"Don't Do It Sally!"

On October 11th, a kindergarten girl was put on homicide and suicide watch for a reason that you won't want to believe.  In the article "Kindergartener Forced to Sign Anit-Suicide Contract After Pointing Crayon", a girl only identified as Elizabeth was placed on suicide and homicide watch after pointing a crayon at a fellow student saying, "Pew! Pew!"  She was then forced into signing a "safety contract" without her mother knowing.  The mother, Rebecca, did not agree with the policy.

I really don't know how to respond to this article.  The absurdity of the situation is so mind-blowing that I honestly can't believe how this could have happened.  Because of the actions that the teachers took, Elizabeth now knows what homicide and suicide is.  I think schools need to calm down on their security policies because all it is doing is scarring the kids for a long time.

ISIS isn't so Hospitable

The FBI has just warned the military that ISIS may attack the United States at home (link to article), and it's going to get ugly.  "FBI Warns Military of ISIS Threat" describes the situation at hand that could cause a lot of damage to the U.S.  The extremist group is looking for likeminded Americans who want to cause harm to homeland America.  The FBI is currently spotting and assessing individuals who may be connected to this contact and/or have the same intentions.  ISIS somehow has gotten a hold of some soldiers' addresses and personal information, which is deeply concerning to the FBI and intelligence.

This article scares me deeply.  I know that there are individuals in the U.S. who want to destroy our country, but this being so prevalent is frightening.  I'm glad that the FBI is already seeking these people who would try to possibly hurt our nation.  I hope that they find out how ISIS knows some of the soldiers' information because that is a breach in our national security.  With the increase of events, I will remain scared until it is resolved.

South Carolina Legalizes Gay Marriage

In the article "1st Gay Marriage Licenses Issused in South Carolina," Bruce Smith describes the situation that has evolved (Link to article).  Judge Irvin Condon issued six gay marriage lisences to couples within the first hour and a half the Charleston County Probate Court was open, and Colleen Condon and Nichols Bleckley exchanged vows.  South Carolina was not allowing the marriages to be legal until the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision for a different gay marriage case, but two counties had probate judges that allowed them to be done.

This event is reliant upon the Fourteenth Amendment because the U.S. has been "discriminitory" against gays.  Gay couples feel that they should be included in the equal protection clause, therefore their marriages should be legal.  I find this hard to accept.  I do not discriminate against gays, but I do not agree with gay marriages.  I don't think the marriages should be legal, but these couples feel otherwise.  This shows how the 14th amendment still affects our lives today.

Abortion and Pot: States Making Crucial Decisions

In the article "Voters pass wage hikes, legal pot; divide on Abortion," by Greg Toppo and Laura Mandaro, they describe the election intiatives that took place.  (Link to Article)
During the Senate elections this week,  voters on the ballot initiatives in 41 states were for the recreational use of marijuana and higher minimum wages.  In Florida, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed doctors to prescibe marijuana to those with chronic diseases for relief.  But Oregon passed an initiative that legalized the recreational use of marijuana, allowing citizens to possess 8 ounces of the drug and cultivate 4 plants.  In Colorado and North Dakota, voters rejected adding unborn babies to the list of criminal actions, fearing that it would lead a ban to legal abortion.  In Tennessee, however, there have been more restrictions added that will regulate and restrict abortion.

These results are somewhat concerning to me.  The increased use of marijuana is something I personally disagree with.  I feel that with more marijuana usage, pressure on other illicit drugs may possibly be lightened up, and our country will seriously falter.  The abortion issue in many states is also concerning.  As I take a Pro-Life stance, I feel that those states who are protecting the right to abortion do not realize what they are doing.  I am pleased with the amendment Tennessee passed, because they are headed in the right direction.

Rounds for Senate

In the article "GOP Pulling Cash form South Dakota Senate Race" (Link to Article), Manu Raju discusses how confident Republicans in Washington are withdrawing funds from the senate campaign in South Dakota.  Rounds has been the leader of the campaign ever since he "blasted Pressler and Weiland with hard-hitting ads."  Rounds initially resisted airing the ads, but resorted to them recently, and they took a tremendous effect on the largely conservative state.  The article does mention Weiland's concern of the attack on him and Pressler.  Weiland states the negativity of the ads are not good for anyone including Rounds.

This article shows the current campaigning methods candidates are using.  The republicans obviously feel that Rounds will win Senate for SD, and that is the reason behind their withdrawal of funds.  I agree with Weiland that the ad hominem against other candidates is honestly a bad representation of what he or she believes is okay.  Yes, I understand that in a close race, this may be one of the only options left, but the votes should not be based on a person's attack on another person just for the sake of it.  I am glad that Rounds did not take that option right away, and I am excited to see the outcome of this race!  Go Rounds!

Independent is in my Nature

This man could flip the Senate - CNN.com

In an article published today, a low-key man by the name of Sen. Angus King from Maine could decide who will control the Senate next year.  As an Independent, he is urging his fellow Independent senators not to side with either Republicans or Democrats before the election.  King states if one was to announce who he or she was siding with, they might as well register as that party.  King has advised many Independent candidates, including South Dakota's Larry Pressler who is running this year.  Since there is a narrow division between the Republicans and Democrats, the group of Independents may tip the balance.  King states he will decide when the time comes, "making the best decision for Maine."

