Facebook’s political ads policy is predictably turning out to be a disaster

Link: https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/10/30/20939830/facebook-false-ads-california-adriel-hampton-elizabeth-warren-aoc

Summarry: In fall Facebook announced it wouldn’t fact-check political speech, including ads, and campaigns started to test the implications of this policy. In September, Facebook refused to take down an ad run by Donald Trump’s reelection campaign that made false claims about former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and their activities in Ukraine. Facebook wasn’t the only platform to refuse to pull the ad. Democrats decided to challenge the policy allowing fake ads by running fake ads of their own on Facebook. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who has emerged as a fierce Facebook critic in the 2020 primary,ran a fake ad claiming Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had endorsed Trump’s reelection. Warren also, without evidence, suggested that Facebook did this as a deal with Trump. And last week, high-profile freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez got Zuckerberg to admit that he'd probably let her run ads against Republicans saying they supported the Green New Deal. Along the way, Zuckerberg continued defending the policy, even as his own employees, in a rare move, wrote a letter expressing concern with the stance and pushed him to rethink his decisions.

Reaction: I find it ridiculous that Zuckerberg refuses to take down obviously fake political ads, which can lead to an attitude where truth doesn't matter and people can say what ever they want without being held accountable.

Connection to US history: This connects to the matter of free speech and its limits

Discussion Questions: Do you think they should take down these ads? Do you think any other rich people had some thing to do with this.

Jury awards nearly $20 million to police sergeant told to 'tone down your gayness'

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jury-awards-nearly-20-million-to-police-sergeant-14567748.php

Summary:

Sgt. Keith Wildhaber is an officer of the St. Louis County Police Department, who has 15 year of experience in
the force. He is a gay man who had applied for the position of lieutenant, scored top 3 for the written test, had a
clean disciplinary record, and positive performance reviews; however, was passed a total of 23 times because of
his sexual orientation. When he filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, he was transferred to a district 27 miles away from his home. After his transfer, Wildhaber filed a
second complaint, on a charge that claimed he was denied promotions because his actions did not fulfill the
criteria for what a man should be. A jury who recently sided with Wildhaber, awarded him nearly $20 million
on Friday, saying that change is necessary to prevent future incidents. However the St. Louis County Police
department denies this.

Reaction:

I think the St. Louis county police was being very unfair to Wildhaber because they had no reason to deny him
a promotion. He has proven himself to be trustworthy, hard working, and someone who has the community
behind him, yet they deny him because he decides to embrace who he really is. I am surprised this sort of
behavior had to be addressed in a courtroom, especially since we have become much more accepting of
homosexuality. They have become a part of our community that should have equal opportunities whether
someone is gay or straight.

Connection:

This connects to our current subject of the relocation and past treatments of Native Americans. There was
discrimination towards the Native Americans who are individuals, who had adjusted to the U.S and our
customs, adopted a constitution, have their own borders, schools, and when they tried to voice their opinions
and fight for themselves, they were relocated and moved.

Discussion:

Do you think the jury did enough to prevent further discrimination? Were the actions against Wildhaber justified?

Women At Ernst & Young Instructed On How To Dress, Act Nicely Around Men

Link: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/women-ernst-young-how-to-dress-act-around-men_n_5da721eee4b002e33e78606a?ncid=APPLENEWS00001

Summary: Female employees of Ernst & Young, a financial/accounting firm, received an extra training session earlier this year, which centered around "self-improvement"...of only the women. The workshop essentially highlighted antiquated women stereotypes. One attendee noted that the 55-page presentation suggested that "if you're having a conversation with a man, cross your legs and sit at an angle to him," and to not "talk to a man face-to-face," because men see that as threatening. It even further warned them to not "flaunt [their] body," because "sexuality scrambles the mind." The situation was formally investigated earlier this month. The company responded to the outbreak by defending themselves, claiming that these details were taken "wholly out of context." They vaguely informed that the forum is no longer being given, but refused to offer any more specifics. Other attendees were also contacted for additional commentary but suspiciously declined to respond.

Reaction: I think that this is obviously absurd. I was shocked to hear that these types of outdated gender stereotypes are still being preached in this current day and age, especially in the middle of the Me Too movement and other similar conversations. Even if the company claimed that the information was taken out of context, in my opinion, there is honestly no way to spin what was uncovered into a non-negative light. I also wonder why other women who attended the forum refused to give their own input of their own experience.

