Volume 5 Issue 7

TO THE COMMUNITIES OF STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL, TRIBECA, AND BATTERY PARK CITY

The Stuyvesant Standard Volume V, Issue 7

Holiday Movie Guide BY EMMA RABINOVICH STAFF WRITER

November 23 Rent An adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award-winning Broad way musical, “Rent” chronicles a year in the life of eight friends. Starring Taye Diggs

Inside Next-Gen Consoles

Guidance Department to Be Radically Restructured would each have a caseload of approximately 300 students and be responsible for writing about 75 SSRs a year. According to the proposal submitted to the School Leadership Team, the current guidance-related Compensatory Time positions will be eliminated. SSRs are letters of recommendation submitted by the school along with transcripts when students apply to colleges. Though they are more straightforwardly descriptive and less per-

BY JOSEPH KRUTOV STAFF WRITER Principal Stanley Teitel has initiated a major restructuring of the Guidance Department, combing three different roles – Guidance Counselors, Grade Advisors, and SSR Writers – into a single position. The plan, proposed by Teitel and Assistant Principal of Pupil Services Eleanor Archie, involves hiring six or more additional guidance counselors, in addition to the four current full-time counselors. These 10 counselors

BY JONATHAN XIKIS STAFF WRITER

Microsoft’s XBox 360 is the second incarnation of the Xbox.

Continued on Page 2

Five Friendly Mascots Welcome Games to Beijing

of a record-breaking five official mascots. The announcement was joined by joyful songs and dances at a televised gala event in Beijing by senior leaders of the Communist Party. The five winning dolls, collectively given the name “the Five Friendlies,” are stylized cartoon renditions of a panda, a Tibetan antelope, a fish, a swallow, and the Olympic flame. They were chosen from over 662 design suggestions from people across China and were approved

Three high-tech consoles – Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s Playstation 3, and Nintendo’s Revolution – will hit stores in the next year. These three technology giants have each taken a different approach towards making the perfect console, but they have all used the newest technology to achieve their goals. The Xbox 360 was released on November 22. The Xbox 360 is the second incarnation of the Xbox, which was first released four years ago. This time, Microsoft is staying ahead of the game by releasing its console first, a tactic that was previously used by Sony with its Playstation 2. This will definitely test the patience of gamers, who must make a tough decision – whether to wait until next year for the other two consoles or to buy the Xbox 360 immediately. The 360, like its predecessor, supports the online gaming service Xbox Live. It is compatible with games for the old system, good news for Xbox aficionados who still want to play popular games such as “Halo 2.” The system is also being marketed as a “home entertainment

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Reuters

November 18 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire The film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s fourth installment of the Harry Potter series is sure to impress. Ralph Fiennes joins the cast as the best villain since Darth Vader: Lord Voldemort. Mike Newell, whose previous credits include “Mona Lisa Smile” and Four Weddings and a Funeral, directs “Goblet of Fire.” To keep the movie at a reasonable length, minor story arcs such as Hermione’s attempt to free Hogwart’s house elves were taken out of the movie.

Free

Canadian Press

If you don’t want to spend this holiday season at home with the annoying relatives or family but you’re not into skating in the frigid winds or walking through the icy Central Park, step into your local theater and buy a bag of popcorn and enjoy some of this season’s batch of big-screen adaptations. From the classic children’s story “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” to the musical, “Rent,” this holiday season has movies for all types.

December 1, 2005

The unveiling of the mascots for the 2008 Olympics.

BY DEREK WENG JUNIOR STAFF WRITER Officials of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games surprised the world by marking the 1000 days until the Games with the launch

Continued on Page 14 Yahoo

INSIDE THIS ISSUE -------------“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” the fourth movie of the seven-part series, is kept short by eliminating some scenes from the original story.

News.....................2-5 Business................5 Opinions................6-7 Literary..................8-9

Puzzles..............................9-11 Science……………….......11-12 Arts & Entertainment........12-14 Sports................................15-16

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December 1, 2005

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Alumni Return to the Halls of Stuyvesant BY EILEEN L. CHANG STAFF WRITER

Executive Leadership Team DR. JOHN NIKOL WINNIE LEE SHO UEMURA JESSICA THAM WINNIE DU JACOB ARLUCK LAURA HAN JENNIFER SCHLESINGER YANJ IE HOU JENNIFER WONG OSMAN NEMLI DEEP PARIKH MELISSA CHAN LADA KUKUY KAREN LIU KATIE BANKS DANIEL EGERS (‘03) ERNEST BASKIN (‘04)

FACULTY ADVISER EDITOR IN CHIEF M ANAGING EDITOR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LAYOUT EDITOR COPY CHIEF IN SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR OUT OF SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR SCIENCE EDITOR BUSINESS EDITOR LITERARY EDITOR WEBMASTER DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM FOUNDER EDITOR EMERITUS

Publication THE STUYVESANT STANDARD is a nonprofit and nonpartisan publication produced by the students of Stuyvesant High School. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD distributes 2,000 free copies on a bi-weekly basis to the students and faculty of Stuyvesant High School and throughout the adjoining neighborhoods of TriBeCa and Battery Park City. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD welcomes letters from its readers. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD reserves the right to edit any published material. The viewpoints of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Standard staff. Copyright ©2005 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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On November 23, recent Stuyvesant alumni returned to the school, dropping by classes to see their teachers and friends. After tenth period, alumni met in the Dining Hall and enjoyed an early Thanksgiving feast of pizza. Some tossed around the pizza boxes; others simply conversed with old fellows. Alumni were enthusiastic and positive. They were pleased to be together again and welcomed current Stuyvesant students. Haitham Jendoubi ‘04, now a Yale student planning to major in cognitive science commented, “Who would pass up a chance to meet old friends, have leisurely conversations, and eat free pizza?” His friend, senior Sarah Ann Head said, “It feels great to see all my old friends who graduated last year.” Questions and answers were passed regarding college and shared memories were discussed. There were a few alumni like Jennie Goldstein ’05 who had signs taped onto their backs. Printed in bold on these signs

were the names of the college they’re currently attending. The signs were a part of a special program initiated about two years ago by alumna Meredith Gringer ’05 to encourage Stuyvesant students to ask questions about certain colleges they are interested in. The alumni had much advice to offer and experiences to share. Alumnus Ian Ferguson ‘05, a Princeton freshman hoping to major in engineering advised, “College is much different but you’ll have to deal with it.” He discussed his adventures with Princeton’s marching band and told students that he learned from his Californian roommate to lead a “SFL,” or stress-free lifestyle. Matthew Polazzo, the Coordinator of Student Affairs, accompanied the students. He had taught many in previous years and wanted to personally spend some time with the students. “A lot of my old students visited me during class as well and I gladly welcomed them,” he said. Next year former Stuyvesant students will again return to their high school with new stories to share. ◙

