Brunswick Chronicle - November 2009

The

runswick Chronicle

All The News That Fits We Print

What’s Inside Headlines

Elie Wiesel Visits Wick

By Willy Fein(P. 1, 3, 9, 12) Arsenic and Old Lace ByAddison Bennett (P. 1, 7)

Around Brunswick

Snack Bar Review

By Johnny Erdman (P. 2) Chronicle Interviews GAP

By Drew McMahon (P. 3, 6)

Brunswick Sports/Arts

NCAAB Season Preview

By Devin Mehra (P. 4) NBA Season Predictions

By Sean Forrester (P. 5, 6)

Student Editorials/News

Christie NJ Upset: Wall St.

By Peter D’Agostino (P.8) Why Write? HS Paper

By Gus Ruchman (P.9) America-Pakistan Alliance

By Nikhil Menezes (P.10) NASA Mission STS-129

By Jake Matthews (P.11) Giving Thanks

By Holden Fett (P. 12)

Issue 3: November 2009

Page1

Elie Wiesel Visits Wick

By Willy Fein ‘13 Staff Writer

O

n Tuesday, November 3, Brunswick welcomed writer, teacher, and statesman Elie Wiesel

Upper School, Brunswick’s eighth graders, and several girls from Greenwich Academy—buzzed in excited

to Baker Theater.

Mr. Wiesel shared stories of tears and triumph, answered our questions—and then posed his own.

Most importantly, he spoke of four simple words: “Think higher, feel deeper.”

A packed Baker Theater—whose audience included members of the

anticipation. As the lights dimmed, the conversations came to an abrupt stop, and all eyes were focused on the stage. The whole room

stood in applause as Senior Dean Paul Withstandley said, “Please welcome, Professor Elie Wiesel.”

Professor Wiesel was taken to the concentration camp at Auschwitz at the age of fifteen.

Later moved to the camp at Buchenwald, Wiesel watched his father die of dysentery mere days before the liberation of the camp by the American army.

See “Wiesel” Page 12

The Making of Arsenic and Old Lace

By Addison Bennett ‘12 Staff Writer

N

o production is ever easy to put on, and this month’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace was no exception. Though perhaps not as complicated as a few previous shows, like Les Miserables, in terms of set movement, lighting, and sound, this show presented its own issues and challenges.

Arsenic and Old Lace marked the first time the tech crew built a set that didn’t consist of a few smaller, moving units,

but rather a single large, stationary set—more closely

resembling a traditional theatrical set than previous

shows performed in Baker Theater. Comprised of “flats”, which are basically walls that are specifically designed for theater, the impressive set included a flight of stairs led up to a balcony and second floor to the apparent interior of a house. Through the large window by an eating table, there was the illusion of a view looking out into a graveyard; in addition the tree outside the window next to the front door augmented the realistic feel of the set. Provided with a nonmoving set, the director See “Arsenic” Page 7

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Around Brunswick

Snack Bar: Reviewed

By Johnny Erdman‘13 Staff Writer

I

set out to review the Snack Bar armed with an open mind, an empty stomach, and a school-issue ID card. Seeing it for the first time, I noticed how the school had transformed a once-empty space into a full service, cook-to-order food hotspot—there were about 25 people already there when I arrived at King Street via the afternoon shuttle bus. Because seniors can go off-campus to pick up a snack whenever they want, the underclassmen are the ones that really appreciate the new opportunity to satisfy their pre-practice cravings.

On the whole, the food has drawn rave reviews, especially the Buffalo Chicken Wraps and the Barbeque Chicken Sandwiches. I found the Barbeque Chicken to be as good as advertised by my friends. Freshman Chris Barnett said, “I love coming up to the snack bar before Soccer to get a Buffalo Chicken Wrap or [some] other sandwich before sports. If I have time, I really like the slushies after sports.” Acting on Chris’s suggestion, I decided to try a slushie (flavors include strawberry and passion fruit), as that seemed to be the most popular drink at

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The runswick Chronicle

The Brunswick Student’s News Source

the tables. Other people mentioned that, though they enjoy a soda before or after practice, the small can seemed overpriced.

