Penn Points Online

Habeas Corpus Lost for U.S. Citizens Suspected of Terrorism

By Adam Rohrer –

The National Defense Authorization act is set to to be signed into law Thursday. The bill will allow for the removal of due process of American citizens who have been accused, without evidence, of being a suspected terrorist.

Not everyone at Penn Manor, or the country for that matter, has been following the issue but those that have, have strong opinions.

Penn Manor junior Haley Smith said “Every person deserves a fair trail, If you’re an American in America you should have your right to a fair trail.”

The National Defensive Authorization Act would give the U.S. military the ability to detain and arrest American citizens on U.S. soil indefinably without due process if someone is suspected of involvement in terrorism. The U.S. government believes that those deemed as “terrorists” are “special cases” and cannot be given due process which is why they were kept in Guantanamo bay. With this bill passed, nothing technically could stop the government from labeling someone a terrorist, arresting that person and putting him or her before a military tribune.

In other words “guilty until proven innocent.”

Penn Manor Junior Ben Murphy said “If they’ve done nothing wrong they have nothing to be afraid of” in regard to the possibility that these new powers might be abused.

The part of the bill in question can be found in section 1031 where it defines the entirety of U.S. territory as a battleground. While the wording in this section is vague, near the end of the bill it comes back to the issue and confirms US citizens are included in the bill. In essence the bill states that any US citizen accused by the White House of being a suspected terrorist will be subjected to military law.

“Why would you accuse your own people of terrorism?” asked Penn Manor Junior Emily Stotoft.

The NDAA was a bill drafted in a private session not open to the public by several U.S. senators. It has already passed the Senate, 86-14 and in the House, 283-136.

Obama had previously promised to veto the bill but sources indicate that he is now going to sign it. A veto from the president would not be enough however as the Senate would be able to override the veto with such overwhelming bipartisan support.

“By signing this defense spending bill, President Obama will go down in history as the president who enshrined indefinite detention without trial in U.S. law,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “In the past, Obama has lauded the importance of being on the right side of history, but today he is definitely on the wrong side.”

Obama has taken heat from civil liberties groups for his support for the indefinite detention of Bradly Manning without trial or due process. Bradly Manning is known for leaking classified documents that provide evidence of war crimes committed by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to Wikileaks.

Republican Presidential candidate and long time Libertarian Ron Paul have been one of the only influential public figures to attack the bill for its violation of civil liberties.

“This is a giant step – this should be the biggest news going right now – literally legalizing martial law,” said Paul.

“This is big,” emphasized Paul, adding, “This step where they can literally arrest American citizens and put them away without trial….is arrogant and bold and dangerous.”

While many Americans and students at Penn Manor may think that this does not effect them, and that suspected “Terrorists” do not deserve a fair trial or human rights. These people may be interested in the fact the the U.S. Department of Defense lists “protests” as an activity that warrants suspicion of low-level terrorism. With this law you can be arrested and indefinitely detained without due process or a fair trial for protesting in the United States of America.

Some fear the new law would correlate with events that led up to Nazism in Germany.

“First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.” – Martin Niemoller – Holocaust survivor on the silence of Germans during the rise of Nazi Germany

Self-Segregation Not Always Racism

By Jay Jackson and Cheyenne Weber–

“I am more comfortable with my race,” said Samara Figueroa, a minority student, who was walking down the Penn Manor High School hall recently with another Hispanic student and friend.

Like many Hispanic students at the mostly white Penn Manor High School, Figueroa hangs out primarily with other Spanish students. She said, as do many students, people prefer to hang out with members of their own race.

But they insist that doesn’t make them racists, although they are very aware of their differences.

“I used to go to a city school, and I was nervous because I heard there were a lot of white people (here), I am not racist or anything,” said Figueroa. “A lot of (non-Hispanic) people stare at me, and people are always like, ‘Why do you talk like that?'”

Even though the number of minorities in Penn Manor School District rose from 13 percent in 2008 to 17 percent in 2011, the minority base in the high school is still that, a minority. Nearly 85 percent of the high school student body is white. Nine percent are Hispanic, three percent are black, and two percent are considered mixed race (not Hispanic). Two percent of the student body is Asian, and three students are Native American.