Guidance Department to Be Radically Restructured Continued from Page 1

sonal than the recommendations written by regular teachers, they still require a significant amount of time and effort, especially in a school with class sizes of 750. An administration proposal last year to "outsource" some of the writing duties to a third party drew widespread condemnation and ridicule, both from student organizations and from major newspapers like The New York Times and The Daily News. The plan was withdrawn, and administrators instead offered small bonuses to teachers who agreed to write 10 to 15 SSRs. Teitel believes the restructuring will address the confusion of students and parents unsure where to turn for advice and support. Program changes at the beginning of each term will also be conducted more easily. In addition, the guidance counselors will be better prepared to write SSRs for students they have known for three years. A letter by Parent Association Co-Presidents Lauren Coleman-Locher and Sumiko Takeda Nakazato, which will appear in the next PA Bulletin, both praises the plan and critiques some as-

pects of it. The letter said that the school must "maintain the current system alongside the new for the current junior and sophomore classes. We cannot sacrifice the interests of any group of children to rush into a radical change." The PA is anxious about the smoothness of the transition, especially as, come September, the majority of the guidance staff will be new and unfamiliar with Stuyvesant. A radical restructuring of the Guidance Office is "a huge change and should not be done rashly or without a consensus from the school community." Parents have expressed concern that the school may be forced to choose less able applicants due to limited funding. Teitel, on the other hand, is sure that Stuyvesant's reputation will elicit many qualified applicants. A committee will be created to interview applicant, who will be asked to write sample SSRs. Teitel is confident that "the new structure will quickly allow Stuyvesant to provide more effective Guidance services to its students." Any such new structure must first, however, win over students and parents. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

December 1, 2005 News

Page 3

Students Line Up to Make Up Mandatory Swim Test BY LIN LU GAO STAFF WRITER On November 14, Stuyvesant freshmen who missed the first swim test got a second chance. The test was held in the pool during ninth and tenth periods. Latecomers were allowed to take the test after school but those who did so had to swim the length of the pool rather than just the

width. Those who came late also had to swim with the members of the swim team watching. Unlike the original test, students learned their results on the spot. The judges looked for style, breathing pattern, and the ability to swim in a straight line. Overall, those who took the test found that it had gone smoother than expected. “I’m not a super good swimmer or any-

Terrorists Attack American Hotels in Jordan

Associated Press

mail or even email,” said freshman Kanta Sangchuntr, “[I] guess that’s okay, though… the test looked really simple, you just swim back and forth.” Those who missed the makeup will have to wait for another time to take the test, although students must take the test before their senior year as it is a requirement to graduate. ◙

Frank McCourt’s Return to Stuyvesant as a junior in 1976. He remembers his former teacher as extremely funny and his classes as “One of the main flaws of the enormously entertaining. public school system is that McCourt filled every sentence teachers spout analyses of Shakewith “juicy words” and taught speare and kids say, Who gives a that every word counts. s***. They have other concerns Susan Gilman ‘82, a former — We’re hungry, student of we’re horny,” McCourt and the Hundreds said Pulitzer best-selling auPrize-winner and of alumni came, t h o r o f former Stuyvesant “Hypocrite in a eager both to meet teacher Frank White McCourt, speaktheir former teacher Pouffy Dress,” was ining at the school and to catch up with vited to speak. “I to promote his never thought I old classmates. new book would write a “Teacher Man.” memoir,” she said. “I owe it all The book describes his experito McCourt.” ences as a public school teacher Much has changed at Stuyvein New York, including the sevsant since Frank McCourt retired enteen years he spent at Stuyvefrom teaching. Principal Teitel sant. describes the current atmosphere Hundreds of alumni came, as more intense and stressful than eager both to meet their former teacher and to catch up with old classmates. McCourt, who was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his first memoir “Angela’s Ashes,” delighted the audience with jokes and stories. Coming from the acknowledged “authority on misery,” the humor wa s Frank McCourt speaks about his new invigorating book, “Teacher Man.” and welcome. Alumni had fond in McCourt’s days, with more memories of McCourt. Peter Leemphasis now placed on college mie sze ws ki ‘77 s ai d that acceptance. But the presence of McCourt often “spoke out against students in the audience despite sliced and individually wrapped the $60 price of a ticket showed processed cheese.” Lemithat the love of language and liteszewski, currently a software erature is still part of the Stuyveprogrammer with IBM, took sant culture. ◙ McCourt’s Creative Writing class

BY JOSEPH KRUTOV STAFF WRITER

TSS/Joseph Krutov

larger global organization, is currently headed by the Jordanianborn Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. A string of bombings of Zarqawi was jailed in Jordan in American-owned hotels in Jordan 1996 but was released only three killed 57 people and wounded years later in a general amnesty 110 on November 9. by King Abdullah of Jordan. The The majority of the victims United States has offered a $25 were Jordanians. Chinese authorimillion reward for any help in ties said that three Chinese were capturing him. Zarqawi is also killed. Bashir al-Da’jeh, a police believed to be behind many insurspokesman, said that five Iraqis, a gent attacks against American-led forces in Jordanian soldiers stand guard outside Iraq. a hotel after the recent bombings. Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muashar said that these terrorist attacks were very similar to others carried out by Al Qaeda. Jordan was a valuable ally to the United States in the war against Saddam Hussein in Iraq and acted as a safe haven for 400,000 Iraqis who fled during the war. King Abdullah faces great resentment from Jordan’s majority Palestinian population for his support of Saudi, and an Indonesian were the war. Jordan and Egypt are the among the dead. Five Germans, only two Arab nations that that one American and a Swiss were have signed peace treaties with wounded. Israel. The bloodiest attack took Many world leaders, includplace at a Jordanian weeding ing President Bush and Pope party at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Benedict XVI, have offered their a favorite of Israeli tourists. Mincondolences and condemned the utes later, a Grand Hyatt and attacks. Days Inn erupted in flames. Tighter security measures Though officials suspect that all were put into effect both in Amthree attacks were the work of man, Jordan’s capital. In New suicide bombers, they were hesiYork, though Mayor Michael tant to give details. Bloomberg said that the city has The Associated Press renot been threatened, dozens of ported that a website often used hotels all over the city received by Al Qaeda posted a statement extra security. The Department of claiming responsibility for the Homeland Security did not inattacks. "Some hotels were chocrease security in Washington. ◙ sen which the Jordanian despot had turned into a backyard for the enemies of the faith, the Jews and CORRECTIONS FOR crusaders," the website said, reNOVEMBER 16 ISSUE ferring to King Abdullah of Jor• The songs in the Diwali-Eid dan, a moderate who has pursued Festival article were misgenerally cordial relationships spelled. The correct spellwith the United States and Israel. ings are Salaam Namaste Al Qaeda in Iraq, part of the and Deedar De.

BY EMMA RABINOVICH STAFF WRITER

thing but I thought I did okay. I just didn’t think it’d been so easy,” said freshman Henry Ou, who took the test during Camp Stuy. Though the announcements for the makeup swim exam were posted on Stuyvesant’s official website, many people did not know about it. “I don’t check the website; I thought they’d tell me through

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December 1, 2005 News

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Oil Crisis Spurs Debate Over Drilling in Alaska passed was to cut out some of the sions in the draft of the proposed more controversial suggestions. plan resulted in heated controMany Democrats are also against versy, with critics says that imA proposal to allow oil prosthe budget bill because it limits proving fuel efficiency in the pecting in a remote Alaskan wildessential government programs, United States would be a better life refuge has sparked debate and such as Medicaid. As a result of way to conserve energy. Propocriticism. An omnibus budget bill the discontentment, the House nent argue for the importance of to allow drilling was narrowly also took out a phrase that would America reducing its dependence defeated. allow states to authorize oil and on foreign oil. The US national debt for the gas drilling off the Atlantic and House Republican year was $319 leaders opbillion on SepThe inclusion of oil posed the The Senate rejected a plan to drill for oil in tember 30, and inclusion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. the budget bill provisions in the drilling prowas a major part visions in the draft of the of President b u d g e t proposed plan Bush’s plan to cutting plan cut back on resulted in heated on November spending. The 10 because controversy. $50.5 billion there was plan included lack of support. Because cuts to benefit programs such as p as si n g t h i s de fi c i t Medicaid and food stamps, and reducing plan is essential to also opened the Arctic National winning back dissenting Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. members of the Republican Companies such as Irving, BP Party, they feel that it needs and Exxon Mobil Corp. would be to be approved. Republiallowed to drill for oil on 1.5 milcans who did not support lion acres in the refuge. including oil provisions felt The inclusion of oil provithe best way to get the bill

