Monday, November 21, 2016

Donald Trump will be 45th President of the United States

Liz Donahue
Staff Writer

Tuesday, Nov. 8 was one of the most anticipated days of the year. The race between Clinton and Trump was close, however many people were expecting a Clinton win due to then-current polls and Clinton’s campaign confidence. However, when the news came on early Wednesday morning, millions were shocked that Donald Trump had been elected the 45th president of the United States. Many were angered, scared, frantic, and/or upset, but the presiding emotion seemed to be confusion. How did he win?
  Tuesday started off with many of the polls underestimating Trump’s chances, predicting a Clinton win. Many battleground states that were leaning towards Clinton had actually flipped in Trump’s favor, something that was very unexpected. Pennsylvania, a state which most experts felt was almost certainly going to go to Clinton, actually went red during the late hours of the election. Nobody predicted that Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, and Ohio would all go to Trump as well. There is speculation that many people lied to pollers about who they were actually voting for.
  Hillary Clinton won the popular vote; however, Donald Trump won the electoral vote. Many African American, Latino, and young voters failed to show up to vote on Tuesday, which hurt Clinton in the race. According to ABC News, only 11 percent of Latinos voted, and Trump took 29 percent of those votes. Trump had a stronghold on men, and even got 44 percent of the female vote.
  As the Lion’s Tale went to press, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was leading President-elect Donald Trump in the popular vote 63,045,266 to 61,607,950. Michigan is still counting its votes and plans to certify its election results at the end of November. Although Trump is only leading by .3 percent of the vote (about 11.600 votes according to 270towin.com), officials believe he will carry the state and win the election with a final electoral college vote count of 306 to 232.

Rise in hate crimes across America post-Trump election

Krupa Shah & Lauren Walinski
Staff Writers

Ever since Donald Trump’s election a few days ago, hate crimes have been cropping up across the country. These crimes range anywhere from swastikas and hateful messages being graffitied in bathroom stalls or store or home walls. These messages include phrases as “make America white again,” “black lives don’t matter,” “gay families = burn in hell,” “go back to where you came from” and others.
  People are also reporting being harassed in the street. Women all over the country are reporting sexual harassment, including men using phrases such as “grab them by the p*ssy” as said by our current president-elect. People of color have reported being called racial slurs and being told to return to Africa, Mexico, or other countries, sometimes even being told to go “back” to the wrong country. Many people who have been told this are American born citizens. Members of the LGBTQ community have reported being called slurs as well, and being told their marriages would be overturned. Threats on people’s lives have also been made, such as an incident that took place at the University of Pennsylvania where black freshman were all added to a GroupMe chat called “N***er Lynching.” Racial slurs and images of lynching were shared. Threats of lynching and a “Daily Lynching” event were also shared with the group. At Royal Oak Middle School, white students were caught on film chanting “build the wall” in their cafeteria during lunch. Another Pennsylvania principal has also reported many white students chanting “Cotton picker,” “You’re a N***er,” and “Heil Hitler” at the students of color.
  Physical assaults have also been reported by many. Muslim women wearing hijabs have reported had them ripped off their heads, forcing some women to remove their hijabs for their own safety. Many Muslim people and people of color have reported being robbed, assaulted, and even people attempting to run them over in crosswalks. Women have reported being grabbed and groped without their consent in public. Kids have been bullied and beat up for their race, religion, or sexuality. One teenager had a bottle broken over his head at a bar on a date with another guy. Many people of color are being presumed to be an ethnicity that they are not. For example, one woman who was sitting in a restaurant when an older white man began to harass her. Presuming, that she was of Mexican descent he said, “I can’t wait until Trump asks us to rape your people and send you back over the biggest d*nm wall we’re ever going to build. Go back to hell, w*tback”. After this was said he threw her drink in her face and gave her the middle finger before walking away.
  The reason Trump’s election has caused hate crimes to spike is because Trump ran a platform of hate. He ran on racism, sexism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, misogyny, and homophobia and when he won it validated these views to every other American who held them. If the President-elect could say and do bigoted things, then any average American could, too, if he won Presidency. It also shows that if a person in a position of authority does something inappropriate it is acceptable for one of their followers to follow suit. Trump fostered a campaign playing into the hatred of this country. Now hatred has won, and this is the result.
  The following reporters and sources were consulted:
CNN: http://tinyurl.com/h7r8gjt
USA Today:
http://tinyurl.com/gvb26k5
http://tinyurl.com/zyofydj
http://tinyurl.com/jh56xyb
https://t.co/oxOA1AOFD6
https://t.co/cQFUbN1JHK
https://t.co/6k5TyDKTDP
https://t.co/EAxggYm42j
https://t.co/wFJWWGnoyI
NYTimes:
http://tinyurl.com/h46yb3h
Dallas Morning News:
http://tinyurl.com/hgukgea
NBC:
http://tinyurl.com/jbgt6cu
http://tinyurl.com/jrvvs5e
Time: http://tinyurl.com/zjhpo2z
Southern Poverty Law Center:
http://tinyurl.com/hhecm9w