DSCN3580 — A group of minorities who sit together everyday in the Penn Manor cafeteria. Photo by Cheyenne Weber

Whether it is because of a comfort zone, fear or it is just an easier way to relate, the minorities and whites at Penn Manor seem to have their reasons to be naturally attracted together in the halls, classrooms and in the cafeteria.

Different races do different things from handshakes, slang and fashions.

“I would feel left out if I was the minority in school,” said Zach Hecker, a white student. “Some people are afraid to hang out with a bunch of black people and say something wrong.”

ethnicityreport1EDIT — Ethnicity Distribution Report

One of the main reasons the students don’t often socialize outside their race, they say, is because others sometimes don’t understand or relate to their culture.

Another common sentiment was that people also tend to reach out to only their race because people feel more comfortable talking to someone when they have something in common with that person.

One place where the students overtly congregate by race is during lunch in the cafeteria.

An entire table of black students and another of Hispanic students stuck out in the bustling, mostly white Penn Manor cafeteria this year.

A book, titled Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, says this phenomenon is called self-segregation.

“It’s not the same when you’re not with the people you’re with all the time. It’s okay ’cause they get your jokes and everything, but other times they are just out of it,” said Gladdy Clay, a minority student.

Students said there are obvious divisions or cliques in school, often along racial lines. And they said it a lot. Penn Manor students were quick with their opinions about the race divisions in the high school.

“I get nervous being around the other minorities,” said Mark Conrad, a white student.

“We pay attention in class. We don’t pay attention to other people that don’t want us here,” said one Penn Manor minority student.

DSCN3195 — Samara Figueroa explains how it feels to be a minority in a predominantly white school. Photo by Cheyenne Weber

To some students racial cliques seem impenetrable unless you have the right colored skin. This can be tough for new students at Penn Manor.

“Some rednecks act immature. They click their boots loud and they give you that look, but we don’t come at them for being white,” said a student at Penn Manor who wished to remain unnamed.

“Sometimes it’s a little frustrating because, like, everybody acts differently because different cultures act in different ways,” said another Penn Manor minority student.

“In a (white) majority school district, black students and Hispanic students will sit together out of a feeling of comfort and some will also say there are somethings my white friends can’t understand,” said Quay Hanna a Penn Manor club leader, activist and author who gets kids talking about racial issues in an effort to ease tensions.

When you first meet someone, you don’t know if that person has anything in common with you. Color is something that is apparent at first glance. If you are the same color it gives that person a natural comfort zone without even greeting each other, some experts say.

Communication is a part of life and sometimes inter-racial communication can be a huge hurdle, affirmed Hanna.

“I felt really weird just hanging out with a bunch of black kids and being the only white kid there. Sometimes I don’t understand what they are saying,” said Hecker.

zach hecker — Zach Heckers talks about race at Penn Manor High School. Photo by Cheyenne Weber

Many students at Penn Manor haven’t been put in the situation of being the minority and have trouble dealing with the thought of being different.

“I was in a class with a whole bunch of rednecks, and I was like hell, no. I am getting out of here, so I switched classes,” said a Penn Manor minority student.

The minorities at Penn Manor go through this everyday and it can be extremely stressful for some.

Some minority students feel like they aren’t welcome in a group of white students.

“Were just being us. They think we are loud but were just being normal when a white person is loud they are called normal but if were loud were called ghetto,” said Jarkysha Jones.

It can be tough to be a certain color and come to a school where you’re not the majority race.

“I ask white students if they went to a Philly school…how would they know where to sit when you enter the cafeteria. Even the white students might not always be like you,” said Hanna.

It is hard to think that students believe that if you are of the same ethnicity that you will have things in common or will be easier to get along with, but it is unfortunately true.

“We’re not here for everybody else, we’re here to learn,” said another Penn Manor minority student.

But racial tensions here at the high school are not interfering with education, most students agreed.

“I had to get used to the white people. Once you are around it for awhile you get used to it,” said Dayonte Dixon, a minority student.”Minorities are clicking together because they are an odd man out”

Cell Phone Ban a Possibility for Drivers

By Chris Fleming –

You turn your car off and check your phone, two missed calls and three missed texts.