BY SYLVIA ABDULLAH STAFF WRITER

Pacific coasts. President Bush is hopes that this bill will be approved by the House, and that the ANWR proposal can be worked into the final negotiations. He said, "Increasing our domestic energy supply will help lower gasoline prices and utility bills." ◙

Agence France-Presse

Senate Demands Accountability on War in Iraq BY JENNIFER SCHLESINGER OUT-OF-SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR The US Senate has demanded that the White House send in regular reports about the progress of the war in Iraq. An amendment

Harry Reid (D-NV), the Senate Minority Leader, said “[The vote is] a victory for our troops and the American people.” Bush administration officials

“The vote is a victory for our troops and the American people.” -Harry Reid to the 2006 Pentagon spending bill requires the President “to explain to Congress and the American people its strategy for the successful completion of the mission in Iraq.” The demand came after the urging of several Democrats, but was widely supported by most senators, including Republicans. A stronger proposal that would require the White House to create a specific timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq was rejected.

Senators speak at a press conference about accountability in Iraq.

Associated Press

generally approved of the measure. President Bush praised the outcome of the vote, saying “To me, [the vote] was a positive step by the United States.” Secretary

of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, though not rejecting the decision, said that the Pentagon already send reports to Congress about the progress of the war. The vote came at a critical time. Public support of the Bush Administration has dropped drastically in the last few months, and critics of the war are winning over more and more people. Democrats are pushing for an investigation into how the Bush Administration used intelligence information on Iraq to argue for a war. Democrats also say that they will keep up the fight for a pullout from Iraq. Richard Durbin of Illinois said, “We’re going to press forward on this.” ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD BY JIMMY ZHANG STAFF WRITER As the holiday season begins, workers on Wall Street are in a good mood. Investment bankers, traders, and other employees are getting their presents early, as financial firms award their annual bonuses. This year, bonuses may rise 15-20% above 2003 levels. A typical global merger chief may be seeing a 20-25% increase from last year’s bonus to a total of $8-9 million. “Service-oriented architecture is getting more popular this

December 1, 2005 News/Business

This Year, It’s Going to Be a Green Christmas

in the economic growth. After a steady increase in the late 1990’s, Wall Street saw a sudden decline in the early 2000’s. This decrease brought about a more cautious attitude towards growth. People became more selective about guarantees and were warned of activity and energy trading. Oil top competitors. and gas mergers have brought With global deal-making billions into the coffers of the rising, some on Wall Street are largest companies. optimistic. The week of NovemNot everyone will benefit ber 7 was a big one for corporate from this trend. Gains became mergers and acquisitions activity, losses for high-yield convertible with global deal-making topping bond traders and equity traders as $100 billion. they saw a 10% drop in their boOften times, bonuses are nuses. more than just cherries that come “Third quarter is typically with ice cream cones. On Wall the weakest quarter of the year, Street, they are an important part but this year it was an anomaly of a worker’s salary package. Not and was perhaps the strongest,” only are they are a measure of the said Andrew financial service Roost, a Johnson industr y’ s Associates vice healthiness, but “Third quarter is president. “It bonuses can also typically the weak- have a helpful helped solidify the year.” effect on New est quarter of the Some worry economy. year, but this year it York’s about changes in Wall Street the market’s diwas an anomaly bonuses are also a rection. Rising source of revenue and was perhaps interest rates, the for New York the strongest.” resurgence of oil City. When Wall prices, and major Street does well, -Andrew Roost terrorist threats so does the rest of are all possibilities for a change the city. ◙

year. This technology brings in greater business agility in Wall Street financial firms. It will result in higher efficiency and greater revenues,” said Jun Zhang, Senior Architecture Director of Standard and Poor's. Wall Street profits will rise about 13% to a total of $14.4 billion. Banks profited from merger

Augusta Chronicle

The New York Stock Exchange, the source of revenue for New York City, is predicted to do well this holiday season.

Ikea World BY STEPHANIE TAM STAFF WRITER

Page 5

their kids off. Ikea also has a restaurant for shoppers to rest in after a hard day of shopping. Ingvar Kamprad says that he owes Ikea’s success to the notion of foldable furniture. He knew what the economy wanted and needed- frugality. That is exactly why, according to MSNBC, no design — no matter how inspired — finds its way into the showroom if it cannot be made affordable. Josephine Rydberg-Dumont, president of Ikea in Sweden says, “Designing beautiful-butexpensive products is easy. Designing beautiful products that are inexpensive and functional is a huge challenge.”

at the opening. Roger Penguino, an Ikea customer, heard about this challenge and decided that he had to win it. A week before the store’s opening, he parked his car at the shopping center and waited. Over 2,000 people joined him on June 29, the store’s opening day. It is no wonder why the Swedish company’s owner, Ingvar Kamprad, may surpass Bill Gates in wealth, though he has never disclosed the size of his fortune. According to some, Ikea

Cool-man

Even the most obsessed shopaholic usually goes home to sleep. But Jordan Leopold, a manager at Costco Wholesale, had the unusual experience of spending three nights in an Ikea bedding department. He earned some $2000 for his trouble. Leopold won his three nights at Ikea in a contest held before the opening of an Atlanta, Georgia, store. He, along with four other winners, had to stay in the store as workmen complete the final construction work Ikea currently has over 200 stores worldwide going on, so hardly anyand posts a revenue of $12 billion a year. one got enough sleep. Not to mention, the competitors had to participate in other is an ideal world, “a state of mind contests in the store. The winner that revolves around contempohimself even said, “I got about rary design, low prices, wacky eight hours of sleep total because promotions, and an enthusiasm of all the drilling and banging that few institutions in or out of going on.” business can muster.” Other But what is this “Ikea cult?” shoppers, like Bertille Faroult, Why does the store attract devofrom Paris, say, “They have this tees like Leopold? What gives? way of making you believe nothAnd why is Ikea so successful in ing is expensive.” She originally business? planned to buy a $40 coffee table, Ikea is the quintessential but wound up spending over $500 global cult brand, classic, yet on everything from storage units trendy. In addition, its advertising to glassware. Adults have more methods works wonders. Another time to shop too, since Ikea has a store offered $4,000 in gift cerplay place where they can drop tificates to the first person in line

Although Mr. Kamprad has retired, Ikea lives on. Currently, Ikea has over 200 stores worldwide, employs over 75,000 people, and posts a revenue of $12 billion a year. Still, Ikea is particularly concerned about sales in the U.S., since that is key to expansion—and since Ikea came close to blowing this chance in the early 1990’s with their unreasonable prices. But Ikea shouldn’t worry too much about it. From its beautiful, yet affordable furniture line, to the famous Swedish meatballs in the Ikea restaurant, there is no doubt the company will survive just like it has been doing for the past 62 years. ◙

