Proctor Academy - Opinion Poll

It's a cold, steel gray Sunday in the Blackwater River Valley. Let's see what's happening. Another nor'easter approaches, some students have a stomach bug, and most are in a slumber marathon. This weekend's administrator, Chris Bartlett, urged the community to attend meals, and the turnout at brunch was pretty good.

It was Max's idea that I should interview the crowd on breaking news that Saddam Hussein's been apprehended. It turns out that opinions are all over the place. Boys seem more informed, which tells us nothing other than they watch TV on Sunday mornings. Long-term incarceration is popular. Others favor various draconian measures including execution by whatever means the locals favor. Geoff didn't seem to know which side of the fence he was on:

Not everyone has an opinion.

And YOU?

This was Maksym's idea. A Ukrainian, he favors a demonstration of spontaneous performance art across campus to communicate our complex feelings.

Sitting at the same table, Mark favors a "Hands Across New Hampshire" event... And he wants it right now.

Alex expressed his hope that any execution is broadcast with sponsorships by major US companies: "This decapitation is brought to you by Radio Shack."

These young ladies were delighted to hear the news, but were unprepared for any conjecture.

Pete thinks "It's cool," and favors throwing away the key.

The girls at Emma's table had heard nothing, which they attributed to the fact that they live in Burbank. Emma needed to be reminded that Saddam Hussein is "the Iraq guy."

Meryl isn't eating her sausages because Chris Bartlett hurt her feelings by teasing her about her plate. She's quoting him here.

Alan McIntyre observed that the president will spin this for political advantage.

Jake took a moment from his strawberry shortcake with whipped cream and sausage links to ponder the question.

Here's Max after he's doctored the photo on AdobePhotoshop.