Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
page 7
Green
Renovations
Megan Kelly
Reporter
The Blue and Gold Page 12: The name of the lunch staff members
c/o Malden High School are Rossana Agostiavo, Natalie Freeman, Paul
77 Salem Street Romeo, and Trisha Selfridge
Malden, MA 02148 Corrections to the editor can be submitted to
theblueandgold@gmail.com
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009 Opinion 3
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
The Present
State of the letter to the editors
Nation’s Future
In response to last the last edition of The Blue and Gold’s focus on domestic and international healthcare
An Holmqvist
items, we received a letter to the editor from Gaelle Wagnac, a senior from Malden High School.
Copy Editing Director
W
inely excited. But does everyone feel hen I was growing up, I rarely got along with my brother
this way? Young people are not too Kiki. We were the same age and we always competed for
attracted to local elections; however, attention. Sometimes when we were not fighting, we would seat
the elections for City Council this next to each other and tell each other our future plans. Kiki’s plan
past November have a strong impact was to go live in France after his college graduation. Unfortu-
on the community. A vote on the bal- nately, Kiki never got to live his dream. His life was cut short at
lot could have repealed or kept the age 10 when he died of HIV.
Pay As You Throw (PAYT) program. At the time, I was too young to understand what was
For an eighteen-year-old high school going on. I visited him everyday at the facility where he was
student, the School Committee elec- hospitalized for over a month before he passed away. I will never
tion would affect where funding forget one day when my siblings and I went to visit him at the
will go for school. The representa- hospital; he was happy and smiling the whole time. In my mind, it didn’t make sense that someone in
tives for the City Council election his state could be that happy. He was unable to eat or walk to the bathroom by himself, so why was he
would affect whether your younger smiling? What was there for him to smile about? I would never understand why he had that smile on.
siblings would be able to go to the That was the last time I saw him alive.
mall after 8 PM. And what is more? Growing up in Haiti I knew about poverty. I remember the day I went to visit my grandmother in
Your vote for the City Council would the lower part of Haiti and I saw kids running around without clothing and they were very thin as if they
count more – one out of less than ten had not eaten for a month. Some of them were walking around bleeding, and nobody seemed to notice.
thousand – than your vote for State However, until my brother’s death, poverty had never affected me directly. My brother died because we
Senator or your vote for president, could not afford HIV drugs since they are very expensive in Haiti. Knowing that Kiki would still be alive
which numbers as just one vote if he had access to drugs makes me think about all the other Haitian children in the same situation today.
among two hundred million other I know I can’t bring him back but maybe I can help another child live past their tenth birthday.
registered American voters. Ever since I moved to the United States, my goal has always been to get educated and return to Haiti
This is why I ask why students to work with local hospitals and clinics in providing care for HIV positive patients. I especially want to
today do not seem to take their right work with children since many of them have no place to live, they have no health insurance, and since
to vote seriously. Before hitting the they don’t have the money they can’t even go to the hospital. I understand it is a big commitment, but
poll booths, I ran into one of my I’m willing to do anything in my power to help those kids in Kiki’s memory. I know I will not be able to
middle school teachers who told change Haiti but if I can change one child’s life for the better, it will be worth a try.
a nice little story about what her
family does when one of their kids Letters to the editor can be submitted to theblueandgold@gmail.com
goes to vote for the first time. The
parents would take pictures; they
would go out to dinner; they would
say congratulations. For them, vot-
ing was a milestone, a privilege. For
me, however, as well as many other
students, voting is just another fact
of turning eighteen. My mother
stood outside of the Linden School
that day waiting to pick me up and
take me home simple so that I could
finish my homework. I voted for the
first time in my life, and then I went
home to finish math homework. The fall play is Jean Anouilh’s Antigone. The dates are November 20th and 21st @
No celebration was necessary. For 7:00 p.m. at the Malden Senior Center on Pleasant Street. Tickets are $5 at the door.
other students, voting is not really
something worth leaving the house
for – especially if they do not know SPIRIT WEEK IS COMING UP
how to.
