MAY 2012
Candidates on the Issues 6-7
2012 Elections
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 2
AS WELL AS: GOP Candidate Gaffes, 3 Occupy Wall Street, 10-11
THE CHARIOT
DEAR READERS, EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Zach Ameri Jean Wang PUBLICITY Charles Liu TREASURER Christine Kyauk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Drew Bent Chloe Blanchard Anh-Tram Bui Helen Carefoot Sarah Dukes-Schlossberg Wayland Fong Laura Grimm Christina Hobbs Jesse Hoshizaki Eric Hu Cara Lai Ryan Lee Charles Liu Joseph Nicolls Catherine Nitta Eric Noh Sonal Prasad
The Chariot would like to thank the following sponsors and patrons: FOUNDATION/GROUP SPONSORS Adobe Systems • Daughters of the American Revolution • Palo Alto Lions Club PATRONS ($100+) SPONSORS ($50-99) CONTRIBUTORS ($21-50)
The Chariot would also like to thank Advisor Marc Igler for his support.
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“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States of America in 1961, but his wise words remain relevant today. In the presidential election of 2008, only 63% of eligible voters even managed to cast a ballot. Of those 63%, how many of them were informed about the real issues at hand, rather than blinded by propaganda commercials and Super PAC driven campaigns? As a politically driven publication, we at The Chariot believe it is our duty to provide the means for the public to learn about the candidates so they can make informed decisions. Many students are reaching voting age. It is our responsibility as Americans to support and vote for the candidates who represent our individual opinions, but it is even more important that we understand our opinions and why we have them. We’ve assembled an easy to digest layout that explains the policies and viewpoints of the candidates for the 2012 presidential election. Ranging from energy, economic policy, and the ever increasing prices of rent, each candidate has slightly different policy, regardless of their party affiliation. As the Republicans duke it out for the presidential nomination, it’s important to know what they bring to the table as contenders against Barack Obama. If you are interested in making your opinion heard or exploring your interests in journalism, we encourage you to join our staff as a writer, cartoonist or layout personnel. We are especially looking for non-seniors who would lead The Chariot in future years. We also welcome the submission of comments, article ideas, and guest opinions. The Chariot is expanding beyond simply politics and students with passionate opinions on issues that relate to students, culture, or the world are highly encouraged to join. The Chariot remains the only independent, free Gunn publication without advertisements that is completely run by students. We depend on your donations as well as those from the community organizations to continue our publication. Any donations are greatly appreciated, and more information can be found on our website, www.gunnchariot.com.
Sincerely,
Zach Ameri & Jean Wang EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Note: There was was mistake made with this issue of The Chariot. One of our staff members printed a draft version of the Chariot. This version has an incorrect staff list as well as several typographic errors. What you are reading right now is the real, final issue. Please pardon this mistake and enjoy. ABOUT US The Chariot is intended to create and promote political discussion at Gunn and make people aware of issues that matter. We ask that you respect all opinions which are reflected in our publication, and write letters to the editors if you wish to voice your opinion. The views expressed do not reflect that of The Chariot, but rather those of the individual writers. The Chariot was originally founded in 2001 as The Partisan Review by Gunn alumni Ilan Wurman (‘06), Channing Hancock (‘06), and Sarah McDermott (‘05). Visit our website, www.gunnchariot.com if you wish to view any issues from previous years or for more information about us. Any questions, comments, suggestions, or requests to join can be sent to gunnchariot@gmail.com. If you’d like to make a donation or subscribe, please send checks to: Marc Igler Re: The Gunn Chariot 780 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA 94306 Checks can be made out to Gunn High School with “The Chariot” on the memo. MAY 2012
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GOP Candidate Gaffes Sarah Dukes-Schlossberg
