Anna's Current Events Blog

In summary of the article “SAT’s New ‘Adversity Score’ Will Take Students’ Hardships Into Account” by  Anemona Hartocollis. This article explains how College Board, the company that makes and administers the SAT tests, is adding a new category called the Adversity Score. This score will help to tell what challenges students have faced. It was made to gauge which students would succeed in college despite a lower score. It was also made to battle the association between wealthier families and higher SAT scores. College Board seems to think that if a family can just hire the best tutors and teachers, those kids will get higher scores. In my opinion, I think this is a great idea. I agree that it will help gauge students ability better than just the test without it. I think colleges should both look for naturally smart people, but more than that they should look for hard workers. I think people who work hard are more ready for the struggles of college than the students who have every...

In summary of the article “‘It Was Like a Zoo’: Death on an Unruly, Overcrowded Everest” by  Kai Schultz, Jeffrey Gettleman, Mujib Mashal, and Bhadra Sharma. In this article, Ed Dohring explained some of his trip up Mount Everest. He said that when he got to the top, there was a long like on an icy terrain with a thousand-foot drop. There was even a spot where he had to step over a body of someone who had just died. When he finally got to the flat summit, there were over 20 people crowded into an area he described as the size of 2 ping pong tables put together. “It was like a zoo,”  he said in his interview. This season was by far one of the most dangerous. In my opinion, this is a crazy situation. With the increasing number of tourists climbing Everest, of course, there will be more deaths. The fact that there were so many people they needed a line, and the top was packed, is crazy. Especially when you think about how you have only a limited time up there. If you run out o...

In summary of the article “What makes the Maine School of Science and Mathematics Maine the No. 2 high school in the nation?” by the Portland press. The article was explaining how despite the school being in the far corner of Maine, and in a very old building, it is still the second best in the nation. They interviewed the chemistry teacher Tracy Meyer who gave multiple quotes including “That we can attract these motivated young teenagers is really a testament to the school’s reputation,” and “I often forget that they are high school students.” They also interviewed multiple students and mentioned how the students didn't really care about the new rating of the top two in America. When asked what they do on their monthly four day weekends, most students said they slept. most students say they think of MSSM as their second home. I am actually going to that school starting next fall, so I am a little biased. The chemistry teacher they interviewed, Mrs. Meyer, was the teacher who i...

In summary of the article “George Takei: At least during my internment, I was not taken from my parents” by Jennifer Hansler, an American actor by the name of George Takei draws comparisons between his own childhood experiences of the Japanese internment camps and the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" policy. He pointed out that even during internment most families weren't separated, yet in this new policy thousands of children’s parents have been deported and forced to leave the country. George Takei thinks that it doesn’t take much for political leaders to convince themselves of the virtues of a policy such as an interment or the zero-tolerance policy. And since a democratic president approved internment, he states that it is not subject to a particular political party. Even the former first lady, Laura Bush, could see the similarities between the two terrible instances. She wrote "These images are eerily reminiscent of the Japanese American internment c...

In summary of the article “Instead Of Wrestling A Girl, High Schooler Chooses To Forfeit State Wrestling Match” by Scott Simon and Amanda Morris, a high school boy refused to wrestle 2 high school girls because it went against his moral and religious beliefs. He thought that he didn’t want to be violent with the girls on, or off the matt. He ended up forfeiting the state championships because of this. One of the girls, Jaslynn Gallegos, said that she respected his decision but did not understand it. She explained that she wants to be treated as a wrestler, not specifically a girl wrestler. She ended up getting 5th during states, and the other girl got forth. This is the first time a female wrestler has placed in the Colorado State Championships. Jaslynn Gallegos is planning on continuing wrestling in college where she will be wrestling other girls.    My opinion on this is in-between. On one hand, I get where the guy is coming from in this situation. He doesn’t want t...

In summary of the article “Not only is Aquaman from Maine, Captain Marvel is, too” by  Emily Burnham, the author explains how not only Aquaman is from Maine, but Captain Marvel is too. The comic released last year highlighted how she grew up in a small Maine town. At first, she just goes to visit her mom and brother, but a series of flashbacks reveal where she grew up. They filled the comic with all the classic Maine things. Pine trees, lighthouses, lobster boats, and even “...slightly embarrassingly written Maine accents.” as the author states. As the author says, it is very interesting that two characters from completely different universes come from the same state. In my opinion, this is great publicity for Maine. We need all the young people in our state that we can get. If this can bring new people moving here, or even tourists, it will be a great benefit to our state. I also think it was funny how the stereotypes for Mainers were so exaggerated. The accents ...

