Dems’ 2020 field now includes Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar

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Another week, another candidate. It's prime announcement time and the Democratic field is getting more crowded. On Sunday, Minnesota Senator, Amy Klobuchar, announced that she is running for president. Klobuchar focused on the appeal that she has across the state of Minnesota; both in rural and urban areas, including counties that Donald Trump won in 2016. She believes that her success within her state can carry over into other parts of the Midwest. The rally took place near the I-35W bridge that collapsed in 2007, symbolizing her ability to work across the aisle as she worked with Republicans to rebuild the bridge quickly. However, Klobuchar has drawn criticism from both sides with Republicans saying she is able to get things done because she focuses on small issues. Progressives have criticized her, saying that she lacks the passion and new ideas that excite voters.

Senator Klobuchar garnered national attention during the Kavanaugh hearings. When she asked if he had ever drunk so much that he forgot what happened, he turned the question around and asked, "Have you?"

Do you think Klobuchar has what it takes to become a Democratic nominee?
Do you agree with her ideals?
Do you think she would succeed in getting the two parties to work together?

Measles Outbreak in Washington and New York State

Measles outbreaks in Washington and New York state have led to concerns, and in one case, a declaration of public emergency in Clark County as 53 cases of measles have been reported. Officials in Clark County are reporting that one in four children entering school in 2018 did not get their immunizations, and in some schools, almost 40% of children were lacking immunizations.

Medical officials have a right to worry as the recommended percentage of vaccinated people to maintain herd immunity is around 95%, however, in counties with such poor vaccination percentages such as Clark County, make herd immunity ineffective, resulting in diseases such as measles having the opportunity to infect those who cannot get vaccinated due to medical reasons. As all but 3 states allow being able to not be vaccinated for non-medical reasons, dodging immunization is quite easy, allowing the anti vaccination movement to spread easily. Concerns over the anti vaccination movement have risen, especially with how damaging it can be to those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.




Questions:

1. Do you feel that the government should step in and force people to be vaccinated?
2. Is allowing people to avoid vaccinations due to religious reasons fair?
3. Should the parents who choose to avoid vaccinations due to non-reasonable reasons (ex: not medical/religious) be prosecuted?

source (usatoday)

Virginia Governor responds to his controversy

Pediatric neurologist and Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam was in a recent controversy, as he was once seen wearing blackface on his Medical school yearbook from 1984. The photo showed Northam wearing blackface next to someone else wearing a white Klu Klux Klan hood and robe. After the photos first surfaced, Northam claimed that he was in the photo but would not confirm which costume he wore. However, the next day he denied being in the photo, but admitted to wearing a blackface costume that same year. On Sunday, Northam went on CBS “Face the Nation,” to discuss his scandal, and when asked if he was thinking about resigning, Northam said, “Virginia needs someone that can heal. There's no better person to do that than a doctor." Northam continued, “Virginia also needs someone who is strong, who has empathy, who has courage and who has a moral compass. And that's why I'm not going anywhere.” The Governor’s scandal comes at a bad time, as there are sexual assault claims against, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax , who would take the spot if, Governor Northam were to resign. Attorney General  Mark Herring was also being caught wearing blackface at a dance party in 1980. All three Virginia Democrats are facing public scrutiny.

Questions:

1. Do you think Governor Northam should resign?
2. Should political leaders be punished for their past actions in the present day?

U.S. Suspends Nuclear Arms Control Treaty With Russia

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The Trump Administration has announced that they would suspend a nuclear arms treaty after several years of the United States accusing Russia of violating the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty by deploying and building banned missiles. However, last year, the United States began producing new warheads for submarines as a strategy to discourage conflicts. With the suspension of the treaty, we could see another arms race beginning in our lifetime.

These events remind me of the Cold War, where the U.S and Soviet Union developed their nuclear arsenal and seemed like war was imminent. This situation greatly frightens me since I feel that there will be a major war in my lifetime.

The treaty will expire in 2021, and it seems as though the Trump Administration will try to revive the treaty if other countries with a nuclear arsenal are willing to participate. If not, they may withdraw within six months unless other measures are taken

1. Do you think we will ultimately leave the treaty?
2. Will other countries participate in the treaty? Why or why not?
3. Has history repeated itself?

Trump Recognizes Venezuelan Opposition Leader as the Legitimate President

On January 23rd, Juan Guaido declared himself as president of Venezuela, in direct opposition to the president of the time, Nicolas Maduro. When Maduro ran for re-election in 2018, his appointment had been highly controversial because many of his opponents were barred from running, or had been jailed or fled the country. Because of this, many people question the legitimacy of his presidency, setting the stage for opposition such as Guaido.
President Donald Trump had announced that he supports Guaido, citing Maduro's corrupt election as reason for his decision. He has also urged other countries to follow suit in supporting Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Trump had stated that he is prepared to punish Maduro through actions such as placing oil sanctions.

Questions:
1. How much do you think the US will be able to impact the situation in Venezuela? Which country has the greatest influences on how things will turn out?
2. Should the US continue to interfere in the political climate in Venezuela?
3. Who do you think deserves to be President of Venezuela? Are you sympathetic to either side, or none?

State of the Union Takeaways

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/06/691870683/7-takeaways-from-president-trumps-state-of-the-union-address

 
Trump delivered his second State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 5th. Unlike previous presidents, Trump did not acknowledge the Democrats new control of the House and instead, mainly focused on agenda. He bounced around topics, addressing some bipartisan issues but also making vague assurances and continuing to stir fears about the Southern border. He mentioned he was meeting with the North Korean leader and then moved on to border security and reaffirmed his intentions to fund a wall without mentioning the shutdown or the government workers who suffered. Much of the speech felt like he was campaigning for 2020 as he threw around slogans and criticized democrats for hindering progress in many areas. Much of the speech was pro-Israel and focused around national security. In response to the address, Democratic women wore white in memory of the suffragettes and Georgia Democrat, Stacy Abrahams delivered a formidable response, criticizing him for the shut down but not wishing for his failure.

Questions:
1) What do you think Trump should have addressed in the State of the Union?
2) How did Trump's State of the Union differ from previous presidents?
3) Was repeating his previous legislative focuses' a good way to set goals for the year?
4) Should both sides have focused more on unity?

Va. Gov. Northam weighs resignation as Lt. Gov. Fairfax faces sex assault allegation

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"I will not excuse the content in the photo, it was offensive, racist, and despicable," is what Virginia  Governor Rob Northam called the photo under his name in his medical school (Eastern Virginia Medical School) yearbook.

A couple days ago, a picture of Governor Northam of Virginia was discovered in his medical school yearbook that had two figures: one wearing black face and the other wearing a Ku Klux Klan costume. The photo was from the year 1984. Both Republicans and Democrats are asking for his resignation, but the governor has yet to make a final decision.

I am horrified that a governor and a trained physician would be in such a photo. A person whose role is to represent the citizens of Virginia, yet acts in such a discriminatory manner, should be ousted from his role, even if it did happen over 30 years ago. Furthermore, I find it cowardly that he does not take responsibility: he had seen the photo under his name 30 years ago and has not asked the yearbook to remove the photo until his position as governor is threatened by it.

To get an understanding of the situation, I highly suggest watching the second video below the first one.

Discussion Questions
1. Do you believe that Northam should resign?
2. How do we prevent people from offending other people of color?
3. What are your reactions to this story?