The biggest hit among the middle schoolers seemed to be the packaged ice cream— many of them noted that it was a great snack before the bus ride. A group of upper school students I talked to complained that if they were forced to take one of the later buses up to King Street, they would worry about being late to practice due to the long lines. After walking outside to leave, I noticed that almost every middle schooler waiting for a bus was holding something from

widespread popularity

the snack bar, including slushies, a sandwiches, and drinks, signaling its

among students of all ages and grades.

One of the major

Editors-in-Chief

David Blumenthal ‘10 Alex Jonokuchi ‘10 Oliver Sall ‘10

Managing Editor Gus Ruchman ‘10 Staff Writers and Photographers

Harrison Oztemel ‘10 Mike Forester ‘11 Spencer Dahl ‘11 Drew McMahon ‘11 Carter Johnson ‘12 Addison Bennett ‘12 Matthew Savitt ‘12

Matt Cassoli ‘12 Jake Matthews ‘12 Willy Fein ‘13 Holden Fett ‘13 Johnny Erdman ‘13 Sean Forester ‘13 Peter D’Agostino ‘13

Faculty Advisor Dr. Brian Freeman

complaints voiced regarded priciness, but students were willing to pay slightly more for the sake of convenience, though the prices would not allow them to order something every day.

I hope the King St. Snack Bar, a brilliant stroke by the school, will be filling the stomachs of hungry Brunswick boys for years to come.

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Page 3

Around Brunswick

The Chronicle Interviews Gap

By Drew McMahon‘11 Staff Writer

B

y all outward comparisons, the Greenwich Academy Press and the Brunswick Chronicle seem quite similar. Although Greenwich Academy’s newspaper, more affectionately known as GAP, has a more classic newspaper look, and the Chronicle has a more modern appearance, both are student-run school newspapers focused on events around both campuses and events on both the local and national levels. This year, under new editors-in-chief Maddie McMahon and Laina Richards, GAP is introducing new features to improve the paper, while still keeping the same formatting and appearance.

The Chronicle,

represented by the younger brother of one of GAP’s editors, caught up with Maddie to ask her a few questions about GAP: First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

That’s a stupid question, everyone knows me. Wait, Drew, you can’t publish that.

I think I’m taking down everything you say.

No. Don’t, I’ll kill you.

So… How many years have you been writing for GAP? Why did you start writing for the paper, and what made you want to continue?

I first started writing as a junior. My first article was an interview piece with the new teachers at GA

“Wiesel,” Continued Following the war, Wiesel was educated in Paris and went on to write more than 40 books, including his first, Night, an account of his experiences during the Holocaust that is read by every Brunswick eighth grade boy.

Professor Wiesel has dedicated his life

to humanitarian causes, undertaking missions in Cambodia, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, and the Palestine territories.

Professor Wiesel won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992. Without notes or a written speech, Professor

last year. I started writing because I was interested in getting involved with journalism, and I kept writing because GAP was an outlet for my thoughts and opinions, while also informing other students about events and news around campus.

What new steps have you taken this year to make GAP better than ever?

While we have retained most of our features from previous years, we have also added other new features. Some include Claudia Markey’s comics and Caroline Dunn’s music and cooking column. One of our goals this year is to have more widespread contribution from the GA students than we have had in the past. We’d like to see

Wiesel recounted moments from his story, adding in significant truths along the way. In his story about a man in a boat drilling a hole under his chair who was unchecked by the other passengers, Mr. Wiesel explained how “we’re all on the same boat.” He argued that every human life should be fought for

many fresh perspectives and opinions included in GAP this year.

How do you feel the GAP compares to the Brunswick Chronicle?

How would you respond to those who say, “GAP is the Post to the Chronicle’s Times”?