Connection to U.S. History: This connects to the Republican Motherhood during/after the American Revolution. The women of this era were given very limited lights, but only so that they were able to appropriately educate their sons so that they could become adequate future leaders of the nation. This concept greatly contributed to and emphasized women stereotypes.

Discussion Questions: Why do you think these gender stereotypes are still being circulated in 2019? What will it take for them to be eliminated completely? Do you think it's possible that the company bribed or posed some sort of threat to the other attendees to compel them to keep quiet?

US House votes to recognize Armenian 'genocide'

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50229787

Summary: Congress has just voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide, in a vote 405 to 11. The Armenian Genocide was the mass killing of the Armenian people within the Ottoman Empire during World War 1. This genocide had to take a little more than 100 years to recognize by the US government, but this mass killing has finally been recognized by the US government. The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the American government was due to growing tensions between Turkey and the United States, not because this was an event was an event of injustice. The Turkish government still doesn't recognize this genocide rather they recognize this event as a series of atrocities rather than a systematic way of killing a group of people.

Reaction: I am not surprised that Congress has finally came to a decision to recognize this tragic event. Many politicians such as Barack Obama pushed for the US government to recognize this event. This event has been "recognized" by Americans because this event has been taught in schools and is talked about within America and American media.

Connection to US history: I think that this recognition of the Armenian Genocide was similar to the Monroe Doctrine. In both the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the Monroe Doctrine, the American government establishes its foreign policy against other countries. The Monroe Doctrine and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide are both due not have a large effect in terms of lawmaking, but has a large effect in terms of foreign relations. Due to tensions with Turkey, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide helps America "assert its dominance" over Turkey. Similarly, the Monroe Doctrine was for the US government to "assert its dominance" over the western hemisphere against European powers.

Question for Discussion: What do you think will be an outcome due to the US passing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide?

Frustration Rises Amid Another Round of California Blackouts

article link: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2019-10-29/frustration-rises-amid-another-round-of-california-blackouts

Image:
                             

Summary: Frustration and anger mounted across Northern California as PG&E, the state's largest utility company, issued another round of widespread blackouts. They were issued in order to prevent their electrical equipment from starting wildfires in storing wind. Over one million people are left without power as fire departments rush to contain two major wildfires. Resources essential for evacuess such as gasoline raise an outrage within the counties. Many complain as unrest spreads across the state with their jobs and daily needs directly affected.  PG&E, which is facing bankruptcy from the wildfires, states that its upmost concern is public safety.

Reaction: It is very sad to seeing the people living in the affected counties have their daily lives interrupted, knowing that the catastrophe could've been avoided. For the past three years now, California has experienced major wildfires during this time of the year. This was more than enough time to find a solution to the problems regarding the faulty electric lines. I understand what PG&E is trying to achieve, but I don't think it is as effective, as it upsets the people and will have no effect on future years. I believe that complete change on the PG&E power line system is required to solve this problem.

Connection to U.S. History: The US has experienced many major wildfires since its founding. Its most prominent wildfire would be the Taylor Complex Fire in Alaska, which burned up to 6.6 million acres

Discussion Questions: How would you feel if your power was shut off repeatedly? Do you think PG&E's plan is effective? What would you do in order to make sure that a disaster like this never occurs again?

When Poor People Are Beaten for Seeking Help

Link To Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/opinion/hra-nyc-abuse.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

Image:

Summary: Employees and contractors of the New York social service system— the Human Resources Administration— have consistently faced stressful work conditions and low wages. Frustrated clients or case workers lashing out against staff members is a common sight and poorly supervised security or private guards may turn violent towards these workers. Despite a majority of the employees experiencing harsh treatment, the amount of formal complaints are few. Victims and attorneys claim that the abuse goes unreported because poor people are usually legally unrepresented. 

Reaction: It’s quite sad to see how very little light is shed over victims of work abuse. Nobody— regardless of class, ethnicity, or gender— deserves to be a target to these harsh conditions; nobody should have the authority to harass others. I believe that our generation has evolved to be more open and flexible— especially towards matters dealings with one’s social position; but when I find issues like this that still showcase the inferiority of ordinary, working people, it makes me contemplate whether our mindsets have grown at all or if we’ll always remain categorized by the social order. It is ironic how the United States is suppose to represent equality, but underlying discriminations are still present and will continue to exist. 