In summary of the article “Bill Introduced to Forgive Student Loans After Five Years in Maine” by Laura Rosbrow-Telem, a new bill that was introduced in Maine aimed at forgiving people’s student loans if they live and work in Maine for 5 years. The purpose of this bill, as stated by State Senate Majority Leader Nate Libby, is to create the first student debt program in America and to help attract and retain young workers. This bill has been introduced before, but it didn't make it through the Senate. Libby is planning on pushing a $250 million bond rather than a tax credit. He says $250 million is a limit, and that the state of Maine would probably not have to pay more than that. At the time the article was written, there had not been a hearing for the bill, but it was expected to take place sometime in February.    My opinion on this article is that if it’s not going to cause Maine a ton of debt, it’s a good idea. As you may know, the average age in Maine is rising, ...

In summary of the article “Glaciers Are Retreating. Millions Rely on Their Water.”, the glaciers in Central Asia are shrinking. This will mean less future water for people and crops. Maria Shahgedanova, a glaciologist at the University of Reading, went to check on the glacier Tuyuk Su. This glacier is one of the most studied glaciers throughout history. It really helps scientists gauge the effect climate change is having on the earth. At the end of last summer, some researchers drew lines on a stake so they could see how much it melts the next year. This year, parts of the glacier are already 3 feet thinner. Due to the rising temperature, the melting seed has surpassed the accumulation of snow, which has been resulting in a net loss of ice. The melting glaciers all over the world are causing floods, and rising sea levels, disrupting natural ecosystems. The people in central Asia could face a crop shortage if the glacier retreats too much or melts completely.    My opi...

In summary of the article “Remarkable tale of Hitler's young Jewish friend”, an old photograph of Adolf Hitler and a young Jewish girl by the name of Rosa Bernile Nienau went up for auction. This picture helps tell an amazing story about the past. This is not just any propaganda photo, you can see real joy in both Hitler’s, and the little girl’s eyes. The image up for auction is even signed and dated by Hitler, and the little girl seemed to have added flowers on top of the black and white image after it was sent to her. It is said that they met on Hitler’s Alpine trip, and He discovered they shared a birthday. People believe he then invited Rosa and her mother up to his cabin, where the pictures were taken. They were able to maintain contact for up to 5 years via letter before the Nazi forces told Rosa and her mother to stop. Hitler did not fancy this, and even said that there are people who always find a way to spoil all of his joy. That was a year before WWII broke out. Sadly, R...

In summary of the article “The True Story Behind Hip-Hop Musical Hamilton”, the Broadway musical Hamilton is going on a tour of Europe. The author was summarizing the famous musical for foreign fans. Hamilton was written by Lin Manuel Miranda, and the first production ever was February 17, 2015. The first time the production went to Europe was December 6, 2017, in London. That was the start of the European tour they are currently in. The author of the article revealed a full rundown of the show and explained some things people in other countries may not understand the musical. In my opinion, I do not think the author should have revealed so much of the plot, considering the article is geared to people who haven't seen Hamilton yet. They even revealed how it ends! I think that in terms of explaining, the author did very well and it was an overall good idea. I do have to wonder if it is the same cast as the original who are touring, but I'm not sure. I am very excited about th...

In summary of the article “Bush’s Letter to Clinton Cemented a Presidential Tradition, Historians Say” by Julia Jacobs, there is an old presidential tradition of leaving a letter of support for the incoming commander in chief on Inauguration Day. In 2016, an image of president bush’s letter to Bill Clinton was widely publicized. Many commented that it was a “refreshing reminder of the potential for bipartisanship during a bitterly divisive campaign.” In the letter were words of encouragement for Bill. Every single departing president since Reagan has delivered a note or letter of wisdom and support on Inauguration day. Former President Barack Obama left President Donald Trump a note for his first day as well, and Trump had said it was a “thoughtful” and “Beautiful” letter.    Personally, I think this is a wonderful tradition. It shows the kindness of the former presidents, and I’m sure it also helps the new presidents get started. I can’t even imagine how difficult an...

In summary of the article “French Police Crack Down on ‘Yellow Vests’ With Tear Gas and Over a Thousand Arrests” by  Adam Nossiter, Alissa J. Rubin and Aurelien Breeden, the fourth weekend of anti-government protests turned violent in Paris, France on Saturday, December 2, 2018. People were burning cars, ripping down barricades from storefronts, smashing traffic signs and street lights, and much much more. Trying to quell the violence, the police forces were firing tear gas and water cannons into the crowds. These protesters call themselves “Yellow-Vests”. According to France’s minister, 118 “demonstrators” and 17 police officers were injured on the 2nd. Our very own US president withdrew from the battle to “return” money back to American people in the form of lower taxes.    Personally, I think it is crazy that France is in revolt in the first place. People there have resorted to such violence just to be heard by their government. It makes me wonder who’s ri...

