Obama Video Questions

1. If the republican minority members were so worried that their party was going to be overshadowed for generations, why haven’t we made it that the houses of congress aren’t equally divided in partisanship?

2. Why did Obama initially try so hard to get republicans on his side if they’re in the minority anyway?

3. What is the electorate?

4. What was the great bargain even referencing?

5. Why was there a time limit on the debt ceiling that was so pressing that they had to make a decision in order to prevent a seemingly catastrophic event?

Ben Carson's Campaign Finance Chief Resigns

Ben Carson's campaign finance chairman resigned right before the Republican presidential candidates were supposed to get together for a debate in South Carolina. There is no public explanation as to why Dean Parker (telecommunications entrepreneur) quit the job that awarded him a salary of $20,000 per month, and required immense effort as he built the fund-raising organization from the ground up. Other staff members have followed Parker's lead and also turned in their resignations, which has caused Carson's poll numbers to drop quickly in recent months and raised questions about Carson's presidential abilities.

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/14/

Bernie Sanders' Financial Transformation

Bernie Sanders has officially laid out his financial transformation plan, which includes an idea to convert credit rating agencies into nonprofit organizations. The remodeling would occur over the course of two years until agencies are funded by a fee paid by issuers. The Sanders campaign plans to improve companies that had said that mortgage securities had close to no risk of default, which was proven false when they triggered a financial dilemma. Sanders thinks the ratings agencies' work should be appointed by an independent investor board, who would be chosen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Sanders envisions the board to be filled with "representatives from pensions, mutual funds and organized labor."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-credit-rating-agency-reform-plan_56955d02e4b086bc1cd57afd?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics&section=politics

Supreme Court Elders

ABC's "This Week" recently showed an interview with Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer, in which Breyer noted that he will be turning 78 by the time the next president is sworn in. It has been brought to attention that aside from himself, four of Breyer's colleagues are well over 75 years old and three are over the age of 80. It makes sense for the members of the Court to be more elderly, because appointments can be for a lifetime (usually 16 years). Breyer also explained that the job must be performed by people with an "ongoing ability to engage in the complicated work" and that experience is needed. Court members' ages are important, because they suggest that the next president will probably get to appoint multiple new members to the Court. Members of the Supreme Court rarely retire in groups, which is what makes this occurrence so interesting. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/12/27/so-there-are-going-to-be-a-lot-of-people-older-than-75-on-the-supreme-court-in-2017/

Gunmaker's Liability

California Representative Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) are proposing a bill that would invalidate the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and therefore make gunmakers accountable in cases of gun violence, and prevent "straw purchasers," or gun traffickers, who buy guns and sell them. The goal of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was to protect the gun industry from small and unneeded lawsuits, however Mr. Schiff argues: “Guns are the only industry that is immune to liability, and I don’t think it should be. Good actors don’t need immunity, and bad actors don’t deserve it.” Mr. Schiff and Mr. Blumenthal's bill, the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, is "much the same as any gun violence prevention bill, but it’s profoundly important.”

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/13/2-democrats-seek-to-take-gunmakers-liability-shield/

Human Traffickers In U.S. Visa System

More than half of human traffickers used work in the visa business and abused their power to bring victims into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report states:  "from 2005 to 2014 visas were the primary means by which 17 of 32 known traffickers brought victims into the United States.” DHS found out that traffickers were bringing their victims into the country with the help of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, who kept data on traffickers a secret. Shockingly, most of the victims in the United States are U.S. citizens, but many others are foreigners brought from other countries. With this new information, hopefully the government and DHS can work together to take more preventive measures in order to eventually end human trafficking in the United States. 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/politics/human-traffickers-visa-waivers/index.html