Clearly those people haven’t been reading either paper.

If I had to point out one main difference, then I’d say that maybe the Chronicle reports more heavily on national issues than GAP does. At GAP, we try to incorporate a mix of school news with reporting on student life. Most of all, though, we try to publish articles that are relevant to the lives of our student See “GAP” Page 6

and kept safe above all else—there ought to be no borders or jurisdictional lines when lives are in danger.

The heart of his lecture was about the future, toward which he was both optimistic and realistic. When asked about the relationship between Continued on Page 9

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Sports

Page 4

2009-2010 NCAA Basketball Preview

By Devin Mehra ‘11 Staff Writer

T

he 2009-2010 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball season is just underway, and the storyline is the same: 347 teams in 32 conferences all chasing one dream.

The dream? cutting down the nets in celebration of a championship in Indianapolis, the site of the 2010 Final Four.

Though the premise remains, the characters have changed. The path to Indianapolis is unclear, since there are a number of great teams, but no clear-cut favorites to win (by contrast, UNC lived up to their billing as the favorite last year).

Kansas, Texas, Michigan State, and Kentucky all believe they will be the ones to take the crown from the defending champion North Carolina. However, tough non-conference competition looks to test their mettle.

After nonconference action comes to a close in December, conference play begins shortly after New Year’s Day. By the time March comes around, the test of

conference play has already determined whether a team has what it takes. Then the first conference tourneys take place as teams in the smaller D-I conferences can punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament.

Following all conference tourneys is Selection Sunday, when the NCAA Selection Committee chooses 32 atlarge teams (teams that did not win their conference tournaments) to compete

core of players returns this year, including reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas, with legendary coach Tom Izzo at the helm.

A team that could surprise some people this year is UC Berkeley. AllAmerican candidate Jerome Randle leads the charge for the Golden Bears at point guard.

One mid-major pick to make some noise in March: the Siena Saints.

with the 33 teams that won their conference tournaments for the national title. For the next two weeks, teams fight to advance, and the team that wins six games in a row (seven if it must participate in a play-in game) is crowned national champions.

I believe Michigan State will win the national title.

The national runner-up just a year ago, Michigan State’s

Four starters return to a team that beat Ohio State in the first round of last year’s NCAA tournament.

Don’t be surprised to see the Saints sneak into the Top 25 at some point during the season.

Other teams to watch out for from smaller conferences include Northern Iowa, Tulsa, Butler, Western Kentucky, Jacksonville, Cornell, and

Nevada.

Here are some fantastic can’t-miss non-conference games before the New Year: Nov. 17 Memphis vs.

Kansas, Dec. 1 Michigan State vs. North Carolina, Dec. 5 North Carolina vs.

Kentucky, Dec. 8 Butler vs. Georgetown, Dec. 9 Kentucky vs. Connecticut, Dec. 19 Michigan vs. Kansas and North Carolina vs.

Texas, Dec. 22 Michigan State vs. Texas and California vs.

Kansas, and Dec. 31 Tennessee vs.

Memphis.

One of the greatest aspects of college basketball is the way fans have come to expect the unexpected.

You just never know when a thrilling OT game or dramatic upset will occur. Many college basketball games are nationally televised. Unlike many other sports, a fan has the ability to watch quality college basketball practically every day of the season, from November to early April.

I know I will be watching another glorious season of college basketball.

Will you?

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Sports

NBA Season Predictions

By Sean Forester ‘13 Staff Writer

I

f you have watched the Knicks play this season, you have realized by now that the team will not be participating in the NBA playoffs this year. (Sorry, Knicks fans!) But the first week of the NBA season has displayed which the elite teams are in the league.

From Kevin Garnett’s Boston Celtics to Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder, the impressive talent atop of the league should make this NBA season extraordinary to watch.

Here are the top four teams and one potential surprise team in each conference: Eastern Conference: 1. The best team in the East is the Boston Celtics because of their experience, and balance of young and old stars. Their point guard, Rajon Rondo, has matured from their last trip to the Finals, and is now one of the dominant point guards in the league.

