September 2018 Issue
Volume 7, Issue 1
What’s in this issue? EVOLUTION DIDN’T GET THE MEMO, 1 WHAT COMES NEXT, 3 GETTING TO KNOW MR.MURRAY, 6 THE UPPER SCHOOL ISF CAFE, 7 THE RETURN OF LAURYN HILL, 9
STAFF Editor-in-Chief Isabella Lovalvo Co-Editor Niccolò Platt Layout Editors Giulia Oosterwijk Jacqueline Obert
Artists Grace Ihle Jacqueline Obert Advisor John Pitonzo Front cover by Grace Ihle Back cover by Jaqueline Obert
EVOLUTION DIDN’T GET THE MEMO: MISSING GENE PUTS MARINE MAMMALS IN DANGER By Anaïs Delagneau The war on pesticides has been waged since the beginning of their use in the 1940s, and more and more evidence seems to be used as weapons against them. The most recent finding? Marine mammals are abnormally susceptible to them, meaning that our beloved dolphins and manatees are dying at a faster rate because of our chemical use. The reason why aquatic mammals are falling victim to our pesticide usage is because of a missing gene: Paraoxonase 1, or PON1. PON1
With this evolution came the change in various
defends against certain pesticides, most particularly
genes. What’s interesting, however, is that
organophosphates. It obliterates the byproducts
according to research, most of the genes lost when
caused by pesticides in the blood plasma, so
marine mammals evolved into what they are today
terrestrial mammals (like us) can deal with
were involved with taste or odor reception. PON1
exposure to them efficiently. Since our marine
has no such function, and while the other genes can
mammals don’t have PON1, organophosphates
be found in mutations, PON1 cannot. The reason
inhibit the central nervous system. This causes
for the complete loss of the gene is unknown,
paralysis and permanent brain damage.
although researchers believe it could be due to
Why are marine mammals the only ones that do
relieving oxidative stress. Less oxidative stress
not have the PON1 gene? Evolution. Marine
means marine mammals can dive deeper into the
mammals first started out as terrestrials, and
ocean. This theory has been achieved through data
evolved to become aquatic.
that demonstrates that mammals without PON1 dive deeper than those with it, and that the reason for the deletion of the gene was so that the animals could more efficiently obtain resources. While the PON1 did seem to give a clear advantage to marine mammals until today, it seems it’s required now more than ever. More and more pesticides, including organophosphates, are running-off from farms or dumped into ocean water and marine habitats.
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While the PON1 did seem to give a clear
Unlike Scott Pruitt and his companions in the
advantage to marine mammals until today, it seems
current government, the people have acknowledged
it’s required now more than ever. More and more
the obvious consequences the use of the pesticides
pesticides, including organophosphates, are running-
provides. The Trump Administration have been
off from farms or dumped into ocean water and marine habitats. The most notorious organophosphate is called “chlorpyrifos”, and many people have tried to end its use, because not only is
pushed to follow through with the proposal, saying the EPA was not able to prove chlorpyrifos was safe. A federal court ordered Trump to listen to the crowd on August 9th, but action is still pending. Here’s to hoping the new school year will with our
it damaging to marine life, but also humans. It’s been
beautiful marine life witnessing one less threat to
known to harm children’s brains and nervous
their livelihood.
systems, mostly at young ages. In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned chlorpyrifos from residential use, due to its evident effects on children. In 2017, the EPA proposed to expand this to agricultural use, but this was rejected by the current EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt.