Five Friendly Mascots Welcome Games to Beijing Continued from Page 1

by the International Olympic Committee. “The Five Friendlies are an incredible little family chosen by Beijing 2008 to reflect the cultural diversity of China as a multiethnic culture,” said Liu Qi, President of BOC. Beijing has already begun an extensive marketing campaign for the mascots, with animated films featuring the Five Friendlies slated for China’s television stations, capitalizing on the forecasted record profit for an Olympic game in history The Five Friendlies are more than a symbol. They are the special ambassadors of China for the

world. The quintet consists of Beibei the fish, Jingjing the panda, Huanhuan the Olympic flame, Yingying the Tibetan Antelope, and Nini the swallow. When put together, the first syllables of their names forms a Chinese saying “Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni”, or “Welcome to Beijing.” The color of the bodies of each mascot matches the five colors of the Olympic rings. The Five Friendlies represent the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony between mankind and nature. They symbolize the sea, forest, fire, earth, and skythe five time-honored elements of nature in Chinese culture. ◙

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December 1, 2005 Opinions

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Point-Counterpoint Freedom or Selfishness BY YANJIE HOU OPINIONS EDITOR

The Stuyvesant Library is a place to study, read, and do homework. It is clean, well lit, and decorated with a light green veneer. It provides a serene escape from the suffering and hardships of life. Or is that just what they want you to believe? While some of these descriptions about our library are true, others are completely incorrect. Even though a library is supposed

To the smokers of America, the smell of freedom is a sweet one, but for those that abstain from cigarettes the smell seems noxious and lethal. On any given

Smoking can be seen as a personal freedom or a selfish act.

rights to smoke and to live their lives as they choose. But what about the rights of those 3,000 non-smokers who died from lung cancer? Did they have the right to be protected from the lethal addictions and selfish choices of others? What about the rights of those 2,700 infants who died from SIDS? Did they not deserve the right to live? I might have been selfish when I forced my uncle to smoke outside on a freezing, winter night. But I certainly am no more selfish than the smoker who refuses to walk twenty feet from a public park to protect playing children. ◙

A Page Out of a Librarian’s Journal BY CHETAN CHAUHAN & RAYMOND XU JUNIOR STAFF WRITERS

BY HANFORD CHIU STAFF WRITER

Agence France-Presse

When I was little, I used to throw my father’s cigarettes down the toilet. Whenever my uncle came over, I made him go outside to smoke even when it was snowing and below zero. I was probably a spoiled, demanding, and selfish brat. But even now, I still feel annoyed whenever the sickening, choking smell of cigarettes suddenly assaults my senses. Freedom is a fundamental American value. We trust that our government will respect our freedom to speak, to publish, to protest, to choose the way we want to live our lives. In America, nothing is sacred. People mock everything and everyone. The only thing sacred to us is freedom itself. So of course whenever the government restricts smoking there are inevitably gasps of outrage from civil libertarians. It is important to realize even though the government can prohibit people from smoking in certain areas, it cannot prevent people from smoking altogether. Banning smoking in public places does not oppress those who smoke but protect those who do not. Secondhand smoke has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Group A carcinogen. Each year, secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 heart disease deaths in adult non-smokers in the United States. Each year, secondhand smoke is responsible for between

150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age and 1,900 to 2,700 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths in the United States. Smokers talk about their

The Bigger Picture

to be a quiet and tranquil place, our library is actually a social gathering place. Noise infiltrates the environment. Boys and girls flirt, scream and throw papers around. Boys share seats while girls sit on each other’s lap. Ill-mannered students come to the desk to ask for books that are not in stock and refuse to leave until they are reassured these books will be supplied. The noise makes those who actually want to study or work feel like tearing their hair out. They would do homework outside

street in Manhattan, somebody is probably carrying a lit cigarette and polluting the air. It can be quite irritating to breathe in unpleasant chemicals, but what are a few coughs compared to the big picture? Americans pride themselves on their devotion to personal rights. The freedom to smoke in public is one of these rights. Granted, there are definitely side effects of smoking that can harm others, but the Constitution protects individual rights unless they interfere with the rights of another. Smoking does not infringe on the rights of others enough to merit prohibition. Bans on smoking in enclosed

spaces, such as the New York City ban on smoking in restaurants, are justified. However, smoking in open public spaces is little more than a nuisance. Opponents of public smoking claim that even slight exposure to secondhand smoke may cause cancer. But if we curtail freedoms based not just on definite harm but on potential or theoretical harm, where will rights restrictions end? If smoking is banned because of the dangers of secondhand smoke, what is to stop Christian conservatives from saying that people cannot have abortions because it harms the morality of the country, or the FCC from censoring the media because it poisons the minds of the country. To protect the rights of all individuals, some sacrifices must be made by everybody. Everyone is taxed to fund social programs to help the disadvantaged. Soldiers train to protect the country from potential oppressors. Can’t we tolerate a little smoke to secure our freedom? Philosophy aside, smoking provides benefits to society as well. The tobacco industry pays about $31 billion in tax revenue to the country annually, and cigarette taxes grow steeper every year. For people to smoke, they must pay for that right, and in turn benefit non-smokers by helping to fund health care. To ban smoking in public would reduce the tax revenue that is immensely helpful to our debt-ridden country. Therefore, the next time a smoker walks past, take a deep breath and smile at the defender of civil liberties and donor to our nation’s coffers. ◙

Publish pieces reflecting your thoughts and ideas! Send your work to [email protected] Let your voice be heard! but the textbooks they borrow cannot be taken out of the library. Amidst this chaos emerges one man who can help these desperate, frustrated children. His name is Mr. Asch. Everyday, Mr. Asch tries to restore calm and order in the library by shushing the noisy and the rude. He protects those who works hard and punishes those who do not follow the library rules. Without him, the library

would be a scene of utter pandemonium. Today the library is a place to interact and talk with friends. There are only a few people who actually follow the library guidelines that are enacted inside the room. But if we were all to follow the rules that are on the desk, the library would be a much friendlier environment for the students who wish to study. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

December 1, 2005 Opinions

What Ever Happened to Equality? BY PRISCELLA MELO STAFF WRITER I live in New York City. It is a city of lights, of bourgeoning dreams and sophistication as well as a city of rat infestations. It is a city where conservatives and liberals sit together in the same room and where ideas are not hidden and everything is new. But there is a problem that is seeping into the cement and shaking the foundations. We think that segregation was long ago ended by the civil rights movement. Yet segregation persists in the slums of the city. All cities have ghettos. All places have streets where the sleepless poor crowd around for protection from the cold, stale air. But neighborhoods are not just divided by social class but segregated by race. Recently I walked through my neighborhood, desperately trying to buy a newspaper required for a class. I went in and out of every bodega I could find, asking for the day’s New York Times. In every one, I got the same answer: “We don’t sell that here.” They also did not sell The Wall Street Journal or any broadsheet paper. All I could find were heaps upon heaps of The New York Post and the Spanish newspaper Hoy. I decided to walk up a bit further, closer to the East Village, to a neighborhood filled with co-ops of mostly Puerto Rican families. No luck. Yet in every corner I found the free Employment Guide. The stores did not sell respectable newspapers but sold cigarettes and liquor. A block down the street, a Con Edison building spewed toxic fumes. More than 50 years after the civil rights movement began, significant economic and social inequalities still persist among racial groups in the United States. The National Survey of America’s Families shows that blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans are twice as likely as Asians to live in poverty and more than three times as likely as whites. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was supposed to eliminate discrimination in the labor market. However, the white-collar employment gap between Hispanics and other groups has widened, with only 14% of Latinos working as managers or professionals. Since the 1960’s and 1970’s, U.S. colleges and universities have relied on preferential admissions to achieve racial equality among students. But colleges tuition are too much even for some middle class families to pay. If minorities cannot pay for college, they cannot go to college. Although there are needbased scholarships, minority children need to have equal opportu-

classrooms have Internet access, nities in their classrooms. They but in schools in need a better We live in a which more than learning environment. The Nacountry that loves to 71% of students are eligible for tional Center for promote racial such lunches, Education Statisonly 39% of the tics reported that equality but is, in classrooms have in schools in fact, a giant Internet access. which fewer than hypocrite. Although internet 11% of students access is not cruare eligible for a cial, the data show the inequalireduced-price lunch, 74% of the

