The ‘color run’ on sept. 14 was enjoyed by everyone …

PHOTO BY YEARBOOK STAFF

Published biweekly by and for the Upper School students of Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, OK SEPTEMBERAPRIL 28,3, 2015 2018 THE COMMONS Coach Kay wants to revive RCDS soccer

By Logan Payne STAFF WRITER

New faculty member David Kay took the time to answer a few questions about his new school and its athletics. Logan: How are you liking Riverfield so far? David Kay: It clearly stands out compared to any school I've ever seen. I absolute- ly love the atmosphere that the staff, students and families have created here. I have witnessed some incredible things already that have reaffirmed my passion for social studies education as well as sports. This is without a doubt the best teaching job any- Some of the girls who will play flag football tonight practice their positions during lunch. PHOTO BY PATRICIA DICKEY one could ask for! L: Are you looking for- ward to changing up any of our sports here at Riverfield? DK: I want to create a cul- ture of soccer that encourages Game closes out win-win week the growth of the sport from the Lower School through the Up- By Brenden Paul Last year, Riverfield raised approximately $1,300 during per School. I would love to see STAFF WRITER WinWin Week, according to Mrs. Knight. the program grow on and off the The week’s activities culminate in a Girls’ Flag Football field to where a passion for the very year, Riverfield participates in an annual game, which will be held tonight on the Martha S. Clark Field. sport cannot be ignored. event to raise money for cancer research. OS- A pep rally at the end of the day today will fire up the crowd. L: Tell me something SAA’s WinWin Week is usually held in Sep- Mr. Hodges, the man in charge of planning WinWin Week about yourself that people don’t tember, and this year it is on Sept. 24-28. and the flag football game, says, “These games have been suc- already know. WinWin Week inspires spirited competitions cessful in the past, and I see no reason why they won’t be suc- DK: I lived on the lake for Eamong the grades to raise the largest amount for cancer re- cessful again this year. There is a lot of interest on the sign-up a long time. I was used to hear- search. This year, Student Council chose thyroid cancer re- sheets for girls to play.” ing birds, coyotes, mountain search as the designated cause. The money is donated to the It is always fun to see the girls play football while the guys lions and even bears more than I Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma in dress up and lead cheers. This game always draws a great heard cars. I could leave my car Norman. crowd. See you there tonight! and house doors unlocked or open when I left the house. Now I feel like I hit the lock button on the key fob of my truck eve- ry 30 minutes! When I get out in the quiet of nature, I am truly Aftermath of Hurricane Florence hits hard in my element. L: Thanks, Coach, and By Jon Morley southwest of Bermuda. The according to the state’s Emer- $44 billion in damage and lost welcome to Riverfield! STAFF WRITER winds extended 80 miles from gency Management Division. output, which would make it the storm’s center at first, but Similar conditions exist in one of the 10 costliest US hurri- Hurricane Florence was a eventually extended almost 400 North Carolina as well. Major canes.” long-lived Cape Verde hurri- miles, making it a monster flooding continues in eastern The hurricane’s aftermath is cane that made landfall in the storm. counties, and power outages are affecting a lot of people right Carolinas on Friday, Sept. 14. And it is still wreaking hav- affecting many. now, so keep watching the news It was the wettest tropical oc. In South Carolina where The clean-up will undoubt- to see what is happening. cyclone on record in the Caroli- flooding is still at critical levels, edly take months. For those at Riverfield who nas. It is the ninth wettest tropi- rivers are still rising, evacua- The storm has caused at wish to help, donations can be cal cyclone to affect the contig- tions are still happening, and least 44 deaths so far, according made to the American Red uous United States. more than two million sandbags to CBS News. Cross. If you donate through Florence developed on Aug. have been placed around road- The NY Post reports that Google, Google will match up Coach Kay loves his new job! 31 from a cold front to the ways to protect safe passage, “Florence has caused around to $1 million in donations. PHOTO BY MASON MALLOY

