CV EYE ENDORSES

FOR PRESIDENT

Photo from www.journalnow.com

0%27%73%Environment0%30%70%Economy0%37%63%Foreign Policy3%20%77%Education

UnsureMcCainObama

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OBAMA '08For almost a year, Senators Barack Obama (D-Illinois) and John

McCain (R-Arizona) have been tirelessly campaigning for the presi-dency. After a great deal of research, the CV Eye staff has decided to endorse Obama for President of the United States. Although we have the utmost respect for Senator McCain’s service to this country, it was clear to us that Obama is the candidate with the most potential to truly turn America around.

On the issues that matter most to our generation, Senator Obama has clear plans that will bring about the change we need. His plan for educa-tion has given us hope that we may actually be able to afford the expenses of a college education. When it comes to healthcare, Obama has a plan that will provide afford-able insurance for all Americans that want it. Obama’s focus on the environment has excited this staff, and we truly believe that he will do everything in his power to clean up this coun-try and find effective fuel alternatives. Despite claims that he will be unable to deal with foreign affairs, the CV Eye staff feels that Obama’s platform of diplomacy is exactly what America needs at this point in time to deal with potentially threatening foreign nations. Of course, the economy is the major issue in this election, and we believe that Obama’s plan gives America the best chance to restore prosperity. We are aware that trickle-down economics does not work and that the only way to fix this economic crisis is to bring relief to working class Americans.

Even though a candidate’s platform plays a key role in determining who Americans vote for, we are looking for much more in our future president. Obama’s intellect and eloquence is a breath of fresh air com-pared to the last eight years, and we are thrilled that America can once again make the claim that our leader is simply very smart. We were all inspired by Obama’s “true American story” and have realized that his leadership skills are second to none. Obama’s approach to this cam-

paign, with its unique use of technology and some of the greatest speeches this nation has ever heard, has changed the way we look at politics. We are not bothered by his so-called “inexperience” and think that his mes-sage of hope can truly evolve Washington. We are informed enough to know that many of the negative blows coming from the Republicans are

entirely untrue and that Senator Obama loves this country and will fight to restore its international standing.

In these times of foreign turmoil and economic downturn, Americans needs a new type of leader. One who will address the problems plaguing Americans based on the mistakes our government has made in the past and an innovative plan for the future. It has become clear to us that Senator Barack Obama has the qualities and plan needed to bring change to this country and is the obvious choice for the next President of the United States.

The 2008 Presidential Election may be the most impactful decision America has made in decades. With the dramatic effect this election will have on our generation, political interest among teens has

skyrocketed. After covering the five most important issues being addressed on this year's campaign trail, the CV Eye staff decided to endorse Senator Barack Obama. In a blind-ballot vote, thirty staff members

determined that Obama has the best platform for America's future. The statistics below show the distribution of opinion among this newspaper staff only. No matter who students support, we encourage

everyone of voting age to get out and cast their vote come November 4.

-Photo from www.nytimes.com

By Conor QuiltyStaff Writer

This year marks the second year Cumberland Valley School District has had the opportunity to take part in the Classrooms for the Future (CFF) program. Under the leadership of Governor Ed Rendell, Classrooms for the Future is a movement intended to create technology-rich classrooms across Pennsylvania by providing laptops and other equipment specifically for student use.

According to the CFF webpage on the school website, during year one of Classrooms for the Future’s association with Cumberland Valley, tenth grade biology and other select science classrooms were equipped with laptop com-puters. With these laptops, teachers were able to incorpo-rate blogs, wikis, webquests, and even podcasts into their students’ curriculum. The grant for this year will be used to provide laptop computers for chemistry and certain social studies classrooms and professionally develop the teacher’s ability to integrate technology as a core component of their personal teaching methods and curriculum.

CFF functions under the belief that students growing up in a cyber-world need technology to further understand the education they receive. “The direction that education

By Brady McCormickStaff Writer

Millions of people across the nation will head to the polls November 4 to vote in what many are calling the most important and historic election yet. The Democratic candi-date has captured the majority of the vote in Pennsylvania in the last four presidential elections, but Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) has been able to turn Pennsylvania into a vital swing state.

“Winning Pennsylvania is very important for both can-didates since we carry 21 electoral votes that are needed to win the presidency,” American Government teacher Eric Novak said. “Those 21 electoral votes put us in a tie for the fifth most with Illinois.”

“A win here in Pennsylvania is important to both can-didates,” Dickinson College Professor of Political Science James Hoefler agreed. “Obama can win without PA, but if he loses here, it probably means he is in trouble elsewhere. McCain on the other hand should be able to win without PA; George W. Bush did it twice. But he is in so much trouble in other states that Bush won that he really needs PA to make up for maybe losing in Florida, Virginia, and Ohio, all of which Bush won in 2004.”

Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) lost Pennsylvania to Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) during the Democratic primaries by 10% of the vote, but recent polls still show him with a sizeable lead in the race for Pennsylvania. In a poll of potential Pennsylvania voters conducted October 20 by www.realpolitics.com, Obama led with 53.6% of the vote,

Fall PlayPage 8- Feature

Captains Council

Page 11- Sports

Coming Up

Homecoming Dance-

October 25

Fall concert- October 28

End of Marking Period 1-

October 31

Birthdays...October24- Levi Mumma26- Hillary Clinton28- Bill Gates28- Julia Roberts29- Winona Ryder30- Gavin Rossdale

McCain and Obama push for Pennsylvania

Classrooms for the future ensure richer education

Visit CV Eye online at www.cvschools.org

-CV Eye photo by Kim Vredenburgh Sophomores Vicki Chou and Daniyal Butt work diligently on their Honors Biology webquest in Mrs. Moritz’s class. As a new part of the school program, laptops will be used often to complete classroom assignments.

See Pennsylvania----------------------------------------Page 4

See Classrooms-----------------------------------------Page 4

-CV Eye photo by Matt Brady The McCain compaign has set up headquarters on the Carlisle Pike. Although Cumberland County typically votes Republican, McCain continues to compaign hard in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state.

CV EYE

UPDATEFriday, OCtOBEr 24, 2008 VOLUME XXiii iSSUE 4 CUMBErLand VaLLEy HigH SCHOOL (717) 766-0217

�/News CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008

Pennsylvania —————— From Page 3

Orchestra and choir prepare for first performance

The high school’s orchestra and chorus have been working hard since the start of school preparing for their first concert. On Tuesday, October 28, they will perform for the first time this year. The concert begins at 7:30 in the Performing Arts Center. Both the orchestra and chorus have welcomed many freshmen that will be making their high school debuts. Cumberland Valley’s music department has never failed to impress, and this concert should follow the trend. For anyone looking for an exciting musical performance, this concert is a must-see. All four grades have been known to combine beautifully, whether they are combining their voices or their instruments. Everyone is welcome to attend this concert and support their fellow classmates.

