Monthly Archives: January 2019

News: Yellow Vest Protests

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by Lucas Agatep

For the past nine weeks, protests continue to rage on all over France – mainly in Paris – by a group called the “gilets jaunes” or the Yellow Vests.paris-yellow-vest-protest-9th-week.jpg

What started as a peaceful protest against a controversial fuel tax and economic reform has turned into riots demanding the resignation of French President Macron. 

The fuel tax that President Macron implemented to cut down 40 percent of carbon emissions on pollution faced much resistance due to the increased price of gas. After the protest began and turned violent, Macron backtracked on the fuel tax and suspended the tax as well it cut from the 2019 budget.

The anger from the people hasn’t stopped however, and the violence still goes on. Now, the protests have turned into anti-government riots, which occur weekly.

In the latest week of protests, authorities deployed 80,000 officers around the country to control the violence that occurs every time protesters emerge on the weekends. From the protests, vast amounts of damage has been done to businesses and property, government or privately owned. An estimate of 60 percent of the speed camera network of France has been destroyed or vandalized, stated the country’s interior minister.

The protesters consists the majority of the middle class who reasons vary amongst themselves. Coming from both Left and Right political views and parties, one common thing to which they compare is there distrust and hatred for President Macron. The group doesn’t have a leader to their protest, but rather just people uniting against the government.

For the Yellow Vest, there isn’t a specific or symbolic reason why they wear the yellow safety vest when protesting. Their reason to wear it is simply so the protesters have something in common to wear. 

Recently, Macron has asked for direct dialogue with the protesters in a month long debate between the two. President Macron seems to be willing to discuss his policies that he wants to implement and some of his actions. In a 2,330 word letter that he published towards the Yellow Vest protesters asking for dialogue, Macron added in a series of questions which he hopes to be answered. 

Some questions are listed below:

  • Which taxes do you think we should cut?
  • What kind of public spending savings do you think we should make a priority?
  • Should we use referendums more often and who should be able to trigger them?

The Yellow Vest protest in France has influenced anti-government sentiments amongst other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada. In the UK, Brexit protesters have decided to dawn the yellow vest in solidarity towards their cause and distrust into the imposed government. They as well stand for a variety of reasons. A leaflet about what they support and are against was recently passed around and posted on social media.

The Canadians that wear the yellow vest in protest to their Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are over gas laws and immigration. However, they are a smaller group and not that renowned compared to their European counterparts.

News: LAUSD Teachers Strike In Protest

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by Matthew Ruiz

As Los Angeles Unified School District teachers fight for smaller classrooms sizes, better pay, school funding, and an increase in school staffing, a huge strike has occurred within the district.ldn-l-lausd-strike-valley-0115-01-sr-1

There are roughly 1,240 schools affected by this teacher strike and 600,000 students. Around 32,000 educators are going to be on strike. LAUSD has had to hire 500 substitute teachers in response.

Teachers have been talking to the state superintendent, the Mayor, and the Governor. Jerry Guzman’s daughter is among the children affected by this teachers strike.

“Our children need to be in school, and our teachers also need the tools they need to successfully do their job,” said Guzman.

As of Friday, the last proposal to the United Teachers of Los Angeles was made and was rejected.

“The strike won’t create the funding we need to boost teachers salaries or hire new educators,” argued LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner yesterday.

The last strike of this magnitude was 30 years ago. These teachers are fighting for the same rights as those of the past.

Teachers are speaking out on this matter as well.

“We know that parents don’t have the means to provide adequate care during the strike. We hope the district and union come to resolution fairly quickly,” said Lisa Duarte, a teacher in the LAUSD.

Teachers are asking for class size reductions through the hiring of more teachers. Most argue that 40-50 students at a time is way too many students in one classroom.

“We want to ensure no increase in any class size, increase nurses, counselors and librarians at all schools, along with a 6 percent salary increase and back-pay for the 2017-2018 school year,” was the official statement released by the Teacher’s Union.

According to the LA Times, Los Angeles Unified School District schools lost $15 million on the first day of the strike.

 

 

 

A+E: Top Five Albums of 2018

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by Elijah Ramos

If you came looking to find someone talking about your favorite “Lil” rapper, well you’re out of luck.maxresdefault

5. Whack World – Tierra Whack

If you haven’t heard this entire album or even gave it a chance – oh man – you’re missing out. There’s something really special about this album – it’s artsy, weird, and cute. Whack can spit bar after bar. Whack World is unique in so many ways, and if you haven’t listened there are so many unique aspects to this album. For example, it’s an album that consists of 15 songs that are all one minute long and each song is different in it’s own way.