THE COMMONS is published biweekly dur- VOLUME XIII ISSUE 2 ing the school year by the Upper School Newspaper elective class FALL 2018 STAFF at Riverfield Country Day School, 2433 W. 61st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74132. The staff reserves the right to edit any article or EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...... Brenden Paul FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 letter submitted for publication. Send all NEWS EDITOR ...... Logan Payne submissions to the Editor-in-Chief at SPORTS EDITORS ...... Brady Heinig, Jon Morley DESIGN EDITORS ...... Jake O’Shaughnessy [email protected]. All opinions expressed are those of the individual writ- OPINIONS EDITOR ...... Jack Bluhm ...... Quinten Nokes ers and do not reflect positions of the staff, A&E EDITOR ...... Will Dozier PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS .... Jack Jones, Abigail Jones adviser, or school administration. REVIEWS EDITOR ...... Jack Bluhm, Andrew Jordan COLUMNISTS ...... Ava Fritts, Noah Hall, FEATURES EDITOR ...... Mason Malloy ...... Elise Wagoner Online: riverfield.org/community/student-newspapers.cfm

THE COMMONS Friday, September 28, 2018 Coming up in our next issue: get a ‘clue,’ anthem protests, SPORTS tv and game reviews, conor McGREGOR FIGHT, and more … 2 NBA offseason trades will impact season

By Logan Payne player who has been an All-Star the Finals this year. This is STAFF WRITER at least once in the past five likely to end his eight-year years. streak of Finals appearances. With the 2018-2019 NBA But the Houston Rockets On another note, Kawhi season just around the corner, acquired Carmelo Anthony. Leonard was moved to the everyone is wondering how This trade could result in the Toronto Raptors for Demar the league is going to look this Warriors being stopped before Derozan after playing less than year. going to the Finals. 10 games. Hopefully this trade Some big offseason trades The biggest trade of all, will see the Raptors finally have happened this year. though, was LeBron James. The making it to the Finals this Demarcus Cousins, argua- “King” of the modern NBA was year by defeating a strong Bos- Senior James Puls and sophomore Ari Sanders are this issue’s MVPs. bly the league’s best center traded to the Los Angeles Lak- ton Celtics team. PHOTOS BY JACK JONES last year before getting hurt ers, the most marketable team This NBA season should be with what could be a career- ever in the history of the NBA. an exciting one to see with all ending injury, was traded to Now with almost no chance the trades that happened this Senior and Sophomore the Golden State Warriors. of beating the Warriors from off season. Make sure to tune Golden State is the best team lack of talent and veteran play, in on October 16th for the first anchor cross country teams in the league, and Cousins is a don’t expect to see LeBron in two games of the season.

Riverfield has runners of all ages competing at high levels Most right now. The teams have par- ticipated in multiple meets, and Valuable ongratulations to the Raven Cross Country teams on their success at the Cleve- many athletes have had great land Tiger Invitational on Sept. 20. Both the Middle and Upper School teams did success. Players a great job! The Varsity Boys team finished 5th overall (beating several 4A and The Boys Cross Country By Brady Heinig C squad is led by James Puls 5A schools), and individual runners in the Top 30 included Caden Kesselring (3rd), while the Girls are anchored by James Puls (4th) and James Carson (27th). Thank you to Coach Kay, Coach Henry, speedy Ari Sanders. more, leaving two more years James Puls — James is a for even more improvement. and all the runners for their dedication and hard work! Good luck to the teams as senior and is running some of Her ability to lead the team they travel to the Kiefer Trojans Invitational Cross Country meet tomorrow! the fastest times of his life. He through diligent hard work real- is coming off a terrific season, ly stands out to first year one in which he ran in both the coach Kay. “She’s very con- state and national meets, placing sistent, she has great form and a in the top 40 at both. He is one terrific attitude. She’s a very Premier League predictions of the most gifted runners River dependable runner for us.” Con- -field has ever seen, and he is sistency is very important in By Jack Bluhm Fulham will have the most suc- Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana, closing in on the records left by Varsity athletics, and if her STAFF WRITER cess. In the August transfer win- and some of the best defenders Tater Pugh. He cares a lot about work ethic stays consistent, Ari dow, they made transfers for in the world. his team and hopes this will be will be a force to be reckoned The 2018-19 Premier some big stars, the biggest being In second place, I think it the year that the team qualifies with in her career. Nice job, League season starts off with German-born midfielder André will either be Manchester City or for State. Way to go, James! Ari! some interesting teams in the Schurrle. André is now 27, and Chelsea. Chelsea has disappoint- Ari Sanders — Ari is a very James and Ari are this is- league. Every team that was in fine form already scoring for ed in recent years, but I think talented runner, as she has sue’s MVPs. Check out our next promoted last year has found Fulham. they will have a burst-out sea- shown last year and again this issue on Oct. 12 to see who will themselves staying in the top But I predict Liverpool will son. season. She is only a sopho- be the featured athletes then. tier of English soccer. win the League. Liverpool went Manchester City won the Some of the new teams that to the Champions League final, league last year, and I do think have recently been promoted are which is the highest form of they will do very good again this Fulham United, Cardiff City, club football. Liverpool didn’t season. But I expect they will OK fishing records and the Wolverhampton Wan- grab a lot of big stars because just fall short because their de- derers. they already have some in the fense hasn’t been upgraded to By Mason Malloy Of these three, I believe likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, the degree it needs to be. STAFF WRITER

