WORLD & NATION March 30,2012 Stories by Becca Heller Graphic by Franz Kafka and Becca Heller ■Bonaap——^ UNITED jRBRanaMMHHHMMBil a==^ STATES On April 3, the U.S. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD BE REINSTATING FEDERAL PROHIBITION, following a historically raucous weekend at Guilford College. The Anti- Alcohol Act of 2012 was passed in response to an annual student festival at Guilford College, "Serendipity." According to The Guilfordian, there w^ere students running around drunk and stark-naked, students dressed as realistic-looking zombies and moaning "brainsss," and even students setting the woods on fire, shouting "bring back the bonfires!" Needless to say, the federal government had no choice but to outlaw alcohol after this outrageous event. SWITZERLAND On March 30, Switzerland broke its century-long pact OF neutrality with an aggressive attack on Belgium, after a passionate quarrel over which country made better chocolate. The argument began after Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo made a snide remark about the chocolate cake he was served during a diplomatic visit to Switzerland. The attack, which targeted Belgium's largest chocolate factory resulted in over 25 casualties and thousands of injured candy bars. "We will not take this attack sitting dowm," Rupo stated in a press release. "We'll show Switzerland who makes the best chocolate." In response. President of the Swiss Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf put out a viral video campaign Swiss Chocolate 2012. On March 29, the Italian mob took over Vatican City, CLAIMING IT AS THEIR OWN EMPIRE. Entering the city guns a-blazing, the mobsters forced the Pope and his guard out of the city and took complete control of the world's smallest city, naming their boss, Luigi Caravello as the new Prime Minister of the tiny nation. The global Catholic community is up in arms, although many seem intimidated by the mob's badassness. "Don't mess wit us." Caravello announced in a statement. "Or you'll find yoself swimming wit the fishes." Just several hours after the coup, Caravello's men had spray painted the Vatican with "Our Godfather, who art in Heaven ..." In response, the Pope has called the entire Catholic community to boycott the popular American movie "The Godfather." On March 26, a disturbing U.N. press release turned THE world on its AXIS. After many ignored signs, the global community was forced to face the shocking truth: we are not the only intelligent beings in the universe. In fact, tlie extraterrestrial beings with whom w'e've recently made contact have suggested quite the opposite. "You all are pretty daft," said Secretar}^ of Interplanetary Relations Igmab Flaxoid, citing Toddlers and Tiaras, Climate Change, and George W. Bush. The statement has created quite an uproar, and George W. Bush responded saying that he had intelligence that there were weapons of mass destruction in outer space. While worldwide peace protests began in many countries, other regions have begun rearing up for a total state of interplanetary war. Let the games begin. As the world turns? the beginning of World War By Alex Lindberg Staff Writer Silence filled the air as President Barack Obama announced the tragic news to the American people earlier this week. "Yesterday I spoke to the Chinese president Hu Jintao, who has insisted that either we apologize for our violence against the world, or be prepared for all-out war against China," Obama stated gravely. "After several houm of debating — and some obscene comments on both parts — I have decided that tlie only way the U.S. wdll apologize is if China released its tyrannical hold over Tibet." 'Today, at 5:19 a.m., I received word that the Chinese military has attacked and obliterated a U.S. army outpost, thus declaring war on our country," Obama continued. "We will not let such blatant disrespect and violence go unpunished. Pre.sident Jintao wdll regret his actions." The President went on to say that Jintao's actions were uncalled for, and that an attack is currently underw^ay to neutralize the Chinese forces. However, the panic did not begin until the next bit of news, which stated that in order to combat China's large military. Congress has reinstated the draft. AH men over the age of 18 and younger than 60 will become eligible to participate in combat. This is the first time since theMetnam War that such drastic measures have been taken, and the American people are outraged by the Congressional decision. However, as with the last draft, students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, people with disabilities and pacifists will be exempt from the selection. "Well, 1 was intending to graduate next year and go work for my father," said junior Aaron Reach. "But now I'm purposefully dropping classes so I can stay in school and won't get drafted." This is not the only example of people try^ing to draft dodge. In fact, it is expected that school retention rates and student enrollment will be at an all-time high for the next few years as people are trying to avoid the war. Not everyone, however, is actively trying to avoid the draft; in fact, there are many who are actively supporting the war effort. "It would be an honor for me to sacrifice my body and mind and various other extremities for the glory of the U.S.A." said senior Bryan Jon, and there are many who agree with him. Already the Guilford College administration has received numerous student requests to drop out to join tire war effort. ”AK-47s, kill-teams, and Guilford College — it might seem strange to have those words in the same sentence," said President and Professor of Political Science Kent Chabotar. "But the times they are a-changin." "All American citizens should be doing their part to aid the counhy in its time of need," commented White House Press Secretary Jay Carney to CNN. "And that time is right now. With a trade embargo against China, we will not be receiving as many goods, and our economy is in for a rough time for the next few months. We want everyone to know that, as long as we hold togetlier, we're going to show them the power of the U.S.A. Just who ^e hell do they think we are?!" Already many citizens have abandoned the Occupy movement to start anti-war protests all over the country, the largest of which is located outside of the White House in Washington, D.C. Many Guilford students have petitioned the Guilford administration to allow them to attend the peaceful demonstrations, but the administration refuses to take a public stance on the issue. However, they have agreed to change next year's Serendipity to a pseudo-Woodstock reenactment. "(The administration) is just afraid to lose more government funding" said first-year Kristy Korra. "But our politicians need to know that the American people do not agree with this war. The real problem though, is that we have no really good chants against this battle yet. 1 mean 'Hey, hey, Obama, how many kids did you kill today?' just doesn't have a good ring to it." The tension between the nations is already on the rise, as no other countries have turned to side with either nation. Even the U.N. has voiced concern over the fighting super-powers and the possible use of nuclear weaponry. Though both countries have vowed not to use any weapons of mass destruction dming the war, people are still waiting in silent fear as President Obama's retaliation has yet to be seen.