Cracker.

Today in class I told called a 'rice krispie treat,' the person that made this comment was implying the term as a racial slur. So I began to wonder what does rice krispie treat mean? What does 'white cracker' mean?

Now, of all the people I have surveyed have not a clue what 'rice krispie treat' means.

However, 'white cracker' or 'cracker' is known among the population; is a racial slur others use for white people.

But, does anyone truly know the actual meaning? Where does the word 'cracker' come from?

The word cracker comes from the days of slavery, when the master would crack the whip. The black slaved women would tell their children to behave or the cracker was going to get them.

The term 'cracker' was a way to keep their children in line.

White vs. Black

When you look up the word racism in the dictionary, you will find the definition is: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.


The race card is used daily, "it is because I'm white." or "Those crackers are doing this because we are black."

The race card has been played since Obama sought the Presidential seat and really came into play when he was elected. I remember the night and weeks after Obama won the election, I attended Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches. That night people came out of their dorm rooms, and screamed, "Watch out, all you crackers, we got a black president now."


Jump ahead a couple of years, people are claiming the "birthers" are racist because they asked for Obama's birth certificate because he is black. Now they are demanding to see his records from college.

The color of the skin is not the factor into why people dislike Obama, it is his views on issues, it is his politics. Maybe the birthers have a right to ask considering there are conflicting reports coming from his own family to where he was born.The color of your skin has been a heated issue since the birth of this nation. First, group that was affect was the Indians, then came the blacks and people of Japanese decent. Everyone at some point in their lives will have to deal with being called a racist and the people in the public eye have to sometimes deal with it more.


In the definition it states racism is "inherited differences among the various human races determine cultural." We do inherent the views of our ancestors, and one powerful hand, the 'race card'; which has been played more than 100 years.
You learned people believed that the world was flat, that airplanes only existed in the imagination. People grow up, times change, views change based on one's personal experiences but, why is it that people believe this ONE belief has not changed in time. Why can we not drop the 'race card'.

My question is, are people really racist or is the race card played to much when people disagree or do not get their way?

Updates, Updates, READ all about it!

If I were editor-in-chief I would want my reporter's covering these issues that could play a role in the 2012 presidential election. We would look into both sides of the spectrum.


In recent events, Bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy Seals, which was announced to the public on May 1st. But, even when the President addressed the death of Bin Laden, some people still do not believe he was killed and buried at sea. The people are screaming they want proof. So, I think that we should give it to them. Let's look into why they really have not been released, what is Obama saying, and what to are some outlooks from both sides. This nation is run by the people so if the majority of them want to see why do they not show us.


Second, what affects almost every person in the United States daily? THE GAS PRICES.


Today, I took a major hit in my bank account spending $103 to just to fill up my Mercury Mountaineer. My parents often reflect to when gas was 20 cents, letting me know and envy that time. I want my reporters to investigate the price increase and why if  oil prices dropped 8.6 percent, averaging $100 a barrel, why has the gas prices not gone down? How much are we using for the oil rigs off of our coast line? What could help the prices go down, without having to buy electric cars?


Also, I want my reporters to look into where America's economy is today?


I want to take a look where America is falling on the business cycle:

Obama claims we are in recovery but the American people are saying, we are still in the recession. I want to take a look in our economy and where we stand. The unemployment rate stands strongly at 8.8 percent, with seeing no end in sight. Let's take a look into the raising amount of homeless families in the U.S., and look into this 'recovery' Obama is saying we are in. Also, think about if illegals are helping or hurting this job situation we are in. What should be done about the illegals in this country?

Other topics to cover: the debt, the budget, national security, foreign policy, take a look into what we are still doing with Libya and lastly how much power does the president really have?

Reaction to Bin Laden's Death

On the same day Hitler's death was announced, the U.S. people rejoiced after hearing the death of Bin Laden:

Ground Zero, New York, New York

Washington, DC

But how did the other part of the world reacted to the death?

Asia:

Middle East:

There is no doubt everyone will remember where they were when they heard U.S.'s public enemy number one has been killed and buried at sea.
More than 3,000 innocent people were killed on September 11, 2001 at the hand of Bin Laden. On that same day the world opened its' eyes to Bin Laden and the people that followed him.
 Obama's addressed the nation (which broke in during Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice) and continually made a bunch of 'I, I, I, I' statements. My reaction to the 'I' statements: Obama was not overseas fight over there, he has not been away from his family for over 6 months or a year, and he did not shoot Bin Laden. I find it absolutely disgusting he made those comments  and only thanked the troops, who risk their lives for us, 3 times.

So, instead I want to thank the Navy Seals, who finally got Bin Laden, and all the other troops world wide and their families. Thank you for protecting my family, and this nation.

This is not the end to the war over there this is only the beginning, Le Ann Sides, a proud mother of a U.S. soldier, puts it best, "This war is not over. They will just replace him."

Are My Childhood Dreams Crushed?

