Obama: 'We handled it the way it should have been handled’

In this article about Obama’s end of the year speech written by David Jackson and Gregory Korte, Obama speaks about the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee. Theses hackings were the main reason for the exposure of emails produced by the DNC and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Obama indirectly questioned Republicans who believe Russian president Putin over American officials who are seen as favoring Democrats. This is shown in a poll that Obama brings up that say’s, “37% of Republican voters approve of Putin, a former KGB official”. Trump is one such Republican that chooses to ignore US intelligent agencies in favor of believing Russia. Trump believes the Russian hacking story has been promoted in order to de-legitimize the election. Obama strongly believes the US needs to put Russia in its place by saying “They are a smaller country. They are a weaker country. Their economy doesn’t produce anything that anybody wants to buy, except oil and gas and arms. They don’t innovate. But they can impact us if we lose track of who we are”. Obama ended his speech by saying he believes they handled the problem in the best way possible with the circumstances they were given.  

Questions:

1. Do you think Trump will acknowledge and support Obama's opinion on how to deal with Russia, even though he has shown support towards Russia?
2. Do you believe Obama handled it in the correct manner? Why or why not?
3. Do you believe these hackings changes the election and in what ways?

Link:http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/16/obama-year-end-news-conference-trump-russia-hacking/95515212/

Donald Trump Responds to Winning Time's "Person of the Year"

Trump Named Time's "Person of the Year"

At a recent rally to get out the vote for Republican Senate hopeful John Kennedy, Trump references his recent win as Time's Person of the Year, claiming the title should revert back to 'Man of the Year.' Prior to this statement, he discussed the benefits that Kennedy's win would bring him--Trump believes Kennedy will help him build the wall. Kennedy's likely win would give Republicans a 52-48 Senate majority. Trump later discussed some of the promises he made during his campaign, including renegotiating trade deals. He also brought up the Boeing situation and his disgust with people that burn the American flag, even mentioning the tweet he recently posted about the topic. At the end of the rally, when Trump argued that 'Person of the Year' is too politically correct, supporters of the President-Elect--who had waited four hours to hear him speak--heartily agreed.

Questions:

1. Do you think the term "Person of the Year" is too politically correct? Why or why not?

2. What do you think Trump's "Person of the Year" win will do for his popularity?

3. If Kennedy does win, how will the 52-48 Republican Senate majority help advance Trump's agenda?

‘Forced busing’ didn’t fail. Desegregation is the best way to improve our schools.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/10/23/forced-busing-didnt-fail-desegregation-is-the-best-way-to-improve-our-schools/?utm_term=.23babff09f7e

This article, which was written by George Theoharis, states the overall impact that busing had on test scores and the widening gap in test scores since the end of forced busing. By using facts in this article, George is able to show that his position on this subject is true. Even though we may not see this widening gap in Burlingame, "U.S. schools have become more segregated since 1990, and students in major metropolitan areas have been most severely divided by race and income, according to the University of California at Los Angeles’s Civil Rights Project." This shows that in times where many of us from the Peninsula believe that the segregation and education difference between schools is close to non-existent, it is actually something that still widely affects the lives of so many students who are trying to learn, mainly those in the Northeast. The times of desegregation of schools in the 70s and 80s actually saw steady gains of school integration and also the significant improvement in educational equity. However, "since 1988, when education policy shifted away from desegregation efforts, the reading test score gap has grown — to 26 points in 2012 — with segregated schooling increasing in every region of the country." George Theoharis believes that the integration of schools was the best way to help those students who do not have the best educational opportunities to learn and receive the best education available. We can’t continue to ignore the growing hold segregation has on our schools


Would the integration of schools help bring equality or Would it cause more separation through boycotts and riots?

Is the author correct in his statement that "Forced busing didn't fail"? Why or why not?

What has changed, since the 1970s and 1980s, that may prove a different outcome in the integration of schools today in cities that are widely separated by race and social class?

On Campus, Trump Fans Say They Need 'Safe Spaces'

Students protest the election of Donald Trump.

