Junior Statement The
Vol. 1 Issue 2
The Official Newspaper of the Junior State of America
Newest department looks to connect Communications Department helps JSA keep in touch
BY ANDREW MA Southern California
BY JUSTINE CARDENAS Southeast
With the New Year comes a promising start for the JSA Communications Department, the newest addition to National Cabinet. Headed by Leora Rosenburg of MAS and Andrew Ma of SoCal, the Communications Department utilizes technology and helps all the states and territories stay connected and in touch with each other. After the Council of Governors decide the cabinet positions of the year, statesmen all over the country are invited by their governors to submit an application. “It’s a fun job! You get to meet a lot of people,” said Rosenberg. Although time-consuming, the responsibilities of the Communications Department are rather simple. Particularly after conventions and events, the duo teams up to work on contacting people from each JSA state and gathering information for articles and the JSA website. “There are some times where I have not too much work, and then other times where it’s just crazy,” said Rosenberg. “And I end up having a lot of interaction with
Graphic by Leora Rosenberg
Despite never having met in person, Rosenberg and Ma work effectively to keep the JSA nation in the loop.
people I don’t know, but overall, I like it.” “It’s nice talking to people who clearly love JSA so much and also finding out about the things going on around the different parts of the country that I otherwise wouldn’t have known,” she continued. With today’s social networking, communication methods have only broadened. The Communications Department prefers to utilize Face-
book in addition to phone calls as a means to get in contact with JSAers. As Rosenberg noted, it’s true that sometimes even seemingly minute things like time differences can make a significant difference when it comes to clicking away on the keyboard or picking up the phone. Because of such circumstances, long-distance working relationships are notorious for being difficult to maintain,
especially when it’s a small group like Rosenberg and Ma; however, the two claim to have it figured it out. “I’ve never actually met Andrew [in person],” said Rosenberg. Despite the challenge of never having met, they said frequent communication is hardly an obstacle in their work. They frequently talk over the phone and over Facebook; they also use Google Docs to
compile and stay organized with their work. “Andrew’s a very cool guy. He goes out of his way to check and make sure that everything gets done. There are sometimes I’ll log on and see [on a Google document] that all my stuff is already done and I’ll be like, ‘Hey, that was my stuff to do!’” Rosenberg said with a laugh. “But I’m glad that of all the random people I could have worked with, I got him.”
Chapter activism creates change beyond JSA BY LISA WHITE Arizona Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said/ People will forget what you did/ But people will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s a start, Miss Angelou; however, not only will people remember great works done, but even greater things that are said. If the colonists did not react to English rule the way they did, we most likely would have never been able to call ourselves Americans. Now, Junior State of America members do not have to go to such grand scale to make their voices heard, but even a little chapter activism can make a big difference in our communities and country. A single student can plant an idea in the minds of his peers and be able to change something within the school or even the city by simply starting with the chapter. The cohesive nature of a chapter can create an ideal environment for positive change on levels beyond the school environment.
Upcoming Winter Congress sets itself apart
For many JSAers, his includes holding a meeting to brainstorm good ideas for chapter activism and finding something that everyone in the group is passionate about. If the club has more than twenty people, break into two different groups to tackle different sides of the same goal. In this, a chapter can utilize the objective of change and leadership on which JSA is based. Exemplifying this enthusiasm is Verrado High School in Arizona, whose JSA chapter hosted a mini-con and invited local politicians, as well as local sheriff Joe Arpaio, to speak to attendees. The selected few came to talk to the multiple chapters present, as well as parents and people from the community. Chapter President Sarah Cronk recalled that it was a “great experience for the school to have held such a grand event,” and the convention helped double the number of active members of the small JSA chapter. Not only does the school remember the occasion fondly, but JSA members continue to
Westwood High School’s chapter in Arizona joins as a group to benefit American troops.
value the experience for their opportunity to speak with leaders in their community and gain valuable experience from them. Another easy objective is to inform community residents about a certain issue or a new law, as well as its effects. Many chapters provide this gateway of information by holding mini-cons and inviting people from outside of the school to join in on the fun.