Return of Thon-ye West

Katie Tangradi
Opinions Editor

New Hope-Solebury official mini-THON, an all night fundraiser to aid the research for finding a cure for childhood cancer, is finally back! Once again we have teamed up with the Four Diamonds organization which amps it all up FTK-- For The Kids.
  Over the next few months leading up to mini-THON, expect student government to put the FUN in fundraising. Mini-THON is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 with a start time of 7 p.m. Of course it goes all night so it will end promptly at 7 a.m. the next morning.
  The first fundraiser that occurred during this past autumn sports season was Grill Squad. Eric Luo really wanted everyone to know, “Grill Squad was dope. THON is gonna be dope. Remember it’s for the kids.”
  Next stop on the mini-THON fundraising train is the Jules pizza fundraiser. This event conveniently is taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is a perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving break and end a half day.
  When students return from Thanksgiving break on Monday, Nov. 28, there will be a mini-THON kick off assembly. At this assembly the theme will be announced along with exciting details of the event. The best way to make this a success FTK is to start raising money now. Over Thanksgiving, ask friends and family to think about making a donation. Start thinking about your mini-THON team names, get creative! One day we will dance in celebration. Until then we dance for the cure.

Student takes advantage of online opportunity

Jacob McCloskey
Features Editor

If you’re someone who writes well, someone who wants to find something unique to add to a college application, or someone who has an interest in anything that is at all distinct or marketable, there’s most likely a place online where you can get published. Many students in the past have written for the Odyssey Online, local newspapers, or sports, music, or fashion websites that they’re interested in.
  I’ve recently begun an internship where I write at an electronic music website. I’d never thought about writing anywhere else other than school, but after coming across a listing and an easy application, I found myself as one of the staff writers for noiseprn.com.
  The process begins when a writer adds a new idea to the “idea” section on the website’s organizational page. From there, a writer will select a subject to write about, send it to the editors, and the article will soon go online. On top of writing about topics that are simply fun, the website also can provide press passes to music festivals, gives writers the chance to interview artists, and ultimately delivers opportunities that wouldn’t even be a possibility in any other context.
  If you love sports, there’s probably hundreds of websites that want writers to contribute articles about sports. If you’re passionate about music, there’s most definitely a place where you can participate. If you like fashion, the same applies. There’s a huge variety of writing opportunities available for websites online, and most of these are great ways to get a foot in the door to any industry.
  http://www.noiseprn.com/author/jacob-mccloskey/

Be smart about Black Friday shopping

Alexandra Buchler
Staff Writer

Black Friday is one of the best days of the year. It’s the perfect time to snag a new video game, a new pair of designer shoes, or a new flat screen TV. No one can deny the mayhem inside of every mall on Black Friday, so here are a few tips to help you survive it.
  First, know what you want to buy before you go out. This will help you get in and out of stores as quickly as you can, while also helping you avoid being trampled by other shoppers.
  Second, always check online deals, especially if you’re not one who likes pushing your way through large crowds and battling other vehicles for parking spots. Usually, online stores will have deals that begin at midnight!
  Third, take a buddy with you, since the buddy system makes it easier to locate items in a store, and makes your trips to the malls go much faster. Additionally, the stores with the best deals on Black Friday are Walmart, Kohls, Target, Sears, American Eagle, GameStop, Best Buy and Pacsun.
  If you’re planning on going shopping Black Friday, follow some of these tips for the ultimate shopping experience!

War Crimes investigation into U.S.

 Jack McKenna
Staff Writer

When people hear the term “war crimes,” they assume that a cruel dictator or an extremist terrorist group is involved, but according to the special prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in the Netherlands, the United States might soon be added to that list. The head prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is considering a full investigation that could lead to the prosecution of U.S. Forces for war crimes in Afghanistan, including torture, unreasonably cruel treatment, and rape. The war crimes detailed in the report are alleged to have taken place at secret detention centers set up and run by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the early stages of the war in 2003-2004. The report cites less than 100 cases, but notes that these were not isolated events. As reported in the New York Times, the document says, “Rather, they appear to have been committed as part of approved interrogation techniques in an attempt to extract ‘actionable intelligence’ from detainees.”
  U.S. forces are not the only group under threat of investigation in this war crimes inquiry. Afghan Government Forces and the Taliban also are implicated in reports of similar war crimes of torture. Additionally, the report claims that the CIA may have similarly mistreated detainees in Poland, Romania and Lithuania between Dec. 2002 and Mar. 2008.
  While Bensouda’s report concludes there is a “reasonable basis” for a prosecution to be brought against the troops, U.S. cooperation is extremely unlikely as it is not a member of the court. Additionally, a previous U.S. Justice department investigation into CIA abuse did not result in prosecution, which leads most to conclude that an ICC trial of American soldiers for war crimes is unlikely to go forward.

