Opinion / Commentary

TV review: “Jersey Shore” is offensive

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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Kristen Caniff, MHS 2010

Similar to other pointless reality shows invading our society, MTV’s “Jersey Shore” has generated its own following. The majority of the viewers watch the show because of its absurd cast which consists of eight Italian Americans. It is almost like watching a car accident about to occur; one wants to get as far away as possible however something lures one in because of the forthcoming mayhem.

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Opposition to wind turbine = claptrap

Commentary by Frank Schroth

clap·trap Pronunciation: \?klap-?trap\ Function: noun : pretentious nonsense

In a front page story of last week’s Milton Times,Charles “Chick” Geilich, a partner with Quarry Hill Partners, says “his  firm is greatly troubled by the plan [to erect a wind turbine]. ‘We are concerned,’ he said. ‘We think it will destroy the Blue Hills and it will destroy our business.'” The story goes on to say, “Geilich charged that the giant turbine would destroy the “beautiful vistas” enjoyed by patrons of the 27-hole golf course and its restaurant, the Tavern at Quarry Hills. Its very presence will ‘destroy’ the ambience of the setting, he said, while the noise, flicker and shadow it generates will be a distraction for golfers.”

You have got to be kidding me.

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Lowering the drinking age to 18 years old will not help

NOTE:  The following editorial was submitted by a 7th grade middle school student in Bellevue, WA. She wrote it as a counterpoint to an editorial we ran a couple of weeks ago, “Why it makes sense to lower the drinking age.” You can find it here.

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An Editorial by Shareen Khatibloo, Tyee Middle School, Bellvue WA

I came across your article, and it got me thinking about teen drinking. So I did some research on this topic, and I have to say that I disagree with what you are stating in your editorial.  I think that lowering the drinking age to 18 years old will not help this issue very much.

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Mr. Huban’s “teachable moment”

Commentary by Frank Schroth

[NOTE: Last night at the close of the School Committee meeting (after this was originally posted) when the chairman asked about old business, Mr. Huban spoke. He recounted the event of his January 1rst arrest and the subsequent actions and meetings he has had and will have regarding that.

And then he had this to say;  “I am truly sorry  . . . and I am working to make myself a better person.”  And with those heartfelt words Mr. Huban gave another teachable moment. He taught that one can be humble and courageous in the face of personal adversity. He set a good example and taught an important lesson.]

No one wanted to talk about it. But they did.

At their 01/12 meeting on January 12th, the School Committee addressed the recent event in which one of their members, Chris Huban, was arrested for driving under the influence. It was Ms. Kelly who put the issue on table. It was Mr.Lovely who cut through the awkward ambiguity of third person references to the individual sitting to his left, “We are talking about Chris.”

Ms. Kelly stated her opinion that Huban should resign, because he sets an example for the town and the students in particular. Mr. Lovely said he would not support any censure. He cited Mr. Huban’s courage in admitting to the charges and felt the matter is a personal one. Sheridan and Pavlicek agreed with Lovely. Ms. Bagley-Jones was more critical, but did not expressly ask for Mr.Huban to resign. Mr. Huban was silent during the discussion.

All seemed to agree on one point; it was a “teachable moment.” The question is: what was the lesson taught?

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Why it makes sense to lower the drinking age

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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Mary Slowey, MHS 2010

In the fall of 2008, a group of more than one hundred college presidents signed a declaration stating that the drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen.  This group included the presidents of prestigious schools such as Dartmouth, Virginia Tech and Duke.  The drinking age was raised to twenty one back in the mid-1980’s, but this change was obviously not very effective seeing as

there is a major problem with underage drinking in our society today

.  Initially, the law was created to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents, but this comes with the cost of raising the number of off-road, alcohol related deaths.  In order to lower the number of underage drinkers, and therefore lower the number of alcohol related deaths in general, we should begin by first lowering the drinking age to eighteen, as the college presidents have proposed.

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Voices from public hearing on Temple Shalom re-development

The first of two public hearings on the proposed redevelopment of the Temple Shalom property was held on 12/21. (The second will be held Monday, 1/4, at 6:30 PM at the Council on Aging.)