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WHAT COMES NEXT? By Isabella Lovalvo has deteriorated; Cohen, who once stated that he would take a bullet for the man, now says that his loyalty lies with his “family and country first,” and has not ruled out sharing “all that he knows” with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Cohen’s allegations are serious; if they prove to be true, the president could find himself in serious political and legal trouble as an “unindicted co-conspirator.” All this begs the question: what happens next? The last few weeks have certainly not been a walk in the park for President Trump, who has found himself in hot water after having been implicated by his former lawyer Michael Cohen in a campaign finance violation in late August. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to eight charges, including the violation, admitted to paying two women--former adult film star Stormy Daniels, and former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal--“hush money” in an attempt to prevent the women from speaking out about alleged affairs with the president and causing potential damage to his chances of winning the presidency. More extraordinarily, he claims that he made both payments “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,” for the “purpose of influencing the [2016 presidential] election.” This lies in stark contrast with what Trump has maintained since Daniels brought her story to
There are a few possible ways the situation could play out, none of them great for the president. In a typical court case, an admission of guilt like Cohen’s would lead to the indictment of his client. However, the situation gets more complicated when concerning a sitting US president. The Justice Department has long followed a self-imposed rule against indicting
light--insisting that the affair never occurred and
sitting presidents, though whether or not doing so is
that he was unaware of the payments made to
constitutional remains unclear. Though the issue was
either of the women. However, a since-released
brought to the Supreme Court in 1974 following
recording of a conversation between Cohen and
Nixon’s Watergate Scandal, they neglected to deliver
Trump, in which they discuss the payments, seems
a decisive ruling. On the matter, the constitution
to falsify this. Also bad news for the president, the
states, “Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not
once close relationship between Cohen and Trump
extend further than to removal from office...but the
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party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.” Clearly, a president can be indicted after his term has concluded, but the article remains unclear as to if this can happen before he leaves office. Many argue that indicting Trump now, in addition to being constitutionally ambiguous,
The other option that Trump could theoretically
would make little sense; as the sitting president, he
face is impeachment. With Congress midterms
holds power over the US justice systems, as well as
approaching, it looks likely that the House could
the theoretical ability to pardon and therefore
once more see a Democratic majority, allowing them
absolve himself from all potential crimes. Some
the power to decide to impeach the president with a
have suggested a compromise that involves
simple majority vote. From here, the case would be
indicting the president now, but waiting until he
handed to the senate, who would play the judiciary
has left office to continue with legal proceedings.
role; they would ultimately decide whether or not the
If convicted then, Trump could potentially face
president is still fit to hold office, needing two-thirds
decades of prison time. No matter the outcome,
of the senators to convict him in order to remove
with current rules and policies, it seems unlikely
him from the presidency. Impeaching Trump seems
that Trump will be both indicted and sentenced
simple enough at first, but there are a few different
anytime soon, should he retain the presidency.
factors that play a role in rendering it unlikely to occur. While it is true that a House with a Democrat majority is more likely and certainly capable of impeaching the president, it seems unlikely that Democrats would even pursue the opportunity in the first place. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that supporting impeachment proceedings could backfire, leading to an increase of support from Trump’s base and ultimately failing to get a twothirds vote from the Senate, which the former does not seem particularly likely to win this fall. Though there is some support for impeachment on the fringes of the party, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi seems to sum up the general consensus, saying that doing so would constitute “a waste of time and energy.”
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In a recent TIME article, however, she appeared to
So in the end, where could Trump’s fate lie? An
partially modify her stance, stating, “I have my
indictment and trial while he remains in office seems
judgement about this President, but the American
implausible and enters constitutionally uncertain
people are not going to accept an impeachment if
bounds. Given the current state of things, an
there isn’t solid, conclusive evidence presented in a
impeachment seems equally unlikely for the time
nonpolitical way...We’ll see what Mr. Mueller
being, despite what President Trump and other
discovers.”
Republicans might say. However, the president could
Conversely, the president, as well as other
theoretically face future impeachment, were the
Republicans, are using the threat of impeachment
Mueller probe to uncover something more concrete
to motivate supporters in an effort to ensure that
and substantial. A possible course of action would
the party maintains the House. Rudy Giuliani has
see Trump indicted after his departure from office,
stated, “this election is going to be about
however, in the case that a Republican wins the next
impeachment or no impeachment,” while the
presidency, he could easily be pardoned. In the end,
president himself warned supporters, “If it does
Trump’s ultimate fate may remain somewhat murky,
happen, it’s your fault, because you didn’t go out to
but it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime
vote...that’s the only way it could happen.”
soon.
