Behind the scenes, another infringement on our traditional liberties has gone on for 70 years: that of gun control. Much like the Patriot Act, which aims to protect the public from terrorism, gun control originated as a method for keeping the population safe from mob violence. Gun control poses a serious threat to the survival of American democracy.

The second amendment reads, “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” In essence, we are guaranteed the right to pack heat because the survival of our nation might someday depend on an armed populace. It is no mistake that this basic right was included in the Bill of Rights along with the freedoms of speech and religion. In time of peril, it is absolutely imperative that we as individuals have the means to protect our lives and our ideals.

Still, the extreme actions of high-profile groups like the NRA are to be condoned. Not everyone who disagrees with firearm regulations believes that holding a massive rally in Colorado immediately after the Columbine tragedy was the best way of getting policy changed. A more sensible argument hinges on the idea that our Constitution is sacrosanct and that restrictions on one amendment open the door for other restrictions. It also incorporates the principle of protection, both from the government and from the population.

Gun control advocates would have us believe that firearms are not effective in the act of self-defense. They present figures that show justifiable homicides composing a tiny fraction of the total murder rate and conclude that guns prevent far less crime than they cause. Not true. In a groundbreaking study released in 1997, the United States Department of Justice revealed that Americans with firearms prevented 1.5 million crimes over the course of a twelve-month period. It went on to conclude, “Guns are used far more often to defend against crime than to perpetrate crime.” If America’s right to own guns was ended, crime rates would increase.

Restricting the Second Amendment also establishes a dangerous precedent. If the government is able to trample on one group of rights, what prevents them from moving on to the next? Their good intentions? Please! The stark reality is that they have already started to restrict more freedoms, such as the right to trial by jury and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, both of which are routinely being violated in the wake of 9/11.

Critics of the second amendment say that there are no threats to America’s survival that warrants public gun ownership. Certainly this seems to be true of danger from without—America has sufficiently subjugated the world—but there is absolutely no guarantee that this danger will not emerge from within. Consider that the creation of the U.S. is due to the British government: the crown had abused its powers. In that light, it certainly is interesting to note that our current government is exhibiting similar abuses of power with regard to the preservation of our civil rights.

If we cannot trust our government to keep its hands clean, then we cannot eliminate the possibility that insurrection may someday be necessary. It may yet come to pass that we will need to bear arms in order to preserve our tradition of freedom. And when that day comes, you can bet I’ll be leading the charge. If the government tries to take my rights away, it can have them…from my cold, dead hands.

Click here to read “Gun Control: Plain as Blood in the Street”

House of Hong
409 8th Ave S.

A slick Chinese restaurant located in a huge room, the House of Hong serves excellent food. Orders are carried out through a process called “Dim Sum,” which allows the customer to select from prepared dishes a la carte-style. While this seems to be a good idea, communicating with the server is next to impossible and obtaining exactly what you want to eat can be quite a challenge.

Cost: An individual dish ranges from $2 to more than $5, but the total can spiral out of control.

New Saigon Deli
1032 S. Jackson St.

New Saigon Deli is a tiny sandwich shop that provides only about a dozen different selections, each of which is equally devoid of inspiration. Stale bread and tough, dry meat is hard enough to bite into, let alone choke down. The sandwiches are very filling, though, and for under $2, their value is hard to beat.

Cost: Sandwiches cost between $1.50 and $1.75. Extra meat costs $0.25.

Malay Satay Hut
212 12th Ave S.

The small size and unassuming atmosphere of this restaurant mask, at least initially, the distinctive tastes of the combination Indian-Chinese-Thai– Malaysian menu. Service is prompt and friendly, the ambiance is laid-back, and anyone can find something they will enjoy among the dozens of selections. The freshness of the food, zesty flair of the presentation, and contrast of flavors combine to make this quaint Asian eatery a must-visit.

Cost: A typical entrée sells for $5-$8

Uwajimaya Food Court
600 5th Ave. S.

The many mini-restaurants within Seattle’s Asian superstore provide such diverse foods that it feels almost like an International District within an International District. The decent-quality fare includes selections from Korea (Shilla Barbecue), Vietnam (Saigon Bistro), and Thailand (Thai Place). The atmosphere is far more relaxed than that of a run-of-the-mill food court, and makes for a peaceful eating experience.

Cost: Average meal is $6.

And this year is no different. Riding the success of last spring’s beautiful production of West Side Story, Garfield’s thespians prepare for the coming year with added confidence and lofty goals. As always, Garfield Drama will provide a continuous stream of dramatic events, hoping to satiate the cravings of the theater-going Bulldogs.