Over the past 50 years, fishing in Oklahoma has been a very interesting sport. It requires patience and a little bit of luck. Many huge fish have been caught. As of this writing, these are the current Freshwater Game Fish records. They include only local species Talking with mr. hunter skoog caught by rod and reel (no bow fishing or noodling.) By Jon Morley on our friends running a meter long as we get more, I’m hap- Fish Angler Date Lbs. Location SPORTS EDITOR or two. Just hanging out and py. Species having a good time. J: Do you think you will be Largemouth Dale Miller 3/13/13 13.7 Cedar Lake I recently interviewed Mr. J: Are you excited about the track coach for more years Bass Hunter Skoog about Track coaching Track this year? to come? Smallmouth Ryan Wasser 3/31/12 8.7 Lake here at Riverfield. HS: Yes! Very excited! HS: I hope so! I hope we do Bass Lawtonka J: How many meets do you well in the meets we compete Spotted Bass O.J. Stone 6/27/58 8.2 Pittsburg Co. Jon: Did you run Track think you guys will have? in. I know the younger guys pond when you were in high school HS: My goal is four, but as have run in middle school, and Striped Bass Louis Parker 6/10/96 47.8 Lower here at Riverfield? I heard they did great. I feel Illinois River Hunter Skoog: Yes, I was an like the way you start a pro- Blue Catfish Billy Nabors 11/11/04 98.0 Lake All-State runner. I ran those gram is to start from the Texoma two meets, and those were my ground and work your way up. Flathead Richard 5/11/10 78.8 El Reno city favorites. J: When does Track start? Catfish Williams reservoir J: What was your favorite HS: In the spring — right Channel Gary Doak 9/11/05 35.15 Taft Lake event in Track? around Spring Break. Maybe a Catfish Jr. HS: The favorite thing I ran week when I won’t be doing White Frank 5/4/91 4.15 Kingfisher was the 300 hurdles and the Tennis and Soccer. Crappie Robinson Co. pond 800 meter. Those were my J: Will there be another Alligator Gar Paul Easley 4/24/15 254.8 Lake favorite things to compete in. track coach doing it with you? Texoma It was really fun to watch eve- HS: I am going to talk with rybody run. Coach Kay and Coach Henry. Paddlefish Larry Dale 4/29/18 132.8 Arkansas Morphew River J: What is your favorite They are the Cross Country memory about running Track? coaches. We are going to com- Bluegill Tom Shorter 5/8/87 2.6 Kay Co. pond HS: Some of my favorite Mr. Skoog wants to revive Track at pare notes. I’m going to talk Walleye Chet Munds 1/18/81 5.5 Kerr memories were hanging out at Riverfield this spring. with them a lot. As of right Reservoir the track site all day, cheering PHOTO BY BRENDEN PAUL now, it is just me.