By Stanislav Nikolov

Whether you love or hate math, you have to admit that it is useful. The degree varies from person to person, but most people agree that simple mental addition and multiplication are fundamental skills. It would be quite embarrassing not to know how much to pay for six apples when the price is three apples per dollar. Yet in Penfield, New York, where a constructivist education program is used, some middle school children are unable to do long division or multiply twodigit numbers. A third grader counted out fifty apples in order to solve a simple multiplication problem. . Constructivists favor teaching children creative ways to solve problems instead of drilling them on their multiplication tables. But do constructivists not see a problem when students take minutes to solve a problem easily

ties in our educational system. Students in Stuyvesant do not have to worry about this. The few Hispanics and blacks in the school are an almost invisible minority in a school of primarily Asians and Caucasians. Every ethnicity and race in Stuyvesant should be aware that they are lucky to be in a state-of-the-art school and make a push to end divisions amongst ourselves. Racial inequalities have to stop and it should start here inside schools. ◙

need to figure out what amount to leave for a tip or to calculate how much money they should bring for a shopping trip? Introducing calculators too quickly not only leaves students unable to do multiplication but also undoes the purpose of constructivist education by making students think less and rely on calculators more After seven years of the constructivist system in Penfield, the long-term consequences are starting to reveal themselves. Test scores are up only when calculators are allowed. However on tests that prohibit their usage, the students perform miserably. Some college-bound students who did not have any traditional done in seconds by the old methmath education are worried about ods? How can a student move on falling behind in college because to other topics such as algebra, they can barely even do math on which requires a good grasp of paper. basic computational skills, when Though the intentions of conhe can barely multiply and distructivists are good, they emphavide? Constructivists favor using size critical thinking so much as calculators to to make students save students the rely on calculaIn Penfield, NY, trouble of arithas a crutch. metic, somewhere a constructivist tors Students in high times introduceducation program is schools who can ing the devices barely multiply implemented, some as early as the on paper are first grade. middle school chilcertainly not This action, going to be dren are unable to do though is wrongtime headed. Calculalong division or even spending pondering over tors are wondercalculus probmultiply two-digit ful tools in lems. Hopefully, numbers. mathematics but constructivists they should and traditionalists can compromerely assist one in solving a mise and combine their two methproblem. Students should still ods, so students will use more learn how to add and multiply critical thinking but still know without calculators. After all, how to multiply 32 and five in people cannot bring calculators their heads. (It’s 180) ◙ with them everywhere they go. What would they do when they

How Constructive Are Constructivists? BY WAI LING CHEUNG SENIOR STAFF WRITER

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December 1, 2005 Literary

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Tests

My Cold Prince BY TINA YUE STAFF WRITER

BY JENNIFER LEE STAFF WRITER Oh. As if I cannot stop the “oh” gasp From my uncovered mouth. He has returned It seems, From that unrequited dream.

There is more to the meaning of tests. They are a miserable part of life. It's where it comes and comes. It never ends; it's filled with triteness. Tests bring bad luck. Tests bring tears, as well. It's a part of how the teachers grade your work. Doesn't that just ring a bell?

I still remember that Day. The way his eyes looked into mine When we were standing underneath That dying tree. The way the sky looked-a mesh of white Sewn with gray pearls. Sad smiles. That smile-his smile-only for meWas broken. ”Goodbye” was all he said, And all he did was leave me a lingering touch On my forehead. Numb. Cold. That autumn wind he brought With him-underneath that dying tree. A shower of golden leaves rained down from that tree that day.

Tests make you tired From all that studying "Just take a rest" your mind sings.

His eyes, rimmed with frost now. I’m chilled by his stare. Ruthless smile-half smile. Remember me?

BY PENNY MALAMUD STAFF WRITER

How could I not, My childhood friend. My savior. My cold prince I’m broken again.

Coffee Shop Jangle BY CAROLINE HUGH SENIOR STAFF WRITER Here roams the smell of cinnamon, coffee, chocolate, tea Waves of euphoria rise over me While I sip the legends doodled over the walls And spilling over the tables, coffee everywhere Waves of euphoria rise over me I see my current obsession And spilling over the tables, coffee everywhere I sicken my notes and scramble to hide I see my current obsession He is walking slowly by, mockingly I sicken my notes and scramble to hide I know he is too brilliant for me

You shake your head From the nagging voice "Leave me alone" Says it again.

Little Toy Words Words are such pretty playthings in thought They can’nae be bartered, they can’nae be bought They dance to a rhythm, they step to a rhyme They tap their shoes on the floor to keep time A poet lies high in his garret at night He ponders amid the flickering light That the rhythm is flawed, the words are all wrong He feels it is awful, the sentiment strong Ah, but what is a rhyme-less poem, in truth? A cat without claw, a shark without tooth No rhythm, no rhyme, no visible hold The words prance about, grown out of their mold No choreography, no little chains Nothing of the poet’s hard work remains He bows his head in grief and dismay He had decided to write, now he rues that day Then Lord Apollo alights on his bed And gives him a solid thwap on the head “Don’t depress, foolish mortal, nor feel so unmanned. Just start it over, from where you first began.” The poet, resolved, takes up his quill He captures the words as they start to trill He places them where they belong on the page Little toy dancers on a little toy stage

He is walking slowly by, mockingly He is out there waiting in the sun I know he is too brilliant for me In the gloom, in the shadows, is my comfort

He has won the words in their own game He has become his own master and brought them to shame He has’nae bartered, nor bought them with gold They hav’nae been captured, they hav’nae been sold

He is out there waiting in the sun While I sip the legends doodled over the walls In the gloom, in the shadows, is my comfort Here roams the smell of cinnamon, coffee, chocolate, tea

They dance to a rhythm, they step to a rhyme They tap their shoes on the floor to keep time They bow to the readers at the curtain’s fall, Then return to their master who holds them in thrall.

Join our Poetry Fests! Send your poems and stories to [email protected]

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Ah! The Plucking Season

RINGS OF A TREE BY EILEEN L. CHANG STAFF WRITER The mighty oak stands firm and tall, Its strength renewed each Spring’s recall. Adorned with garments, which alter with Season; Embellished in light of knowledge and reason.