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that drivers should not be able to access their phones while driving.

Penn Manor students feel differently.

“It’s easy and safe unless you’re dumb,” stated senior Nick Zell.

“I never text when I’m driving because it’s hard to do and I know I’m not as focused,” said senior Brian Le,” but answering a phone is different, I can drive the same with one hand and talking on the phone is just like talking to some one else in the car so I don’t really see the big deal.”

“I rarely use my phone when I drive because I drive stick, my one hand that I could be using to talk on the phone is already busy so I don’t use my phone much when I drive anyway,” said senior Alex Sorce.

“I use my phone only at stop lights to text because I don’t feel safe doing it while I drive,” said senior Skyler Major,”but I do talk on the phone when I drive.”

“I don’t text while I drive but I will answer the phone if someone calls,” said Ryland Overly.

Many states already have bans on hand-held phone use when driving and have been compared to nearby states without that law. The results have shown that there is no change to the accident rate, according to the Insurance Institute.

Deborah Hersman, chairwomen of the National Transportation Safety Boards, was concerned with the new phone technology allowing people to access their email, watch movies and play games on their phone.

“Every year, new devices are being released,” Herman said,” People are tempted to update their Facebook page, they are tempted to tweet, as if sitting at a desk. But they are driving a car.”

She acknowledges that it’s going to be hard to try and change how people drive by simply telling them to put their phone away for, in most cases, short distant drives which severely increase their unawareness while behind the wheel.

“We’re not here to win a popularity contest. We’re here to do the right thing. This is a difficult recommendation, but it’s the right recommendation and it’s time,” she said.

People know that using their phone while they drive is dangerous, but they seem so addicted to update a social network or extremely tempted to see what their friend said back to a text.

Texting while they drive. Image courtesy of jalopnik.com

If people know it’s dangerous to distract them self on purpose, then why do they do it without thinking twice about it?

“I don’t know why I do, when I drive and notice I have a message, it’s just instinct to check my phone without checking my surroundings,” said Bobby Warfel.

“It can really distract me sometimes if I’m waiting for a certain text or something,” said Ashley Richards.

Joe Simitian, State Senator of California, succeeded in getting a law passed in 2006 that bans drivers from talking on a hand held phone, said the board’s recommendation is “a wake up call about the dangers of distracted driving.”

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, nine states currently have the ban of hand held phones when driving and 35 states ban texting when driving.

If the ban becomes true for all states, that could affect car manufacturers in the way they set up newer cars to have Bluetooth already installed. Bluetooth lets the driver answer their phone while driving by the press of a button, sometimes the button is on the steering wheel, making the driver still able to talk and drive and hoping that it doesn’t take away from their awareness of the road.

The ban is also receiving some attention world wide.

Ban Ki-moon, secretary general on the United Nations suggested to end multitasking behind the wheel. 30 countries have a few limitations when the drive and Germany and Portugal have complete bans when they are driving.

Bella Dinh-Zarr, road safety director of international road safety with the FIA Foundation said,”More and more countries are going to be looking at it.”

PM Ice Hockey Mounts Crazy Comeback

By Matt Hatch –

The Penn Manor ice hockey team had an historical comeback to tie Manheim Township Wednesday at Lancaster Ice Rink, 6-6.

“We got off to a slow start,” said Jason Green, a junior ice hockey player referring to the two early goals they allowed in the first period.

After a quiet first period for the Comets, they were able to get a goal late in the first to lower the deficit to one.

The score was 2-1 to begin the second period. Township quickly scored three unanswered goals early in the second period to take a large 5-1 lead. Penn Manor continued its average of one goal a period with a quick tally in the last six minutes. After the second period, the Comets still faced a large task to overcome with the score set at 6-2.

The Comets came out in the third period looking like a brand new team, scoring four unanswered goals throughout the third.

Township kept with the pressure, firing shots on goal, but senior goalie, Braden Kruger was able to make s

Senior goalie, Braden Kruger warming up.Photo Credit-Eric Schlotzhauer

ome important saves keeping the score tied until the horn sounded to end the third period.

“Even though we had some ejections and some penalties, we were still able to come back,” said junior hockey player, Kevin Reinhart after getting ejected.

