The Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the Unites States. It recognizes those people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors". This year Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Hanks, Diana Ross, and many more received the Medal of Freedom. Ellen got her medal for always being joyful and for reminding people to be kind to one another.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/11/29/ellen-degeneres-on-forgetting-her-id-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony/94598174/

Jeh johnson

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said that Rep. Michael McCaul is the strongest member of Congress when it comes to border security. He was responding to the Washington Times saying that we needed better enforcement when nit comes to immigration laws. “To say somehow I am not strong on immigration is laughable because, whether it’s sanctuary cities to every vote on the floor of the House, I have strongly voted against illegal immigration,” he said at a forum at the Bipartisan Policy Center. “I have co-sponsored virtually every bill. I introduced the SAFE Act, which would stop the flow of Syrian refugees into this country. I also strongly support the Secure Fence Act.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/30/jeh-johnson-gives-michael-mccaul-vote-confidence-b/

Maggie Hassan

Democrat Maggie Hassan won the Senate seat against Republican candidate Kelly Ayotte. Hassan was Senator for six years but lost in 2012 for re-election. She has been governor of New Hampshire since 2013. During her time as governor she maintained high job approval ratings. Her campaign was to make Washington work better for the middle class. She started in public service as an advocate for children with special needs. Her son was born with cerebral palsy and she wants to “ensure that children like her son Ben, who experiences severe disabilities, would be fully included in their communities and have the same opportunities that all parents want for their children.” I think that she has great values and great plans for her time in Senate.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/10/new-senator-profiles-2017-freshman-class/93061136/

Yemen rebels new government

Yemen's Houthi rebels and their allies has formed a new government that is run by the rebels. While the rebels have been in control for some time, they announced the new government on Monday. "The [Council] meeting stressed that the government, which was formed amid the difficult conditions experienced by the country, is tasked with putting in order the internal situation and confronting the aggression," Saba news agency reported. Diplomats hoped that the Houthi would hold off on taking control but they took control fast.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/yemen-houthi-rebels-form-government-161128200652615.html

Trump save jobs

Donald Trump promised that during his presidency that he would save 1,400 jobs at the Carrier factory in India. He says that he is trying to get the company to stay in the U.S. and that he is making progress. Earlier this year, Carrier announced that they will be moving jobs to Mexico. But Trump has a mission to save those jobs and wants to company to stay in the U.S.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-carrier-jobs_us_583c5aefe4b09b6056015034?section=us_politics

Jill Stein demands a recount

Jill Stein has been questioning if Trump won the presidency fair and square. She is taking legal action to recount in Pennsylvania. Just one of three states that she has asked for a recount. On Monday it was declared that Trump was the winner of Michigan and Stein has planned for  a recount on Wednesday. She says "Americans deserve a voting system we can trust."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/11/28/jill-stein-files-for-recount-in-pennsylvania-as-trump-team-keeps-up-talk-of-voter-fraud-with-no-evidence/

powers of the senate

What are the formal and informal powers of the Senate? How do you know?
Formal Powers: Holding trials of Impeachment, Conformation of Nominees, Treaties 2/3, Expulsion from Senate, Censure.
I know this because the Formal Powers are in the Constitution.

Informal Powers-Not specified in Constitution
Filibuster and Cloture, Investigations, Contested Senate Elections.

voter turnout 2016

This election has been the lowest voter turnout in 20 years. Only 55% of the population voted this year. This information shows how undecided people were about the election. I think that there were a lot of people who didn't want to vote for either of the Candidates So i think this led people not to vote at all.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/politics/popular-vote-turnout-2016/index.html

China and Trump

China is telling president-elect Donald Trump that they did not make up global warming. In November of 2012, Trump posted a tweet saying that global warming was created by the Chinese in order to make the U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. China's Vice-Foreign Minister addressed the situation saying "If you look at the history of climate change negotiations, actually it was initiated by the IPCC with the support of the Republicans during the Reagan and senior Bush administration during the late 1980s" I'm sure that Trump has regretted posting that on the internet but it just comes to show that everything you post stays with you. Even if you are the future president.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/16/china-trump-climate-change/93975932/

Obama's speech to Greece

On Obama's last European tour, he spent some time in Greece to ease the minds of European leaders. Obama said to the Greek people that by distrusting the government will make it harder for the government to serve it's people. He said, "If people feel that they’re losing control of their future, they will push back. We have seen it here in Greece. We’ve seen it across Europe. We’ve seen it in the United States. We saw it in the vote in Britain to leave the EU," Obama has warned leaders before about a cruel sort of nationalism.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/16/obama-athens-speech-crude-nationalism/93949612/

