Justices Appear Divided on Cellphone Warrants

This article talked about whether or not police should need a warrant to search cell phones of people they arrest. The justices provided various ways to allow searches on some, but not all arrests. The largest part of the argument was whether or not the searches needed to be done in order to keep police officers safe. Do you think police should need a warrants to search phones after arrests?

Federal Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Law Requiring Photo ID at Polls

This article discussed a Wisconsin law that required voters to produce state-approved ID at polling places. One judge found that the law violated the 14th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Republican leaders have indicated that they may soon hold a special session to approve a revised law that could possibly go into effect before this years election. What do you think about this law? Should it be approved?

North Carolina’s Gay-Marriage Ban Is Challenged by Church

THE ARTICLE, CLASSMATES

This article is about a NC church that challenges the same-sex marriage law. The lawsuit is the first case brought by a national religious denomination challenging a state’s marriage laws. The article also shows some people who disagree with the court case, as you will read. Read it, love it, comment. Be merry.

Palin: 'waterboarding is how we baptize terrorists.'

Article
This article is about the interesting choice of words Palin had to say at an NRA rally. It includes words like "waterboarding", "terrorize", and "devil". Hope you all have good and different ideas for the blog.

Can free college save amercian cities?

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/04/kalamazoo-the-promise-save-american-cities-105366.html#.U0Uv33-9KSM

Ukraine crisis: NATO suspends cooperation with Moscow

Members of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) met in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday for the first time since Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula.  The outcome: NATO will suspend all "practical civilian and military cooperation" with Russia.  However, contact will continue between NATO and the Russian Council on the ambassadorial level and above in order to exchange views and hopefully end up with a compromise.  The decision came with the belief that the NATO alliance takes very seriously the Russian attempt to use force to alter a country's borders.  NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen went as far as saying that Russia's aggression "is the gravest threat to European security in a generation."  What do you think about NATO's decision? Will it affect the conflict going on in the Ukraine or should the leaders have been harder on the Russians?

Push for minimum wage hike takes Obama to Michigan

This article talks about President Obama's continuing efforts to eventually raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.  He recently traveled to Michigan, a state which already mandates a higher minimum than the federal $7.25, to continue his campaign on the issue.  It seems that most Democrats believe boosting the minimum wage is a "winning issue" in the long run but aren't optimistic that a potential bill could make it through the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.  Because of this, some Democrats think it would be best to push more a $9 an hour minimum that might be more appealing to the GOP.  What do you guys think?  Is $9 an hour a realistic "living wage" or should the Democrats continue to back the President's plan?

Obamacare Hits Enrollment Goal

Obamacare has reached 7.1 million sign-ups. This number was the Obama administration's initial sign-up target. After a slow start, the sign-ups for the program have increased steadily as the website's initial problems have largely been fixed. The surge of sign-ups include a decent number of young people. President Obama called these sign-up numbers a victory for the program.

NATO Military Chief Warns of Russian Invasion

NATO's military chief is warning that Russian troops could begin moving within 12 hours of being given an order to invade Ukraine. It is thought that there are around 40,000 Russian troops massed near the border of Ukraine. Such a move would lead to increased international isolation of Russia.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/01/politics/obamacare-signups-target/index.html?hpt=po_c1

Obama and other democrats are excited about the number 7.1 million. That number represents the number of people that have signed up for Obama care. It hasnt been easy with all the problems, but they made their goal. Obama says that Obama care is working.

Republicans hit a nerve when it comes to Obamacare

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/01/politics/obamacare-midterms/index.html?hpt=po_c1

     Republicans seeking election or reelection have focused their campaign strategy on, mostly, President Obama's job, and Obamacare. They believe that Obamacare is a disaster, and they are not shy of hiding that to the public. I think this will be a challenge for Republicans running for office because of the growing number of democrats.

GM fails to recall cars with faulty ignition switches

In this article, Mary Barra, chief executive of GM, released a statement talking about the company's failure to recall cars that had faulty ignition switches. According to the article, the faulty switches can be linked to 12 deaths. The switches, because of a wiring issue caused airbags to not employ in a crash. GM argues that the company notified owners three years ago regarding the faulty switches, but did not make a recall. What do you think about GM's failure to recall the cars? Do you feel like the company is making an effort to change? Do you think this situation will benefit the company in the future?

Obamacare reaches goal of 7 million enrollees

This article talks about yesterday's deadline to sign up for Obamacare. Even though there is currently around 7 million people enrolled, many were not able to sign up due to the website's issues. The article highlights the technical difficulties and the possible solutions for those people who were not able to enroll by the midnight deadline. What are your thoughts on the technical issues? What do you think can be adjusted or added to improve the system? Do you agree with President Obama's statement that "it has made the system a lot better"?