The Comets efforts paid off even without fellow teammates Kevin Reinhart, Nick Young, and Austin Dittenhafer due to ejections and equipment problems.

“Even though we had some ejections and some penalties, we were still able to come back,” said junior hockey player, Kevin Reinhart.

The intensely close game at Lancaster Ice Rink had fans on the edge of their seats until the end. The stands continue to be packed every home game for the Comets. The efforts of both teams made for an entertaining showing.

The Comets who scored were Ryan Pryzbylkowski(2), Matt Gue(1), Nick Cirko(1), Jason Green(1), and Austin Dittenhafer(1).

Their next game is against Anville-Cleona at 7p.m. at Klick Lewis Arena on Friday.

“In the end, we fought back,” said Reinhart. “It was a great game.”

Eric Schlotzhauer contributed to this article.

Animals: Please Enjoy Responsibly

By Frank Herr –

Animals, like any commodity, have their own place in a society. When a single aspect, such as said animals are referred to too highly, the effects, both moral and economic, can be detrimental. With all of the activism and attention that critters have been attracting lately, people seem to be forgetting the original reason that God created animals: to eat and for humans to use them to survive.

Centuries ago, animals were a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Hunter-gatherer tribes and nomads depended solely on the land that they inhibited, and the domesticated animals which they controlled. This livestock was protected, for it was a direct extension of the peoples’ livelihood. It was used wisely, hides were used as clothing and shelter, bones were used for tools and weapons, and the animals’ meat was used for food.

Frank Herr, Senior at Penn Manor High School

Flash forward to present times. Sharks are finned alive, with their useless bodies dumped back into frigid ocean waters, just to slowly sink to the sea floor.

Whales are illegally captured for “research” programs conducted by Asian medical services (black market whale meat, oils, etc.). With such a drastic contrast to the centuries-old method of being conservative with nature’s resources, misjudgment, mismanagement and misconduct have become prevalent in today’s interactions with animals.

If we, the human race, a so-called “green-bound” society, would like to continue to experience life even remotely the way in which we experience it presently, we must be stewards of the gifts that we have been given. We must guard and care for animal species, one of the first tasks that man was ordered to perform. However, we must remember that animals exist to serve and provide for humans. This does not mean that people can roam this finite planet, destroy, alter and claim all that they please, and expect their actions to not be justified. Stewardship includes utilizing animals in a healthy, sustainable manner. When instances arise that pose the moral well-being of animals against that of a human, while animals must be respected, in any manner, people are always, undoubtedly, superior.

Pilot Whales Brutally Slaughtered Annually in the Faroe Islands. Photo Courtesy of www.earthfirst.com

Penn Manor Ice Hockey Skates over L-S

By Travis Wells –

The Comets rallied to beat the Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers on the ice Wednesday at the Lancaster Ice Rink.

“We really played well together, and our goalie Brad Kruger had some key saves that helped us win,” said junior Kevin Reinhart, 19 for Penn Manor.

Penn Manor got off to a really good start with three goals by number 21 Austin Dittenhaufer. Dittenhaufer first scored with 4:35 in the first period and after getting warmed up there was no stopping him. He scored three minutes later after breaking two L-S defenders’ ankles.

Penn Manor ice hockey team gears up for their game vs. L-S. Photo by Travis Wells

And he wasn’t done there, rushing out onto the ice he scored again within the first 20 seconds of the second period.

“I was just feeling really good,” said Dittenhaufer. “I was really in the zone,” he said later on.

After a loss to West York 7-8 the Comets needed to win to get their record back to 500.

L-S tried to score but couldn’t handle the Comets goalie, Kruger who had an amazing nine saves. The Pioneers scored with eight minutes left in the second period.

Penn Manor wasn’t too happy with the score so two minutes later Jesse Capanelli 33 showed her skills on the ice and scored to keep the lead of 3.

The game just kept getting worse for the Pioneers. Matt Gue, and Kevin Reinhart score three more times in the third period.

Things got a little heated toward the end with Nick Young, and Zach Plank from Penn Manor getting ejected from the game with five minutes left. They will not return and play in the next game. But the loss of the two players still wasn’t enough for L-S to come back and win.