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or better or worse, presidential candidates are often defined by mistakes made along the campaign trail. Some are the candidates’ fault, while others are exaggerations by their rivals to make them look like real issues (think Howard Dean’s “Dean Scream” in the 2004 Democratic Primary). One or two bad gaffes can ruin a candidate’s chance of being elected, and many of the one-time candidates for this year’s Republican nomination were phased out by a single mistake. Of all the candidates from this election cycle, Rick Perry has had the most memorable gaffes. After a poor performance in Iowa (Perry was fifth with little over 10% of the vote), he has said he will be returning to Texas to contemplate his next move. His downfall was spelled out after several embarrassing mistakes in early debates and press conferences beginning in November. His most mentioned mistake is failing to remember which departments he would cut on CNBC in Michigan. He struggled to name one of the nine Supreme Court justices with “Montemayor?” in the same sentence that he insult the court as “eight unelected and frankly unaccountable judges.” In December, Perry again made two mistakes in the same sentence, when during a speech a town hall meeting, he said, “Those of you that will be 21 by November the 12th, I ask for your support and your vote. Those of you who won’t be, work hard.” (The voting age is 18, and the election isn’t on the 12th.) Later on, he spoke of the “New Hampshire caucuses.” They’re primaries. In an effort to remove suspicions about signing a law supporting the HPV vaccine, Perry made a bizarre and incorrect statement saying a woman dying of cervical cancer lobbied him to sign. In fact, he met the woman after he had signed the bill. His most recent gaffe involves an ad railing against Obama’s “war on reli-
gion” in which he says that religion will be a driver of success in the country’s future and claims that “there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.” Cain and Gingrich were phased out due to questions about sexual harassment and extramarital affairs, respectively. During Cain’s sexual harassment allegations ordeal he accidentally “confirmed” that the son of one of his accusers worked at Politico, a political newspaper, despite the fact that she has no children (he was merely a man with the same last name). Cain claimed at one point that China was “trying to develop nuclear capability,” which they did over forty years ago. He also asserted that the Taliban was going to rule Libya, despite them being on different continents. Gingrich suffered much media coverage for harassing Romney about his health care law after it was pointed out that he himself
MAY 2012
had supported such a law. One of Gingrich’s largest mistakes, which led to his downfall, was his job as a “historian” for Freddie Mac from which he netted $1.5 million, which seems quite unreasonable. It is more likely he was simply a lobbyist. In a Romney campaign ad, he made an allegation that Obama’s policies on the economy were faulty, attributing to Obama the statement “if the election is about the economy, we lose.” This statement was, in fact, made by a McCain aide in the 2008 campaign. The Romney campaign later issued a statement saying the mistake was made on purpose to show the state of Obama’s policies. Yet, the political climate right now is such that it is difficult (read: impossible) to believe that any campaign would intentionally spread information it knew would return to hurt it once revealed. More likely than not, it was, as with many incidents in the past election season, just another political gaffe.
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THE CHARIOT
Youth’s right to VOTE Drew Bent Contributing Writer
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he presidential campaign season is here and although the topic makes for great conversation around campus, most Gunn students will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming election. The voting age in the United States has been 18 years for the past four decades. Yet, one has to wonder why the law treats minors as adults in certain areas of society, such as in criminal offenses, but fails to give them their proper representation in the government. Is it time for the US to join nations like Brazil and Austria and lower the voting age? Although the majority of nations have the seemingly arbitrary voting age of 18, a few countries have led the pack by instituting lower voting ages. In 1984, Nicaragua was the first to lower it to the young age of 16. At one point, Iran even had it set at 15. Brazil, one of the fast-growing developing nations, has followed suit by lowering their voting age to 16. Lowering the voting age makes for a tricky problem. A minimum age has to be set at some point - you can’t just let toddlers go to voting booths and choose the
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president on Election Day. This leaves the The double standard that teenagers and need to align the voting age with some young adults experience is not new. Lookother well-known benchmark. For exam- ing back, the U.S. voting age was originally ple, letting 16 year olds vote seems reason- set at 21. When the Vietnam War struck, a able since they are already considered ma- movement began to lower it to 18. At the ture enough to drive at that age. time, it was possible to be a teenager who Although many regard adulthood was drafted in the war and yet still didn’t as starting at age 18, there are teenagers have the right to vote. People became younger than aware of the situation that who have and an amendment Yet, one has to wonder taken on