Thunder Media » Opinion

The type of pie you probably won’t want to bite into

cgutman — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:56:32 +0000

The Internet is becoming, if not already, a necessity to education of all kinds. However, the price and effort to enable schools to access it can be very expensive and painful. Getting enough money together to have new computers for every classroom is a near impossible task even with discounts and sales. The end result is that most the computers on campus are painfully slow and after all that you’ve been set back thousands of dollars.

Thanks to some ingenious people over in England and the University Of Cambridge our problems may be solved in the next couple of weeks. A project that has been in action for a bit over two years now is finally ready to manufacture and start selling. The Raspberry Pi computer is a $25.00 computer the size of a business card that can perform all the daily tasks a school could ever need. Tasks like typing a document, PowerPoint, HD video playback, browsing the web, editing a image, or almost any other use you could need.

The raspberry pi computer runs linux, a free and simple to use OS similar to windows or mac. Linux offers tons of free alternatives to expensive applications like Microsoft word, Photoshop, Power Point, and more. Best of all Linux doesn’t get any viruses and is updated all the time for free. A lot of people, such as Angelo Espisito and Jessie Mirl already use Linux at home. Here’s what they have to say.

“I run Linux on my netbook at home. It’s really easy to use and has a lot of different interfaces to choose from. There’s the traditional windows look and feel, the mac look, and plenty more looks that you can choose from. It’s all really simple and any application I want to download I can find in the application market. It’s a lot easier to find programs then on a PC or mac.”

“My laptop at home originally ran WIndows XP and was getting really slow and freezing all the time. I installed linux on it and it instantly started working faster and everything is just a lot simpler. Not to mention all the applications are free. There is Libre office, which is exactly like Microsoft office, but free. It does word, powerpoint, excell, and all that other stuff. It even opens and saves as Microsoft office files. There is also Gimp which is like photoshop, and a lot more.”

For all the nerds out there, the computer is a single board computer with a 1.2 Gigahertz Arm Processor featuring a 256 MB broadcam wireless chip, Ethernet port, Micro USB power port, SD and USB slot, audio jack, RCA video and HDMI video monitor inputs, and status L.E.D’s all in a 85.60mm by 53.98 mm by 17mm single board that runs any linux distribution. If you have no clue what any of that means, don’t worry just know that it’s awesome.

For every raspberry pi computer purchased the raspberry pi foundation will donate one to kids or schools in poor locations that need computers. Not only that but the University of Cambridge will donate an additional one as well. This device will save schools a lot of money and could be seen around campus in the future.

Factory farming awareness at Desert Vista: Do you know what you are really eating?

oream — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:28:55 +0000

One pound of a juicy, Angus beef hamburger, topped with ketchup, green, crisp lettuce, a bright red slice of tomato, and crispy bacon bits; sounds pretty delicious right? How about now: one pound of hormone fed, down syndrome and disease infested, inhumanely treated and slaughtered cow, topped with ketchup, lettuce, and tomatoes poisoned by pesticides, and crispy, beaten by electric rods, bacteria plagued, pig bits. Mmm mouthwatering. Most likely, this is what you will be digging in to when you eat not only a hamburger, but also other meats and poultry. Factory farming, or industrialized farming has become a prominent issue in the United States. However, not many people are aware of this occurrence.

Many students attending Desert Vista are not well informed upon this national crisis. The more a student is brought to awareness of Factory Farming, the more likely they are to make healthier and smarter choices. Most likely, the meat produced for our cafeteria’s food is not organic, grass fed beef, or cage free chicken. This means that the students are being fed bacteria infested, hormone plagued food, which is not good for the well being of the body and most importantly, the brain, “Overuse of antibiotics in animals is causing more strains of drug-resistant bacteria, which is affecting the treatment of various life-threatening diseases in humans” (http://www.organicconsumers.org/Toxic/factoryfarm.cfm). According to www.organicconsumers.org, 80% of US pigs carry pneumonia upon slaughter due to gasses that irritate the animal’s lungs, given off from the excess of manure. When a person consumes this meat, they risk a chance of developing disease carried over through the animal. Approximately “five thousand deaths and 76 million cases of food-borne illness occur annually” (http://www.organicconsumers.org/Toxic/factoryfarm.cfm), many of which are caused from the unhygienic conditions and treatment occurring at these factory farms.

