FHSTheFlash The Flash Volume 46, Issue 5 April 2006 | Page 3

April 2006 Opinion From Your Editors... By Alleysha Tucker & Kristen Schatow Editors-in-Chief Warmer weather, a few showers, and spring break aren’t the only things to be expected with the recent change of season. We can also expect bare midriffs, revealing skirts, and the continuous battle between dress code justice and freedom. Section 1.9 of the Student Code of Conduct states that “common sense and propriety are the basic guidelines to determine appropriate dress for the student. Most forms of dress are acceptable for students as long as they are neat and clean and do not interfere with the educational process. We rely on the good taste and judgment of the students and the responsibility of the parents to advise their children of the appropriate dress…” Some clothing that are inappropriate according to the dress code are “bare midriff tops, halters, revealing tops, tank tops, muscle shirts, mesh clothing, blouses or shirts with string type straps, and shorts, skirts and dresses shorter than mid-thigh.” The dress code freedom fighters argue that the present dress code is too overbearing and restrictive. It tends to put a damper on self-expression and personal style and, in this day and age, style is very important. The most fashionable stores sell halters and minis, why not be allowed to wear them? Others oppose the dress code for comfort reasons. Lets be real: Fraser doesn’t have the best ventilation system. Because of the lack of air conditioning, students would prefer to wear clothing that might not necessarily be in direct correlation with the dress code. While the freedom fighters make a good point, we, along with many others, have to side with the dress code avengers. We believe that the current code is sufficient and protective of many gruesome sights. Please, for our eyes sake, save those belly baring tops and butt-lined skirts for non-school hours. Remember that a skirt should only reach to the tip of your thumbs, not your crotch. All stores sell in-style skirts that follow the thumb rule. Because of warmer weather, it may seem appropriate to wear next to nothing, but this is a false belief. One can wear clothing that is suitable to the terms of the dress code and still maintain a cool temperature. 3 My name is Robb, and I am addicted to reality television. I voted for Stacey on “Dancing With The Stars,” and I tuned in when they ate pig intestines on “Fear Factor.” It may see like I’m a naïve viewer, but think about it; I’m not the only one. This is your opportunity to admit the addiction you have with the growing world of reality television as well. Before I go in-depth about the phenomenon that is reality TV, I’d like to define it for the sake of this article first. Reality television, according to many, is “real” people in “real” situations. I, however, will twist this definition a bit to say that it’s “real” people in “real” or “game play” situations. This will include some classics like “Survivor” and “Big Brother” which will make it all that much more fun. Why is the concept of reality television such a marvel among people today? It’s a simple question with a simple answer: we like to see people “like us” on TV. We feed of rooting for people “like us” to win the big prize. Shows like “American Idol” completely hand over the power to you, the viewers, to pick the winner of it all. That’s great, isn’t it? The millions of people tuning in each week would say so. For years, reality TV shows have been topping the ratings charts, and only with your help. So why would some reality haters condemn this idea? Maybe we’re all missing something; maybe it isn’t all as “real” as we’d like to believe. No paid actors, no scripts, and no fancy sets. How could the reality TV that we’ve been watching be fake? Most viewers would like to push all of the rumors aside and keep enjoying “The Bachelor” and “The Real World.” There are still some that question its authenticity, though. I can only tell you all that the lines between fiction and non-fiction are and always will be blurred on your TV screen. We’ll never really know for sure, but that’s what makes it all so fun and entertaining! As viewers, we shouldn’t be sitting on our couch calling out truth from fraud to begin with; it’s a bit contradicting considering you’re tune d in to begin with. The bottom line is, reality television has officially become a part of out society. To all my fellow addicts, I understand your trouble. And for everyone who wishes it was never created to begin with, it’s going to be a long ride. So enjoy it while it’s here or please don’t watch.