President Trump announces First Step Act (Source: Flickr) In 2002, Weldon Angelos, a father of two, was sentenced to 55 years without parole because of mandatory minimum sentencing laws. The crime? Selling marijuana three times while in possession of a firearm. Now not only is this sentence too severe for a nonviolent drug offender, but…

Potential wall prototypes stand outside a border checkpoint in Mesa, Texas (US Customs and Border Protection via Flickr)   This past Saturday marked the 22nd day of what has become the longest government shutdown in U.S. History.  For three weeks, TSA officers have initiated a “blue flue” strike- reporting ill en masse to protest uncompensated yet…

The Community CAfé Encapsulates Diverse Viewpoints through Debate-less Dialogue. (Flickr) Over one month ago, the Upper School Student Council hosted a Community CAfé centered around the unnerving events of violence, specifically referring to the Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, as well as discussing the original planned topic of balancing religious holidays during the school year.  This…

Amazon’s omnipresence: in your phone, on your laptop, in the food you eat . . .  and we might be acting too late. (Unsplash, CC0)   Amazon first announced its initiative for a new headquarters, labelled “HQ2,” back in September, 2017. With this pronouncement came a torrent of a proposals that represented various cities and states,…

Robert Mueller could close a final report in the coming weeks. (Medill DC/Creative Commons)   When special counsel Robert Mueller opened an investigation into the Trump’s campaign’s alleged collusion with the Kremlin in 2016, many were overjoyed. Thousands practically salivated over the prospect of a Trump indictment to bring about his impeachment and ultimate downfall.  With…

The First Lady and the President at The White House: 1989-1993. (Joyce N. Boghosian/White House Photo Office)    “OK, go for it, but it will be a real punch in the gut,” said the president as he negotiated with congressional leaders from each party on a hot afternoon in June of 1990. The president had just…

Gift giving during the holiday season is a tradition. But have we taken it too far? (Pexels) The day after Thanksgiving, more commonly known as Black Friday, kicks off the holiday shopping specials in spectacular fashion. Hordes crowd into popular department stores at two in the morning, just searching for those perfect deals. And I…

(Courtesy/The Blue Diamond Gallery) Exams! Talking with your friends about how much you studied over the past week, how tired you are and how badly you’ll do on the upcoming mid-terms doesn’t benefit anyone involved. Although students’ sleep levels can run low during this time of the year, there’s no need to turn these factors…

Voter fraud paranoia has swept over the nation. (Tom Bullock/Wikimedia Commons) Citing a Pew Research figure showing 70% of Americans are confident in US election security, The Hill proclaimed on Tuesday, November 19, that there is “a high level of confidence in the American electoral system.” Really? Since when is 70% a high or even…

Recent investigations fuel controversy regarding who gets through Harvard’s gates. (Flickr) I sit at the dinner table with my family one rainy evening, talking about my college applications. We decide to leave all socio-economic information blank, in an effort to conceal my racial identity. I pessimistically note that my middle names are a red flag…