The less educated students here at DVHS are upon the destruction to our bodies caused by these industrialized farms, the less likely they are going to make the right decisions. Students should discuss this devastating topic within an appropriate class, or be better informed upon the plague this food is casting upon our nations health and diet. From unjust animal cruelty to animal waste that is creeping into our water system, these farms are doing nothing but reeking havoc upon the human body and our planets environment.

It is the duty of this school to lead students of Desert Vista to make healthier choices in their diet. It is proven to reduce illness, increase the health of the human brain, and create more energetic personalities. So next time you are out shopping at your loc

al food market, make sure to buy items that claim to be organic or free range. This will increase support towards more local farm owners and dramatically help decrease the large factory owned farms that are devouring our nation.

Works cited:

Quotes/information

http://www.organicconsumers.org/Toxic/factoryfarm.cfm

www.organicconsumers.org

Images

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=factory+farms&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1224&bih=768&tbm=isch&tbnid=lWy42i29AA8BBM:&imgrefurl=http://scienceprogress.org/2009/06/factory-farming-ethics/&docid=7DiElufZ51FpJM&imgurl=http://scienceprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/pigs_591.jpg&w=591&h=361&ei=m6QZT5uMFOTmiAKkutmoCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=302&sig=112230427651112694315&page=2&tbnh=133&tbnw=198&start=24&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:24&tx=108&ty=62

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=factory+farms&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1224&bih=768&tbm=isch&tbnid=yodKY9yGwcycrM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_farming&docid=lMzniJiuSSmjwM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Confined-animal-feeding-operation.jpg/250px-Confined-animal-feeding-operation.jpg&w=250&h=179&ei=m6QZT5uMFOTmiAKkutmoCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=422&sig=112230427651112694315&page=1&tbnh=123&tbnw=164&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=123&ty=79

Eco-Friendly Chap Sticks and Teddy Bears are now Hitting the Shelves

jordan.trout — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:34:55 +0000

By Jordan Trout

Within the decade, many people have turned to eco friendly and recycled
products to help keep our planet safe and sound from global warming. Solar
panels, hybrid cars, and eco-friendly shopping bags have now become part of our day-to-day lives.

But has the world gone too far with this whole “reduce, reuse and recycle”
phrase?

As many have seen and heard of, EOS (Evolution of Smooth), the cute
egg shaped chap sticks that most teenagers are toting around, are 100% organic
and eco-friendly. There outer shell, mostly in pastel colors, is made out of
biodegradable materials, so if you drop or lose it, it’s not harmful to our mother
planet.

Not only do they look cute, but they smell amazing as well. With flavors
such as honeysuckle honeydew and summer fruit, they’re a must buy.
Chloe Heenan, a freshman, loves her light blue mint flavored EOS. “I like
that they’re so big. I typically lose my chap sticks, but this one is easy to keep
track off. Sweet mint is the one I have, and I seriously love it.”

Although this phenomenon seems to be wide spread amongst the home
of the Thunder, many people don’t know what they are! Caitlin Touchet, a
sophomore, didn’t even know about EOS until I interviewed her! “Although I don’t
have an EOS, I would love to try it. From what I heard it’s way better than most
chap sticks.”

Some other not as popular, but very adorable and environmentally friendly products are Earth Rite’s bio-degradable TEDDY BEARS. These fuzzy friends are made of newspapers and plastic water bottles. They’re super soft and stitched to give it an old original teddy bear look. They come in all colors and sizes, for a very low price too!

Whether you’re trying to save the polar bears or maybe just trying to get
an organic chapstick like EOS, you’re helping the Earth, one baby step at a time.