Discount on Ski Roundtop night pass-es available for a limited time

For skiers and snowboarders, the season they look forward to is right around the corner. Winter is on the horizon, and the weather will hopefully allow Roundtop to open its slopes soon. Many students will then be spend-ing their nights up at the mountain. Instead of spending $36.00 for a lift ticket every night, students have the opportunity to purchase a Night Club card, which offers a considerable discount. Students who are interested in one of these cards should purchase one soon, because the discounted price is only available through October. It is important that all students plan-ning on purchasing the card get their forms filled out as soon as possible. Students interested in purchasing a discount card may visit Ms. Hower in room 160, Mr. Pelow in room 100, Mr. Shaw in room 276, Mr. Harral in room 252, or Mr. Koons in room 110 to retrieve the necessary forms and information.

CV Eye waits for Talon forms and pic-tures from seniors

The CV Eye staff is currently in the process of creating Talon, the senior magazine, and is asking seniors to help by sending in their own pic-tures, stories and memories of their years in the Cumberland Valley School District. The purpose of Talon is to recognize the senior class and provide them with a hard copy of memories so they can look back on it in the future and reminisce on the good times they had. Seniors were given a packet of different forms they must fill out and send into CV Eye in order to con-tribute to Talon. These forms were due to room 137 by Friday, October 17, but will be accepted late. Students can see Talon Editor Lizzie Caravello or any other CV Eye staff member with questions or concerns. Students can send in their favorite pictures of themselves and friends or a personal snapshot that they never want to forget. Students must get their forms in ASAP so the CV Eye staff can start putting Talon together right away.

Classrooms ——————— From Page 3

while McCain trailed with only 40.4% of the vote.In recent weeks Senator McCain has focused on Pennsylvania. He and

his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, have been campaigning across the state including a rally at nearby Lehigh University. Governor Palin also visited Lancaster Saturday, October 18, and spoke to a crowd at Clipper Stadium, while Senator McCain spoke at the Forum October 21.

“Despite the remarkable and surprising effort Senator McCain is put-ting into Pennsylvania, I believe Senator Obama will win PA,” senior Mike Henry said. “The public is fed up with the current administration, which is closely related to the Republican ticket.”

Novak agrees that Senator Obama will carry Pennsylvania and its 21 electoral votes. “Obama is gaining support in most polls conducted in Pennsylvania, and Democratic voters greatly outnumber Republican voters,” Novak said. “There are about 1.2 million more registered Democrats than there are registered Republicans.”

Despite the majority of the state supporting Senator Obama, Cumberland County has a solid history of supporting the Republican candidate. “Todd Platts has done a wonderful job serving the area on Capitol Hill as our Republican House member from the 19th district and voters recognize that,” Novak said.

“McCain will most likely win here in Cumberland County, but Obama will more than make up this deficit elsewhere, especially in Philly and its suburbs, where 40% of the statewide vote is,” Hoefler agreed.

Novak also believes Cumberland County will again support the Republican ticket. “Based on the social and economic make up of most of our county and the core Republican values, I believe that Senator McCain and Governor Palin will carry Cumberland County this year,” Novak said.

As the election pulls into its final weeks, Senator Obama still leads Senator McCain in Pennsylvania. A win in Pennsylvania would greatly help McCain’s chances of winning, and he is by no means out of the race.

is going, evaluations are becoming real world experiences rather than tradi-tional tests,” tenth grade Biology teacher Abby Burkholder said. “The tech-nology enables students to work on projects similar to real world scenarios; they are no longer limited to just what is in their textbooks.”

Classrooms for the Future also requires teachers and school leaders to participate in at least 30 hours of online training and coaching each year. This training focuses on how to use educational technology in order to sufficiently prepare students for life-long learning as they move on to college and the work-force. Each school participating in the initiative has a Classrooms for the Future coach in charge of managing the technology within the system and providing assistance to teachers, staff, and administrators whenever necessary.

The Classrooms for the Future coach for Cumberland Valley School District is Dr. Ted Mannino. He has a Master’s degree in Art Education and a Ph.D. in instructional systems from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Mannino is focused on helping Cumberland Valley develop a framework to enhance instructional practices through technology.

“Classrooms for the Future is about enabling teachers to use technology as an effective tool for educating students and preparing to successfully compete in the high tech working world,” Mannino said in a podcast introduction to CFF. “This initiative is transforming the way high school teachers teach and how students learn by providing grant money to equip these school’s class-rooms with enhanced technology.”

The program is organized by setting goals for the schools participating in the reforms. These goals aim to improve the teacher’s ability to teach as well as the student’s ability to learn. They also try to enhance the student body’s academic achievement and responsibility for learning while devel-oping skills to meet the challenges of a high-tech world.

“I don’t think we’re learning more or less, but we’re definitely learning things that are more indicative to the future so the format of the learning will help us later,” Honors Biology student Jahnavi Iyer said.

For more information visit the Classrooms for the Future website at www.edportal.ed.state.pa.us.

Newsbriefs

Compiled by Evan Petschke

CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008 News/�

By Katherine HiltonStaff Writer

The Ford Motor Company developed a new feature called “MyKey” for its cars specifically geared towards parents and their teenage drivers. This feature is intended to aid teenagers in learning safe driving habits. Ford plans to release cars exhibiting its MyKey feature in the market in 2010.

MyKey was developed to add to the features already available to custom-ers. A computer chip located in the car’s key allows parents to limit their kids’ maximum speed to 80 mph and permit the car stereo to reach only 44 percent of its maximum volume. Parents can also choose to have the car sound a chime if their teenager drives faster than 45, 55, or 65 mph. If the driver or passenger seat belts are not fastened, a six-second chime will sound each minute.

“[It sounds like it] would be safe. It would be a good feature for parents who don’t really trust their kids [to drive safely],” junior Carson Smith said.

Although the parameters set by MyKey are designed to help teenagers develop safe driving habits, not everyone agrees that the feature will be as influential as planned. “Even if it beeps at you, unless a hand comes out and slaps you, I don’t think you are going to do anything. I mean—it’s just a beep. You can ignore it,” junior Geena John said. “I don’t think it will be very effective.”

The 80 mph limit was set in order to allow teenagers to drive at appropri-ate speeds on freeways where the speed limits exceed 70 mph. The engineers who designed MyKey wanted to provide a certain amount of flexibility for the driver in case something unexpected should occur on the road. Some people, however, are not convinced that this limitation will be effective in preventing speeding or the accidents that result from it.

“Most of the roads in our area have a 45 mph speed limit. If you can go 80 on a 45 mph road, that’s still way too fast,” Mrs. Elizabeth Rimpfel said. Rimpfel is a high school driver education instructor. “It’s not going to teach them, it’s just going to limit them; hopefully the learning will occur.”

Others feel that it is sometimes necessary to drive more than 80 mph in emergency situations. Some people have escaped serious injury or death by accelerating to avoid colliding with another car.