The game ended 7-2 Penn Manor.

“We had a really good game,” said Ryan DiCamillo. “It was a really well played game on our part,” he went on to say.

Activism was Once Something to be Proud of in America

By Adam Rohrer –

The Occupy movement started as a grass roots response to our government’s handling of the 2008 financial crisis. The government, instead of allowing the free-market to take its course, gave trillions of taxpayer money to the failing banks and industries.

Why would our government do this? Well consider how our government officials are elected with the use of corporate money, which often causes to often serve their interests over ours. They can do this because of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on corporate person-hood declaring corporations to have the equal rights of individuals. To those who still think the Occupy movement lacks goals, this is one of the Occupy movements main complaints. It is also the root of many of their other complaints.

“The Constitution does not allow the government to eliminate any corporation on the terms that they “keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media” or ” block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil,” said another another editorial about Occupy Wall Sreet.

Both are forms of competition in the business world and competition is a key part of a market-system that runs on private businesses.”

Both of these examples are not fair market practices but are examples of corporate interests undermining the polices of a democratic government. Furthermore nobody in the movement wants to eliminate corporations. The real issues in the forefront of the Occupy movement are income inequality, America is ranked number 52 in the world, and corporate influence in politics. The reason you are unaware of this may be because of corporate ownership of the media.

Amy Goodman a journalist and host of the television show ‘Democracy Now’ on Corporate ownership of major media: “These are not media that are serving a democratic society, where a diversity of views is vital to shaping informed opinions. This is a well-oiled propaganda machine that is repackaging government spin and passing it off as journalism.”

Oil and green energy are not major issues in the movement whatsoever, contrary to misconceptions.

“With the outbreak of violent crimes at camps in major cities requiring police force, the government is becoming less and less inclined to do anything to help the sorry protesters,” Again from other editorial.

The opinion comes from someone who may only watch Fox News or who doesn’t understand the nature of political movements. Nearly every disturbance during these peaceful demonstrations has been incited by the police themselves who show up in riot gear, then pepper spray and arrest anyone who steps off the sidewalk. Police actions during this movement have been brutal and oppressive. There is photographic evidence of police detaining protesters lining them up on the ground and spraying them all with pepper spray. Don’t buy that, just Google it.

The crackdown has been viewed so brutal over seas it was used by a military-ruled Egypt to justify their own crackdowns when Egyptian state TV said, “We saw the firm stance the U.S. took against OWS people & the German government against green protesters to secure the state,” This was after the killing of two demonstrators in Cairo.

Of course there may be a few people causing trouble but to attribute that to the entire movement in general is misleading and shows a lack of understanding of populous movements and their diverse nature.

Many ask what do they expect to happen? That question is asked as if the responsibility to fix our problems directly falls upon them.

America is a representative Democracy. We elect representatives to make these decisions in our name by our authority. The point of the movement is to put pressure on those whose job it is to fix our problems but continue not to do so. They continue to not do so because the money given to our representatives in order to get elected comes primarily from corporations. It’s to let them know next time around on election day they are going to lose their jobs. This is why one of the major goals of the Occupy movement is to get money out of our political system.

I am not biased in favor of the movement, I am a Libertarian so I appose strict government regulations as well as many other liberal stances the Occupy movement holds. However I have become involved in the movement because anyone who is informed can see this country is being led in a horrible direction, and our representatives nearly all seem to serve corporate interest. Occupy is a movement and in democratic countries nothing should be more important then defending others right to express their concerns about the way their country is being run.

The fact the argument is not about their ideas themselves, but on the moral integrity of having a protest at all, is a clear sign that traditional American values have been lost.

“I might not agree with what you say but ill defend to death your right to say it,” used to be one of America’s greatest ideals.

There are real intelligent reasons to be critical of the movement, like the fact that the Supreme Court has ruled in the past that tents are not protected by the First Amendment. Or the fact the movement claims to represent 99 percent of the population while also being liberal in its stances. This editorial did not touch on either of these.

By saying people shouldn’t be politically active and claiming corruption is just part of the market system is to give in to the failure of this country’s original ideals, ideals the Occupy movement is fighting to retain. It’s fine to be against something for the right reasons but these are the wrong ones.

