Category Archives: Bailey Hussung

Political disagreements cause disgust

By Bailey Hussung

Amid a mass of ill-fitting corduroy, cheap cologne and unfortunate sweater vests, I observed the current state of American politics. I, along with others from the charity I work with, was invited to a Republican Party dinner, a great opportunity for a small charity like us to get the word out. Many influential community members would be there, and I was excited to mingle and chat with local movers-and-shakers. However, what I found there was almost sickening.

Here I had come in, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to launch into my spiel about the service I do and ways to get involved. Instead, I found that the people were only concerned with their own accomplishments. I can’t say how many times the topic was turned from our charity to what college they went to, how much they’d done for the party, how much money they’d raised, how many times they’d spoken with the governor, etc. I stepped back just to look at the crowd. Conversations like the one I had just had were happening throughout the room: tight, fake smiles, petty compliments and judgemental eyes, none the genuine care for the community I had hoped for.

Being a teenaged girl, I am no stranger to gossip, but what these people did put our gossip to shame. Old women in hushed tones pointed their long, hypocritical fingernails at an unlucky victims across the room, telling their companions of divorces, bankruptcies and personal failures.

But nothing in the world was worse to them than being a Democrat. These disgusting, vile people, they said, were Communists, corrupt and needed to be impeached. Talk was of ways to dethrone Democrats, not fixing our community. While we were eating dinner, a crude gif of various Democratic Party members with their heads photoshopped onto gyrating bodies played on a projector screen. I might have expected this out of my 13-year-old brother, not the leaders of our state.

These kinds of things happen in both parties, which is the problem. Here we were, active and involved young people, and none of the many politicians in attendance even bothered to speak to us. They were too concerned with shaking the same hands over and over, and complementing the same cheap brooches. Young people are undeniably the future of the country; and if I was a public official looking for vote, the three impressionable young girls standing in the middle of the room would be who I would go for. Politicians are too disconnected with the sentiments and desires of the younger generation.

The parties, in addition to hating each other, are not even united from within. Harpies and dispassionate elderly men looking for reelection tore each other apart, then asked about the grandchildren.The backstabbing attitude was not even put aside for a small fundraising dinner. Instead of self-serving, public officials should look to build others up, that way truly the strongest, most qualified candidate from the party gets the job, making the whole party look good.

The hatred of the other party was just downright ridiculous. So what, they have different views on tax reforms, budgets, and healthcare, but does that really qualify them as “America-hating anarchists?” No. We all live in the same country and want what is best. Simply acknowledging that fact is something both parties fail to do. They get so caught up in arguing with each other, they lose sight of benefitting the American people.

With disfunction in all levels of our government, it’s easy to see why bipartisanship is almost nonexistent. Teamwork and compromise, principles this country was founded on, have been forgotten in the self-serving environment of politics. After seeing where this disagreement and grief has gotten us, can our generation do any better?

Teacher accepts prestigious award

By Bailey Hussung

Today, English and Journalism teacher Jim Lang received the Excel award for the school district. After being nominated for this commendation, Lang had to undergo a rigorous interview and screening process, in addition to submitting coworker, student, and parent letters of recommendations.

The award ceremony included guest speakers, a Jazz band performance, student testimonials and a reception following.

Columnist explains YouTube phenomenons

By Bailey Hussung

Every year, it seems there is a YouTube video that everyone knows about. In years past, Antoine Dodson, double rainbows and the Old Spice guy have topped the charts. This year especially has been influenced by the online craze, the Harlem Shake. YouTube is a factory of short-lived fame which inspires the question, how does one become a YouTube hit?

A sweet, catchy tune: this is the biggie. If you don’t have a mind-nagging, unforgettable song, you can count yourself down there with the millions of twelve year olds making karaoke videos. As first proved by one of the earliest YouTube classics, the Numa Numa dance, this is a sure fire way to immortalize you in the hearts of thousands of bored preteens.

As many cats as you can manage. Don’t ask me why, but the internet worships cats. Maybe it is their contempt for the human race, maybe it’s their tendency to fall off household furniture; but if it has anything to with the domesticated little freaks, it’s golden. This video, which earned almost 30 million views, is legitimately 54 seconds of a bored-looking cat “playing” a keyboard. Conclusion? Cats are king.

People just being unbelievably dumb People love to laugh at others’ misfortunes. And why wouldn’t they? People are instinctively stupid. Whether it be lighting fireworks, skateboarding, homemade stunts, or the recurring trampoline, there’s always an opportunity to catch someone doing something YouTube-worthy. This one is possibly the easiest to do, you just have to be vigilant. The next family reunion when blind old uncle Earl tries to light the fireworks display? You’ll be there. Chubby cousin Margaret gets in the bouncy house with all the little kids? There you are, camcorder ready.

A little kid doing almost anything ask to borrow your friendly neighborhood toddler for a day, Mountain Dew him up and get ready to film the aftermath. To stir up the situation, add some music and maybe take them to the dentist. Small children doing various activities is unfailingly hilarious, especially to grandparents everywhere. Grandparents are good: they share and forward basically anything they find remotely interesting, causing your views to rack up quickly.

Something really, really weird this is where actual creativity comes in. In order to get famous this way, you have to do something so strange, so outlandish, that even YouTube users are freaked out. This requires a lot of boldness and it has to walk the line between horrifying and fascinating, unless you’re willing to dislocate your shoulders and imitate a helicopter, good luck.

If you want to be a YouTube sensation, it’s not an exact science.You need a combination of dumb luck, originality and a little bit of talent to get you to the top.