Exploring Congress; How it Works - Part 2

S. 1177: Every Student Succeeds Act: enacted and signed on December 10, 2015
Sponsor: Lamar Alexander (Senior Senator from Tennessee--Republican)
Full title of bill: An original bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves.
Summary: It was brought to the attention of the senate by the HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) committee. The chairmen of the HELP committee and bill sponsor, Lamar Alexander, explained that  the bill would "assess student learning" and "give states authority based on those results." The bill enlarges the scope of state government's responsibility and involvement in schools, provides grants to schools, and reduces the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) system.
Amendments: 
1. S.Amdt. 2107 -- limits federal authority to create new regulations without Congressional approval

2. S.Amdt. 2139 -- allows federal funds for the education of disadvantaged children 

Timeline:

Lamar Alexander

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1177/summary

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1177

Exploring Congress; How it Works - Part 1

Tulsi Gabbard, Representative for Hawaii's Second Congressional District 2012-2016 (Democratic)
Gabbard is relatively new in Congress, so right now she is mainly engaged in case work. She began her career state-level as a representative from 2002-2004, and she serves as a staff member of the Hawaii Army National Guard (2003-present), was a member of city council from 2010-2012, and is now a national representative. Gabbard offers help with federal agencies. In terms of effectiveness, she wouldn't rank very highly because as previously stated, she is new to Congress and isn't involved in much yet.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/tulsi_gabbard/412532

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000571

https://forms.house.gov/formsgabbard/webforms/help-federal-agency.shtml

Proposed Law Against Football

Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who's mission is to prove that NFL players develop the brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) as a direct result of football, has suggested that there be a law passed requiring children to reach the legal age of consent before they can play football. "We have a legal age for drinking alcohol; for joining the military; for voting; for smoking; for driving; and for consenting to have sex," he wrote. "We must have the same when it comes to protecting the organ that defines who we are as human beings." Omalu argues that by setting a legal age, these adults would be allowed to decide themselves whether or not they want to play, instead of being pressured as kids. CTE can only be detected in the dead, so it is difficult to decide just how dangerous playing football at a young age is, compared to later in life. However, two studies this year have shown that NFL players who played football before age 12 had an increased risk of mental issues later in life. Neurosurgeon Robert Cantu has recommended that children should avoid tackle football at least until the age of fourteen, and others have agreed, but Omalu's idea to make football illegal to high school students as well as younger children is almost crazy. However, it is likely more and more people begin to agree with Omalu, since at least eleven high school football players have died this year.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bennet-omalu-football_5665d244e4b072e9d1c6e10b

Mycoplasma Genitalium

A new STD has been discovered -- Mycoplasma Genitalium -- the predecessor to pelvic inflammatory disease. Researchers at University College London examined urine samples of about 4,500 men and women (ages 18-44) and found that 72 people who were sexually active with at least one partner tested positive with MG, while those who have never been sexually active's results all came back negative. It is hard to catch MG, because it often doesn't show symptoms; 50-90% of people diagnosed with the STD didn't report any symptoms. For those that do have symptoms, painful urination and bleeding after sex are common for women, and watery discharge is normal for men. MG is treatable with the antibiotic azithromycin, AKA a "z-pack." 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/07/health/what-to-know-std-mg/index.html

Trump Attacks Muslims

After Obama's most recent national address regarding Americans' actions towards Muslims in light of the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, CA, Donald Trump has made his view clear that he believes the United States should keep all Muslims from entering the country. “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” Trump declared. Nancy Morawetz, a professor at New York University School of Law who is specializing in immigration, was shocked by Trump's statement. Morawetz said “It’s unbelievable to have a religious test for admission into the country,” which does, in fact, go against the Constitution. While it makes sense to keep an eye out for suspected terrorists and keep Syrian refugees from entering the United States, Mr. Trump basically wants anyone associated with the Muslim religion to be kept out, and maybe even kicked out for that matter. 

