EDITO RIAL STAFF DEPA RTM ENT
The Muckraker
V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1
N OV . 23 RD /24 T H 2013
I N S I D E T HI S IS S UE :
The Government Shutdown
By: Conor Miller
From October 1st through 16th
2013, the United States Government entered a shutdown
status after Congress failed to
enact a continuing resolution
for the interim authorization of
appropriations for the fiscal
year of 2013-2014. On October 17th an interim appropriations bill was signed in for the
new fiscal year only after 16
days of the Federal Government being shut down. This
was the third longest shutdown
time the U.S. Government has
ever experienced, behind the
18-day shutdown in 1978, and
the 1995-1996 21-day long
shutdown.
ing. The Continual Appropriations Resolution of 2014 was a
proposed bill started by the
House to reestablish the budget
for the 2014 federal fiscal year.
The proposed act would disallow
or defund all of Obamacare’s
provisions. After passing in the
House on September 20th, it went
to the Senate where it was
blocked. The Senate then
stripped the part referring to
Obamacare, and passed it on
September 27th. The House then
blocked it, reinstated the
Obamacare pieces, and passed it
again on September 29th. Unable
to pass a compromise by September 30th, the Government
shut down.
whole purpose of the shutdown. Finally, on October
17th, the Federal Government
would have gone into default
on its loans because the country would have hit it’s debt
ceiling. Luckily, the country
managed to unite enough to
reestablish the appropriations
by passing the Continuing
Appropriations Act of 2014,
which ended the shutdown
and also raised the debt limit
so that the country will not
risk going into default until
February 7th, 2014.
The effects of this shutdown
are actually greater than many
Americans would think. It’s
speculated by economists that
the Country lost 24 billion
The problem arose when a so- Because of the shutdown,
800,000
employees
of
the
Govdollars in revenue over this
called “funding gap” was creernment were furloughed, or
time period. Also, all of the
ated due to Congress being
were
suspended
without
a
known
workers were without pay,
unable to agree on a funding
date
of
reappointment.
1.3
milcausing a large amount of
appropriation continuation.
lion workers were required to
distress and economic dispariThe Republican controlled
report
to
work
without
ty. Finally, because the govHouse of Representatives,
knowledge of when their next
ernment was forced to shut
partially pressured by Ted
paycheck
would
arrive.
Only
down on short notice and was
Cruz, a Republican Senator
some
workers
were
protected
forced to come back on short
from Texas, refused to sign a
notice as well, several governunder the Antideficiency Act.
new appropriations bill until
the Patient Protection and
There were several factors which ment agencies were unable to
Affordable Care Act, or
caused Obamacare to eventually keep up and lost efficiency. ■
Obamacare, was defunded.
go into full effect and the
On the other side, the Demo- reestablishment of the continuing
cratic controlled senate contin- appropriations. For 16 days
ued to pass resolutions to
workers were unemployed, causmaintain funding at it’s current ing large amounts of anger and
level without any additional
frustration in the populace. Also,
conditions added. This divimany of Obamacare’s provisions
sion led to a political fight
went into effect on October 1st,
between President Barack
running on either previously
Obama and the Senate, both
authorized or mandatory spendpushing against the House of ing money. So, even though the
Representatives.
Republican controlled House
attempted to block the bill, it
What followed next was a
continual back and forth fight would have still been in effect
to remove Obamacare’s fund- anyway, essentially negating the
Syria Intervention
2
Gun Violence
3
Grand Theft Auto V
5
The NSA
6
Banned Book Week
9
Obamacare
11
S P E C I A L P O I N TS O F
I N T E R ES T:
 Sochi Olympics
 Miss America winner, Nina
Davuluri
 Obamacare and its implementation
 Evolution of the American
Dream

Malala Yousafzai
P AGE 2
V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1
Intervention in Syria: Support for President Obama’s Resolution
By: Liz Heym
position in the
Syrian Civil
You try to breathe but you
War, which is
can’t move. Your muscles
far too complex
are out of control, and you
and unpredictacan feel the burn of your
ble to respond
lungs as you rapidly lose
to; instead, it
oxygen. You can see chilsimply responds
dren writhing, hear them
to a clear breach
screaming, or worse yet,
of the internastillness and silence. The
tional norm
nerve gas sweeps across the
against the use
neighborhood, killing indis- President Obama and Syria
of
chemical
weapons.
The
criminately and leaving the buildings
resolution
does
not
prioritize
a
military
intact and strewn with bodies, which are
solution, but instead states that an attack
later gathered, wrapped, and laid out in
would be a last resort, should Assad breach
row upon row. It sounds like a chilling
dystopian novel, but such scenes exist in diplomatic agreements to remove chemical
weapons from the country.
our own world, as Syrian President Bashar Assad has used nerve gas against his If anything, the resolution is highly diplomatic, and has already played a vital role in
nation’s citizens.
Morally, it should be clear why we should persuading Syria to agree to the recent
weapons-removal agreement with Russia.
be compelled to do something regarding
Assad’s recent use of chemical weapons. Yet, the diplomatic agreement marks only
the beginning of the US’s efforts to remove
The use of chemical weapons is banned
by the international community, and un- the chemical weapons, and thus US support
for Obama’s resolution is vital, given that
derstandably so, given that use of such
Syria has little motivation to comply with
weapons can kill entire neighborhoods
relatively easily, leaving the infrastructure the agreement, and actually remove the
intact; the only loss is human lives, which weapons, besides the United States’ “Syria
Resolution.” Paradoxically, the people who
in the eyes of leaders such as Assad, are
most vehemently oppose this highly reasonexpendable. In fact, in such a volatile
able resolution are making diplomatic efsituation as exists in the Middle East, it
forts more difficult by sending the message:
would not be out of the question for terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah, a group “the United States is not really sincere in its
threats and is likely to go back on its word.”
which currently uses Syria as a pathway
from Iran to Israel, to obtain these chemi- How will this affect our other diplomatic
endeavors? As childish as it may sound,
cal weapons as well, which would be
leaders will look very closely at the internal
disastrous for citizens in places such as
Israel. In fact, some defected Syrian lead- US debates and view the US as weak if we
ers have hinted that Assad has given some as a nation are not vehement, or at the very
of the chemical weapons to Hezbollah, in least, unified. And we have legitimate cause
to be unified against such indiscriminate
order to avoid handing them over to the
UN. While this may not be true, it is terri- and highly powerful weapons.
weapons, and is a proponent of the diplomatic approach, which is a primary component of President Obama’s “Syria Resolution.” Secondly, the UN would not be
able to support a military strike if it tried,
because Russia’s self-interests do not
align with a military strike. Since Russia
values so highly its warm-water ports and
naval base in Syria, has one of its most
important military allies in Syria, and sells
a large number of Russian military exports to Syria, Russia is serious about
preventing the UN from authorizing a
strike to destroy the chemical weapons,
and is able to do so by exercising veto
power. Ultimately, when Americans look
critically at their quandaries, such as those
regarding the UN, they should find that
Obama’s Syria Resolution is actually
highly logical.
