In the race for the GOP candidacy, Herman Cain is a standout. Whether through his gimmicky economic policies or current sexual harassment scandals, time and again Cain has proven himself a master of attracting media attention to his cause. However, during the current firestorm of allegations surrounding the would-be candidate, I worry that Americans have lost sight of the fundamental reason why such a man is absolutely unfit for office: his policy ideas. Herman Cain has proven himself consistently incapable of producing a coherent or even mildly prudent stance on any of the critical issues facing this nation, including, among many others, the economic crisis, foreign relations, and immigration.

Headmaster Dr. Alex Curtis formally announced on Wednesday that Community Lunch would take place only on Fridays next term.  Community Lunch (aka “Sit-Down Lunch”), is a two-time per week exercise in bringing one third of the student body and faculty together for forty minutes in each of one of the mid-day blocks. The custom, less than six years old, has been controversial since it was instituted by former headmaster Ed Shanahan with minimal consultation with faculty.

On Saturday, November 12, five varsity teams and nine sub-varsity teams travelled to Deerfield Academy, marking the 89th annual Deerfield Day.  Three of the five varsity teams were victorious.

The Yale Spizzwinks, the nation’s oldest undergraduate a cappella group, is scheduled to perform on the PMAC Main Stage on December 9 at 7:30 PM. Alumnus David Lim ’09 is a member of this prestigious ensemble, and he will be joined by two of Choate’s own a cappella groups that will be picked after auditions on November 16th. Choate students, faculty, and staff will be able to purchase tickets to the event for five dollars.

Less than two weeks away from Thanksgiving, many Choate students have already made plans for the week away from school. Most are looking forward to Thanksgiving break and their own Thanksgiving holiday celebrations, whether traditional or unique, while some choose not to celebrate the holiday at all.

As construction on the Kohler Environmental Center (KEC) continues, Choate faculty members, department heads, and the Director of the KEC, Dr. Howard Ernst, are working to finalize a curriculum for the center’s inaugural class. The curriculum will feature some similar courses at Choate, but the center will also offer its own, unique classes.

Living as we do in an era of the most partisan division in American history, it is seldom that we find occasion for the country to come together.  But as we pass the 10th anniversary of 9/11, nothing could be more appropriate than for the United States to come together as patriots, as we did that fateful morning a little over ten years ago.

On Sunday, November 13th, Nat Warner ‘13 finished first at the Andover Invitational Debate Tournament, qualifying for a spot on Team USA at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Competition (WIDPSC) in Brisbane, Australia, this spring.

On Thursday, November 10, two tables full of chocolate chip cookies appeared in the Humanities Rotunda thanks to “A Random Act of Kindness,” according to the signs posted all around campus.

From November 3 to 5, Choate’s theater department performed Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice on the PMAC Main Stage, the second production of fall term. A character-driven, gossip-ridden play, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of the Bennet sisters, who seek happiness in the 19th century, an era filled with double standards, parental pressures, and societal restrictions.

Squire Stanley, previously known as the Red House, was built in the 1690s.  It was first a haven for Revolutionary War patriots, a hospitality house for George Washington, a local seat of justice, and a court used to try Royalists. In 1775, Squire Oliver Stanley bought the house, giving it the name it has today.

On October 11th, governor Jerry Brown of California signed into law the second part of what is known as the Dream Act. That name will sound familiar to many, primarily because of the federal bill of the same name. The federal Dream Act was introduced a decade ago and has been reintroduced multiple times since its inception, most recently in May of 2011 by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

As students, we all face a constant struggle with the limited free time we have. In 1880s, the American Federation of Labor argued for “eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will” to improve the lives of American laborers. Though the slogan represented the goals of the lower- and middle-class in late 19th century, it embodies the unattainable objectives of Choate students now.

In anticipation of Choate’s 89th annual Deerfield Day, Choate students participated in Spirit Week from November 8th to November 11th.