 2nd “funding education is reachable Appropriations, Education companies including First Counties, through Tallahassee, Congressional District. through sensible and respon- Appropriations, Finance & Lady and Florida and over to the Suwannee In the 108th Con- sible budgeting that makes Taxation, Policy, Procedures Governor . River almost to Lake City. gress, Boyd serves as the Co- education a priority instead of Committees, and Rules Sub- ‘’This is a tough race to The Republican party Chair of the bi-partisan Con- an afterthought,”continued Committee. read,’’ said Susan is strong in Florida. The party gressional Rural Caucus Boyd. She is also the immedi- MacManus, a longtime ob- controls 18 of the state’s 25 (CRC). The CRC a biparti- To see the issues that ate past chair of Opportunity server of state politics. congressional districts. There- san coalition of more than 130 Boyd has voted for in the past Florida, the economic devel- ``Kilmer has some real ad- fore, one of the most competi- Members of Congress com- go to http:// opment organization for the vantages and can say she will tive races this fall appears to mitted to strengthening and www.issues2000.org/FL/ state’s first Governor desig- be a loyal Republican in Con- be the Panhandle. The two revitalizing rural communities Allen_Boyd.htm nated “Eight County Area of gress, but many Republicans people running for Congress across America. Economic Critical Concern.” like Boyd and it’s hard to paint are Allen Boyd and Bev Additionally, Congress- Boyd’s opponent is Bev According to him as a liberal.’’ Kilmer. man Boyd is a member Con- Kilmer. Bev Kilmer, a Repub- kilmerforcongress.com, some Students are encouraged Boyd, a farmer, Vietnam gress’ Blue Dog Coalition, a lican, was first elected to the of the issues Kilmer is con- to get out and vote Novem- veteran and leader of conser- group of 36 Democratic mem- Florida House of Representa- cerned about are: creating ber 2, and make an educated vative and moderate Demo- bers of the U.S. House of tives in 1998. From then on meaningful & better paying decision about who should be crats in the House, is running Representatives who advo- Bev has represented House jobs; improving education; the next Congressman for the hard to defend his seat against cate fiscal responsibility in the District 7 for three consecu- stimulating small business; pro- Florida’s 2nd Congressional state Rep. Bev Kilmer, a busi- federal budgeting process. tive terms. tecting farmers; and reducing District in this tight race. nesswoman who charges that Boyd currently serves Kilmer currently the tax burden. the incumbent has cast ‘’lib- on the Military Construction Chairs the Committee on Edu- Bev Kilmer has been en- November Page 3 Goble vs. Souslov:Political debate; punches will fly Leon’s resident russian a case where a young girl but that would not be suf- and conservative could have been unfortu- ficient to be called a militant face off, nately raped, and ask if it “Grand Coalition” All the expressing their political is okay for her to get an other nations demand is abortion. The answer is respect, and the invasion mindsets. still no. All around the of Iraq violated this on all world there are adoptions levels. In fact, it techni- Hill Top staff writer agencies that could handle cally threatened the safety Drew Carroll interviewed the situation if the parent/ of any non-ally. Leon seniors Charlie Goble s did not want to raise the G: Our foreign and Anton Souslov on a num- baby. I believe that the best policy is probably not as ber of political issues. Here idea for teens and people great as it should be, with are their responses: in general is to wait until the war in Iraq we have ABORTION they are married to show killed several alliances Souslov: I cannot un- their physical love for one that were created well be- derstand how a nation so another. fore the current adminis- technologically advanced GAY MARRIAGE tration was born. But I sup- can be so far back in the S: I do not find this is- port the Presidents efforts Middle Ages on certain sue as essential as below. and think that with any social issues. To compare, I do not care what the thing there is always room abortion is no longer a church has to say about the for improvement. From problem in most European matter either. However, if hearing what Kerry has countries, since the vast indeed “All men are cre- planned I believe that it majority of the population ated equal” with respect to will fail and put the US into supports it. I do not under- the law, then indeed the Just as Rocky took on Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, Ameri- a worse situation. Bush has stand how a nation who economic privileges given can Charlie Goble and Russian Anton Souslov, Leon a plan and once the Iraq claims separation of to the common law seniors, face off in another Russian against American conflict is finished he will church and state can so couples and married fight, but this time its political, baby. be able to fix the problems closely follow the conser- couples should apply to with the rest of the world. not stop in the early 90s vative opinions of religious ALL couples, and there- dier in today’s military has When we started to help when we left Iraq after groups, reactionaries who fore also the right to ob- volunteered to fight for the Vietnam we assumed the freeing the citizens of Ku- are against “killing souls.” tain these privileges. freedom of the USA and to role of World Policeman. wait. President Bush is fi- It is even beyond the bla- G: Due to my belief protect the Constitution. Now we need to live up to nally finishing the job his tant fact that an unwanted system I feel that marriage They knew that maybe one our obligations and help father started. Today Presi- child will always be just should only be allowed day they might be called to out the countries that need dent Bush’s administration that- unwanted. It is a right between a man and a defend the American way it. has established traditional of every person, to a rea- woman and not a man and of life. This is what they did PATRIOT ACT school systems where sonable limit, to have con- a man or a woman and a and the citizens of Iraq S: I cannot disagree young people can go and trol over her own life. The woman. I think that they thank them for their contri- with the idea of the Acts, learn for the first time in anti-abortion stance have rights but the right of butions. Now think of this, only their implementation. their lives. He has also clearly violates that right marriage should not be al- forget the 1000 dead for a If indeed taping the wires freed the citizens form a for every woman. In cases lowed to them. Our coun- second, how many people etc would help find terror- tyrannical leader that where a child has devel- try was based on a Chris- are now safe in IRAQ? ists, the act