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GETTING TO KNOW MR.MURRAY By: Niccolo Platt This year, ISF has welcomed many new
World College in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
faces to the community: new students, new teachers
Why did you decide to come to Florence?
and administration members. One of this year’s
The decision was partly personal, partly professional. Obviously I worked in Italy before. I worked in Rome for twelve years, and I love Italy, so there was a personal side, too. Professionally, there were a lot of things that I wanted to achieve in my old job I was able to have done. I have known about this school for quite a long time, and I thought I would be able to add some value. What excites you most
arrivals is Mr. Simon Murray, who will take over the role of Head of School. Tuskan Times had the opportunity to get to know him and understand his philosophy as the school year kicks off. How long have you been involved in education? Twenty-nine years, in international education. A long time ago I used to teach in
about ISF?
university, then I moved on
One thing is teaching. I
from university teaching to
know people might be
school teaching. My first
surprised by that, but I love
international job was in Madrid,
doing it. What excites me the
twenty-nine years ago. I taught
most is the kind of
English Literature and TOK.
opportunities here. I’m not
What are the best things about
saying that ISF isn’t a good school, because it is, but I
your job? Working with young people. Every time you start a new year, it’s a new opportunity for me, and I think I’ve learned more from my students than anything else.
think we have opportunities here to do something really special, and I find that very exciting. What are your hopes and goals for this school year? I want to try and put things in place, so that
What are the worst, if there are any? There definitely are. There’s a lot of admin paperwork, which has to be done, but it’s not exactly exciting. Nonetheless, getting the
if anybody, be it a student or one of my colleagues, feels that they've got a good idea they want to make happen, I can help them make it happen. That could involve all kinds of different things, but
opportunity to teach is still very important.
I want people to feel that this is a place where if
Where did you work before coming to ISF?
you’ve got an idea and you want to try something
I was the director of the International School of Paris; before that, I was the director of the United
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out, we’ll do our very best to support you.
A NEW ADDITION:THE UPPER SCHOOL ISF CAFE By: Isabella Lovalvo
A long-time member of the ISF staff community, Ms. Bruckner, with the support of the
cafe now in particular, or did it just happen to work out?
Head of School and Operations Manager, has
I think the timing worked out well; it also
recently succeeded in bringing us the ISF Cafe,
had to do, again, with the feedback that the regular
revolutionizing the school’s lunch system. Tuskan Times had the chance to catch up with her and learn more about her passion project.
lunch program wasn’t working the way that I would have liked it to. I felt like we were missing an opportunity to serve the students and give them something that they weren’t getting from the regular
What led you to create the ISF Cafe?
lunch program, so it really was good timing.
After feedback that I received from students, parents, and staff, it was obvious that we needed a
What was the hardest thing about bringing the cafe to ISF?
change from the typical school lunch to something
I think the hardest thing was convincing the
more fresh, modern, and in line with what people
SIAF, our lunch provider, because they’re a
were requesting. It’s also always been a secret wish
traditional, Italian food service company. For them,
of mine to create a cafe within the school itself, with
some of the things I was proposing, like the more
a farm-to-table approach, so it was a combination of
fast food items, or the more healthier, natural
the two.
options, were not what they were used to. It was
Is there any reason why you chose to create the
most challenging to get them, as well as the school, on board.
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What are your hopes for the future of the Cafe? Do you hope to expand or change anything? I’d like to see more international food come into the Cafe. Again, working with an Italian company, where it’s a mostly Italian menu, having items like smoothies and hummus is already new, but I’d like to see even more. I’d like to see tacos and sushi and things that international kids like to eat; in that sense, I’d like to see the menu expand. I would also like to build a self-sustaining organic garden that can be overseen by the students themselves and whose produce can be incorporated into the ISF Cafe menu. Lastly, do you have a favorite food or drink from the Cafe? What most pleases you about how things have
I’d have to say the wrap and the smoothie.
turned out? I’m happy that the students are enthusiastic about the products and that they’re giving me feedback, both positive and negative. It’s like launching a little restaurant inside of a school, so there are always going to be some bumps on the road, but what I’m most proud about is that I see that kids that have never eaten at the Mensa before are now coming. They like what we’re offering, they’re giving me feedback, and it’s a service that is working for our community.
