Hillary Clinton and the Gender Card

For the upcoming presidential elections next year, Hillary Clinton is one of the biggest names on the democratic ballot. Recently, she's been "on tour", if you will, speaking about her beliefs and getting a feel for her potential voting base. But, recently she's also come under some fire for the tactics that she's using to attract voters. Some think that she's playing the "gender card" too much and that her being a woman will be harped on too much to get votes. My question is, do you think that Clinton playing up her gender is okay? As in, do you think that her gender should be a side note to her policy ideas and beliefs or do you think that using her gender is a key way to relate to voters that is necessary in any presidential election?

Abercrombie and Fitch... Against Hijabs?

Samantha Elauf applied to a job at Abercrombie and Fitch and her application was accepted. But, when her employers found out that she wore a hijab, they decided that she didn't meet their "preppy style" well enough with it on. When Abercrombie and Fitch were getting sued, they used the argument that Elauf had never told them it was for religious purposes and that the only thing they were saying originally was that the hijab as a "fashion statement" was unacceptable. On one hand, companies have the right to hire who they want. But on the other hand, it shows that religious intolerance is still present. Do you think that employers should be obligated to tell a company that they have a certain religion, or wear certain things to express that religion when applying for a job?

Jeb, the Introvert

Jeb Bush is a self-admitted introvert. He would rather read a book than go to a party. He (unlike his older brother) took only two and a half years to graduate from college. Although this introvertedness can demonstrate intelligence, it also demonstrates awkwardness: not a quality desired in a Presidential campaign. Jeb, currently the frontrunner of 2016 Republican Presidential candidates, must be careful to use this quality of his to his benefit and not detriment. If he did this successfully enough to become governor of Florida, there's a decent chance he could do the same and become President. (Be sure to notice the second page)

Keystone veto will be first of many for President Obama

President Obama issued just the third veto of his time in office this week, the fewest of any President since James Garfield. Obama is said to have issued so few vetoes because with the Democratic party's former control of the Senate, not much Obama disagreed with ever made it to his desk. Now that his party no longer has a majority in the Senate, Obama is expected to issue many more vetoes in his final two years.

Obama mocks GOP, promotes Democratic agenda

Obama spent a bit bashing on the GOP, pointing out how they've rejected many of Obama's liberal policies. In doing so, he also announced the Democratic agenda. Do you think this is a reflection on how the President and Congress's relationship will be like?

Unlikely Cause Unites the Left and the Right: Justice Reform

The coming together of the left and right wings, specifically the Koch Brothers and The Center for American Progress, to reform the justice system in America has stunned many. Do you think this collaboration of the left and the right is a good thing? Do you think this'll be helpful for all of us? Do you think this makes for a hopeful future when it comes to both wings collaborating and working together?

Jeb Bush vows to be 'my own man' on foreign affairs

Jeb Bush faces overcoming the Bush legacy if he wants a chance at the White House. During a speech on Wednesday, he attempted to separate himself from his father and brother, especially in relation to foreign policy decisions. How do you feel about another Bush running for president? Will he turn out to be more similar to the Bush legacy than he claims?

In Bid to Allow Guns on Campus, Weapons Are Linked to Fighting Sexual Assault

Gun rights advocates who are trying to legalize firearms on college campuses have formed a new argument: armed female students will reduce sexual assaults. Do you agree with this solution to ending sexual assault? Do you think students should be allowed to carry firearms on campus?

Aid to Needy Often Excludes the Poorest in America

This article takes a really interesting look at how messed up government aid truly is. The article takes a deeper look into how government aid has gone up for basically everyone except the people who need it the most. That is, generally unemployed single mothers with children. Their benefits actually have declined by about one-third. The article then goes on to state how Obama has done nothing to try and reverse this trend. Should Obama push for change? Is this fair? If you're not working, are you not trying?

U.S. Intensifies Effort to Blunt ISIS’ Message

This article is basically all about how the United States is now recognizing how ISIS's propaganda has been working. Now the question is how will Obama handle this? The article goes on to describe how at the heart of his plan is expanding a tiny State Department agency, the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications. The funding for this department is only at a mere five million dollars. Will this plan work? Should government spend more money? Or should government even waste their time?

