The MedallionNotre Dame Academy 1073 Main Street Hingham, MA 02043 October 2008

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Election 2008Have You Been Debating?

Gabrielle Ferro ‘10

ISSUE OBAMA MCCAIN HOW IT MAY AFFECT AN NDA STUDENT

College Financial Aid

Obama plans to simplify the fi nancial aid process by cancelling the current fi nancial aid application and permitting families to apply by checking a box on their tax forms and allowing their tax information to be used. This will take away the need for a separate application.

McCain believes there are too many programs and application processes that deter eligible students from applying for fi nancial aid. He feels these numerous and excessive programs do not allow for students to be personally helped through the process of applying for aid. McCain proposes consolidating programs to make the application process for families easier by simplifying the program administration and providing students with better information concerning their eligibility for aid.

Both candidates seem to agree that applying for fi nancial aid in post- secondary education is diffi cult and tedious to an unnecessary degree. The good news for high school students is both candidates plan to simplify the application process for college fi nancial aid. This will be a blessing in your senior year.

Women in Science and Technology

Barack Obama acknowledges the lack of women in the science and engineering fi elds. He believes women deserve the same educational opportunities in math, engineering, and science Obama believes educating women and increasing female participation in these subjects and fi elds will lead to the country being more competitive with the rest of the world in the global market.

John McCain also believes the country will be more competitive in the global market if all citizens have an equal opportunity to become educated in math and science. He acknowledges the decline in American students attaining degrees in these subjects and feels action needs to be taken immediately. McCain plans to fully fund the America Competes Act in response to the lack of participation in math and science.

At this point in the 21st century, advancements and discoveries in math and science have exploded. Both McCain and Obama acknowledge the lack of young American students studying in these areas and going on to pursue related fi elds. Both of them strongly support educational opportunities for all students. For a young woman this is a great time to be interested in math and science because the two subjects are booming and both candidates want to improve the conditions and opportunities of study in these areas. Both candidates want more students involved in these fi elds of studies.

Regular Saturday Night Live viewers, political junkies and everyone in the loop has seen the political skits featured as the opening of the recent SNL episodes (and Thursday night election update specials). They feature Darrell Hammond as John McCain, Fred Armisen as Barack Obama, Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, Jason Sudeikis as Joe Biden and (earlier in the election) Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton.

Hilarious as they may be, many think that these political spoofs are falsely informing the population about the issues and the candidates of the 2008 presidential elections. On the contrary, these skits heighten political interest and reach out to a wider pool of viewers. Once a SNL viewer sees Tina Fey’s impersonation of Sarah Palin, he or she cannot wait to watch the vice presidential debate to see Palin’s latest bumble. When SNL exaggerates McCain’s negative ads about Obama, the viewers keep an ear open for McCain’s commercials.

These caricatures point out the major weaknesses of the candidates—McCain’s social awkwardness, Obama’s generalizations, Palin’s lack of political knowledge, and Biden’s overconfi dence. They use the same political promises and positions as the candidates in their mock debates, interviews, and press conferences, but they exaggerate the negative aspects of the candidates’ platforms. The SNL cast pokes holes in the candidates’ election platforms and accentuates their negative qualities. The viewer can see the weaknesses of the candidates and their proposals in a brutally critical, uncensored atmosphere.

Live From New York... It’s Campaign ‘08Colleen Sharry ‘09

It probably is not a good idea to get all of one’s political information from Saturday Night Live, however, the effect of the political skits is only a positive one. SNL reaches out to a new body of voters—the SNL viewers as opposed to the CSPAN crowd that usually takes advantage of the televised debates. The hype around these skits promotes political awareness and interest in the presidential elections.

The last stretch of the 2008 presidential election is on and Barack Obama and John McCain are in the heat of the race. For the last few weeks of this election, America will mainly be focused on the debates between the candidates. Although it can be very informative, thought provoking and sometimes even entertaining or comical to observe the candidates in debates, we need to be in debates ourselves, with ourselves. We need to be thinking what candidate really is the better choice for our present and future lives. As U.S. citizens, we are given the privilege to vote for a president whom we think will be the best leader for our country and the world. As long as we have this opportunity to choose a leader, why don’t we take it? When choosing to fulfi ll your duty as a citizen through voting, you need to

make sure you are informed of the candidates’ positions. Even if you are not of age to vote, it is important you are informed because the current issues are either affecting your life now or will affect you very soon. You need to make sure you are informed on the issues and know where you stand so you can help elect a president who agrees with your positions. Here are a few issues and stances that will probably have an affect on an NDA student in the next few years.