Ultimately, Obama’s approach to dealing
with Syria’s chemical weapons is necessary, given the horrific nature of the
weapons and the clear international norm
against their use. The resolution is also
logical in its assertion that a diplomatic
approach is valuable as a first step, and
only if Assad refuses compliance is a
more drastic tactic necessary. Even if the
US response does not devolve into a military attack, the threat of such an attack is
highly effective in diplomatic maneuvers,
whether with Syria or with other countries
such as Iran.
While the United States can do little to
solve the Syrian Civil War, given the
highly fragmented opposition and power
vacuum that would occur, the United
States should feel morally complied to at
least prevent Assad from using such dangerous weapons against his people. The
United States has the power to prevent the
spread of chemical weapons (potentially
fying and a very realistic threat. We can- The military aspect of the resolution is what to terrorist groups); the nation has a moral
not trust that chemical weapons can be
sends many people on rants, but past inand logical need to persist until the chemireined in without discovering the dead
volvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is hardly cal weapons are truly gone, with implebodies of innocent civilians too late.
similar to how the US would respond to the mentation of President Obama’s “Syria
Despite the clear moral inclination to rid use of chemical weapons in Syria. In Syria, Resolution” being the most reasonable
the US would not be taking ground, only
method to do so. ■
Syria of these weapons, there has been
striking
targets,
nor
would
the
United
States
vehement outcry against President Barack
(other views continued on page 4)
be intervening directly in the functioning of
Obama’s so-called “Syria Resolution,”
with people claiming that “killing is kill- the Syrian government.
ing” and that we can’t get embroiled in
Others may balk at the fact that the US
another Middle Eastern country. People
would be acting militarily without the supseem to balk at any form of intervention, port of the United Nations. Firstly, the UN
and at first the resolution seems illogical is overseeing the dismantling of chemical
and even scary. Yet, the resolution is
weapons in Syria, and thus is in support of
rather reasonable. It does not dictate a
the end-goal of removal of Syria’s chemical
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 3
Guns: An Unnecessary Evil
By: Joey Combs
approximately 89 guns per 100 people,
whereas in South Korea, there are apGuns and their usage relating to school
proximately 1.1 guns per 100 people. It
shootings is a widely debated subject
is obvious that the number coincides
today, and rightfully so. The fact that
with the amount of homicides for each
guns are so widely available today is
nation. In 2006, there were 14 gun relathorrifying, especially due to the fact
ed homicides in South Korea, if you
that their usage is on the rise. The
look at the amount of gun related homiamount of school shootings that have
cides in the United States, that number
been happening in the United States are
jumps drastically to 12,791. Even if you
hard to ignore. Since February 5, 2010,
adjust the amount of deaths for popula46 school shootings have happened, in 3
tion due to the fact that South Korea has
years, more school shootings have hapa much smaller population than the
pened than all of the 2000s.
United States, you
This statistic cannot be ignored
end up with 84 gun
or shrugged off as coincidence.
related homicides to
The shooting at Sandy Hook
12,791. This clearly
Elementary School, undoubteddefines the relationly one of the United States’
ship between homigreatest tragedies, and was done
cides and the availawith a legally obtained gun.
bility of guns in a
Adam Lanza, the Newtown
country, proving
shooter, used his mother’s prithat a country with
vately owned gun, a Bushmaster
more guns available
XM15-E2S rifle. Looking back
is not necessarily a
even before the tragic Newtown
safer one.
shooting, the Columbine High
Adam Lanza,, Newtown shooter
School Massacre shooters used
There is only one
guns legally purchased at a gun show
purpose for a high-powered assault rifle,
without any sort of background check.
and that is to kill. Some people may say
that they own them for self-defense or
The gun show loophole problematic
hunting, but realistically there is no
because anybody can enter a gun show
need for a gun that can fire 800 rounds
and purchase whatever weapon they
in one minute. It is absolutely ridiculous
like without any means of sifting out the
to not have a mandatory background
people whose intent is to harm others.
check for the purchase of any firearm.
Compare the United States to nations
Purchasing a weapon that is capable of
such as South Korea in the categories of
quickly ending another human’s life is a
gun ownership and usage, and you will
serious event and the absolute least that
see that these statistics directly correlate
should be done is ensuring that the powith the amount of gun related homitential gun owner
cides. In the United States, there are
won’t use it to harm an innocent person.
In accordance with any firearms owned
prior to the institution of a compulsory
background check, a smaller clip size
should be enforced on all types of firearm. If someone were to assault a
school with a gun that holds 30 bullets
in a clip, while a massacre would still
be a tremendous tragedy, while the
shooter is reloading there is a window
of opportunity to stop them. Whereas if
a gun holds ten bullets in a clip, the
damage will still be bad; but while the
shooter is reloading a window of opportunity to stop them opens, and the fatality rate would sharply decrease. Bans on
assault weapons have already proven to
be effective, for example the Federal
Assault Weapons Ban, or the Brady
Laws, that were passed on September
13th, 1994. This ban on the manufacture
of assault weapons for civilian use lowered gun crimes 6.7% in the ten years it
was active. Society as a whole is negatively impacted by firearms. The benefits of gun ownership are vastly outweighed by the ever-increasing amount
of stories you hear about gun usage
gone wrong, an example of such is with
the five-year-old Kentucky boy who
fatally shot his own sister with the .22caliber rifle his father bought him for
his birthday. There was no logical reason for a boy that young to have a gun
of his own. The discord in the government is already great enough as it is,
and a ban on weapons could potentially
reduce the strain on government as well
as save the lives of innocent people. ■
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V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1
P AGE 4
Intervention in Syria: Russia’s View on the Crisis in Syria
By: Caroline Murray
(continued from page 2)
Imagine if Finland asked the United States
to break up its trading partnership with
Mexico because Mexican drug cartels are
murdering innocence civilians. Finland
has no direct interests in Mexico, however
the United States does. A scenario similar
to the one described occurred earlier this
year in the Middle East, between two major world powers.
In 2011, a civil war broke out in Syria, one
of Russia's most imperative trading allies.
Historically, Russia has been searching for
a permanent warm water port, and
throughout the years, Russia has shown
it's willingness to go to war to obtain this
objective. A partnership with Syria allows
Russia to achieve this goal. Meanwhile,
Syrians are presently rebelling against an
oppressive regime lead by Bashar alAssad. The state army has murdered thousands of innocent civilians and because of
these human rights violations, the United
States and the United Nations are firmly
against the al-Assad regime, hoping to
provide the rebels with assistance. The
issue has been brought to the United Nations Security Council, where Russia is
one of the five permanent members that
have veto power. Along with China, Russia has vetoed all the resolutions concerning action against the Syrian government.