adult lowering the age to 18 responsibilipassed. why the law treats mities in society. Another amendnors as adults in certain Kids in the ment lowering the areas of society, such as U.S. can legally voting age would be work starting beneficial to the U.S. in criminal offenses, but at 14. In fact, Not only could it pofails to give them their 22.7 million tentially increase the proper representation in youths have a number of voters by the government job or are curmillions, it would also rently looking introduce a new defor one. Like mographics’ perspecany adult, they pay taxes and are the part tive to the government. The youth, who of the labor force. However, unlike adults, are some of the most active and energetic they don’t reap all the benefits. citizens in this country, could take part in Minors often suffer adult punishments influencing the political system. Sound in the criminal justice system as well. In good? Unfortunately, those to whom the many states, despite being under 18, crimi- amendment applies are never going to nals can be charged as adults. In New York, have the chance to vote on it under the 16 and 17 year olds fall in this category. current system. MAY 2012
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Republican base, he just isn’t liked. Thus the race to discover a candidate who was not Mitt Romney commenced. Almost every candidate (with the exception of John Huntsman and Ron Paul, who are both considered unelectable, for completely opposite reasons) has had their chance at the top of the polls and all of them, with the exception of Romney, have revealed a fatal flaw about themselves in the process, whether it be Bachmann and Perry’s gaffes, or Cain and Gingrich’s history. The key issue is ideology, specifically a strongly conservative one, which many feel Romney lacks, due to his history as a centrist and moderate who courted Democrats while a Governor of Massachusetts. The Republican base views their candidates based not on the ideas they propose but the beliefs they prescribe to - whether economic, social, or religious. They look back to Ronald Reagan with nostalgia not Republican Candidates because of his actual record in office but by Ryan Lee because of his strong ideology, with emphasis on small government and lower Soon after, Cain too suspended his cam- taxes. What many Republicans are lookpaign. ing for is not a practical leader who might Newt Gingrich, the speaker of the effect some change, but rather a conserhouse during the 1990s, rose from the vative icon-in-the-making that George W. hastily-dug grave that was his campaign to Bush proved not to be. Romney doesn’t assume the role of frontrunner in Decem- fit because he’s an off-putting combination ber. Many assumed of bland and he was finished afideologically The Republican base ter a disastrous sefluid; he’s been ries of interviews views their candidates attacked many in May and loss of times for changbased not on the ideas his main campaign ing his opinions they propose but the staff in June, but 180 degrees. beliefs they prescribe he managed to stay Whoever the alive long enough to winner of the to - whether economic, take over the frontprimaries will social, or religious. runner slot when turn out to be, Cain fell away. the Republican Finally, with the first two primaries base will force themselves to be happy (Iowa and New Hampshire) finished, the with, though, because as much as they only candidate whose poll numbers had re- dislike Mitt Romney, they have a visceral mained consistently at the top - Mitt Rom- hate for Barack Obama - and chances are, ney - has claimed the frontrunner status, Republican voters will have to pocket their seemingly for good. Though seemingly conservative idealism for the time being, being “inevitable” throughout the race, because the other flavors of candidate Romney has faced a daunting, yet famil- they’ve tried have all proven to be unsaiar challenge: the fact that, deep inside the vory.
GOP Wheel of Fortune A look at the rise and fall of First there was Michelle Bachmann, who won the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa over the summer and seemed poised to take that state in the January primary. After several verbal gaffes and the emergence of Rick Perry, Bachmann fell from the top of the GOP Presidential Nominee race and, after a dismal showing in the Iowa Caucus, suspended her campaign. Then, there was Rick Perry, who shot to the top after entering the race in August, with many hoping he would become a conservative icon with his folksy attitude and economic record as Governor of Texas. After Perry stumbled in debate after debate, however, Perry faded into obscurity as the months rolled on. After Perry was Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza. Cain floated to the top due to his easy-to-comprehend 9-9-9 tax plan (nine percent flat tax, nine percent corporate flat tax, nine percent national sales tax). In October, Cain led the polls. In November, his entire campaign fell apart when reports came out about Cain’s previous history and allegations of sexual harassment and infidelity.
