Opinion

  • El Segundo Curfew
  • Economy and Christmas
  • Winners and Losers
  • California Budget Cuts

El Segundo Curf[eww]

By Kim Keener

            Until recently, a child’s parent usually decided how late she could stay out.  However, in more and more cities, curfews have been put into effect for those young people under eighteen.  The question is, do they really have the right to do this? The parents or guardians of those children should decide how late their child should stay out, not the government.  This only serves as an example of how far the higher authorities will seep into the personal lives of children in El Segundo.

            Parenting has always been the responsibility of parents because lawful jurisdiction says that the parents are responsible for their children until they turn eighteen.  On the other side however it can be said that the police and other higher authority are only trying to protect their younger residents by enforcing a ten o’clock curfew. True, many scary things happen late at night, and it is often considered better for younger children to be in their homes at that hour.  But, if the parent gives permission for them to be out, is there really any problem with it? 

            Also, what children do after ten o’clock is not always considered to be unsafe, illegal or bad.  For instance, if a young girl and her friend are just hanging out at her friends’ house and both of their parents have fallen asleep on a school night then the young girl has no choice but to walk home.  Is it really right to punish a child because of something that was out of their control?  Also, in such a safe neighborhood as El Segundo is such curfew enforcement really necessary? Furthermore, unexpected crimes happen all the time and in a way it is better to be safe than sorry, but can’t the law enforcement come up with anything that works better and more conveniently for the people of a small town?

            Furthermore, it can be said for those teenagers who do not have cars, or have not gotten their licenses yet that the curfew law is only a bigger inconvenience.  Not only for those children who are most affected by the law but also their parents.  It is annoying for parents to receive phone calls from their progeny at thirty minutes after the city curfew asking them to pick them up, because the parents or guardians are then forced to drop what they were doing and pick up their child so that they do not receive a curfew ticket.  What other method of transportation is safe at the pitch darkness of ten o’clock in the evening? Buses do not run that late, and the likelihood of the bus driver dropping the child off at their house is remarkably unlikely.  Bikes are mostly unsafe because even if children had a helmet and lights to see streets, cars, etc. it is unlikely that cars will see them.

            If this law is an absolute necessity for this town to thrive, then let it be so.  But can the city council not think of a compromise, which works toward safety and and the convenience of under aged residents?  Furthermore, it would not only benefit younger people of the society but also parents of the children.  It’s not only one group of people whom are inconvenienced by this law. 

 “ A curfew is not going to keep kids from being off the streets or getting in trouble” – Junior Laura Wheeler

Christmas and the Economy

By Johanna Duiker

Christmas is the part of the year that people most look forward to, as it is made up of presents, food, lights, and family. This year, the economy's downward spiral might change this. Everything has become more expensive, from gas to food to flights and so on. America's research group (UBS) created a Christmas survey which showed that more people plan to spend less money on the holidays this year than they have since the mid-1990s. 40.1% of people plan to spend less, representing the largest percentage in about thirteen years. Surprisingly, this is good news for big corporations such as Wal-Mart, who have always been able to sway people with their low prices.
           The number of presents a person receives is not the only change that will occur; most will also not be able to travel over the holidays. Junior Gary Muro comments, "I'm going to miss Christmas the way it used to be when I was a kid". Since the price of oil, though not as expensive as it was almost a year ago, is still pretty high. This has forced major airlines, such as Northwest Airlines and United Airlines, to raise their prices about thirty dollars per round trip. The fact that people will not be able to see their family members this year is simply tragic. After all, what is the holiday without family there to celebrate with?
            One other reason Christmas will not be the same this year is because people are paranoid about losing their jobs. This fear prevents them from spending as much or adopting the normal carefree Christmas attitude. The price of food has gone up too due to changes in the global economy, weather, lower food reserves and growing consumer demand in China and India. A Christmas feast may not be possible this year. Even though the prices have generally gone up, clothing prices have, surprisingly, gone down. One reason for this is the rising unemployment rate; stores have less people working in them. Because fewer people are working, business establishments are receiving fewer items, which results in a lowering of prices. Despite this blip on the financial radar screen, other items have generally increased in cost. Basically, the point is that America is falling apart piece by piece. Christmas will not be the same this year and possibly not ever, unless a drastic change takes place.

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