BY NIAN ZHOU STAFF WRITER The dazzling autumn leaves Gold, yellow, red and crimson Falling like flakes when the wind blows And that young tree over there Lost its coat to that rainy day Now it quakes in the wind Shakes in the cold But wait – What do I see there? A green leaf flapping furiously Still clinging tightly Defiant – Refusing to give in

Arms branching up, absorbing sun ray; Fingers reach outward, hoping to stay. Branches elongate with time flowing by, Its wisdom increase as leaves multiply. The rings add on, tree ceases to grow; Its bark turns bitter and trunk hollow. The days ahead shorten dark, and cold; The oak is a threat, shaky and old. When crimson spilled into autumn, they came; My tree burned to ashes, demolished by flame. What once held a sight beautiful to see, Now lie broken limbs of what once was a tree.

my love for you BY KIMBERLY YEE STAFF WRITER "Why do you love me?" You asked me last night, While holding me tight... And this was my answer, for all of the seasons and years to come, "I love you because you're the only one, Perfect in all description, Nothing can compare, To your sweet embraces, And your lovely, passionate kisses... You’re always there for me, Whenever I need you, For comfort or support, A shoulder to lean on, A warm, soothing hug, Or a kiss to kiss away all the problems of the day… Your sweet face, Your adorable smile, Your gleaming brown eyes, Staring into mine, You make me blush, From your sweet touch…

Solution to ‘Classic Novels’ Jumble Jane Eyre Frankenstein Pride and Prejudice Tom Sawyer Don Quijote

Last Issue’s Solution Crossword Puzzle C

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I’ll love you forever, For all of eternity, I’ll be yours and you’ll be mine, Like two pieces that make up a perfect heart, I hope you love me the same way that I love you!”

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December 1, 2005 Literary/Puzzles

6. Beowulf 7. The Great Gatsby 8. Moby Dick Alexandre Dumas’s novel: The Count of Monte Cristo

BY ANDY YEE STAFF WRITER

BY JEFERREY LIAW STAFF WRITER

What is a Cryptogram? Cryptograms are writing that has been coded by substituting each letter with a different letter. For instance, if T=A, H=B, and E=C, then the word "the" would appear as "abc" throughout the puzzle.

If each letter is substituted for a number in this addition, what is the value of each letter?

FPL RYCF LPPK CIS I LPPKCFYCG CFYCG UH I LPPKCFYCG CIS’J CFYCG LPPK Your answer:

CELLAR + CORPSE + COLLAR + CLOSE + CASE + COPS = RECTOR Your answer: A=________ C=________ E=________ L=________ O=________ R=________ S=________ T=________

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December 1, 2005 Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle

Weather Forecast

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THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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Like to puzzle people? Contribute to The Standard! E-mail [email protected]

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AIR CHILLY CLOUDY DRIZZLE GUST HURRICANE LIGHTNING METEOROLOGIST MILD OVERCAST

RAIN SLEET SNOW STORM SUNNY TEMPEST THUNDER TORNADO WARM WIND

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

20th Annual Medical Ethics Symposium Thursday, December 8 3:30PM Murray Kahn Auditorium Free Refreshments! Great Raffle Prizes

P

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Thanksgiving

Inside Next-Gen Consoles

BY JESSIE LUK PUZZLE COLUMNIST

unique Cell processor will perform at 2 teraflops, compared to hub.” It is able to able to play uyekrt the Xbox 360’s 1 teraflop. many types of media, including Like the Xbox 360, the Playmusic and video files. Microsoft ___ ___ ___ (___) ___ ___ station 3 will feature backwards will be releasing the console in compatibility, and will also be two versions, a “Premium Ediryrnebacr cause marketed as an entertainment tion” for $400 and a “Core Syscenter, able to ana___ ___ ___ (___) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ lyze many forms of data. The PS3 is expected to be ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ priced at around $300, the same ocnr no hte ocb price as the 360 Core System, al___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (___) ___ ___ ___ though the price might be higher, oairucpnco depending on if any more technol___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (___) ___ ogy is added on to it before launch. sdmhae toopat The final console slated for release in ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ April 2006 - is the Nintendo Revolution. This console (___) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ will be focused on technological innoredba udgndpi vation rather than Sony’s new console, Playstation 3, can play Blu-ray discs, pure power. The ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ which can hold up to 54 gigabytes of data. Revolution is the smallest of the tem,” for $300. three consoles, about the size of The Premium Edition in(___) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ three CD cases stacked on top of cludes a 20-gigabyte detachable each other. Its signature feature hard drive. The package also inso far is its strange controller, cludes a wireless controller, headwhich is shaped like a television set, and high-definition audiovisdadince amsy ual cable. The Core System will The Nintendo appeal to potential customers who ___ ___ ___ ___ (___) ___ ___ ___ ___ (___) ___ simply can’t afford the full packRevolution is the age. tuoaqsn smallest of the three The Xbox 360 uses a custom IBM PowerPC-based Xenon consoles, about the ___ ___ (___) ___ ___ ___ ___ processor with three symmetrical size of three CD cores, running at 3.2 gigahertz islmrgip each. The console also contains a cases stacked on top custom ATI Graphics Processing (___) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ of each other. Unit that clocks at 500 megahertz and 512 megabytes of RAM. The remote control. This new controlconsole ships with a DVD drive, Thanksgiving Dessert: ler will include wireless motion but later versions may include sensors, which will detect the HD-DVD capabilities, providing ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ controller’s movement in every more disk space for future games. direction and translate it into The next highly Expected to be released in April 2006, the Nintendo Revolution comes with a new controller that looks anticipated system movement in the game. Accordlike a television remote control. ing to Satoru Iwata, the president is the Playstation of Nintendo, another control stick 3, which will be will be bundled with the main released around controller. Another March 2006. A “revolutionary” development is continuation of the option to play emulated Sony’s vaunted games from all the past Nintendo Playstation and consoles by downloading them Playstation 2 confrom the internet and storing soles, the PS3 is them on the Revolution’s hard twice as powerful drive, thus combating illegal as the Xbox 360 ROM downloading. The Revoluin terms of sheer tion will include an IBM processing capacPowerPC based CPU code-named ity. The PS3 will “Broadway,” although the exact also be able to technical specifications are unplay Blu-ray known. It will accept both discs, which can Gamecube mini-discs and stanhold more data – dard DVDs, for backwards com54 gigabytes – patibility. ◙ than any other current disc. Its Continued from Page 1

PS3 Land

IGN Entertainment

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December 1, 2005 Puzzles/Science

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December 1, 2005 Science/Arts

Food Bites: Tea & Sympathy

The Avian Flu

Tea & Sympathy

most never contagious between humans. Yet scientists fear that if a person became infected with both avian flu and ordinary flu, BY KENNETH LAM the two strains could combine, STAFF WRITER creating a virus as deadly as avian flu and as virulent as reguThe avian influenza, also lar flu. Models suggest that a known as the bird flu or avian flu, worst-case scenario could rival is a deadly virus that is spreading the deadly Spanish flu of 1918, across the world. Generally, avian which killed about 50 million influenza does not affect humans, people worldbut one strain, the wide. avian influenza A Scientists fear Symptoms of strain, or H5N1 can avian flu insometimes make that if a person beclude fever, the jump from bird came infected with runny nose, to person. It is this coughing and both avian flu and strain that has other respirastricken people ordinary flu, a virus tory problems, across Europe and as deadly as avian not unlike reguAsia. lar flu. Severe The avian influ and as virulent cases may be fluenza is a relative as regular flu could fatal, however, of the normal huand about half be created. man flu virus. of those who However, due to have been infected with H5N1 differences in the genetic coding, have died, though a widespread the avian influenza has a somepandemic would likely have a what different shape compared to much lower mortality rate. the normal human influenza viBy September of this year, 58 rus. Since it is a virus, antibiotics people had died of the disease, have no effect, and there are very mostly in southeast Asia. Since few medicines out on the market its discovery in 1997, a total of that can help fight the disease. 124 cases have been documented, The medicine Tamiflu has some

Gilly, one of the family members that make up Tea & Sympathy, serves customers mouth-watering dishes and British tea.