If the al-Assad regime is toppled, Russia
will lose a crucial trading partner, seeing
as the rebels might not respect any long
standing trade agreement between Russia
and Syria. However, the Russians cannot
afford to lose a valuable port that opens up
to the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most
crucial waterways. Unlike Russia, the
United States has little interest in Syria.
This summer, President Barack Obama
announced that the United States would
increase its aid to Syria to support the
rebels seeking to topple the oppressive
regime. During a meeting with British
Prime Minister, David Cameron and the
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Russia
denounced the actions of the Americans. He
believes that the rebels are violent as demonstrated in an online video showing a rebel
eating the heart of a dead soldier.
In an attempt to be cautious, Russia is taking
a diplomatic approach to resolving this conflict. While the United States quickly planned
to strike Syria with force, under President
Putin’s leadership, Syria met with other nations to discuss giving up its chemical weapons. His solution involved no death and long
term involvement for the United States. This
meeting essentially prevented a future war
between the United States, Syria, and likely
Russia. President Putin has managed to skillfully comprise his interests with the interests
of other nations, bringing about a more
peaceful and stable situation in Syria. ■
Intervention in Syria: Support for Action
By: Chip Foust
There has been much turmoil over Syria
the last few months. With the civil war
ravaging the country for almost 3 years,
there has been much debate for whether or
not the US should intervene to stop the
bloodshed. Earlier this year I would have
been against an intervention. This is Syria’s
fight, and we have enough going on
throughout the world to have to deal with
another problem. This all changed when
the Syrian government started to use chemical weapons against the rebels. This is no
longer a incident with a single country. It is
now a world problem.
The use of chemical weapons, against any
enemy is a crime against humanity. The
fact that the weapons were used on a civilian population makes the incident even
worse. America needs to intervene, in order
to dissuade any more attacks from occurring, and to stop other countries from ever
using chemical weapons. We have the
power to stop this atrocity, and because we
have the power we should do something
with it. As a country we simply cannot
stand by and let events like this happen. It
is bad enough that a country has dissolved
in Civil War, but it is unforgivable that
innocent women and children are being
brought into it. While it is not our place to
decide the outcome of a countries internal
conflict, it is our duty to stop certain atrocity from happening.
There is a lot of opposition against intervention, for many valid reasons. As a country, we are sick of putting boots on the
ground in foreign countries in a conflict
that will almost definitely result in the loss
of American lives. There is also an issue of
using air warfare. The Syrian government
has a very formidable air defense system,
with multiple SAM sites (Surface
to Air Missiles) providing an overlapping
area of protection surrounding possible
military targets. Safety of American pilots
can simply not be guaranteed. Add in the
sheer cost of military air craft, often in the
hundred million range, and this approach is
simply too risky and expensive to use.
There is another way to do this however.
Using long range missiles would be a viable option, as there is no risk to American
pilots. Another option would be artillery
fired from warships in the Mediterranean
Sea, as most targets would be near the
coast. Both of these are cost effective, and
provide little to no risk to American lives.
These attacks would also be very accurate,
with little chance of collateral damage.
A large concern with military intervention
is that civilians will get hurt with collateral
damage, with American having announced
that they may attack Syria, the government
has had plenty of time to place weapon
stashes around civilian housing and areas
of interest. But why even attack the stashes? Why take the risk of releasing the
chemicals into the air, when instead we can
attack other targets as a warning. The purpose of the intervention should not be to
win the war. Instead the purpose should be
to dissuade the use of the chemical weapons. If time is spent to do reconnaissance to
find the best targets, there are no reasons
civilians should be hurt, especially if we
don’t give any warnings.
Americans simply cannot stand by and let
the use of chemical weapons go unpunished. It sets a precedence that we are ok
with other countries using them in conflicts, and won’t stop if it is used again.
With the power and resources to stop this
atrocity, we should do something about it
instead of sitting back and watching. “all
that is takes for evil to succeed is for good
men to do nothing.” ■
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 5
Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2013
By: Pranav Pamidigantam
On September 15, 2013 the new Miss
America was crowned, and Nina
Davuluri, Miss New York 2013, was
declared the champion of the beauty pageant. Nina is a Hindu Indian American,
born in the US to Indian parents. She
grew up in the US, maintaining an excellent education as well as keeping in touch
with her heritage through dance. Nina
won over the panel of judges with her
looks, personality, and a display of Indian
culture through of a spectacle of a Bollywood-style dance routine. Of course, it
must have been a proud moment for Nina
and her family and friends, but Indians
around the world rejoiced as well with
pride at her achievement.
Unfortunately, the story isn’t an entirely
happy one. There was great backlash at the
judges’ selection of Nina Davuluri as Miss
America, particularly on social media such
as Twitter. “Miss America is not American.” “Wow, an Arab won Miss India, and
only days after 9/11.” “Miss America, or
Miss 7-11?” “This is America, not India.”
“A Non-Christian can’t win Miss America.”
Of course, there are always those who vent
their passions on the internet, an activity
which can bring out bigotry in even the
most respectable people. And there is always response to these rampages as well,
attempts to repudiate the extremist views
and maintain tolerance. However, in this
case, these attempts at creating a more balanced conversation seem to be as ignorant
as the backlash. “You shouldn’t say that
about Miss America; Native Americans
are more American than white people!”
“Just because you’re Muslim doesn’t
mean you can’t be American.” A popular
response was to reference India’s reverence of fair skin and that Miss America
would actually have been rejected in India.
Being an Indian myself, I must say that
while fair skin is seen as beautiful, people
aren’t subjected to discrimination and
disgust because of skin color, as some
suggest. While people mean well in their
concerns of racism in Indian culture, it is
simply not true.
(Story continued on page 8.)
Grand Theft Innocence: Video Games and Violence
By: Matthew Caldwell
Mothers are in a frenzy. Religious groups
are appalled. Everywhere, someone has
something to say about violent video
games, and Grand Theft Auto V is no
exception. The Grand Theft Auto series
has been the subject of harsh criticism
from easily offended minds since its inception. The release of the series’ newest
game, Grand Theft Auto V, has brought
the issue back to the forefront of the
minds of the American people. The newest installment of the series features
graphic violence, foul language, lewd
sexual content, and even torture. However, can we blame a nation’s supposed
moral decline on something that is no
more than entertainment?
School shooters such as Eric Harris and
Dylan Klebold of the Columbine massacre
played video games. It is easy to blame
peoples violent tendencies on these violent
games – the relationship seems obvious to
some - but it’s also unfair and untrue. The
focus of people should be on the mental
health issues that cause these rampages. In
this nation, there is a clear
stigma against mental
disorder. People are afraid
to get help for fear of being embarrassed, or the
problems are simply ignored. We cannot let this
happen when the risk is as
significant as it is. Regardless, studies have shown
that less than one eighth of
school attackers showed
any interest in violent
video games.