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/12/07/

Military Combat Positions Now Offered To Women

This past Thursday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that all U.S. military combat positions have become available to women. This will allow women to fill about 220,000 jobs including infantry, armor, reconnaissance and special operations units. "This means that women [...] will be able to drive tanks, give orders, lead infantry soldiers into combat," Carter said. Obviously, there are "physical differences" between men and women, and to keep our military strong and skilled, positions won't just be handed out to women who ask. They must have the same skill expectations and requirements as the men. So far, only two women have completed the Army's Ranger School, and now they can finally apply to join the 75th Ranger Regiment. Hillary Clinton has fully supported and applauded the move. She stated: "We've seen women in our armed forces prove their heroism and abilities, now our official policy is catching up and women who are qualified for these positions should be able to compete and win them." The policy be implemented in 30 days.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/politics/u-s-military-women-combat-positions/index.html

Trump In Need Of Fact Check

In recent campaign rallies and interviews, Donald Trump seems to have a hard time remembering facts about the events on 9/11. Last week, Trump made remarks that, in fact, do not correspond with the actual events. The first instance was during a CBS interview when Trump only recognized three of four plane crashes: “And those wives went home to watch their husbands knock down the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and wherever the third plane was going.” Then, Trump acknowledged the terrorist attacks to have happened around lunch time, when they actually occurred around 8-10 a.m. The next day, Trump interrupted a question about World War II and once again brought up 9/11. Mr. Trump said the only thing that was worse than Pearl Harbor was the 9/11 attacks, which "killed innocent civilians having dinner,” but as previously stated, the plane crashes actually occurred in the morning. Apparently Trump takes pride in not using a teleprompter when he speaks, but I think it's about time he rethinks that. 

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/12/04/

Every Penny Counts

This past Monday, the Islamic Center of Pflugerville in Austin, Texas was vandalized. Feces were found smeared on the sidewalk outside of the center, along with torn out pages of the Quran. "It's disgusting [...] It doesn't matter what you believe, what I believe, what he believes or anybody believes, all faith is important" said Laura Swanson, a Pflugerville resident. When Swanson's seven year old son found out what had happened, he tried to help by emptying out his piggy bank, which only contained about twenty dollars. He went to the mosque and gave the money to Faisal Naeem, a board member of the center. "It's 20 bucks, but coming from Jack collecting his pennies, it's worth 20 million bucks to me and to our community," Naeem said. Jack's actions give Naeem hope, he said, because "this means it's not once versus the other." The vandalism is still being investigated. 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/us/boy-piggy-bank-mosque-vandalized/ 

Clarkston, Georgia - Refugee City

Clarkston, Georgia has become a very diverse community after it was mentioned as a good place for refugees to settle. Out of the 8,000 people, half of the population is made up of refugees. Those who were born in Clarkston say they love the diversity that the refugees bring, and some have gone so far as to start businesses to help refugees and keep them there. For example, a food truck called "Refuge Coffee" was started by Kitti Murray (a Clarkston native) and is the occupation of three refugees from Syria, Congo, and Ethiopia. The Community Center also helps in welcoming refugees by helping them transition into normal American life. Clarkston's Mayer, Ted Terry, says his mission is to "keep the city diverse" and "show the true principles of America."

http://www.cnn.com/videos

Hillary Clinton Proposes Middle Class Tax Cut

Hillary Clinton proposed a tax credit for those who face unexpected and overwhelming health care costs in order to give middle class Americans tax relief. The proposal provides up to $2,500 in tax credit for individuals, and $5,000 for families. When Clinton spoke at LeMoyne-Owen College, she acknowledged that the primarily black student body "deserved a raise -- not a tax increase." Clinton believes that the American Opportunity Tax Credits should be extended in order to help make college more affordable. On Sunday, Clinton will present more proposals for tax cuts, "in order to ensure the wealthiest of Americans pay their fair share."