Riding Garnett and Rondo,

the Celtics will show how star players can change the whole team dynamic.

2. The Orlando Magic lost a few key players from their Finals run last year, but still have their head-honcho at center, Dwight Howard. A former number one pick in the NBA Draft, Howard is the most dominant

force down low in all of the NBA. Using Howard’s post presence and scoring capabilities of newlyacquired Vince Carter, look for the Magic to compete comparably to last year’s team.

3. Call me crazy, but my number three team in the East is the Miami Heat. A middle-of-the-pack team last year, you are probably wondering how they are a better team this year

after making no offseason additions or trades. They are a better team because they have the most explosive guard in the NBA, Dwayne Wade, and they have a crop of young players who now have playoff experience.

Guys like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers are building blocks for a team that will be a dominant force in their conference in the near future.

4. Rounding out the top four teams of the Eastern Conference is the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by basketball god LeBron James. LeBron James, now a household name, single-handedly led the Cavs to the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year. This year’s team features all of the same players, with the huge exception of Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq is a big name, but will not really help out LeBron as much, since LeBron’s lanes to drive would be clogged up by the seven-foot tall O’Neal. Still look for the Cavs to use Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao to wrap up a solid playoff spot.

Surprise: Watch out for the Toronto Raptors to make a run at the title this year in the Eastern Conference. Led by Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu, the Raptors are no joke, due to their ability to score over 100 points on a daily

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basis. European players Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani provide key points, assists, and rebounds for the only NBA team in Canada. Believe it or not, this basketball team from Canada could be a playoff threat this season.

Western Conference: 1. The Los Angeles Lakers just can’t stop winning.

This squad, led by Kobe Bryant, keeps on brining glory to the city of L.A. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum provide forces in the paint, while veterans Derek Fisher, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom provide good defense and solid chemistry.

After only losing bench player Trevor Ariza from their championship team last year, look for the Lakers to grab the coveted number one seed in the stacked Western Conference.

2. After coming so close to making the NBA Finals last year, the Denver Nuggets are back with a vengeance. Led by a determined Carmelo Anthony and a veteran point guard in Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets are an elite force in the west.

Big men Nene Hilario and Chris “Birdman” Anderson provide good defense and rebounding, while JR Smith has skill behind the threepoint line. This veteran Continued on following page

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Sports

Page 6

“NBA Predictions,” Continued Continued from prev. page

squad is a first-class team that will be alive deep into the playoffs.

3. The Dallas Mavericks embody the common Western Conference theme of elite guard play and a veteran bench.

Guards Jason Terry and Josh Howard are great leaders in the backcourt, and forward Dirk Nowitski is a dominant shooter and big man for the Mavs. This veteran squad will reign supreme in the West, showing no holes in their starting lineup.

4. The fourth best team in the west is the Portland Trail Blazers. Dominating the backcourt is Brandon Roy; Roy shows a mix of explosiveness and a great jump shot, which makes him an MVP candidate

this year. Other key players include seven-footer Greg Oden, Spaniard Rudy Fernandez, and big man LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge and Oden are

Surprise: Kevin Durant knows how to win games, and his determination will pay off when the Oklahoma City Thunder sneak into the playoffs

emerging as a shot-blocking frontcourt that can take control of a game. These young Blazers do not follow the veteran builds of other conference giants, but they are loaded with talent and will make a huge run in the playoffs.

this year in the West.

This second-year team of young, skilled players will show their chemistry and poise when facing the likes of the Lakers and the Suns. Forward Jeff Green and point guard Russell Westbrook are young

superstars, both being first round choices in the draft.

Last years’ third overall pick, James Harden, will be a key part of this Cinderella squad. Harden is a definite possibility for the Rookie of the Year Award, just as Durant is a sleeper for the MVP Award.

