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Note from editors: We apologize for the late posting of this item, but due to technical problems we were left no choice. Thank you for understanding, and we hope to serve you better in the future. Mr. Zinn - a revered historian - came to an unlikely town, Naperville, to relate his wisdom to the students at Naperville North. It was a dark, almost under-lit stage with more than one thousand teenagers scrambling to find the best seats in the auditorium. Howard Zinn, the honorable guest of the evening was nowhere to be seen. The person responsible for planning Mr. Zinn's visit was trying to calm the rush of teenagers and trying to get them all seated. Just then from the South door of the Auditorium entered a tall, lanky, man of about seventy years of age. His hair was all white and his stature relating his old age. His demeanor made him seem a great man worth as much respect. The students were almost all settled as Dhru B. stood up straight and walked up the three steps leading up to the podium. Dhru B. read off the note sheet he had prepared and rehearsed days before Mr. Zinn's arrival (at least we hope he rehearsed). He briskly read and welcomed Mr. Zinn, as "my hero." Mr. Zinn hobbled over to the podium as he shook hands with Dhru. Chants of "Zinn, Zinn," filled the vastness of the Auditorium. He held the microphone in his hand to adjust the height and relayed how he would probably never have thought of a town called Naperville, nor would he probably ever see the town again. His apathetic introduction was quite amusing. "Thanks for inviting me to Naperville," Mr. Zinn said to wrap up his introduction followed by the usual applause. Then he clearly stated what he was here to do, talk about history. There was no discernable pattern of his speaking, but rather what he said beamed his knowledge....and his subjectivity. He started off with some background on himself. He had been a bombardier for the US Air Force. Mr. Zinn also referred to "stupid" missions he carried out as part of the US Air Force. Some unnecessary things, he said. Mr. Zinn also has written several history books that are distributed throughout many high schools and also has written an autobiography, You can't be neutral on a Moving Train. In Mr. Zinn's speech, he brought up many interesting points like the current looming war against Iraq and some stories of Government illogicality in the past. During his speech he gave numerous examples of useless US aggression. His way of talking appealed to many as comical. His actions and hand movements complemented sarcastic jokes. Although many people agreed with Mr. Zinn (and it seemed logical), surprisingly there were many people opposed to his views. "Zealous puppets of the government," one might say. This was especially true of a staunch believer in US Govt. aggression, Brian. Not surprisingly, he believes in the bomb-them-till-they-learn policy that US uses almost exclusively. After the speech session, students were allowed to ask Mr. Zinn some questions. This was, people thought, a very effective way of clearing up points and bringing up well composed arguments. At the end, there was an unusually long line for autographs and pictures (both of which we acquired, but due to technical problems with the camera were unable to present it here). The speech raised many controversial issues and brought to the attention of the audience precise ends of the problems we live in, have lived in for the majority of the US History, and perhaps if the trend continues, will live in in the future.
Memorable Quotes: "Smart bombs are dropped by dumb people." "Nobody messes with the fruit company." "We have supported tyrant, after tyrant, after tyrant." "War
solves nothing..."
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