Erik Weibel is a ninth grader who has been paying close attention to the election and is a reporter for Scholastic. He is a Hillary Clinton supporter. One day while he was at a Bernie Sanders rally for Clinton, Trump supporters surrounded him shouting "Trump! Trump! Trump!" and one made an inappropriate comment about Clinton. Along with his own experience, Erik has seen a lot of tension between Democrat and Republican supporters. It makes me sad that there has been so much tension that the young people are noticing it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/02/us/politics/scholastic-reporting-campaign.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FUnited%20States%20Politics%20and%20Government&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection&_r=0

White house halloween party

Every year, there is a halloween party at the White House for Military families and other local kids. The president and his wife spent halloween passing out candy in their jeans. After praising the kids for their wonderful costumes, the Obama's danced to Thriller by Michael Jackson to give some entertainment. It seems like they really enjoyed doing this for the kids. They are very compassionate and kind to all Americans!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/10/31/what-could-be-scarier-than-this-election-president-obama-hosts-his-final-halloween-party/

Early voting

There have been a lot of voters who have decided to vote early for this election. More than 26 million people have voted early. That is double the amount of early voters for the Obama Romney race in 2012. That shows how eager voters are to vote. People seem to be very excited for this election and that has been shown in many other ways besides this. One being that the debates have had the most viewers in history. November 8 will be a very exciting day for America.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/01/one-week-before-election-day-early-voting-is-nearly-twice-as-high-as-2012.html

Missouri state senate

The voting for the Missouri State Senate will be held on November 8. The top two candidates are Roy Blunt and Jason Kander. With Blunt trying to get re-elected into the senate position, he has gotten 481,444 votes. Kander has 223,492 votes. 

About Missouri 

• Population-6,083,672
• GDP-229.5 billion USD 
• High School Graduate or higher- 88.0%
• Poverty-14.8%
• Population per square mile- 87.1 

Roy Blunt(R)

• Elected for Missouri Senate in 2010 
• Issues
• Stop Government Overreach 
• Job and Opportunity Growth 
• Help Missouri Families 
• Expand American Energy 
• Encourage Innovation 
• Support Farm Families 
• Defend and Protect America 
• Honor our Nations Heroes 
• Provide Healthcare 
• Strengthen Infrastructure 
• Protect Life and Religious Liberty 
• Protecting American's Second Amendment Rights 
• Enforce Immigration Laws  
• Supporters 
• Top 5 Contributors
• Crawford 
• Goldman Sachs 
•  Monsanto Co. 
• Capital One Financial 
• Blackstone Group 
• Top 5 industries 
• Securities and Investments 
• Retired 
• Leadership PACs 
• Real Estate 
• Lawyers and Law Firms 

Jason Kander(D)

• Military Veteran, Lawyer, and Politician 
• Missouri's Secretary of State 
• Issues
• Advocating for Veterans and Military Families 
• Supporting Missouri business 
• Fighting for Middle Class 
• Pushing for Honest Government 
• Standing up for Women 
• Holding Politicians Accountable 
• Standing up for Missouri Farmers 
• Protecting our Environment 
• Advocating for the Black Community
• Contributors
• Simmons Hanly Conroy 
• University of Missouri 
• Sosland Publishing 
• Thornton Law Firm 
• Korein Tillery LLC 

Use of marijuana

On November 8, nine different states will vote on the legalization of the use of medical and recreational marijuana. A poll shows that 60% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. So far only a few states have legalized recreational use of the drug and 25 states allow medical use. I feel that this is an often talked about topic in our country. Personally I believe that the medical use should be allowed in all states because there really are some people who need it to stay healthy. I am very excited to see what the voters will say about this subject on November 8.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/opinion/marijuana-lights-up-state-ballots.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FUnited%20States%20Politics%20and%20Government&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection&_r=0

pink white house

The White House was lit in pink lights to honor breast cancer awareness month. A lot of people stood outside the gate on Thursday to watch the White House illuminate. President Obama says "Every year, too many Americans are touched by the pain and hardship caused by breast cancer — a disease that, among women, is not only one of the most common cancers, but also one of the leading causes of cancer-related death," He is absolutely right. There are too many people in our country whose lives are affected by cancer. It warms my heart that Obama will light up his home to show his support for the disease. It is very important that our next president shows this much care for Americans being hurt by this every day.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/theoval/2016/10/20/white-house-goes-pink-breast-cancer-awareness-month/92490048/