The NBA Champions this year will be the Denver Nuggets, and the MVP Award will go to Dwight Howard.

The Rookie of the Year Award will go to Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Sixth Man of the Year will be Manu Ginobli of the Spurs.

After an explosive season last year, veteran play in the West and superstars in the East will provide this year’s NBA spectators with a phenomenal season.

“GAP Interview,” Continued

Continued from Page 3

body and that people find interesting to read.

So there are no plans to start a GAP “Page Six”?

No. Is there anything in the works to move the paper online, as the Chronicle

has done in recent years?

Definitely. GAP has been online in the past, and we plan to bring this back so that our paper can reach more readers.

Do you wish to increase male readership, and are there any plans to do so?

Well, we’d be happy if boys

read GAP, but our paper is generally geared towards the GA student body. For now, this is what we are sticking to.

Do you think that GAP and the Chronicle will be able to coordinate any joint projects this year? Any thoughts on

Brunswick guest writers?

Yes, I think it could be a very interesting collaboration. And we’d love to have any guest writers. Boys, if you want to submit an article, please do!

We also happily accept any letters to the editors.

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Around Brunswick

Page 7

“Arsenic and Old Lace,” Cont.

Continued from Front Page

of the performance, Mr. Seth Potter, was able to throw in some visual elements, including the graveyard, which would not have been possible for most shows.

The lighting proved to be quite a challenge for the crew; specifically, the need to make the lights go on and off at the precise moments when the actors hit the light switches to create a realistic blackout when the lights were off in the house was somewhat daunting. Also, some scenes required the illusion of total on-stage darkness while still providing enough light for the audience to see the actors.

The biggest challenge was, as it always is, unplanned. Just two weeks before the show opened, Mr. Kirby-Smith was informed that Elie Wiesel needed a full stage during his speech to the Upper

School. Because we were welcoming the eighth grade for the day, seniors were required to sit on-stage, meaning that the set had

the set needed to be onstage both the night before and the night after the speech for dress rehearsals.

Thus, the set had to be re-

to be completely taken down for the assembly a mere three days before the opening night of the performance. Because Professor Wiesel’s speech took place during the middle of production week,

designed to move off-stage without being completely taken apart. In an amazing display of efficiency and fortitude, the tech crew quickly dismantled the entire set in less than an hour, carrying the large

pieces offstage in three main units. Then, immediately following the speech, a set re-assembly miracle of sorts occurred for the second dress rehearsal just a few hours later.

There is a staggering amount of time and effort required to put on a performance, not only by the actors, but also by the tech crew. Auditions for the production took place during the first full week of school in September, and rehearsals began less than one week later. And after seven weeks of daily rehearsal, when the show finally opened, the fruits of many hours of hard work were realized.

Upcoming theatrical performances include Fame (GA’s Massey Theater, Nov. 20 and 21) and Annie Get Your Gun (Baker Theater, Feb. 25, 26 and 27).

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Student Editorials

Page 8

Christie’s NJ Upset Doesn’t Bode Well for Wall Street

By Peter D’Agostino ‘13 Staff Writer

L

ast week, New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie celebrated a surprising victory against the incumbent Jon Corzine.

The citizens of New Jersey and outsiders alike couldn’t help but think the $23.6 million Corzine raised would beat out the $8.8 million Christie did. How ironic that both the former governor’s election and his recent defeat were deeply rooted in his experience with Goldman Sachs.

Goldman Sachs, whose name now conjures up images of the greedy investors on Wall St. who sparked the recession, was once a longstanding, well respected company. Specifically in the nineties and up until the crash, the bank holding company enjoyed enormous success. But their success was not based on experience or a better knowledge of the market than the average American. Instead, it came out of an ‘anything goes,’ lawless banking atmosphere, manipulated by means of derivatives—an investment tool specifically designed to be impossible to regulate while maximizing return—a degree of insider trading, and inflation. In an interview with NPR’s Lisa Chow, Peter Peterson, former Chairman of the private

equity Blackstone Group and former Commerce Secretary to Richard Nixon,

How, then, did Chris Christie win, when he was so outspent by his opponent?

frankly summarized the way he made over a billion dollars and earned the reputation as a titan of finance: “During the ‘90s, it was the heyday of private equity because it was the perfect environment. Plenty of money was available for borrowing. Interest rates were low and the stock prices doubled during that period. So if you couldn’t make money, you’d have to be almost retarded, I think.”