For a different opinion, read this editorial: https://www.pennpoints.net/?p=39938

The Season Of Sickness Starts Now

By Laura Myers-

You may spot a new fashion trend in the nurse’s office in the past few weeks, surgical masks. Dry coughs, stuffy noses, and sore throats. It’s that time of the year: cold and flu season.

“Cold season is here and one of the reason that it becomes more prevalent at this time is because we’re in close quarters and people sneeze and cough,” said certified school nurse Anne Butterfield.

“People sneeze and cough, and flu and cold are air borne virus,” she said. “But you can also get it by touching contaminated surfaces, and then touching your mucus membrane, which are your eyes your nose and your mouth. So that’s how you get these bugs.”

butterfield — High School nurse Anne Butterfield checks students for flu symptoms. Photo by Simon Zimmerman

“With the Swine Flu going around last year, it’s not as bad as it was,” said attendance officer Stacy Riffert

But it’s hard to tell when to push through the pain or to stay home.

Butterfield says “If you wake up and your joints are achy and your throat hurts and you have a dry hacky cough and your temps over 100 (degrees) you need to stay home, because you probably are getting into influenza.”

She advised staying home until a person’s temperature has dropped to normal for at least 24 hours.

“Plus you won’t really be able to move with the flu you will feel so bad you don’t have any energy,” Butterfield said. “With a cold you can take some over-the-counter medication or some simply I think what’s best is fluids, take it easy and maybe some Tylenol or ibuprofen for the general scratchy sore throat and the headache that sometimes comes.”

Now there is a difference between the cold and flu, but being able to tell the two apart can be tricky.

Flu symptoms are as followed according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Stuffy or runny nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Tiredness
Headaches

Cold Symptoms Are As Followed:

Sneezing
Stuffy or runny nose
Sore throat
Coughing
Watery eyes
Mild headache
Mild body aches

Both flu and cold symptoms are very similar because they are both upper respiratory illnesses. But the flu tends to be worse than a cold virus, according to the CDC.

Prevention is a big way to keep yourself safe from acquiring the virus and according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. A few ways to protect your self are as followed.

Get plenty of rest
Eat a well balanced diet
Talk to your doctor about getting the flu vaccine
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and wash your hands right after to prevent the virus from spreading
Minimize time in crowds or in closed quarters
Stay home if you are ill

While following all of these precautions can help decrease your risk of getting the flu, the biggest prevention may to get a flu shot.

“Get a flu shot, it’s not to late because flu will still be with us until end of February and even into March,” said Butterfield.

To find where you can get your local flu shot click here, to be directed to the PA Department of Health.

Penn Manor Loads up their Christmas List

By Kevin Holton –

The smell of fresh cookies and pine needles, the beautiful snow, the family time, the singing and decorating, the warm fires and roasted marshmallows are all things that get people excited for the holidays. But, one of the most stressful things for parents is what to get their teenage kids.

With Christmas just around the corner, Penn Manor students have only one thing on their mind – presents! There is no problem finding out what the biggest crave around the school is.

One of the more popular toys that are wanted are the new electronics that are on the market.

Seniors Mitch Domin, Dylan Weber and Alec Keck all said they were asking for the new Iphone 4s for Christmas.

Although electronics are a huge necessity for Penn Manor students these days, not everyone is asking for the latest gadget.

Smith daydreams about his christmas wish

“I want a BB gun so I can show it off to all the people on my block,” said senior Tyler Smith.

Junior, Devon Reis and freshman Nate DeBerdine, both are asking for money for Christmas.

“Money would be great. That way I can buy things for other people,” said Reis.

Some students and even teachers at Penn Manor can only dream of gifts they want for the holidays.

“I want a 50 pound bag of 100 dollar bills and then I would spend it on a sweet new car,” said junior Remi Briand.

TV production and ceramics teacher, Jeffrey Himes, wishes for a winning powerball ticket.

“If I won the lottery, I would invest it and start my own charitable foundation,” explained Himes.

Math teacher Jerod Staub only wishes he could receive, “The original Packman game system” for Christmas even though he said he would never get it.