It’s hard to really dig deep Whack’s songs because of how short they are, which is why it comes in at number five on this list. I would love for it to be higher on my list but this year is packed with so many great albums that I fell in love with. I would have to say my favorite song on this album is Bug Life, because she gets down to it and shows us her rapping ability on this song with a trap beat to go along with it. This album is a must listen, in my opinion it’s the most unique album of the year and there’s nothing like it that I have heard. Big props to Tierra Whack, and I hope to hear more from her in the future.

4. My Dear Melancholy – The Weeknd

Going into this album – at first – I was worried thinking that The Weeknd would drop something like Starboy, which for me I didn’t like at all. But, a couple days before the drop, I saw Travis Scott tweet “This is giving me trilogy vibes,” and I knew I had to give the project a listen.

This album is The Weeknd that we fell in love with. He came out with an instant classic that I listen to on repeat in Call Out My Name. When I heard this song, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed in the rest of the album. In this album, we go back to hearing The Weeknd talk about not really caring about feelings and is here for one night but he will “come back if it’s good enough,” basically back to baby-making music. Gesaffelstein makes an appearance on two tracks and really brings back that Starboy feel, but I like this more then anything. This album is one of my favorites of all time, mainly because I am a big fan of The Weekend and this album is a classic of his.

3. ASTROWORLD – Travis Scott

I had to have this album on my list, and it even makes a real case for the top album of the year spot. This album took over this year with so much anticipation and hype, as not only did it reach its potential, but surpassed it. Travis Scott and his spectacular feature list are something that you read out of the bible. This album has reached top-notch status for me, from songs like CAROUSEL that feature my favorite artist of all-time in Frank Ocean, who really makes the song. Sicko Mode is basically three different songs in one, featureing Drake who is spectacular on all aspects. This album will be on repeat forever. I am absolutely obsessed with Astroworld and want to say thank you to Travis Scott for this legendary project.

2.  YE – Kanye West

The year of 2018 was a very busy one for from a musical and social media standpoint from Kanye. Mr. West dropped two albums and produced several others. We are still waiting on Yhandi, but this takes the plate for Kanye. Every one of the seven songs on YE the world sang at one point. This album is Kanye at his finest, and there’s real debate over this potentially being Kanye’s best album.

Kid Cudi also came out of the shadows to help work on a lot of Kanye’s work this year. Cudi and Kanye together on a track is something to witness. This duo dropped an album together and Kid Cudi was on many of the songs on YE. Each of these seven songs are amazing and each one beats the other in different aspects, but the one that takes home the gold medal is Ghost Town in my opinion. I absolutely adore this album and hope Yhandi drops soon. Kanye single handedly took this year over, so props to Kanye for all the amazing projects and songs he worked on this year.   

1. Kids See Ghosts – Kid Cudi

This duo project with Kanye West and Kid Cudi is pure greatness. Two creative minds collided to make this masterpiece. Coming into this album, I was very excited because we got a taste of these two on YE. The production and time that Kanye put into this album is what made it so great. Every beat is better than the next. Kanye really out did himself on this album. Kid Cudi held his end up as well, with great rap verses and intoxicating hooks.

The first song on this album is Feel The Love, and right off the jump you hear Pusha T come in with his aggressive rap style and make sure he is heard. However, Pusha T’s verse doesn’t make the song great to me. Kanye mimicking the drums towards the end of the song is what makes this song hit. In the majority of Kid Cudi’s verses he talks about his mental health and the things he’s been through. He makes you feel what he is rapping about. In “Fire” Kid Cudi says, “It’s so many days I prayed to God, All this pain I couldn’t seem to find a way… On this road I find these scars I left behind” showing his pain and asking God for help.

In “Ghost Town 2,” – Kanye and Cudi are yelling free – making you want to join in and yell with them and rage. It’s a thing of beauty. This entire album is full of passion and pain, it’s hard not to love. Cudi and Kanye are two of my favorite artists and to watch them put together my favorite album of the year and maybe even All-Time was special. 2018 was a special year in music.

Movie Review: Aquaman

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by Joshua Lucero

Aquaman is a film about more than just waterlogged voice echos and continuous hair movement.105660734-1546632883595screen-shot-2019-01-04-at-3.14.18-pm.530x298

Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) was brought into the world through two people from completely separate worlds. Atlanta (Nicole Kidman) and Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison) were brought together when Atlanta, the most recent Queen of Atlantis at the time, ran away from an arranged marriage and washed up on the shores to Curry, a lighthouse man.

These two people from separate worlds would soon fall in love and give life to a child named Arthur Curry, otherwise known as Aquaman. He would live his life with his father, as Atlanta would be away in Atlantis serving as queen. Later, she would be sacrificed to the “Trench,” which is one of seven tribes in Atlantis, and was assumed to be dead. Arthur Curry – as a young boy – felt a call not only to the sea but to all of its inhabitants.

This film knocks all other DC Universe movies out of the ballpark. Aquaman is conflicted between two worlds that are soon to collide. His half brother – King Orm (Patrick Wilson) – has his sights locked in on the surface dwellers. King Orm believes it is time to take over the surface world, because if they don’t the surface will attack first.

