Posts in National
Facebook’s Latest Whistleblower Sends Shockwaves
Facebook’s Latest Whistleblower Sends Shockwaves

“Although both political parties are showing support to curtail the influence and effect of Facebook and its products, we must question whether real change can happen. According to Steven Levy, author of “Facebook: The Inside Story,” there have been obvious solutions, such as increasing privacy protection, that have been known for years; however, Congress has done little to act upon them. With a convincing story and demanding evidence, one can only hope Frances Haugen’s actions will lead to the removal of the negative influence Facebook and its products have on society.”

Read More
National, Editor's PicksJulian LoboSocial Media, Facebook, Editor's PickComment
Government Shutdown Avoided… But Another Fiscal Crisis Looms
Government Shutdown Avoided… But Another Fiscal Crisis Looms

“Breaching the debt ceiling will result in the U.S. government defaulting on debt payments. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that the government would run out of funds on October 18th. An economic crisis would certainly be born if the U.S. failed to meet its debt obligations for the first time in history. As it stands now, it is unknown if the ceiling will be raised or not.”

Read More
NationalTanner BaileyGovernment Spending, Government Shutdown, Federal Spending, Washington DCComment
Nowhere Left to Go: Biden Has No Clear Way Forward on Immigration
Nowhere Left to Go: Biden Has No Clear Way Forward on Immigration

“Biden and his administration find themselves in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, facing an influx of refugees from a country rife with political turmoil, and situated in a political landscape so polarized that one group has compared the actions at the border to chattel slavery, while on the other extreme, Tucker Carlson of Fox News accused Biden of purposefully attempting to change racial demographics in the U.S. through immigration.”

Read More
National, Editor's PicksEvan TarrImmigration, Joe Biden, Southern Border, Editor's PickComment
President Biden Struggles to Regain Footing as Approval Rating Sinks to All-Time Low
President Biden Struggles to Regain Footing as Approval Rating Sinks to All-Time Low

“President Biden’s rise in disapproval has been driven primarily by a drop in support among independent voters. 62% of independent voters in Iowa disapprove of the president, a troubling shift for a president who won the 2020 election by winning over moderate voters. Biden’s 32% approval rating is lower than both Obama and Trump’s lowest approvals in the state during their presidencies.”

Read More
NationalLogan KaelinJoe Biden, President Biden, Approval Ratings, Public School, Public OpinionComment
More Than a Recall: Gavin Newsom’s Decisive Victory in California Offers Insight into National Attitudes on Covid-19 Response, Trumpism, and More
More Than a Recall: Gavin Newsom’s Decisive Victory in California Offers Insight into National Attitudes on Covid-19 Response, Trumpism, and More

“Does the outcome of the recall and the margin by which Larry Elder was handily defeated indicate that the fanatic high of Trumpism has begun to wear off within the Republican party? Or does the mere fact that a candidate like Elder got this far suggest the very opposite?”

Read More
NationalCole MurphyCalifornia, Elections, DemocratsComment
Mere Words: Biden Pledges for Carbon Neutrality, but Has Achieved Little Action
Mere Words: Biden Pledges for Carbon Neutrality, but Has Achieved Little Action

“As world governments fight in over stagnating debates on climate policy, oceans continue to rise, smokestacks continue to run, and emissions continue to increase. The world is down to the wire, and even America, as a global hegemon, cannot escape these impacts. California already battles wildfires that grow in intensity and breadth each year, putting lives and communities at risk. With such culling approaching, President Biden issued a dire message: America only has a decade left to confront climate change before irreversible impacts manifest.”

Read More
Editor's Picks, NationalMichelle LiuClimate Change, Biden, Editor's PickComment
Republicans Rally to Support Trump’s Potential Bid for Re-Election in 2024.
Republicans Rally to Support Trump’s Potential Bid for Re-Election in 2024.

“As other candidates emerge, however, most Republicans remain loyal to Trump 2024. A poll conducted in August showed 72% of conservatives believe Trump should be the nominee for the GOP, with his highest support from Republicans lacking college degrees. Despite the plethora of other candidates and the time that has passed since Trump led the GOP, countless Republicans remain loyal to his bid, which offers the potential to propel him once again to the frontline of the GOP race.”

Read More
NationalKelli RainerTrump, 2024 Election, Elections, RepublicansComment
Congressional Democrats Race Against the Clock to Pass Massive Expansion of Nation’s Social Safety Net
Congressional Democrats Race Against the Clock to Pass Massive Expansion of Nation’s Social Safety Net

“Racing towards a self-imposed September 27th deadline of passage, Democrats in Congress are fighting tooth and nail to pass the largest expansion of the United State’s social safety net since the New Deal. The bill, with a whopping $3.5 trillion price tag, has caused divisions within the Democratic Party and has staunch opposition from Republicans in Congress — meaning the reconciliation process is likely the only path forward.”