PARTY CANDIDATE ISSUE

Democrat

Barack Obama

And

Joe Biden

War in Iraq Health Care Immigration Stem Cell Research Abortion Same Sex Marriage

Always against war; supports

immediate withdrawal

of troops (16 month deadline)

Required for children

Boarder fence;

Citizenship for some

illegal immigrants

Supports expanding federal funding for

embryonic stem cell research

Supports abortion rights

Opposes same-sex marriage but supports

civil unions;

Opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage

Republican

John McCain

And

Sarah Palin

Supports troops staying in Iraq

Individual health insurance for all

Americans

Boarder fence;

Citizenship for some

illegal immigrants

Supports expanding federal funding for

embryonic stem cell research on embryos that would otherwise

be discarded

Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the

mother

Against same-sex marriage;

Opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage

Where Do They Stand?Barack Obama Versus John McCain on Hot-Button Issues

Bumper stickers. Signs on front lawns. Buttons and t-shirts. In today’s presidential election, Barack Obama and John McCain’s campaign teams have pulled out all the stops to have their candidates’ names printed on everything imaginable. Before Barack Obama urged voters to cast a ballot for “Change We Can Believe In” and John McCain assured voters he would put the “Country First,” Henry Clay was asking “Who is James K. Polk?” and Richard Nixon’s campaign staff was letting America know “Nixon’s the One.” Here’s a look back at some of the more memorable campaign slogans of elections past.

In the election of 1840, war hero William Henry Harrison won over votes with the saying “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” Unfortunately, Harrison soon became the record holder of the shortest term in office, dying from pneumonia less than month after being inaugurated.

Herbert Hoover promised the American people “A Chicken in Every Pot and A Car in Every Garage.” This assurance of prosperity in the Hoover administration won over voters. However, the stock market crash in 1929 brought a cloud of doom over his presidency and America soon found itself in the midst of the Great Depression.

Perhaps one of the most well-known modern campaign slogans is that of Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1952 election. Voters everywhere sported “I Like Ike” buttons and the popular military hero went on to serve as president for two terms.

In 1992, Bill Clinton defeated the incumbent, George H. W. Bush, with the help his campaign’s assertion that he was “Putting People First.” Clinton went on to enjoy economic success, despite a highly publicized scandal, in his two terms in office.

The current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, George W. Bush, made sure voters knew he was a “Reformer With Results” and that he would “Leave No Child Behind” in his campaign against Democrat Al Gore in 2000. In 2004, Bush’s campaign declared, “Yes, America Can!” in an effort to win the White House for a second term.

Will Barack Obama prove to voters he is the change Washington needs? Or, will voters be persuaded by McCain’s pledge that America will come first? On November 4th, Americans will decide who the 44th president will be. To some voters, maybe the slogan made all the difference.

Vote for Me: The Presidential Campaign SloganKara Dunford ’09

Presidential Election

The upcoming presidential election is an opportunity for some of the seniors to play a part in our nation’s electoral process. How can you get involved?

One of the most important things is to register, because if you are not registered, you cannot vote. If you are going to be eighteen as of the election date, you can register at your town hall or by mail. However, registering alone is not enough. The most important aspect of voting is actually going to the polls and casting your ballot. According to a recent issue of the New York Time’s Upfront magazine, only 47% of registered eighteen to twenty-four year olds came out to the polls on election day. This age group has the lowest turnout rate.

Simply voting is not enough. As a voter it is your responsibility to become informed. The first step is to learn about the candidates and their platforms. You can find information on candidates by researching them online, watching the news and watching the televised debates. It is important that your research contains creditable information, rather than a blog written by biased supporters. Televised interviews with the candidates may answer specific questions voter have about the candidates. In addition, the news keeps you updated on current events that may impact the election. Watching the debates is also another way to help decide which candidate to vote for. The two candidates go face to face and argue their platforms on current issues.

Even if you are not able to vote this November, it is interesting to follow the election. Learning about the election will help you get a better understanding of how our political system works and will keep you up to date on current events. It may also help you when it comes time for you to vote in the presidential election of 2012. Stay involved. Keep up with the issues. Your voice may matter on November 4th.

Your Voice MattersAmadana Salvucci ‘09

Mrs. Beldotti’s AP Government Class Debates

On September 12, I had the opportunity to interview Greg Mortenson, co-author of Three Cups of Tea, at Stonehill College with two Stonehill students. After reading the book and learning about Mortenson’s life, I was expecting to meet a superhero. This man has done so much in his life to help others, how could he not be an imposing, larger than life person?