MAY 2012
5
THE CHARIOT
2012 Elections Ca BARACK
NEWT
OBAMA TITLE
President of the United States
Former Speaker of the House
ECONOMIC POLICY
Proposed the Buffet Rule, apply minimum effective tax rate of 30% on millionaires; passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus package) and proposed American Jobs Act
Restrict Fed’s power to set interest rates; make work training a condition of unemployment insurance; make Bush tax cuts permanent; reduce corporate taxes and eliminate capital gains & inheritance taxes; supports move toward optional flat tax of 15%;
EDUCATION
Created Race to the Top (reward states for reaching certain educational standards), reformed No Child Left Behind
Dramatically shrink Department of Education, supports school vouchers that would give students money to pick their own schools
Passed health care bill that will require most individuals to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty (also known as the individual mandate)
Repeal the Obama’s health care bill, allow health insurance to be sold across state lines, provide generous tax credit or a deduction for the cost of health insurance
Publicly stated he believes same-sex marriage should be legal; supported court ruling that Prop. 8 was unconstitutional, backs repeal of Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman
Supports Defense of Marriage Act. Favors an amendment to the Constitution if law is overturned.
HEALTHCARE
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CURRENT STATUS Looking Ahead
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GINGRICH
CAMPAIGN SUSPENDED
Incumbent president
June 5
June 26
Aug. 27 - 30
Sept. 3-6
California Primary Montana Primary New Jersey Primary New Mexico Primary South Dakota Primary
Utah Primary
Republican National Convention
Democratic National Convention
MAY 2012
WWW.GUNNCHARIOT.COM
andidate Positions MITT
RON
RICK
ROMNEY
PAUL
SANTORUM
US Representative from Texas
Former governor of Massachusetts
Former Senator of Pennsylvania
Return to the gold standard, eliminate the Federal Reserve, let gold and silver be used as form of currency, eliminate income tax and IRS, deep cuts to welfare
Reduce government regulation, increase trade deals to spur growth, balance budget, supports “cut, cap, and balance”, repeal Dodd-Frank; cut corporate taxes; eliminate capital gains & inheritance taxes
Eliminate corporate tax rate for manufacturers, drill for more oil and gas, and slash regulations
Eliminate Department of Education and let states handle education
Supports No Child Left Behind, is critical of teachers unions
Supports school vouchers that would give students money to pick their own schools
Repeal the Obama’s health care bill, favors letting people deduct full cost of their health coverage and care from taxes
Repeal Obama’s health care bill modeled after Massachusetts universal health care bill; issue waivers to all 50 states allowing them to opt out of the federal plan on first day in office
Suspend Obama’s health care bill, supported Bush administration’s prescription drug program for the elderly
Believes should be left to states, supports federal law allowing one state to refuse to recognize the same-sex marriages of another state
Signed pledge to support constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage
Signed pledge to support constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage
Has won 119 delegates as of May 25
Frontrunner, expected Republican nominee
CAMPAIGN SUSPENDED
Oct. 3
Oct. 22
Nov. 6
Jan. 20
First Presidential Debate at University of Denver
Final Presidential Debate at Lynn University
Election Day
Inauguration Day
MAY 2012
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THE CHARIOT
Obama 2012: Time for change?
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ith the recent Iowa caucus, voters and candidates alike are anticipating a bloody battle of words from the nominated GOP candidate. Issues from health care to immigration reform to a potential war with a slowly proliferating nuclear Iran will to be covered. But Obama faces a problem that will prove to be much tougher to argue against than the elected GOP candidate: the economy. Even as the unemployment rate steadily sways up and down the 9% line, the unwavering line of American disapproval is imminent as one of the key problems he will be facing this election. The economy, Obamacare, bailouts, and lowered taxes will all be cards the nominated GOP candidate will have in hand. Obama also faces a House currently controlled by the opposing party. Keep in mind, however, that previous incum-
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Wayland Fong Contributing Writer bents such as Reagan and Clinton did not have a problem with opposing Congress majorities in previous elections. However, although Obama will have some difficulty with the issues facing his campaign, the GOP candidates have some problems of their own to face. The dropout of candidates Pawlenty, Cain and recently Bachmann have shown how little “faith� candidates have in their own campaign. The party knows well and clear that to achieve their goal, which many candidates consider as getting Obama out of office, they need to elect a candidate that will have a good chance against him. Right now, that candidate seems to be the inconsistent, cutthroat, well-spoken but dull orator Mitt Romney. This moderate republican who currently believes in pro-choice, pro-gun control, and similar health-care reform policies seems to pose no drastic changes MAY 2012
to the current administration. So when it all comes down to it, America would be choosing between two fairly similar candidates, except for the fact that one is black and one is Mormon. Keep in mind, however, that 96% of AfricanAmericans polled approval of Obama among voters. In retrospect, while the factors in the election are not as simple as this, such numbers should definitely hold some ground. Taking into account these factors, it is apparent that while America may have some setbacks right now, it may not be time just yet for a Republican landslide victory. With Obama’s approval rating steadily rising and the current progress of the GOP candidates, the odds may be turning in his favor. Obama might just live up to his proclamation of being the fourth best president, at least in incumbent runs.