Food Fights in Our Countries Mess-Hall, D.C

cgutman — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:49:53 +0000

By Connor Gutman

The latest food fight in our governments mess-hall, D.C., Is a law blocking new regulations of tomato paste, potatoes and salt in school meals. What’s getting peoples attention is that the amount of sauce contained in a pizza slice is enough to qualify as a “serving” of vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to improve the quality of school lunches apply to the roughly $11-billion school lunch program, which provides free or low-cost meals to more than 31 million students. The current nutrition standards for school lunches are based on guidelines from 1989. After 2009, that was used it to develop a plan that includes cutting back on ingredients like salt and potatoes, lowering saturated fats and total calories, and adding fresh fruits and vegetables. The goal was to improve nutrition and help lower childhood obesity.

The concern is that schoolchildren aren’t getting enough fruits and vegetables in their lunches and that the variety are way too limited. Officials proposed separating fruits and vegetables into separate categories to increase the total amount and the variety offered to kids. Further, they said that once a week, lunches must offer at least one half-cup serving of each of the following items: dark green vegetables (such as spinach or broccoli), orange vegetables (carrots, squash), legumes (chickpeas, kidney beans), starchy vegetables (white potatoes, corn ) and “other” vegetables, including tomatoes. Another issue being addressed is the quality of whole grains served in school cafeterias. The government want to see at least half of the grain servings be whole grain; in two years, all grain servings should be “whole-grain rich,” they said.

For sodium levels, the government wants a reduction over the next 10 years; in elementary school lunches, for instance, the average level would fall from 1,377 milligrams per week now to a maximum of 640 mg per week in 2021. For saturated fat, the USDA recommends it contribute less than 10% of total calories.

However, the “solutions” being created by the government don’t fully solve anything. They may be saying that they’ve “cut back” on tomato sauce, salt, and potatoes; But, all they’ve done is redefine how much is healthy for a serving to the point where a slice of pizza is considered good enough. As the government continues to improve our cafeterias it’s guesstimated that DV will start seeing hamburgers as fruit and a bag of chips as your daily nutrition, so for that, enjoy the various health issues coming your way.

All I want for Christmas is…

Rfedasiuk — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:24:28 +0000

By Ryan Fedasiuk, Reporter

Undefined. But seriously, now that students are getting older, parents and friends find it more difficult to impress them with glorious gifts. Expensive items are out of the question for most families, especially in this economy. So the question is raised about what students can get for Christmas and other gift-bearing holidays. The answer is not, unfortunately, always “just time spent with families,” though that would be a nice thought. Materialism, though not that extreme, is still the mentality of many students at Desert Vista, as people still want something tangible for the holidays. Video games seem to be popular choices for guys for Christmas, including game console systems, games themselves, and other accessories.

It’s quite evident that for guys, video games are solid gifts. They’re easily enjoyable, acessable, last ages, but are still relatively pricey. Entire consoles are quite expensive, ranging in the rage of hundreds of dollars, but they are still popular and supply and demand dictates they remain in that price range.

“I’m looking forward to getting Battlefield 3. It won’t be a surprise, but I’ve heard good things about it,” said freshman Nik Singh.

Kyle Kobashi stated “I plan on getting an Xbox 360 and some headphones for my ipod. Maybe a few games along with it,” further supporting the idea of video games for the holidays.
Also anxiously awaiting some video game gifts, CJ Biano shared, “I’m either getting an Xbox 360 or PS3 for the holidays.”

While what some students want is evident, for others, gift ideas are difficult to come up with. Some don’t even know what they do want for the holidays, and others cannot afford the lavish luxuries that are requested. The main problem is that students don’t know what they want for the holidays, and don’t seem to care all that much.

“I have no idea what I want for Christmas. I’d have to think about it for a while…” said another freshman, Austin Pham, in quiet contemplation, as David He nodded in agreement.
“I really don’t know what I want for Christmas. I like surprises, but I don’t know what I want,” added freshman Allen Crowder.

Through economic adversities and bland gift ideas, the spirit of the holidays remains strong, even if presents diminish. Desert Vista students can live without these luxuries, but still want the usual stack of gifts wrapped in gleaming paper. This year, that will be harder to do.

GSA striving to change

JBiddle — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:46:03 +0000

Every club and team is driving towards a goal. Each student whom counts him or herself part of anything, all have a collective mission. As for GSA, gay straight alliance, they are looking to change the world.There are few objectives in the world harder than molding peoples views to accept the unique. Tuesdays after school, people who are actively supporting equality attend the gay straight alliance meetings.