Connection to History: This issue sharply mirrors the United State’s long history of unjust treatment towards the inferior “lower class” (anyone not being a white male), where our government has repeatedly used inferiority as a justification to conduct brutal measures against the helpless, such as the act of slavery. The poor and common people have always demanded for a voice in society, often resulting in uprisings such as the Whiskey Rebellion, the Stono Rebellion, and Shay’s Rebellion.

Discussion Questions: Why do you think people target others? Do you believe that eventually people will be able to look past their differences? Should the government do something against subtle abuses of employees like this? If so, how?

High-voltage power line broke near origin of massive California fire that forced thousands of evacuations

article link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/24/fast-moving-wildfire-ignites-northern-california-wine-country-prompting-evacuations/

Summary: The Kincade Fire began Wednesday night, spreading rapidly through the Sonoma County area. As of Thursday night, October 24th, it has burned over 16,000 acres and is only 5% contained. A downed high-voltage transmission line has been found near the origin of the fire, but PG&E has not yet confessed responsibility. The utility company had shut down weaker low-voltage lines after a high wind report, not expecting larger units to be affected. A combination of the offshore El Diablo winds and dry landscape is currently fueling the fire, leaving it difficult to contain. Residents have been told to evacuate the area and PG&E has announced plans of large-scale power outages in coming weeks, similar to those two weeks ago.

Reaction: It's absurd that PG&E is not admitting liability for the Kincade Fire. Although not proven, evidence points to PG&E as the obvious initiator. It's clear that public safety is not their top priority. They have cost lives, homes, and billions in lost property over years of fire that could have been prevented. Even after causing so many fires, PG&E has tried to hide the option of burying safer systems underground, but has chosen not to because it costs more than overhead lines. They have also shown that they are capable of implementing large power shut-downs during high winds, yet are reluctant and unwilling to carry out the outages for too long as it loses revenue. Just last November, PG&E took responsibility for causing the most destructive wildfire in California history (Camp Fire in Paradise), after actively disregarding high wind warnings and leaving power on, then being forced to file bankruptcy to escape the enormous compensations they owed. Have they not learned their lesson?

Connection to history: The market revolution of the 19th century brought an end to the governmental control of businesses, allowing the development of large corporations and the growth of capitalism. Throughout the U.S.'s economic history, large corporations have grown to monopolize certain productions or services, that could not be avoided as the nation came to depend on these companies. Many times, when these corporate giants have risked public safety, they suffer little, as customers have no alternative to turn to. The country today relies especially on gas and electric to function.

Discussion questions: Is PG&E to blame, or are wildfires just one of California's natural disasters? Could PG&E do more to help victims of these fires? Is there anything the company could do in the future to prevent them? At this point, should the government interfere and possibly set more strict health regulations on private companies?

Impeachment Inquiry Is Legal

Article Link: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/us/politics/house-impeachment-subpoenas.amp.html

Summary: This Friday, Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the Federal District Court in Washington ruled that the impeachment inquiry is legal. This came with an order which directed the Justice Department to give secrecy grand jury evidence from the Mueller investigation to House impeachment investigators. The ruling takes a big part away from the Trump administration’s claim that the House was not conducting a valid impeachment inquiry since there was no formal vote to authorize it. Although the Justice Department is still reviewing the decision, the ruling is a victory for the Democrats. 

Reaction: I’ve been doing my best to follow along with the impeachment inquiry and I’m glad that it’s been ruled legal. Hopefully this means that the impeachment inquiry will continue without interference and it will be assisted by the courts by handing over documents. What I want for the inquiry is for it to be done fairly and within the law. 

Connection to U.S. History: In 1974 and 1988, the House voted to authorize the start of the impeachment proceedings of Nixon and Bill Clinton. But under the Constitution it is not required for there to be a vote. 

Questions: Do you think the House should vote to begin impeachment proceedings? If it has been done in the past why isn’t being done now?