After Donald Trump became the 2016 president elect, many students at universities across the nation protested the results of the election. This election has affected the environment at multiple universities, affecting both liberals and conservatives. Conservative Amanda Delekta, a student at the University of Michigan and political director of the College Republicans celebrated Trump's win, but was disappointed in her university. Delekta claims that the university president catered to the liberal majority, because he sent out an email publicizing a vigil in reaction to Trump's win, and listing counseling resources for students. Many conservative students at numerous universities believe believe that they need a "safe space", a term more often used by the left, because they feel their opinion is not respected. LiberalIbithal Makki, a student herself, stated that "“To turn around and say that they need safe spaces after their candidate won I think is ironic and hypocritical. ” She also believes that conservatives do not understand the need for safe spaces, "because they never needed it, because they don’t have any of the identities that made them feel that way.” Many conservative students across the country felt offended by many university' officials assuming that everyone on campus was unhappy by the election results. Many conservatives feel that they are being ostracized for their supporting of Trump, and many liberals feel that their civil liberties may be taken away under Trump's presidency at these colleges.

1. Do you believe that a "safe space" is needed for conservatives/Trump supporters, liberals, both, or none at all at college campuses?

2. What do you believe the future will look like in terms of political polarization/the ability to discuss politics at universities across the country?

3. What do you think will be needed to create unity at college campuses?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/us/politics/political-divide-on-campuses-hardens-after-trumps-victory.html

How Ben Carson Could Undo a Desegregation Effort

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/upshot/how-ben-carson-at-housing-could-undo-a-desegregation-effort.html?action=click&contentCollection=Politics&module=RelatedCoverage&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

Throughout the Obama Presidency, there have been active efforts to promote oversight of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which attempts to allow equal housing opportunities to all people across the country. Nearing the end of his second term, the initiative is still working to turn out success reports of desegregation in American cities and suburbs. "In 2015, his administration rolled out a rule requiring local communities to assess their own patterns of racial and income segregation and make genuine plans to address them." Until this action, the 1968 law had gone relatively unrecognized and disrespected by urban planners in functional cities looking to avoid connotations with racial violence and inevitable poverty. Just as the Obama Administration started to make headway in the civil rights matter, a new, ignorant shadow looks to be ominously threatening any and all progress made thus far.
As Ben Carson was just nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), some predict that his inexperience and misunderstanding of the necessity to uphold laws will lead to a demise of the progress made to reverse the entrenched American segregated housing. As many of us know, Ben Carson grew up impoverished, but ended up as a successful surgeon and recent Republican Presidential candidate. He has absolutely no professional ties or experience in the field of urban development and housing, which is the specialty of the department he is expected to head up in January (pending Congressional approval). This immediately raises red flags in the eyes of any Americans who had hopes for the desegregation initiative, and has them hoping that the first round's success can miraculously sway the opinions of the Republican dominated government before the inauguration of the next President.

1. Do you think that the Trump Administration will continue the work to desegregate American housing? Will Congress defund the project?

2. Do you think that housing segregation is inevitable? Is it unnatural to place people and families in inorganic communities or is it time to force integration?

3. Will Ben Carson be very effective if he is confirmed for the HUD position? Why or why not?

Judge Maryanne Trump Barry

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/08/meet-donald-trumps-sister-the-tough-federal-judge-ted-cruz-called-a-radical-pro-abortion-extremist/?utm_term=.0498cf0338ec

President Elect Trump, has a lesser well known sister named Maryanne Trump Barry. While Barry may be more removed from the media's spotlight, she is still a renown and experienced judge. She serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and embodies the same straight forward attitude as her brother. Unlike Donald however, Maryanne Trump is greatly more liberal in her political views. While some of her peers such as Judge Mathew Stiegler have characterized Judge Barry as a moderate-conservative Republican, her pro-choice and economical rulings have suggested other wise. Early in his campaign Trump voiced his opinion that she was a "great" judge and joked about appointing her to the High Court. Due to this, other candidates such as Ted Cruz took advantage of that statement and used it against Trump during his campaign.

