Current
Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, February 7, 2020
Page 5
Iranian-Americans conflicted between nationalities Students with ties to Iran share thoughts on the political tension involving their home country BY MAREESA ISLAM
mislam.gazette@gmail.com
P
olitical tensions between the United States and Iran have generated controversy for many years. But even brighter sparks have begun to fly after the recent U.S. assasination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, leaving many questioning the future of this international relationship. The current tensions between the two countries can trace itself at leas back to 1953, when Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossaddegh was overthrown in a coup sponsored by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. “From that point on,” said Michael Valentine, the Granite Bay High Advanced Placement European History teacher, “... the relationship between the U.S. and Iran was toast.” In response to the killing of Soleimani, the Iranian government seems to be taking measures to ensure that its voice is heard. In addition, the escalated tensions have given rise to numerous protests and anti-American demonstrations in Iran. Although political conflicts have occurred numerous times throughout America’s history, this contention seems to be different. “After we’ve had issues with other countries, somehow we’ve made amends, (but) not with Iran,” Valentine said. Apart from the international divisions caused by these tensions, the current relationship between the US and Iran is also affecting students of GBHS. For example, junior Sahar Alaei has a personal connection to Iran.
Gazette illustration /HEBA BOUNAR
Iranian-American students worry over the relationship between the U.S. and Iran, fearing possible impacts on their families. Alaei spent the early years of her life living in Iran and feels quite connected to the political situation there. “I came (to America) when I was 3,” Alaei said. “So, although I am not as politically invested in Iran, ... what happens there affects me.” Like Alaei, Iran plays an important role in junior Raha Elahi’s life as well. “My grandmother, cousins (and) uncles on my dad’s side are living in Iran,” Elahi said. She is troubled by the current political state in Iran.
“Now with the tension, I really worry for (my family’s) safety because there’s a lot of unrest,” Elahi said. The newly heated complications in Iran also seem to place more pressure on religious minorities. Elahi added that her family belongs to the Bahá’í faith, a religious minority of Iran. “Because of (this conflict), the government and people are more likely to take out their anger on a minority,” Elahi said. The current actions by the U.S. “... just
make the situation worse and, at the end of the day, it’s the Iranian people who are suffering,” Elahi said. Many hope that with time will come healing and a new prospect of peace between the two nations. “Although I know that world peace is an idea that seems impossible to achieve,” Alaei said, “I hope that the two countries come to an agreement and think about the effect that their decisions have on the people (of ) each country.”
Impeachment elicits speculation
Future voters discuss how political event will likely affect upcoming presidential election BY ALI JUELL
ajuell.gazette@gmail.com
W
ill impeachment backfire on Democrats? The answer is potentially yes. Last month, the articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – moved from the U.S. House of Representatives to the Senate despite cries of a “witch hunt” from Pres. Trump. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has referred to impeachment as “necessary” and that the president “gave (them) no choice” but to move forward with impeachment. “It appears to me to be a dangerous precedent to allow any president to (...) claim executive privilege (...because it causes) in a sense there to be no oversight by Congress,” said Brandon Dell’Orto, the AP United States History teacher at Granite Bay High. “To me it just completely erodes the idea of checks and balances (...but) the Democrats are (also) doing this to destroy and bring down (Trump’s) power and influence in the 2020 election.” Some are unsure of how exactly impeachment could shake up the election, considering the fact that an incredibly minute number of Republicans have broken support for Pres. Trump both in Washington, D.C., and around America. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll last spring found that 39% of voters were planning to vote for Pres. Trump at the time the poll was conducted (March 13-17) and 36% of voters were in
favor of a Democratic nominee. While these numbers would project President Trump as the winner of the 2020 presidential election, 14% of voters were undecided on who they hoped to vote for. It’s certain impeachment won’t result in many Republicans turning their backs on Trump, but the Democrats are hoping the results will bring some undecided voters to their side. Many people have begun to worry that impeachment might instead cause undecided voters to fall on the side of the President. “I feel like the results (of ) impeachment (will only harm) the Democrats instead of helping them,” said Matthew Wilson, a senior who is planning to vote as a Democrat. “While I’m still a Democrat, it wouldn’t be surprising if some people who registered as Democrats (vote) Republican in the 2020 election.” For many, the reaction that impeachment is cultivating isn’t perfectly apparent. Interpretation is varying from person to person. “The electoral college (usually acts) similarly to Congress,” said Mark Agustin, a senior who will register as a Republican voter. “Last election some Democrats voted for Trump, (but) I believe that won’t happen this time.” As Nov. 3 gets closer and closer, it will surely become more clear whether impeachment was a good decision on the Democrats’ part. “We’ve gotten so polarized now that it’s coming down to that (group of people) that say they really haven’t made a decision,” said Dell’Orto. “They will probably for the foreseeable future be the group that’s going to swing (elections).”
Let your curiosity blossom
READ THE GAZETTE
Gazette photo illustration /HEBA BOUNAR
Democrats may have been too eager for the impeachment trial, for in reality, the results potentially may not be worth all the excitement.