In order to defeat his half brother, Aquaman must battle and defeat his younger brother in combat to take the throne of Atlantis and stop this war from happening. In this process, he is helped by Mera (Amber Heard), who is the soon to be wife of Orm, and Vulko a caretaker of both Orm and Aquaman ever since they were young boys (Willem Dafoe).

When watching this movie, it is more than just a screen in front of you but rather a film that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. When watching, you see the conflicted pain eating away at Aquaman, as he believes he is unworthy to be called king and blames Atlantis for the death of his mother. This pain inside him is one of the many reasons why this movie is a must-watch.

The viewer is drawn in not only to the many action scenes, but can seen the appeal emotionally to the character.

The movie capitalizes on introducing other characters, including one widely known as Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). Black Manties can be seen in all types of DC movies and shows. He is mainly known to be one of Aquaman’s enemies, and when introduced to him we see him with his team pirating a submarine. Aquaman intervenes and lets his father Jesse (Michael Beach) die, starting this vendetta against Aquaman.

Overall, Aquaman hits many stand points as a great film. Bringing the life of the underwater civilization with massive buildings of light that many couldn’t dream of is breathtaking. Their technological advancements makes the viewer wonder what life could be like if we had the same opportunities. This movie is a must-watch and is highly recommended for all viewers.

 

Sports: 2019 NFL Playoffs Predictions

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by Lucas Garrison

The time has come. The NFL Playoffs have begun, and they have been nothing short of thrilling so far.

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The AFC is still up in the air with who will be representing them in the Super Bowl. However, with the Chicago Bears being eliminated, it seems that the New Orleans Saints are the leading favorites to represent the NFC on the biggest stage in sports.

AFC

Final score: Colts 21, Texans 7

On Saturday, Andrew Luck and the Colts marched into NRG Stadium to take on JJ Watt and the Texans. Right off the bat, the Colts offense was all over the weak secondary of the Texans. Luck tossed two touchdowns against that defense and there was no looking back.

The biggest shocker of this game, however, was the defensive superiority of the Colts. They held a very dangerous Houston Texans offense to 0 points through 3 quarters, forcing an interception in the process. Ladies and gentlemen, the Colts are dangerous, and maybe have just sprinkled a little Luck on their playoff hopes.

Final Score: Chargers 23, Ravens 17

On Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers were hunting Ravens. Their three-headed defensive monster was in full effect on Sunday. Melvin Ingram was creating play after play, finishing the game with 6 tackles, 2 sacks, and a game-winning fumble recovery. Joey Bosa was all up in Lamar Jackson’s business, finishing the game with just 2 tackles and a sack, but pressuring Jackson constantly, forcing him into several tough throws.

Derwin James, LA’s rookie sensation was all over the field as well, finishing the game with 6 tackles and 4 pass deflections. The Chargers head into Foxborough next week in a clash between Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers. A star-studded Chargers roster will look to spoil the Patriots plans for February football in Atlanta.

NFC

Final Score: Cowboys 24, Seahawks 22

On Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks were looking to walk in and out of AT&T Stadium with a W, but soon realized after the first quarter that they would be in one heck of a battle. It all started with Ezekiel Elliott running all over their defense for 137 yards and a touchdown to conclude the game. Dak Prescott finally looked somewhat like his rookie self. He posted 226 passing yards and one touchdown. 

Now, I can sit here and tell you that the Cowboys can beat the Rams, but let’s be real. The Cowboys don’t have a good enough defense to shut down the likes of Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Jared Goff. Expect the Rams strong defensive line to shut down Zeke. 

Final Score: Eagles 16, Bears 15

On Sunday, Nick Foles did it again. He lead the Philadelphia Eagles up and down the field over the number one defense in the league, the Chicago Bears. Foles lead his team down the field in the final minutes to throw a game-winning touchdown to Golden Tate to put the Eagles up 16-15 with under a minute remaining.

Mitchell Trubisky lead the Bears down into field goal range with ten seconds left. Out comes kicker Cody Parkey for the win. Timeout Eagles. Out of the time out here comes the snap, the kick is up and it’s… it hit the upright and the cross bar!  As Cris Collinsworth called it, “the Bears will lose this game on a double-doink!” Later, the NFL confirmed that Eagles defensive lineman Treyvon Hester tipped the ball and was credited for a blocked kick.

AFC Divisional Round Predictions

Chiefs vs. Colts

Final score: Colts 28, Chiefs 24

Chargers vs. Patriots

Final score: Chargers 35, Patriots 28

NFC Divisional Round Predictions

Rams vs. Cowboys

Final score: Rams 42, Cowboys 21

Saints vs. Eagles

Final score: Saints 35, Eagles 21

 

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