BY KAIDANA RI STAFF WRITER

Agence France-Presse

British scientists are conducting tests on samples of the avian flu virus, hopeful that the virus did not mutate yet.

effect, but scientists worry that one strain of H5N1 may have developed a resistance to this drug. All H5N1 cases in humans have occurred among poultry farmers and others who handle birds regularly. The strain is al-

63 of which were fatal. An enormous number of poultry have died, and many millions more were deliberately slaughtered to fight the spread of the disease. Although it has not reached North America yet, governments are bracing for an attack that could leave millions dead. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Tea and Sympathy is a small and cozy restaurant in the West Village. The old-fashioned atmosphere is akin to that of Professor Trelawney's classroom in the Harry Potter books. Because of the restaurant’s small size, there is almost always a line. Inside, the tearoom is often so crammed that it is hard to move around. There is a wide selection of dishes ranging from regular sandwiches to scones and pudding. The long list of teas offered may leave the tea lover paralyzed with indecision. These teas, coupled with the mouth-watering sandwiches and snacks make the price range ($6 - $21) absolutely

worthwhile. For the truly indecisive, the expensive Afternoon Tea choice gives one a good idea of what Tea and Sympathy has to offer. The rather short main course menu has tasty entrees, such as Shepherd's Pie and lentil casserole. The dinner menu is shorter and much more costly, so it is better to come here in the mornings or afternoons rather than at night. If you don’t want to wait in line for a table at Tea and Sympathy, you might want to try to Carry On Tea and Sympathy, the take-out partner restaurant next door. There you will find both take-out versions of the great foods of Tea and Sympathy, as well as souvenirs like cute British candies that aren’t sold at your local deli. ◙

Interested in the fascinating world of Science, Math, and Technology? Write for The Standard Science Section! Send all submissions to [email protected]

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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December 1, 2005 Arts & Entertainment

Golden Dragon Leaps, Juggles, and Balances into the Hearts of New Yorkers BY JENNIFER WONG ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR This holiday season, take a break from big blockbuster movies and crowded ice rinks and

treat yourself to a circus like no other. The New Victory Theater welcomes the “Golden Dragon Acrobats,” straight from Xian, China. Perhaps the world’s leading Chinese circus, the interna-

that can be juggled and a team of gymnasts that come together in a breathtaking grand finale. While your inner child may enjoy the experience, your teenage self might not wanted to be seated next to a bawling threeyear-old. Teenagers can opt to participate in the New Victory Theater’s VicTeens: On The Town program. For $30, teens can watch “Golden Dragon Acrobats” from a teens-only section of the New Victory and attend a luncheon at the B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill before the show. This program takes place on Saturday, December 10 at 12:30 p.m. ◙ “Golden Dragon Acrobats” will be showing in the New Victory Theater until January 1. Tickets for “Golden Dragons” are priced at $10, $25 and $50 and can be ordered by visiting Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Tickets are also on sale at the New Victory box office (209 West 42nd Street, just west of Broadway), Sunday and Monday, 11 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, 12 pm to 7 pm.

All photos courtesy of Loli Kantor

Be the Final Step Join The Stuyvesant Standard Layout Department [email protected]

tionally renowned troupe is to present a show specially created for New Victory’s tenth anniversary season. “Golden Dragon Acrobats” takes traditional Chinese circus to a whole new level, combining traditional dance, original acrobatics and stunning costumes. The 21-member troupe includes contortionists that rip and roll across the stage, daring men who perform death-defying jumps between two towering poles, exceptional jugglers juggling anything

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December 1, 2005 Arts & Entertainment

Holiday Movie Guide and Rosario Dawson, the film is directed by Chris Columbus, who also directed the first two Harry Potter movies. Dawson, who plays the female lead, is one of only two cast members who didn’t appear in the stage version. Though set in 1989, the film is made especially not “to look like a ’80s movie,” said Dawson.

Theron stars as the perfect assassin, Aeon Flux. This live-action adaptation of MTV’s animated series depicts a futuristic world devastated by an apocalyptic viral pandemic. The last survivors are assembled in the walled-up city of Bregna. Theron’s character begins to question her life and career after she is asked to assassinate her possible soul mate, Trevor Goodchild.

December 2 Aeon Flux Another Best Actress In this sci-fi by Karyn

December 9 Memoirs of a Geisha An inside look at what it means to be a real geisha, the movie is an adaptation of the

Continued from Page 1

year, another Oscar winner in a cat suit. action flick directed Kusama, Charlize

“Aeon Flux” stars Charlize Theron as the perfect assassin.

best-selling book by Arthur Golden. The story follows Sayuri, a poor country girl played by Ziyi Zhang of “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” fame, who becomes the world’s most famous geisha. Producers reportedly spend over $70 million to keep the movie, as director Rob Marshall put it, “very faithful” to the book. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is the first chapter of C.S. Lewis’s chronicles of a family’s adventures in the magical land of Narnia. Director Andrew Adamson was recruited to bring the mysterious world to life with

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD the help of CG technology, which was used to create the wondrous creatures of Narnia including the lion, Aslan, voiced by Liam Neeson. December 25 Rumor Has It “Rumor Has It” is a blend of comedy and drama, sprinkled with an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, and Shirley MacLaine. Aniston stars as an unsure, engaged woman who gets cold feet as her wedding nears. Aniston soon learns that her family’s story might have inspired the 1967 movie “The Graduate,” and she begins a journey of selfdiscovery. ◙

“Rent,” based on the original Broadway play, is about a group of eight best friends.

All photos courtesy of Yahoo.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is another novel-based movie.

“Memoirs of a Geisha”, starring Ziyi Zhang, is based on the best-selling book by Arthur Golden.

“Rumor Has It,” starring Jennifer Aniston, is about a woman on her path to self-discovery.

Seen a good movie lately? An interesting exhibit? Arts show? Concert? If so, send your review to: [email protected]

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Violence is Just Too Violent Continued from Page 16

semi- riot among the Bahrain players who surrounded the referee, and then started to push the Trinidad players. Trinidad would go on to win the game 1- 0. The number of fouls in soccer is on the rise. In the past the game wasn’t as exciting, with a lack of contention for a player running up the pitch, but now it is

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December 1, 2005 Sports

almost impossible for a player to go a yard without challenge. An important question leading up to the World Cup in Germany is: is there anything FIFA can do? Of course there is. The main thing at hand is for FIFA to recruit more reliable referees who don’t fix games, and call fouls correctly and impartially, as opposed to applying subjective interpretations to subjective rules. ◙

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Terrell Owens: Distraction or Star? Continued from Page 16

For a team to take on Terrell Owens, they need to have a few things set. First, they need a strong player’s coach. Second, he has to be the man. I know this idea sounds odd, but he needs to be the offensive superstar. A mediocre quarterback and a mediocre running back would be perfect for TO because he would be in the spotlight. Finally, the team needs to have strong veteran leadership in the locker room. While Donovan McNabb is many things, he has too many chips on his shoulder from not making the Super Bowl until Terrell Owens came along. A team with a respected quarterback like Brett Favre wouldn’t take this nonsense from Terrell, and could probably set him straight.