Within the JSA setting, events like Fall State or Spring State also provide opportunities for chapters to showcase their unique interests and the issues they feel passionately about. In Arizona’s Fall State, Junior State of Arizona Governor Theo Jones and his cabinet invited many different activism groups and writers to come and speak with the people who attended the event.
Courtesy of Nick Goulding
“It was great to see different people who were interested in the same things I was passionate about,” said Abby Baker. “It isn’t every day that you get to argue or agree with someone about politics and things that make people tick.” JSA can be more than simply discussions within the club or school; it has the potential to be an outlet for change within a chapter’s community and beyond.
With a new year ahead of us, Winter Congress will represent the new JSA year in its essence. The Junior State’s Winter Congress has been received in a variety of manners from all over the JSA nation. The MidSoutHio Convention, a portmanteau of the Midwest, Southeast, and Ohio River Valley State Winter Congress, is a huge convention in which the exciting interstate atmosphere provides a unique annual opportunity for students to debate with peers from different states. In Southern California, Winter Congress has traditionally been the least populated conference due to the unconventionality of its structure; unlike Fall and Spring State, students are stuck with one committee for hours debating uncommon laws, uncommon terms, and uncommon people. But this year, Southern California Governor Matthew Saunders and Southern California Lieutenant Governor Pam Chang have made it a goal to make Socal JSA’s 2011 Winter Congress the best yet. “We’re listening to what JSAers have said and we’re taking Congress a new direction this year, keeping it just as fast paced and educational as it was before, but adding in more choice and freedom,” said Saunders and Chang. “We’re really excited to see our new Congress implemented.” This year, significant changes have been made to Southern California’s planning of Winter Congress. Instead of being assigned to one committee for the entire convention, newly created latitude in these somewhat dull and rigid assignments allow students to “rotate” committees at the start of each of the three two-hour-long committee blocks. Delegates and statesmen are thus granted greater freedom. This year’s motto is “Be the People.” Southern California’s Winter Congress, which before functioned more as a mock government, offers the same program that JSA offers its members: real-world advocacy. Congress will feature Bill Advocacy workshops, lobbyists, and experienced politicians to help students craft applicable action routes. “I can’t wait for Congress,” said SoCal Senator Andrew Leontis, “And since it’s being completely reformatted it’s going to be better than ever.” Other significant changes involve a more lenient party system, expanding Congress horizons to better fit the elasticity and fun of JSA.
Vol. 1 Issue 2
The Official Newspaper of the Junior State of America
Israel and Palestine: Will there be lasting peace? BY RACHEL ZUPAN Ohio River Valley
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to 1948 when a British mandate system created the country of Israel inside of a territory known as Palestine. This mandate displaced approximately 730,000 Arab civilians, which began the long, bloody history of the two nations. The great problem still exists today: how will a lasting peace be created between Israel and Palestine? Unless certain military and economic measures are taken by Israel, Palestine, and the United States, it will be impossible for these factions to ever come to any kind of agreement. One might ask what the United States has to do with peace in that region. The United States and the United Nations do not recognize Palestine as a country. The lack of recognition has delegitimized any peace process between Israel and Palestine, as there is a lack of equality. The U.S. is a strong ally of Israel. In 2005, the U.S. handed over $154 billion in weapons to the Jewish state, who currently boasts the sixth strongest military in the world. This was a big blow to the Palestinians, who currently have only 2.5 million civilians and no military. The advantage Israel has militarily, partially due to the U.S., has lead to even more violence in the region. The issue that continually prevents the peace process from taking place is the Israeli occupation of Palestine. When Israel was founded in 1948, roughly 50% of the Palestinian territory was partitioned to accommodate the new country. Since then, Israel has gained
an additional 70% of Palestinian land, displacing thousands of Arabs who are not legally allowed to return to their former homes. The unemployment rate in Palestine is roughly 56.5%, which is to be expected considering over 25,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished since 1967, mostly due to the illegal settlements Israel has built. Israel currently has over 6,000 Palestinians imprisoned captives while Palestine has one Israeli. Over 7,000 Palestinians have been killed since 2000, while a little over 1,000 Israelis have been killed, most of them being members of the military. About 1,500 Palestinians children have been killed since 2000, while about 125 Israeli children have been killed. This obvious inequality has only fueled the anger of Palestinian civilians, who fear that their government will cave to Israel’s demands during the peace negotiations in order to stop further casualties in their country. These numbers suggest one thing: there is an obvious inequality between the two countries, making any negotiations that take place quite unfair. If there is ever going to be a lasting peace, this gap needs to be bridged by everyone involved. This includes the U.S. cutting military funding of Israel, Israel ending its occupation of Palestine, and Palestine receiving recognition as a state. Only then will the peace talks be legitimized and the negotiating be fair.
