by S. S.

General Wesley Clark was present at the Convention on Monday, July the 26th. He believes the purpose of government is to “...provide for the common defense and promote general welfare.”

Clark believes John Kerry has “...moral and physical courage”, and has “...the experience needed in a Commander-in-Chief.”

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Dinner at New Convention center brings in $3 million for Kerry Campaign

by R.C. and S.S.

John Kerry returned home to Boston on September the 21st, for a fundraiser at Boston’s new Convention Center. This party, which took place where the Democratic National Convention media party took place less than a few months ago, raised $3 million for the Kerry campaign.

To start off the festivities, New England Financial chairman Alan Solomont spoke. Said Solomont when talking about Kerry in his opening speech, “ [Kerry] takes care of his friends to the detriment of the rest of us.”

Solomont wasn’t the only important guest at dinner. Others included attorney General Thomas Riley, and Congressmen William Delahunt and Steven Lynch.

The recently elected sheriff of Suffolk County, Andrea Cabral, introduced Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz-Kerry. Cabral spoke of how she is a woman in government, and she says because of that she wants a President who makes good choices. Cabral believes Kerry can be that President. She spoke of the importance of young voters in the polls, and brought up the following statistic: at Pennsylvania State University, where there are 48,000 students, only 280 voted in 2000.

Next to speak was Heinz-Kerry, who said that there is hope for the country. She told a short story about a woman she met on the campaign trail. The woman had 2 daughters who both had to drop out of school and get jobs in order to keep the family running. Heinz-Kerry, after telling this story, described how the country’s taxes need to be lowered in order to keep families like the one in her story from becoming homeless.

She also mentioned that the country’s premiums for Medicare increased 7% almost immediately after president George W. Bush promised they would go down. Before introducing her husband, Heinz-Kerry gave some last words of wisdom, “[Kerry) never looks at our weakest links to divide us, but at our strongest bonds to unite us.”

The last and final speaker was, of course, John Kerry himself. Kerry talked mainly of America’s reputation in the world and how it has changed since Bush became President. Kerry said Iraq was the “...most catastrophic decision” Bush has made and noted how he wants to correct it. According to Kerry, Bush “...rushed to war before he could win peace.” One decision Kerry plans to correct is Bush’s neglect of Sudan as things got progressively worse for the African nation’s people.

Another topic on which Kerry put emphasis was all the budget cuts that have been made. He revealed the fact that the cost of health care has gone up 60% and therefore 45 million Americans have no health care. He also said that the income of the average American has gone down $1500. Kerry intends to lower the cost of health care so all Americans can afford it.

Kerry also talked of hope. Hope for America to gain back it’s respect, which he believes has been lost. He wants Americans to be hopeful for the day when people can say “yes” to clean air and water. Kerry wants to unite the country, for everyone to be red, white, and blue, not the divided red and blue he says the country is now.

State senator Kay Khan was also present at the party, and said of it: “I was very excited to see Kerry...we’re all behind him,” and he should “...keep fighting.”

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Author of BUD, NOT BUDDY

Christopher Paul Curtis talks about his latest book:

BUCKING THE SARGE

by R. O. and A. R.

Christopher Paul Curtis, the author of the Newbury award winning book, BUD, NOT BUDDY, spoke about his latest effort BUCKING THE SARGE, at the Brooklyn Public Library, on Monday, September the 20th.

Curtis started off the meeting by talking about himself and his early life. He talked about how he did not start writing until he was with his girlfriend who was destined to be wife. Then he talked about writing his books and how he had them published. Curtis had a sense of humor and was very nice to be with.

After telling about himself, Curtis went on to read a short export from BUCKING THE SARGE. His writings were very true to life and were funny in a “dangerous” sort-of way. From there Curtis allowed himself to be swamped with questions.

“What advice would you give to a middle school student who wanted to pursue a career like yours?” asked THE DAYTIME.

“There are three things you need to do to become a writer,” answered Curtis, “Write everyday, since practice makes perfect, have fun; have the power to be, have. and do; and lastly ignore rules. Learn the basics, then bend them.” (Assisting in the preparation of this article was M. A.)

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Featuring Day alumna, Amanda Montgomery

“American Wake” premieres during the DNC

by A. H.-B. and E. K.

The world premier of the independent film, “American Wake”, directed by award-winning Cambridge filmmaker Maureen Foley, was screened at the Loew’s Theater Boston Common on Wednesday, July the 28th. Preceding the screening was a reception at the Ritz-Carlton Boston Common Hotel, hosted by the award-winning movie star, Alec Baldwin, as a well as Philip W. Johnston, Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Speaking first at the reception was Johnston, whose partially humorous speech added to the relaxed atmosphere of the event, although Baldwin’s more serious speech spoke directly to the sole focus of the gathering: electing John Kerry. Also speaking was the Governor of Maryland, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who passionately spoke of caring for “...all of the people, not just the rich people,” finally closing with the words, “...through friendship, we will succeed.”

“American Wake” tells the stories of a musician and a fireman, both of whom lived in Boston, but whose paths never crossed. Both men battle the restraints on what they are expected to achieve, as they strive to live their lives the way that they wish. Foley’s deeply touching film is truly about “...finding the path that sets you free.”

A former Day Blue Team student, Amanda Montgomery, played the florist, Audrey. Montgomery graduated from Rochester College and is currently working for Senator Kerry. In an interview with a DAYTIME reporter, Montgomery said, “It was interesting working on an independent film, watching the directors and producers collaborate about colors and lighting.”

Although “American Wake” will probably not make it to most commercial cinemas, it will most likely be shown in theatres that show art-related and foreign films.

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