GSA strives forward by attempting to put together an informational video to spread awareness. And the rainbow ribbons they have passed out can be seen all over campus, displayed by supporters. One thing that they are trying to bring up to be acknowledged is the use of terms in derogatory ways, for example “That’s so gay”. Students involved in the movement, not only in the video but constantly, try to get people who say things like this to realize how offensive it is.

Whether you’re gay, bi, pansexual, or straight, everyone needs to be treated with the same rights and respect, and that is what this club is all about. And there are teachers who are actively encouraging this idea. People who aren’t afraid to stand up for what they think is just, no matter who may disagree or try to stop them.

The November issue becomes good read

LRogers — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:47:32 +0000

By: Lotus Rogers

Staff Writer

Extra! Extra! For yet the second time this year, the journalism class has come out with another issue of The View. The November issue has perceived a common, reoccurring theme of giving and excitement from students before the end of the year. This issue contained articles about charities, national events, fads, social networking, and the grand homecoming week. From the hot and sweaty locker rooms, to the mindless behavior review, it is sure to be a good read for students.

“Our November issue was definitely better than the October one,” said View writer, Sydney Barendrick. “I feel that we put alot more effort into this one.” The Crew has worked hard to produce the issue, and are hopeful that they can be more punctual with the next one.

“Yes, we could be more prepared, and be expecting a deadline,” said Barendrick.

The student couldn’t agree more with the newspaper staff.

“They did really well this time,” said Hanna Crews. “It was more on time, and they had more interesting and timely articles.”

Articles such as Hot and Sweaty, the Secret Life of a Diabetic Teenager, and of course, the Homecoming center spread, were obviously the big hits for readers around campus.

“I personally liked the Mindless Behavior review,” said Crews. “It was very fun and easy to read and great information. My friends thought it was good as well. I am definitely looking forward to the December issue because they always have holiday stuff in there”.

Students are excited for the next issue which is set to have a theme of different holidays celebrated by different religions around the world.

“On the December issue, we will have lots of different cultures and holidays that apply to many of the students.” Barendrick said .

But that is just the center spread.

ALL TATTED UP

NSilvestre — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:52:58 +0000

Sporting sick tats: Tristen Ezell poses for the camera showing off his gallery of body art.

“Its all about the ink squad”, said Zac Adcox, junior. This refers to a group of boys who jokingly call themselves ‘the ink squad’, not funny boys.
Students these days are getting permanently ‘inked’. Tattoos for loved ones seem to be one of the most popular tattoos people get. “This is my moms name and my grandmas name and this is a rose”, said Caleb tanner a senior who obviously loves his mother and his grandmother.
“ I got the same thing going on here, I got my grandmas name here and I got the rose symbolizing the love and the passion, you feel me, she passed away and she will be with me forever” said Adcox. A memory that will literally be kept forever, just like Jordan sparks said ‘just like a tattoo I’ll always have you’.
Tattoos aren’t only just for the loved ones, but also for things you enjoy. “ I got the tattoo on my leg for wrestling because I’ve been doing that most of my life and I really like to wrestle and I got the other tattoo because it’s the year I was born and I don’t really see a problem with teenagers getting tattoos because I know a lot of teenagers with tattoos I’m not really against it.” said Tristan Ezell a sophomore. He got his tattoo on his leg for his passion of wrestling.
Tattoos are forever; Best friends for life? “Yes, yes I only have one though. I feel great about my tattoo, people say that when you get old you get tattoos they get boring, I’m going to get like four more, just to have them” said Tanner. Adcox also agreed and said, “I love my tattoos, I will never get sick of it. I’m going to ink my whole body; I’m sorry that’s a song I’m really not going to”.
Tattoos a trend with friends? “ I want to get one too and it’s going to be my last name, but not yet I don’t have money I’m too poor,” said Cameron Mistal a junior. (Obviously not a trend).
Everyone tatting? “Well if they have a meaning yeah of course or more than anything if it’s a meaning than yes but if they’re just getting it just because their friends are getting it then no absolutely not. You got to think logical with these situations,” said Tanner.
Logic is a trait that comes with common sense therefore one must have common sense to decide whether a tattoo is the right choice.
More needles to the skin? “Yeah maybe I will get just one or two more,” said Adcox.
The whole body is not an option, its just a song.
Perspective from the principal? Yes.
“Honestly I have no judgment, you know I think that if they are students hopefully they talked to their parents about it making those kind of decisions, otherwise I think that people have the opportunity to do what they choose to and that their family is involved if they are a minor. Unless they are eighteen or above, then yeah” said Dr. Anna Battle.