1. After reading about her previous involvement and convictions as a judge do you believe Maryanne Trump to be a moderate-conservative or more liberal?

2. What do Donald Trump and Maryanne Barry have in common? How do they differ both politically and socially?

3. What are the chances that Trump nominates his sister for the High Court (especially after already involving his immediate family in political affairs)? If Maryanne was nominated how would that affect his approval rating and chance for reelection?


Zachary Israelit

Trump Threatens to Revoke Flag Burner’s Citizenship

In the early morning of November 29th, Trump tweets “Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag- if they do, there must be consequences- perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail”. Trump proposed the idea that any Americans who protest against government policies such as burning the flag could lose their citizenship (along with other rights such as voting rights) as punishment. The tweet quickly spread throughout the internet and people were furious by his quote. Opposing views asserted that First Amendment allowed flag burning as a form of political expression. Flag burning has been a controversial action since the mid 1900s. In 2005, there was an attempt to pass the Flag Protection Act, however it was denied because some argued that it interfered with the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

Questions:

1. What does Trump’s tweet reveal about his knowledge regarding the Constitution?
2. Why is Trump’s tweet so controversial and infuriated many people?
3. Should burning flags be banned ? Why or why not?
4. The Congress almost passed the legislation on banning flag desecration in 2006 (was one vote short), do you think the legislation will ever be passed in the future? Why?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/us/politics/trump-flag-burners-citizenship-first-amendment.html?_r=0

How Trumps Presidency Will Effect The Supreme Court

After the election was over and Trump had one, one of the main concerns of Democrats was who he would appoint to fill Scalia's seat.

Republicans now control the Congress, The Executive Branch, and soon will control the Supreme court once one of Trumps Supreme Court nominations are confirmed. Yet that is not the only issue, as two historically liberal judges are becoming very old. They are Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is 83, and Justice Stephen G. Breyer, who is 78. Yet some say that the judges Trump is appointing are more traditional and conservative than he is and that because of this, they will not grant Trump a free pass on policies that could threaten the constitution. Despite the fact, the United States is still faced with a very possible scenario that 2 additional seats could open up and that there would be a 7-2 ratio of conservatives to liberals. The final though from Mr Shapiro from the Cato institute is that what will happen when Trump realizes that in many situations, the conservative judges he is appointing may often rule against him?

Questions:

1. Do you think that appointing ultra-conservative judges is the right move for Trump? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Congress will try to push more aggressive legislation knowing that they have support from the Supreme Court?

3. Elaborate on the scenario of a 7-2 judicial ratio. What do you think would happen if this were to become a reality?

Link

What is at stake in the first Supreme Court case on transgender rights

This is Gavin Grimm, who is suing is local school over his Bathroom use

Three years ago, Gavin Grimm, then a high-school freshman in Virginia, struggled with his gender identity. Deemed a girl at birth, but feeling like a boy, Gavin’s stress was so great that he often found himself skipping class. After talking to a psychologist and receiving a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, Mr Grimm began to live as a boy, with a treatment plan that asked others to treat him “as a boy in all respects, including when using the restroom.  This did not go over well with other parents of students and the complaints lead the school board to make this statement: "male and female restroom and locker room facilities...shall be limited to the corresponding biological genders”.  Grimm decided to sue the school board and the case eventually made it to the supreme court. In August, the Supreme Court stayed this ruling, keeping Mr Grimm out of the boys’ restroom at the beginning of his senior year while the justices decided whether to take the case. However, in October the court announced it would consider the matter during its current term.

What do you believe is at stake for this specific supreme court case?

What do you think the supreme court will rule on this case and why?

What is your stance on Transgender rights?

