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Advice Column Page 8
The Echo BGA’s Student Newspaper
November 1, 2018
Caravan Crisis
November Issue, 2018
Mitchell Morrison
it prevents
For those who do not know, the current “Caravan Crisis” is a large group of Central Americans traveling towards the US to seek asylum. The Crisis has received national attention for numerous reasons, however the focus has been directed toward President Trump and his actions. Currently, the following actions have been taken or discussed. First, 800 American Soldiers will be deployed to the border to assist fencing and support of border patrol. Second, the White House has pressured the Mexican government to prevent asylum seekers, which Mexico has done. The third issue at the moment is a rumor that the White House is in discussions to put in place a travel ban for the Mexican border (Washington post). The White House has been entirely appropriate in their dealings with the current Caravan Crisis. By calling on the Mexican Government to prevent the Caravan through,
National Review
the US from being in a position of forcefully preventing the Caravan from entering at the US border which would be a logistical nightmare. However, there are those who find issue not with the execution of President Trump’s handling of the Caravan Crisis, but with the ethical dilemma that it fails to fix. Many of these asylum seekers have been seen in flip-flops and carrying their possessions in school backpacks. They are coming from nations that not
only fail to offer jobs adequate to support their families, but these nations also fail to protect them from criminal activity. Those opposed to preventing the Caravan through argue on these grounds. They believe that ethically it is only right to grant asylum to those who seek help. But with the current administration, it is pointless to argue that, let alone believe, that President Trump would have allowed the Caravan through. A large issue of his political platform was securing the border and preventing illegal immigration. So, while it makes sense to sympathize with the Asylum seekers, it would be wrong to assume or act like President Trump should have reacted differently. It was not what he was elected to do. For those who do wish he had reacted differently, at least find solace in that he was appropriate in how he handled the crisis. Whether or not you believe what he did was right or wrong, President Trump handled the crisis maturely and left the issue relatively untweeted.
Institution of Emphasis by Paige LaRock Every year, BGA chooses an Institution of Emphasis, an organization that we choose to support and help through volunteer work. This year’s Institution of Emphasis is The Harpeth Conservancy. The Harpeth Conservancy is a non-profit organization, founded in 1999, that is dedicated to preserving clean water and keeping a balanced environment for the Harpeth River and Middle Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation, 58% of
the Harpeth River fails to meet clean water standards. Much of this is caused by harmful bacteria, waste, and contaminated runoff from surrounding areas. The Harpeth River is also struggling with flooding, pollution, and poor habitats on the banks of the river. The Harpeth River is home to an unique amount of aquatic life that includes several severely endangered species that rely on the river to survive. Not only does the The Harpeth Conservancy work to reinstitute clean rivers, but they also participate in land development decisions, work to
Echo Staff Bailey Anderson Mitchell Morrison Paige LaRock Ally Newkirk Shea Kelly Colby Davis Emma Schumaker
Duke Waldrop Jack Sauder Nick Semptimphelter Sarah May Alex Pareigis Drew Lamb Ching Ching Zhang
harpethconservancy.org
restore ecosystems, reduce issues with drinking water, and promote laws and policies supporting conservation. The Harpeth Conservancy is in constant need of volunteers to fulfill tasks such as cleaning up the river, taking water samples, educating those around us, and planting
trees. The volunteers are what make this project possible. If you are interested in volunteering with The Harpeth Conservancy, check out their website at www. harpethconservancy.org and talk to Ms. Van Jura about opportunities to serve.
Jack Cheney Parker Daniel Sara Grace Harney Dalia Diab Izzy Donoghue Jad Diab