BY EMILY WANG Ohio River Valley
Israel was built on the foundation of peace with its Declaration of Independence quoting that Israel wishes “to preserve peace and participate in the up building of the state on the bases of full and equal citizenship….We extend our hands to all neighboring states and their people in an offer of peace and good neighborliness…to establish bonds and mutual help…. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.” However, the their peace offerings were taken and forgotten by Palestine numerous times. Israel proposes compromise for peace while Palestine Source: news.com.au and other Arab nations want land, which has occurred numerous times before the state of Israel was even recognized. The most notable example of this was in 1979 when Israel made peace with Egypt by returning the Sinai Peninsula, which encompassed 80% of Israeli land, giving oil, money, military strength, and other settlements. In 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak tried to negotiate with Yassir Arafat the head of
the Palestinian National Authority making offers that gave Palestine 97% of the territories, military control of eastern Jerusalem and parts of the Old City, and allowed many Palestinian refugees to return to Israel. Unfortunately, the counter offer made by the Palestinians was a war of terror. The Palestinian National Authority is a totalitarian government that limits inalienable freedoms of speech and expression. It has brainwashed its population to the extremes of destroying the whole state of Israel. Compromise is nearly impossible; the PNA wishes to destroy Israel because it is an area that was once Islam. They do so by jihad, which is the use of violence to spread Islam. Israel has been attacked more than 15,000 times since September of 2000 and, with the help of the U.S, every attack Israel has fought prevents another 20 attacks by notorious terrorist groups funded by the PNA. Palestinian gunmen continue to attack Israeli civilians and soldiers in hospitals, mosques and schools and have started many deadly riots, mobs, hostages and other violent actions, which has caused a significant refugee problem in Israel. When Israel gave military control to the Palestinian National Authority, mobs burned down Jewish artifacts and holy sites. Israel is a democratic society and not an oppressive country in nature. It gives its citizens inalienable rights and allows the freedom of religion. Over 1.2 million Arab-Israelis enjoy citizenship and benefits from the Israeli government. Israel has tried numerous times to compromise for peace and end the violence by giving a large portion of their land and wealth, but it’s nearly impossible when it is faced with heavy, violent terrorist resistance groups sponsored by a nation that brainwashes its citizens and children.
The truth and politics of political commentary BY BETTY CHEN Texas
L a t e l y, it seems that the media has become obsessed in a vicious cycle of blame and derision, wherein the left snipes at the right and the right at the left. Democrats accuse Republicans of falsifying records; Republicans suggest that Democrats pull facts out of thin air. Both seem to be assured in their beliefs that the other side is undeniably flawed and unquestionably wrong. And yet, for some, that still doesn’t seem to be enough. There
seems to be a camp that is not comforted with the fact that they can prove somebody wrong once through an obscure factoid that took hours to unearth; they must prove that the pundit in question is inept and incapable. But why? Why is it that they cannot accept another’s contrasting belief as just that, without inventing some reasons for attacking their abilities and morals? Biased commentators serve a purpose in the perpetual news cycle; as politicallyminded individuals, we want to listen not only to the dry news the AP wire churns out, but the quirkily fashioned, strongly opinionated news that dominates such networks as FOX.