Read More
NationalLogan KaelinJoe Biden, Biden, Democrats, Congress, Federal Spending, InfastructureComment
19 Months In: Misinformation Is An Infectious Disease Too
19 Months In: Misinformation Is An Infectious Disease Too

“This pandemic has already altered our way of life on a day to day basis and will more than likely have long-term consequences in the political sphere, as well as interactions between the government and its constituents. Nineteen months in, and misinformation still persists, emphasizing the ignorance, privilege, and entitlement that exists in the United States.”

Read More
NationalHannah GarnerPandemic, COVID-19, Mis, Social MediaComment
Robert E. Lee Statue Removed in Richmond — Debate Over Monuments Continues
Robert E. Lee Statue Removed in Richmond — Debate Over Monuments Continues

“On Wednesday September 8th, a massive bronze statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The actions in Virginia’s capital city were met with cheers and song from the crowd that gathered to watch the state’s largest statue of Lee finally come down. Governor Ralph Northam originally ordered the statue’s removal in June of 2020, though a series of lawsuits and court battles prolonged its removal, ultimately leading to a ruling from the Supreme Court of Virginia.”

Read More
NationalAdam TatumConfederacy, Civil War, Confederate StatuesComment
A Closer Look at Texas' Voter Integrity Law
A Closer Look at Texas' Voter Integrity Law

“The Texas voter law has indeed created restrictions, however, some argue the restrictions are not completely unreasonable. Voters still have plenty of opportunities to vote and there are exceptions for those with disabilities. The 2020 election was an extraordinary time with many things having to be changed in order to meet pandemic challenges — things will be different for the next election.”

Read More
NationalSeth MooreTexas, Voting Rights, Mail In VotingComment
Hurricane Ida’s Destructive Path and the Role of FEMA
Hurricane Ida’s Destructive Path and the Role of FEMA

“Hurricane Ida has brought tolls on lives and infrastructure; yet, this disaster, where many Americans, especially Lousianans, have been affected, has illustrated the combination of efforts within the local, state, and federal levels of government. Particularly, FEMA has taken great measures to address natural disaster relief ever since 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, including financial relief and supply delivery. Ultimately, Hurricane Ida importantly underscores the role climate change scientifically plays in natural disaster formation and emphasizes forward-thinking solutions that combat climate change.”

Read More
NationalAnthony HuiClimate Change, FEMA, Hurricanes, Natural DisasterComment
Abortion Rights Take Center Stage
Abortion Rights Take Center Stage

“The most restrictive abortion ban in the United States became effective on September 1 in Texas. Texas Senate Bill 8, also known as TX SB8 or “The Heartbeat Bill,” was passed in May by the Texas State Legislature. SB8 prohibits nearly all abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Violators of the law, including anyone aiding or abetting a person receiving abortion care, can be sued by private citizens of the state.”

Read More
NationalMira FeffermanHuman Rights, Supreme Court, Texas, Abortion Rights, AbortionComment
Election Reform and Its 2022 Impact
Election Reform and Its 2022 Impact

“The rationale of these laws from Republican legislators is to protect election integrity, and the pushback from Democrats is that election fraud impacts elections so little, that passing these laws does not combat fraud, but prevents key populations from voting. A large part of the narrative that elections are not secure come from former President Donald Trump as he continues to share that he should have won the 2020 presidential election.”

Read More
NationalKatharine KurzElections, 2022, Election ReformComment
Citizens United to... Megadonors United?
Citizens United to... Megadonors United?

“Now, over 11 years after the Citizens United decision, it’s both the wealthy corporations and individuals putting their money —and by extension — influence into campaigns and their outcomes. Recent data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks federal election spending, shows that just 12 megadonors — at least eight of whom are billionaires — contributed a combined $3.4 billion to federal candidates and political groups between January 2009 and December 2020.”

Read More
NationalManav ShahCitizens United, Elections, Megadonors, Campaign ReformComment
Do All Republican Roads Lead to Donald Trump?
Do All Republican Roads Lead to Donald Trump?

“Much speculation about the future of the Republican Party and its prospects in the 2024 presidential election has already entered the realm of political discussion. However, former President Donald Trump’s continued displays of dominance in GOP internal politics further widens the divide between staunch Trump allies and other Republicans who seek to move past the era of Donald Trump. In light of the recent closed-door donor retreat held at Mar-a-Lago to gear up for the 2022 midterm elections last weekend and the party’s inability to move on from the former president, the question remains: do all Republican roads lead to Donald Trump?”

Read More
NationalAdam TatumEditor's Pick, Trumpism, trump, GOP, ElectionComment