Democrats block Planned Parenthood defunding

link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/09/24/senate-democrats-block-bill-defund-planned-parenthood/72695166/

Summary: Democrats in the U.S. Senate, along with some Republicans, stopped an effort on Thursday to stop federal funds for the women's health care group Planned Parenthood in a move that could help prevent a government shutdown on October first.  Obama threatened to veto the legislature if it went through right before the vote; Senators voted 52-47 against the bill that gave $235 million from Planned Parenthood to women's health clinics that don't perform abortions.  Planned Parenthood is currently being investigated because it has been accused of selling tissues from aborted fetuses for profit. Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest provider of abortions but is forbidden from using any money for abortions. If Planned Parenthood's funding was fully terminated it would cost the government an estimated $130 million with the number of people increasing who need Medicaid. Medicaid only covers the cost of abortions in cases of rape or incest, in all but seventeen states.

Questions: Do you agree with the majority of the Republican party that the government should not have to fund Planned Parenthood's? Do you think that the government should have to fund abortions? Should Medicaid cover abortions? What do you think of Obama's threat?

Pope Delivers Political Message on Immigration, Other Political Issues

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/politics/pope-francis-washington-congress-updates/

Summary: On Thursday Pope Francis delivered a political speech in his address to Congress. He asked that the US accept the millions of undocumented immigrants. The Pope felt that to deport the millions of undocumented immigrants would contradict American's founding purpose as a nation for immigrants seeking a better life. He connected the surge of immigrants to the exodus of Syrians seeking refuge in other Middle Eastern and European countries- the immigrants coming to America are seeking safety and a chance at survival just as the Syrian refugees are. In addition to speaking about immigration, Pope Francis made his stances on other controversial issues clear. For example, the Pope shared is pro-life stance, stating that we should "protect and defend life at every stage of its development," as well as advocated for a global abolition of the death penalty. Throughout the speech Republicans and Democrats applauded for his various stances, and the topics Pope Francis covered were described as a "laundry list of policies."

Questions: Do you agree with the Pope's belief that it is America's "founding purpose" to accept and help anyone that enters our country? What does it show about the strength of religion in America that the Pope has such a strong political presence? Should religious leaders be regarded as political leaders as well? Are the church and state as separate in America as we have been taught?

Appeals court reverses ruling that found NSA program illegal

Link - http://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-reverses-ruling-that-found-nsa-program-illegal/

Date- 8/28/2015

Summary - A federal appeals court, in a somewhat surprising move, overwhelmingly reversed a lower appeals court decision in May that said the NSA Surveillance Program was excessive.  The NSA program was created following 9/11, but the extent of phone collection was unclear until Edward Snowden's revelations in 2013 that the NSA collected the phone numbers of all calls made and received as well as the length of each call.  In 2013, a US District Judge ruled that collection was likely unconstitutional but allowed the program to continue while under appellate review.  The DC Circuit is the highest appeals court and all three of its judges spoke negatively of the case.  One judge said the government wouldn't provide the necessary information to help the challenge to the program while another judge said the challengers needed to show they were targeted by the surveillance program.

This decision is especially interesting because Congress passed a law in June that phases out the bulk collection of phone records by the NSA, even though the FISA (double secret classified court) court claimed the USA Patriot Act of 2001 allowed the program.  The new law from Congress requires phone companies to keep all phone records and allows the government to search the records without any warrant.  Any further judicial decisions are irrelevant as the program shifts according to the new law, however, big brother will be collecting all phone records until then.

Question (s) - Do you know what the NSA does?  Are you willing to give up some freedoms in order to have more security?  Is the mass collection of phone records worthwhile?

Obama Immigration 2015: Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Lawsuit Dismissed By Court, Citing ‘Unsupported Speculation’

Link - http://www.latintimes.com/obama-immigration-2015-sheriff-joe-arpaios-lawsuit-dismissed-court-citing-unsupported-335464

Date - 8/17/2015

Summary - President Obama announced an Executive Order on immigration in November of 2014.  His 2012 Order dealt with DACA, deferred action on children, in which the INS would not deport children brought illegally before the age of 18.  The 2014 Order dealt with DAPA, deferred action on parents, in which parents who entered illegally, but whose children are citizens, would not be deported.  A notoriously conservative and outspoken sheriff from Phoenix, Joe Arapaio, brought a suit against Obama by claiming DAPA would lead to an increase in crime.  The D.C. District Court of Appeals dismissed the suit, claiming that Arapaio does not have standing in the case, which means he cannot prove injury.  Arapaio's lawyer hopes the U.S. Supreme Court will agree, though the next step is the 5th Circuit Court in New Orleans.  Interestingly, the 5th Circuit is currently deciding a case brought by Texas against Obama for DAPA.  The Texas suit has been granted standing and a federal court issued a ruling in February against Obama's plan.  Texas reasoning was based on the claim immigrants will cost more money for public services, such as driver's licenses.  While the 5th Circuit has not rendered its final ruling, it did rule in May against lifting the hold on DAPA, arguing "public interest favors maintenance of the injunction" against DAPA.

Question(s) - Was Obama within his constitutional powers in implementing an action that is widely popular?  Why did Obama pass this executive order (what does cartoon say)?


By the way, here is a funny video on the bill, I mean executive action.