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I find it ironic and slightly disturbing that athletes get paid so much money to support their expensive, sweet and flashy way of life and yet they are not necessary. People are so quick to pay so much money to be entertained...We all also love to watch TV, listen to iPods, and play video games; however that is not crucial to life...

Christmas Spirit Gone Wrong?
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Birth Control Brings Controversy
Last year, King Middle School in Portland, Maine became the first school in their state to offer prescription birth control pills to girls in grades 7 and 8. According to NPR.org, girls in seventh and eighth grade are able to obtain these pills as long as they have parental permission. Should it be the school’s duty to supply students with these tablets or is it the parent’s responsibility?...

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As we say goodbye to the year 2008 and say hello to the year 2009, we as a school have reached the half mark of the school year. Already we have faced and challenges and overcame many obstacles...

Well, trick-or-treaters in Belleville, Illinois may have a curfew and high school students may not be able to participate in trick or treating any longer. This is no joke, Belleville's City Council will vote to regulate this fun filled tradition. Belleville wants a set curfew for 8:30 pm and students that are in their freshman year or older are not allowed to trick-or-treat. This plan is traveling fast and other places in the United States are following suit.

So what happens if this comes to Fairfax County? Well to me, Halloween should just be for children. As a senior, I am just too old for trick-ortreating, but surprisingly, some of my fellow classmates beg to differ. "This is a time were we can pretend to be someone else just for a night and eat candy too!" exclaims Jacquiva Attidore. Umm, we are 17 and 18 years old about to go off to lead independent lives. Are you going to trick-or-treat in college too? It makes me wonder, when are you too old for trick-or-treating?

This is not solely focused on age though; this is also focused on a set time for trick-or-treating. 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is not an unreasonable time because no one needs to be out at night past that time anyways. Late at night is when mischief begins and no one has the time for that kind of foolishness. I totally understand the reasons behind the suggested curfew. The curfew is not a punishment, it's for protection. Being out passed 9 o'clock at night is unnecessary anyways if you are not doing something constructive.

Because of teens that like to steal candy from little kids or throw eggs at people's houses, the curfew is needed and I feel Belleville, Illinois should enforce their new propositions about Halloween night. Maybe Fairfax County should take these suggestions into consideration because every year there is always some sort of mischief occurring on Halloween night. It's absolutely ridiculous that any part of the U.S. has to take Halloween restrictions into consideration because people do not know how to act responsibly; however, taking actions for safety is always necessary, and all parts of the nation should consider Halloween rules.

I applaud Belleville, Illinois for their proposal because it demonstrates that they are observing and actual care about what goes on in their city. Every place needs to have such a reliable and concerned City Council like Belleville, Illinois. Yes it is only just one night out of every year but it is essential to have some type of order at all times, especially if it affects people's safety and prevents trouble.