But however quirky and biased the network or pundit is, they are still a force in the world of national political media- and as such, they are held to high standards. With our generation’s ability to access the world in a matter of seconds, networks and pundits are held to higher standards than ever. Even while Glenn Beck and Rachel Maddow delight in energizing the base and angering the opposition, they are still ever-cognizant of the facts; they are anchors on nationally broadcasted shows, with viewership in the millions. Insinuations abound, when it comes down to it, their public nature demands the factuality of the minute details on
which their beliefs are based. And think about it: political commentators are paid to be deliberately inflammatory. They’ve spent years honing their rhetoric to make it appeal and offend simultaneously. They’re paid to be controversial. The fact that they’ve become good at their craft does not mean they depart from responsible journalism practices. Naysayers should focus their energies instead on eloquent rebuttals that deepen the rhetorical playing-field instead of cheap and shallow attacks. And if nothing else works, just change the channel. Find somebody you agree with and listen to them attack the news of the day. Or, if you’re like me, tune into the
they preferred him to his opponent by a margin of 4 to 1. President Obama would later sign historical legislation into law, including health care reform, financial regulation reform, and repealing the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. By voting, youth in America brought about legislation that will impact the lives of all Americans. Although a vast amount of young people voted in the 2008 election, this is not a common occurrence. And yet, it showed the solution to the usual low voter turnout among youth is within our grasp. Throughout our nation’s history, the educational system has been a frequent target of reform due to the vital role it
plays in shaping America’s future. Many of these reforms attempted to improve the system by emphasizing core subjects, such as math, science, English and reading. However, these reforms have failed to address one of the key subjects needed to protect our nation’s future: civic education. One only needs to visit a neighborhood school to find that the current civic education standards are failing to prepare students for lives as citizens of a nation that prides itself on possessing a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. In the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress for Civics, a third
of all students did not reach a “Basic” level of achievement in their knowledge of civics. Only 23 percent of fourth graders, 23 percent of eighth graders, and 26 percent of twelfth graders scored at or above the “Proficient” level. This obviously inadequate civic education has made apparent by the fact that since the Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18 in 1971, youth voter turnout has declined by approximately 15 percent among American citizens under 25. Although most young people in America do not acknowledge the potential power they hold in influencing elections and policy in the United
latest episode of House.
Sources: nydailynews.com, oprah.com
Civic engagement: The national safeguard BY TATIANA KAEHLER Pacific Northwest
November 4, 2008. Throughout the United States, young adults gather at the polls to ensure their voices are heard on this momentous day. State by state, the election results are predicted. After hours of ballot counting, enough information is in to name Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States of America. In the 2008 Presidential Election, 23 million young voters showed up to voice their opinions – an increase of 3.4 million from the 2004 election. Obama’s youth-oriented campaign succeeded in attracting these young people;
States, the extent of this power the Junior State of America, is far beyond what they could we have already taken the ever imagine. initiative to enhance our own Experts predict that the knowledge regarding civics. generation of those born after However, the civic duties we 1981 – often referred to as the treasure implore us to share Millennial Generation – has all that we have learned with the potential to extraordinarily others. impact future elections and Together, let’s ensure that policy due to the generation’s democracy will continue to great size. thrive by working to improve However, the Millenni- our national safeguard: civic als do not need to wait to have education. Let’s make sure their voices heard. youth voices are heard in elecAlthough reforming the tions to come. educational system in America is a grueling Interested in supportprocess, it is one that can ing civil engagement? succeed with the help of Contact Tatiana Kaehler a particularly young and at tatianakaehler@gmail. enthusiastic group of incom. dividuals. As members of