Trump's Travel Ban Denies Even Those Pursuing An Educational Career

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/10/24/773095904/u-s-travel-ban-disrupts-the-worlds-largest-brain-science-meeting

Summary: A handful of people have been speaking out and complaining about the travel ban that Trump had signed through an executive order. They have been unable to attend the neuroscience events in the US, which loses opportunity to share knowledge of neuroscience and, in a slightly less obvious case, to be able to keep foreign relationships as stable as possible. People have been trying to find alternatives to be able to enter into the US, or not even enter the US at all. These people also wanted to look for occupations in the US, and maybe even a place to live. Since then, these people are unable to be involved in a lot of US activity in person, as they had to find another way to communicate to the US citizens, such as a video recording or presentation through another person.

Reaction: It is unreasonable that Trump's travel ban should affect even those that are obviously looking to pursue their career and not intend any threat whatsoever. Trump's ban is a reaction to the countries that may seem like a threat to the US, which is understandable considering the current events going on, but there should be a reasonable level of banning. I think we could just put strict regulations on those on the ban list. I also think that we should allow those who can be trusted because we can improve the US Foreign relationship at a personal level, despite the government levels of action going on.

Connection to U.S. History: Although this wasn't necessarily because the foreign people were seemingly intending harm, the Chinese Exclusion Act prevented Chinese people from entering the US. They only wanted to find a better life in the US, but is thwarted at a government level.

Questions: Do you think they should allow people of the banned foreign nations based on intentions? Should there be increased security if these people were allowed to enter the US (If so, how?) What changes would you make to the travel ban?

Use of Bullet-resistant Doors in Classroom is Spreading in the U.S.

link to article: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/success/bullet-resistant-school-doors/index.html

                             

                       (normal door on the left, high security bullet-resistant door on the right)

Summary: Last year, Harrington Park School in New Jersey contacted Remo Security Doors, a company that specializes in making high-security doors, with a plea for help to fortify their classrooms in case of a school shooting. The company was able to help, and created doors that appear very similar to normal classroom doors but are far more protective. These doors weigh 150 pounds and would require multiple rounds of gunfire to be penetrated. Similar companies such as R2P have been creating bullet-resistant doors for classrooms in other areas like South Carolina since late 2018. The doors of both companies range from $2,500-$4,000. Since 2018, Remo alone has installed hundreds of these bullet-resistant doors in over 70 schools around the country.

Reaction: Considering that our nation has experienced so many mass school shootings in the past decade, I feel that the fortification of classroom doors around the U.S. is a positive step in the direction towards a safer environment for students. Students undergo drills in case of a shooting, and our teachers are required to have a plan for safety. However, that does little in the case of an actual school shooting. There have been far too many casualties throughout the years and bullet-resistant doors are likely to save lives in the future.

Connection to U.S. history: The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stated that citizens have the right to keep and bare arms. Many people since then have abused this amendment and have used firearms to harm others.

Questions: Do you think the bullet-resistant doors are helpful? Would you want them in our school? Do you feel that changes should be made to our current gun-control policies?

In Chile, Protestors Continue to Defy the President and Military

Link to article: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/22/772078420/in-chile-protesters-decry-troop-deployment-as-a-pinochet-tactic

Summary: Over the past few weeks of protests and unrest in Chile, at least 18 people have died. Anger over low wages, price in healthcare, bad pensions, and rise in metro fares have led citizens of Santiago to demonstrate. The Chilean President, Sebastián Piñera apologized for the government being unable to address these social and economic issues. He has since suspended the rise in metro tickets, and issued a new social contract in hopes of benefitting all Chileans. Due to the state of emergency in place, schools in Santiago have been closed, and flights have been cancelled. Piñera issued military troops to disperse protests, by releasing teargas and and water cannons.  These past few weeks have left the citizens of Chile reminded of Gen. Augusto Pinochet's 17 year dictatorship that ended in 1990.

Reaction: I was personally surprised to see a stable and generally peaceful country like Chile to have such a violent outburst by the people and by the government. These Chilean protests are a reminder that people across the world will not forget history, they are willing to fight for justice.

Connection to history: Although the United States has never had a dictatorship, these protests are similar to that of the Kent State protests in 1970, in reaction to the bombing of neutral Cambodia during the Vietnam War. The reasons for protest were different, but a state of emergency was also declared, military troops were issued, and protestors were killed.

Discussion question: Do you think that how the Chilean government is handling these protests is just and humane?  How do you react to the issuing of troops at metro stations, shopping centers, and throughout the streets?  Under what circumstances would you go and protest?