“A parent that gets this feature on their car can’t expect it to be a babysitter and ensure that their child is safe,” Rimpfel said. “It’s a nice start though.”

Despite the feature’s positive qualities, it is expected that there will be some disapproval among teenage drivers. “I kind of think it’s a violation of our privacy. I think that our parents should trust us to drive responsibly,” John said. “I think that it is unnecessary.”

The 2010 Ford Focus will be the first car to be outfitted with the MyKey feature. However, company directors plan to integrate the feature throughout the entire Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury lineup as other updates are made.

“I think that it’s more of a gimmick than anything else. If parents really think that this feature will prevent their kids from having an accident, then they need to look at it a little more closely,” Rimpfel said. “We can only hope that it will help, but it won’t stop kids from going too fast.”

-CV Eye photo by nikki tamanosky The Ford Motor Company is developing a feature called My Key, which can be used as a safety feature for teenage drivers. My Key will be available on the 2010 Ford Focus.

My Key feature sparks debate among drivers

Giant does its part to clean up environment

-CV Eye photo by nikki tamanosky Prescription drugs were collected at the Giant Food Store pharmacy in Camp Hill. This program is designed to prevent medication from contaminating the local water supply.

By Annie LawrensonStaff Writer

Giant Food Store pharmacies held an over-the-counter and pre-scription drug collection October 4, in three of their local stores. Approximately 200 customers dropped off their medications on the first collection date. The goal of the collection is to keep drugs and medications out of local water supplies, which have recently reached higher levels all across America. Higher levels of medications in drinking water could potentially have a negative effect on local resi-dents and wildlife. The drugs collected will be incinerated.

The collection was held in Giant stores in Camp Hill, Carlisle, and Shippensburg. The pharmacies inside the stores served as drop off points. Both over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and prescription drugs were collected at the stores. Giant used a “no questions asked” policy with regards to the collection. Customers were asked to bring the medication in the original bottle with their personal information crossed out.

The response from customers was positive, according to Tracy Pawelski, spokeswoman for Giant. About 200 customers from the three stores brought in items, a total of nearly 150 gallons of over-the-counter drugs and nearly 15 gallons of prescription drugs.

Giant started the program as a way to help the environment. “As part of our efforts to help minimize our impact on the environment, we worked with county authorities to provide customers with a way to dispose of their medications so that they don’t end up in our rivers and streams,” Pawelski said. According to www.pennlive.com, the levels of medications found in drinking water are rising.

A five month long survey on the amounts of medications found in drinking water was conducted early this year according to CSB News. CBS News said that in Philadelphia, 56 medications or byproducts were found in the local water supply. Such medicine included high cholesterol medication and medication for treating mental illnesses.

Rising levels of medicine could possibly have a harmful effect on resi-dents and wildlife, but so far there have been no reported cases. This does not mean it is not something that people need to be concerned about. “From what I’ve read, they are still trying to figure it out. They’ve just started looking at it. [It is in] preliminary stages; they don’t know the effects,” Environmental Concerns teacher Natalie Fox said.

Fox feels that the collection will have a positive effect on the environ-ment. “Anytime you have a way to safely get rid of it [will help]. Not asking questions is the best policy Giant made,” Fox said.

Fox thinks that the best way to fix the problem of medication in water is by becoming aware. “Getting the word out, public awareness, that you can do this, [that] there is a safe place to put them… that they do find their way into nature, back to us,” Fox said.

Due the positive response from customers, Pawelski believes that Giant will continue with the program.

�/Op/Ed CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008

By Becky FanionStaff Writer

It may have been two long years ago, but I can still recall my first day of high school. So many questions were racing through my mind: What will my teachers be like? Will my Honors classes be as hard as everyone says they are? Why are the upperclassmen looking at me like I have some sort of infectious disease?

Upperclassmen have always had a penchant for harassing freshmen. In one “Asking Around,” a student said the best senior prank would be to put blue dye in the pool so the freshmen would look like Smurfs after swim class. After all, seeing a real-life Papa Smurf or Smurfette walking down the hallway would be hilarious, right? Well, I’ll be honest; I didn’t think it was amusing when I was a freshman.

I never understood why my older brother practically threw a party when the school announced that freshmen wouldn’t be allowed to go to Homecoming anymore. I didn’t get it; one more class wasn’t going to make the dance that crowded. Well, I attended my first Homecoming last year and I finally understood why my brother celebrated. The dome was packed with sweaty students bumping and grinding, and I could see why adding another large group of students could be hazardous—and annoying.

However, I still didn’t get the “freshman hate” when I became an upperclassmen this year. I never saw the point of joining one of those Facebook groups proclaiming a never-ending disgust for ninth graders. As long as they didn’t get in my way, they were just like all the other students—until they decided they were just too “cool” to go to the freshman dance that many Key Club members slaved over.

The freshmen’s major complaint about the dance was that it was “lame,” even though Key Club hired a KISS FM DJ and made the dance semi-formal. It was going to be just like every other high school dance and definitely not a “mixer” reminiscent of middle school. Quite frankly, a dance is a dance, and students make them fun if they’re willing to have fun. So, if the freshmen thought it was going to be “lame,” maybe they are too.

Another complaint was that the freshmen wanted to go to the real Homecoming with the older students. How could we be so cruel as to crush every prepubescent freshman’s dream to grind and/or slow dance with that hot, older student they secretly stalk? Truthfully, we don’t want to be in a sweaty mosh pit with freshmen, especially after Key Club planned an awe-some dance for which they bought a whopping thirty tickets.

Now, freshmen must somehow finagle their way into the real Homecoming dance. I encourage all upperclassmen not to procure a guest pass for their underlings, especially when it’s clear that they don’t appreciate all the hard work we do for them, whether it is organizing a dance for them or giving them directions to the health room. I look forward to October 25, when I get to enjoy my freshmen-free Homecoming.

In the end, the upperclassmen can’t change the rules. If the freshmen think boycotting their dance is going to change the administrator’s minds, they need to think again. The freshmen’s constant whining about how the evil administrators excluded them from Homecoming with all the “big kids” is annoying, and unless they’re willing to make some sort of compromise, no one wants to hear it.

Freshmen decide they're too "cool" for dance

The CV Eye UPDATE is the school newspaper of the Cum­berland Valley High School and is published as a cooperative effort between the English and Technology Education Departm­ents on a bi-weekly basis. Cum­ber-land Valley High School, 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mech-anicsburg, PA 17050. Advertising rates upon request.

Editorial content of the UPDATE expresses the view of the paper and not necessarily the adm­inistration, faculty or school board of the Cum­berland Valley School District. Bylined Editorial content expresses the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the staff or school adm­inistration.

Letters to the editor are welcom­ed and m­ust be signed for publication.