This article is extremely interesting because the fate of the whole Upper House of Congress is possibly dependent on a few people representing a small number of states.  Depending on the outcome of the polls, if there are many Independents elected, the ruling party may be different than everyone expected.  I feel that for the Independents' cause, they are doing the right thing.  Senator King has the right mindset in doing what is best for his state, just as any Congressman should do.  Though I am not eligible to vote yet, I will be following this as it proceeds to the elections because I find the possible shift in power to be mind-blowing.

Virus under fire

 President Barack Obama decided to stay in Washington, D.C., after a last minute choice, to discuss a national response to the growing Ebola epidemic in the United States rather than continuing his campaign (Link to article).  He stated that there must be a faster and more efficient monitoring of the infected patients, something that must be attacked aggressively.  Obama stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would "deploy SWAT teams within 24 hours to any hospital with an infected patient".  He calmed nervous tensions, stating that the lethal disease is not airborne. 

This article really made me glad that the President is actually taking some steps toward the protection of the nation from this new deadly epidemic.  I do think it was good on his part to put his campaigning aside to deal with this issue, but I don't really agree with the SWAT teams being assigned to the hospitals with infected patients.  I don't see why we should be doing that because it will only most likely add to the high tensions in those areas.  For the good of the people, I personally feel SWAT teams should stay out of this completely, but I'm not in the position to make that decision.  I do think that we should close our borders to those who have symptoms of Ebola, for the sake of the nation.

Ready or not, You're now done

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is giving its high ranking executive officers a final chance to retire before being fired.  The article "Skepticism from Congress on VA firings" explains how the VA is giving a final opportunity to those who are failing a chance to retire or find another job without consequence. Though Congress initially wanted to fire those in charge without notice, but the VA interpreted the idea differently, then offered a final chance.  Congress gave the VA secretary the authority to fire the failing executives directly, not just propose removing them.  The corruption in some of the departments in certain cities was the cause of this movement.

This new ordinance affects the VA directly, along with any veterans who use this resource.  It impacts Congress as well, because they made the decision, almost unanimously, to give the authority to the Secretary of the VA to fire certain officials they have pointed out.  I think that this will lead to a huge debate over how the certain governmental issues should be mandated and run, but I believe that Congress is doing the right thing by trying to preserve the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tunneling New Ideas

The article, "Is North Korea still digging tunnels to the South?" (Link to article), discusses the finding of another tunnel underneath Seoul, South Korea.  This tunnel was created by the North Koreans as a possible route for invasion, or so Gen. Hahn Sung-Chu thinks.  There were reports of vibrations from residents in Seoul, yet no subway was underneath.

A total of four tunnels have been found coming from the North into the South, yet the last one discovered was in 1990.  A former resident from the North said the operations peaked in the 1980s.  They would dig down 100-150m, then dig upwards towards the South.

This finding affects national security of South Korea, and the United States as we are helping South Korea defend themselves.  This new tunnel has increased security in South Korea, which is vital for the preservation of the South.  I feel that if there is continued tunnel creations, there will be a major conflict in the near future.

High Creativity

The article, "TSA: Woman arrested at JFK Airport with guns, pot," (Link to article) describes the latest fiasco of drug smuggling in New York City.  A woman, reportedly traveling from Canada to Barbados, was in possession of two disassembled .40 caliber pistols and 33 pounds of marijuana.  After having a baggage check, TSA agents found boxes of kitty litter, laundry tablets, and baby wipes packed with the illegal items.  The woman was arrested on the spot.

This story impacts the whole international airline community.  Drug smuggling has been a major issue in our country, as well as others, but it is becoming more prominent in the United States. 
I feel good that the TSA agents caught that woman because it helps to show that we as a nation are still against drugs (for the most part).  I am left with a positive feeling that our national security at airports are still performing their jobs to their fullest extent.

Interview or Names?

Returning from a trip only to see my school and classmates misrepresented really sent a shock through me.  After reading the article "C-SPAN bus rolls into town, but students still skeptical of political process" that was published in the Rapid City Journal on August 30, I was left with a feeling of unbelief and surprise.  I know this article is a direct misrepresentation of not only our school, but high schoolers throughout the country.

From what I was informed, the students whose names were published in the article were misquoted, giving a poor report of what was actually stated, or what they really meant.  The article informed its audience that students have little to no interest in government or politics.  Knowing who my AP Government classmates are, I can personally say that this group of students is one of the most enthusiastic groups for learning about the political and governmental processes.  For instance, my classmate Andrew and I attended the American Legion Boys State this past summer where we learned how the local and state governing bodies function.  My class has already looked ahead for trips to the South Dakota State Capitol. 

I feel that journalist Meredith Colias merely interviewed my classmates just to have some names, for she had written the article beforehand.  For this I am saddened to have my trust in my local media reduced.  It is a shame to have my faith shaken in something that I have trusted for many years, but we have all learned, least to say, the hard way.