CULTURAL. 8
THE RETURN OF LAURYN HILL By: Grace Ihle
There are very few musicians that rocked the
Mystery of Lauryn Hill”, reporter Touré says that in
world as hard as Lauryn Hill did in the 90’s. Though
1996, Ms. Hill met Rohan Marley, son of reggae
she reigned as queen of the decade, few celebrities
legend Bob Marley, and started to use her relationship
have fallen as hard from fame as she did. After almost
with him to pull her out of her toxic relationship with
twenty years with hardly a single interview, paparazzi
Jean. Soon after the release of The Score, Jean began
shot, or tweet, Ms. Lauryn Hill rocked the world yet
to gain popularity and was seen as the dominant
again with her announcement of a coast-to-coast 20th
rapper of The Fugees. Though the group hadn’t
anniversary tour of arguably the biggest album of the
broken up, Ms. Hill felt the need to break free from
90’s: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Jean’s shadow and make a name for herself,
Ms. Hill first rose to fame through iconic rap group, The Fugees, along with fellow members
completely separate from him, for both professional and romantic reasons.
Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. They released their first
She released Miseducation in 1998, and made
album, Blunted on Reality, in 1994, and their second
it a top priority to take 100% of the credit of the work
studio album, The Score, in 1996. With strong reggae
done on it. However, after facing a lawsuit for $5
influences, the latter became arguably one of the
million from four men who claimed to have done
greatest hip-hop albums ever made. The group saw
some of the work she took credit for, things quickly
troubles from the beginning, however, Ms. Hill was in
went downhill for the star. The album made her a
an allegedly sexually, if not emotionally abusive,
national sex symbol, bringing her fame that that
relationship with Jean even after his marriage. In the
rivaled the levels of Beyonc’s, but the constant
iconic Rolling Stones article, “The Mystery of
attention made her feel the need to maintain a perfect
CULTURAL 9
image congruent with the Lauryn Hill she had
was never released. Besides a song for the 2006
shown the world in Miseducation at all times. As
Happy Feet soundtrack, Lose Myself, and several
time passed and the pressure from the industry
stand-alone concerts performed sparsely, Ms. Hill
increased, she grew mistrustful of those closest to
kept her revolutionary voice to herself.
her and began to withdraw from society altogether.
That is, until the spring of 2018, when she
She became a disciple of a man named Brother
announced a 20th Miseducation Anniversary Tour
Anthony, who taught her his interpretation of the
with twenty dates spanning from April 29th to
Bible, and engulfed her with his ideas. Her friends
September 20th. Though numerous shows were
were wary of Brother Anthony, saying his teachings
cancelled in July and August, she added twenty-two
were very controlling and cult-like; he was
more dates to the tour, extending it to December of
convinced that he was the only person that really
2018, and even headlining Tyler, the Creator’s
knew the truth.
“Camp Flog Gnaw”
Regardless, his
Music Festival on
teachings changed
November 10th. She
Ms. Hill, and
has even confirmed a
Lauryn Hill the
performance in South
Disciple grew to
Africa with Nas in
resent the public
2019.
and
their
Due to her apparent
expectations of
emotional instability,
Lauryn Hill the
her reliability has been
Superstar.
challenged when it
In 2001,
comes to shows,
she recorded the infamous MTV Unplugged 2.0 in
especially after she showed up hours late to a concert
front of a live audience. As if her never-before heard
in 2016, causing some of her fans to turn on her. But
songs about betrayal and brokenness, accompanied
despite her cancelling of the select July and August
by a raspy, broken voice didn’t already say enough
tour dates, it would appear that the tour is doing well,
about her mental state, she poured her heart out in
and Ms. Hill is slowly readopting her life of stardom.
the interludes that separated each song, running as
Regardless, Lauryn Hill will do what she deems best
long as twelve minutes. They were the perfect
for herself, and fans worldwide wish her good luck in
display of the madness that fame born out of
her journey of edging out into fame once more. With
immense instability instilled in her.
this newfound courage to begin touring after so long,
At the time Touré wrote his article in 2003,
it can be hoped that Ms. Hill will return to the music
Ms. Lauryn Hill was holed up in Miami, working on
industry and once again rock the world, like only she
a brand new record to release in 2005. As a quick
knows how.
Spotify search will tell you, the secret Miami project
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Jacqueline Obert