Please subm­it letters and com­m­unications to Mr. Mum­m­a in room­ 137 or e-m­ail to: cveye@cvschools.org

Paper online:www.cvschools.org

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief/ Jess ShollenbergerLayout Editor/ Lauren HuntBusiness/Ads/ Lizzie CaravelloAdvisers/ Mr. Levi Mum­m­a and Mr. Scott Reynolds

Centerspread Editor/ Leah ShekletskiStaff/Beth Carlson, Justin Mansberger, Lauren Masciantonio

Photo Editor/Matt Brady

Photographers/Kim­ Vredenburgh, Nikki Tam­anosky

News Editor/Holly PlankStaff/Becky Fanion, Katherine Hilton, Brady McCorm­ick, Anne Lawrenson, Conor Quilty, Evan Petschke, John Kocsis

Feature Editor/Jason Arm­estoStaff/Clark Noone, Sarah Lawrenson, Ciara Sam­ento, Juliet Pawelski, Lindsay Reynolds,Avery Bowers, Nia Sherony

Sports Editor/ Elliott GluckStaff/Mark Mariani, Andrew Grossm­an, Shane Hoffer, Olivia Gettys

CV Eye MemberPSPA

Pennsylvania School

MemberASPA

American Scholastic UPDATE

By Clark NooneColumnist

Legend has it that a classic piece of Halloween culture—the jack o’ lantern—comes from the old tale of Stingy Jack. As an economically and politically relevant Halloween treat, every “Stingy Jack” in the following adaptation has been replaced with “Wall Street (WS),” and

every “Devil” has been replaced with “United States Government (USG).” Every other word is true to the original Stingy Jack tale. Happy Halloween.

Wall Street was a miserable old drunk who lived for trickery. Nobody was safe from his cheating ways, not even the United States Government himself. As it so happened, WS came upon the USG in the local pub one dark Halloween night. Realizing the USG had come to take his rotten soul away, WS offered compliance in exchange for one last drink.

But WS was not about to go down quietly, cunningly telling the USG that he was out of money. “If only you could turn yourself into a silver coin,” WS told the USG, “I could pay for this last drink and then be off with you.” After the drink, WS insisted, he would give up his soul forever. But as soon as the USG turned himself into that silver coin, WS snatched it and put it in his pocket, where a crucifix sat wait-ing. “I’ll let you go,” said WS, “if you give me ten more years of freedom.”

So WS went on living the same way for ten more years until one simi-lar Halloween night. While WS was walking on a country road, the USG appeared before him and told him his time was up. “I swear I’ll go with you, USG,” old WS said, “but before I do, will you please fetch me an apple from that tree so that I can have nourishment?”

The USG saw no harm in this and scaled the nearest apple tree to meet WS’s last wish. But while the USG was in the tree, WS surrounded it with crucifixes, once again leaving the USG vulnerable to his demands. “I’ll let you go,” WS promised, “if you agree to not take my soul when I die.”

And so it was. When WS’s miserable life finally ended, he found himself petitioning for entrance into Heaven. “We can’t let you in,” the angel at the gate told WS. “Because you lived a life of drinking and deceit.” So WS then turned to his old acquaintance, the USG, and asked him if he could gain entrance into Hell. “I’m sorry WS, but I can’t let you in,” the USG told him. “That was the deal you made with me, wasn’t it?”

Without a home to spend eternity, WS asked the USG what he should do, to which the USG replied, “Go back to where you came from!” Knowing that he could not travel the dark and treacherous way back home in the dark, WS asked the USG for a light. As a last concession, the USG gave WS an ember straight from Hell, which WS placed inside a hallowed-out pumpkin.

And that is how eternity has gone for old Wall Street. His days and nights have been and will continue to be spent without a place to lay his miserly head in rest; only that pumpkin lights his way. A proper price to pay, some would say, for the life that he lived.

Stingy Jack and the Wall Street Halloween

CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008 Feature/�

Nick Simmons (9)—I think it’s a bad idea because too many kids will play [music] too loud, and it will get very distracting.

Georgia Ducharme (10)—I think it’s a great idea, but it won’t last. People will play them too loudly or listen to them in the halls, and the policy will be revoked.

Todd Shuey (10)—I think it’s alright, because for some people it helps them concentrate. And if you’re bored in study hall, you can fall asleep to your music. Also, if you have a cool iPod or songs, it will raise your popularity points.

Freddie Powell (12)—It’s good because before the school was strict and uptight. Now CV is more relaxed.

Tara Romano (9)—I think that the fact that we can have iPods is a good thing. It can keep us from talking, and at the same time we’re content and satisfied.

Johnny Kesler (11)—I think it’s a good policy, but it won’t work because people will be watching inappropriate things and will be downloading things too. The teach-ers will get fed up with the music being too loud as well.”

What do you think of the new iPod policy?Students have been sounding off at the administration’s approval for

the use of portable music devices during the school day. During study halls, lunches, resource period, or afternoon dismissal, students are now permitted to listen to their iPods or any other transportable music player. Students are also allowed to access their devices in a classroom setting at the teacher’s discretion.

In the past, iPods were not allowed at all during the school day, espe-cially in classrooms. But some teachers decided they wanted the policy amended to allow students to access their devices throughout the school day in specific settings.

“A focus group [of teachers] formed at the beginning of the year. We met at an extensive meeting, then took our thoughts to the administration,” sophomore Biology teacher Maggie Futato said. Some teachers believe iPods are a wonderful resource for academic success. They can be used to help students concentrate or they can keep people quiet in study halls. So the teachers worked hard to get the previous rules altered. “Certain technol-ogy items can be used for great educational purposes,” Futato added.

However, this new privilege is not infinite, as students are not permitted to have their iPods or mp3 players out in the hallways between classes or in dis-ciplinary settings, like detention and restricted study hall. If students are caught violating this policy, they run the risk of having their device confiscated.

This new policy is on a test trial until the end of the second marking period, and the school administration will observe how students react to the changes. If too many students violate the rules, the standards may go back to the original procedure of zero tolerance. As long as students have their electronics put away during inappropriate times and are respectful with volume levels, the new policy will remain in effect. “If the policy is followed correctly, and if students act responsibly, I do not think it will be much of a problem. But only time will tell,” Futato said. “I think that if they are used with respect towards others, in terms of volume, they could be useful for some students.”

Some students are ecstatic that they can finally listen to their music in study halls when they have nothing else to do. Others claim that music improves their study habits. “I do not have a problem with people listening to music in study hall because I do not think music has a negative effect on work habits. Speaking for myself, music helps me concentrate a lot better, and I think it is a great way for students to increase the amount of concentra-tion on their work,” senior Mohsan Raza said.

Not only can iPods be used for entertainment, but also for educational pur-poses. Some teachers will take advantage of the policy by allowing students to use their players for instructive purposes in the classroom, such as using iPods to listen to academic podcasts or using them as storage units to save work.