Snowden and If the Government is Hiding Aliens

Article link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/us/edward-snowden-joe-rogan-conspiracies-trnd/index.html

Summary: Recently Edward Snowden, an infamous whistleblower that was once a member of the NSA, revealed that he has searched many US intelligence networks and has found NO proof of aliens. In addition, he also found out that the moon landing was NOT faked and also that chemtrails are NOT real. Snowden used to be the most wanted man in the world, being considered a patriot or a traitor by many, for revealing secrets about the NSA and many of its surveillance programs.

Reaction: I was kind of disappointed by this. Inside I was secretly hoping that there may be a chance for aliens to exist or at least some type of government conspiracy like the moon landing to be true, but Snowden has disproved this. There has also been a hot debate on whether Edward is an American hero or a traitorous backstabber. I think that, although what he was trying to do may have been for good intentions, the outcome and the fact that he fled may illustrate that he may have been trying to sabotage the government and its systems.

Connection to US History: Throughout history, there have been many who seemed like heroes to some but as traitors by the rest of the US, one famous example being the Whiskey Rebellion. Western farmers lived far from the heart of the economy during the early days of the US and their only income had been taxed heavily. They tried to fight for their jobs, but they were quickly shut down by the army and the leaders were deemed as traitors. Although not at all related, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 had the word alien in it.

Question for Discussion: Were you disappointed that aliens have not contacted humans or that many popular conspiracies were deemed false? Do you think he is a hero or a traitor? How should be punish those committing treason? Do you think those that go against the US government should always be deemed traitors?

Trump Calls Impeachment Inquiry A "Lynching"

Article Link: www.npr.org/2019/10/22/772206600/trump-calls-impeachment-inquiry-a-lynching

Summary: On October 22, 2019, President Trump compared the House's impeachment inquiries to a lynching via Twitter. In recent weeks, the House began impeachment inquiries into his ties with Ukraine and his use of a foreign government to gain dirt on a political opponent (Joe Biden). This article also shows bipartisan disappointment towards Trump for his poor choice of words from people such as Senate Majority Leader McConnell and House Minority Leader McCarthy to Rep. Bass who is also the chair of the Black Caucus.

Reaction: It is disappointing that President Trump would compare his impeachment inquiry to something wicked like lynching. The House is doing its job by looking into crimes the President has committed, and it is saddening to see the president forgo the interest of the American people for his own political gain. And for the president to compare congressional oversight to the heinous crime of lynching simply shows his lack of sensitivity, understanding, and care for the racism and discrimination that still runs deep within our country.

Connection to U.S. History: Lynching in the United States has been used as a way to control various groups of people, usually driven by racism and fear. According to the NAACP, 4,743 recorded lynchings occurred between 1882 to 1968.

Discussion Questions:
Do you think it is appropriate for Trump to compare the impeachment inquiry to a lynching?
Recently, Rep. Jackson Lee has proposed looking into reparations to compensate African Americans for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States." Do you think the U.S. should attempt to begin reconciliation with its history of racism and dehumanization of African Americans and other people of color? How do you think we can begin said reconciliation?

The men who feel left out of US abortion debate

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49240582

Summary: In recent months, many US states have begun to instate strict abortion laws. However, this article explains how many aspiring fathers feel as if their partner's abortions didn't take their consideration, and how these fathers now feel traumatized and heartbroken by loosing their fatherhood. This article takes into claim of both advocates for and against abortion, and shows the many ethics involved of letting men into the abortion process. 

Reaction: I feel sympathetic to the men described in the article, as they clearly wanted to raise a child. One of the quotes that I felt had a lot of impact was "Men had bought into how they have no say in this and that if they speak out, they are against women", which implies the sense of a false choice - either you're pro-life or you're against women - when in actuality, the issue of abortion is a grey area. I think that in some scenarios, men should have a stance in abortion as potential fatherhood can sometimes be important in deciding on aborting a fetus, but under what circumstances and grounds men's values and ideas should be translated into action, I do not know.

Connection to US history: In 1973, via Roe vs Wade, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion was legal throughout the fifty states. However, throughout the United State's history, the issue of abortion has been widely controversial, and recently, states have been enacting strict abortion regulations.

