(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.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
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.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
America's Failing Education System
(article)
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Supreme Court to Debate Affordable Care Act and Contraceptives
(link to article)
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.
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.
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