House of Representatives pass 9/11 legislation

On Friday September 9th Congress passed a September 11th Legislation which would allow for families of the victims from the September 11th attacks 15 years ago to sue Saudi Arabia. Despite the many objections from Saudi Arabia, the Senate passed this 4 months ago. 15 of the 19 hijackers in 2001 were Saudi nationals which is why suing Saudi Arabia would be "valid". The White House has hinted that Obama may veto this legislation because of the belief that it would backfire. If U.S. citizens are allowed to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts then the message is being sent that other foreign nations could sue the U.S. This would also strain the already weak relationship the U.S. has with Saudi Arabia. In order for the veto to be overruled a two-thirds vote would be needed from the Senate and House of Representatives. Some argue that if the Saudi Arabian government had nothing to do with the September 11th attacks then they should have nothing to fear but so far there has been no comment made from Saudi Arabia on the issue.

1) What is your opinion on this legislation?
2) What do you think Obama should do? Should he veto the legislation?
3) If you were/are a family of a victim of the 9/11 attacks do you think it is fair to sue Saudi Arabia? Why?

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/wnews/2016-09-10/house-passes-sept-11-legislation-as-obama-veto-threat-looming/1776425168084.html

             Donald Trump Vows to Bolster                                                 Nation’s Military Capacities

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/08/us/politics/donald-trump-speech.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fus&action=click&contentCollection=us&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0
 On Wednesday, In Philadelphia at the Union League of Philadelphia, Donald J. Trump spoke about national security and stated, that when he takes his position as President of the United States of America, he will expand our military in vast numbers, and has planned to spend at least $90 Billion a year. Donald Trump did not say who are how the money payments would be settled, not even if people would raise the money. Which puts many Americans into concern, If he will make our country go into debt. Donald Trump, also spoke about finally defeating and eliminating ISIS within the first 30 days of his Presidency.
1) Do you trust Donald Trump handling the Country considering he went it to debt 3 times handing his own businesses?
2) Do you trust him possibly drafting many Americans into war?
3) Do you trust him with protecting kids and families in the Middle East, if he attempts to eliminate ISIS?

Donald Trump started off his campaign with a strong opinion on immigration. He started off with wanting mass deportations, temporary ban on Muslim immigration, and a wall along the border with Mexico paid by Mexico. Trump has stated that there will be a wall built along the Mexican border and insists in saying that Mexico will pay for it through increased border-crossing fees and NAFTA tariffs. Some of Trump's surrogates want to add technology  to this wall to track and prevent illegal immigration. In addition, Trump said he wanted to deport millions of immigrants but recently in one of his speeches he declined to answer whether he was going to take this action by force.



Questions:
1. What was Trump's position on immigration back then, what is his position now and why do you think it changed?






http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/08/31/us/politics/donald-trump-immigration-changes.html?ref=politics&_r=0

Do two wrongs make a right?

In Bellingham, Washington a man named Ray Gilbride who is a true Trump supporter has had about seven of his Trump signs stolen, he has only caught one on camera. Fed up with it he had decided to “shock them back” literally. Gilbride rigged up his Trump signs that would zap anyone who would touch them. Police say that Gilbride has a right to protect his property as long as no one gets hurt. Gilbride does have a freedom of speech but does he really have to shock people in order to get his message across that he supports Trump?

Would you still attempt to steal the sign if you knew that it would give you a slight zap?

Should this man be allowed to shock the people that try to steal his signs?

Source: http://www.king5.com/news/local/trump-supporter-shocks-political-sign-thieves_/314503688

Obama: Colin Kaepernick ' exercising constitutional right '

The San Francisco 49ers quarter back has refused to stand for the national anthem to express his protest of police violence against African American. On Monday president Obama said that Kaepernick is exercising his constitutional right to make a statement, What he did generated more conversation around some topics that needs our attention and he never doubted his sincerity but he just cares about more legal legitimate issues. Kaepernick's fans were shocked of his action , although some of them were supportive and understanding his point and why he refused to stand for the national anthem

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Kaepernick did the right thing?

2. Are we all engaged in the democratic process?

3. What would you rather do to draw everyone's attention to the injustice in the world?

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/05/politics/barack-obama-colin-kaepernick/index.html

Trump Goes to a Black Church Service in Detroit

Article

On Saturday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump visited Great Faith Ministries International in Detroit. Despite him being unpopular with Black voters, he was treated with respect. He even wore a prayer shawl that Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, the church's pastor, gave him. After saying that the Black communities in the US are full of crime and poverty, Trump says that he cares about making their lives better. In relation to Trump's visit to church, Trump wishes for the nation to turn back to Christian heritage. After visiting the Church, Trump and former presidential nominee Ben Carson visited Ben Carson's childhood home and spoke with the current owner of the home, Felicia Reese, possibly for gaining support from the Black community.

Questions:

1. Do you think Trump really wishes to help the Black community, or is he only saying that to get support?

2. Does Trump really wish to make the country look to Christianity?

Without conservative Supreme Court majority, voter-law challengers make gains

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/without-conservative-supreme-court-majority-voter-law-challengers-make-gains/2016/09/05/5ac74948-704e-11e6-9705-23e51a2f424d_story.html

Since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Democratic lawyers and the Obama administration has been successful in overturning strict voting laws. Republicans in the Senate refuse to hold a hearing for Obama's court nominee, Merrick Garland, and this is causing the high-court to be deadlocked 4 to 4. Because of this the state courts and lower level federal judges decisions are being held. The Ohio Democratic Party is fighting for the reinstatements of the "Golden Week." This is a period of time in which people can register and vote at the same time. After eight years of Obama's nominations, state officials highlight the uprising of Democratic influence in the judiciary. For example, in North Carolina the three-judge panel that ruled the state's law that was intentionally discriminatory was solely composed of judges that were nominated to the court by Democratic presidents.

Discussion Questions:
What do you think some of the effects of the Supreme Court acquiring a new Conservative judge will be on the Judicial system?
What do you think some of the effects of the Supreme Court acquiring a new Liberal judge will be on the Judicial system?
What do you believe will happen in our government when the newly elected President nominates his or her pick for the supreme court?