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.

President to Address NSA Surveillance

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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.

America's Failing Education System

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The results of a new global exam given to a group of international fifteen-year-olds reiterates a fact which has uncovered America's possible upcoming weaknesses--our students fall far behind those of other countries, particularly in math and science. The article discusses, among other things, the amount of homework given to American students versus those of other countries; Americans outrank countries such as Finland in amount of homework given. Almost ironically, Finland still consistently outranks almost all other countries in test scores. The article also discusses the issues with the way schools are funded as well--many public schools that achieve more are commonly in "affluent suburbs" as opposed to inner city places. This creates an almost classist education system, where the already economically privileged are able to achieve more and the underprivileged aren't given a proper chance to catch up.

This relates to our class due to the beginning of our civil rights chapter; it is a common belief that everyone has the right to a fair, thorough, affordable education. I personally believe that America's education system should be more federally regulated, as it isn't fair that someone in another state or area may be receiving a much more quality education than I am. I believe that education should be totally equal throughout the country, no matter the "affluence" of the area.

Supreme Court to Debate Affordable Care Act and Contraceptives

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It was agreed recently that the Supreme Court would review the provisions of the Affordable Care Act which requires businesses of a certain size to cover reproductive health services and contraceptives with no co-pay. Many Christian businesses--most prominently, Hobby Lobby Inc.--have spoken out against these provisions, saying that it would conflict with their personal beliefs. The White House has said, in response, that the requirement is "lawful and essential to women's health."

I personally believe that, as stated in another article on CNN, religious liberty is for people, not corporations. A corporation is not a citizen of the United States; therefore, its religious affiliations are almost a moot point. While religious liberty for all religions is definitely important, a Christian corporation may not necessarily have entirely Christians working for them. I believe that reproductive health is incredibly important and the actions taken against providing reproductive health for women is another facet of the war on women. I also believe that it's another way for those against the Affordable Care Act to try to wriggle their way out of paying for it.

California High School Urged to Change Offensive Mascot

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This month, the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee wrote a letter to Coachella High School on their mascot, the Arab. The group stated that by using the mascot, the high school was participating in discrimination and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. They also stated that this behavior would "not be tolerated."The mascot itself depicts a man with a large nose and heavy beard wearing a traditional head covering. The high school itself has used the mascot since the 1930's, and says that their use of the word "arab" in terms of their mascot is to celebrate the vibrant Middle Eastern community that has thrived in Coachella since the beginning of the twentieth century. This relates to our class because it involves foreign issues and its effects on domestic disputes within the country, no matter how large or small.

I personally believe that the high school should change their mascots name, as it is highly insensitive to an already marginalized minority group. I understand the right to free speech is universal, but one should have been raised with enough sense to take others' feelings into consideration.

GOP Unfavorability At An All-Time High

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In a recent poll, sixty-four percent of Americans said that they hold an unfavorable view of the Republican party since the shutdown. Another fifty-four percent say that they view the Tea Party negatively. Meanwhile, the favorability ratings of the Democratic party have remained virtually unchanged from before the shutdown to now. In addition to an attack on party support, House Speaker John Boehner's disapproval ratings have raised from forty-eight percent in late September to fifty-five percent. This is the fist time that the Speaker has been disliked by a majority of Americans.

I believe that this change in approval/disapproval ratings should have been expected. The GOP accomplished nothing during the shutdown, as the Affordable Care Act still passed into law even with the political disarray. I believe that it will be difficult for the Republican Party to regain its credibility among the American people, and even more difficult for the Tea Party to do so.

House GOP Offers a Debt Ceiling Proposal

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Earlier today, it was reported by CNN that House Republicans proposed to solve the debt ceiling issue by "temporarily rais[ing] the nation's borrowing limit while keeping the partial government shutdown in place." There has been no talk of a deadline for this raise in the borrowing limit, although an extention of four to six weeks is the most likely option, as previously indicated by the House GOP. The GOP is scheduled to meet with President Obama on Thursday afternoon to discuss the matter of raising the nation's borrowing limit. The president has already stated that he would consider a short-term deal raising the federal borrowing limit, along with threatening that "if Republicans want to propose a short-term fix and Democrats say no, then the firm ground Democrats think they're standing on now would soften." However, this proposal has already been debunked as having nothing to do with the government shutdown--in short, it wouldn't fix anything regarding the shutdown. 

I believe that both parties, as of right now, are acting like spoiled children. I think that if congressional pay was docked or completely taken away during times of a shutdown, Congress would act much faster. I think that this proposal could be a good thing, if both parties are willing to negotiate and come to a compromise instead of fighting one way or the other.