His message: a promise to attack reckless spending in the state of New Jersey. While Corzine adequately addressed methods to re-organize the money in the state, the angry atmosphere proved Corzine’s undoing. Since the recession began, the media has successfully painted a picture of high-powered executives as greedy, manipulative people who live for the failure of others. Christie may have had his own merits, and Corzine

certainly did not create any illusion of a likable persona, but as soon as Christie mentioned careless spending and financial favors, the incumbent was inevitably compared to the bailouttaking, bonus-receiving, stereotypically greedy Goldman Sachs CEO. Ten years ago, voters believed Jon Corzine had a track record of success in the stock market that would easily translate to job creation and wealth for his state. Now, voters have cast him aside with his colleagues as lowlifes who cheated their way to exorbitant personal wealth while the middle class of America continued to shrink toward extinction.

Many conservatives have tried to paint the Republican Party’s victories in New Jersey and Virginia, among other places, as a sign of disapproval of the Obama White House. In other states, there may be some truth to this suggestion, but the election in New Jersey was different. It was a message to Washington, and to Wall St., that the people of New Jersey and Americans in general have had enough corporate greed to last them a lifetime.

Christie’s election is a signal for change in the status quo, to put the people in charge of the bankers, and not viceversa.

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Student Editorials

“Elie Wiesel Visit,” Continued

Cont. from Page 3

Israel and the Palestinians, Wiesel described peace and resolution as “inevitable.”

Mr. Wiesel emphasized the importance of hope and action in world affair, acknowledging the influence of past mistakes on problems of the present

and the future. During the question and answer period, one student asked him if the world had learned the lessons of the Holocaust.

“No,” Mr. Wiesel answered

without hesitating. “It hurts me to say it, but the

world has not learned.

Genocides are still taking place in Darfur and Rwanda and Cambodia, so I must say the world has not learned.” He continued: “The world will never learn because if any single event could stop genocides, it

Page 9

was the Holocaust and because that didn’t have the effect, then nothing

will.” One student asked if human nature was good or evil. “Neither,” Wiesel immediately responded, explaining that human Continued on Page 12

Why Write? The HS Paper Matters

By Gus Ruchman ‘10 Managing Editor

I

t is everywhere. It follows you wherever you go. You cannot avoid it. No, I’m not talking about the swine flu, but rather the “media.”

Like an infinite icecream shop, the airwaves, newspapers, and cyberspace are all pervaded by countless flavors of news and commentary on the socio-cultural spectrum.

From FOX to CNN, the Huffington Post to the Free Press, news media comes in all shapes, sizes, and genres, catering to a variety of tastes. As partisanship increasingly dominates the networks, as the blogosphere grows exponentially into an undifferentiated, unregulated behemoth, and as newspapers are faced with an adapt-or-die scenario, one outlet remains constant and vital: the high school newspaper.

Indeed, writing for a scholastic paper transcends the still-powerful exercise

in articulation of the written word. It is the training ground for the journalists, entrepreneurs, and teachers of tomorrow, an open forum for students interested in sports, politics, arts, and all else under the purview of the school community.

A school newspaper is not just a mindless club or barely relevant extracurricular, but a grouporiented lesson in cooperation and collaboration.

It is the opportunity to improve a most valuable tool, the art of expression.

