Three Attacks, 1 Day. Who is Responsible?

Saturday, September 17th, there were 3 different US attacks. There was a bombing in New York, later that day there were pipe bombs throughout a town in New Jersey, and then that night in Minnesota there was a stabbing spree. In New York, there was one bomb that went off which injured 29 people, but in addition there was a pressure cooker wired up to blow up left on the street a few blocks away. In the New Jersey bombing, the pipe bomb was placed in a trash can with a cell phone timer, most likely attempting to disrupt the Marine Corps charity run. There were hints in the Minnesota attack, with ISIS. The attacker was possibly a "soldier of the Islamic State," though there was no immediate evidence he'd had contact with the terror group. But all three events are being investigated as possible terrorist attacks. No organization has accepted responsibility yet. Since the events are still very recent, there is more information to be found.
What should the US do about consant and more frequent attacks on the homefront?
What are some suggestions to help prevent future attacks? Such as what can the government do?
How do you predict the presidential candidates will react/comment on these attacks? 

Source : http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/19/us/new-york-new-jersey-minnesota-attacks/index.html

Without apology, Trump Now Says:'Obama Was Born In' The U.S.

http://www.npr.org/2016/09/16/494231757/without-apology-trump-now-says-obama-was-born-in-the-u-s

On Friday, Donald Trump acknowledged for the first time that President Obama was born in the United States, ending his long history of stoking unfounded doubts about the nation’s first African American president but also seeking to falsely blame Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for starting the rumors. What makes Donald Trump such a singular figure — in modern politics and, perhaps, ever — is his refusal to take ownership of the outrageous things he has said and done. Not only does Trump refuse to apologize, he blames others for his own actions. There must be 10 hours of video of Trump, ranting about Obama not being an American citizen; even claiming that he was sending a team to Hawaii to look into it. Now Trump says Secretary Clinton's camp started it.

1)      Who do you believe started the rumor or doubt about President Obama’s birth place? Do you believe the doubt was justified?

2)      What are your thoughts about Trump’s refusal to apologize? Do you see that as a measure of his strength as a leader?

3)      Would you like your kids to be like Donald Trump? Is he a role model? The guy who refuses to apologize, who can’t admit he’s wrong, who blames others for his own actions and can’t take ownership for his own actions. 

Presidential Transparency at an All Time Low

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-transparency/


The 2016 presidential election has presented us with more presidential transparency than we have ever seen in the modern era. This basically means that the general public has very little knowledge about the presidential candidates. This starts with Hillary Clinton's health status, which continues to be extremely unclear. This past Sunday, September 11, Clinton fainted at a public 9/11 memorial event. She blamed it on dehydration and overheating, but was soon diagnosed with pneumonia. As Clinton's unknown health conditions may seem bad enough, Trump's current ideals are far less known. By "departing decades of tradition," Trump has opted out of releasing his tax returns. By doing this, he is hiding key information about his investments and financial interests. Both candidates have refused to travel with a crew of security behind them in efforts to emphasize their courage for their actions.

1. Do you feel comfortable with the fact that both presidential candidates are showing an extreme lack of transparency?

2. Do you think Clinton's health will affect her chances of winning the election?

3. Would you feel safe voting for somebody who refuses to release their tax returns?

Hillary Clinton's Doctor Says Pneumonia Led to Abrupt Exit From 9/11 Event

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/12/us/politics/hillary-clinton-campaign-pneumonia.html?ref=politics&_r=0

Hillary Clinton is being treated for pneumonia and dehydration, her doctor said on Sunday, hours after she abruptly left a ceremony in New York honoring the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and had to be helped into a van by Secret Service agents.The incident, which occurred after months of questions about her health from her Republican opponent, Donald J. Trump, and his campaign, is likely to increase pressure on Mrs. Clinton to address the issue and release detailed medical records, which she has so far declined to do.

1.) Would you want our President with an illness that is unpredictable?

2.) Should she really consider getting full medical attention?

3.) Do you think she would lose more votes due to the illness?

Hillary Clinton Is Set Back by Decision to Keep Illness Secret

At the 9/11 memorial Hillary Clinton stumbled while trying to get into her car. Hillary was diagnosis with pneumonia on Friday and she did not tell anyone about it because she thought “I just didn’t think it was going to be that big a deal,” On Monday Hillary's campaign worked hard to reassure her supporters that she will be fine and that she will be alright for the upcoming election. From her not informing her supporters or any voters who where watching at that time that she had a possibly deadly illness could affect the numbers of supporters she may receive.  

1. Would you want to know if one of your candidates for president has a deadly illness?
2. Would this affect your vote if they tried to keep their illness a secret?
3. Some people are asking if she is hiding anything else about her health do you think she is ?


Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/us/hillary-clinton-pneumonia.html?ref=politics&_r=0

Duterte wants U.S. troops out of southern Philippines

     

     

     Newly elected president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte demands America to withdraw special forces in the southern Philippines citing their presence to "complicate offensives against Islamist militants notorious for beheading Westerners". Special forces were first deployed in Philippines by U.S. in 2002 to train and advise Philippine units fighting Abu Sayyaf militants with ties to ISIS. Although most of the special forces were relocated by 2015 some still remain to protect westerners in the region and provide "logistics and technical support". 

  

     On a domestic note Rodrigo Duterte who is also known as the Donald Trump of the Philippines has already caused tension between US and Philippines relations after calling Obama a "son of a b***h" and accusing white westerners for inviting trouble by visiting a country where terrorist groups like Abu Sayyaf kidnap them for ransom. On top of this his relations with the UN is also deteriorating after calling UN human rights experts "stupid" for criticizing his war on drugs and then threatening to leave the UN shortly after. 

1. What is your opinion surrounding the war on terrorism?

2. Should the U.S. scale back on its use of foreign intervention?

3.  Is Duterte a leader to be reasoned with?

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-usa-duterte-idUSKCN11I10J

Question1

On Sunday September 11, 2016, Hillary Clinton nearly faints while leaving the 9/11 memorial in New York. The cause of her fainting was that she had been diagnosed with Pneumonia. Although modern medicine can easily have her back on her feet, it raises concern for the future of the probable president of the United States. Clinton's health has many of her supporters concerned with her being able to compete against Donald Trump who is using her health issues to his advantage. Two decades ago, Bob Dole, a former Republican presidential nominee, congratulated the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. He was 73 years old then and the Brooklyn Dodgers had not existed in over 40 years. This led to the media quickly questioning if he was maybe too old to run for president and was nicknamed "Bob Old". Presently, many are calling Hillary Clinton's near-collapse a "Dole" moment, which could potentially make her seem unable to fit the position of president.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that Hillary Clinton's health can cause her to lose support in her campaign?
2. Can her health issues potentially make her not only lose support but maybe even make people look towards supporting Donald Trump?
3. If you belonged in either the Republican or Democratic party, would you decide to look for a new candidate? Why or why not?

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/12/hillary-clinton-pneumonia