CHS School News

Violence in the Congo

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:54:56 -0500

The Ever-Growing Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
By Dan McCarthy

For thousands of years, Africa has been a place of vast beauty, drawing attention of all whom surround the continent at all ends of the earth. Africa is known for its various natural resources such as the diamonds, or natural petroleum. Over time, the territories of Africa have been greatly taken advantage of by neighboring superpowers, looking for wealth by using the land's resources. Whether it be problems with illegal diamond trafficking of Sierra Leone or the limited amount of petroleum in the fields of Nigeria, many African countries find themselves in much economic and political distress.

Recently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has had numerous conflicts regarding political turmoil between the rebel groups and the current political party. Throughout the 1990's and early 2000's, the country had been in civil war involving surrounding countries such as Rwanda and Burundi, resulting in between 3 and 4 million deaths from starvation and disease. Since 2003, the Congolese government has been successful in maintaining peace and order throughout the nation. Recently, however, rebel troops have created an uprising amongst themselves in the Eastern Congo territories, getting military support by Rwanda. The rebel groups feed off of civilian raids, causing many to flee away from home with their families. Millions of people have sought refugee camps, and it has been said that more than 45,000 conflict related deaths occur each month. The Congolese government troops, under orders from President Joseph Kabila have been sent in these areas to stop the militias from feeding upon the local citizen villages. In turn, there have been more deaths and displaced villages since the government decided to act militarily.

The rebel group, or, The National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), are are lead by Tutsi General Laurent Nkunda, and have also had disputes with the U.N. in the area. Rebels battle with the idea of setting a peace agreement with the Congolese government, the U.N., and any other nation that may participate to end the fighting. Actions need to be done to settle the imposing conflicts that have involved the displacement and deaths of the millions of people within the violent country. Nations such as Angola have promised troops to help aid the Congolese government but for now, no serious actions have occurred.

Body Found Outside Paula Abdul’s Home

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:09 -0500

Body Found Outside Paula Abdul’s Home
By Corinne Therien

Tragedy struck Los Angeles Tuesday night when a body was found outside of Paula Abdul's home. The body turned out to be an utterly obsessed Abdul fan, Paula Goodspeed, who auditioned for Abdul's hit T.V. show, "American Idol", three years ago.

Goodspeed was found in her car, parked several houses down from Abdul's home. The fan appears to have committed suicide, by way of an overdose. Apparently, such an act is not considered "out of character" for Goodspeed—she was, reportedly, a troubled woman.

Abdul, who was in a recording studio at the time of discovery, has said that she's "deeply shocked and saddened by what transpired" on Tuesday, and that her "thoughts and prayers go out to [Goodspeed's] family."

This heart-wrenching case takes an odd twist here, though. The LAPD received a suspicious call that there "might" be a car outside of Abdul's house and the woman inside "might" be suicidal. The call was not without rationale, however. What sounded like an insolent prank turned out to be a worried mother looking for her daughter in the only place that held any history.

Allegedly, this was not the first time that Goodspeed has attempted to take her own life in front of Abdul's house—she had tried once before but had gotten medical attention before she sustained any permanent injury. But the interaction between Abdul and Goodspeed doesn't stop there—as it turns out, Goodspeed has been harassing Abdul for years by way of threatening letters and desperate attempts at meeting the star.

Goodspeed's unsettling infatuation aside, her suicide was an avoidable and unnecessary tragedy. It was an unfortunate misfortune that will hopefully dish out some well-needed perspective.

Obama’s Historic Win

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:07 -0500

Obama’s Historic Win
By Katelyn Richer

President elect Barack Obama continued to make history when he met with current President Bush on Monday, November 10. This event is a traditional metaphorical "passing of the torch" and has been carried out for decades in order to prepare the upcoming President for the challenges he will face during his term. There had been a tense atmosphere for the days leading up to their meeting, in fear of conflict or disagreement due to the criticism Obama has expressed towards to Bush administration during his campaign, but the meeting was said to be very peaceful, relaxed, and productive. This was the first time that Obama had ever set foot in the Oval Office.

While the men discussed politics and policies, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush met for he first time. The ladies toured the living quarters and shared tips on raising two daughters in the White House and educating them in Washington.
The Obama family will officially move in on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009.