Misinformation is a huge part
of why young people choose not to MONDAY 23rd: PAJAMA DAY
vote. “It would be nice if we knew TUESDAY 24th: WACKY TACKY DAY
who we were voting for and what WEDNESDAY 25th: BLUE GOLD
kind of power each position holds,”
explained Malden High School
senior Keith Newman. The city
should tell its first-time voters who
the candidates are and how they can
vote. It should be the government’s
responsibility to motivate the en-
tire population to vote; that should
also include our young residents.
In addition to that, it should be the
media’s responsibility to encourage
young people to vote – not just for PLACE
YOUR AD
their own benefits, but also for the
society. In response to why he opted
out of the local elections this month,
Newman stated that “it wasn’t really
[his] life on the line.” And I agree
with him. As seniors, we have only
HERE
continued on page 4
4 Opinion The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
Talk is Cheap
continued from page 3
O n June 26, 2008, the trash tax is a bad thing, because I’m throwing Reporter
program in Malden passed. away trash and now I have to pay to • The City Council made it easier for ballot questions to pass.
The trash tax program is also known do it which does not make any sense • Previous to this year, a vote to overturn an initiative such as the PAYT
as the "Pay as You Throw Program" at all.” program required at least a vote from 1/3 of the electorate. For upcoming votes,
or PAYT. Officials of the Malden Several Malden City Council the rule has been changed because only 30% of the population showed up to the
polls this year.
City Council stated on Boston.com candidates believe that the trash tax
• The Charter Reform Committee voted on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to reduce the
for Malden that the main point for impacts the environment. Council- threshold percentage to 15 percent to accommodate the needs of voters today.
this act was to raise at least $2.5 mil- or-At-Large Greg Lucey stated, "The • This is a result of fewer voters coming out to vote on Election Day.
lion and save $600,000 in solid waste trash program is a good idea; people • It may take a year in order for this proposal to become a law. The pro-
disposals. There has always been a buy less trash bags, and it's good for posal must go through the full City Council for approval, then to Mayor Richard
Howard’s office for signing, then to the State Legislature then finally to the Gover-
tax on trash, however now, residents the environment." He also said that nor’s office in order for it to become a law.
have to pay at least two dollars for on "trash day, the city is cleaner be- • This would then come into effect for the Malden city elections in the 2011
each blue trash bag they buy. cause the program is making people city elections.
Mayor Richard Howard had a recycle more and the streets looks a
meeting with Malden’s City Council lot more cleaner compared to other Councillor Seats School Committe Seats
October 20th, 2009. “I do believe sites." Councilor At Large Candi- Ward 1 - GARY J CHRISTENSON Ward 1- PEG CROWE
that erasing this program will date Deborah Fallon stated that "I Ward 2- PAUL A. CONDON Ward 2- STEVEN ULTRINO
Ward 3- PAUL J. DIPIETRO Ward 3- KEVIN DUFFY
cause the city council and my office don’t like the PAYT program at all." Ward 4- JAMES M. NESTOR Ward 4- LEONARD V. IOVINO
to make some extremely difficult Councilor at Large Candidate Da- Ward 5- BARBARA M. MURPHY
Ward 6- NEIL C. KINNON
Ward 5- ADAM WELDAI
Ward 6- STEPHEN P. WINSLOW
budget cuts.” Howard also told the vid D'Ancangelo expressed “People Ward 7- NEAL ANDERSON Ward 7- KEVIN CASUCCI
Ward 8- JUDITH BUCCI
Boston website that Malden raised who are environmental prefer the Ward 8- JOHN H. FROIO
an estimate of $2 million and saved PAYT because it is good for the en-
about eight hundred dollars in the vironment."
disposal costs last year. On Election Day, 28, 471 people
Malden High School students registered as voters for the trash tax
have their opinions on the idea of question and only 8,508 voters or
the trash tax. Sophomore Samantha 30 percent of the registered voters’ Would You Eliminate the Trash Tax?