The hearing took up most of the meeting. For those following the Temple Shalom issue, the themes expressed were familiar. Proponents argued that the development would provide needed revenue, preserve diversity, retain an important pre-school, and provide desired community amenities.  People opposed to the development argued that the scale of the project was too big for the neighborhood, they would need to endure increased noise and other forms of pollution, and there would be significant traffic and public safety issues. You can view a list of previous posts covering respective viewpoints on this issue here.

Just over 30 people rose to speak at the hearing. About 2/3 of the speakers spoke in support. Notable were three members of the School Committee: Glenn Pavlicek, Beirne Lovely, and Chris Huban who all spoke in favor of the development. In an attempt to capture something of the spirit of the feelings, sentiment, and opinion on both sides of the issue, here is a sample of statements made:

While we would not object to an incidental benefit to the landowner, the purpose of new zoning should be to benefit the town as a whole, the neighborhood affected, and the abutters who have to live with it. New zoning should have a higher and better purpose than to benefit one party alone. — Andrew Upton, Attorney for “Save Tucker Neighborhood” (Note: you can find Mr. Upton’s complete statement of testimony here.)

“It is clear to me that nothing short of what is proposed is what is necessary. . . the benefit is the preservation of Temple Shalom .  .  .  As is [the] need to preserve the Campbell School. Preservation is a significant benefit.” — Ned Corcoran, Attorney for the developer Coffman Realty (Note: we are awaiting a copy of Mr. Corcoran’s full statement.)

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Point/Counterpoint: An Alliance Gone Bad

[NOTE: This is the first in a pair of articles that take opposing points of view with regard to the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia. In the following editorial, Ms. Riordan argues against the relationship. Next week we will publish an editorial MHS senior, Edward Corcoran, offering a counterpoint to this.]

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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Gillian Riordan, MHS 2010

In 1938, the United States had just won World War I; the entire nation was in desperate need of oil in order to meet economic opportunities for rebuilding Europe. United States President, Franklin Roosevelt (1938-1933) requested drilling in Saudi Arabia to see if there was any oil available. Luckily there was, and lots of it. The United States became Saudi Arabia’s largest oil customer and brought great wealth to the country.  Until September 11, 2001 The United States and the Saudi Arabian alliance remained strong. Now there is a question to whether the alliance should end because our ally might have been involved with the horrific terrorist attack on our country.  Mounting evidence is showing that Saudi Arabia may be more of a threat to the United States than an ally. This new evidence, along with other fundamental differences between our countries, supports the belief among many American’s that our long standing alliance with this country should end.

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Hair: Time to get over it

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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Emily Jo McKnight, MHS 2010

After reading Jenee Desmond-Harris’ article “Why Michelle’s Hair matters,” It’s safe to say that Americans spend a little too much time focused on hair. Not that hair isn’t important or time consuming- especially for African American women, as Desmond-Harris points out- rather that Americans think too much about it and place too much significance in its ‘meaning’. From blogs and websites to stereotypes of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ hair, maybe it would do US citizens good to think less about Michelle Obama’s hair and more about her work and role as first lady.

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Beyond the poor farm

Editorial from The Boston Globe

WHO KNEW that a Colonial act of generosity would someday divide an affluent suburb? In 1701, Governor William Stoughton willed a 34-acre parcel to the town of Milton for the benefit of the poor. Over the centuries, the land known as the Town Farm has been used for smallpox quarantines, transient housing, and an animal shelter. It also hosts three rental housing units whose modest proceeds help the poor. But the farm’s buildings are crumbling, its endowment is dwindling, and the town must decide what to do with the land, now surrounded by million-dollar homes. (Read the full editorial here.)

The Flaws of Zero Tolerance Policies

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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Colman Flanagan, MHS 2010

The overreaction of school administrations to cases of poor behavior by students has quickly become one of the biggest problems in society today. The reasons for some expulsions being handed out have left parents, as well as the students both baffled. The requirement by congress put in place in 1994 that forced states receiving federal education money to expel students who bring guns onto school property has quickly been blown way out of proportion. The zero tolerance policy can have a domino effect on a young student who gets in trouble and gets expelled from school. Many of these students will decide to just bag the whole school idea, and are much more suspect to more trouble down the road once they get involved in the juvenile justice system. This system is also subject to racism. The stats show that blacks and Hispanics are being shipped off to court at a higher rate then white students are.

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