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In India's recent elections, it has been noted that the current ruling party has little favorability and little likelihood to keep their place as the head of the government. There are those that speculate that this shift in political power from one party to another is largely due to continous government corruption, scandals, and economic downturns. This relates to AP Government because it has to do with foreign policy; with a shift in power, the United States must decide how it will continue its relations with India. I believe that at this point in India's history, according to the article, change is necessary and the United States should welcome such change.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Sexual Assault Rates in the Military Rise
(article)
Reports of sexual assault in the military have risen by over fifty percent, although it is believed that the issue is already under reported (an anonymous survey years prior reported that over 26,000 service members said they were victims of sexual assault, although about 5,000 were reported this year). The Department of Defense has come out and said that they believe this is much more reflective of the issue, that this is proof that more individuals are coming forward to report sexual assault, and will only contribute to eradicating the problem. Congress has taken steps towards persecuting those responsible for the assaults, passing laws such as the prevention of commanders from overturning convictions. This relates to class because it involves domestic policies and military policies.
I personally believe that such actions are deplorable and that Congress is doing the right thing in taking steps to remove the possibility of overturned convictions. I also believe that in moving towards a solution to the issue of sexual assault in the military, Congress will be moved to investigate other corruption within the military, such as attacks on civilians, etc.
Reports of sexual assault in the military have risen by over fifty percent, although it is believed that the issue is already under reported (an anonymous survey years prior reported that over 26,000 service members said they were victims of sexual assault, although about 5,000 were reported this year). The Department of Defense has come out and said that they believe this is much more reflective of the issue, that this is proof that more individuals are coming forward to report sexual assault, and will only contribute to eradicating the problem. Congress has taken steps towards persecuting those responsible for the assaults, passing laws such as the prevention of commanders from overturning convictions. This relates to class because it involves domestic policies and military policies.
I personally believe that such actions are deplorable and that Congress is doing the right thing in taking steps to remove the possibility of overturned convictions. I also believe that in moving towards a solution to the issue of sexual assault in the military, Congress will be moved to investigate other corruption within the military, such as attacks on civilians, etc.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Tennessee Lawmakers Reinstate the Electric Chair
(article)
Lawmakers in Tennessee voted 23-3 to reinstate the electric chair to execute death row inmates in the case that they are unable to acquire the necessary chemicals to do so. Many states who have the death penalty have a difficult time getting these chemicals, as many European pharmaceutical companies that supply them heavily object to their use in relation to the death penalty. This relates to class in that it deals with foreign policy and the conflicts that arise both domestically and internationally. I personally believe that the death penalty should be reserved only for extreme capital offenders and that the execution should be as quick and painless as possible; the electric chair is antiquated and inhumane.
Lawmakers in Tennessee voted 23-3 to reinstate the electric chair to execute death row inmates in the case that they are unable to acquire the necessary chemicals to do so. Many states who have the death penalty have a difficult time getting these chemicals, as many European pharmaceutical companies that supply them heavily object to their use in relation to the death penalty. This relates to class in that it deals with foreign policy and the conflicts that arise both domestically and internationally. I personally believe that the death penalty should be reserved only for extreme capital offenders and that the execution should be as quick and painless as possible; the electric chair is antiquated and inhumane.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
U.N. General Assembly Declares Crimean Secession Invalid
(article)
In reaction to the referendum in which Crimea voted to secede from the Ukraine, the U.N. voted 100-11 that this was in fact invalid. This further isolates Russia from the international community, having been voted out of the G8 in addition to having heavy sanctions imposed to them by the U.S. and other powerful Western nations.The secession will only increase such sanctions against the U.S., as President Obama has stated. This relates to AP Gov because our sanctions against Russia have a lot to do with our foreign policy as well as our economy.
I personally believe strongly in state sovereignty, but I also agree that Russia's power is a threat to democracy. I also believe that economic sanctions are our best bet in fighting Russia, as another war would do nothing but put us into further debt; if we are drawn into war, the results could be disastrous.
In reaction to the referendum in which Crimea voted to secede from the Ukraine, the U.N. voted 100-11 that this was in fact invalid. This further isolates Russia from the international community, having been voted out of the G8 in addition to having heavy sanctions imposed to them by the U.S. and other powerful Western nations.The secession will only increase such sanctions against the U.S., as President Obama has stated. This relates to AP Gov because our sanctions against Russia have a lot to do with our foreign policy as well as our economy.
