INKLINGS Jan. 29, 2010
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Volume 74 Issue 5 • Crown Point High School • 1500 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 • inklings@cps.k12.in.us
CADET TEACHING: Class offers real teaching experience page 2 CHEATING IN RELATIONSHIPS: The effect of infidelity page 7 “BANNED” WORDS LIST: Overused words from 2009
News Changes to security at airports Terrorist threat causes airports to implement new procedures
pg. 3
I-on-Life Name brand items vs. look-a-likes Is the name on the label worth the higher cost?
pg. 6
Feature Staff member resolutions See how long their New Year’s resolutions last
pg. 8
Feature Scholarship opportunities Find out how to apply for FAFSA and where to look for specific scholarships.
pg. 9
Check it Out! Inklings has a music blog!
With a wide range of music updated regularly, you’re sure to find something you like at...
http://inklings music.blog spot.com
page 10
Healthcare reform bill passes
Controversial bill could mean major changes for high school students
By Haajar Shaaban staff reporter Although the health care debate appears to only pertain to those dealing with health care, it is vital for students to be aware of such governmental decisions. The long-time debated health care reform bill was passed early Dec. 24. The Senate voted 60-39 in favor of the bill, ending the extensive debate, for now. Health care reform in the United States has been a significant political issue for many years. The bill passed on that cold winter morning wasn’t just another political decision that stays in Washington – it affects the entire nation. “Health care affects everyone. I believe that all Americans deserve access to affordable, quality care,” House Representative Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) said. Since everyone deals with injury and illness, it is important that the American people understand government health care decisions; including high school students. “Students tend to not pay attention to governmental issues because they aren’t faced with those decisions now,” sophomore Deborah Maxwell said. However, the health care bill affects high school students more than they would think. “Your generation will be impacted by the policy decisions made today for much longer than those of us writing the laws,” Visclosky said. For one, the bill will extend the age under which children can stay on their parents’ insurance policies. “In the near term (the health care bill) will allow (students) to remain on parents’ insurance policies until you are 27, helping you complete your studies and launch your careers knowing
photo by M. K Lemon
Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) addresses a packed room at the Crown Point Civic Center. He fielded many questions from constituents about the health care bill.
that you have coverage,” Visclosky said. This means that students will be able to go to school longer, if they wish, and not have to worry about health insurance costs. This could help more students be able to pay for college. The most obvious way the bill affects students as well as all citizens is in coverage. The new health care bill is expected to extend health insurance coverage to an estimated 30 million more Americans. “(The bill is planned to extend coverage by) the inclusion of the public option, the repeal of antitrust exemptions for the insurance industry, and limits on annual and lifetime out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for individuals and families,” Visclosky said. The House Bill contains the Stupak-Pitts
Amendment, which prohibits the use of Federal funds “to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion.” This has caused controversy among prochoice groups, such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, who believe that the amendment will prohibit private insurance coverage of abortion. “Abortion has been a controversial topic for a long time in this country, so having people pay for something they don’t necessarily believe in could heighten anger on the original topic,” science teacher Chris Gloff said. “It is important for us to first come to terms (on the topic of abortion) as a society.”
story continued on pg. 3
Indiana document requirements change Additional documents needed at BMV for permits, licenses By Donny Casillas photographer While driving is a benefit for teens, the requirement to actually obtain one’s license or permit has changed. Bringing in documents such as a birth certificate, social security, and proof of residency in Indiana are only three necessities to the new list of proper documents that are needed, with the intention to keep identities of drivers safe. As of Jan. 1, 2010, Indiana changed the document requirements that must be present when getting a new learner’s permit,
driver’s license, or ID card. This new program, called SecureID, was built to fully meet with federal regulations and is expected to be a requirement in the future for anyone that is getting a permit, license, or ID. Citizens must bring the following to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (otherwise known as BMV): one document to prove your identity, one document to prove your Social Security number, one document prove to your “lawful status” in the United States, and two documents to prove that you live in Indiana.
In all, a person needs to bring in six documents to ensure that SecureID is provided. If a person is under 18, he or she would need to bring his parents along with him. Examples of acceptable documentation include birth certificates, social security numbers, bank statement, US passports, and health insurance. Also, instead of receiving the license, permit, or ID right then and there, the card is sent in the mail from a secure, governmentrun location to the address of the customer, which should be received within 10 busi-
ness days. This makes sure identities are safe within the government. “I really like that Indiana is making our identities so much more secure, but having to look for a lot of documents that we might not have seems too much,” sophomore Cortney Grove said. “The wait only makes it even bigger of a hassle.” Senior Tabby Gonsowski thinks differently. “It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s great that the state made a good program to protect us and our identities,” she said.
Citizens who have had their licenses or IDs before 2010 do not have to renew them, but the SecureID policy will still be in affect on normal renewal dates, and proper documents will still be needed. “If I don’t need to renew my license now, then I don’t see the point of rushing to the BMV,” junior Neil Hamilton said. If problems with gathering documents occur, then applying for a non-SecureID will still give the privilege of driving. Additionally, if the person is over 18, he or she can also vote with this form of identification.
New program “Secure ID” requires these documents • Document to prove your identity, like birth certificate • Social security number • Document showing lawful status in United States, like a passport • Two documents proving Indiana residency, like a bank statement