Questions for Discussion: 

• To what extent should men have a say in abortion?
• Is the idea of "potential fatherhood" important in deciding whether or not to abort?
• Under what circumstances should abortion be legal/ illegal?

Juul to stop selling several flavored products in the United States

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/17/health/juul-stop-selling-flavor-bn/index.html

Summary: After Trump's administration announces that they would issue guidance in the removal of Juul products in the market, Juul's new CEO, Crosthwaite, announces that Juul will be suspending all sales of the flavored Juul pods (such as mango, fruit, etc.) and all advertising of Juul in the United States. However, mint, menthol, and tobacco flavors remain to be sold online, the only source that Juul has been selling from. Juul claims that this move was to take a step forward in stopping underage usage of Juul and gaining trust from the people for the company. 

My reaction: Though I view the suspension of the flavored Juul products as the right step towards lessening underage usage of e-cigarettes, there's no stopping them from buying the mint, methanol, or tobacco flavors that are still in the market. The article also speaks about Juul supporters who argue that turning to Juul will help people quit smoking; however, I'm not all too sure that it actually helps people stop smoking. Perhaps I need to continue research on how Juul works to help people stop because, with a simple Google search, articles come up about how Juul actually doesn't help nicotine addiction, but actually worsens it. 

Connection to US History: From the abuse of opioids to Juuling, America continues to suffer the long term consequences of getting hooked onto drugs. Juul's suspension of selling flavored pods is similar to President John F. Kennedy's embargo on all US imports from Cuba, including the coveted Cuban cigars. 

For you: Do you think Juul actually cares about lessening underage usage? Is this suspension of flavored Juul pods the right step? Do you think the Trump administration could do more than just provide guidance? 

What is in the New Brexit Deal?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/world/europe/brexit-deal-details.html

          

Summary: Voters in the United Kingdom voted that they wanted to withdraw from the European Union because they wanted control over their borders and immigration. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but it is also connected to the Republic of Ireland, so the main issues are trade and borders. Former Prime minister Theresa May proposed that the UK would no longer be part of the union, but it would still be on the same economic system meaning that the UK could not make deals with other countries. Recently, current Prime minister Boris Johnson has proposed that the UK fully separate from the EU customs system, but North Ireland will remain the entry point and no tariffs will be placed on goods coming from the UK into North Ireland. This plan will be put to a vote in the election this year.

Reaction: I thought it was ironic how the British are fighting trade taxes put on the EU and back in the 18th century, they were doing the same to the American colonies.

Historical Connection: During the American Revolution, the colonies wanted to separate from Britain, so that they have total control over their laws and trade, especially tariffs.

Discussion questions:
Do you think Johnson's plan will succeed in keeping peace in trade or do you think that there should be a physical border between North Ireland and the Republic of Ireland? Do you think there is a better compromise? Explain. 

California Launches New Earthquake Early Warning System

Summary: State officials in California announce the launch of a new earthquake early warning system on Thursday, Oct 17. It will send earthquake alerts to the people through an app that can be downloaded for Android and Apple devices. It is the nations first statewide alert system. 

Reaction: I think that this new alert system is a huge thing that could ensure our safety. Seismologists have been working for years to try and create an early alert system to detect when an earthquake will strike. Earthquakes in California, mainly in the Bay Area, have caused major damage and many casualties. This system could start a new trend that could create better and more accurate warning systems that could save thousands of lives.

Connection to History: Earthquakes in California have occurred frequently in the past, like the huge 1906 earthquake and fire that destroyed the entire city of San Francisco. Also the 1989 earthquake that brought down a section of the Bay Bridge and burned down a part of the Marina District. These earthquakes have shaped our cities with new technology to re-enforce the buildings to withstand an earthquake and keep the people around and inside safe. Plus on Oct 17, 2019, it marks 30 years after the 1989 earthquake which is also the prediction of the next "big one" to strike.
History tends to repeat itself.

Questions: Do you think that this new warning system is actually accurate and consistent? Would you personally use this app? Why or why not?