GRAPH BY MASON MALLOY

THE COMMONS Friday, September 28, 2018 Oct. 5 — Family campout on A&E / REVIEWS the Martha S. clark field 3 YouTubers’ fight draws large crowds A GREAT STEAKHOUSE on the river: By Andrew Jordan Aug. 25, actually came. Was it STAFF WRITER worth all the hype? Well, sort of. YouTube is one of the big- The entire thing ended in a Waterfront grill gest companies in the world draw. One scorer said KSI had a now. It allows anyone to post 58-57 advantage on Logan, and I had the opportunity to eat videos of any sort to a wide the other two judges scored at Waterfront Grill recently. audience. However, there is them both at 57. That tied the This restaurant, known around always one sort of conflict or match and created a bit of con- Tulsa for its excellent dining, another on the site from the dif- troversy. is located right next to the ferent creators. There have been some ru- Oklahoma Aquarium, so it’s Logan Paul and KSI, two of mors, one by the YouTuber not too far of a drive from the site’s most influential crea- Kwite, that the game was some- Riverfield. tors, have had a rivalry for a few how rigged to create hype for a The interior of the restau- months now. They finally decid- second fight which will take rant is laid out very well and ed to settle it with a boxing place in mid-2019. there are countless great views match. The buildup to the fight However, most people think Photo caption goes here … of the Arkansas River and PHOTO BY BRADY HEINIG featured a lot of disses by each it was legit and they are both Downtown Tulsa. of the competitors, with multi- good fighters in general. The The presentation of the ple diss tracks by both on two will continue to cause con- Jenks’ Waterfront Grill mixes great food with terrific views. restaurant gives it a very ele- YouTube. Basically, they made flict until a second fight hap- PHOTO BY BRADY HEINIG gant yet modern touch. The songs dissing each other. pens, so they can finally settle service was good, as the wait- Then the day of the fight, the score. not have a smoky taste, but a ress was always around to pleasant aftertaste. It was so refill our drinks and help make tender I could cut it with the our dining experience better. A TASTE side of my fork. The sides The staff did not hover OF TULSA were excellent too. around our table, as some Overall, it was one of the waiters and waitresses do at By Brady Heinig best steakhouse experiences other steakhouses. This helped I’ve had in Tulsa for a long increase the comfortability of time. I give Waterfront Grill 4 Art in the park our table, which is one of the light of my experience, as it out of 5 ravens. most important aspects of a should have been. I had the Filet By Will Dozier that have taken place at the meal. Mignon, and it was one of the ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Gathering Place so far include The food at Waterfront best steaks I have had in Tulsa. concerts by The Roots, who Grill was definitely the high- The flavor was very good. It did Now that the Gathering played at the Grand Opening Place has been open for about on Sept. 8, Oklahoma’s “The three weeks, many events Voice”-famed Swon Brothers, there have united the Tulsa and the Canadian choir group, community. “Choir!Choir!Choir!” The park is an incredible However, many more art MUSIC REVIEW: KB’s ‘Halloween’ achievement for Tulsa and is events are scheduled to take definitely a big step up in Tul- place including: Acclaimed By Quinten Nokes Vert’s “Dark Queen” in his The main reason this song is sa’s art scene. violinist Daniel D. with a band STAFF WRITER “ 2” . good is because the lyrics and Many people in Tulsa are on Oct. 4, BMX pros at the The vocals on “Halloween” the beat go together very well. excited about the Gathering skate park on Oct. 17, gospel “Halloween” is a song in the are good. It’s the classic Kodak The song has been heard by a lot Place and its events. Students singer Kirk Franklin with Tul- Hip-Hop genre that was re- Black with a bit of mumble rap- of people, and it was a good at Riverfield are no exception. sa’s local Metropolitan Baptist leased in 2017. This song is by ping. This has become a topic song to listen to with friends for Alex Motazedi, a junior Church choir on Oct. 19, A Kodak Black and is explicit, but that is being discussed a great months, even after Halloween who is connected to the Tulsa Tribe Called Red on Nov. 2, there is a clean version of the deal because of rappers that are was long gone. Poetry scene, is excited, “I and many others. song I believe you can find on hard to understand. They have I give this song 4 ravens out have frequented Tulsa’s local If you cannot go to any of . even been called “fake rappers.” of 5. art at places such as the Guth- the events above, there are This song came out on Hal- There is quite a bit of this in rie Green and the Gypsy Cof- multiple events happening loween last year, which perfect- this song, but you can mostly fee House where I performed every day and a light show that ly suited its name. The beat has understand what Kodak Black is poetry, and this seems like it will happen every night for the a melody that resembles Lil Uzi saying. will be huge for a culture of first 100 days after Sept. 8. artists that is already flourish- The Gathering Place will ing. I am excited to see the be huge for Tulsa’s local art influences that the Gathering and music community. If you Place will have on Tulsa’s have not been there yet, make poetry scene and culture.” sure you check it out or go to GAME REVIEW: ‘Destiny 2: forsaken’ Some of the best events one of the events there. By Andrew Jordan friends carried me through for In this mode, you fight A.I. ene- REVIEWS EDITOR most of it. mies, and each kill gets you A main thing about this new tokens. Cash in enough tokens “Destiny 2” is a hit by game campaign is that your “light to spawn a big boss, and when developer Bungie, which is also level” has to increase — a lot. you kill it, you win the game. known for its “Halo” games. Light level is what I called However, if you also get Bungie recently released its “power level” earlier, and what another quantity of tokens, you major DLC for “Destiny.” Ti- determines which enemies you can send yourself or one of your tled “Forsaken,” it adds many can kill. Therefore, it deter- teammates over to the other new features to the game, from mined how powerful you are in team and kill them. doubling the current power lev- the game. In the time I’ve gotten to el to adding a new multiplayer The light level cap before play this mode, I honestly enjoy game mode, to adding an entire- the DLC was 400. I was at 360 it even though I’m not very ly new campaign. before “Forsaken” was released, good at it yet. It is a nice mix Let’s start with the cam- then it became 600. With each between PVE and PVP, and it is paign. It is based on a new vil- progressing level, the light re- fast-paced and very exciting to lain named Uldren Sov. A quired leapt up, eventually end- play. bunch of his “barons” kill one ing at 490. If you currently have of the main characters, Cayde. Now, light level isn’t easy to “Destiny 2,” get “Forsaken.” It Your job is to go through all of raise, and that’s why I had my is well worth the $40. If you his barons one by one, like mini friend carry me through it. don’t have “Destiny 2,” now is -bosses, eventually fighting the However, the light level in- the time to get it. final boss, which may or may crease gave way to more play I give it 5 out of 5 ravens. not be Uldren. time and more quests instead of The Roots played the main stage at the Gathering Place on Opening Even though the campaign just staying at 400. Day, Sept. 8. More great acts are coming. PHOTO BY WILL DOZIER was short, it was a blast to play Finally, a new game mode through, even though one of my was introduced, called Gambit.