As these next nine weeks roll on, students will continue to listen to art-ists like Taylor Swift and Dave Matthews Band. But only time will tell if this new rule is here to stay. As long as students respect the guidelines, the policy will remain in effect past the second marking period.

Asking Around

Compiled by Lindsay Reynolds and Avery Bowers?

??

?

Miss Angela Doody—It’s a good idea. I think it is good the admin-

istration is taking it slow. As long as students are not bugging anyone while listening to them in class or study hall, it’s a great idea.”

8/Feature CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008

Homecoming garb proves problematic for administrators

By Sarah LawrensonStaff Writer

Traditionally, the Homecoming game has been an event for returning alumni and current students to enjoy a day of school spirit and unity. The Homecoming game is October 24, 2008, and the Homecoming Dance will be Saturday at 7 p.m. Lately however, the Homecoming game and the Homecoming Dance have moved further away from tradi-tion. With the dance comes a whole new set of worries for faculty and students alike, including inappropriate dress.

The Homecoming Dance is a formal event, which means that women are supposed to wear nice dresses and men are to wear a suit and tie. But in years past, Cumberland Valley has had problems with outfits that do not

meet the dress code for dances or the dress code for the regular school day.“It has been an annual problem we deal with. Some years the principals

get on the announcements asking students to dress and dance appropriately,” Upper House Principal Steve Kirkpatrick said. “We monitor at the door, and some students have to change into clothes brought to them by parents.”

However, some students still choose to dress in a manner that does not reflect well upon the school. Seniors are typically the culprits, with some students even look at dressing inappropriately as the “theme” of the dance.

“For the dances, some girls brought what they had been planning to wear originally [in a bag] and changed in the bathroom. They still get away with it,” junior Alyssa Tallman said.

To a certain point, it is hard for students, especially girls, to pick out a dress for Homecoming that is appropriate for school and still reflects their individuality. With choices of strapless, backless, short, and low cut styles, it can be hard for girls to find dresses that fit the dress code for dances and as Kirkpatrick puts it, “echoes the everyday dress code.”

“The expectations for formal or semiformal should be the same as every day. We don’t allow the dress code to change with events,” twelfth grade Principal Jeff Hosenfeld said.

Still, there are some students who dislike having the school telling them what they can and cannot wear to dances.

“To a certain point, we should be able to wear tank tops and strapless dresses, but the length should be monitored. Nobody wants to see all of that,” Tallman said.

This year, Cumberland Valley is trying to get students involved with the dress code regulations by making sure that all students attending the Homecoming Dance know what is and is not appropriate to wear.

“We send a letter home to parents and a flier with each ticket purchase telling about the appropriate dress.” Kirkpatrick said. “We also went around to all of the senior social studies rooms talking to [students]. We are going to talk about the dress code at the student council meetings and maybe get new ideas.”

-CV Eye photo by Matt BradyNikhitaa Sundar sells tickets for CV's Homecoming dance October 25. Tradition has been for seniors to push the dress code to the limit.

By Juliet PawelskiStaff Writer

Every autumn, aspiring actors from all over Cumberland Valley High School join together to perform in a school production. This year a classic movie favor-ite, “The Breakfast Club,” debuts.

The Fall Play is a performance by the Barefoot Players, or the Cumberland Valley Drama Club. Its director and many of the production’s actors also participate in the after-school meetings. All Barefoot Players are encouraged to try out for the play, and signs are put up to attract attention for the non-members who want to give acting a try. On November 14 and 15, the actors will put their skills on display as they interpret the high school-inspired play in their own way. Grace Troxel, one of the leaders of Barefoot, directs the performance.

“The Breakfast Club is about five kids who receive a Saturday detention together,” junior Sarah Moesta said. “They are all common high school stereotypes. Throughout the movie they find that they are not so different after all.” The main characters are protrayed as a nerd, a princess, a jock, a rebel, and a basket case. Moesta plays Claire, the princess of the school. The other teenagers are played by Corinne Munsch (the jock), Miah Song (the basket case), Dan Fusco (the nerd), and Mason Peragine (the rebel). The teenagers learn to cooperate, have fun during their dull Saturday detention, and eventually find out more about themselves.

The final performance is certainly a show to witness, but many do not see what the actors must do to prepare for the production. Behind the scenes, the actors work hard to put together a play with meaning. Beginning at the end of September and continuing until the opening night, the players practice Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays. Instead of just reading through lines, the actors find a creative way to remember their parts and apply the appropriate emotions.

Moesta explains that they practice running lines in laid-back atmo-spheres, such as the benches outside of the school, the eagle lobby, and cozy corners anywhere they can fit. Otherwise, different methods are applied to working through their lines. The actors may run through a scene several

times, using different emotions each time. The actors always take the scripts home with them so they may work on it further. They also interpret the lines their own way, sometimes paraphrasing the scenes without using the script at all. The goal is an emotional interpretation of the scenes. “We fit our characters to ourselves,” Moesta says.

The actors want to put on a show that does not mirror the movie. The lines may be the same, but every other aspect must be worked through from scratch at the actors’ discretion. The characters change with the actor, as do the emotions portrayed through the performance. “Everybody knows and loves The Breakfast Club,” Moesta said, but she also notes that the perfor-mance is based on the lines, not the popular film.

Although less publicized than the CV Spring Musical, the Fall Play still packs a punch. All of Cumberland Valley’s students and faculty are encouraged to support both productions and the actors who work hard to present it.

High school stereotypes unite in this year's Fall Play

-CV Eye photo by Kim VredenburghSeniors Tyler Rhubright and Mason Peragine rehearse scenes from "The Breakfast Club" script in preparation for the upcoming performances November 14 and 15.

CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008 Feature/�Discussion of new bill shakes young drivers

By Ciara SamentoStaff Writer

One of the most important milestones in a teenager's life is the freedom that comes in the form of a set of keys and a driving permit. In Pennsylvania that milestone comes after one’s sixteenth birthday, when it is legal to test for a driving permit. If the permit is obtained, 50 hours of driving must be com-pleted over a six-month time frame in order to test for a junior license. Rcently, lawmakers have discussed a bill that would change the transition from permit to license.

As of September 17, 2008, a bill was re-committed to the State House proposing new changes before one can obtain a junior license. The first change would no longer allow a junior driver to carry more than one passenger under the age of 18, with the exception of sib-lings or relatives through parental approval.

“When there are too many people in the same car at once, there is a greater problem with divided attention. The more divided attention, the more of a serious problem you have with younger drivers,” Cumberland County Coroner Mike Norris said.

Although safety is the most important factor while driving, an opposing argument for the portion of this bill will be the inconvenience of restricting the number of passengers and spilling out more money for gas. “I would not like that…I won’t be allowed to drive around with my friends anymore. It should at least be that two people under 18 should be allowed in the car,” junior Stephen Spencley said.

