Opinion Articles

Coffee Binge Drinking

Posted Fri, 12/04/2009 - 10:19 by kbrewer

-by Stephanie K.-Mr. Fromwiller, about to enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Photo: Andrea Phillips

            Coffee and caffeine. They are a major part in society and a morning tradition among many teenagers and adults. Some people drink one cup of coffee in the morning to get them through the first part of a hectic day. Others drink it non-stop throughout the day. Though the caffeine in coffee can reduce stress, too much caffeine can be dangerous.

 

            Just like vicodin, alcohol, and codeine, caffeine can become addictive; and like other addictive drugs, a person can suffer withdraws from a result of immediately ceasing their caffeine intake. It may sound unbelievable; however, it is a true fact. On average, coffee drinkers intake approximately 130-300mg of caffeine daily, as caffeine “addicts” will drink about 6,000mg; a 5,500mg difference in consumption.

Swine Flu Fear...Unnessesary?

Posted Mon, 12/07/2009 - 09:52 by kbrewer

-by Mariah C.-

The swine influenza is the latest epidemic, having spread through 48 states. But is this really something the whole country needs to get worked up over? Psychology Today  states “maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I’ve found it hard to get worked up over swine flu –now called H1N1- the  biggest looming pandemic since the great flu of 1918, when up to 50 million died.” A staff member of Discovery Magazine claimed, “one of our staffers said the swine flu was one of the biggest science stories of the year, and everyone agreed, even me. Yet I had to point out: I came to work on the subway train. No one was coughing; no one was wearing a mask. The commuter seemed blithely unconcerned.” If the media of our nation is not concerned, and they are the ones generating the so called ‘media hype’ about H1N1, is there really cause to worry?

 

Negativity in Clatsop County

Posted Fri, 12/04/2009 - 10:27 by kbrewer

-by Helen J.-

Lately, the adults in Clatsop County have become a very negative group to be around. With several recalls of county officials and the LNG/ Wal-Mart debates, it seems that Clatsop County has become one big angry mess.  Nearly every time we open a local newspaper, another person is getting attacked. At what point does questioning authority become hating every decision made?

 

Negative Media

Posted Fri, 12/04/2009 - 10:24 by kbrewer

-by Dylan C. F.-

In the media we have become accustomed to stories and articles that report on “bad” news. Bad news seems to be the focus of good journalism, between rape, murder, drugs, and violence: the News reports them all. As a viewer of News on television I wonder what it would be like if only the good could be reported. If news like helping others out, charities, and discoveries were reported would the news be the same? Could we as people be less depressed as a whole or would it make any difference?

 

As people we naturally like to be entertained and let’s face it, tragedy is entertaining. What entertains us is not always what’s good or right, it’s what interests and stimulates us. If news was strictly positive it would be somewhat boring. A newscast wouldn’t receive as many viewers as another channel with a person flinging himself out of a burning building or an armed gunman holding up a convenience store. I think that negative news may be the cause of a wanting of drama, but if we didn’t have the News to feed us these happenings in the world we may focus too much on what is going on in our lives and in turn seek out more drama and entertainment.

Going Green

Posted Fri, 12/04/2009 - 10:20 by kbrewer

-by Derek C.-

            These days, going green is a red hot topic in the marketing world.  Laundry detergent, paint companies, soft drinks, cars, clothing, diapers, shoes and computers.  In spite of the down economy, nearly everyone has embraced the topic of going green.  Yet going green can be as simple as having one green component to your business, if a company recycles, they’re going green!  Having an environmentally friendly product drives price points way up, organic items are harder to develop, and they are environmentally friendly, so most people are willing to pay twice the price for a green product.