In a world where newspaper franchises close seemingly every day, where the public denounces the legitimacy and impartiality of various media sources,

and we seem more focused on the latest celebrity scandal than on crucial global and domestic issues at hand, why is the high school newspaper

football game—translates into something more after graduation. From the ability to articulate stems the capability both to formulate opinion and fulfill civic duty by being an active, informed citizen.

Writing for your school paper allows you to tell a story on a monthly basis.

It allows you to connect with the community by providing the service of reliable information or thought-provoking opinion.

It allows you to prepare for a future in which media will be omnipresent, fluid, and even more influential than it is today. As advancing technology continues to contort established methods of communication, we must relearn the basics so that still relevant? In fact, it is we can engage in whatever relevant for precisely the comes next. aforeme-ntioned reasons.

So, as the great An understanding of science-fiction writer Isaac community current events, Asimov said, “If my doctor views, and activities taking told me I had only six place in high school—such minutes to live, I wouldn’t as student-government brood. I’d type a little elections or the homecoming faster.”

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Student Editorials

Page 10

America’s Dubious Alliance with Pakistan

By Nikhil Menezes ‘11 Staff Writer

W

e do not negotiate with terrorists.”

The phrase, however fraught with doubt, is a perennial favorite among American politicians, especially on the Right.

The claim that the United States holds principles above expediency in foreign affairs is a dubious one.

However, this is nothing to be ashamed of, having been the reality of diplomacy ever since governments have had the power to ratify treaties, declare wars, and create alliances.

In the war with Afghanistan, not enough attention has been paid to America’s alliance with Afghanistan’s neighbor, Pakistan.

Ostensibly a federal republic, Pakistan is led

by President Asif Ali Zardari, nicknamed ‘Mr. 10%’ in reference to his history of corruption.

Although questions about the democratic nature of the Pakistani election process remain, the most dangerous issue lies not in the government, but in the military. Zardari’s civilian government is at the mercy of the national army

and these questions came have come to a head in the last few months.

On September 24, the Senate approved an aid package to Pakistan of $1.5 billion per year for five years. The Kerry-Lugar Bill,

hospitals), the bill included some clauses that many Pakistanis saw as an insult, and a threat to Pakistani sovereignty. These clauses included a requirement that Pakistan would make “significant efforts towards

however, contained more regulation than Pakistan is used to when dealing with their American allies.

Intended for non-military purposes (i.e., schools and

combating terrorist groups” and another that would allow the U.S. Secretary of State to check in to see how the money is being spent. This is not an absurd

proposal, as aid to Pakistan in the past has often found its way to the military and military-funded groups who assist in the war against the Taliban and India (some of these Pakistani groups have been found to be terroristic and fighting against American troops). The debate, however, is still raging, amidst attempts

by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to improve relations at the same time as vitriolic statements condemning the bill made by various Pakistani radicals continue to swirl.

America must not back down. An alliance with Pakistan is pivotal politically, but one must remember that Pakistan’s government is in many respects unstable, corrupt, and in possession of nuclear weapons. It is Pakistan—not Iran— that America should worry about when it comes to nuclear deterrence. To demand reasonable concessions when giving Pakistan such vast amounts of money is not only fair, but also imperative.

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Student Editorials

By Jake Matthews‘12 Staff Writer

NASA Mission STS-129

Nicole Stott to return her to Earth. The most n November 16, the Space Shuttle important of these tools carried up by Atlantis are Atlantis blasted the ExPRESS Logistics off for the International Carriers One and Two, or Space Station with the ELC1 and ELC2. These intention of completing carriers provide scientists NASA Mission STS-129.

Led by Commander Charlie with both a platform and Hobaugh and pilot Barry Wilmore, this eleven-day flight will mark the 31st space shuttle mission sent to repair the station, and will serve as the final space shuttle crew rotation flight to, or from, the space station, according to NASA records.

