4
Opinion
Xavier High School
A tattoo does not a bad person make myself. It is for me, and no one else. It is not a statement, but rather a reminder, and it does not change who I am as a person. Now, I am not telling everyone to go out and get a tattoo. I know they are not for everyone. I am also not encouraging those who want tattoos to cover their body from head to toe in ink, because that is distasteful. What I am saying is to not label someone because of a tattoo they may have. I’m pretty sure I’m still a good-hearted person, at least that is how I try to act, and my tattoo does not change that.
with two of my closest friends and the permission of my parents, and proceeded to get a treble clef placed on my forearm. This was not an impulse decision. In fact, I had been discussing this decision with my parents for a little over three years. Now, if this is all news to you, answer me this: Have you noticed any change in my behavior or personality? Am I not the same trustworthy and reliable student I was before I got my tattoo? I am still the same person who led a Kairos, goes to Mass every
weekend, and puts family, friends, and faith above everything else. My faith means everything to me. So, of course, I needed to know where the Church stood on the topic of tattoos before I got one. I discussed this concern with Fr. Vu the morning before I got my tattoo. He assured me that there was no specific Church teaching on the subject, but that God wants me to treat my body like a temple, and that tattoos should not cover up the beauty that is my body. My tattoo helps me respect
Know the bias of the news that sponsors of the gun-control legislation described it as a “needed response to Colorado’s bloodsoaked history of mass shootings”. The picture was of a senator voting yes on gun control bills. On the other end of the spectrum, Fox News, a conservative-leaning news source, covered the story and noted that Colorado is “a state wrestling with its history of heartbreaking shootings and Western heritage where gun ownership is treasured by many.” The picture was of people protesting gun control with signs that said, “How does rendering me DEFENSELESS make YOU safer?” and “Don’t mess with my 2nd amendment!” These are two examples of issue framing. Issue framing is when news sources use different wording, details, and images to sell their side of the story. Bias is not limited to just news sources. For example, Sumner Redstone, the CEO of Viacom, a parent company to CBS, is a self-described liberal Democrat. Of Viacom’s 13 board members, eight contribute primarily to Democratic candidates and party committees. Two other members of the board held cabinet posts under Democratic presidents. What channels does Viacom own? MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Spike, and VH1, to name a few. I’m sure many of you watch those channels. The shows and ideas that they put
out are most likely influenced by the people running the company, which could mean that there is an influence on the viewers, too. An example of conservative bias in some non-news channels is News Corporation. Some of the channels the company owns are National Geographic, Fox, Fox Sports, IGN, and Speed. The CEO is Rupert Murdoch, a man who is widely known as a conservative. The company gave $1 million to The Republican Governors Association in 2010. Many of their board members are conservative as well. The ownership affects the type of shows and values emphasized on these channels and may try subtly to sway people one way, too. If you watch these channels, know there could be bias as well. Instead of just watching the television as a consumer of information, be a scrutinizer of information. Think about if the source is giving you the news or selling you the news. There is a difference. Don’t be swayed one way or another. Consider the source and decipher the message by looking at the same story from different sources. The media affects us in so many ways, so understanding your sources is huge in shaping who we are as people. Form your own opinions; don’t let the media form them for you.
Ben Valentine Opinion Writer
Saintly Spring Break Shamrock Shakes Fr. Vu Season Kick-offs Lotioned Tissues
Satanly <
When you tell your friends, parents, or teachers a story of what you did over the weekend, you may withhold some details, use different wording, or change your tone to reflect a different message. This strategy is even evident in the media today. When you watch the news or take in any kind of media, it seems simple: things happen in the world and they report it. Not exactly. Everyone has their beliefs and agendas and they may try to sway us one way or another. Generally, most media sources are liberal-leaning and there are fewer conservative media sources. News agencies don’t always tell you the news. Many times, they sell you the news. For example, on the issue of gun control, Democrats typically lean toward more regulation and background checks whereas Republicans are typically strong supporters of the second amendment. There was a recent news story in which the Democrats in the Colorado legislature moved forward with new ammunition magazine limits and universal background checks in response to the shootings in Colorado. NBC News, a typically liberal news network, emphasized
Maddie Smith A&E Editor
Senior Maddie Smith got a tattoo on February 22, 2013 as a symbol of her love of music. Cassie Busch Photos
<
Folks, it is time to tackle a more sensitive, and slightly controversial subject. That’s right, let’s talk tattoos. Now, some of you may like tattoos and even want to get one someday. Others may find them revolting, and that’s okay, but a tattoo does not a bad person make. How do I know this? Well I, Maddie Smith, have a tattoo. That’s right, you heard me. I have probably already lost the respect of some of you. In fact, I can promise you that there are some parents that used to think of me as a “nice kid,” but are now questioning whether I am a good influence for their child. Your views of me may have just dramatically changed, but they shouldn’t. Tattoos have a bad reputation. I admit I was raised with the impression that tattoos are off limits, and they diminish the beautiful body that God gave me. I still believe that my body is a gift, and I should treat it with complete respect, but my tattoo helps me do that. I got my tattoo the day after I turned 18. I went to Wild Side
Sunburns Cold Ankles Static The “-itises” Slow Computers