Lee stated that, “The trash tax is votes were in the polls. 5,672 voters
basically not a bad idea because it said “yes” to repeal the trash tax and 200 190
encourages people to do more re- 2,160 people voted “no” on the trash 180
cycling. As they reduce the amount tax repeal and 586 of the voters left 160
of trash, the more money they can the question blank. Even though the 140
save.” Freshman Maria Gil stated, ballot question voted yes, the trash 120
90 Yes
“I think it is a good idea and I ad- tax program is now confirmed that 100
mire it because it is good for the en- it will not be repealed due to the 80 No
vironment.” Freshman Muhammed shortage of the required votes. 60
Raja believes “I think the trash tax 40
20
0
Yes No
Xavier Leo
Copy Editor
O
D’Arcangelo, member of the Mal- winning law enforcement program, Deborah Fallon: 1,446 votes
n Oct. 28, 2009, candidates
den Rotary, the Malden Chamber EVAPorate Violence with the Ever- David D’Arcangelo: 1,000 votes
for Councilor-at-Large Craig
of Commerce, the Public Relations ett Police Department Fallon was Jeff Donahue: 897 votes
Spadafora, Jeff Donahue, Brian
Society of America as well as several awarded at the United Nations for Brian O’Boyle: 336
O’Boyle, Greg Lucey, Deborah
Fallon, and David D’Arcangelo, other organizations. Using a system her work to end violent crimes,
candidates for Councilor at Large, of incentive based rewards, where leading her to founding the Portal of
debated in a forum at the Malden the more waste recycled, the more Hope, a crisis intervention program
Senior Center. Hosted by the Metro benefits received was a more effi- in Malden, Everett, Lynn, Medford
North chapter of Massachusetts Se- cient system that he planned to use and Winthrop. Fallon stated, “I Greg Lucey promised to always
nior Action Council (MSAC), Mal- in Malden. One of D’Arcangelo’s am a very different candidate… have a “strong commitment to and
den Access Television (MATV), as main goals as Councilor-at-Large for one, I am the daughter of state support our city.” Unlike the other
well as Healthy Malden, the forum was to address issues revolving representative, Tom Fallon and very candidates who plan to take direct
consisted of two one-hour sessions. around Malden’s energy consump- proud of my family’s history as we and immediate action on the reloca-
In the discussion, the candidates tion, by planting trees, analyzing the have greatly contributed to charity tion of City Hall, Lucey believes that
were asked questions by members use of waterways, as well as devel- work.” Using the input of Maldo- the improvements being made in the
of the MSAC followed by a panel oping solar and wind energy pro- nians to make changes within the city of Malden must be “balanced by
led by journalists. grams and biodiesel. D’Arcangelo city, Fallon promises to ensure that a realistic grasp of the challenges of
All six candidates agreed on a had planned to take action through- each and every citizen in Malden’s living within a budget that is always
few things: money from the city ac- out the city, and improve the traffic voice is heard. tight” while being able to accommo-
count needs to be put towards the flow, and enhance waste removal. Jeff Donahue served in the date citizens with the basic services
city workers (policemen, firemen, D’Arcangelo had intended to use council from 2000 to 2008. Donahue and needs that they have the right to.
etc), the downtown area of Malden his experience and skill to “move stated “We need experience. I have Lucey plans to serve the citizens of
needs to be expanded and modern- Malden forward”. that experience. I will be the voice Malden as skilled and open-minded,
ized, making it more appealing Serving the Malden commu- of concern for citizens and residents working towards making the most
to the public, and that the issue of nity for several years, Craig Spada- of Malden.” If elected, Donahue crucial and beneficial changes to the
safety must be addressed, as it has fora believes that it is “vital for city planned to propose a limit to spend- city.