Adding more driving hours would be the next step. Those with a learner’s permit under 18 would have to complete 65 hours of additional practical driv-ing time with someone of age. More specifically, this means no less than ten hours of nighttime driving and no less than five hours of bad weather driv-ing. Becoming familiar with uncomfortable situations such as nighttime and inclement weather driving can only increase experienced safe driving.

“I would support this part of the bill because I think some teenagers are reckless drivers, and the more hours we practice driving, the more likely it will be that teenagers will start to become conscious drivers,” sophomore

Ashley Schultz said. Making sure that these extra hours are completed would not be an easy task to monitor. “There is no way that they can effi-ciently check and control the 10 hours after dark and bad weather driving. Parents could sign off for it, and it could have never happened,” Driver Education teacher Elizabeth Rimpfel said.

The final section of the bill states that any driver with a learner’s permit or junior license will not be allowed to use any form of wireless communication devices, such as cell phones or laptops while driving unless there is an emergency. “There is absolutely no excuse at all to be texting and driving at the same time. It is taking your attention away from the road and putting it on something else, which puts others at a risk for danger, and that is careless driving,” Norris said.

The State House is currently debating the issue. If passed, the bill would have to be reintroduced after 2008. “Seeing some of the upperclassman here at school pull out of the parking lot makes me nervous to drive… I think that if the bill was passed, we would see changes on the road and here at school where it affects students the most,” Schultz said.

-CV Eye photo by Matt BradyStudents begin their day walking into the school. If the age to obtain a permit is raised, fewer students would have the privilege of driving to school.

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Marching band plans for victory at ACC's

By Nia SheronyStaff Writer

Cumberland Valley’s Marching Band has been practicing since the beginning of May for hours on end, dreaming of a first place title at Atlantic Coast Championships, which are to be held November 15 in Allentown this year.

Atlantic Coast Championships, or ACC’s, are a big deal for Mr. Scott Ainscough, Cumberland Valley’s Marching Band Director. Over the course of two days, the best bands from nine states gather for, as Ainscough put it, the “superbowl of marching band competitions.” “It is the culminating event of our season,” Ainscough said.

Last year, Cumberland Valley came in sixth place at ACC’s. Although all bands must qualify for this competition by building their score in regional competitions, Ainscough appears to be more focused on the larger competition. “I think the bigger issue is where we will place in ACC’s,” he said, confident of Cumberland Valley’s success in qualifying competitions.

Before Atlantic Coast Championships, there were two smaller compe-

titions held at Chapman Field this year. First was Echoes in the Valley, which took place October 18. Echoes in the Valley, affectionately called “Echoes” by the band members, is a competition CV performs as an exhibi-tion. Because of its location, Echoes in the Valley is the most convenient competition for CV students to attend. “It takes a lot of time, but it’s also a lot of fun to watch,” Sarah Anderson, freshman flutist, said.

Another band tournament held at Cumberland Valley is Chapters, which takes place November 1. During Chapters, bands begin to build their score for the season’s end total. Judges examine how a band sounds, how well they march, their horn angles, and their color guard. “It’s like the playoffs in football,” Catharine Wagner, sophomore flutist, said.

A band as large as Cumberland Valley’s requires a lot of money for support, much of which comes from the Band Boosters. The Band Boosters, usually band parents and other supporters, use the competition as a band fundraiser. The Band Boosters raise money for insurance and trucks that are needed to carry the band members, their uniforms, and their instruments to various competitions in the area.

Although Cumberland Valley is facing some very tough competitors this year, such as Lancaster Catholic, Northern York, and Carlisle, they are confident in their abilities. “Some of the shapes we make are pretty crazy,” Curtis Balz, freshman trumpeter, said. Kristen Kachel, senior flutist, is also excited about the competitions. “Our marching is much more intricate, and our music is much more complicated [this year],” Kachel said.

Competitions such as Chapters and ACC’s are very important to the marching band. Not only does the band endure traveling long distances to places such as Altoona, but they practice for hours each week, perfect-ing their routine for competitions. “It makes it seem worthwhile when we’ve performed well,” Ainscough said.

Cumberland Valley’s marching band has worked hard for the past several months preparing a routine for their competitions. They have been putting all of their energy into these performances and are con-stantly improving their marching and music in hopes that they will win Atlantic Coast Championships this year.

-CV Eye photo by Kim VredenburghAt Echoes in the Valley, the marching band performed their show, A Tribute to Heroes Lost and Fallen, and received a score of 88.35, a three point leap from last weeks score. The band looks forward to competing in the ACC's November 15.

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By Andrew GrossmanStaff Writer

When a person is given the responsibility of being captain, he or she is entrusted to display strength, loyalty, and team leadership. Some individu-als can ease their way into this position with no problem at all. For others, however, it is a learning experience filled with many obstacles. To cope with this added pressure, first year Athletic Director Mike Craig developed an innovative plan to lessen the athletes’ troubles. He, along with the seventeen CV athletic captains, joined together to form the first Captains Council.

Craig first heard of this concept while he was at a job-related meeting. “Some of the other athletic counselors have started it in their area and they all had a lot of success with it,” Craig said. “They thought that it would be worthwhile and that we should give it a try.” He came into the ’08-’09 school year with the hope of giving CV an addi-tional edge. “We want the students to learn some leadership skills that will help their team later down the road,” Craig said.

In a short period of time, some of the captains are already starting to see progress. “It is really helpful because you realize that every team faces some sort of problem and that they just want to talk about it with other people,” cheerleader Zara Wroblewski (’09) said. To fully benefit from one another, they discuss their prior experi-ences. “All the captains are there throwing out different ideas to help each other,” senior football captain Mike Frenette said.

Along with the fundamental brainstorming, the casual atmosphere has also

enhanced the communication of the group. Sharing ideas in a relaxed setting while snacking on an occasional doughnut or muffin creates a comfortable environment. According to field hockey captain Janelle Howard (’09), “[The council] is really cool because Mr. Craig is laid back when he talks about leader-

ship skills, different types of motivation, and stuff like that.”

Craig’s inspiration for starting this council also came from the book Playing Beyond the Scoreboard, by Craig Hillier. Hillier wrote his book to help young athletes succeed. His motivation came from his past personal experiences. “I was selected to be a team leader in high school. Unfortunately, no one really told me what it meant to be a team leader. I had to learn the leadership lessons the hard way, through experience,” Hillier said.

Hillier wants young sports enthusiasts to benefit from his early mistakes. “I want young people to get the most out of their athletic experience. Hopefully, by applying the information they will be able to do that,” Hillier said. “It’s been satisfying to hear coaches and athletes say the material has helped them create a season of significance.”

Every Monday, the council meets during school to review a different section of Hillier’s

book. “It’s a very good book,” Frenette said. “We just go through and read parts of it; it explains to us how to be a better captain.”

With the first season winding down, Craig can now look toward the winter sports. He will continue to follow the same guidelines for the winter council as the fall session. “It’s gone well so far,” Craig said. “I have communication with the athletes, which is definitely going to benefit each team.”