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Time for US to leave
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Eric Noh Contributing Writer
he United States military is the strongest in the world. According to the United States Office of Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the US Armed Forces fields approximately 1,477,895 active personnel, making it second only to China in manpower. For decades, the US military has maintained a presence all over the globe, with large troop contingents in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, South Korea and Japan. However, while the United States may have good intentions in maintaining global security and continuing its war against terrorism, it is in the United States’ best interest to reduce its global military presence. The sad truth is that the United States is in an economic slump. The U.S. is facing its worst economic recession since the Great Depression in the 1930s. ABC News stated that the total U.S. federal debt reached $15 trillion dollars on November 16, 2011. This massive debt is largely owed to the government’s enormous annual budget shortfall. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government’s budget shortfall for the fiscal year 2011 was $1.3 trillion. In addition to massive debt, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the unemployment rate is at a high 8.6 percent. For the rea-
sons above, the U.S. is not in a position to actively finance global troop presence. The current U.S. defense budget currently represents a significant portion of the United States debt. According to the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, the total defense budget is a whopping $548.9 billion, which constitutes 4.7 percent of the gross domestic product. The United States federal government allocates more money to the Department of Defense than any other federal department or program. In 2011 alone, $113 billion was spent on US troop presence in Afghanistan and $46 billion was spent on US troop presence in Iraq. In total, the US military has spent over a trillion dollars in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, the United States’ Afghanistan war fund totals greater than the combined projected budget shortfall. According to the National Priorities Project, state governments are projected in 2012 to have a combined shortfall of $102.9 billion while spending $122 billion on the War in Afghanistan in 2011. If the United States military were to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan, the federal government could pay off the debt of every state in the United States. The money currently being used on US troop presence in Afghanistan can be put into better use. For example, the United States has fallen in world education rankings. According to a report published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in December 2010, America fell in international education rankings, based on the PISA exam, to “average”. The impact of improving public spending would be tre-
MAY 2012
mendous. If the United States boosted its average PISA scores by 25 points over the next 20 years, there could be a gain of approximately $41 trillion in the US economy over the lifetime of the generation born in 2010, according to a recent OECD study by Stanford. By improving the quality of American education, both the U.S. economy and U.S. students will benefit greatly. Some may argue that the United States has a moral commitment in waging the global war on terrorism. On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States killed over 3,000 innocent lives. However, as the United States and its allies continue their war on terror, global terrorism has increased. Islamic terrorism in countries excluding Afghanistan, Israel, and Iraq, rose from around 50 incidents in the month of January 2004 to over 200 in April 2008, according to the American Security Project. All incidents of Islamic terrorism increased six fold between January 2004 and April 2008. With global terrorism continuing to increase across the world, the U.S. government should withdraw its troops in combat zones likes Afghanistan. Reducing US military presence across the globe has been subject to much debate. The United States could benefit greatly from money being invested into other areas such as education; improving education could make the United States more prosperous than ever. Unfortunately, this may never be realized, especially with the massive Department of Defense budget and substantial spending for the War in Afghanistan. The United States government should realize that pulling out its troops stationed overseas will likely open up a path for renewed prosperity.