been a rising concern for the citizens officials to focus on the issues that ing, as it is a fiscal accountability. Having over 20 years of real
in Malden. Although each council- are most important to residents, Donahue believed the money in the estate brokerage development ex-
or-at-large candidate planned on such as keeping up with street and account the Malden dollars are perience in the city of Malden, Brian
addressing these matters in differ- sidewalk maintenance, parking and still going to be spent, but should O’Boyle planned to ensure citizens
ent ways, they all believe that these school safety.” After being elected to be done reasonably. Working with with the experience necessary to
issues need to be taken care of as one of the three spots for Councilor- businesses to secure commerce address the main issues in the city
soon as possible, not only to restore at-Large, Spadafora believes in mak- and repair the Malden economy, during this difficult economic time if
order, structure, and modernization ing an effort to improve the Malden Donahue stated, “[We] cannot wait elected. Determined to “invest inter-
back into the city, but also to better community by using technology to for development to pick up… [and] est in school and city workers prop-
the community as a whole. The idea try and allow the citizens in Malden need to be proactive with a plan erly,” O’Boyle planned to give the
of working with the Maldonians, to no longer feel there is a language- to encourage responsible business citizens detailed information about
and feeling as though they also need barrier, such as by translating the and commerce developments that city happenings and allow them to
to remain open-minded towards city website into various languages, would have a steady tax base while hold their representatives account-
trying to “do what the people want” as Councilor-at-Large. His main fostering sustainable jobs for local able to what they say they would do.
was something that was greatly seen focus is to resolve problems within residents.” O’Boyle believed his background in
throughout each of their campaigns the city, by stating “my job is to Life time resident of Malden, real estate is exactly what the city
as well as their responses to the make sure we have fireman, police- and the re-elected Councilor-at- needs to “get back to the way it
question asked at the public forum. man, and teachers at schools.” He Large, who received the most votes, needs to be again.” O’Boyle planned
The trash tax repeal often came also said, “Protecting community to use the support of the
up as an issue during the debate. character and encouraging revital- Maldonians, to allow him
Although voters backed the mea- ELECTIONS to continuously strive to
sure by an almost three to one ratio,
it failed because the city by law CITY remain informed of is-
sues affecting the city so
requires one third of the registered
O U N C IL that each individual has
voters, which in this case is about C an equal opportunity to
9,500, to vote in favor of a ballot voice their opinion on
question in order for it to be passed. what they believe most
matters.
With Lucey, Spada-
fora, and Fallon elected,
Malden may be facing
some big changes ahead
that could make the city
a safer and more enjoy-
able place to live.
Council Members
Photo by Lauren Benoit
8 Local news The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
continued on page 1
seven class, Vachon teaches Tech- which would provide students with
nology and Engineering and said an opportunity to participate in a
that it “entails designing a system, vocational and educational experi-
building that system according to ence that will lead into employment
your designs, and then testing that or further education. The programs
system to make sure it performs the will also be designed to provide stu-
required tasks.” When asked about dents with lasting skills that will en-
his first impression of Malden High hance their lives or future economic
School, he stated, “I really like the standing.
school and the kids are fantastic.” For those that are looking to
He has two daughters, one who continue their educational careers,
graduated from Syracuse University MHS has participated in engineer-
and another who studies Architec- ing programs at the University of
ture there. Vachon, an Assumption Massachusetts in Lowell. Malden
College graduate who grew up in students have also received articula-
Worcester and currently resides in tion agreements from area colleges.
Burlington, aspires “to have an ex- Articulation agreements are when
citing year with [his] students, and students are given college credit
to increase the number of classes for taking a technology class, like
next year.” Bazzinotti’s auto shop class, for their The Wood Shop and Auto
Vachon believes that vocational entire four years at Malden. Malden Shop Rooms
education is helpful; it offers a more students have received these agree- Photos by Lynn Tran
hands-on classroom experience, ments from schools like the New
which “gives the student a stron- England Institute of Technology, the
ger selling point for either further Ben Franklin Institute, Massachu-
schooling or work, whichever is the setts Bay Community College, and
correct thing for them [sic].” Universal Technical Institute.