I personally believe strongly in state sovereignty, but I also agree that Russia's power is a threat to democracy. I also believe that economic sanctions are our best bet in fighting Russia, as another war would do nothing but put us into further debt; if we are drawn into war, the results could be disastrous.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Ukraine Refuses to Give Up Crimea
(article)
Recently, lawmakers in Crimea voted to leave the Ukraine and become a part of Russia. The issue will be regionally voted on soon. However, the Ukrainian government has spoken out saying that Crimea "was, is, and will be an integral part of Ukraine." President Obama has spoken out in agreement with the Ukrainian government's outrage, saying that any decision involving a part of the Ukraine should directly involve the Ukrainian government. Vladimir Putin has insisted on his right to place troops in Crimea to protect the ethnic Russians residing there. The EU has responded by threatening travel bans, asset freezes, etc. against Russia. This crisis has been named as one of the largest conflicts between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
I personally think that our involvement in this matter is counterproductive, as our influence is clearly unwanted. I think that while the situation in the Ukraine is tragic, the United Nations should be more in charge of handling the conflict, since most of the issue involves violations of international law. I also believe that the international community should keep a close watch on Russia's activities and supposed "annexation" of Crimea, as it could pose a threat to the world at large should it be allowed to continue.
Recently, lawmakers in Crimea voted to leave the Ukraine and become a part of Russia. The issue will be regionally voted on soon. However, the Ukrainian government has spoken out saying that Crimea "was, is, and will be an integral part of Ukraine." President Obama has spoken out in agreement with the Ukrainian government's outrage, saying that any decision involving a part of the Ukraine should directly involve the Ukrainian government. Vladimir Putin has insisted on his right to place troops in Crimea to protect the ethnic Russians residing there. The EU has responded by threatening travel bans, asset freezes, etc. against Russia. This crisis has been named as one of the largest conflicts between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
I personally think that our involvement in this matter is counterproductive, as our influence is clearly unwanted. I think that while the situation in the Ukraine is tragic, the United Nations should be more in charge of handling the conflict, since most of the issue involves violations of international law. I also believe that the international community should keep a close watch on Russia's activities and supposed "annexation" of Crimea, as it could pose a threat to the world at large should it be allowed to continue.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Russian Troop Movements Raise Concern
Within days of recent upheavals in the Ukraine, US officials state that Russian troops have been practicing military exercises near the Ukrainian border. While Russian officials assure the international community that these exercises had been planned out far before any tensions in the Ukraine came to a head, others believe that these actions have been a political statement by Putin: in doing so, such people say, he is proving his willingness and accessibility to acting in the Ukraine to protect Russian interests. This relates to our class because foreign actions such as this definitely relate to US public policy in relation to foreign policy and domestic security measures. I personally believe that while Russia's actions should definitely be monitored with a close eye (considering not only these recent actions but their track record of human rights violations), no action can currently be taken without serious, lasting repercussions.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
President to Address NSA Surveillance
(article)
On Friday, President Obama is to address the country on the topic of the NSA's controversial surveillance methods. He is also expected to announce changes on some of the NSA's programs, including that which collects data from civilian phone calls. Obama has previously defended the NSA's programs, discussing the amount of lives which have been saved through them. While most of the federal government agrees with this idea, some say that the bulk of the information collected by the NSA is irrelevant to national security, therefore a violation of citizens' right to privacy. NSA surveillance has also proven to, statistically, play a minimal role in national security investigations; there are some that believe that their programs hardly affect the flow of terrorist activity at all, neither hindering nor aiding it--simply put, it's a waste of tax money, as it does virtually nothing to help the country.
Personally, I believe that NSA surveillance programs definitely need to be revised. A department which should work hard towards defending the country has proven to be inefficient and largely irrelevant in fighting terrorism. I don't believe that it's the right of any government to impede on our right as Americans to privacy; however, I understand the need if there's a just, probable cause. I believe that there should be an extended process to undergo before the NSA taps into someone's phone, much like a search warrant.
On Friday, President Obama is to address the country on the topic of the NSA's controversial surveillance methods. He is also expected to announce changes on some of the NSA's programs, including that which collects data from civilian phone calls. Obama has previously defended the NSA's programs, discussing the amount of lives which have been saved through them. While most of the federal government agrees with this idea, some say that the bulk of the information collected by the NSA is irrelevant to national security, therefore a violation of citizens' right to privacy. NSA surveillance has also proven to, statistically, play a minimal role in national security investigations; there are some that believe that their programs hardly affect the flow of terrorist activity at all, neither hindering nor aiding it--simply put, it's a waste of tax money, as it does virtually nothing to help the country.
Personally, I believe that NSA surveillance programs definitely need to be revised. A department which should work hard towards defending the country has proven to be inefficient and largely irrelevant in fighting terrorism. I don't believe that it's the right of any government to impede on our right as Americans to privacy; however, I understand the need if there's a just, probable cause. I believe that there should be an extended process to undergo before the NSA taps into someone's phone, much like a search warrant.
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