     When I was little I wanted to be Vanna White, then later on I was in awe of the weatherman on television and the anchors on the TV station.
     My parents support my decision to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism and accepted the fact journalists do not make much after graduating college.
     According to California State University “In September of 1998, the average salary offered for graduating CSUF journalism students was $24,248.”
     That was in 1998, but what about now? Missouri School of Journalism is reporting Radio/TV majors are making $27,500.
     That is only a 3,252 dollar raise but, groceries, clothes and gas prices are much higher now than in 1998. How can one afford survive on that pay?
     In 2007, my professors said this was the major to be in; this was the field that would be booming when I graduated. Fast forward four years and it has turned 180 degrees.
     Economic Policy Institute reports, “The unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-old workers averaged 18.4%, compared with 9.6% for U.S. workers overall.”
     After, acquiring grants and collecting thousands of dollars in multiple loans, endless hours of sitting in classrooms and lecture halls, and endless hours of writing papers and studying, and stressing; all to get a piece of paper signed. I might not have a job when I graduate. It is very discouraging.
     When the Texas school districts had to layoff many of their teachers due to budget cuts and the unemployment rate being the highest ever; scares me. It makes me wonder should I pursue a master’s degree after I graduate. That would give this economy three years to turn around in the job opportunities that could arise.
    I believe things happen for a reason, there is greater plan than I know.  Life is a roller coaster, it has its ups and down.

Another Obama Speech

     The speech that Obama made on Fiscal Policy was supposedly suppose to be unbiased but I feel he put a lot of blame on the Republicans.
     Obama first starts out saying:

 "What we’ve been debating here in Washington over the last few weeks will affect the lives of the students here and families all across America in potentially profound ways." 

     Well, I believe that is a given, anything that the government does has a profound affect on the citizens of this country; that is common sense.

     Obama goes on to giving a history lesson, that blames Republicans for the situtation that this nation is in today:

"But as far back as the 1980s, America started  debt at  alarming levels, and our leaders began to realize that a larger challenge was on the horizon."

and goes on, "But after Democrats and Republicans committed to fiscal discipline during the 1990s, we lost our way in the decade that followed.  We increased spending dramatically for two wars and an expensive prescription drug program -– but we didn’t pay for any of this new spending.  Instead, we made the problem worse with trillions of dollars in unpaid-for tax cuts -– tax cuts that went to every millionaire and billionaire in the country; tax cuts that will force us to borrow an average of $500 billion every year over the next decade."
     There was a lot of finger pointing from Obama but I believe not enough explaining how to fix the problems.
     Obama made a comment later on in the speech that this country will "have to live within our means." According to ABC news, we paid at least $255 million for the 161 Tomahawk cruise missiles we used in 'helping' Libya. Could we really afford helping another country when we are in the trouble we are in now?
     The Week reported in July 2010, Obama took 65 days of family vacation. "During the those same 20 months since Obama began his regime, the average American family has taken less that 21 days of vacation, IF they are employed," reports Mark Knoller. Should we be looking at the president to set example by 'living in our means'?

"50 million Americans [would] have to lose their health insurance in order for us to reduce the deficit.  Who are these 50 million Americans?... Many are poor children.  Some are middle-class families who have children with autism or Down’s syndrome.  Some of these kids with disabilities are -- the disabilities are so severe that they require 24-hour care.  These are the Americans we’d be telling to fend for themselves."
      Poor children have poor parents and the special needs children's family already suffer with the amount of doctors bills, special therapy and other essentials they need in order to live. According to Disabled World, "In the United States, caring for a child with special health care needs usually means higher medical expenses for a family, particularly for low-income families, who spend a disproportionally large share of their income on their child's care."

For example: A family with a child that has a cleft palate has trouble getting help from doctors and the government here; but we send our doctors, our money to help the child with the same condition over seas.
     Obama's plan is to reduce the deficit by 4 trillion dollars over the next 12 years; he mentions he was put this plan into effect in his second-term of presidency. He is still in his first how can he be already planning for his second why can't he be able to do a little something now?

The Budget and Me...

    The national budget cuts could hit me more than I thought so or would prefer to admit.
     I am currently attending the University of Houston and my brother is going to Stephen F. Austin State University; we both need financial aid to complete our degrees . The budget cuts heavily into education funding. Back in February, the UH board of regents approved to raise the tuition by 3.95 percent- which means a full-time student would pay $138 more a semester. $138 could by groceries for a week, could buy at least 3 pairs of shoes or it could even pay for maybe 1 textbook for a class. With the raise of tuition and the drastic cuts to education funding; grants and loans would be cut. Which means we would have to pay more up front for our education and less for other needs we have.
     Majority of the politicians are claiming they will "not touch Social Security" but in Obama's speech on Wednesday, he stated that nothing is off limits. If Social Security is affected in this cut, it would affect my grandma and my grandfather who both depend on their Social Security checks. After health complications my grandfather has to live in a nursing home to best support him. The nursing home is already expensive and if cuts do happen it will drastically hit the pockets of my grandma and my family as well as father's two brothers and their families.
     The state of Texas has already implemented layoffs in the school systems. My mother is a special ed teacher, her school was affected by the state budget cuts to the school districts but she is paid  by federal money. When she sign her contract it stated that if federal money was cut then she could lose her job.
     Right now the economy is horrible. The unemployment  rate is extremely high right now. I am afraid that  these cuts will  affect the unemployment rate and the future of this country.  What will happen to students next month graduating from college? When I graduate,  I  will have a major in broadcast journalism and a minor in education, both  have been hit hard today.  In a year for now I believe that I will be affected in the the jobs that I will be able to apply.