THE COMMONS Friday,September 28, 2018

OPINIONS / FEATURES 4

French capital installs Gathering place gets comments open-air (huh?)

By Logan Payne ple who have issues. And some people are upset How would people react if

STAFF WRITER Yes, people have started they can’t bring their dogs to they saw a man urinating into parking in the adjoining neigh- the park anytime they like. a trash can on a busy sidewalk Tulsa introduced a new borhood, and I can understand Bottom line? Some people next to a river, then realized Wacky park to the public on Sept. 8 that. I wouldn’t like it either, if I are going to be picky, but Tul- the man was actually using an with a very inviting name — lived there. sa now has one of the biggest open-air ? Like it or not, WORLD the Gathering Place. It has Another complaint is about and best parks anywhere. I am for people in Paris, France, By Ava Fritts been planned for seven years, the tallgrass planted in and very excited about this new this is now a reality. and $465 million has gone into around the park. I have no prob- addition to my city, and I can’t The Uritrottoir is a public the building of this park. lem with this. wait to see everyone enjoy it. urinal that officials have ap- as they can only be used So far, it has been a huge proved as an attempt to com- properly by men. hit with the city of Tulsa after bat the offensive problem of When Wacky World asked a long wait. public in the “City of Riverfield junior Hannah Da- I waited for a weekday so it Lights.” vis her opinion, she agreed wouldn’t be as busy as on a The design is supposed to with the notion that these uri- weekend. I was astonished by be eco-friendly. It looks like a nals set a double standard, it. It’s the best park I have ever trash can with a bright red even if not intentional. been to, and there is no compe- upper half and a flower garden “(The Uritrottoir) is a little tition. on top. According to the in- gross and unsettling. If women I had a great time because ventors, it is meant to civilize can’t go in public, then why there is so much to do. The the act of relieving oneself. aren’t men held to the same park covers 66 acres right Within a year’s time, the standard?” Davis asked. now, but there are still nine device’s reservoir full of During the interview, the acres that haven’t been devel- mulch mix will turn into com- concept of a single stall oped. post and fertilize the plants on in place of the Uritrottoir was Almost everybody loves the top. discussed. A little research the park. Of course there are Some consider the tallgrass plantings, such as these by the bank of the This design has sprouted uncovered the existence of the always going to be a few peo- pond, “unkempt” and “unsightly.” PHOTO BY WILL DOZIER concerns involving a hard-to- Sanisette, a gender-neutral ignore design and a lack of stall on the streets. It privacy, which is supported by is unique in that it cleans it- nearby signs that feature a self, and it also exists in Paris. drawing of a urinating man. One wonders why it was not Another complaint is that installed instead of the new Kavanaugh hearings delayed they can be considered sexist, urinals.