Source: https://patch.com/california/alameda/california-launches-new-earthquake-early-warning-system

Doctor sounds alarm about spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Summary: 
The rise of superbugs: microbes immune to most potent medicine, has public health officials around the world looking for a solution. The Worldwide Health Organization predicts drug-resistant infections might cause ten million deaths a year — a lot of deadlier than cancer — by 2050 if no action is taken. The fundamental issue to acknowledge is superbugs might survive on your skin for years and wouldn't cause a problem if you have an immune system and skin that protects you. 
Superbugs are increasing as time passes, and also, the pharmaceutical business is losing interest in creating new antibiotics as a result because they're not always profitable. That means that the treatment choices are dwindling, meaning more people are going to have to suffer. 
Reaction:
I don't think many people are aware of this problem, and medical professionals have not been able to successfully treat patients infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This may snowball into even more significant issues if left under the covers for a few more years, may also wipe all of humanity out before Global Warming does. But if you think about it, if the human society is brought to its knees, Global Warming might be stopped, someone get this to Greta Thunberg. 
Connection to History: 
Pandemics have an infamous history of wiping out civilizations old and modern, smallpox -> Native Americans, The Black Death -> Europe and parts of Asia, Spanish Flu, Cholera, Flu, and the list goes on. Diseases helped the Spanish conquistadors conquer the Aztec and Inca empires, allowed the colonial expansion of America, and responsible for wiping out a third or more of people living in Europe at a moment in time. And history can repeat itself. 
Discussion Questions: 
Do you think that modern human civilization is prepared to handle another pandemic? What changes should be imposed on the health care system and protocols to prevent the further evolution of these dangerous microbes? What can you do to help raise awareness? 
Source

'Push him off': Florida police say officer should not have pushed man off roof

Summary: In Kissimmee, Florida, a police officer was ordered to push an 18 year old off a roof. The man was suspected of stealing his girlfriend's car and retreated to the roof when confronted by police. The man refused to come down after being told that he's "going to get tased and [he's] going to fall". Sgt. Anthony Amada then ordered Officer Plenio Massiah  to push the man off. The man landed uninjured and was then tazed. Massiah was temporarily suspended and Amada resigned. (source)

Reaction: While the man was unhurt and the Kissimmee police did rightfully condemn the officers actions, I think it is terrible that an experienced officer decided that this order was okay. I don't particularly blame officer Massiah; he was worried for his safety and has also been trained to follow orders.

Connection to U.S. History: The actions displayed by these officers, while obviously not as serious or as outraging, connect back to the United States' long history of police violence. The deaths of Rodney King, Eric Gardner, Michael Brown, and so many others are still fresh in public awareness. While this event may not have been racially motivated, it is still a sign of how police can abuse their power and hurt people.

Discussion: Do you think resignation or expulsion from the police force is adequate following events like this? Do you think the motivation for police violence is mostly racial or based on the inherent position of power that police hold?

The Feminist History of 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'

Link: http://hnn.us/article/173300


Summary: The popular American song 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' just seems to be a catchy tune to support your favorite baseball teams right? Well there's actually more to the song than what's seen on the surface. This song is actually based off the author's(Jack Norworth) girlfriend(Trixie Friganza) who was an enthusiastic advocator of feminism. 


Reaction: I find it amazing how something as simple as a song can be turned into a message relating to millions around the world. Feminism has been an issue that we've struggled with and are still struggling with even in the present. To turn something as universal as this song to connect and relate this message to people everywhere gives me hope that future generations will most likely achieve the goals that we haven't for example equal pay for all genders. 


Connection to History: This relates to Abigail Adams and her plea to her husband(John Adams) and the Constitutional Congress to take into consideration the rights of females when writing the Constitution. Throughout history, women have been silenced and seen as lesser than the average male. Only a select few, who are part of the elite could pursue a decent education.


Questions: Are there any other songs or well-known literature that has been inspired by feminist ideals? What do you think we can do to close the gap between inequality of genders?

How the Impeachment Process Works

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/24/us/politics/impeachment-trump-explained.html


Summary: Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about impeachment in the news because Congress is holding an impeachment inquiry involving the president. This article explains how the impeachment process works and also explains the background on what impeachable offenses are.

Reaction: I was surprised to learn that impeachment doesn't have well defined legal standards, but rather is a congressional vote on whether or not the president has committed “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”


Historical connection: Only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1968 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Nixon resigned to avoid being impeached. 
Question: Would we be better served if the standards of impeachment were more clearly defined? Why or why not?

The impeachment process is a method of ensuring a successful checks and balances system. The citizens and government of the United States are able to make sure that not one untrustworthy individual holds all power. Perhaps the flexibility of the process is what allows our government to be so permanent.

