Cutting of Indoor Track in FairCo

Last year we (the track community) had to deal with the possible elimination of Indoor Track, along with gymnastics and swimming, for the 2009-2010 school year. Fortunately there was enough support from the community that not only track, but all other sports were sparred the chopping block. Next year isn't looking as hopeful. Obviously there are budget cuts galore that will be happening, not just in terms of school sports but also the removal of Fairfax County's payment for all students AP classes plus many more changes besides. Education comes first and foremost, but the county's job is to meet the needs and provide for its students. Cutting freshman teams and entire sports in general removes scholarship opportunities for those gifted enough to be able to participate in sports across the country, frees up time for students to participate in less respectable activities, removes incentives for students to keep grades up, the list goes on. Here at Herndon, the track coaches refuse to let anyone join the team with D's or F's on their report card. That means every student has to have atleast a C- in ALL their classes.

Writing on this blog will do nothing in the fight to save indoor track, but it does provide me with a place to vent frustration that those who run track with me this year and who are not seniors will not enjoy the same 4 years that I was able to experience. Running track is time consuming and difficult, but it has been an immense force in shaping me as a person, and the removal of that would change me. I will (hopefully) be continuing onto the college level of sports at William and Mary to run cross country and track at D1 level, not with any scholarships, but the opportunity is there as a result of being able to constantly train all year round, including during the winter season with indoor track. Fairfax County, please don't cut sports. That is all.

Who drew the cartoon? Jimmy Margulies

Where was it published? The Record, January 18, 2010

What issue does it deal with? This cartoon deals with the issue of relief in Haiti and the problems in hurrying up the process of getting supplies to those who need them most.

What is the cartoon's message? The cartoon is saying that Haiti is being held together with limited supplies and resources. "Band-aids" are the extent of the medical supplies available to the people of Haiti, and although foreign countries are offering "full support" they certainly are not offering immediate support.

Do you agree with the cartoon's message? I do agree. There are an estimated 200,000 dead, 70,000 bodies recovered and thousands more every day. The few survivors stuck in the wreckage need the support of additional manpower (US has 5000 en route) to help dig out and speed up the process, or else these poor people are left to die in the destruction of their own homes and workplaces.

Obama 2010

The Obama administration has done a lot of talking and not a lot of delivering. Although I definitely believe Obama came in at a very difficult time, especially in terms of the economic recession, he has done little that has had a true upturning effect. We are more in debt now with the stimulus spending than we were pre-Obama, and the effects of the spending have not been really felt as of yet. Hopefully in the coming months some alleviation will happen, but I don't count on it. What I believe Obama needs to focus on is the economy above everything else. If he can accomplish one thing this year, it should be getting the recession out of the U.S., it's a difficult task, but he owes it to Americans.

Who drew this cartoon? John Cole

Where was it published? Unknown

What issue does it deal with? The extreme amount of snow that has hit the entire east coast this year, it has hit the global warming enthusiasts in the face.

What is the cartoon's message? The cartoon is poking fun at the protests of global warming and environmental promoters who argue that the the poles are melting and all kinds of species are in danger, when we've been averaging ten degrees cooler per day than is normal and have more snow a half a month in to winter than we usually get throughout the whole course of the winter.

Do you agree with the message? I do. It's kind of hard to tell people that anything is melting when most people are freezing their hands off just walking to the car. The problem is that although I believe global warming is occurring, those promoters should should know how and when to pick their fight.

Holidays

My absolute favorite holiday is Christmas. It beats out my birthday, Thanksgiving, Valentines day (especially), and any other holiday. There is a certain festive cheer that lasts the entire month of December that is easy to get caught up in, i.e. Christmas music on the radio, holiday parties with delicious food, and even 24 inches of snow on very lucky occasions. Also the gifts aren't too shabby either. Giving as well as receiving is fun, and it brings people closer together. Throw in a two week break from school and you've got the best holiday of the year. Christmas kicks ass.

Who drew the cartoon? Mike Keefe

Where was it published? The Denver Post, January 8th, 2010

What issue does it deal with? This cartoon deals with airline security and the recent bumps in levels of coordination and cooperation that have been passed, including Obama's order that anyone entering the U.S. from 14 states with known terrorism ties be fully searched.

What is the cartoon's message? The cartoon is portraying a sarcastic view on the bumps in security, saying that next thing we know, people will be completely covered in full body casts before the U.S. government feels adequately safe.

Do you agree with the cartoon's message? I believe that the cartoon is right in saying that anything further will remove or infringe on rights of passengers, but safety is still an issue of upmost importance. People from those fourteen countries have very blatantly shown their feelings towards the U.S. Not every person from those countries shares the same view, but until they are willing to take it upon themselves to sweep out terrorism ties and activity in their respective countries, the full body pat down requirement is not too much.