Not only are video games not responsible
for violence, they can in fact be an outlet
for violent personalities. Simulating the
activities one wishes to do in real life can
be a safe and harmless way to let out the
feelings one has. Why not let violent people play violent video games then? It’s
certainly a start on getting them the help
they need.
The stigma against gamers in this nation is unfair. So many people
will look at you with
disgust when you tell
them you play games
like Grand Theft Auto
V. Should we really be
ostracising this growing
group of people? Intolerance is unacceptable.
People everywhere, from small town
Gamers are not stupid.
America to major organizations, suggest
They have the ability to
we can save our nation from mass shootdifferentiate between
ings and youth violence by eliminating all We also cannot ignore the
fantasy and reality. It is
“offensive” video game content. This idea fact that this argument has
simply unfair to put this
is hogwash. A key component to observe been used time and time
burden on an industry
Grand Theft Auto V Cover
is that the nation is not in any way facing again. Each time a new
and its customers that has
a “moral decline” contributing to a rise in form of media comes into prevalence, it is
no responsibility for violence. It may be
violence. Violent juvenile crime has been accused for the woes of the youth of our
easy to scapegoat video games to put
on a sharp decline for decades. There has society. From radio, to motion pictures, to
minds at ease, but it does not solve the
been no increase in violence of any kind
television, it’s always been some new media problem. Grand Theft Auto V is not corfor several decades, and certainly not any that’s causing our youth’s violence. These
rupting our youth, and it is not going to
since the age of video gaming began in the arguments are always, however, swept un- destroy our nation. No video game ever
1980s.
der the rug once a new media scapegoat
has, and no video game ever will. ■
comes along. Which will it be next?
Violent video games are also often attributed to the cause of school shootings.
V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1
P AGE 6
The NSA
By: Emily Walker
Germany. France. Brazil. Spain. Mexico.
Egypt. Syria. India. China. These are just
a portion of the over thirty-five nations
that the United States has reportedly spied
on through the National Security Agency,
or NSA. From the tapping of German
chancellor Angela Merkel's personal cell
phone to the collection of cell phone data
from over 600,000 Spanish citizens, people across the world are beginning to feel
that that NSA is completely out of bounds
in obtaining the vast quantities of personal data from non-Americans. This outrage
has led to several countries changing their
patterns of diplomacy with the United
States, such as the Brazillian president
Dilma Rousseff cancelling a state meeting
with President Obama over allegations of
spying, or the European Union threatening to call off trade talks with America.
alternative. Glenn
Patriot Act in
Greenwald, one of
2001, the NSA
Edward Snowden's
was created and
intermediaries, stated
given access to
that “Unfortunately,
“any tangible
[President Obama's
thing”, and the
statement is] credible
2007 Protect
because the NSA has
America Act
become this rogue
gave intelliagency that really goes
gence agencies
off and does what it
the ability to
wants. And I'm not
obtain “blanket
sure which is scarier,
surveillance
that the president did
warrants”,
know and approved it
which do not
and is now lying about The National Security Agency seal
require the purit, or that he didn't
pose of the inforknow and the NSA just took it upon itself to mation to be specified. Does this mean
do that without their commander in chief
congress is to blame for the NSA's acbeing aware.” There is really no good expla- tions? Not necessarily. However, it does
nation for the NSA's actions being taken,
mean the congressional outrage and the
regardless of whether or not the president
lack of information being supplied directwas aware of them, something which has
ly to house members is not nearly as justialarmed many people.
fied as it could be.
Back in May, when allegations that the
NSA had collected information from
Verizon were first being made, the AmerAmong these people are also members of
ican public did not seem to be overly
concerned. President Obama was quoted the House Intelligence Committee, who, in
a committee meeting to discuss the allegasaying “The last think [the NSA would]
tions against the NSA, claimed that they
be doing is taking programs like this to
also had not
listen to somebody's phone
been directly
calls.” Unfortunately, as more
informed of
and more information was
the NSA's
brought to light, primarily
actions.
through Edward Snowden, it
However,
became increasingly obvious
chairman
to America and the rest of the
Mike Rogers
world that President Obama's
did state that
declaration that there is nothall of the
ing to worry about was misinproducts,
formed, regardless of whether
sources,
or not it was deliberate. The
methods and
White House has, at this point, Edward Snowden, former NSA worker
frameworks
done a complete 180 degree
used by the intelligence community were
turn on their stance regarding the NSA,
accessible to the members of the committee,
now saying that “If we'd known the full
range from the beginning, we might have implying that some congressional members
had simply not been reviewing the NSA's
said something different.” President
actions. During the meeting General Keith
Obama himself has said that he was not
fully aware of the NSA's actions, particu- Alexander, one of the leaders in America's
intelligence community claimed that “it is
larly when it comes to international surmuch more important for this country that
veillance.
we defend this nation and take the beatings
Many Americans were disturbed by this
than it is to give up a program that would
lack of knowledge on the president's part, result in this nation being attacked.” Clearly
considering it is a fair assumption that
unwilling to admit that they acted out of
President Obama was being briefed on the line, the intelligence community in America
agency's activities. While some people
is obviously not interested in issuing an
may believe that the president is lying
apology for it's actions taken in the name of
about his knowledge of the NSA's data
'defense'. This is, at least in part, an undercollection, this isn't necessarily a better
standable stance. When congress passed the
The ramifications of the allegations that
the United States spied on other countries
have yet to be seen in full, however with
the current state of outrage that many
countries find themselves in over being
spied on by American's seems to indicate
that the United States may have a lot of
apologies to issue in the coming months.
Brazil has gone so far as to introduce
legislation that would require Brazilian
data to be stored on Brazilian soil, essentially forcing companies like Google and
Facebook to build servers in Brazil. The
relevance of the international data that the
NSA has collected can be debated for a
long time, particularly when talking about
countries that would be considered strong
allies of America. With the NSA currently
under review, it is likely that by the end of
December the American public and people across the world will know more
about what exactly has been going on, no
matter good or bad. It does seem that the
American government will hold fast to it's
beliefs about the good of the work being
done, however, this raises the question,
how many safe lives are worth security
and personal privacy? The White House
has stated numerous times that American
lives across the globe are being protected
by the NSA, and it seems that this will be
the America’s message to the world. ■
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 7
Sochi Winter Olympics
By: Caroline Murray
games approach. A fierce ally of Syria,
Russian President Vladimir Putin prevented
military action against Syria earlier this year
by using the nations veto power on the
United Nations Security Council. The
United States advocated for strikes against
Syria after it was reported regime’s use of
chemical weapons such as Sarin Gas.