Roe v. Wade

What Might Happen to Abortion Rights if Roe v Wade is Overturned

Roe v. Wade was the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, however, under Donald Trump's presidency, the ruling could be overturned. With a vacancy in the Supreme Court, Trump could appoint a justice who is "pro-life"who would reverse the decision made in 1973. However, the Supreme Court is at a 5-3 majority supporting abortion, therefore, even with a new justice, the majority still stands with abortion rights. If Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion would be come a state matter and leave the decision to state legislatures. In many Republican states, abortion clinics have already been closed forcing women to go to great distances to receive an abortion or other services. Jennifer Dalven, the director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Reproductive Freedom Project argues that this presents a large burden for low-income women and others who cannot afford to travel. Additionally, without access to abortion providers, women would seek to self-induce an abortion. Vicki Saporta, the president of the National Abortion Federation stated it won't be "easy to overturn Roe... [w]omen in this country would not stand for it."

Questions:
1) Do you think Roe v. Wade could be overturned? Why or why not?
2) Do you think Roe v. Wade will be a large factor in future elections?
3) If the Supreme Court vacancy is filled by a conservative justice, how could this change future rulings?

Trump University Settlement

Donald Trump Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Trump University Settlement

On 11/18, Trump settled his various Trump University lawsuits, including two federal class-action cases in San Diego and a lawsuit by New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman. Claims that Trump University "used high-pressure sales tactics and employed unqualified instructors" to cheat students "out of thousands of dollars in tuition through deceptive claims about what they would learn" sparked these lawsuits, and finally they have been settled: Trump must pay $25 million. Although these lawsuits have been around for months, Trump had not previously settled because he wanted to fight the allegations on "principle" and even denounced the California cases supposedly because of the judge's Mexican heritage. Now, as one of Trump's lawyers stated, the "resolution of these matters allows President-elect Trump to devote his full attention to the important issues facing our great nation."

Questions:

1. If this settlement were reached a month ago, do you think it would have had an impact on the presidential election? Why or why not?
2. Should he have paid more for this settlement?
3. Will this have an effect on how people currently view Trump? Will this resolution be viewed negatively, positively, or will it be mostly ignored?

Senate Democrats’ Surprising Strategy: Trying to Align With Trump

The Democrats elect Chuck Schumer as their new minority leader in the Senate. He will lead the democrats in the Senate on their future agenda.

On November 8, 2016, the Democrats suffered an unexpected but heavy defeat after losing the President elections, Senate elections, and the House of Representatives elections. Now, the Congressional Democrats are constructing an agenda to align with some of the policies of newly elected president Donald Trump. The Democrat's plan is to regain the trust of white working-class voters that Trump had stolen in the 2016 election. Unlike more conservative Republicans, Trump has actually advocated for some issues that the Democrat Party have long called for, such as more spending on infrastructures, punishing offshoring, and paid maternity leaves. However, Democrats will still oppose Trump's decision on tax cuts for the wealthy and plan to deport millions of illegal immigrants.

Source to original article: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/us/politics/democrats-house-senate.html?_r=0

Questions:

1) Was the Democrats defeat in the 2016 elections really "unexpected" despite the backlash against Obamacare, Obama doubling the national debt, and Clinton's email controversy?

2) If you were a member of Congress as a Democrat, would you try to win the majority by siding with Trump to bring back the white working-class voters or oppose Trump in an attempt to strength the support from minority and young voters? And why?

3) Do you believe the Democrats have a chance in the 2018 midterms elections or will the Republicans countinue their success?

Senator Barbara Boxer's Electoral College Bill

 Note

Sen. Barbara Boxer to introduce bill to end Electoral College

This past Tuesday, the retiring Democrat senator from California, Barbara Boxer announced that she was planning on introducing a bill to abolish the Electoral College. During the presidential elections, Boxer was an avid supporter of Hillary Clinton and recently tweeted that "The Electoral College is an outdated, undemocratic system that does not reflect our modern society, and it needs to change immediately. Every American should be guaranteed that their vote counts." In a GOP-controlled Senate, it is very unlikely that such a bill would past, in addition to the 3/4 states ratification it would need, in order to amend the Constitution. However, such a bill further exemplifies the strong political divide within our nation, post-presidential election. 