First is the faculty show, an annual opportunity to enjoy the antics of our staff members, who, under the leadership of director Carole Ross, put on a main-stage play. This year, our teachers will bring us Much Ado About Nothing, a classic Shakespeare comedy featuring such personalities as history teacher Hersh Mandelman. While not the best play Garfield puts on, the staff show is worth checking out, if only to watch your favorite teacher fumble over middle English verse onstage. Look for opening night later this month.

The next major theater event, the Winter Show, rolls around in February. This year for the first time, there will be two major productions instead of just one. Drama Club will produce You Can’t Take it with You, an intricate comedy about an eccentric family and their somewhat normal daughter. Around the same time, Shades, Ross’ multicultural theater group, aims to provide the additional (student-written) production.

Rounding out the year’s schedule is Dramatic Paws, a quarterly production that incorporates three or four student-directed one-act plays into a single show. Talented students highlight hilarious shows that still manage to provide their share of emotion. Dramatic Paws shows are held in the little theater, and are popular, well executed, and cheap. Two hours of entertainment for a recommended donation is hard to beat, so make sure to check out Dramatic Paws on one of four Fridays later this year.

While all the shows at Garfield offer something special, nothing quite compares to the Spring Musical, the culmination of all dramatic work at our school. Last year’s musical was West Side Story, a truly wonderful show that attracted sellout crowds and several local awards. Ross hopes to build on its success with Anything Goes, a snappy comedy that will incorporate the best the school has to offer in technical and performing theater. Stylish sets and snazzy song-and-dance numbers will headline a show that should impress.

In recent years, Fremont has evolved into something of a trendy local hangout, boasting new restaurants that offer exciting tastes. I recently spent an afternoon in the area, poking around in the shops and exploring, but mostly just eating—a lot. Three thousand calories and a monstrous stomachache later, here are the best eats of Fremont Avenue North.

Costas Opa
3400 Fremont Ave N.
4 Stars

One of the first restaurants opened during the Fremont commercial boom, Costas Opa features memorable Greek entrees in a room full of classical Greek memorabilia.

Tawon Thai
3410 Fremont Ave N.
4 Stars

Tawon Thai prepares delicious food and has excellent service. The atmosphere is tranquil without being subdued, the selection is wide, and a meal is affordable.

Simply Desserts
3421 Fremont Ave N.
5 Stars

Dainty, divine, delectable, decadent…Simply Desserts has me drooling for more. The fare at this tiny restaurant ranges from cakes and cookies to pies and brownies, and although expensive, is truly something special.

Yak’s Restaurant
3424 Fremont Ave N.
2 Stars

A popular, economical teriyaki joint offering about a dozen different meals, Yak’s disappointed me with awful service and mediocre quality (Ordering was difficult and I ended up with the wrong dish).

Mad Pizza
3601 Fremont Ave N.
4 Stars

An example of a restaurant that simply belongs in Fremont, Mad makes strange pizza concoctions to go along with their more traditional selections.

This cozy little ice cream shop makes and sells gelato, a gourmet Italian ice cream with intense flavor, tantalizing texture, and 1/3 the fat found in American ice creams.

$: Single scoop is $2.00

Cold Stone Creamery
624 N. 34th St. in Freemont

A popular “make your own sundae” shop as unique as its surrounding neighborhood, Cold Stone is known for its friendly employees, who have a strange but appealing habit of breaking out in song while working.

$: Small sundae is $3.09

Dickʼs Drive-In
Several Locations, including on Broadway

With mediocre ice cream and only half a dozen flavors, the saving grace of Dickʼs is the checkbook-friendly price.

$: Single scoop is $1.10

Mix Ice Cream Bar
4507 University Way N.E. 7900 E. Green Lake Dr. N.

A unique ice cream bar where you pick a base flavor, and as many “mix-ins” as you want, Mix also provides an awesome atmosphere with pinball machines and the like.

$: Small scoop is $2.29, mix-ins are $0.60 each

Scoop du Jour
4029 E. Madison

A place that makes you say “yum” the moment you walk in, Scoop has rich ice cream, cheap prices, and a sweet location near Garfield.

$: Small scoop is $1.64

Ben and Jerryʼs
2595 N.E. University Village

A famous ice cream shop with a bohemian twist, Ben and Jerryʼs has plenty of intriguing flavors, such as “From Russia with Buzz,” “Chunky Monkey,” and “Phish Food.”

$: Single scoop is $3.50