Guided by President Putin, Syria signed a
treaty, giving up its chemical weapons. The
United States was embarrassed by Russia’s
leadership, and if it is concerned about
appearing to be a weak state, the United
States will need to dominate the winter
games. Furthermore, granting Edward
Passed by the conservative Russia Duma, Snowden asylum earlier this year was an
the new law regarding homosexuality
extremely controversial and unpopular
bans anything considered to be gay
decision in the United States. After leaking
propaganda. Despite one’s status as a
secret information about the NSA, Snowden
citizen or a foreigner, they will be fined
fled the country, ending up in the Moscow
for displaying anything related to
airport. President Putin granted him asylum,
homosexuality. Gay marriage activists in which resulted in many pundits calling it the
the United States are outraged, and many re-start of the Cold War. Similar to the
believe that the US should boycott these
United States actions with Syria, Russia
Olympics. Notable activist, George Takei, seems to be doing whatever it can to appear
advocated moving the Olympics to
stronger than the United States, or simply
Canada. If the United States boycotts, will whatever will agitate the American people
its actions be heroic for standing up in
the most. Having now been insulted by
support of human rights, or as the actions Russia twice, the United States needs to
of a rude bully, pushing its beliefs on
shine during the Olympic Games.
other countries. Instead, athletes plan to
protest through their performance. Some The province of Chechnya lies just outside
of Sochi, and since the 1990’s, Chechens
athletes are opening gay, and are
concerned that Russia target them during have terrorized Russia as they seek their
independence. Recently they gained
their stay in Sochi.
exposure again after placing bombs in major
However this is not the only concern
areas of Russian cities. With its proximity to
about the host of the upcoming Olympic
Sochi, Chechens could bomb major
games. The ever increasing tension
buildings to gain international publicity for
between the United States and Russia
their cause, which raises numerous security
seem to be flaring more and more as the
Historically, Sochi was a tiny resort town
in the Caucasus Mountains where the
Communist elite vacationed. In a couple
of months, this city will capture the
worlds eye as it hosts the 2014 Winter
Olympic Games, a monumental occasion
for Russia. It is the first Olympics held in
post-Soviet Russia. Many controversies
cloud this event: Russian laws regarding
homosexuals, tensions with the United
States, Russia’s cruel past, and unrest in
Chechnya, all of which cause a sense of
uneasiness throughout the world.
concerns. Will Russia tightly guard the
Olympic events, or carry on as though
there are no problems in Chechnya in an
attempt to appear unified and strong?
Of course, there are other questions
surrounding the games as well. Russia
was once the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR). During these years, it
was a cruel, oppressive regime, and
millions of people were murdered under
the leadership of Joseph Stalin. In the
Opening Ceremonies countries tend to
showcase their cultures and triumphs as a
nation. The Soviet period of Russia’s
history encompasses a huge part of its
culture. During the ceremonies, it must
refer to this, but how will Russia
accomplish this? Will it present its
communist past in a positive light?
With recent events and traditional threats,
the Sochi Olympics will be fascinating to
watch. The United States and Russia are
furious at each other, and it is likely that
at least some of this rivalry will play out
during the games. Hopefully, the
Olympics will go smoothly for everyone,
and remain a beacon of sportsmanship
and global unity. ■
Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2013
(continued from page 7)
Such a backlash is alarming. It shows
that the US is still entrenched in racism
and ignorance. Stereotypes and hatred,
such as confusing Indians as Muslim
Arabs, have already led to tragedy for
innocent people. In August 2012, a
shooter attacked a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, killing those whom he believed
to be Arab Muslims.
The fact that many Americans can’t
identify differences between the people
of the world shows that education is
lacking. Education is the best way to
eliminate hatred. If the US hopes to
progress in terms of race relations and
tolerance, it ought to improve its education standards, promoting acceptance
and understanding in the population. ■
Miss Nina Davuluri, Miss America winner 2013
V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1
P AGE 8
Obesity in American Children
By: Peter Hansen
Childhood obesity is a rising issue in
America and, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), has taken
a hold of 1 in 3 American children.
Childhood obesity has more than double
in children and tripled in adolescents in
the past 30 years.
For a child to be considered obese his or
her weight must be 10 percent higher
than what is recommended for their
height and body type, or Body Mass
Index (BMI). The BMI assesses weight
relative to height, and indirectly
measures the amount of body fat for
both children and adults. Obesity in
children normally begins between the
ages of 5 and 6 or at the start of adolescence.
There are many causes of obesity in
America's youth, including poor eating
habits, overeating, and lack of exercise.
These common causes are typically
taking place in the child's home, which
only increases the likelihood that these
poor choices will continue. There are
also a number of medical issues that
cause obesity in children such as genetic
history of obesity, certain medications,
and medical illnesses that inhibit metabolism. Social issues can also cause obesity in children. Family and peer problems, depression, and stressful life
events or changes are all stressors that
cause a lifestyle conducive to weight
gain.
The rising number of children and teens
who’s BMI states that they are obese
brings a number of health concerns.
According to the AHA, obese children
are seeing an increase in health problems that normally would not be encountered until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, elevated
blood cholesterol levels, and type two
diabetes. The Center for Disease Control also stated that children and teens
that are obese also have a greater risk
for bone and joint problems, social and
psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem, as well as
a greater risk for sleep apnea. Childhood obesity is also currently the number one health concern for parents,
above smoking and drinking.
Obesity in children also puts them at a
greater risk for future health problems.
Problems with weight have been associated with increased risk for multiple
myeloma cancers in the breast, pancreas, colon, and a number of other cancers. The AHA has also linked childhood obesity has also been linked to
higher and earlier death rates in adulthood. It has also been reported that the
prevalence of overweight children has
increased from 4.0 percent in 1974 to
18.0 percent in 2010. The prevalence of
overweight in adolescents increased
from 6.1 percent to 18.4 percent
So what can be done in order to improve the outlook for American children? According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(AACAP), there are a number of ways
to manage obesity. Starting a weightmanagement program helps children
watch their weight while monitoring
what types of food they eat and how
much exercise they get.
Another preventative method stems
from larger issues that American families face on the daily. Eating in front of
a television and eating excessive
amounts of fast food. When fmailies eat
meals together they not only strengthen
the bonds between each person, and
place a central focus on how much food
is being eaten and a larger emphasis on
portion control.
Other major players in preventing childhood obesity are schools. Schools are
charged with the task of establishing a
safe and supportive environment with
policies and practices that support
healthy behaviors. Through health
courses, and informational sessions,
schools also provide children the ability
to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.