Trump makes Cabinet selections

Owen Roberts
Staff Writer

On Nov. 13, Donald Trump announced his first picks for his cabinet. For chief of staff, Mr. Trump picked Reince Priebus, the current head of the RNC. The chief of staff in the Trump administration will assist Trump more than the average president, considering he has little experience with lawmaking. The chief of staff is also in control of the president’s schedule, including who he meets. Priebus will also be in charge of all other White House employees.
  Trump’s second pick is Stephen Bannon, former executive of Breitbart News. Mr. Bannon is being picked as chief strategist and senior counselor and adviser to Trump. During the Trump campaign he was named Trump’s campaign executive.
  Critics have questioned the reasoning behind Bannon’s appointment. Breitbart, which Bannon used to run, has been called controversial by many, with articles such as “Hoist it high and proud: The Confederate flag proclaims a glorious heritage,” and “The solution to online ‘harassment’ is simple: Women should log off.”
  Trump still needs to pick a majority of his cabinet, including secretary of state. The Trump campaign has admitted that Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, may be a top contender. Other possible picks include John Bolton, former UN ambassador, and Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the house. Jeff Sessions, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Kelly Ayotte, and Michael Flynn may also hold prominent positions in a Trump cabinet.
  No matter who Trump picks, his presidency will most likely shape American policy for the next few decades. With control of both the House and the Senate and with many Supreme Court seats soon to be open, Trump’s cabinet decisions hold more weight than previously expected.

New Hope Celebrates Education Support Professionals

Amanda Horak & Parker Miele
Staff Writers

National Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day is dedicated to the men and women who help students every day, and keep the whole school running. The national day to thank these people is Nov. 16, which fell on a Wednesday this year. The ESP staff may be wearing shirts labeled NHS ESP to show that they are a member.
  ESP staff members complete many tasks to help the students and teachers have a safer and smoother-running school day. These tasks include greeting students at the door, keeping the school safe and clean, providing students with delicious lunches, and assisting the teachers and students in classrooms in order to facilitate and achieve better learning outcomes. The staff members also do so much more to help everyone throughout the school year.
  The ESP staff would greatly appreciate any thanks from the students, especially since their work is so important. Happy National ESP Day!

Veterans talk to students

Amanda Horak & Parker Miele
Staff Writers

On November 11, students walked into social studies classes to meet a host of incredibly smart and supremely brave men and women who have fought for our country. These men came in to share their amazing stories and journeys and never dropped a smile from their faces. Every student  could tell that every veteran was proud of their military service.
  After fourth period the veterans were done sharing their journey with students. They went down to the library for a fantastic lunch. The choir sang “God Bless America,” for them, while the local girl scout troop talked to them even more about what their experience was like.
  We asked some students about what they thought of the veterans and if they would like to continue bringing in more veterans next year.
  A junior, Katie Hunt, said: “I really enjoyed listening to them talk. Their stories were truly incredible. I do hope we do this again next year to hear even more about what others went through too.”
  This is just one of the students who really got a great experience from Veterans Day. Many walked away with a better understanding of the sacrifice it takes for someone to risk their own life for their country.
  A junior Vanessa Northrup, said: “I really understand how much these men risked to help our country and I am forever grateful for them and what they risked for us.”
  The Veterans Day visits were a huge success at New Hope this year. A lot of students are really looking forward to next year to learn more from the veterans.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

African-American Museum opens in Washington with speech by President Obama

Claire Dougherty and Savannah Herring
Staff Writers

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) was established in 2003, and officially opened on Sept. 24, 2016. The Smithsonian museum presents “A People's’ Journey,” containing close to 37,000 artifacts related to African American History subjects such as community, family, the arts, religion, civil rights, slavery and segregation.
 The opening ceremony, held by President Obama and several other distinguished guests, honored more than simply “powerful moments in African American history, culture, and community.”  The President stated that “what makes this occasion so special is the larger story it contains.” As he and several other speakers noted, there is great significance in the opening of this museum for the black community. It is an enormous accomplishment for Americans. Efforts to establish a national museum devoted to African American History initially began as early as 1915. Despite this, very little progress was made towards the creation of such an organization, and the efforts made were hardly recognized until the 1970s. In 1988, legislative pressure began and authorization of the museum was made official in 2003. Three years late, in 2006, a site was decided on, and progress took off.
 As President Obama stated at the opening ceremony, the building itself, designed by David Adjaye, is “surely a sight to behold.”  Located in the National Mall, the museum is ten stories--five above ground and five below ground--of sheer excellence. McKissack & McKissack, the first African American-owned architectural firm in the United States, provided project management services on behalf of the Smithsonian. Their services resulted in what some consider to be one of the grandest museums in America and one of the most beautiful buildings in DC.
 Every piece in the museum is worthy of being recognized, but some of the more attention grabbing pieces includes the glass-topped casket originally used to display and bury the body of 14-year-old Emmett Till, the victim of racially motivated torture and murder in Mississippi. Till's death sparked the 1950s and '60s African American Civil Rights Movement. Other notable pieces include a badge from 1850, worn by an African American in Charleston, S.C., indicating that the wearer was a slave, and Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves.
 Surely, in order to get a full understanding of the excellence of the museum, one must pay it a visit. Unfortunately, if you’re like most Americans, and you have a burning desire to see the exhibit, you still must wait until March at the earliest.. Since Sept. 24, the museum has been packed and will continue to be packed. Still, tickets are being sold at an alarmingly fast rate.