Bazzinotti noted that he used to The school’s ongoing renova-
be one of thirty teachers who taught tions could also play an impact in
skilled labor classes, which ranged the future of vocational education at
from electrical and plumbing, to MHS, as there is talk that parts of the
metals and graphic arts/design, but building will be renovated for voca-
now he is one of only two left. “There tional usage. According to Smith,
are a lot of kids that are looking for money has also been set aside in the
career skills, but some might be into renovation budget to help future
a different trade,” stated Bazzinotti programs.
about Malden High’s lack of choices Roger Broddie, the Assistant
in the Tech-Ed department. Project Manager of the current
Vachon said that Vocational renovation project, said that there
education has changed greatly and about two dozen types of jobs on
that over the past sixteen years the current renovation, which totals
many teachers have even fought the to about sixty people. His full-time
changes. He also said that this has job entitles him to “monitor con-
only made him become more self- struction for the
sufficient. owner’s interest”
For those that are looking for and consult with
more skilled labor options at MHS, MHS principal
there is promise and hope on the Dana Brown
horizon. Bazzinotti said “Some about three times
people are starting to understand weekly, to get a
what we [Vachon and Bazzinotti] sense of what is
are doing.” Another positive step is going on at the
that four Malden school committee time in construc-
members, John Froio, Lenny Iovino, tion.
Gladys Rivera-Rogers, and Steve Pay of the
Winslow, along with Malden Public workers varies, but
Schools superintendent, Sid Smith, Broddie noted that
Holland House principal Marilyn each worker must
Slattery, Director of Guidance Man- be paid the prevail-
jula Karamcheti, and Bazzinotti have ing wage. The pre-
joined together to help form a new vailing wage is a mandatory pay, set
“Vocational Committee,” which is by the state of Massachusetts, which Types of jobs Payscale
discussing some future plans for ranges anywhere from twenty to 25th%ile Median 75th%ile
these types of offerings at Malden sixty dollars.
High. “Not every kid is going to col- Most of the workers do Public School Teacher $49,901 $57,192 $66,285
lege…they need job training,” said not have a college education, but do Police Officer $47,091 $56,520 $66,683
Bazzinotti. have experience from a trade school, Firemen $34,432 $45,909 $57,386
Smith said that the committee like the ones that Bazzinotti men- EMT $29,047 $32,953 $37,523
is “analyzing where we are now tioned. In contrast, most of the proj- Carpenter $36,844 $43,674 $53,001
and where we are going” and that ect management personnel do have Plumber $38,114 $44,339 $52,320
he wants the programs to lead into college education, like Broddie, who Electrician $39,796 $47,540 $55,674
“solid employment opportunities” studied Construction Engineering Automotive Technician 1 $28,984 $32,571 $38,444
for the students that take the cours- Technology at Wentworth Institute Automotive Technician 2 $42,279 $48,589 $56,403
es. He also noted that the commit- of Technology in Boston. Automotive Technician 3 $49,591 $58,129 $64,972
tee is discussing future programs,
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
Local news 9
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
The US has been at war with the Taliban regime for eight years, ever since the
September 11th attacks, and the debate still rages: should President Barack Obama
send more troops to Afghanistan?
As of October, there are 260,000 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
and Afghan troops in Afghanistan. Many officials are skeptical on sending more
troops to Afghanistan. They believe that sending 40,000 troops would only secure
the country for a short period of time. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan does not have a
government stable enough to maintain any gains made.
Iraq, due to the aid from the US, has established a parliament in Iraq. This
parliament elected a 36 member cabinet, filling in key spots in the Iraqi ministry.
However, in Afghanistan, the government is not as steady shown by election in
August of this year. Iraqi President Hamid Karzai won with a fifty-five percent ma-
jority; however accusations of fraud lead to an investigation of the ballots. This in-
vestigation confirmed the accusations, and twenty-three percent of Karzai’s ballots
were omitted, causing the need for a runoff between Karzai and candidate Abdullah
Abdullah. This lack of government leaves Afghanistan in a chaotic state, relying on
US troops to stabilize and protect it. However, US citizens are adamant about their
belief that there should not be any more troops sent to Afghanistan.
Photo by Michael DiGregorio from basic training
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released in Sept. notes that American
favor for the war has dropped from fifty-eight percent to thirty-nine percent. De-
spite such low numbers, Obama and his war council are still debating the number Alexandra Mathieu
of troops to send, ignoring public opinion. However, on Oct. 31, 2009, Obama and Online Editor
other White House officials considered scaling down the number of troops from
40,000 to 15,000.