      In summary of the article “The U.S. wants the Yemen War to End. Will, it Stop Selling Arms to Saudi Arabia?”, the US has the advantage to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia. We would do this to try and help end the Yemen War. A war which has pushed around 14 million people to the ‘brink of starvation’. Washington D.C. supports Saudi Arabia and its allies through billions of dollars in arms sales. According to Kristine Beckerle, a Human Rights Watch’s Yemen researcher, the best way to force Saudi Arabia to ‘change their ways’ is to stop sending weapons. To stop the abuse of weapons on Saudis part, “lawmakers included a provision in a defense bill requiring the administration to certify Saudi Arabia and its allies were trying to reduce civilian casualties in Yemen” They did this because, in August, they bombed a school bus, killing dozens of children.      My opinion is that the US should definitely stop providing them with weapons. Especially if the...

      In summary of the article "Amazon is Planning to Split its New Headquarters Between Two Cities’, the company of Amazon is doing just as the title specified; Splitting up its headquarters into two different places. It has not yet disclosed where the new cities will be. Originally the company was looking for just one location, but after over a year of searching, they decided on two. The original information was publicized by a person “familiar with Amazon’s thinking who was not authorized to speak publicly”. Amazon had announced that it would be choosing the cities from 20 finalists before the end of 2018. People speculate that these new headquarters will bring “$5 billion in capital investments and 50,000 new jobs into a single market”. The CEO of Amazon reports that there were over 230 cities who applied, but they narrowed it down with data. He then went on to say "but then you make that decision with your heart.".     Personally, I think this is a good t...

      In summary of the article "How the candidates in Maine’s biggest races are courting voters as Election Day looms" by Michael Shepherd. The two main Democratic and Republican candidates running for Maine's second congressional district are seen as tied. Many people in the second district are experiencing more tv ads than any other house district. Outside groups have put over 13 million dollars into Maines 2nd district. In another important issue for district 2, health care, Golden is " hitting Poliquin over his vote last year to repeal the Affordable Care Act" but Poliquin is priding himself more on veterans issues. As for an independent candidate, people may lean towards one of them. They may do this to see the war between sides stop, and to just have someone in the middle. My opinion on this subject is that people should vote independent. I'd personally like to see the back and forth between sides stop. We should just have one person in the ...

        I was just reading an article from The New York Times about how the Chinese government is tracking their populations’ faces to increase security and enforce more government control. According to Martha Chorzempa, if people are unsure whether or not they are being watched, they are more likely to follow the rules, which is exactly what the Chinese government wants. They already have around 200 million cameras in use, which is 4 times the amount we have here in America, and they are expected to have 300 million by 2020. Technology used to be thought of as an asset to democracy, with many thinking it would give people more freedom by exposing them to the broader world. Surprisingly in China, it has done the opposite, giving the government more power and the public less freedom. One example of how this is working is how there was an intersection where people were always speeding, and jaywalkers were always walking past, but using their technology to display pict...

In summary of an article from The Washington Post, written by Eli Rosenberg and Abigail Hauslohner, 11 children ranging from ages 1 to 15 were found with Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, along with 4 other adults. They had already trained at least one of the minors to use an assault rifle to prepare for a school shooting. Siraj Wahhaj was suspected to be training the children for future acts of violence, and he was originally arrested on the suspicion that he had abducted his 3-year-old son. The police arrested him and the 4 other adults after raiding a barren property in scrubland, Amalia, New Mexico that they had been staying on. All 5 of the adults have been charged with 11 counts of felony child abuse, and are possibly being held without bail. Although the search for   Siraj Ibn Wahhaj’s son is what led to the arrest, he was not found with the other children, and they are currently investigating child remains found on the property suspected to be his. This article made ...

In summary of the article “‘Never Again’” by Patricia Smith, the  group ‘Never Again’ was formed by teenagers from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida after the school shooting there in February. 17 students and staff members were killed and it inspired some of the surviving seniors to take action for more laws on gun control and more gun restrictions. ‘Never Again’ got thousands upon thousands of followers within days of the shooting. They started forming political rallies, walkouts, researching legal framework, interviewing people, appearing on tv and meeting with lawmakers. They have declared a national march on Washington D.C., changed Florida state law, and even met with President Donald Trump, all while inspiring other students at other schools all across the nation to stand up and hold rallies, protests, and walkouts of their own. One of the only things in their way was that the legislator was not convinced more gun control was the way to go. This has ...