Carla Hayden

After 216 years Carla Hayden will serve as the first female and African American to lead the Library of Congress. She feels very proud to be the first woman to serve this position but she seems to be most proud of he African American background. She said that in slavery times African Americans were forbidden to learn how to read and if they did learn they would be punished. She said "For an African American to be leading the largest symbol of knowledge in the world is quite momentous and that really touches me." I am very glad that a woman and African American will be leading the Library of Congress. It really says something about women and African Americans. It really touched me when she talked about her ancestors and how proud she was that this country has improved since then. I am very happy that she will be leading the Library of Congress.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/14/library-of-congress-carla-hayden-capital-download/90270770/

Cigna

Cigna will not require pre-authorization for prescriptions to treat opioid addiction problems. Some doctors and patients are saying that pre-authorization for these prescriptions are hurting patients because if there is a delay on getting the medication, the patient could die from heroine withdrawals. However some believe that the prescription must be authorized so that the patient will not get addicted to that. Now that Cigna doesn't require pre-authorization, patients will get the treatment that they need fast.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/10/20/ny-negotiates-national-settlement-cigna-opioid-treatment/92461340/

Ayotte view on Trump

In a debate between Ayotte and Hassan for the NH Senate spot, Senator Ayotte said that Donald Trump could be seen as a role model to children. Later that day she posted that she misspoke and that she believes that neither Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump have set a good example for children. Senator Ayotte, a republican, does not indorse Trump and will be writing in his running-mate Mike Pence. I think that it really says something about Trump that most of the republican politicians are dropping their support for him. I think it is important that most politicians of one party support the candidate for that party.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/sen-ayotte-trump-absolutely-a-role-model-for-kids-229076

Wells Fargo

The CEO forfeits $41 million because of phony accounts scandal. Carrie Tolsdet who was head of the department that made the fake accounts has left the company and started retirement early. Wells Fargo says that she will not get a bonus or severance. Some say that she could still be hiding money. I think that this lady should have been fired. She was the head of a company-wide scandal and should not work there anymore. Yes she reatired but she needs to be punished more that that.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/27/investing/wells-fargo-ceo-clawback-john-stumpf-tolstedt/index.html

Stein escorted out of Hofstra

Jill Stein was doing a press interview at Hofstra University talking about hoe mad she was because she wanted to be in the debate but she couldn't participate. The university said that she failed to provide correct credentials so she was escorted out of the building. I think that if she would have stayed that she would have tried to protest or something. She does not have the votes to be in the debate therefore she should not be in the presidential debate and she needs to understand that.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/26/politics/jill-stein-presidential-debate-police-hofstra-university/index.html

trump on China

In the Presidential debate, Donald Trump said that he thinks that China should try and control North Korea and it's leader. He said "China should solve the problems for us." China does disagree with North Korea's nuclear weapons but they have no intention to control North Korea. China is a protector and trades with North Korea so they wouldn't want to start any drama. I think that it is important that our next president knows all of his/her facts before making accusations and putting problems on people. Trump needs to get his facts straight.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/09/27/china-north-korea-donald-trump/91168046/

transgender bathrooms

According to CNN a transgender student form Virginia who wants to use the bathroom that matches his identity has fought very hard against the court to let him go the restroom in the bathroom that he wants to. His school let him use a single stall bathroom separated from everyone. His lawyer says "Forcing a transgender student to use separate restrooms from everyone else interferes with that student's equal access to the resources and educational opportunities of school." He still is fighting for his equality. I agree with this boy and his lawyer. If he feels that he is a boy than that is his decision and his business, not anyone else's. I hope that this issue will be worked out for him so that he can feel equal.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/29/politics/transgender-bathrooms-supreme-court/index.html

Obama protects oceans

On Wednesday, President Obama made a marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean. He wants to protect 4,913 square miles of ocean habitats off the coast of New England. The Atlantic zone will stop all drilling and other harmful development. Except for underwater research. He says that he grew up playing in the ocean and he is lucky enough for his kids to get to enjoy it. He wants his grandkids to enjoy it as well. We are very lucky to have a president that cares so much about the environment. The 2016 Candidates need to learn from him so that they can help preserve our environment.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/15/obama-puts-north-atlantic-zone-off-limits-drilling-fishing/90395300/