Greta Thunberg and 15 other children file a complaint against five countries over the climate crisis

Greta Thunberg and 15 other children filed a complaint against five countries over the climate crisis

Summary:In September, 16 children including Greta Thunberg and Alexandria Villaseñor filed complaints against Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina and Turkey which they say have violated their human rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, signed by all five countries. The complaints state that the countries have not used their resources to prevent the disastrous ramifications of global climate change. The children expressed how they considered the current lack of efforts of the countries have been making have led to disastrous effects in their communities and endangerment of their futures. 
Reaction:I was very happy to see that climate action is still making headlines in the news and that people are finally realizing what a big issue this is. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed to be reminded about the lack of effort that our own country by not signing the Paris Agreement or the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the two agreements mentioned in the article. I firmly believe that action, or even a climate revolution, must take place to prevent the destruction of life as we know it on our planet, for example, the Green New Deal.
Connection to US History:I believe that the issue of climate change that we are facing today is a direct result of rapid and unsustainable growth in countries around the world. In the US, the gilded age was an era in which industrial technology rapidly grew and ever since then industrial pollution has impacted people around the world.
Discussion Questions:Do you believe that climate change is an issue that requires a revolution as some activists may suggest? How can climate change be stopped? How should the US react to this issue?

 

California Shutdown of Private Prisons and Immigration Detention Centers

Summary:
Under a new bill approved by California Governor Gavin Newsom, California will begin to stop using private detention facilities and will of completely stopped using them by 2028. Under this law, California will also not be able to make any new contracts with these private organizations after January of 2020. This bill is meant to send a message that the state does not support the organizations that benefit from those in custody. However, there is also controversy about if the state government of California has the legal right to do this. 

Reaction:
I think that this law is a good thing because it makes it harder for private companies to be able to profit from the legal system. 

Connection to History:
The connection to history is its connection to the 10th Amendment, which says that any power not directly given to the federal government by the Constitution is reserved for the states.

Questions: Do you think that the state has the right to ban the use of private prisons and detention facilities?

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/12/politics/california-law-ban-private-for-profit-prisons/index.html

Giving prisoners a shot at a college education can turn lives around. But they need the government's help

 Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/11/perspectives/pell-grants-school-prison-pipeline/index.html

Summary: This is an opinion article. This is written in a point of view where he believes that everyone should have rights to an education. In this article, Novogratz believes that prisoners should have rights to an education because majority of prisoners come from poverty. Incarcerated people are barred by law from applying for federal assistance to pay for a postsecondary education while they're in prison.

Reaction: I think that prisoners should be able to apply for federal grants because once they served their punishment, it's hard enough to get a job with a criminal record, let alone without a education. Once they are out of prison, without an education, their life is made even harder than it has to be.

Connection to history: This connects to the Education Acts of 1974 which provided federal funding to schools with impoverished families. The two are connected because they both give financial help to those in less fortunate situations. 

Questions: Do you think that prisoners should be able to apply for federal grant and get an education? If so, why?

Iranian Women Allowed to Attend Soccer Game for First Time Since 1981

Link:  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/sports/soccer/iran-women.html

Summary: For the first time in decades, Iranian women were permitted into a men's sporting event. They were allowed to watch the World Cup qualifier against Cambodia after FIFA pressured Iranian authorities into lifting a ban that excluded women from attending men’s sporting events. The conservative Shi'ite theocracy segregates women and men at public events, but would face a potential ban if they didn’t cooperate with FIFA. Counter protesters opposed the ban lift, and rallied in the streets of Tehran, criticizing how the new policies are effects of submission into western influence. Despite permitting women into this soccer game, women are still prohibited from purchasing tickets to domestic league games.

Reaction: I am glad that changes are being made afters years of protests and backlash towards the unfair ban. I think that allowing women to attend this match a step in the right direction and I hope to see more inclusion of women in sporting events.

Connection to US History: Title IX, passed in 1972, is a law that prevents discrimination based on sex, and provides everyone with equal rights to any federally sponsored program. In Iran, women begin to have equal access to sporting events, similarly to how women in the U.S. were ensured equitable athletic opportunities.

Discussion Questions: Should the Iranian government promote equal access to sporting events? Do you consider this submission into western culture?