What teams would be willing to take on Terrell? The Raiders are historically known to take in these types of players, but they already have a problem-child in Randy Moss. The Broncos have been mentioned as a possible destination for TO. They have the strong coach and mediocre offense that TO could thrive in. Another team interested in TO could be the Jets. Herman Edwards is known as a player’s coach, and the Jets offense is in disarray. If the Jets get either running back Curtis Martin or quarterback Chad Pennington back at 100% and use their top 10 pick in the draft to improve another needed offensive position, Terrell fits in as the star wide receiver. If Pennington was able to deal with Randy Moss in college, he should be able to deal with Terrell. ◙

Familiar News in Kansas City: Holmes is Out for Season gun using both Holmes and Johnson, trying to keep both players Most notable is his recordfresh and especially to keep breaking 27 touchdowns in 2003, Holmes healthy. Through Week which he accomplished after re9, Johnson has accumulated 506 cuperating from arthroscopic yards on the ground with 6 touchknee surgery in the off-season. downs. This season, Holmes has rushed Although the injury to for 451 yards on 3.8 yards per Holmes will be a loss to the carry for 7 touchdowns. Chiefs, it should not be a major “We're going to miss him,” setback. With one of the best Vermeil said. “He's more than a offensive lines in football, Johnfootball player for this organizason will have no problem estabtion.” lishing a running M e a n wh i l e , game for Kansas the Chiefs do The Kansas City City. What is have a reliable most troubling is and explosive Chiefs have placed the lack of probackup in running Priest Holmes, 32, duct ion from back Larry Johntight end Tony on injured reserve son, 25. Drafted who is as insurance for on Wednesday, No- Gonzalez, on pace to have Holmes in the vember 9, removing only 74 recepfirst round of the 2003 draft, he has him from the roster tions and 752 receiving yards. demonstrated his and effectively end- He had 102 repotential in the ing his 2005 season. c e p t i o n s a nd last two seasons. 1258 receiving “Larry Johnyards in 2004, son has already both NFL records for tight ends. carried the load. He knows he Kansas City’s first priority is can do it,” Vermeil said. “He just to get Gonzalez more involved in doesn't have a Priest Holmes the passing game and in the red backing him up like he backed up zone. With increased production Priest Holmes.” from Gonzalez and a consistent Last year, Johnson rushed for running attack, the Chiefs will 581 yards on 4.8 yards per carry remain the top pick to win their with 11 touchdowns. Early this division. ◙ season, Vermeil had already beContinued from Page 16

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Page 16

December 1, 2005 Sports

BY ERIC MAYO STAFF WRITER

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Terrell Owens: Distraction or Star?

Terrell Owens can be a lot of things. He is probably the best defensive end Hugh Douglas, it’s wide receiver in the entire Nano wonder Owens was suspended tional Football League. He is also for the maximum 4 games and the biggest clubwill be put on the house cancer proinactive list after The only person fessional sports the suspension is has probably ever over. Terrell Owens can seen. So the quesIt’s increasingly be compared to is tion is there: Is obvious that TO “TO” worth it? Leon, the fictional is a coach’s In case nightmare. From egotist in the Budyou’ve been unhis sharpieweiser commercials. signing antics to der a rock the past month, here’s his calling out his what has hapQB every time pened. Star Philadelphia Eagles there’s a microphone in his face, receiver Terrell Owens gave an he obviously isn’t a model citiinterview to ESPN in which he zen. This is the second quality said that the Eagles would be coach Owens has abused. You better off with Green Bay quarhave to wonder if anyone can terback Brett Favre than current deal with his me-first attitude. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, But this incident goes far and that the Eagles should have beyond football. If you look in publicly recognized his hundredth professional sports in the last 35 touchdown catch. Combined this years, very few players have been with his alleged fight with exthe distraction TO has been. Den-

nis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls in the early and mid 90’s was crazy, but Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen kept him in check. Barry Bonds is never this problematic since he doesn’t vent his frustration to the media. Even Latrell Sprewell of the NBA was tamed under coach Jeff Van Gundy and the New York Knicks. While Gary Sheffield makes his remarks to the media, he knows when to keep quiet. The Terrell Owens. only person Terrell Owens can be compared to is Leon, the fictional egotist in the Budweiser commercials. Agence France-Presse

Violence is Just Too Violent Turkey from the 2010 World Cup. The other incident involved a Bahraini player kicking the ball Violence erupted at World away from the Cup qualifying Trinidad player, matches between Compared to followed by an Turkey and Switinteresting resoccer two decades zerland, and beturn to the ball ago, soccer in totween Bahrain amd by the Bahrain Trinidad. This sort p l a ye r wh o day’s world is inof brutality is rare, launched the creasing in terms of ball to the back and during these tough times, the fouls, making socof the net. The questionable decireferee didn’t cer appear to be a sions of some refeallow this goal more aggressive rees aren’t helping. due to the close Soccer is going proximity of the sport than it through a tough Trinidad goalie normally is. time and can need to the point of all the support it origin of the ball. This caused a can get. Continued on Page 15 The incident which occurred in Istanbul, Turkey escalated after the final whistle blew. As the players rushed to their locker rooms, one S wiss player kicked a Turkish coach. Several Turkish players fought with Swiss players, sending one to the hospital. Penalties discussed include the possibility Aggressive playing in the World Cup qualifying match of banning between Australia and Uruguay.

So he’s a clubhouse cancer. Why would anyone want him? He’s still the top wide receiver in football. His six foot three frame and blazing speed makes him a cornerback’s nightmare. His vertical jump compares with some of the best basketball p l a ye r s . If paired with a top flight quarterback (think ManningHarrison) like McNabb was in happier days or Mike Vick of the Falcons, he can be deadly. Continued on Page 15

Familiar News in Kansas City: Holmes is Out for Season BY YEE HONG STAFF WRITER

BY OSMAN NEMLI SPORTS EDITOR

It has happened so often in such a short span of time that the people in Kansas City probably have already taken it for granted. Fans hold their breath every time number 31 touches the football, hoping he will get up and line up for the next play. Chief fans need not suffer the agony any longer. The Kansas City Chiefs have placed Priest Holmes, 32, on injured reserve on Wednesday, Nov. 9, removing him from the roster and effectively ending his 2005 season. Holmes suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit in an Oct.30 game against the San Diego Chargers and then missed the following game against the Oakland Raiders. The formal diagnosis of Holmes’s injuries is head and neck trauma. However, the hit in San Diego was not the predominant factor that sidelined Holmes. The running back had complained of tingling in his arms during training camp. “We did know he started getting what we say `burners' once in a while, a tingling in his fingers from some hits, which are very, very common,” said Coach Dick Vermeil. “Guys get burners in the first quarter and play the rest of the game. But he had never experienced that in his career.” “Then I think the blow to the head in San Diego stimulated more concern. It wasn't a true

concussion, but he did get knocked dizzy.” Holmes’s doctors have asked him to avoid contact for 30 days but say that surgery is unnecessary.

Agence France-Presse

Canadian Press

Priest Holmes.

“It's a head trauma and a neck trauma that has affected the cervical area of his spine. But he's not incapacitated. There's no reason for surgery,” said Chiefs general manager, Carl Peterson. Holmes is a three-time Pro Bowler who is extremely productive when he is healthy. He rushed for 1555 yards in 2001, 1615 in 2002, and 1420 in 2003. Continued on Page 15