Making the voyage with Commander Hobaugh and Mr. Wilmore are four other Mission Specialist infrastructure with which astronauts: Leland to deploy experiments in Melvin, Michael Foreman, space without requiring Randolph Bresnik, and a separate Earth-orbiting Robert Satcher Jr. satellite, dedicated solely The overarching to one experiment. mission of the flight is to Additionally, three separate bring additional equipment space walks are scheduled and tools to the space over the eleven-day station, as well as pick up mission.

Station Crew Member NASA has sent

O

up expeditions to the International Space Station for nine years now, beginning in October 2000, when Expedition I took flight. Its crew, consisting of Commander William Shepherd, Flight Engineer 1 Sergei Krikalev,

and Flight Engineer 2 Yuri Gidzenko, lived on the Space Station for 136 days, becoming the International Station’s first residential crew.

This crew conducted the first science experiments in space, hosted three visiting Shuttle Crews, and constructed living quarters

Page 11

on the station, in addition to activating systems of communication with their earth-bound counterparts.

The crew of Expedition 1 returned to Earth on board the shuttle Discovery on March 21, 2001.

In recent days, the American public has become accustomed to reports about the space station. STS129 marked the 31st flight of the Atlantis shuttle, the fifth shuttle flight in 2009, and the 160th American-led space flight.

Following this mission, five more Atlantis voyages to the International Space Station are planned before the end of 2010. Americans may be consumed by the recession, the healthcare debate, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but all the while, riveting adventures continue in space.

The Brunswick Chronicle November 2009

Page 12

Student Editorials

Giving Thanks: an Introspection

By Holden Fett ‘13 Staff Writer

A

round this time of year, store decorations generally move from ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, and witches on broomsticks to candy canes, reindeer and snowmen. Often a holiday not remembered until a few weeks previous, Thanksgiving is the best of holidays for—appropriately enough—giving thanks.

The five days off from school that accompany the holiday are great for catching up on some extra sleep, playing a newly released video game, or just playing with your friends and family. In itself, this last gift is worthy of giving thanks. We live in a culture

of increasingly marginalized family relationships, where a sporting event or upcoming test can get in the way of a quick family visit. And though your family can be strange at times, there are always other times when it is great to be around them, to learn from their experiences and share in their emotional ups and downs. In a yearly tribute to a similar feast of a different time, the treasure of sharing a meal with your loved ones should not be taken for granted.

The great school you attend, your house, your family, your friends, and the clothes on your back are often not appreciated as much as they should be.

But don’t think only of why

you are grateful for these things, but how these things came into your life. Think of what your life would be like without the items you are thankful for.

There is a passage in the Bible about an extremely poor widow who donates a miniscule amount to the temple collection bowl.

When Jesus saw this, he declared: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had” (Luke 21:1). Compared to all the wealthier people who had given larger monetary amounts to God, this woman’s humble

offering was the most significant. For even though her life was full of hardship, she still demonstrated gratitude for the way God had kept her alive and well.

So when you sit down to eat your Thanksgiving dinner with your family, consider not only those things you are thankful for, but also why you ought to be thankful for those things. And if we, like the poor widow, could recognize that all we have and all we are is purely a gift, and that we are owed nothing, for some brief moment our lives would finally be filled with the joyful satisfaction that only the less-fortunate can enjoy.

“Elie Wiesel,” Continued

Continued from Page 9

nature has the capacity for both and every individual has the power and

issues, once every month.

First it will be ten people,

will grow. That is how you can make a difference.”

of committed students.

Some sell food at lunch and raise money for their

responsibility to choose.

Following the

clubs. Others go out into the community and spend

assembly, I asked Mr. Wiesel how we, as high school students in 2009, should approach the study of and try to understand something like the

their time helping others.

Professor Wiesel’s challenge to us is to turn our groups of ten into groups of one hundred, to join a club if you are not in one, and to recruit others to join if you are, for as Professor Wiesel teaches, “Indifference is the

Holocaust.

“Organize a group,” he told me. “People who want to help and learn.

Get someone to talk every

month. Talk about moral

opposite of love.” then a hundred. Slowly it

Here at Brunswick, we have many groups