Connecticut Becomes First State To Boycott Indiana Over LGBT Discrimination Law (9)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/30/connecticut-indiana-boycott-lgbt_n_6969684.html Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy (D) has signed an executive order outlawing Connecticut state funded travel to the state of Indiana as a result of the religious freedom bill recently signed into law by Indiana governor Mike Pence (R). Connecticut is the first state to boycott Indiana, although the cities of San Francisco and Seattle have both instated a ban. The reason for the boycott is because this recent religious freedom bill gives all people to turn away anyone from their establishment, essentially do anything they see fit as long as they are capable of citing “religious liberty.” Indiana has received a huge backlash from the passing of this bill. Angie’s List, an Indianapolis based organization, has declined to execute a $40 million campus expansion project, and the CEO of Salesforce, a $4 billion software corporation, announced plans to "dramatically reduce our investment" in the state because of the law. This relates to our class because of our recent study of civil rights and civil liberties. This bill has the potential to produce extreme inequality. The most likely people to be turned away from businesses are LGBTQA and Muslim Americans. It is likely that this law will be declared unconstitutional. I completely agree with Connecticut’s actions. Religious institutions already receive enough exemptions and residents of Indiana should be ashamed of themselves if they feel the need to turn anyone away from their business. This is the United States, and discrimination should not be available or excusable, regardless of the form it takes.

Florida Teacher Suspended For Calling Teen Student A ‘Raghead Taliban’ (8)

http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/03/19/florida-teacher-suspended-for-calling-teen-student-a-raghead-taliban/ "Florida Teacher Suspended For Calling Teen Student A ‘Raghead Taliban" is an article by Andrew Bradford, published on March 19, 2015. Recently, Weston, Florida teacher Maria Valdes received a five day suspension for tasteless anti-Muslim comments directed towards a Muslim student, Deyab-Houssein Wardani. Comments including “Here comes the raghead Taliban” and “Okay the Taliban, what is the answer?” have been reported not only by Warden, but also fellow students. The student's family has released statements particularly regarding the treatment he received because he was Muslim, rather than a different religion or race (such as making anti-Semitic comments to a Jewish student or racist comments to an African American student.). The school has released statements that their policies do not tolerate Valdes' behavior and embrace diversity. The family is currently deciding whether or not they will seek further legal action against Valdes. This relates to our class because we have recently begun a unit on Civil Liberties and Rights. This regards equal treatment of religion, and the school system (and as a result, the government's) role in ensuring that children of all different backgrounds are treated equally. The freedom of religion is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. I think that Valdes' actions were inexcusable. She is very lucky to have only received a five day suspension- she deserves much longer. This conduct is completely inappropriate, not only for a teacher to her student, but any person. All children should feel safe while at school and they should not feel threatened or belittled for who they are by a person that assumes as much responsibility as a teacher.

More Than 300 Republicans Call on Supreme Court to Recognize Gay Marriage Nationally (7)

http://time.com/3734626/gay-marriage-supreme-court-republicans/ The article "More Than 300 Republicans Call on Supreme Court to Recognize Gay Marriage Nationally" is an article by Zeke J. Miller, published March 5, 2015. Recently, Republicans have taken a huge step forward to amass a brief to the Supreme Court in support of legalizing gay marriage. The brief is specifically targeted at four cases that are about to return to the Supreme Court, and could eventually aid in the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage. Among the signatories are 23 current and former Republicans members of the House of Representatives and Senate and seven current and former Governors. Sens. Susan Collins and Mark Kirk have signed onto the brief, as has Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. Other notables include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal and billionaire GOP mega-donor David Koch. As of the day that this article was published, the brief had amassed 303 signatures. Fortunately (for the Republicans), it is unlikely that Conservative voters will be too angered by Republican support of same-sex marriage. This relates to our class because at the moment, we are studying the Constitution and its applications within the government. This brief to the courts shows the Constitutional responsibilities given to the Judicial branch of the state and federal governments. Of course, the Supreme Court essentially states the law of the land in regard to same-sex marriage and other such cases, including abortion, so if they were to rule that the currently upheld marriage bans in various states were unconstitutional, there would be little that could be done to change the ruling. Although I agree with Republicans and Conservatives on very few things, this is one development I definitely support. Same-sex marriage is one of the only topics on which I agree with (some of) my Republican friends. For many Republicans, I believe this support is not so much support for homosexuals, but the belief that no one should have a say in whether or not you can get married. I know people on both sides of that; support based on the people vs. support because no one should be able to tell you who you can and can't marry. As far as how I feel about this: go Republicans!