would be a suc- would have killed a person oped enough to survive on tian background and Christ How many are now living a cess. As far as I know, this if they had any free its own, e.g. 3rd trimester, teaches his readers that better life? How many sol- did not happen, or at least thought. If American was abortion is no longer a pos- marriage should be be- diers will live throughout not happening any longer. this was we all would be sible option. However, be- tween two members of the their tour in Iraq? How Furthermore, the acts are dead. The citizens of Iraq fore that, when it is noth- opposite gender. Yes, I un- much have we helped the long overdue and do not were not killed peacefully ing but a part of the derstand that there is a people of Iraq? We have serve the purpose any they were tortured to death. mother’s body, I feel that separation of Church and helped them tremendously. longer. While violating pri- Saddam has also gassed his FOREIGN POLICY every woman should have State. vacy for safety is the own citizen to death with S: the right to chose. THE WAR IN IRAQ “The invade now, government’s way of pro- nerve gas. It is very clear Goble: I know that S: Watch Fahrenheit 9/11. ask later” policy? Well, tecting its structure, when that he needed to be taken this is a very controversial I am against any war many previous empires such exploits go continue out of office. As far as go- issue, but the answer is started without necessity. have dominated the world without reason, the gov- ing to the U.N. first, they plain and simple, it is mur- The war on terror is a ne- by controlling it. Indeed, if ernment becomes totali- have 19 failed resolu- der. When a man and a cessity, a war for oil isn’t. all nations belong to you, tarian. tions. The resolutions women decide that they Iraq is but the latter. you really don’t need to ask G: I think that the pa- range from getting rid of love each other enough G: I feel that the them questions. However, triot act is good for hunt- WMD to stop killing his that they want to express Campaign in Iraq is a noble as long as such powers as ing Terrorist but inside own people. John Kerry that love in a physical cause fought for the good the EU, China etc… stand, main stream United States even said that he was a manor (sex) they need to of the citizens of Iraq and even the most powerful na- it is not a good idea. I feel threat and need to be taken be able to deal with the the entire world. If you tion cannot afford to go this way because ounce a out. This war in Iraq has possible outcomes. The look at the big picture, against other world leaders. law enforcement unit le- been prolonged long best/worst out come is a when Iraq and the world is If the world were to turn gally imprisons you, you enough it needed to happen baby. When Roe v. Wade a free place we will all against the United States, can’t fight it in the court and I am glad that the citi- was decidedb it gave greatly benefit from our the economy would col- system under the act. This zens of Iraq are now living people to a chance to take contributions today. If you lapse faster than anyone means that if they made a in a safer place. In rebuttal back their actions by remember that we have can envision. We do have mistake nobody would to the fact that 1000 sol- KILLING the BABY. been actively fighting Iraq allies, such great powers as ever know or care and this diers have died; every sol- Some liberals will bring up for 14yrs. The fighting did Poland and the penguins, is not right. November Page 4 Leon’s Popular Vote We’ve heard what the about what the country world had to say, and thinks and does. we heard what the In spring 2003, “It’s kind of like president and president George W. Bush de- candidate had to say, cided on war with Iraq. but what does Leon The war has caused choosing who you think about President many deaths and has af- George Bush and fected thousands of hate less,” fresh- candidate John Kerry? lives in both Iraq and America. Buildings con- man Nathan By Kany Aziz tinue to be destroyed in Hill Top Writer Iraq and prices are go- In the United States ing up in America. Such Hyson said. of America, every voice actions have brought the is heard; the only excep- citizens of the United tion is those under eigh- States to form conclu- more Danielle Gross agree with it, some do teen in any election. But sions about the presi- asked. not. Some say that even at Leon, we decided to dent. His other disad- Then again, there though Bush has made include these unheard vantageous actions in- are those who are mistakes, he is still a opinions and voices by clude trying to ban gay against the war and good president. All different kind of conducting our own poll marriages, decreasing doubted the President’s Leon High School people with different on whom the students taxes for the wealthy, reason from the begin- has spoken and its opin- background who come would vote for. and bringing in the high- ning. ion has been heard. The together for a same Leon students est national deficit in the “I don’t agree with voices have come from cause, some for George come from different di- history of our country. anything Bush is say- all around: from Bush and some for John verse cultures and tradi- John Kerry, candi- ing,” senior Celeste freshmans to seniors, Kerry. tions that have an impact date for president, has Cerro said. “He lied from rednecks to preps. on who they vote for. promised to help the about why he went to For those who have less country, lowering price war [with Iraq].” knowledge about poli- rates and ending the war But most students Poll for the 2004 tics, parents and friends with Iraq, giving them are going with how they serve the main source peace and bringing the see the candidates, and Presidential Election for information on who country’s soldiers back. just who appeals more they will choose and “I’d vote for Kerry in their opinion. These numbers are out of 896 votes what they believe. Then because I don’t agree “[I would choose] from Leon High School. there are those who are how [Bush] handled the neither one of them, but the television watchers, war,” junior Nick if I had to, it would be who view commercials Kappelman said. Kerry,” sophomore and watch debates, and However, some be- Jonny Watson said. base their decision on lieve President Bush will “[I would vote for] Bush 311...... 35% what the media provides bring the war to an end Bush because I have Re- for them. Yet others are and shouldn’t be inter- publican ideals,” Alex 568...... the readers who look out rupted in the progress. Vezina said. Kerry 63% for articles in newspa- “Why bring some- There is a lot of pers like the Tallahassee one new to the war when controversy about the Nader 17...... 2% Democrat or the New you already have some- war that Bush has the York Times, and read one to stop it?” sopho- world through. Some