Colin Kaepernick

During the national anthem at an NFL football game, Colin Kaepernick (49ers quarter back) Purposefully sat down during our nations anthem. He says "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." He is upset with the way colored people are being treated by the police and the public. The 49ers have responded by saying that the national anthem is a reminder of our countries' freedom and that Kaepernick's decision was an act of freedom of speech. The coach stated "It's not my right to tell him not to do something." I think that it was disrespectful to sit during the song but it is an act of freedom of speech so he should be allowed to do so.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem

Zika in Florida

On Tuesday, six cases of Zika virus was found bringing the states count to 70 cases. The virus causes birth defects and neurological defects in adults. Congress has spent months trying ti fight Zika. Obama asked for $1.9 billion to fight the virus in February. Because of the lack of Money to look for Zika, pregnant women are getting Zika without even knowing it or feeling sick.  The government needs to do research on this virus fast. And a cure needs to be found. I think that the government has to put money towards this matter in order for the situation to get better.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/zika-virus-outbreak/florida-zika-count-hits-70-local-cases-n647851

Clinton's health

On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton released her health stats to the public. The records show that she had pneumonia. Because of her recent health drama in public, her doctor made a statement about her health. He diagnosed her with non-contagious pneumonia on Friday and said "She is recovering well with antibiotics and rest. She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States." I think that she will be perfectly fine to serve as the president. Everyone gets sick every once in a while. She will get better soon.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/15/clinton-releases-health-stats-to-public-trump-to-dr-oz.html

Obama leaving America a nerdier place

Barack Obama held a science event at the white house for kids to study viruses. Obama is very much a lover of science. His science advisor expected that he would need to help him a lot but he soon realized that everything that he taught Obama was obviously not new to him. He has also impressed many scientists with his knowledge of science. I think it is good that our president knows about science. This could help him make good decisions for the nature in our country. I really hope that the next president will know as much about science as President Obama.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/01/us/politics/obama-to-leave-the-white-house-a-nerdier-place-than-he-found-it.html

Hispanic Advisor of Trump will not support him any more

CNBC says that because of Trump's most recent speech, a former hispanic supporter Jacob Monty will not support him anymore. He says "We were expecting a Republican speech...And what we got was propaganda. ... There was no way I could continue to be part of his campaign." Monty was clearly very offended with his ideas for immigration. It would be very hard to support Donald Trump as a Latino. I would feel attacked if I was in that position. Yes Donald Trump wants to protect our country but he is not wording things right. He is making people hate him. Jacob Monty has a right to be angry with him. 

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/01/former-trump-hispanic-advisor-not-going-down-the-trump-train-any-longer.html 

  

Melania Trump sues Daily Mail

According to USA Today, Melania Trump has sued Daily Mail for saying things about her that are not true. Her lawyers say that they have made several comments about he that are completely false and that those comments are "damaging to her personal and professional career. I think that she does have a right to sue them. Especially because her husband is running for president, she does not want her reputation ruined. And those allegations are not true so she needs to address those rumors and shut them down.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/09/01/melania-trump-sues-daily-mail-maryland-blogger/89735258/

Clinton's Health Care Plan

According to CNBC, Hillary Clinton has announced her idea to improve the health care for patient with mental illnesses. She wants to integrate mental health services into the health care system. She wants mentally ill people to get the same amount of treatment as a person with a physical illness. She wants the mental health care quality better and she wants to help with suicide prevention. I think that this is very good for Clinton. I do believe that she wants to help the mentally ill people but this is also very good for her campaign. She has reached out to families with mental illness and those people know that she will be able to help. If elected, this will be great for our country.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/29/clinton-proposes-plan-to-address-mental-health-treatment.html

John McCain

According to The Washington Post, Senator John McCain and Donald Trump do not have the best relationship. In July of 2015 Donald Trump said that John McCain "Is only a war hero because he was captured" and that he prefers the veterans who weren't captured. John McCain was very offended at that comment and ever since he has not stated if he really supports Trump or not. He just says that he supports the republican party and the state of Arizona. I think that it was wrong for Trump to say that about John McCain. He is running for president and making fun of someone in his party. He doesn't even know what being captured is like and he is making fun of it. I think that Trump owes McCain a big apology.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/john-mccain-is-in-the-fight-of-his-life-in-the-age-of-donald-trump/2016/08/29/1e3168ac-6b11-11e6-99bf-f0cf3a6449a6_story.html 