"Put Up Or Shut Up" (6)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/26/elizabeth-warren-middle-class_n_6760862.html "Elizabeth Warren To The GOP: 'Put Up Or Shut Up' About Aid For Middle Class" is an article by Samantha Lachman; it was published February 26, 2015. Almost every American has heard the name Elizabeth Warren. Warren is a Massachusetts senator, and is also a former Harvard Law School professor, specializing in bankruptcy law. Recently, Warren, with a colleague, launched the "Middle Class Prosperity Project," and at their first forum on Tuesday, Warren made her plan clear. Warren gave a well informed speech concerning the state of the United States middle class, it's history, and how we have to work to fix it. Warren scolded Republicans for their constant talk of strengthening the middle class when all that they have done is support legislation that weakened the middle class. She speaks of their focus on the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have benefited a major foreign oil company rather than our own country. "I could go on, but the point is the same: Talk is cheap. It's time for action-- action that will strengthen America's middle-class families and build a strong future, action that will produce good jobs now and in the future. It is time to put up or shut up. I have a message for my Republican colleagues: You control Congress. Stop talking about helping the middle class, and start doing it." This relates to our class because of the connection to media and politicians. This powerful message has been reposted over 1 million times, making this video one of Warren's most widely circulated videos. Her visibility is helped my the media in ways that one can not begin to describe. Warren's supporters are growing and growing, making her a formidable opponent in Congress. I completely agree with Warren. I've known about her for a while. She strikes me as someone who really pays attention to the true problems facing our country today, but unlike so many other politicians, who are just a lot of talk, Warren actually takes incentive and does something about the issues that she is most passionate about. One of the reasons that I am such a huge fan of hers is because of her target on school loans for college students. As a former professor, I believe she has a unique perspective on the topic and I look forward to seeing where she goes with it. See the full video here: http://girldujour.com/2015/02/27/elizabeth-warren-gives-republicans-a-spanking-its-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up-video/

HRC Applauds Appointment of Randy Berry as State Department’s First Ever LGBT Human Rights Envoy (5)

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-applauds-appointment-of-randy-berry-as-state-departments-first-ever-lgb This article, "HRC Applauds Appointment of Randy Berry as State Department’s First Ever LGBT Human Rights Envoy," by Kerrie Brody, was posted on February 23, 2015. On Monday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) celebrated the State Department's first LGBT Human Rights Envoy, Randy Berry, a veteran senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer. This new post was created by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. Berry's new job is to serve as an overseer of what the United States government is doing to help further LGBT causes. HRC President Chad Griffin wrote Kerry, asking him to take this step. The move was backed up by over 26,000 HRC supporters and members. This year, HRC worked closely with the offices of Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) to introduce the International Human Rights Defense Act (S.302 / H.R. 590) which would create the position through legislative action. This relates to what we are studying in class because of the interest group and media topics that we have been studying. The HRC is the largest LGBT civil rights and lobbying group in the United States. The support that Griffin received from HRC supporters would not have been possible without media, because people wouldn't have known about the developments without the use of media and social networking. I applaud the new envoy; so many LGBT people in the US are discriminated against every day, and we deserve a government that cares about and protects all of our citizens. This is a revolutionary move, and I hope that our government will continue to make a change for the better.

Model Who's Gay, Not A Twin Sends Strong Message Back To Ex-Gay Group PFOX (4)

http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/ex_gay_group_slammed_by_model_who_s_gay_not_a_twin The article "Model Who's Gay, Not A Twin Sends Strong Message Back To Ex-Gay Group PFOX" by David Badash, published February 19th, 2015. In December, anti- gay group PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex Gays and Gays) put up a billboard on a busy Virginia interstate, with a picture of "twins," identical in every way, except that one of them is gay. The group claims this only difference as proof that "no one is born gay." Although the group has received significant backlash from the gay-rights community, they weren't expecting for the model whose stock photo they used to contact them. Kyle Roux, a South African model, notified the group that not only is he (happily) gay, he is not a twin. Roux is partnering with Planting Peace (the civil rights organization behind the Equality House, the rainbow striped house across the street from Westboro Baptist Church) in order to create a counter message to spread the love the LGBT community so often advocates for. This relates to what we are learning in class right now because of groups (although they are not specific interest groups). These groups influence citizens and lawmakers alike, and are closely related to our recent lessons about political organizations. I agree with Roux's decision to retaliate in a positive way. I believe that all LGBT people are born LGBT. I do not believe it is a choice, nor do they. I think that PFOX shouldn't publish such blatant lies in the way they did; their message is negative enough without being ridiculously misinformed.

Who Will Be Joining Clinton In Democratic Primary? (3)

http://www.npr.org/2015/02/10/384952071/in-likely-democratic-primary-whos-joining-hillary-clinton "In Likely Democratic Primary, Who's Joining Hillary Clinton?" is an article by Tamara Keith, published February 10, 2015. Hillary Clinton is the forerunner in the 2016 Democratic Primary, everyone knows that. However, the question has to be asked: who else is running? NPR interviewed Tim Miller, the director of America Rising PAC, a Republican group that exists solely to "dig up dirt" on Democratic candidates. Miller says that the PAC has been having some difficulty determining who exactly they will need to dig up dirt on. However, they recently traveled to Downtown Chicago, a Democratic political center. Miller interviewed multiple Democratic politicians, and the only truly possible names are the following: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Vice President Joe Biden; former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (who has said that she is not running for president, but it is thought that she would make a good candidate); and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb. I have also been curious as to who was running in the Democratic primary. Hillary Clinton has been the most prominent name since the race first became relevant. If Hillary is to vote, it's likely that she would win the primary, but if Elizabeth Warren decides to run, she also has a very good chance. Elizabeth Warren, quite frankly, would get my vote. We have recently been studying political parties in class, along with primaries, caucuses, and campaigns. This ties to what we have been studying because of the Democratic primary subject and the candidate announcements, following the Democratic National Committee's recent announcement that their national convention will take place in Philadelphia, PA.