Largo High School Packer Press
Current events around the world.
Boston Marathon
by Emilio Haber
The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest annual marathons to take place in the United States. Being one of the six major world marathons, it is the most widely viewed sporting event in New England, attracting an average of 500,000 spectators. It is a prestigious event that many professional marathon runners hold in high prestige. Then, several days ago, April 15, 2013, the finish line didn’t end with the usual joy and victory. In a seemingly unprovoked and unprecedented attack, the finish line spelled the end for three unfortunate victims: Lu Lingzi, Krystle Campbell, and Martin Richard. The attacks were devastating in several ways, chiefly this sad and unnecessary loss of life, and the entire moral of the country is at a low. Investigators are fervently looking for suspects and the actual criminal. Police say that it will not be a quick investigation; it will take time, and it will require a meticulous search. Police and FBI investigators are using several videos from the surrounding stores in the area, along with the many pictures of the marathon taken by the thousands of media devices at the marathon. Boston is a tight-knit community, and this attack has hit them hard, but they are a hardy people, and they will make a recovery.
US and South Korean Military Troops in South Korea
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The Rekindled Korean Conflict
by Emilio Haber
The Korean conflict of the 50s ended with an uneasy cease-fire, with both sides building arms and forces, and piling them up on the border of North and South Korea. Now over the course of the past week, North Korea, under Kim Jung Un, has declared a state of war with both South Korea and with the United States if they take aggressive action. The United States, along with it’s allies, have placed anti-missile defense systems all around North Korea, to counter any possible nuclear strike. While tensions run high, senior military strategists in the American Government (speaking under anonymity) feel that Korea is a lot of talk and not showing much bite. They’re putting on a nice display of force, but as of yet, there have been no shots fired. To coincide with they’re declaration of war, North Korea cut it’s military line with South Korea (used to coordinate logistics along the DMZ between North and South Korea). North Korea recently put out information that their missiles can reach as far as northern Australia. Logistics and believed technology held in North Korea show that it would take quite a bit of luck to make it to northern Australia, and even then, with little to no accuracy, and no major targets. Not to mention, the launching of a missile would have to traverse through heavily defended territory in China and Japan, and U.S. missile bases in Guam. Things heat up, and North Korea talks bigger and bigger. We’ll see how things develop. Perhaps North Korea is all talk. Maybe, (hopefully not), they may be serious, and start what could turn in to Nuclear War.
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The American Embassy building burning resulting in multiple American casualties.
Tragedy in Libya
by Andres Villarreal
Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed Tuesday night after a film that criticized and belittled the Islamic Prophet Muhammad was displayed on the internet for the entire world to see.
The U.S. ambassador of Libya and three of his American staff members were killed during an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by protesters angry over the film. Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed Tuesday night on September 11th, 2012 when he and a group of employees went to the consulate to try to vacate staff as the building was under attack by an angry mob armed with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade launchers. This attack on the Benghazi consulate took place as angry protesters in neighboring Egypt climbed the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and took down the American flag replacing it with a black Islamic banner. When President Obama spoke on the matter, he stated “Make no mistake. We will work with the Libyan government to bring justice to the killers who attacked our people”, and that this event is a tragedy.
2012 Elections
by Andres Villarreal
Elections are right around the corner and on November 6, 2012, Americans will elect who they want to occupy the White House for the next four years. As President of the United States, he will play a major role in the future of our country. So who are the candidates? Running for the Democratic Party is Barack Hussein Obama, who wishes to serve as president for a second term. Running for the Republican Party is Willard Mitt Romney, the Governor of Massachusetts, who looks to serve as president for the first time. In this article, we will view both candidates’ positions on the economy, healthcare, and the war in Iraq.
Obama and Romney have contrasting views when it comes to the best course for the economy. Obama wants to repeal the Bush Tax Cuts for households earning more than $250,000, while Romney wishes to make them permanent. The Bush Tax Cuts refers to the United States tax codes that were passed during George W. Bush’s presidency. Obama believes in a stronger central government and more regulation, while Romney wishes to keep current government power, but lessen regulation.
Obama and Romney will share no similar views when it comes to healthcare. Healthcare was one of the centerpieces of the Obama Administration’s 2008 campaign. Obama calls for patient protections basically allowing coverage for pre-existing conditions, not letting insurers cancel policies when patients get sick and requiring individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine. It has been repeatedly stated that a Romney presidency would dismantle Obamacare due to the fact that he proposes encouraging individuals to purchase their own health insurance, rather than rely upon employers, and allowing insurance across state lines.
The war in Iraq is a massive subject and it’s a subject that both presidential candidates have completely different views on. Obama is against the invasion of Iraq and against the sending of more troops. Obama sent the troops from Iraq to the Afghanistan and Iran borders. Romney disagrees completely, stating that keeping the U.S. in Iraq is the best option for minimizing casualties and maintaining a democratic government in Iraq.
It is clear that the two presidential candidates have two completely different agendas planned for America. So which candidate has the better plan? It is simply a matter of opinion. If you asked ten different people, you’d get ten different answers. All that can be said for sure is that the 2012 election will be an exciting one.