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THE CHARIOT
No Occupation
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t first glance, the Occupy crusade seems impressive, even noble. A physical stand against the corruption within our political and economic systems sounds like a great way to make the demands of the populace known, right? Wrong. Just what does the Occupy movement lack? The answer is two-fold. Without strong leadership or any set demands, the campaign is unable to make any significant progress. In November, the Financial Times itself noted that “the lack of unified goals means no influence on the political mainstream,” while it became clear during the G-20 summit in Cannes that banks would be sure to block the idea of a “Robin Hood tax” from becoming a reality. The movement has Adbusters to look to for guidance, but the advice given is less than helpful. Adbusters stated to its followers that it was “now time to amp up the…deviant pranks, subversive performances, playful détournements of all kinds.” This kind of wisdom is hardly practical for those who do not wish to be compared to a group of rowdy teenagers who lack the ability to plan for the future or to take decisive, logical action. The movement holds a strong commitment to the system of participatory democracy, which is an unrealistic if not extremely inconvenient and inefficient system of government. Experts note that a consensus based democracy cannot work with more than a couple hundred people simply because it requires excessive amounts of monitoring to prevent free riding and only works well with likeminded individuals. Plus, there is a higher chance of groupthink with such a practice because there exists a heavy pressure to conform in order to maintain a consensus. Furthermore, these General Assemblies, as they are called, meeting at seven in the evening at every Occupy site, carry out their decisions through a consensus model of direct democracy, relying heavily on the
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advanced technique of the hand signal. In order to exercise proper progressive behavior, all speakers must move forward or backward in line based upon their demographic. Women and minorities may speak first, whereas the white male will usually speak last. All of this is implemented in order to ensure complete fairness, of course. In the tradition of direct democracy, the movement is leaderless. Absolutely nobody should have authority, a practice that Douglas Rushkoff has stated is the main reason for the continuing lack of a true leader, direction, goals or an endpoint within the protest. He also stated that the absence of these refining qualities is what constrains the Occupy Movement to the internet and solely that. Various subgroups of the Occupy Movement, such as Occupy Homes, only work to increase the negative appearance of the protest, through unrealistic and poorly organized plans to occupy foreclosed homes, disrupt bank auctions and to forcibly block evictions. In fairness, Occupy Wall Street does have some hints of civilized behavior. A library was established under a large tent, with reading materials obtained through the interlibrary loan system. However, in true Occupy Wall Street fashion, all of these works, none of which were the property of Occupy Wall Street, were completely destroyed during one of the many struggles that ensued within the camp. In addition to being a destructive force when it comes to literature, the Occupy protestors have set up what officials deem a “rowdy fire hazard”, with laptops and other electronic devices powered with gas generators, an extremely unsafe practice that could result in very disastrous consequences, not only for the camps but for the innocent around the sites. Bear in mind that Zuccotti Park, where the protests were first held, is not, and I repeat not, a public park. This facility is privately owned by Brookfield Office MAY 2012
by Chloe Blanchard
Properties, who were extremely lenient in allowing the movement to take place initially. Who can begrudge a business if it wishes to take the time to clean the land that it owns? When Brookfield expressed a desire to clear and clean the park, since the levels of sanitation had reached such a low point that a health hazard was imminent, the protestors took to a personal affront and decided that they would prepare for violence, because violence is definitely preferable than having a park restored to habitable levels of sanitation. What’s more, when the cleaning turned out to be postponed, the protestors, going off of the excuse that they were already armed for a clash, decided it was necessary to fight the police forces outside of New York’s City Hall instead. This unpremeditated display of rioting was uncalled for and senseless, much like the entirety of the movement itself. When the park was finally cleared, the
WWW.GUNNCHARIOT.COM
Occupy media team issued a message, stating, “You can’t evict an idea whose time has come.” What idea? The occupation of a privately owned park for a temporary amount of time in order to achieve nothing but a waste of government time and money, and to create various instances of unwarranted and detrimental violence? Definitely a great idea. Crime is another issue that has risen to the top of debate. As of October, there had been multiple reported incidents of assault, drug dealing and use, and sexual assault. The lawlessness present at demonstrations is a result of failed de-escalation techniques, such as “talking down” or the advanced method of blocking punches with one’s body. Those who become too rowdy are ushered out, but almost always return. The risks for women at these sites is exponential at night, and thanks to the Occupy rule of keeping quiet until an offender has repeated actions at least three
