Student Blog 13

SANDERS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

"After a year of travel, discussion and dialogue, I have decided to be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president," he wrote in the email, highlighting economic inequality, climate change and the Citizens United Supreme Court decisions as key issues spurring him to run.  Sanders first confirmed to the Associated Press in a story published Wednesday that he plans to run for the Democrats' 2016 presidential nomination. 

"People should not underestimate me," Sanders told the associated press.  "I've run outside of the two-party system, defeating Democrats and Republicans, taking on big-money candidates and, you know, I think the message that has resonated in Vermont is a message that can resonate all over this country."

This relates to our class curriculum because it involves primary election and executive branch.

I think that it is a waste of money to put your name on the Democratic Primary Election.  Hillary Clinton is bound to win in almost all cases.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/29/politics/bernie-sanders-announces-presidential-run/index.html

Student Blog #12

As Hillary Clinton spent the first weeks of her presidential campaign meeting voters in Iowa, her closest potential rival for the Democratic nomination -- Vice President Joe Biden -- was a thousand miles away, meeting in Washington with the leaders of five different foreign countries, delivering an update on U.S. strategy in Iraq, and rallying elected Democrats behind the administration's economic agenda.  If Biden has his way, that's what his schedule will look like for months to come as he mulls a third bid for president.  Unlike other Democratic and Republican competitors, the vice president has said he won't decide until the end of the summer whether or not to run. He hasn't taken any preliminary steps toward setting up a campaign apparatus, and supporters say they haven't heard one way or the other whether he's planning to jump in.

This relates to our class because it involves the presidential election; specifically primary elections.

I know that it is obviously Biden's right to run but he seems to have no chance to defeat Clinton.  Voting for Waka Flocka would most likely be a better move.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/20/politics/joe-biden-election-2016/index.html

student blog 11

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/13/politics/iran-bill-house-republican-mccarthy/index.html

Secretary of State John Kerry appealed to Congress to give him "the space" to complete negotiations with Iran before passing legislation that could impact the nuclear deal.  "We have two and a half months more to negotiate. That's a serious amount of time with some serious business still to do," Kerry told reporters before he met with House members on Monday evening. "So we hope Congress will listen carefully and ask the questions that it wants, but also give us the space and the time to be able to complete a very difficult task which has high stakes for our country."
This has to do with our class because it involves foreign policy and the actions of two different houses.
I think that he should be given his space.  Pressure typically bursts pipes and that is not what they are going for here.

Student Blog 10

Rand Paul Decides to Run for President

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/07/politics/rand-paul-president-2016/index.html

"Today I announce with God's help, with the help of liberty lovers everywhere, that I'm putting myself forward as a candidate for president of the United States of America," Paul said at a rally in Louisville.In his speech, he called for reforming Washington by pushing for term limits and a constitutional amendment to balance the budget. He argued that both parties are to blame for the rising debt, saying it doubled under a Republican administration and tripled under Obama.

This relates to our class because it is involved with the Executive Branch and the election process.

I am very happy that Rand Paul has decided to run.  I feel that he is a good Republican candidate that stands a chance against Hillary Clinton.  I hope that he will be able to get enough support to become our next president. 

Student blog 9

2/26/15 

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's decision to sign into law a measure that could allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers in the name of "religious freedom" has left the NCAA fretting ahead of next week's men's basketball Final Four in Indianapolis.  "We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees," NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement Thursday afternoon. 

He said the NCAA will "work diligently" to ensure competitors and visitors at next week's Final Four are not "negatively impacted by this bill." Emmert also said the organization, which is based in Indianapolis, will "closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce."

This relates to our curriculum because it relates to human rights and legislature passed by government.

I feel that this law slightly violates human rights and is borderline unfair to the NCA.  We will be able to see how this plays out in the final four. 

Thank you for reading.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/25/politics/mike-pence-religious-freedom-bill-gay-rights/index.html

Student Blog 8

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/15/politics/mitch-mcconnell-loretta-lynch-confirmation/index.html

McConnell Holds off Lynch Confirmation until Democrats Relent on Bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Sunday said he plans to hold up attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch's confirmation until the Senate passes a now-controversial human trafficking bill. "This will have an impact on the timing of considering a new attorney general," McConnell told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union." "I had hoped to turn to her next week, but if we can't finish the trafficking bill, she will be put off again."  "We have to finish the human trafficking bill," McConnell said. "The Loretta Lynch nomination comes next."

This has to do with what we are learning in class because it is involved with the different parts of Congress and the passing of bills. 

I agree with the Senate's decision.  It is their right to use their powers to make a difference and that is what they are doing.  This is another example of Democrats struggling to pass bills, and the Republicans have jumped on the bandwagon with the Attorney General confirmation.

 

Student Blog 7

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating another incident of misconduct by senior Secret Service agents, White House officials said Wednesday night.  Two senior Secret Service agents, including a top member of President Barack Obama's protective detail, crashed a car into a White House barricade following a late-night party for retiring spokesman Ed Donovan and it's suspected they had been drinking.

This is related to our class because it involves the President, the White House, and protecting our President.

I think that it is a serious issue because protecting our president is very important and this is a breach in our security from an inside person who is supposed to be protecting our president.  I think there should be punishment but no dismissal of their roles in the Secret Service.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/11/politics/drunk-secret-service-agents-white-house/index.html