1
The
Brewster Browser
October 16, 2024 Wolfeboro, NH
Volume 47 Issue 1
Recap of First Presidential, Vice Presidential Debates
by Katherine Twombly ’26
agreement that she gave the best performance. Further evidence for this was provided when Harris accepted the invitation for a second debate with CNN on October 23, but Trump declined, saying he doesn’t think another debate is necessary. While Harris objectively won, both candidates had their own ways of expressing their views and responding to the debate. On abortion, one of the issues Harris is strongest in, she was able to speak passionately about the right to women’s healthcare, referencing her visits to abortion clinics across the country. On the other hand, Trump made false claims that “everyone” wanted Roe vs. Wade to be overturned and that in many states babies are being killed after birth. This claim was promptly refuted by the moderators who informed Trump that in no state is it legal to perform executions on newborns. Harris, meanwhile, also refuted this by stating that “Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion.” This starkly illustrates the polarity of these two candidates, especially in regard to supporting their claims with factual evidence.
Presidential nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris shake hands before their first, and last, Presidential Debate on September 10.
H o w e v e r, m a n y p e o p l e a re u n s a t i s f i e d a n d a re e x p re s s i n g indignation about the way the questions were delivered and the topics they focused on. People believe that some of the questions targeted Trump and many of the others played into Harris’s strengths. For example, the questions
First School Shooting of Year Shocks Georgia High School by Moasiah Bility ’25
Following the tragic Apalachee School shooting in Georgia, the nation finds itself struggling with the once again recurring issue of gun violence. This sad event, like the many before it, has left families devastated, communities on edge, and schools questioning their security measures. The high school shooting not only highlights the vulnerability of schools but also the more significant issue of gun violence in America. At 10 am on September 4th, 2024, chaos erupted when the shots rang out at the Apalachee school; students and staff were left scrambling for safety as the local authorities approached the scene. In the aftermath, many were left asking: How could this happen, and why does it keep happening in schools in the United States? School shootings, once considered rare, have now become more frequent.
With each new incident, the question of how to deal with gun violence becomes more urgent. “The root cause is the instability of certain individuals,” said Brewster Academy’s Director of Security, Mr. Kevin Duffy. He points out the critical need to address the deeper issues that lead to such tragedies. “Communities need to work together through red flag laws and communication between various stakeholders (police, mental health providers, etc.) to identify these individuals early and keep weapons out of their hands.” The Apalachee school shooting is not an isolated incident. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, the U.S. experiences more mass shootings than any other developed country. Schools, places meant to be safe places for learning and growing, have become targets of violence. cont. on pg. 4
regarding Trump’s actions and inactions on January 6 and whether or not he would accept the results of the next election were not received well by many people. They felt the moderators were targeting him and pointed out that he has not been convicted for January 6, cont. on pg. 10
A group mourns the lives of loved ones lost at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Photo taken from The New York Times.
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The first presidential debate between the official presidential nominees was on September 10 and aired at 9 pm EST. Republican Presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump and the Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris met in person for the first time and debated for 90 minutes. While this is technically the second presidential debate of this election cycle, it was the first with these two candidates. The previous debate was on June 27 between former President Trump and current President Joe Biden, which was the catalyst for President Biden’s ultimate withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. After he withdrew, he quickly endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris. This decision was faced with some backlash because of the desire for a more formal vote, but after it was made official at the Democratic National Convention this disquiet came to an end. The high from a new candidate had started to wear off leaving Democrats with a newfound need for hope and inspiration. Fortunately for them, Harris delivered and the debate was a high point for her campaign with bipartisan