times, the prevalence of violence, especially sexual harassment, is unbounded. In November, a man broke the leg of an EMT. He was later found to have numerous warrants out for his arrest at the time, representing the movement wonderfully. When asked about response measures, all the movement had to say was, “We are redoubling our efforts to raise more awareness about sexual violence. This includes taking new preventative measures such as encouraging healthy relationship dynamics.” Sounds like a plan almost as good as the initial idea to Occupy. In Oakland, protestors have destroyed City Hall and the local YMCA. What reasons have they for harming a city building and the local gymnasium? How will these demonstrators explain to their kids the significance of their destroying the place their kids go to play sports and have fun? The police forces have been stretched to their limits because of these pointless acts, and MAY 2012
numerous calls to 911 were unanswered as a result of that night, meaning many persons who needed help did not receive it as they should have, thanks, once again, to the Occupy movement. In short, the Occupy movement lacks organization and leadership, as well as the establishment of any end goals or regard for others within society. Taking a stance against the police by hurling plastic bags filled with human feces is a clear indicator of the level of maturity and intelligence that exists within the movement. Occupy Wall Street started off with a good idea and a great cause, but it is evident that the way in which the movement was carried out resulted in nothing more than a unhelpful resistance that caused much strain on the government and the rest of the nation as well. The Occupiers are nothing more than an infestation, and it is high time that they cease their fruitless actions and take the initiative to actually pursue a job.
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THE CHARIOT
O
Goodbye,
Dear Leader Joseph Nicolls Contributing Writer
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n December 19, 2011, the North Korean government announced to the world that Kim Jong-il, the absolute dictator of North Korea for 14 years, died of a heart attack while traveling by train. Outside of North Korea, he will not be remembered well. Rather, he will be remembered for running his country’s economy into the ground, enacting a nuclear policy that placed the entire world on edge and, above all, continuing a massive personality cult inside North Korea. Stemming partly from unrealistic expectations for his country, partly from North Korea’s legacy of isolationism, and partly from his own stubbornness, Kim Jong-il used two key concepts to guide his country’s economic policies: juche and songun. Juche, introduced by Kim Jong-il’s father, Kim Il-sung, translates to “selfreliance.” The policy of juche attempts to make North Korea entirely self-sufficient, without any help from outside forces, even to provide technological advances or to purchase goods. In theory, this independence from the rest of the world would strengthen North Korea. In reality, it has destroyed its economy, and the few goods that it does produce is usually laughable in quality. Songun, which translates to “military-first,” is a policy which places top political and economic priority on its military. Though this has led to the fourth largest standing army in the world, it has also created large neglect for its citizens. These two policies combined have created a living hell on Earth for the North Koreans, with widespread starvation. Even the farmers are forced to grow cash crops instead of food for themselves and their peers. While in the past Kim could only oppress the citizens within his borders, North Korea now MAY 2012
possesses the capability to destroy whole cities with the press of a button. On October 9, 2006, North Korea successfully conducted a nuclear test. Due to North Korea’s constant denouncements of the Western world, the world watched Kim Jong-il’s triggerhappy finger with a careful eye. Since then, Kim Jong-il has taken advantage of his country’s nuclear capabilities by threatening nuclear war to achieve various goals. One example of such nuclear leverage took place on July 24, 2010. When North Korea sunk a South Korean warship, they threatened to use their nuclear capabilities. The U.S and South Korea were forced to abstain, and North Korea remained unpunished, fearing retaliation. The most infamous aspect of Kim Jong-il’s leadership is the personality cult, where everyone, young or old, regardless of class, is either brainwashed or forced under threat of death to worship Kim Jong-il, and his son, Kim Jong-un, as gods. Religion is outlawed in this society, for the only gods they need are displayed on huge posters posted everywhere. It is required to say grace to these tyrants. To point out any flaw in these men is enough cause to be sent to a concentration camp. One man was sent to a concentration camp for saying that Kim Jong-un had a lump on his neck. As an absolute dictator, Kim Jong-il had direct control and absolute knowledge of everything that happened in his country. He alone was responsible for his country’s economic collapse and isolationism from the world, his people’s starvation, and North Korea’s many crimes against humanity. He was a terrible person that caused the most suffering to the most people in recent memory. Except for those brainwashed by the system he ruled over, he will not be missed.