The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
September 20, 2011
Volume 96 Issue 8
LOCAL
Initiative 26: right to life or right to choose? Justin Mitchell Printz Writer On November 8, Mississippians will vote on whether to pass or veto Initiative 26, a controversial anti-abortion bill. While the bill’s advertisements mainly target creating laws making abortion and cloning illegal, the initiative seeks to obtain stricter birth control regulations through regulating and diminishing certain options women have today regarding birth control. While some find Initiative 26 a wonderful option because it defines life at conception, others said that the initiative is a clear
infringement on women’s rights. Mickey Lyon is a Hattiesburg native who volunteers for the “Yes on 26” campaign. “I work to encourage people to vote ‘Yes on 26’ in order to ensure equal protection for every human being from the moment on conception,” Lyon said. Lyon also said the most important aspect of the initiative is that it would protect human life at the moment of conception. “We are trying to inform the public that initiative 26 is about protecting the lives of unborn children. It will not ban contraception, it wont ban in vitro fertilization, and it wont jeopardize healthcare,” Lyon said.
ON CAMPUS
Planned Parenthood, however, supports women’s rights rather than the aspects of Initiative 26. Leola Reis is the Vice President of External Affairs for the Southeast branch of Planned Parenthood. Reis said that Planned Parenthood opposes any kind of initiative that would limit access to birth control. “Planned Parenthood offers core services for woman that include birth control, exams, STD screening and treatment, pregnancy testing and additional services based on community needs,” Reis said. “We also do advocacy work to implement sex education
See INITIATIVE, 3
MCT Campus
Initiative 26 is an anti-abortion bill that will be voted on in Mississippi on November 8.
NATIONAL
Obama proposes jobs bill In a time of unfavorable approval ratings, President Obama is taking his political opponents head-on as he seeks to pass the massive $447 billion jobs bill he proposed over a week ago, along with a deficit reduction plan he proposed on Monday. The deficit reduction plan would be used to pay for the jobs bill he proposed before a joint session of Congress. The proposed American Job Act includes tax cuts for employees and employers, assistance to the unemployed, and spending on infrastructure and education. Obama said that the act would put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of consumers. “It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled and give companies confidence that if they
invest and hire, there will be customers for the products and services,” Obama said. However, since his impassioned plea, he has been met by an onslaught of criticism from Republican lawmakers. On Monday, after announcing the deficit reduction plan, Obama made clear his belief that deficit reduction must come through a combination of tax increases for the upper class and spending cuts. “Class warfare isn’t leadership,” House Speaker John Boehner said on Monday. That comment came despite Obama’s declaration that, “This is not class warfare. It’s math.” Along with tax increases for upper-income taxpayers, Obama’s plan targets tax loopholes that benefit large corporations. Because of these tax increases, Social Security would be spared the drastic cuts many believe are necessary. Obama also suggested implementing the “Buffett Rule,”
FOOTBALL RECAP
WEATHER
Ashton Pittman Web Editor
Courtesy of Megan McPhail
The first floor of the Tri Delta house flooded after the hard rain Monday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected throughout the week.
MAC MYTHS
COMEDY NIGHT
Tuesday
85/65
Wednesday
86/65 Thursday
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named after billionaire investor Warren Buffett, which would establish a minimum tax for taxpayers who make more than $1 million a year. Obama threatened to veto Republican attempts to pass a bill that would cut Medicare benefits for the elderly without also raising taxes on the rich. “We can’t just cut our way out of this hole,” Obama said. Republican opponents disagreed. “Veto threats, a massive tax hike, phantom savings and punting on entitlement reform is not a recipe for economic or job growth or even meaningful deficit reduction,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Along with tax increases, Obama’s plan would reduce spending for Medicare and Medicaid by $580 billion. An estimated $1 trillion would be saved over 10 years from the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 Sudoku............................ 2 News .............................. 3 Feature...........................4 Opinion............................ 6 Arts & Entertainment......7 Sports............................. 8