The solution to preventing and treating
obesity in children is not just one of
these preventative methods. The
AACAP, AHA, and CDC all encourage
a continuation of multiple preventative
methods throughout the remainder of
the person's life. Support and encouragement must come from the child’s
surrounding family, friends, as well as
his or her own will and determination. ■
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 9
Banned Book Week
By: Dorothy Zhao
banned. But does it not make sense to
educate children about their bodies in a
Banned Book Week this year was from
simple way, as in Judy Blume’s case, or to
September 22nd to 28th. Across schools
entertain preteens with ideas of a secret
and library across America, it was
society with witches and wizards? Books
celebrated for the choice of students,
teenagers, and all people to read anything are helpful. Books are useful. Books are
fun. And most of all, books help change
they wanted to without
the visions of a
censorship. It is a light
younger generation.
yet still heavy-hearted
“Books are helpful. Books
So if particular
topic. My language arts
focuses on life and
are useful. Books are fun.
class celebrated by
fantasy are banned
taking a few days off of
And most of all, books help
from youth’s eyes,
our lessons and
then what good can
presenting specific
change the visions of a
come out of it? In
books that have been
addition to the
younger generation.”
challenged or banned.
occult and
However, that week,
Satanism, novels
nearly two months ago,
today
and
past
are
called
out on sexual
is also a modern and significant
representation of the first amendment, the references and other sexually explicit
mentions, religious intolerance, or racial
freedom of the press and speech. Why?
slurs.
Because it draws attention to the current
elephant in the room of Congress and
American government, censorship.
Current events, such as Edward Snowden
and his leaking of the NSA’s secrets, have
led many Americans to wonder just how
much the government can and already
does censor.
There is a difference between a book
being challenged and banned, however.
And it’s important to state that
challenging a book is one step away from
banning it. The dictionary defines the act
of challenging as, “an attempt by a person
or group of people to have materials such
as books removed from a library or from a
This brings me to the question of what
school curriculum or otherwise restricted.”
exactly is censored. Not concerning
propaganda or the government, but regular So it is, simplistically, the effort that leads
good books-wise, what can be blacked out to a consequence and action, which is
for children, teens, or adults? In the past, it banning. Banned books are then genuinely
taken away and restricted from age
was strict. Puberty, explicit scenes, and
groups, students, or anyone.
even swearing were controversial topics
that authors often didn’t even write about. But, who does the challenging and/or
In the 21st century now, however, quite a banning? Parents, by far and large, have
few things have changed. Writers ranging been the group who’s attempted the most
from Ellen Hopkins to J.K. Rowling to
bans and challenges. They do mean
Suzanne Collins all confront subjects like kindly, but no matter their intentions,
severe drug abuse, witchcraft, and what a parents decisions may not always be the
teenager feels like when he or she is
best for their children. Surprisingly,
placed in a dangerous system and has to
teachers and librarians aren’t far behind as
fake their love for someone of the
they do not want their students to go back
opposite gender. True, their fiction novels home and tell their parents what horrible
have definitely been challenged, and even thing they read in class that day. School
boards, superintendents and whatnot, do
have control over allowing which books
could be read by students and therefore
are the ones making the executive
decision. Oftentimes, it is not the right
choice and most challenges never go
beyond the suggestion stage.
In spite of this, there have been plenty of
novels and even nonfiction books
challenged and banned in states in
America and countries across the world.
Harry Potter’s always a popular one, while
any novel by Ellen Hopkins is a recently
challenged one. Suzanne Collins’s The
Hunger Games trilogy, as discreetly
mentioned earlier, was the third most
challenged work in the United States of
America in 2011. It has been criticized for
being “anti-family” and “anti-ethnic”.
According the American Library
Association (ALA), around 500 books are
challenged every year. Oftentimes, of
course, those are the books kids already
like, have read, and will react very
strongly to if their favorite books are taken
away from them.
My personal belief is that controversial
books can ultimately increase knowledge
about values and history, boost everyone’s
educational wealth, and change your
mind. Parents should only monitor what
their own children are reading, and not
anyone else's. I myself am allowed to read
anything I want, as long as I don’t show
my parents up front and directly. Those
who favor censoring books to protect us
adolescents should take a look back into
their own teenage years and stop to think.
Conservative groups have to believe that
we, the younger generation, are ready to
read and tackle any issues in any story.
So, I say pick up a nice, challenged or
banned book, and defy those past strict
and overbearing parents, teachers,
librarians, and governments! ■
V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1
P AGE 1 0
The Basic Right of Marriage Must be Granted
By: Spencer Dirrig
As Hawaii becomes the 15th state in our
nation to legalize same sex marriage,
we face a historical turning point for our
nation. Deemed by many as “the last
civil rights fight,” our nation must decide whether or not we are ready to
push past the prejudice that has plagued
us for decades, and move forward as a
country by legalizing same sex marriage. Will we continue to accept the
reality that in our country, gays are
inherently deemed inferior and unworthy of marriage? We must stand up as a
nation, rid ourselves of prejudice and
embrace the legalization of marriage
between two loving adults.
Opponents of same sex marriage say
that legalization will undermine
“traditional marriage.” Yet, this argument is incredibly flawed. This
“traditional” definition has been altered
constantly through our history. Interracial Marriage was not fully legal in the
United States until 1967, and we would
never argue against that “redefinition”
now. The meaning of marriage has
changed for centuries, and certainly can,
and should, change once again.
Anti- marriage equality supporters often
argue that gay marriage is against their
religion. Regardless of one’s personal
religious views on the issue, the government can’t make laws based upon religious beliefs, and even if they could,
legalization would not force churches to
marry same sex couples. Marriage is a
secular term used to designate a secular
practice, independent from religiously
based weddings.
Marriage is the term used to qualify
people for a plethora of rights. Under
the current system, men and women in
homosexual relationships are severely
disadvantaged. Without the designation
of “married,” citizens loose the right to
visit their partner in the hospital, apply
for joint tax returns, receive inheritance,
get protection if the relationship ends
and receive family health care coverage.
In fact, according to the New York
Times, gay couples will incur an additional $41,196 to $467,562 in expenses
over a lifetime because they do not have
equal marriage rights. Subsequently, the
inability of same-sex couples to get
married severely injures their ability to
adopt children. Current laws make it
significantly more difficult for same sex
couples to provide a stable home for the
hundreds of thousands of children stuck
in foster care because they are not lawfully wed. Not only does this discriminate against those people who would be
good parents, it harms the children who
are waiting for a home with loving parents. These absurd disadvantages unfairly plague many US citizens.
The United States continues to
stand against national legalization, as where the great majority of world superpowers have
shunned their ignorance, and
legalized same sex
marriage. Several
of the world’s top
countries have
legalized same sex marriage including,
Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada,
South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, Denmark,
France, Brazil, Uruguay, and New Zealand - plus Britain (law takes effect in
2014). The fact that the United States
still chooses to deny gay couples this
basic freedom is disgraceful.