Upon meeting Mr. Mortenson, I soon realized I was wrong. The image of a teddy bear suits him better than the image of a superhero destroying everything in his path to catch the villain. He went out of his way to make sure he was answering the questions the reporters were asking and ensuring we got the correct numbers and spellings of names.

Anyone who meets Greg Mortenson would realize that he is extremely passionate about what he has committed his life to accomplishing. His enthusiasm is immediately evident when he speaks, whether it is through the recounting of personal anecdotes or the rattling off of figures and percentiles. This man is completely dedicated to what he does and after listening to him, it is difficult not to become equally enthused.

The first question posed to Mortenson was a politically loaded one, dealing with government authorization to send troops into Pakistan. Mortenson said he is opposed to US troops moving into Pakistan, particularly unofficially; he believes this action would have more extreme repercussions than it would have benefits. However, Mortenson knows there is an issue in Pakistan that deserves much more attention that it receives. The female literacy rate is “very low, less than 20%.”

Today in Pakistan, 6.4 million children ages five to fifteen attend school. This number has gone up since 2000 during the “height of the Taliban,” when the number was only 800,000.

“The number of kids in school has gone up eight times, which is very inspiring news,” Mortenson says. The only problem: no one knows about this news.

Mortenson told the story of a lecture he was giving to about 250,000 people. He asked how many people knew about these figures and only about thirty-five people raised their hands. He believes this is “the kind of news we should be hearing about.”

Instead, we are hearing about dismal statistics including this one: since 2007, 480 schools have been bombed or destroyed by the Taliban. Ninety percent of these are girls’ schools.

“Why are they destroying girls’ schools?” Mortenson asks. “The Jihadi groups and the Taliban, their greatest fear is not the bullet. It is the pen.”

The Taliban fears girls who are receiving an education.

Mortenson has made it his goal to see to it that girls receive the education he believes they deserve.

So far, Mortenson has built 78 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have educated 28,000 students. 18,000 of those students were female. The students are taught by 540 teachers four of whom are former Taliban officials.

“We can drop bombs, we can build roads or we can put in electricity, but unless girls are educated, a society will not change. Education and literacy should be a top goal.”

FEED Bags for Thought Molly Gorman ’10

Mother Teresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Renowned model/activist, Lauren Bush, took this to heart when she designed the FEED bag to aid the United Nation’s World Food Program. The purchase of just one bag can feed a schoolchild for an entire year in one of the 74 countries involved in the program. Lauren’s idea filled 37,500 hungry children’s stomachs in 2007. To support the campaign against world hunger for 2008, and make it even more successful, buy a FEED bag today! If you are interested in contributing to the cause, but have little extra cash, a relatively cheap burlap version of the FEED bag can be purchased at Whole Foods Market for just $29. For the fashionistas, there are FEED bags made by Ralph Lauren that are chic, preppy, and look like a bag made out of a cute rugby shirt. They can be bought at rugby.com for $60. Celebrities, such as Keira Knightley, have gotten in on the trend for change too. There are 400 million hungry children in the world, and your charity can make a difference in the life of one, so get shopping!

Photo Credit: Lisa Richards,

Stonehill College

Mortenson talked about the effect female education will have on a society. “If you can educate a girl to a fifth grade level, a minimum fifth grade level, infant mortality is reduced and population explosion is reduced. Female literacy and education improves the qualities of health and life.”

Female education is “empowering” and it “leads to higher education, legal advocacy and right of land ownership.”

Mortenson has seen this effect take place first hand. One of the students in Pakistan, a young women named Aziza, was from a conservative, remote area where female education was not accepted by society. Boys would throw stones and steal the notebooks of the girls who attempted to go to school and the teachers would refuse to teach the girls. In 1998, Aziza become the first girl out of 4,000 people to graduate from high school. From there, she went on to two years of maternal healthcare training. In the area she was from, there was no clinic or hospital and scarcely any medicine. Every year, any where between five and twenty women would die in childbirth. Since 2000, largely due to the education of Aziza, no women have died in childbirth.

When Mortenson first met Aziza, he told her he wanted to help her achieve what she wanted most and asked her what that was. Her answer: no more babies dying and an education. Mortenson believes he is there as the “servant” of the people and does not want to force a Western agenda on any of the women or men he encounters.

On the back cover on Three Cups of Tea, Mortenson is compared to Indiana Jones. Obviously, he does not have the hat or the whip. What is it exactly that gives him the strength to wander around that part of the volatile world without fear for his own mortality?

