Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / April 9, 2003, edition 1 / Page 5
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Opinion High Life Wednesday, April 9, 2003 Brainwashing, bullying^ Bush all create volatile elixir for current crisis Bush administration poUcices jeopardize the United Nations and give rise to new problems, but do not push for peace in the Middle East. By Molly Chadbourne St off Writer Osama Bin Laden is no longer the pot of gold at the end of the terrorist rainbow. Since September 11*, patriotism has increased in the United States with the same frequency as duct tape sales during the orange ter ror code. As an American who was upset by the Twin Towers attack, I cannot comprehend how any other American citizen would support destroying others’ lives. Saddam Hussein is not a good man and certainly not a good leader, but I cannot hide behind a Bush who supports war with Iraq. The United Nations is, for many, an idealistic international or ganization. Even if there were no UN, one would without a doubt be created. Society needs struc ture, and the United Nations acts as the highest overseer for the world. The organization can only function as world peacekeeper if it is treated with respect. By declaring war on Iraq “with out permission,” Bush will be un dermining one of the few hopes America has left for peace. If Bush believes conquering Iraq will help disseminate democracy in the world, then he should start by re specting one of the pillars of world democracy. Speaking of wonderful democ racy, what about the vote in the Turkish parliament allowing US troops to stage military actions from Turkish soil? The United States treats the government of Turkey like a roast that can be carved and recarved endlessly. Meanwhile, the bribes the United States keeps offering Turkey are not exactly cans of jellied cran berry sauce. When looking at this issue, there are some impratant facts that should not be ignored but never theless tend be crushed like dead foliage. America claims 80 % of Iraq’s weapons were destroyed in 1991 after Daddy made a hole in one in the gulf American soldier boys did not threatening to attack. Iraq did not have chemical or biological weapons before the early 1980’s, and they could not have acquired them without a help ing hand from Uncle Sam. Great Britain also assisted. The US gov ernment did not condemn the use of gas warfare against Iran; Hussein killed 5,000 Kurds in the townofHalabjain 1988. No West ern nations said anything much more than, “friend; good.” The US has now decided to turn on her own Frankenstein’s mon ster. By claiming that A1 Qaeda and Iraq are related. Bush is taking ad- clean up the toys after the Gulf War, leaving nearly 40 tons of Ura nium for Iraq and Kuwait to play share. Now who is supplying “ter rorists” with weapons? Bush claims to be protecting the lives of Americans by attack ing Iraq. If the pre-emptive strike policy allows America to attack Iraq because Iraq might attack America, then Iraq really should have already attacked America by now since America is the only one Fortune Small Business Magazine vantage of vulnerable citizens vic timized by terrorism after Septem ber 11*. The connection between Iraq and A1 Qaeda is so clear that no one seems to be able to see it. Mark Twain once said, “Patrio tism is the last refuge of a scoun drel.” Ironically enough, many Americans are now dike Huckle berry Finn and Tom Sawyer, lazily floating down the river on a raft, unaware ofthe scoundrels lurking behind every Bush. Tricky testing methods not always reasonable Abstract or “conceptual” problems may not be the most accurate method for teachers to assess their students’ knowledge. By Hannah Harrison Staff Writer Some say that as long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools. This may or may not be the case, but I can say for certain that I hate tests. I would be willing to bet my last dime that most stu dents do, too. High school students take a class, whether it is required or be cause they are actually interested (is that possible?) in the material. For whatever reason, it has to be done. More than likely, they will be tested on the material. Testing is an unavoidable fact of life. No matter how much people hate, love, or could not care about the classes they take, a teacher is going to force them to sit down and prove that the material has been learned. That calls something into ques tion. Does a test prove that one has truly learned the information? I think not. There have been many times when I have sat down at my desk with a sharpaied No.2 pencil quiv ering in my hand, completely un sure of how I will be feeling at the end of the period. I usually study for almost all of my classes; how- ever, there are just some that no Speak Out: What are your thoughts about the war in Iraq? W-s “By contributing to terrorist organizations, Iraq poses a threat to each US citizen. We should support our presidentand our military in their eflforts to rid the world of that threat.” Jason Cheek, teacher “Saddam has tried to assassi nate Bush, Sr. He has tried genocide and invasions in his region. If we do not oust him, he will succeed some day.” Ian Booth, senior “At this point, I am not a sup porter ofthe war with Iraq be cause war is not and cannot be the only option to resolve dip lomatic conflicts. I think we should consider other options before settling for the ‘inevi table’ one.” RidwanaKhan, senior “I am a pacifist, but I am against this war for additional reasons. I believe it is unnec essary, arrogant, and portrays a personal political grudge.” Sally Neas, junior “It is our government leaders’ jobs to protect us from threat ening nations. Iraq is a nation like this. A simple assassination attempt would only escalate their hostility. Sometimes war is necessary.” Trace \Wlliams, sophomore “I agree that Saddam is a ter rible man and should be re lieved of his power, but I am against any action by the US that would kill civilians. If Saddam was going to attack us, he would have done it in the 12 years he had the chance.” Kelly Martin, sophomore matter how prepared I feel, no mat ter how well I know the concepts, I always manage to bomb the test. Perhaps it is not me. Perhaps, just perhaps, my teachers tests are a little unfair? I really love coming across a problem or question on a test to which I have never been intro duced. Some might argue that, theoretically, if I have in feet learned the material, I should be able to apply the concepts and reach the correct answer. I am in Honors and AP level classes; naturally, it is to be expected that tests be challeng ing. I feel that ail students prove themselves and their abilities dif ferently. Continued on page 6
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