The fact of the matter is that
as a nation, we cannot continue to deprive our citizens their right to fair and
equal treatment under the law. America
is based on the ideals of freedom and
equality, and everyday we deny two
loving adults the ability to wed, we are
undermining our own existence. Ignorance has plagued our nation for too
long; whether it be integration, interracial marriage, woman’s suffrage or gay
marriage, the citizens of the United
States always favor the advancement of
freedom in the end. Marriage is a human right, and we must purge ourselves
of ignorance and prejudice and legalize
same sex marriage, in order to once
again be a shining symbol of freedom in
the world. ■
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 1 1
The Implementation of ObamaCare
By: Winston Underwood
Since the dawn of time, injury and accident have plagued the human race. Modern medicine has remedied this, but not
without it’s expensive costs. To combat
cost, insurance was created, more specifically, health insurance. The perfection of
medical insurance is still in progress, and
there is a major debate over how insurance and the government should operate
together.
In 2009, the The Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act, known as the
PPACA or more commonly ObamaCare,
passed both the House and Senate. The
idea behind this was to create affordable
insurance for everyone.
The need for this stems from problems
that have emerged in the healthcare system we have traditionally had. Different
insurance companies offer different plans
for insurance. There are two main factors
in deciding what level of coverage one
receives: a deductible, and a premium.
one buys insurance. As of
right now, insurance is not
mandatory.
Public hospitals treat every
patient who comes into a
hospital. “Many times,
when someone had a minor injury or illness, they
would not seek medical
attention because they felt
it was "minor," and going
to the doctor would be
expensive.” Pete Brooks
said, who is a professor of
nursing at Grossmont College in San Diego.
If someone had a spider
bite, but waited for it to
get better even though it
never would, they could
end up with an infection
like MERSA.
“So they go to the emerThe Obamacare logo
gency dept. and are clogging up that sysA deductible is the amount of money one tem, which should be for urgent or lifefor minor things,” he said, “But that's the
threatening issues, when their issue is not
must pay out of pocket before insurance
idea -- treat things before they become a
life-threatening,
and
could
be
handled
by
a
will start to cover everything.
[primary care physician] if they had one, or problem. Preventative medicine has to
A premium is the amount of money one
become more the norm.”
had insurance to go to one.” He said.
pays to the insurance company every
This problem is what the ‘Patient Protection One of the criticism of this system is the
month.
and Affordable Care Act’, or ‘ObamaCare’ risk that the right people will sign up. The
These two costs have an inverse relation- aims to fix.
hope is that lots of young healthy people
ship; the higher the premium, the lower
will sign up, and offset the cost of those
the deductible. The lower the deductible, “Under the PPACA, people will have to pay who need medical treatment. That is not a
a monthly premium to have coverage so
the higher the premium.
guarantee.
they can go to the doctor.” Professor Brooks
“It’s not a perfect system,” Professor
The quality of insurance also plays a role. said.
The better coverage, the higher the overall
Brooks said.
Through online exchanges and government
cost. The worse the coverage, the worse
incentives, everyone must pay for insurance, The ObamaCare will take full effect next
the overall cost.
year, and the results of the new healthcare
or must pay a tax
In the end, the system is
reform is yet to be seen. ■
for not having insupposed to balance out
surance.
between those that need
“Treat things before they
“People just aren't
medical aid and those that
used to going to the
become a problem.
don’t. The problem is this
MD for treatment
only works when every-
Preventative medicine has to
become more the norm.”
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 1 2
Should Malala Yousafzai have Won?
By: Emily Walker
The first I ever heard of Malala
Yousafzai was in a clip from her interview with Jon Stewart, just days before
the winners of the Nobel Prize were to
be announced. To be perfectly honest,
I've never paid huge amounts of attention to the winner of the Peace Prize. If
you asked me to name past winners I
could go about as far as Barack Obama
and Al Gore, and my knowledge would
stop there. But listening to the short clip
of Malala Yousafzai speaking about her
advocacy for education for women in
Pakistan, I was certain that I knew I was
listening to a future Peace Prize winner.
This amazing girl, no older than most
people in JSA, was speaking so
thoughtfully about the Taliban, violence, and education that there was no
way she wouldn't be recognized for her
work.
Then the fateful day came, and I honestly had forgotten all about Malala. But
overhearing someone mention in the
hallway at school, I found myself incredibly disappointed in the Norwegian
Nobel Committee. That isn't to say that
I don't believe that the work of the winner of the Peace Prize this year, the
Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (or OPCW) isn't
doing amazing and substantial work.
Chemical weapons are truly an atrocity,
and the use of them in Syria this past
year is inexcusable. But that doesn't
change the fact that a sixteen year old
girl has achieved more in
her few short years than
some people will in a
lifetime.
Malala represents not just
those who defy the Taliban. Her advocacy for
women's education is
what truly made her a
target in the first place,
which brings to light one
of the saddest truths in the
world. The thing that the
Taliban seems to fear
most is an educated woman; a woman who can
read and think and make
decisions for herself that Malala Yousafzi, age sixteen
she could not before. In a
shouldn't have won the Nobel Prize cite
world where education is available to
a common reason; her age. To those
everyone, the Taliban and extremist
people, all I can say is that, as far as I
cells like them will be stripped powercan tell, Malala Yousafzai is far more
less. The world will grow into a more
mature than anyone I've ever met in our
peaceful, cooperative, and truly good
age group, and most adults that I've
place. And for all of this to be underinteracted with. If someone believes that
stood by a sixteen year old girl is absoage is a disqualifying factor, regardless
lutely astonishing. In a society where
of the actions taken by a person, I
most sixteen year olds are consumed by
would probably just consider that disthoughts of pop culture and gossip,
crimination. Malala should be an inspiMalala stands out as someone who will
ration to everyone, from sixteen to
undoubtedly lead our generation in a
eighty-six. She should have won the
quest to create peace. For the Norwepeace prize. ■
gian Nobel Committee not to recognize
Malala's accomplishments and potential
seems outrageous to me.
Many people who I have talked to who
claimed that Malala
“Let
Nobel Peace Prize, front and back sides of medal
us pi
ck up
our b
ooks
They
and o
a
re ou
weap
ur
r mo
ons.
s
One
t p ow
c
e
h
r
i
book
ful
ld, on
and o
e tea
cher,
ne pe
n can
one
chan
g
w
e
orld.
- Ma
the
”
lala Y
ousa
The G
fzi, in
irl W
I Am
ho St
Mala
ood U
la:
and W
p
f
o
r
as Sh
E
d
ucati
ot b y
on
the T
aliba
n
pens.
T HE M UCKR AKE R
P AGE 1 3
The Constitution of Liberty By: Friedrich A. Hayek
By: Hank Worster
allowed to what is best for them as long as Suggested Political Philosophy Reading
it does not violate someone else's natural
List:
rights (life, liberty, property and/or pursuit The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
of happiness).