Current Events: Blog Post 1

Trump wanting to help minorities
I watched a video of Donald Trump's speech on the Washington Post. He says that he wants to help the inner cities and he loves the minorities. He asks them to "give him a chance" and he asks "what do you have to lose?' He says that the democrats have made their lives worse and that he will make them better. Trump seems to contradict himself a lot. In the beginning of his campaign, he made a lot of racist comments. Even in his speech that I watched he said that he has employed a lot of african americans which to me seems a little racist. But yet he claims that he wants to help them? It doesn't really add up but he definitely has people on his side and that will vote for him.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/08/23/trump-just-admitted-his-entire-immigration-posture-is-a-big-scam/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-a%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.ef87c12733ec

Current Events: Blog Post 4

Paying people not to commit crimes
A small city outside of San Francisco California has decided to start paying people so they wont commit crimes according to Fox News. The city gives at least one hundred dollars a month to criminals so they wont commit crimes. It seems like a pretty good idea but some people are pretty mad about it. Families who have been affected by these criminals don't want to see them getting paid for being a good person. I think that it seems like a good idea but it seems unrealistic. This idea will lose the city money and there are a lot of criminals out there. There is no way that they can pay off every criminal in the city. It is good though that they are trying to decrease the crime rate.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/08/23/one-california-city-is-paying-people-not-to-commit-crimes.html

Current Events: Blog Post 3

Jill Stein
USA Today recently did an interview with the Green Party nominee Jill Stein. Her protest four years ago at the debate at Hofstra University was addressed during the debate. Stein said that this year she is hoping to be on stage at the debate as a fair candidate for president. She says that the two main candidates are two of the most hated people in the U.S. and she thinks that it is important for Americans to know that there is another option. I think that she has a point. Personally, I am not a big fan of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. If I had to vote today I would vote for Hillary Clinton but I know there are some people out there who don't want to vote for either of them so bad that they don't want to vote at all. It is good for those people to have someone else that they can vote for.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/08/18/jill-stein-how-far-she-go-make-splash-debates/88947500/

Current Events: Blog Post 2

Obama visits Baton Rouge after floods
USA Today followed President Obama's visit to Baton Rouge after the horrible floods there. Many people, including Donald Trump, have said that he visited too late but Obama ignored those comments. During his visit he really showed the people there that he cared and knew that it was a hard time for them. He also asked the American people not to turn away from the issue but to continue to give attention and help as much as they can. I do think that the presidents visit was a little late but i think what matter is that he does care. I can clearly see that he is very sad about the tragedy and wants to do everything in his power to help the city. I remember when he came to Alabama after the tornadoes in 2011. He was very kind and helping. I hope that our future president can learn from his actions.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/23/obama-tours-louisiana-flood-damage/89201802/

Current Events: Blog Post 1

The Clinton Foundation's future

I read on The Huffington Post that Hillary Clinton's possible election will weaken the Clinton Foundation. Clinton's recent scandal with the released emails has caused there to be a large decrease in donors. The foundation recently announced that Bill Clinton will step down from his position with the foundation if Clinton is elected. I don't think that the foundation could function very well without the founders participating. It almost seems like to me that the foundation was just made to help her in the political world. Donald Trump says that if he is elected he will work to shut the foundation down. Whoever is elected, The Clinton Foundation doesn't seem to have a bright future either way.
 http://www.npr.org/2016/08/23/491092322/clinton-foundation-to-shrink-considerably-if-hillary-clinton-is-elected

How religious is my state?

Alabama is tied for first in most religious state overall. I think that some of the detailed statistics are interesting. 82% of people living in Alabama say that they believe in God with absolute certainty. However, only 51% says that they actually go to church every week. Alabama seems to have a lot of people claiming to be christian but not practicing it. 73% says that they pray every day and 77% say that religion is very important to them. Most of the statistics are very high but I think that it is interesting that only 51% actually go to church. According to the site, we are one of the most religious states in the U.S. But it seems that more people are living up to a standard of being a Christian than actually practicing being a Christian.

What I have learned in AP Gov

In Ap Gov we have talked a lot about statistics. We have looked at a lot of charts and studied them carefully. We looked at the trend in political apathy among young and old people, we compared results between how much people knew about politics in 1972 and 2012, and may more. We also took a political typology quiz and a news quiz. Through the typology quiz, I discovered that I am a liberal. Already in just 3 days, my class has been very comfortable to talk about politics. But, we have room to grow and learn. I know that I will learn a lot this year and I am so excited to see what the rest of the year has for me.