Obama Sends Letter To Congress Seeking Authorization Of ISIS Fight

President Obama has just recently send a letter to Congress concerning ISIS. The president is asking for authorization of a three year plan that would allow him to continue using air strikes against the terrorist group. Congressmen have said that they will need to think long and hard about whether or not to allow the president authorization. Congress is going to be sure to take their time with this decision. What would you like to see Congress do? Also, do you see this has simply a PR move from President Obama as one Congressman suggested?

House Expected To Pass Keystone BIll

The House has intended to pass a Keystone Bill on Wednesday despite President Obama vowing to use his veto power.  The bill would have a pipeline going from Canada to the Gulf Coast put in. Oil Companies and Republicans are pushing very hard for this to get passed. Republicans are making this their first bill to send to Obama this year. Since Obama is going to veto this it will most likely not become a law. Do you think that since the House is now majority Republican but our president is still Democrat that even less with get done in Washington then already is?

Weak bridges may mean higher gas taxes

Across the country bridges and roads have fallen into states of disrepair, Pennsylvania being one of the worst offenders. States like New Jersey and Iowa are throwing around the idea of raising gas taxes since gas prices are so low and the gas tax in NJ hasn't been raised in 20 years.

Native Americans strongly opposed to Keystone XL, threaten violence

The proposed Keystone pipeline will run directly through sacred buriel grounds and the  large aquifer that supplies the Rosebud Souix tribes in South Dakota. "The tribe last week declared that a vote to authorize the controversial pipeline, which would carry tar sand oil from Canada to a port in Louisiana, amounts to an “act of war” against the tribe. Members of the tribe have for seven months been camped in the proposed path of the pipeline, and say they’ll stay there “forever” if need be to stop the pipeline." The leader of the Rosebud Souix, President Cyril Scott says "our people have been massacred throughout the generations".

Fed Judge to Hear Arguments Thurs. on Alabama Gay Marriage

This article continues on with the issue we discussed in class on Monday regarding same-sex marriages in Alabama. Probate judges in a majority of Alabama counties have refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses following the striking down of the state's same-sex marriage ban. As a result, a federal judge will hear arguments Thursday on whether it should order local judges to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite their refusal to do so. What do you think of this entire situation? Do you think these judges should be allowed to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite the striking down of the state's same-sex marriage ban by a federal court?

Illinois Gov Acts to Curb Power of Unions

This article discusses the attempt by Bruce Rauner, the newly elected Republican governor of Illinois, to weaken the power of public sector unions. He announced an executive order that prevents unions from requiring all state workers to pay union fees, following the steps of other Midwestern Republican governors who have taken such steps in their own states to weaken the powers of public sector unions. What do you think of this? Do you agree with his action? Do you think he will ultimately be successful in curbing the power of unions in such a solidly Democratic state?

Courts Write Decisions That Elude Long View

This article is about federal appeals courts that write decisions that are basically good for that trial alone, a "one time ruling". Unpublished decisions cause problems if a particular case is pushing to be sent into the higher courts. Without a published decision, a similar case could be ruled differently a second time around, revealing the issues with the system. What do you think about unpublished decisions?

Measles Outbreak Proves Delicate Issue to G.O.P. Field

This article is about the recent measles outbreak and the debate over whether or not the government should require vaccinations. This issue is very challenging for Republicans. In more recent years, the topic of vaccinations has become more prevalent in the political sphere and will probably continue to do so in the coming election. Do you think vaccinations should be required?

Under Obama Budget, Medicare Proposals Would Hit Patients and Providers

This article discusses another aspect of Obama's budget plan, this time focusing on Medicare. Obama proposes that Medicare make adjustments to its regulations in order to increase the profitability of the program. This would include such changes as increasing the premiums for low-income patients and reducing Medicare payments to hospitals, making it difficult for them to provide quality care. What do you think? Is it better to make Medicare more profitable or to provide better quality healthcare to more people?

Obama's Budget Seeks $534 Billion for Pentagon

This article discusses one aspect of Obama's budget proposal. Despite the fact that Obama ended a costly war, the military budget is still extremely large. They claim that any less spending would be a danger to the nation with the threat of ISIL. What do you think? Is it more damaging to cut military spending and risk a weak defense force or to cut spending elsewhere to fund the military?