The US is not the only country sending troops to Afghanistan. Two years ago,
Malden High School senior and soldier
a Taliban hostage crisis in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of two South Koreans. in training, Michael DiGregorio, expects to
Since then, South Korea has pulled more than 200 army medics and engineers out be deployed in Sept. 2010. He explained that
of the country. However, now the South Korean foreign ministry is planning on
sending troops in order to protect leftover Korean civilian aid workers there. These
engineering troops from Iraq will be sent
troops will not be participating in combat unless it is to defend the workers. While to fix Afghan bases and help reconstruct
there, the South Korean troops will enlarge a reconstruction team to help rebuild the Afghan nation. DiGregorio concludes
Afghanistan.
Despite the positive effect these troops will likely have on the country, South that there needs to be a rotation of troops
Koreans are opposed to the plan. They are still wary of the country since the Taliban in order to promote fairness. “As a fellow
hostage incident. soldier,” DiGregorio stated, “I believe that
Korea and the US both raise an important question: Is aiding a country in need
the best decision when the helping countries need aid themselves? The US still has in order to eliminate the threat overseas we
to deal with a devastating economic recession, as well as other endeavors in Iraq should push more troops in a shorter time.”
and the uncovering of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. South Korea, on the other
hand, is still battling its communist neighbor North Korea in naval battles in dis-
puted water territory. Should they send more of their troops elsewhere when they
need them on the home front?
Despite the debates over sending troops, the US as well as allied countries still
plan on deploying troops in Afghanistan, whether it is the best decision or not.
While recent Taliban attacks attack in Swat Valley which resulted been promised.” On Nov. 2, 2009 daily Pakistani newspaper Dawn,
continue to devastate Pakistan, in the deaths of 41 people. Three their government released a Taliban Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
the United States has decided that sets of bombings killed at least 22 bounty list through a set of national explained that the US government
further involvement in military people in northern Pakistan on Oct. advertisements, stating that “any- is “really trying to accelerate every-
operations is necessary. It has been 23, 2009. Peshawar, Pakistan is one one who captures [the] people dead thing [they] can to help the Pakistani
disclosed by senior American and of the most deadly attack sites. On or alive, or provides concrete infor- military.” Clinton, who gave the
Pakistani officials that the US has Oct. 9, 2009, at least 50 civilians were mation” will receive a cash reward. interview before her recent trip to
sent arms, sensors, and other equip- killed after a suicide bombing; a The capture of Hakimullah Mehsud, Pakistan, was not the only person
ment worth hundreds of millions week later, 12 people were killed in Taliban leader, and his two top sup- in Washington to recognize and
of dollars to Pakistani forces. Since another bombing. On Oct. 28, 2009, porters, Qari Hussain Mehsud and sympathize with Pakistan’s current
Sept. 11, 2001, the US has sent about the Taliban was accused of attacking Rahman wear tags worth $600,000; situation. An anonymous White
$12 billion worth of payments, a market in Peshawar via car bomb. the total reward money being of- House correspondent shared with
military assistance, and equipment The bombing left at least 91 people fered for the listed Taliban members The New York Times that President
to Pakistan. Pakistan is determined dead and 200 more injured. is equal to $5 million. Although the Barack Obama “was engaged in this
to fight independently, however, as While the death toll rises, offerings were a strategic attempt issue in the spring” and remains
Taliban threats towards the Paki- Pakistan’s struggle to fight inde- at independent resistance, it only involved. “[The US government is]
stani government worsen, the na- pendently becomes increasingly led to more devastation. Another 35 doing everything within [its] power
tion has had no choice but to accept difficult. One unnamed Pakistani people—civilians and military per- to assist Pakistan in improving its
help from the US. officer told The New York Times sons—were killed on Nov. 3, 2009 counterinsurgency capabilities,”
Since October, roughly 300 how the government was “grateful only hours afterwards, in a suicide Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mark
people have been killed in attacks for the generosity” of the US, but bombing in Rawalpindi. Wright also informed The New York
across Pakistan, all of which are sus- feels that the Pakistani government Pakistan has begun to cooper- Times.