Occupy Wall Street spreads

cgutman — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:46:14 +0000

As you may or may not know for a bit over two months now people all around the world have been protesting for a movement called Occupy Wall street.

What started a bit over a month ago in one location, wall street, has since grown. On Saturday October 15th the movement spread. Protests emerging in Australia, Ireland, England, France, Japan, and of coarse all across America. There are even protests going on right here in Phoenix as we speak. So what are these protests about?

There are many demands involved but the movement seems to be focused on economic corruption. People calling themselves the 99% who are paying more taxes then the top 1% and corporations. However, as the protests have grown, a lot of younger people have started a new demand.

Recently a lot of young adults, usually just out of college, have been making their voice heard. Thousands of kids just barely older then a lot of us here at DV have some serious problems that they want heard. These kids have been forced to take large student loans to pay for the ridiculous prices of college. Now after going to college with the hopes of getting a good job and living a better life they’re stuck in huge loans and can’t find any jobs.

So just how expensive is college these days? Here’s some pricing for tuition for the 2011-2012 year; Harvard University – $39,849, Princeton University – $37,000, Stanford University – $40,569, Out of state Berkeley – $34,635, Out of state University of California Sandeigo – $35,000. With prices that high most kids are restricted to going to college in state. Even so though instate tuition isn’t exactly painless. Northern Arizona university is $11,300 a year.

I recently had a chance to go visit the protests in phoenix myself and interview some people. From what I’ve gathered these protest aren’t going away any time soon. People are angry and want change now and have nowhere else to go. Interestingly enough some companies agree. Ben and Jerry’s and Starbucks are two companies openly supporting the movement and providing some cool donations like free ice cream. To see my interviews at Occupy Phoenix go to the link below or scan the QR code.Video

It’s Time for a Change…Facebook Style

jordan.trout — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:39:05 +0000

Click.click.click. Everyone’s always absentmindedly sitting on Facebook wasting life away. Day after day it’s the same old routine. Snack, homework, Facebook. Facebook has become a worldwide phenomenon, with over 800 million daily users, almost everyone has a Facebook.

Facebook began as a simple way to connect with people on a college campus with a basic news feed,average profile picture, and easy to use chat system. Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook for his Harvard buddies, so they could study and help each other out with assignments. Now 4 years later, and 800 million accounts, Zuckerberg is worth up to 17.5 billion dollars.

The View took a poll and out of 67 students 48 of them joined in 2008-2009. One person joined in 2011 and 6 people joined only weeks after Facebook’s public debut in August.

Every day his staff is working to keep up with their users needs. This includes major changes that occurred on August 11th. These changes include a renovated news feed and a news feed that appears on your chat side bar.

Although the Facebook staff claims that this is a much easier way to use Facebook, students at Desert Vista disagree. Out of 67 people that were asked 40 people said that they dislike the new changes made to Facebook. 19 people said they liked them, and 8 don’t really mind it.

Dhruva Moudgal, a freshman, is one of the few who really don’t mind it. “Yeah, it’s good. The new changes are annoying for like five minutes, but then you get used to them, and everything is okay.”

Rumors have swirled around all of 2011 and the same question has been repetitively asked: Is Facebook going to cost money after 2011? Facebook has always clarified on their homepage that it’s “Free and always will be”. They did also say that they have applications and games that have add-ons that may cost you money.
The most annoying thing about Facebook, and everyone must agree, are those DELL laptop viruses. In order to get rid of them you have to completely reset your settings and “clean up” your hard drive. The best solution to this? Don’t click the ads!
So, Facebook has annoying changes, stupid rumors, and dumb viruses, everyone knows that, but to be honest, everyone truly does love this world-wide spreading social media website.