Then there are those who have their mind set on one thing and will do anything to get it.

“I want the Official Red Rider Carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle,” said senior Bryson Neely.

“I hope to get the new Darker Then Black series. Its my favorite,” said Senior Bryan Franklin.

Not every student is asking for the latest and greatest gifts.

Christmas times brings the joy out in everyone, including Dixon who is hoping for a new wardrobe. Photos by Kevin Holton

“I need some new socks ’cause I like socks,” says Junior Juan Cubano.

“I have a lot of old clothes so I’m asking for new ones for Christmas,” says Senior Dayonte Dixon.

According to MSN, five popular Christmas gift ideas for males are video games, power tools, toys, computers and upgrades, and sports tickets and gear.

There are also those things that you want to stay away from, experts say, when picking out a gift for guys. Key chains, things “seen on TV,” artwork, jewelry, are some of the no-nos.

MSN also states the best and worst Christmas gift ideas for women. Some things to stay away from are anything that belongs in a kitchen, anything that deals with losing weight and framed pictures of yourself. On the other hand, there are many gifts that almost always work like jewelry, spa sessions and bath gift sets.

Choosing the perfect gift for someone isn’t always the easiest but between listening to Penn Manor students and browsing the internet, it shouldn’t be a very hard task.

Kindle Fire Flops

By Jacob Harvey-

With its’ November 16 release, the Kindle Fire was expected to be a serious competitor to Apples tablet.

Instead, Kindle Fire consumers are boxing up and shipping their devices back to Amazon.

Some of the most frequently brought up issues are that there is no external volume control. You have to manage your volume from the devices touch screen. The on and off switch is easily hit which can turn the device on in a bag and run the battery dry. Another problem is the seven inch screen the pages that load on it need to be scaled differently and that makes them load slower. In addition, full web-pages are hardly compatible with the device and take an eternity to load.

According to the New York Times, all the bad reviews on Amazon were confirmed by Jakob Nielson, a usability expert, who said, “It offered a disappointingly poor experience. For users whose fingers are not as slender as toothpicks.” He also gave a warning to possible consumers saying that the screen could be particularly frustrating to manipulate.

The Kindle Fire has been out for less than a month and people like Andrew Rassweiler, a senior director at Teardown services, are saying that the new Kindle is a useless device unless you plan on loading it with lots and lots of books.

But the Kindle Fire is trying to do much more than simply be an e-book reader, a feature that some consumers are saying it does worse than the original, according to an article by The New York Times.

However, with all these negative reviews and comments about the Kindle Fire, Amazon refuses to chalk it up as a failed product. They are releasing an update that should fix some of the bugs user’s were complaining about in their reviews.

Amazon still has high hopes of dominating the market with their Kindle Fire, but it doesn’t need an update to fix a lot of the issues. Many of the complaints from consumers is about a lack of external features or just under-rated technology running the Kindle Fire.

Amazon has tried to better their market and sales by allowing their product to be sold in stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. The issue they seem to be having with the store sales is that Amazon is losing about 20 dollars on every Kindle Fire sold in stores.

Amazon though doesn’t mind the loss. They may lose 20 dollars on every purchase of their product but once the device is powered up and in the consumers hand Amazon really starts making their money. The only problem with that money making process is the Kindle Fire reaches the consumers hands , then gets sent back to Amazon for being a buggy B-rated product when compared to Apple’s iPad2.

The one area where Amazon did right by their customers is the price. Instead of shelling out 500 bucks for a fresh new iPad they spend 200 dollars for a tablet that might get fixed.

Essentially if what all the experts like Nielsen and Rassweiler are saying is true, consumers would be better off buying a device that has been proven reliable and dependable like the iPad, or just stick with the original Kindle. The Kindle Fire is Amazon’s first try at a tablet and should be noted as such but just because it is cheaper doesn’t mean that it is worth the 200 you would be spending for it.

The Kindle Fire is an overpriced Kindle that is a down grade from the original Kindle device that is worse at showing e-books than its predecessor. If in the market for a new tablet consumers would be better off if they either went with an Apple device or just wait and hope that Amazons next shot at the tablet will be an upgrade from their current failure.