ATTACK ON IRAQ

BY THE COOL J

On Friday, September 6^th, President Bush telephoned the leaders of China, Russia, and France in hopes of softening their opposition to ousting Saddam Hussien. Within hours, White House Press Secretary Ari Fliescher spoke to the press. President Bush told foreign leaders that he values their opinion, and he stressed that Saddam Hussien was a serious threat, and that we need to work together to make the world peaceful. He said Bush has not decided exactly how to overthrow Hussein, thus he did not share any plans with the leaders.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Tony Blair- who openly supports the Presidents position on military action in Iraq, discussed the issue at hand with President Bush. The Russian President told Blair there was a real potential for a political solution to the crisis around Baghdads alleged stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction.

Recent surveys have been taken at Foxnews.com. The results show that the majority of Americans surveyed told that they support action against Iraq and Iraqi President Saddam Hussien. This survey was conducted on the 6-7 of August of 2002. The question was: Do you support or oppose the U. S. military action to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussien? 69% support the U. S. s actions, and 22% oppose it. 9% said they were not sure. Another survey asked, Do you think Congress should have hearings to discuss the U.S. taking military action, or would Congressional hearings give away too much information? 53% said that Congressional hearings would give away too much information, 37% said that Congress should have hearings, and 10% said they were not sure.

It is very important that we go after Hussien, because he is providing a safe-haven for terrorists. The fall of Saddam Hussein will be a big step in this war on terror.

Upcoming Elections

By THE COOL J

On November 5^th, Kansas will have a new Governor, and a new 4^th district Congressman. In the Governors race, State Treasurer Tim Shallenburger (R) is up against Kansas Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius (D).

Tim Shallenburger was born in Baxter Springs, Kansas, and is married to his wife, Linda, and has one daughter, Candice. Shallenburger has attended Pittsburg State University, as well as Coffeyville Community College. Shallenburger was elected as State Treasurer in 1998. He has also been The Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, and a Representative in The Kansas House of Representatives.

Kathleen Sebelius is married to her husband, Gary, and has two sons, Ned, and John. She has attended the University of Kansas, and Trinity College. She has been the Kansas State Insurance Commissioner from 1994 present, and a Representative in the Kansas House Of Representatives.

In the Kansas Congressional race, Representative Todd Tiahrt (TEE-hart) (R) is running for re-election against Carlos Nolla (D). Congressman Tiahrts home city is Goddard, KS, though he spends by far the majority of his time in Washington D.C. He is married to his wife, Vicki, and he has three children: Jessica, John, and Luke. He has attended Southwest Missouri State, and Evangel College. He has been a Representative in the United States House of Representatives from 1994 to present, a Senator in the Kansas State Senate from1993-1994, and Kansas 4^th District Chairman, Republican Party. He is also on the House Appropriations Committee.

Carlos Nolla (D) is also running for the Congressional seat for the 4^th district of Kansas. Nolla is 40 years old, and he is married to his wife, Lorie, and he has three children: Kylie, Samuel, and Andie. He has attended Johnson County Community College, associate of arts, Wichita State University, and Kansas University School of Law. He has been an aide for Dan Glickman, and practicing law private practice in Wichita since 1993, concentrating on immigration.

So, in the Governors race, its Tim Shallenburger (R) up against Kathleen Sebelius (D), and in the Congressional race its Carlos Nolla (D) up against Congressman Todd Tiahrt(R).

Computer Trouble

By THE COOL J

For the last year, the Macintosh computers in the library have been on the fritz, especially when it comes to the Scholastic Reading Counts tests. This program has been up and down all throughout the year, giving no signs or warnings of when it will be down. Mrs. Wiebie, our schools librarian, has been working non-stop in order to fix this problem, and find a solution.

For the last year our problems with the software and the server have accelerated. Every time the server goes down, it damages the program. Exclaimed Mrs. Wiebie. We have been calling the company for tech help to repair that. She stated. She also claimed that There have been power outages and brownouts, and Mr. Doud has been in the library working on the server and installing a new barratry backup. The backup will prevent power outages, short ones, but we do not know whether that will solve the problem or not. There might be other network issues. We will have had the Reading Counts program for three years coming up this Christmas, and the program has worked okay up until the beginning of this year.

She also said, Mr. Clay has told me that the solution might be to install Windows computers in the library, then just install the program on them, and it will start working again. We will need to prioritize tech money on new Windows computers.

Purchasing new Windows computers can get a little pricey. One of the possible other solutions that were thought of was that the I Mac computers might still be under warranty, but according to Mr. Dick, the Computer and Multimedia teacher, the computers are only under a 3 year parts and labor warranty, and CMS purchased the I Macs approximately 6 years ago.

Many student and teachers have been extremely frustrated about the issue. Ms. Shurtleffs 8^th grade English class has had to read an allotted amount of books, each with a certain amount of points, and take a test on them. Each student contracted a certain amount of points that he or she felt comfortable with. Of course, the students were very concerned when they heard that they would be enable to take their required tests. The contract said that the deadline for the books to be read and tested by would be October 11^th. Most students did not reach their goal by the set date due to the malfunctioning computers. Ms. Shurtleff was not going to penalize the students for not meeting the contracted amount of points just because of the server not responding, so she altered the contract slightly. Both Ms. Shurtleff and the 8^th grade class agreed to make it to where the student must have the books read by October 11^th, but may test after the previously set date.

The school hopes to quickly and efficiently solve this computer problem. CMS appreciates what Mrs. Wiebie and all involved in this whole mess have been doing over the last few months.