By Olivia Gettys Staff Writer

After 33 years of success season after season, the legendary head coach Nick Mallos has retired. This man left quite a legacy for his replacement Rick Landis, with numerous honors and awards culminating into 596 career wins. Mallos received the Eagle Foundation Coach of the Year, Old Timers Athletic Association Coach of the Year, and the United States Tennis Association Coach of the Year. “He always found something positive to discuss,” new coach Rick Landis said. “We want to continue his legacy.”

The Eagles completed a good season throughout six weeks with 12 competitive matches. The team nor-mally had matches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, open-ing the season with a 5-2 loss against Mechanicsburg. The girls took a hard hit to start the match, losing all four of the singles match-ups. “I was down in points and couldn’t quite pull through,” Jenna Laubach (’11) said in response to her match against Mechanicsburg’s number one seed. The Eagles ended up only winning two doubles during the entire day. With this tough start to the season the girls planned to turn these losses into wins.

During week two, the team started to slowly recover from their tough loss, losing to Northern by a closer score of 4-3. Later in the week the girls thumped Central Dauphin, one of their top competitors. Week three included a one match win versus Gettysburg. Unfortunately, throughout the season, many cancellations occurred because of slippery courts due to rain. During week three, a match against Harrisburg was called off and postponed until the next week, mak-ing week four one of CV’s toughest.

The girls had a match every day of the week starting with Hershey.

Hershey was heavily favored to win, but CV pulled through with a score of 6-1. They won three of the four singles matches and all of their doubles. The match was an overall easy victory and helped the team throughout the

stressful week. “This win was a great motivation builder for the team to go on and play their next four matches with confidence,” Landis said.

The girls went on to win four of the five matches against Cedar Cliff, Harrisburg, Carlisle, and Susquehanna. Their last match of that week versus Susquehanna mentally exhausted the girls.

Week five was very competitive with the Lady Eagles playing their two top rivals, Chambersburg and Central Dauphin East. They lost both matches but continued to play hard and keep their heads high.

Ending the season on a high note, the ladies won their final match against Lower Dauphin. The team capped off the season with a satisfying 7-5 record.

Like most Cumberland Valley teams, the girls tennis team had an excellent bond. As a sopho-more, Labauch has a good relationship with the other girls on the team. “Everybody is so wel-coming, and as a team I think we are very close,” Labauch said. As for next year, there will be a competitive showdown for the first seed. Missy Kramer (’10) and Labauch will be fighting for the

number one seed. “I know that we will both be working hard in the off-sea-son,” Laubach said. The tennis team will also be improving as a whole next season with their two top seeds being higher in skill and grade level. The past JV team has exhibited great skill this season. “We expect that the JV girls will fill in the slots for next season’s varsity team,” Landis said. Next years team will have gathered experience from the ’08 season, thus becom-ing a greater force in the Mid-Penn.

CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008 Sports/11Craig forms innovative Captains Council at CV

Girls tennis team puts up winning record under Landis

-CV Eye photo by nikki tamanosky The new athletic director, Mr. Michael Craig, works at his desk. He has created a Captains Council for the 2008-2009 school year, and it is being used to work on the students' leadership skills.

-CV Eye photo by Matt BradySenior Archana Nalluswami prepares to hit the ball during practice. The girls tennis team finished 7-15 with a victory against Lower Dauphin.

CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 200812/Sports

Water polo dives into post season with title hopes

By Shane HofferStaff Writer

Boy’s water polo is taking out any team that stands in the way of their road to states. The team’s goal is to win the state championship, and the squad has put in the time and effort to go very deep into the playoffs. Their work ethic is outstanding, as they swim close to two miles in the pool every day at practice.

The group of guys went undefeated in the East-West Crossover tournament. They beat McDowell 16 to 2 in the first game proving that they were the team to beat. Following that game they played Cathedral Prep. The Eagles won that game 17 to 11. In the final game against Hazleton, the guys won 16 to 5. With

Andrew Hamilton at the helm leading CV with the most goals, the team expects to blow the remaining teams out of the water. On Senior Night the team hoped to knock off PA’s number one ranked team, Wilson High School.

“We really try to emphasize the team concept,” Coach Cory Pelow said. Team is the most important thing to the program. The team chemistry is strong, and all of the players work together to form an unstoppable unit.

For the girl’s team, this was a rebuilding season. They graduated six seniors including two of the best players in the state, Callan Rowe and Amanda Skonezney. Younger players have stepped into new roles on the team to try to replace the graduates. The seniors on this year’s team have stepped up to become leaders. “They are gelling as a team,” Coach Sheri Johnson said.

The toughest challenge of this season is to develop the inexperienced players and take them to the next level. The girls have responded well and are looking forward to be at the top again next season.

The team never complains and always gives it their all. “This is one of the hardest working groups of girls that I have ever had,” Coach Johnson said.

The end of this water polo season will be an exciting one, as the girls look to come from behind and win states, and the guys try to reach for their goal and come home with the prized state championship trophy.

Pelow expects more people to come out and support the boys and girls of the water polo teams. “This sport is one of the most amazing sports to play. People don’t want to come to the games because they don’t know what is going on,” Pelow said. Pelow also thinks that more kids should get involved at a younger age because this is an exciting sport to play. Practices are open to middle school kids, and they are hoping to open practices up to elementary school kids as well. The team encourages everyone to come out and watch this compelling sport.

By Mark MarianiStaff Writer

When the postseason comes around in the MLB, a new atmosphere arises. This new atmosphere is what makes the crowd scream when a pitcher manages to foul off a couple of pitches and what gives the runner stealing second base that extra burst of speed. This atmosphere is marked by the brisk October weather and players stepping up their game; there are no second chances in the playoffs.

Upsets have defined the 2008 postseason. In the first round of the play-offs, the AL and NL’s best records failed to push their respective series to five games. The Chicago Cubs (best record in the National League) were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that struggled to remain above .500 throughout the regular season. In the series, the Dodgers’ pitching staff only let up six runs against the Cubs’ high-scoring offense.

Most teams like the Dodgers notice the biggest change in their game dur-ing the transition between the regular season to the postseason. “[The play-offs] are completely different than the regular season because in the playoffs you start off clean,” sophomore Ryan Hogan said. In the regular season, the Cubs swept the Dodgers in their only meeting. During the last stretch of the season, however, the Dodgers acquired Manny Ramirez and saw lights-out pitching from Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley. In the NLDS, the Dodgers utilized their playoff experience from manager Joe Torre and Ramirez, sweeping the Cubs.

Unfortunately for some teams, their game takes a turn for the worst dur-ing the playoffs. In the regular season, the Los Angeles Angels (best record in the American League) took eight out of nine against the Boston Red Sox. In those nine games, Los Angeles put up 61 runs against the likes of Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Beckett. In the playoffs, however, the decisive LA offense was shut down by Boston’s experienced bullpen.