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/22/donald-trump-again-insists-he-saw-celebrations-in-new-jersey-on-sept-11/

Donald Trump Supports Those Who ‘Roughed Up’ Protester at His Event

Mercutio Southall, a co-founder of a Black Lives Matter chapter in Birmingham, AL, was physically assaulted at a Donald Trump campaign rally. After Southall and his protesters began recording their being at the event on a cellphone, Mr. Southall found himself on the floor surrounded by Trump supporters kicking and punching him. Donald Trump, whose podium was too far away to see the commotion, later said he was in favor of the actions of his supporters. “Maybe he (Southall) should have been roughed up, because it was absolutely disgusting what he was doing,” Mr. Trump said in an interview on Sunday.

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/20/

Obama on ISIS

After days of criticism, Obama has finally come up with a strong a firm response to the terrorist attacks in Paris. At a press conference in Malaysia this weekend, Obama vowed that the global group formed with the goal to destroy ISIS will not give in or quit. "We will not accept the idea that terrorist assaults on restaurants and theaters and hotels are the new normal, or that we are powerless to stop them," Obama said. He made a great point that "they can't beat us on the battlefield," so instead they try to frighten us into panicking. Many frightened citizens all around the world have been blaming anyone following the Muslim religion for the terrorist attacks, in which Obama addressed that we are not at war with the Muslim religion. He explained "The United States could never be at any war with any religion because America is made up by multiple religions" and that "prejudice and discrimination helps ISIS and undermines our national security." Regarding policy, the Obama administration had originally wanted to accept 10,000+ Syrian refugees into the country, but as of Thursday, the House has passed a bill that will suspend that program. 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/22/politics/obama-isis-killers-social-media/index.html

Political Parties in Nigeria

http://nigeriamasterweb.com/PoliticalFullist.html - parties fluctuate in transforming republics

1. Alliance for Democracy
2. All Nigeria Peoples’ Party
3. All Progressives Grand Alliance
4. All Peoples Liberation Party
5. African Renaissance Party
6. Better Nigeria Progressive Party
7. Community Party of Nigeria
8. The Democratic Alternative
9. The Green Party of Nigeria
10. Justice Party
11. Liberal Democratic Party of Nigeria
12. Movement for Democracy and Justice
13. Masses Movement of Nigeria
14. National Action Council
15. Nigeria Advance Party 
16. National Conscience Party
17. New Democrats
18. National Democratic Party
19. National Mass Movement of Nigeria
20. New Nigeria Peoples Party
21. Nigerian Peoples Party
22. National Reformation Party
23. Progressive Action Congress
24. Peoples Democratic Party
25. Peoples Mandate Party
26. Peoples Redemption Party
27. Party for Social Democracy
28. Peoples Salvation Party
29. United Democratic Party
30. Uniter Nigeria Peoples Party

type of gov- federal republic (a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives) http://www.indexmundi.com/nigeria/government_type.html 

how power is organized- same as US

head of state- president

legislative branch- house of rep & senate

unitary or federal system- federal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Nigeria

which parties are considered major or ruling- Peoples Democratic Party 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_(Nigeria)

how are parties characterized- chaotic, lots of upheaval

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Nigeria#First_Republic_.281960-1966.29 

what issues are the parties organized around (ideological, economic, social issues)- integration or regionalization http://works.bepress.com/david_moveh/13/

UFO Sighting or Planned Missile Test?

Saturday night in Southern California was filled with lots of panicked star gazing, as people began to notice a bright white light shooting across the sky. Was it a star or meteor? Was it a UFO sighting? Both scenarios, wrong. U.S. military officials explained it was only a planned missile test flight from a submarine ("USS Kentucky") off the coast of Southern California. The Navy Strategic Systems Program also informed the public that the missile was unarmed and not dangerous, and tests will continue until November 12th. "Launches are conducted on a frequent, recurring basis to ensure the continued reliability of the system. Each test activity provides valuable information about our systems, thus contributing to assurance in our capabilities."

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/08/us/southern-california-navy-test-mystery-light/index.html