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CHATHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL CMS-7 Press SC HOOL 2 0 1 1 - 2012, ISSUE 6 J U N E 2 0 1 2 DISTRICT Is This World War 3? Tensions in the Pacific OF By Parsa I. and Liam R. THE War: it all starts with simple tensions. These tensions can range from racism, to anger and in this case, a CHATHAMS territorial argument. Although war may still be far away, tensions have started to rise in the Pacific. The tensions have recently begun rising between China and the Philippines, and now the United States. The United States of America wants no war and China and the Philippines want to keep the peace, but it is only a matter CONTRIBUTORS: of time until the tensions explode into a devastating war. The result of a war will not only affect the coun- MEDIA LITERACY tries, but the lives of many including yourself. Even though there may not be a war or even one for a long time, with tensions rising in the Pacific, who may know what the results might be? CYCLES 6 & 7 Lately, the Philippines have accused China for being overly aggressive of staking its claims of the Spratlys STUDENTS Islands in the South Sea, which some countries including the Philippines, also claim parts of it. However, a FACULTY: showdown recently occurred between the Philippine and Chinese navies when a Filipino patrol cruiser found illegal Chinese fishermen in the highly contested South China Sea, also raising the tensions. The tensions rose J. FERREIRA again after the U.S. announced that it would yet again launch the joint U.S.-Philippine war games. The war games are an annually large-scale military exercises, which will be held in the South China Sea. It will consist of about 7000 U.S. and Philippine soldiers. No one wants to face a war, but as tensions start to rise in the INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Pacific, the more dangerous the consequences will become. Usually, when conflicts or tensions occur, there are two sides of the story. Besides the different sides of a Current Events 1-6 story, there is an accuser and the accused, and in many cases they vary. In one case, the accused was the crew of the illegal, Chinese fishing vessel, and the accuser is the state of The Philippines and her allies. The Weather 6-7 incident in question occurred on April 8th, when the flagship of the Philippine navy, an old U.S. coast guard cruiser, intercepted an illegal chinese fishing vessel. The conflict escalated when the Chinese navy sent two Technology 7-9 armed observation ships to the area, in order to seize the fishing vessel from the Filipino flagship. Tensions began to wind down when a Filipino diplomatic ship relieved the flagship and the fishing boat was released after a brief inspection, and deemed to not be a threat to shipping and trade in Philippine waters. The area Sports 9- in question is the South China Sea, which has been disputed between the Philippines and The People's Republic 16 of China, since after the second world war, when the Philippines became an independent country. This is not the first incident of conflict in the South China Sea, as China and the Philippines have been in the United School Matters 16- Nations courts several times to try to gain possession of the resourceful, rich area. These cases are mostly 19 indecisive, although in recent times the Philippines are making more progress with help from the United States. Although China has picked fights with other Pacific nations, its conflicts with the Philippines have been Entertainment 19- the most long standing. 29 No man favors war. However, the big question is how far will the countries go, and what might the conse- quences of these actions be? Escalating the conflict, the U.S. announced that they would back the Philippines and move 10% more of its navy to the Pacific region. P A G E 2 fraught with uncertain political implications. He had been under pres- In addition, American leaders announced that they sure to lay a clear opinion on same sex marriage that week by en- would prepare several hundred ICBM (Intercontinental dorsement of Joe Biden and other top advisors. After some years of Ballistic Missiles) for armament and launch. Washington discussion between friends and family he now personally believes same sex marriage should be allowed in all 50 states. He is the first sitting also announced that they would invest over $50 billion US president to announce publicly the support of gay marriage. Al- over the next ten years to expand America's nuclear though he opposes the Federal Defense Marriage Law, suggesting a arsenal, right after, Russia announced that it would marriage is between a man and woman, he is not saying they must support China in the event of U.S. intervention in the change the law. He believes individual states should approve of it. conflict. Within days China has started accusing its own In 2008 Obama did not support same sex marriage, but did sup- citizens of spying for the U.S. and has already arrested port the civil unions. At the time he mentioned his opinions about it several government officers for treason. With the were „evolving‟, and not yet formed. Many people in the US took this as another way to imply he was moving towards an opinion. He has world mobilizing its arsenals, one should wonder if a explained that his opinion was influenced from members of the gay brutal war may erupt. Right now, China and the Phil- community in the military, and friends who had raised children in same ippines have rough tensions rising between them. They sex relationships.The recent change of opinion puts Obama square at have been in conflict for a while, and situations do not odds with Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for president. Romney‟s seem to be easing between them, as Chinese leaders stance on this controversial topic is that he believes marriage is be- claimed they would. Recently, the United States of tween a man and woman. Recently Obama's stance on the matter has been positive regarding his possible re election for 2012. This may America has gotten involved in the rising conflicts in mean a turnaround for Obama. the Pacific. From announcing that they will participate In a Gallup poll, 50% of Americans believe that same-sex mar- in the joint U.S. and Philippine war games to the riages should be recognized by law as valid while 48% said this type expanding of their arsenal, tensions between the US. of marriage should not be legal. But a CNN poll taken in late March and China have increased a frightening amount. Even has shown the statistics to be tied. There was also another vote in worse, Russia has started to participate in the conflicts North Carolina, suggesting a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in and the rising tensions. It has only been a couple of that state. Obama was disappointed by this. He has described the matter as discrimination against gays and lesbians. decades since devastating war had affected many of President Barack Obama‟s support towards same sex marriage in the countries. With the tensions rapidly increasing, all 50 states has given him more chance of reelection in the year of other countries might get involved. If conditions con- 2012. Mitt Romney‟s stance on marriage is that a man and a woman tinue like this, there would be a frightening, high should be wed, while Obama supports both. Obama‟s opinion is helping chance of a war. It all depends on the actions that his chance at reelection. take place, and when the breaking point of peace is for some. Having a war will affect the lives of many Chinese Activist Escapes from House Arrest human beings. Hopefully, we can keep war in the past By Mimi K. After a long 7 years under house arrest, Chen Guangcheng, a human rights activist, snuck out of his home with his family during the Obama Supports Gay Marriage in 50 States night and was driven to Beijing. The blind 40 year old has a faithful By Kelly A. and Judy L. wife and 2 children. In September of 2010, Chen was put on house arrest for speaking out against the Chinese 1-child policy and alleg- ing that Chinese Linyi officials were engaged in forced abortion and In recent news, President Barack Obama has given his sterilization. He did not think this was right because the current stance on the controversial topic of allowing gay mar- population of men is far greater than that of women, and people riage in all 50 states of the US. He‟s stated this just are upset that they can only have a single child. He considered this six months before the presidential election in Novem- very unjust. On the night of April 22, 2012, he and his family fled ber, their home to head to the U.S. Embassy. CMS - 7 P R E S S P A G E 3 When he arrived, he asked for temporary protection and shelter so he could negotiate with China for his permanent freedom. They have now agreed to let him go free. Many people did not agree with the United States‟ decision to protect him while he worked things out with his country. It was a risky move, because if it had not gone well, he would have severed the relationship with the US and China.