One major contributing factor to the intensity of the playoffs is the devoted fans. During game two of the Phillies-Brewers NLDS matchup, the Phillies chased one of the league’s best pitchers in CC Sabathia in just 3 2/3 innings. Some baseball fans like Evan Bourgeois (’11) credit this to the rowdy Phillies fans making noise and disrupting Sabathia’s rhythm.

For some teams like the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, the playoffs are a chance to grab their share of history. Before this season, the Rays had never won a World Series. After the first half of the season, many speculated if Tampa Bay would continue their dominant pace in the AL East. After proving many critics wrong by outing the Red Sox and the New York Yankees for the division title, the Rays gave more reason as to why they are a legitimate threat in the league.

There are many things that change from the regular season to the post season, and at the top of that list is the indescribable atmosphere the playoffs provide. This atmosphere is what allows a mediocre team like the Dodgers to sweep one of the best teams in the league. This atmosphere is what drives the fans to give the home team an almost unfair advantage. This atmosphere is what has provided historic memories from Babe Ruth calling his shot in the 1932 World Series to the Red Sox “breaking the curse” in 2004, and is sure to give devoted baseball fans across the country additional memories in the ’08 playoffs.

MLB playoffs create historic opportunities

-CV Eye photo by Stephan BradyPatrick Daley takes a five meter shot against Governor Mifflin during a 14-9 win. The boys water polo team clinched a spot at the State Tournament with the victory.

-Photo from apimages.ap.orgPhiladelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz and Pedro Feliz celebrate after the final out against the Dodgers. The Phillies had a 5-1 victory against the Dodgers in Game 5 October 15 and advanced to the World Series.

13CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 2008

YOUTH DECIDEElection 2008

CV Eye discusses the issues that affect CV students.

By John F.M. KocsisStaff Writer

Rising gas prices, the subprime mortgage crisis, the meltdown of Wall Street: these are just a few of the financial problems that await our next president. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) believes the best way to fix the struggling economy is to freeze government spending. He does not think that American taxpayers should be punished for the current fiasco; therefore he does not see imposing new taxes as a way to fix the problem. He believes spending controls and reasonable economic growth are the answers to the current crisis. His proposed economic plan includes achieving a balanced budget by 2013.

While the average price of gas has recently gone down, the high cost of oil remains a national concern. Senator McCain believes that America is too dependent on foreign fuel. He thinks we should “stop sending $700 billion to countries that don’t like us very much.” McCain encourages offshore drilling and wants to initiate a nuclear power program. The goals of this project would be to establish energy independence and to create 700,000 jobs across the country.

When voters think of the economy, the first word that comes to mind is taxes. Senator McCain believes that lowering personal taxes will benefit the economy. To do this, he wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. He sees wasteful government spending as the reason our country is in this mess. Therefore, the solution to the economic crisis is a spending freeze, not a tax increase. He also identifies special interest as a major problem, so he plans to end earmarked spending bills that have led to corruption. His plan includes reclaiming billions of dollars from add-on spending bills.

The subprime mortgage crisis is one of the economy’s most press-ing struggles. Despite this, McCain does not feel that taxpayers should bail out real estate speculators, stating that any assistance should go solely towards homeowners. The senator supported the $700 billion Congressional bailout and believes that transparency must be present in any future financial assistance bills. Senator McCain has proposed the HOME plan to support those hurt by the housing crisis. Under this plan, every American will be given the opportunity to exchange their mortgage for a loan that reflects their house’s market value. The goal of the HOME plan is to keep 200,000 to 400,000 families from losing their homes.

With McCain down by a considerable margin nationwide, he found it necessary to elaborate on his economic platform. Just three weeks before the election, he announced a $52.5 billion rescue plan that would cut additional unnecessary taxes. He proposed elimination of taxes on unemployment benefits, thus helping 3.6 million Americans. In his most recent plan, he suggested a reduction in the taxes of retirees, as well as a cut on capital gains tax. In this time of economic despair, Senator McCain does not think anyone should be forced to pay more taxes.

With all the discussion of gas prices, bailouts, and stocks, perhaps the most important element of the economic crisis is being overlooked. Senator McCain vows to center his economic plans on creating and maintaining mil-lions of jobs for the middle class. In fact, the name of the McCain economic plan is “Jobs for America.” The senator pledges to use innovative methods to establish jobs that encourage the economic growth necessary to get this country back on track.

THE ECONOMYBy Elliott GluckPolitical Editor

Issues pertaining to the economy are always at the center of a presi-dential campaign, but due to the recent bailout and stock market free fall, both candidates have been forced to address America’s economic troubles more than years past. Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) has a plan to fix the fundamentals of the U.S. economy while easing the financial burden of Americans nationwide.

The Obama economic plan includes tax cuts for millions of working Americans and the end of the trickle down economic theory. He sees that the major flaws in our current system stem from the fact that wages have remained the same while prices continue to skyrocket. Obama also feels that the millions of dollars in tax cuts given to the wealthy under the Bush administration have prevented the middle class from thriving. If elected Obama will put into place a windfall profits tax that gives American fami-lies one thousand dollars in emergency energy rebates to help pay for the high prices of fuel. The Democratic candidate also plans to remove the income tax for seniors making less than 50 thousand dollars a year and give much needed tax relief to America’s small businesses. Obama has made it clear that fairness needs to be returned to the tax code and will do this by enacting a “Making Work Pay” tax credit that will lower taxes for over 150 million working class Americans.

Senator Obama and his running mate Joe Biden (D-Delaware) will jumpstart the economy by creating five million new “green jobs” and investing in innovative manufacturing strategies. The Democratic ticket also preaches the need for fair-trading in the foreign markets and changes in the North American Free Trade Agreement. The out-sourcing of American jobs over the last eight years has left thousands of Americans unemployed. Senator Obama will stop this practice by eliminating tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. By investing in scientific research and creating a permanent Research and Development Tax Credit, an Obama administration will create new, high paying jobs for generations to come. Barack Obama knows how important unions are in our economy and as president will protect the right of workers to unionize. His economic plan also will include an increase of the minimum wage that will allow all working Americans to afford the basic needs that go along with raising a family. His plan includes an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Like many Democrats, Obama believes that the middle-class must flourish if the American economy is to return to its glory days.

The threats of home foreclosures and bankruptcy have become far too common in the last year. Obama will create a ten percent universal mortgage credit to give relief to millions of American homeowners. The Democrat also promises more accountability in the subprime mortgage industry that will help fight the battle against mortgage fraud. Obama knows that something must be done to address the bankruptcy loophole for mortgage companies and will enforce more accurate loan admission. It is certain that Senator Obama has identi-fied the major failures in America’s economic foundation and will do everything in his power as president to turn the system around.

CV Eye UPDATEFriday, October 2�, 20081�/Special Series