Circuit City and Post AG Face Losses

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:05 -0500

 Circuit City and Post AG Face Losses  By Michael Sczczerepa
 Two companies: Circuit City and Germany's Deutsche Post AG have either filed for a degree of bankruptcy; have to lay off people, or both. This is due to falling of the US economy. Both of these have happened on Monday.  Circuit City, the second most popular electronics provider in the US, trailing only behind Best Buy, has suffered terribly. They had to cut over 700 jobs in their headquarters. The company said it decided to file for bankruptcy protection "because it was facing pressure from vendors who threatened to withhold products during the holiday shopping period". They had announced last week that they are planning to close about 20 percent of their stores, and cut thousands of jobs.

Deutsche Post AG, based in Bonn, Germany had cut over 9,500 jobs last Monday. They are planning to close many of its DHL Express service centers and eliminate U.S.-only domestic express shipping by land and air by Jan. 30. The 9,500 cuts are on top of the over 5,000 jobs they had already announced. It has been announced that the unemployment rate of the US has bolted to a 14-year high of 6.5 percent in October.

Lifesaving Purse

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:03 -0500

Life Saving Purse
By Jenny Collazo

Life saving purses come in all shapes, colors, and brands, but only one size: extra large.

A 22 year old student, Elizabeth Pittenger, at Middle Tennessee State University reports that her large handbag dodged a bullet for her during an attempted robbery. She was walking to her car with her purse and laptop when 20 year old Orlando Edmiston approached asking for her belongings. She put up a fight and when Edmiston left the scene he shot one single round and fled, leaving the .38 caliber handgun beneath a utility van in the same lot. When the police had questioned Pittenger, they were unsure of the location of the bullet, when they noticed it lodged into a calculator and a small case in her purse.

The Tennessee police later found Edmiston and he was charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery, and possession of a weapon on school property. He was held on $32,500 bond at Rutherford County Jail. No details on his attorneys or proceedings have surfaced.

Obama Searches For Cabinet Members

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:01 -0500

Obama Searches For Cabinet Members
By A. Tam

After his amazing victory of becoming the first African American president, Barrack Obama has the very important decision of choosing who will be in his presidential cabinet. They will be his advisers on political decisions for his next four years of presidency. His running mate, Joe Biden has become our next vice president and now Obama must choose other politicians to fill his other cabinet positions. This vital decision will have a drastic affect since these positions are to be filled by knowledgeable people that will consult the president about the country's national and foreign affairs.
The origins of the presidential cabinet begin in the United States Constitution and George Washington's presidency. Cabinet officers are nominated by the president. They are then presented to the Senate for confirmation in simple majority.

There are currently twenty-four positions that must be replaced after Bush's administration. The positions that are better known include: Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Treasury, and Attorney General. They will specialize in their area to inform the president and handle any assignments given to them. These positions also serve a role in the presidential line of succession. In any case the president dies or is assassinated the next person in line becomes president. It would go to the vice president, to the Speaker of the House, to President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and then finally proceed down the list of cabinet members.
It is interesting that at every ceremonial occasion where the president and the cabinet meet there is one person that must stay behind. This is the "designated survivor" who is secured and highly protected to assume presidency if ever the president and his cabinet are killed.
This is the list of possible candidates for each position in Obama's cabinet:
Secretary of State- Senator John Kerry, Secretary of Defense- Senator Jack Reed, Attorney General- Janet Napolitano, and Secretary of Treasury- Tim Geithner
Armed with his new set of advisers, Obama must clean up America's crashing economy, gracefully retreat troops from Iraq, and regain America's status as a world power.

Competitive Eating Takes Another Life

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 13:05:32 -0500

Competitive Eating Takes Another Life

The 'Big Stomach King' finally met his match. On October 23, 2008, the twenty-three year old Taiwanese student who goes by the name of 'Chen' mysteriously died during an eating contest. The champion eater passed out and died after suffering a violent case of projectile vomiting during a competition at Dayeh University in Changhua, Taiwan.

Chen was competing for the title of 'Big Stomach King,' and probably would have won had it not been for two rice and cheese steamed rolls that he inhaled. Nobody knows for sure how or why Chen died. It is speculated that he choked to death, although some argue that he suffered from a ruptured stomach.

Several other deaths have occured from competitive eating. Most of these people choked to death on their food, or their teammates food. Strokes, as opposed to choking, are a more common competitive eating injury, and are a consequence of eating too quickly, not too much.