Mortenson says he learned most of what he knows today from his parents. His parents always taught him that being of service to humanity is a calling, a calling Mortenson says he feels strongly. His childhood heroes were Doctor Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa, both recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1952 and 1979, respectively. He thinks today children are too focused on sports figures, singers and other celebrities as their role models, instead of people who “have compassion and practice humility.”

He has learned from listening to the people and paying attention to their needs, rather than what he thinks their needs are. He is so focused on female education and fixing the problem of horribly low literary rates, he often doesn’t think of the danger around him

Greg Mortenson is a man of extraordinary character. He is compassionate, dedicated and enthusiastic. He is the real Indiana Jones who is setting up schools in areas where education was always forbidden or tossed aside as an afterthought. He is helping girls become educated in order to find their places as major assets to their communities.

But as he modestly puts it, he is simply “here to help.”

The Real Indiana JonesKara Dunford ‘09

One Book, One School Upcoming EventsNovember 5 - Sister Joan Burke and Donia Gobar, a native of Afghanistan, will be giving the student body a new perspective on the importance of female education.

January 5-9 - The work of Paula Lerner, photojournalist from the North Shore, will be on display.

January 7 - Lerner will present her lecture on giving women a voice in Afghanistan at 6:30 pm.

January 22 - The movie “Beyond Belief” will be shown in the auditorium at 2:30 pm. A discussion will follow.

February 5 - David Relin, co-author of Three Cups of Tea, will be here to speak about his experiences in Afghanistan.

Paula Lerner and David Relin will be visting classes on the days of their lectures. Lerner will visit history and photography classes and Relin will visit English classes.

NDA @ 2:19Who was James Otis? To those of you that have studied him in history, he probably is only a minor Revolutionary War figure. In most minds, James Otis is overshadowed by more illustrious Massachusetts Revolutionary heroes. Men such as John Hancock, Paul Revere and John Adams take center stage in our mind with their daring deeds, while James Otis is typically forgotten. This past Constitution Day, September 17, I learned that James Otis was just as passionate in his defense of our civil freedoms, so much so that the Massachusetts Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) created the James Otis Lecture Series to educate teenagers on his contributions.

On Constitution Day, about 200 students from every county in Massachusetts traveled into the State House to participate in the James Otis Lecture Series. As I walked into the House of Representatives, I was amazed by the number of students who had responded to the event; literally every seat in House was filled. The lecture began with speeches from the President of the Massachusetts Chapter of ABOTA, as well as the national President of ABOTA. Both men discussed the importance of examining historical law and the function of ABOTA today. The first keynote speaker, Professor Dan Coquillete of the Boston College School of Law, discussed the Revolutionary War from a lawyer’s perspective. He told us that James Otis can potentially be considered the most influential lawyer in American History for his argument in the Writs of Assistance case. In fact, I learned that John Adams thought James Otis’ performance during the trial was instrumental during the early years of American Revolution.

James Otis’ epic argument took place in 1761, years before actual fighting began, when tensions were just beginning to rise between the colonies and England. In Massachusetts, the Writs of Assistance would have allowed British officials to enter colonists’ homes and businesses and seize goods, all without a warrant. Parliament was attempting to cut down on smuggling within the colonies, especially in Boston, because it was becoming an accepted activity for many Bostonians. James Otis argued that the Writs of Assistance were a gross abuse of the colonists’ natural rights. While he did not win his case, his argument contributed to the American principle that no government has the power to confiscate a person’s natural liberties. John Adams remembered James Otis’ argument, and suggested that it be used by the writers of the Constitution. In the Bill of Rights, the Fourth Amendment, no search without a proper warrant, can be directly attributed to James Otis’ ideas. Later, the second keynote speaker, the Honorable Robert J. Cordy, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, applied James Otis’ commitment to the law to our lives today. He discussed the current importance lawyers hold in society, and the potential they have to shape the future of our country. Furthermore, he communicated the current importance of judicial independence. After the lecture, I had the opportunity to meet with the speakers and ask questions. Overall, I am extremely pleased that I attended the lecture series, and as a graduating senior I advise that any underclassmen with a passion for history or law investigate who is being discussed next year.

James Otis: Defender of American LibertiesCourtney Dagher ‘09

The MedallionIssue 2, October 2008

Editor-in-chief - Kara Dunford ‘09

Editors - Colleen Sharry ‘09

Molly Burke ‘09

Kristen Kennedy ‘10

Advisor - Mrs. Pepe

newspapernda@yahoo.com

medallionletterstotheeditor@gmail.com

Heritage Day