pected to have been executed by the has “now learned to fight with all ate reluctantly with the US and their
Taliban. A security convoy made an [they] possess and not what has plans of aid. In an interview with
12 World news The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
I t has been 25 years since there has been an open senate seat in Massachusetts, and now someone will have to
December 8th
fill the shoes of one of the most idolized senators of all time, Ted Kennedy. The primary election will be held on
Dec. 8, 2009. For the time being, Paul Kirk will hold the seat, until the special election, which is set to take place on
Martha Coakley taken from
Jan. 19, 2010. Two republicans and four democrats are vying for the position. All the democrats are pro-choice on
http://www.marthacoakley.
the matter of abortion, and proponents of gay marriage, and the public health option. They oppose the sending of
com/
more troops to Afghanistan and capital punishment. Both republicans oppose another stimulus plan and public
option, as well as support the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Reporter The front-runner of the race, and first to announce her candidacy
is Massachusetts attorney general, Dem. Martha Coakley. She is the first
female Massachusetts attorney general, and hopes to be Massachusetts’ first
Mike Capuano taken from female senator as well. A graduate of Williams College and Boston Univer-
http://www.mikecapuano. sity Law School, Coakley stated to The Boston Examiner that if she becomes
com/content/home senator she will ensure people with disabilities have “equal access to hous-
ing, education, health care, and employment opportunities” and vows to
“end housing discrimination and to find ways to increase safe, affordable
housing.” In a debate at the John F. Kennedy Library, Coakley stated she
would be “a new kind of leader in Washington.’’
REPUBLICANS
Rep. Senator Scott Brown has the most experience out of the other
candidates because he is already a senator. He is a graduate of Tufts Uni-
versity, as well as Boston College Law School, and has been doing Law ever
Jack E. Robinson taken from since. Before he served as a senator he fought in the Afghanistan and Iraq
http://www.jackforcongress. war which he supports. Brown is a pro-death penalty supporter and says
us/ that a strong military is a necessity. Brown supports abortion, but believes
that the United States should work on cutting down the amount per year
and should use other alternatives like adoption. He opposes gay marriage,
and supports the second amendment and the right for citizens to hold con-
cealed carry. Brown supports the heath reform but opposes public option.
He says he will fight for lower taxes and will be an “independent thinker.”
Massachusetts is mostly democratic ,which will be his greatest obstacle to
overcome.
The Duxbury resident, Rep. Jack E. Robinson is the final candidate in the race. He is a graduate of Brown
University and received law and business degrees from Harvard. Robinson ran for senate in 2000 and lost to
Kennedy, as well as ran for Massachusetts Secretary of the Common Wealth in 2002 and lost. He has worked
as an executive for Eastern Airlines and left to start his own cell phone company. Unlike most republicans
Robinson “support[s] same-sex marriage, [and] support[s] equal rights for our LGBT community,” according
to NECN.com. Robinson is a “progressive” republican which is why a lot of his beliefs are different than most
republicans. Although one belief Robinson has that is like many republicans is he is pro-life and opposes abor-
tion. He wants to bring more jobs to Massachusetts but no through another stimulus plan. The republican party
has shunned Robinson, who hopes to be accepted once again if he wins the primary and special election.
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
World news 13
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Harmony in Danger
This month, twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall came
crashing down marking the fall of the Iron Curtain
across Europe - a massive event for many people across
the world, including Americans - who had occupied ter-
ritory in West Berlin for many years after World War II. Lynn Tran
Managing Editor
The stage for this tour was some of her outfit choices and dance up in the air on a motorcycle and
end stage, and had a catwalk that moves. At the beginning of the flown over the audience.
stretched out ten rows onto the concert, she was wearing a leather Another highlight of the night
floor, giving the concert a more jumpsuit, with biker boots, singing was when Miley brought her brother
intimate feel. After another half a few more of her rock songs. Trace on stage. When he came out,
hour of waiting, the stage hands After a quick outfit change, they sang “Hovering,” a track from
had everything in place for the she came out in a floor length glit- Breakout Platinum Edition CD. This
show to begin. tery gold gown, singing “Bottom of song was different from her other
the Ocean,” songs, having much more of a rock-
a soft ballad feel to it than her usual pop songs.
