The School Newspaper of West High School

West Signals

The School Newspaper of West High School

West Signals

The School Newspaper of West High School

West Signals

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The highly coveted Oscar trophies illuminate on the display ahead of the 96th Academy Awards. This year, late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel reprised his role as host.
The 2024 Oscars: A Bold Year for Film
Anthony Parker, Entertainment & News Editor • March 28, 2024
In a surprising move to many, West Capitaneus, the school yearbook publication, will be discontinuing the popular, longstanding tradition of senior quotes. Citing logistical concerns, the West High administration has maintained this restriction, prompting petition by nearly a quarter of the student body.
Say Goodbye to Senior Quotes
Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • March 21, 2024
Thursday, Oct. 5’s theme was Mathletes or Athletes, where students choose to dress up as one of the two subjects. Students in Mr. Collin’s AP Biology class sported their unique choices of attire. From left to right: Leah Ho (11), Gabriel White (11), and Mackenzie Ashford (11).
Get Ready for Some School Spirit!
Joshua Lee, Staff Writer • March 21, 2024
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Search for Snowden

The U.S. government is on a man-hunt for Edward Snowden who allegedly possesses a great threat to national security. It has not been a long time since the U.S. government started to look frantically for the computer whiz that dropped out of high school to eventually be labeled as one of the most dangerous men in the world.

On June 5th and on June 6th, The Guardian published stories on National Security Agency’s attempt to force Verizon to hand over phone call records and its Prism program, which gives the NSA unlimited access to search data of Google, Facebook, YouTube, and other internet websites. In response to The Guardian’s exploitations, the White House defended the programs, stating that the programs were fully endorsed by Congress. According to The Guardian, President Barack Obama claimed, “You can’t have 100% security, and also then have 100% privacy and zero inconvenience.” Snowden then flew to Moscow to avoid arrest, and has been since looking for a political asylum where he can hide away from America’s reach.

Snowden had been working as a government contractor for the NSA, until he learned about its surveillance program. He decided to go public to reveal the government’s illegal doings.

Ever since the attack on America by Al-Qaeda, America has become an iron wall. As part of its defense strategy, the U.S. government established the NSA to detect any foreign threats. However, the organization began to direct their search more domestically. The NSA now has access over your business records, your relationship with your friends, and secret love letters to your lovers, and many more private documents that you would not want any third-party to see, under the holy name of the “Crusade to Democracy.”

The biggest irony that resides within the government’s decision to spy on civilian activities is that they are breaking the core beliefs of democracy. Everything that a government does must be approved by a general agreement of a group of people that represent the entire nation; that is representative democracy. Doesn’t it seem a flaw that America is trying to protect democracy by limiting democracy from its very own people?

Uncle Sam’s attempts to protect himself from outer threats can only be perceived as an act to remain in power over his subjects. Democracy was violated and Edward Snowden, the only one courageous enough to stand up against the government and point out the unconstitutionality of its actions, is being called a monstrous criminal.

Edward Snowden is neither a terrorist nor a spy. America must stop pointing fingers at Snowden for his patriotic actions.

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