1. Donald Trump has previously tweeted AGAINST the Electoral College (before he won, of course). Is this in anyway a partisan issue? Or is it simply a party reaction to undesired results?

2. Do you believe we should abolish the electoral college? If so, what would be a better system? Note: Trump has proposed a "simple votes" system. In his 60 minutes interview he said, "I would rather see it where you went with simple votes. You know, you get 100 million votes and somebody else gets 90 million votes and you win."   

Prop 64 Legalize it?

California Prop 64 proposes the legalization of Marijuana in California. The main reason here is to decriminalize Marijuana in order to reduce the amount of non-violent drug offenders. Voting yes would simply legalize it while voting no would cancel the proposition. Those who are for argue that it will open the doors for a new industry with large revenues while also ending the failed war on drugs. On the other hand those who are against argue that the proposition will increase DUI rates while also decimating small farmers. Most people consider the war on drugs a failure and Prop 64 is seen by many as a step away from the failed war on drugs. A lot of people however still see Marijuana as a dangerous gateway drug and therefore do not consider legalization a smart move.

Questions

1.  Will this Prop pass? Why/why not?
2. Do you think that Prop 64 will help end the war on drugs and reduce non-violent drug charges?
3. Do you consider Marijuana a gateway drug with serious consequences? Why/why not? Does this affect your stance on Prop 64?

California Proposition 58

Voting "yes" on Proposition 58 would repeal most of Proposition 227 from 1998. Proposition 277 established that students in the US must learn from teachers who speak only English, and that if a student is an English-learner, they must take English instruction for one year before taking English-only classes. If Proposition 58 is passes, schools will be able to include bilingual education, where teachers would speak both English, and the native language of the students.
For California, this would likely pertain to Spanish-speakers and some Asian languages. As we are on the eve of an election which has brought a lot of attention to Hispanic residents, this proposition ties in to the current discussion over acceptance of the many ethnic groups in the US. In particular, Mr. Trump has been noted as saying that "...I think that when you get right down to it, we're a nation that speaks English. I think that, while we're in this nation, we should be speaking English." As a result, Proposition 58 may become quite partisan. Donald Trump is the Republican candidate and by this statement vote against Proposition 58, while those who vote in favor of this proposition will more likely be Democrats, as many Hispanic and other ethnic groups affiliate with the Democratic Party.
Prop 58 Link

Questions:
1) Trump has been noted as saying that "...I think that when you get right down to it, we're a nation that speaks English. I think that, while we're in this nation, we should be speaking English." Do you think Proposition 58 will become partisan? Donald Trump is the Republican candidate and by this statement vote against Proposition 58, while those who vote in favor of this proposition will more likely be Democrats, as many Hispanic and other ethnic groups affiliate with the Democratic Party. 
2) Do you believe this proposition will be passed/not passed? Why? What does this mean?
3) If this proposition does pass, what will be the impacts? Will they be positive or negative (opinion + fact/evidence)?

The Death Penalty: Props 62 and 66

The Death Penalty is a punishment that can be assigned to extremely violent murderers, child rapists, and criminals against the state.  Prop 62, otherwise known as the Death Penalty Initiative, promises to save taxpayers' money by ending the death penalty and converting death sentences to life imprisonment without parole.  While terminating the death penalty may seem cheaper and more humane, critics claim that Capitol Punishment is the only means of guaranteeing justice.  These contenders often support Prop 66, which seeks to mend rather than end the Death Penalty.

Analyze the above cartoon regarding the Death Penalty.
1. Does the cartoon seem to support Prop 62 or 66, or does it completely disagree with both?
2. Pay particular attention to the race of the person sentenced to die and the method of execution.  Is the artist trying to appeal to a certain group?  What is he/she saying about the Death Penalty?

Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures

Why Democrats Are Set To Retake State Legislatures

It is estimated the Democrats will retake state legislature from the Republicans.  Trump's unpopularity is a factor in this shift, but is not the only reason. One of the main reasons that the Democratic party is projected to do so well in the coming election is because they have lost the last four elections and simply have nowhere to go but up. Another reason is that the party that has been elected to the white house tends to lose state level legislative seats. The party majority will be affected by who wins the presidential election but it looks as though the Democrats cannot do any worse than they already are,  and Republicans have everything to lose because of the striking unpopularity of their candidate.
Questions:
1) How will the changing of party majority affect congressional gridlock?
2) How has the polarization of political parties played a role in the shift of party majority?
3)Do you agree that the democrats will retake state legislation?
4) How will redistricting in 2020 effect the party majority?

Donald Trump’s Threat to Reject Election Results Alarms Scholars

Donald Trump’s Threat to Reject Election Results Alarms Scholars


Summary:

Donald Trump used the high-profile setting of the final presidential debate here Wednesday night to amplify one of the most explosive charges of his candidacy: that if he loses the election, he might consider the results illegitimate because the process is rigged. “I will look at it at the time,” Trump said when asked whether he would accept the results. When debate moderator Chris Wallace pressed him on the issue, he said, “I’ll keep you in suspense.”“If you look at your voter rolls, you will see millions of people who are registered to vote” who shouldn’t be registered, Trump said. He added that not only was there widespread corruption, but that Clinton “should not be allowed to run.” Clinton brought up that when the FBI said there was no case, Trump said the FBI was rigged. When he lost the Iowa caucus, he said that was rigged. When he lost the Wisconsin primary, he said that was rigged, too. When he got sued over fraud for Trump University, the court system was  rigged. However, these elections are governed by states and local governments. Both parties have election watchers to point out and contest irregularities. Voting machines are tested in public with witnesses from both parties watching. There are backstops in place to check election results long after polls have closed.

Questions:

Why does Donald Trump believe the election is "rigged?"

Why are Democratic scholars extremely  offended when Trump refused to say he would accept the election’s outcome? 

In what way is Trump being compared to a other non Democratic leaders?

What message is Trump sending out to people about the election process? Why is this a bad 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/us/politics/video-dnc-trump-rallies.html?ref=politics

Earlier this week before the last presidential debate of this election, Democratic consultants, Creamer and Foval were caught on tape talking about how their organization tries to agitate riots and chaos at Trump rallies and other Republican events. These videos have been viewed by more than eight million people on YouTube, as it a increasingly controversial topic.

The legitimacy of these videos have been thoroughly questioned. The group that produced these videos, Project Veritas, is known to be very conservative. On top of that they are known to have posted questionable videos in the past.

Foval is claiming that the only reason he stated these things was to impress a potential donor. On one hand, Foval claims that his group trained a 68 year old women to create chaos at Trump’s rally in North Carolina, but on the other hand the woman in question claims that she simply attended this rally since it was located close to her home.

If true, these project Hillary, her campaign, and Democrat party in quite a negative light. First the DNC was caught trying to damage Senator Bernie Sanders Presidential bid, and now the Democrat Party is attempting to sabotage numerous Trump events, what is next?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDc8PVCvfKs

1. For someone who goes into such graphic detail, is it hard to debate that this video is false?
2. Do you think this incident can cost Hillary the election?
3. Are these acceptable tactics in a Democratic election?
4. Do you believe these videos are legitimate because of the questionable reputation of the producers?
5. The article claims that Bush took part in similar actions during the recount in 2000, so does it make it ok if both sides have done it?

Donald Trump Says He Will Accept Election Outcome (‘if I Win’)

Link

Summary: 

On Thursday Trump suggested that the election was rigged against him, stating “I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election — if I win,”. He claims that he would accept a clear election result, however he established that he "would also reserve [his] right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result". Hillary's running mate, Senator Tim Kaine, argues that the democratic ticket needs “a mandate” this election so that Trump will not be doubtful of the results. Because of Trump's "if I win" statement, it might be possible that Trump is acknowledging defeat.

Questions:

1.  Do you think Trump is Acknowledging defeat?
2. Do you think Trumps claims that the election may be rigged against him are justified?
3. How might Trump's claims affect his outcome in the election?