full of sad During the summer, Cyrus
lyrics, such filmed a movie called The Last
as, “I have to Song, based on the book by Nicho-
know why I las Sparks. During the concert, the
Catherine Poirier had to lose film’s trailer was presented to the
Reporter you/ Now audience. Before the trailer was
you’ll just showed, Cyrus informed the crowd,
O n the evening of Nov. 9, 2009,
Boston’s TD Garden was the
host of Miley Cyrus’ “Wonder
become like
everything
“I wanted to show you guys a little
bit of my summer. It felt great to get
I’ll never find away from the big city and film this
World Tour.” The arena was filled again/ At the movie. Even though I did make a
with fans ranging from children to bottom of the few mistakes, being away from the
teenage years, to even a few proud ocean.” Dur- city helped me make the changes
adults sporting blond wigs and ing this song, and decisions I needed to in my
cowboy hats. As the seats began an opening life.” Her testimony displayed her
to fill, screams of excitement could in the stage maturity, and how her recent at-
be heard. Metro Station, of which Photos by Catherine Poirier
floor ap- tempts to become her own person.
Miley Cyrus’ brother Trace is a Miley Cyrus performs and sells out at the TD Garden
peared and After showing the trailer, she played
member, was the opening act of the at the end of one of her songs from the movie,
night. When the lights dimmed as the song, she “When I Look at You,” on the piano,
Metro Station could took the stage, As the main event began, the threw herself backwards into it. which was a huge change from all
the arena filled with cheers and screens lit up and showed a ther- During the night, Cyrus gave the songs she had previously per-
chanting of her name. mometer with freezing tempera- tributes to some of her favorites formed, which mostly consisted of
After Metro Station’s first few tures on it, and a huge block of what songs and artists, including Michael pop/rock songs.
songs, Trace took the chance to say a appeared as ice came out from be- Jackson. In between two of her Throughout her whole per-
few words, stating, “A lot of people low the stage. Then this block of ice songs, Jackson’s hit “Thriller” be- formance, she clearly showed her
didn’t want my sister and I to work shattered and Miley came out, sing- gan playing. Cyrus and her dancers enthusiasm at touring again. At one
together, they said it just didn‘t fit. ing “Breakout”, the title track from began doing the track’s trademark point, she had to stop between songs
But I would like to thank her for her album released last summer. dance. In addition, in the perfor- because one of her dancers had done
believing in us, because we would Each song continued to surprise the mance her new single “Party in the something funny on stage and she
have never been able to go on tour audience with all sorts of props. USA,” she changed the lyrics from could not stop laughing. During all
together without her love and sup- Her stage presence revealed “and a Jay-Z song was on” to “and of the songs, she was smiling uncon-
port.” After Metro Station left the how much she was trying to change a Michael song was on.” Cyrus also trollably, clearly having a great time.
stage, the crew began to set up the her image, to one of more diversity sang “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Cyrus definitely gave the concert at-
stage for Miley. and maturity. This was shown by Jett; during the song, she was taken tendees a night to remember.
OUR REACTIONS
Reginah Sanyu
Reporter
Matthew Evans, English teacher at MHS,”I Cherise Hope, junior at MHS, “I was sad to
wasn’t surprised of Jackson’s death. I re- hear of his death because Jackson had and
member seeing the Jackson 5 in a concert at majorly influence on American Pop Culture,
Yankees stadium in 1966. Jackson is like the all the musicians got their style from him. He
Great Gatsby; their lives were both full of is still a legend; I was him for Halloween to
mysteries, had big mansions but were still keep him alive.”
very lonely.”
Thomas Mahoney, D House principal William Clarke, senior at MHS: “I listened to Jack-
Jackson influenced the youth of every son once in a while. He had an influence on the
American culture because a lot of these R7B sing-
generation. Although Jackson was very
ers wouldn’t have the same swag is it wasn’t for
strange; his influence has reigned in the him. Jackson [was] indeed the KING OF POP.”
last few years, I wasn’t his biggest fan but
to me, he is one of the greatest entertain-
ers.”
Photos by Catherine and Sharon
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
Sports 17
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