The Republic by Plato
For the second third of the book Hayek
discusses the fluctuations of Western soci- Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
ety in regards to freedom. He argues that
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx
while absolute monarchy ended with the
and Friedrich Engels
French Revolution, the bureaucratic systems they started have permeated through- The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
out society. While we have been moving
towards a more freedom-based society
Politics by Aristotle
when we look back at the last 200 years, in Democracy in America by Alexis de
recent years we have seen a shift that reTocqueville
versed society back towards a more govSecond Treatise on Government by John
ernment controlled society.
Locke
Finally, in the last section of The ConstituOn Liberty by John Stuart Mill
tion of Liberty, Hayek speaks on modern
issues and his take on them (circa 1960).
The Federalist Papers by John Jay, AlexHe also gives his rationale for his various ander Hamilton, and James Madison
beliefs and this is the specific part of the
book that Margaret Thatcher was speaking The Anti-Federalist Papers by Unknown
of when she addressed the British ConUtopia by Thomas More
servative Party.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
As with all books on political philosophy I
The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek
In the first third of the book Hayek argues suggest going into it with an open mind.
why liberty is better than control. He arThis novel is, as many people know, rela- The Wealth of Nations: An Inquiry into the
gues that when the government has conNature and Causes of the Wealth of Natively in line with my political beliefs, so
trol of both economic and private life that you may be thinking it is easy for me to
tions: by Adam Smith
there are negative effects on society, and say that. However I tried to read the rest of
that one group of people cannot possibly this books on the list with just as much of Reflections on the Revolution in France by
Edmund Burke
know what is best for society. Hayek
an open mind. Note that these are just a list
claims that when it
Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
of some of the
comes to econommost popular po- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
ics one group canlitical philosophy
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
not possibly have
books that I have
more knowledge
The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich A.
read and found
than the entire sociinteresting. If you Hayek
ety on what busiwant to read more Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedness practices, or
than this, or just
man
ideas are good for
different philosomembers of socieLiberal Fascism: The Secret History of the
phy than this, a
ty, that the free
American Left from Mussolini to the Polisimple Google
market can better
tics of Meaning by Jonah Goldberg ■
search will lead
decide which of
you to a world of
these survives and
philosophical
fails. Furthermore,
texts where you
in a citizens private
can find somelife that individual
thing to appeal to
knows what is best
you, no matter
for themselves and
what your beliefs.
that they should be
When someone hears the name Hayek
they think of one of two things, “Who?”
and Austrian Economics. If you are one of
the former, but are interested in political
philosophy, before jumping into The Constitution of Liberty I suggest reading Hayek’s most popular book The Road to Serfdom. For those of you that thought of
Austrian Economics, you may know that
The Constitutional Liberty does not just
cover Hayek’s economic theories. This
book is his Magnum Opus, not just about
economic philosophy but about political
philosophy in general. It was made famous when, at a meeting of the British
Conservative Party in the late 1970’s,
Margaret Thatcher threw it onto a table
saying “This is what we believe!” when
contesting a pro taxes, pro welfare statement of a fellow conservative politician.
As Margaret Thatcher said in that meeting, many do believe that this is or should
be what modern conservatives and libertarians believe.
The Evolution of the American Dream
By: Jane Klaus
Editorial Staff Department
Emily Walker — Senior Editor
Dorothy Zhao — Design Editor
E-mail: [email protected]
Junior Statesmen
of America
Be the People
living out their American
dreams. The beauty of the AmerAh, that word. We’ve all heard ican Dream is that it molds itself
it at some point. That one word to whatever an individual wants
it to be. You may, under the
has come to symbolize quite a
lot. It’s created a negative image constitution and the culture of
our society, live your life mostly
of America in the minds of
as you please.
much of the American youth
who use the phrase. In their
And guess what? What you want
minds, I’d think the American
to do sometimes conflicts with
Dream is somewhat limited.
what others want to do. Get ver
Whip out your snuggie, hop into it. If you plan on shooting guns
your motorized scooter, and
on an icy lake, you will be quesIf a 700 N man standing on an drive on over to McDonald’s for tioned. If you refer to our counyour daily dose of diabetes,
try as ‘Murica, people will give
icy lake holds a 30 N rifle
because we live in ‘Murica and you some backlash. Don’t see
against his shoulder, and he
we can. This is the dream. The this as their attempt to contain
shoots a 5.0 g bullet out of it
American people have been
your American Dream, but rather
with a speed of 300 m/s, find
living this dream so well that
as their way of living out their
the recoil speed of the man
they’ve
even
become
too
lazy
to
Dream.
and the rifle, neglecting fricsay the A at the beginning of
The American Dream is no white
tion.
our country’s name.
picket fence (unless you want a
My initial reaction, which I
Of
course,
I
don’t
believe
that’s
white picket fence). The Amerishared with Rebecca, was,
what all Americans have in
can Dream isn’t getting to go to
“Why is there a 700 N man
mind.
There
are
also
a
fair
share
McDonalds every day of your
standing on an icy lake with a
of people who are living out
life (unless you like heart disgun?”
their American dream by sitting ease). And, the American Dream
“Well, why not? He lives in
behind their computers scolding isn’t harassing people on FaceAmerica.” For a moment, this these ‘Muricans for being so
book for the way they refer to
actually got me thinking. I
disrespectful through irritating their country (unless you’re into
thought, maybe this is how we Facebook messages and “I love that). The point is, the American
see the so-called American
America; Share this or you die!” Dream is whatever you want it to
Dream today. It’s a beacon of posts.
be. Live according to what you
freedom, allowing you to do
want to do. Whether that inBelieve it or not, this cynical
whatever your heart desires,
volves an icy lake, a snuggie,
article is not an expression of
even today, as our desires
securing your life future by sharmy
feelings
about
of
the
Amerihave evolved from the original
ing photos on Facebook, or all of
American Dream. My thought can dream. Rather, I think the
the above, do it. You deserve it;
American
Dream
is
very
much
process was then abruptly
still alive. And believe it or not, you’re ‘Murican. ■
suspended when, from the
these are examples of people
farthest corner of the room, I
I began to write this article in
honors physics. When my
friend Rebecca, sitting adjacent to me, heard that I was
writing an article about the
American Dream, her advice
was, “Don’t do that; that’s
boring.” Since Rebecca’s
usually right and I had no idea
how to begin, I focused in on
Physics. Before me was the
following problem:
heard someone whisper,
“’Murica”.
The mission of the Junior State of America and the Junior Statesmen Foundation (JSA) is
to strengthen American democracy by educating and preparing high school students for
lifelong involvement and responsible leadership in a democratic society.
We’re on the Web!
@ orv.jsa.org
This 2013 Fall State convention for the Ohio River Valley is held at the Cincinnati Marriott
North Hotel. The editors would like to thank all those who wrote an article and contributed
to the first issue of the Muckraker.