U.S. Supreme Court nomi- ings, which senators were not

nee Brett Kavanaugh, who has permitted. This has led Demo- faced adversity in the Senate crats to lash out, especially before, began confirmation civil Cory Booker of New Jersey hearings on Sept. 4. and Kamala Harris of Califor- His 2006 appellate confir- discourse nia. The Chase Experiment mation occurred almost three Kavanaugh’s committee By Shashwat Singh years after appointment, and it confirmation vote is today. barely succeeded amid intense Democratic senators have scrutiny from Democrats, the Alex Motazedi, 11th grade, politicized the sexual miscon- Washington Post reported. said: “It’s a shame they didn’t duct claims for partisan pur- Now the judge only needs bring this up earlier … It is an poses, which does not bode 51 votes in a Republican- important issue.” well for the future of the party controlled Senate, while Dem- Yesterday, Kavanaugh and or D.C. politics. ocrats are again looking to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, one In an age where sexual delay the process. of his accusers, spoke to the misconduct is increasingly The nomination process is Senate Judiciary Committee. scrutinized and democratic focusing on the judge’s ties to The hearing quickly became processes are actively under- President Trump and the pres- political. This hearing was a win mined, this confirmation has idential investigation, along for Senate Democrats, who are been rushed and careless on with allegations of sexual mis- fighting the confirmation on both sides of the aisle. To re- conduct during Kavanaugh’s multiple grounds. Vox reported tain a non-partisan judiciary, early years. CNN reports that that various Democrats have politics should have little to five women have come for- pointed to historical precedent no role. Sadly, this no longer ward so far to allege sexual requiring review of a nominee’s applies to Supreme Court con- misconduct by the judge. entire public record before hear- firmations. Chase lost his sister Ally in the car wreck a year ago. ILLUSTRATION BY PENNY MUSICK

By Elise Wagoner I’m not the type of guy to COLUMNIST get overwhelmed, but staring at Ally’s grave made me feel Russian election believed corrupt It’s been a year. something I hadn’t felt before. One whole year since I felt Grief. By Jack Jones prevailing opinion seems to be ple who care. Very few seem to the test tubes and the wires fall Before the accident, Ally STAFF WRITER that there was some sort of cor- take the election seriously, and off my body. A whole year and I lived alone. She was 18, I ruption involved. why would they? Nothing has since I realized that none of the was 15. She was letting me The 2018 Russian presiden- I asked Riverfield’s World been shown to help the case, things I had witnessed were real. drive. Teaching me, really. tial election took place on History teacher, Ms. James, for given recent news. It’s nothing She taught me everything. March 18. The three finalists her thoughts on this matter. new, and it most certainly won’t How to do math, not do drugs, were incumbent Vladimir Putin, “I think there was most like- be over soon, either. creative fiction stay in school, all the basics running as an independent, ly some serious manipulation. As Andrew Jordan, a fellow really. Our parents had died, but Pavel Grudinin of the Com- Putin coursed and manipulated staffer for The Commons, puts The crazy utopia had they were gone way before they munist Party, and Vladimir the votes to maintain power,” it, “Putin being re-elected is a brought me to a state of mind died. Zhirinovosky of the Liberal James said. reminder that Russia isn’t going that I had not thought possible. We were two misfits, fight- Democratic Party. Similarly, Riverfield sopho- away. The corruption in the It made me forget the horrible ing against the world. The results weren’t even more Tobin Anderson, says: Russian government has gotten screeching of tires and the Those feelings weren’t just close. Putin won with roughly “He didn’t win because there to a high with Putin in the reins, stench of burning asphalt. It fantasies, they were hope, in a 77% percent of the nation’s wasn’t a real election. Political from strong-arming opponents helped me understand that it way. And ever since I escaped votes. dissidents are silenced and in- to literally killing them. With wasn’t my fault! It wasn’t! It from “them,” I’ve made it my Whether or not these results timidated, and journalists are him possibly influencing Amer- couldn’t have been. business to find out how and are legitimate are subject to killed. Russia is as much a de- ican foreign policy and Ameri- The wreck was a year ago, why it happened. debate. There are a few who mocracy as China is.” can politics in general, Russia yet every painful memory was I’m going to get answers. believe that the results were This opinion seems to be- won’t be going away anytime washing over me and drowning completely unfabricated, but the long to the vast majority of peo- soon.” my thoughts in a sea of guilt. … to be continued