Mira Chaykin

Tension increased between the U.S. and Israel as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu's inappropriately timed decision to announce the construction of 1,600 Jewish housing units in East Jerusalem.

Since President Obama took office last year, the United States has endured a series of ill-fated health care bills and a financial crises. All America really needs to hit the trifecta is a group of fanatical far-right wingers to step forward and denounce the government as socialist, stampeding into a full-fledged attack against the president's authority. Luckily for Obama, the Tea Party has stepped up to the plate.

On most Saturday afternoons, you'll find sophomore Kevin Rezaii is inside—and not just inside at his house, but inside at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose hurriedly rushing through the hallways and tending to the needs of the ill patients. He is part of a group of students from local schools, formally known as the "Junior Auxiliary," who visit the hospital to assist with patient care-taking.

“There is one dancer in this room whose performance has excelled far above the rest, whose passion and enthusiasm for dance stands out from the rest.” These were the words of Christian Vincent, of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada," said this at an LA Dance Magic convention of 1,000 girls last January. He then pointed to junior Lauren Mather, whose cheeks turned bright red. She was overwhelmed from being singled out in the immense group.

Hamas fires a rocket from a school black top, aimed arbitrarily at Israel, with no regard for whether the target is a military or civilian location. The Israeli military pinpoints the origin of the attack and fires back. What does mother UN do? Issue a report equating to a slap on the wrist for Hamas and a belt to the behind for Israel.

With bipartisan tensions at the forefront of political news, the Democrats, in quintessential political fashion, have decided to throw more fuel on the fire by initiating an investigation of CIA interrogation techniques under the Bush administration.

America is the land of the free, the home of the brave-- that is, until people come forth and admit they’re gay. Then they often get ostracized, embarrassed and kicked out of the armed forces.

At the end of this school year, students will not only have to say goodbye to the seniors but also to retiring English teacher Paul Page and math teacher Larry Bingham. Both have decided to leave SHS in pursuit of relaxation and other passions.

Must haves in Saratoga: Juicy sweats and Seven jeans. Must haves at a high school in Mexico City: surgical masks and an abundance of hand sanitizer. With the outbreak of H1N1, also known as the swine flu, schools all over the world are taking precautions to keep education safe from the dangerous virus.

Nadya Suleman is the mother to six children. Suleman is jobless. She has no husband. She relies on food stamps and disability payments to support her family. She lives in her bankrupt mother’s three-bedroom home that’s in pre-foreclosure. And oh yeah, Suleman just gave birth to octuplets, bringing her total number of children to 14.

In November, junior Zach Jacobs painstakingly used both an accompanist and a recording artist in a makeshift studio in a church. With several microphones pointed at him, he played his euphonium, a brass instrument, to make the audition CD for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band Concerto Competition.

Sure, there have been disputes as to whether George W. Bush was “competent” or “intelligent,” but when it comes down to the wire, it is indisputable that United States is missing him dearly.

Marching band members continued their tradition of collecting food donations for Second Harvest Food Bank on their Senior Night, held Nov. 20. This year, leadership will also continue to help the hungry, said leadership adviser Karen Hyde. Leadership will expand the charitable tradition by collecting food at band concerts throughout November. There are more opportunities to contribute to the cause in the duration of December.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama frequently has been accused of following the Muslim faith and even deemed the Anti-Christ, despite the fact that Obama is an avid follower of Christianity.

Have you ever seen a gay person rallying against straight marriage? Didn’t think so. What is it, then, that makes straight people think they have the right to control the lives of others merely because of their sexual orientation? It is morally repugnant that America claims to be a society where all people are created equal, then actually has the audacity to even consider banning homosexual marriage.

The Spirit Squad performed at their first competition on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Great America. They earned fourth place out of nine competing teams and qualified for USA Nationals.

Boy Scout Troop 581 of Saratoga will advance four deserving Eagle Scouts this year, seniors Grant Fukui, Chris Rea, Mihir Sathe and Kevin Shimizu. These four students have worked together for about a decade to achieve Boy Scouting’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout rank, which they will receive in a couple of months.

Boy Scout Troop 581 of Saratoga will advance four deserving Eagle Scouts this year, seniors Grant Fukui, Chris Rea, Mihir Sathe and Kevin Shimizu. These four students have worked together for about a decade to achieve Boy Scouting’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout rank, which they will receive in a couple of months. When the four joined Boy Scouts years ago, they hoped to become Eagle Scouts. This was unquestionably easier said than done. The quartet had to complete an array of tasks, ranging from obtaining mandatory badges to going on campouts, to reach their desired aspiration.