University of Michigan doctor allegedly sexually abused students

Three wrestlers at the University of Michigan said that University Doctor Robert Anderson, who died in 2008, molested them during medical examinations during the time he worked at the school (1968-2003). A wrestler named Tad Deluca claims that when he went to Dr. Anderson for injuries, he would just sexually abuse him. Deluca claims he wrote a nine-page letter about these allegations in 1975 and gave it to his wrestling coach. The wrestling coach then ignored him, kicked him off the team, and got his scholarship revoked. Deluca also claims that he wrote again to the University in 2018 after hearing about similar cases in other universities, but the letter got ignored again. After Deluca refused to be ignored once again at a conference today, The University of Michigan officials asked anyone else who was a victim of Doctor Anderson to contact them. Deluca was then joined by two other wrestlers and one wrestler claimed that during his freshman year, his teammates warned him about how inappropriate Doctor Anderson was. Their attorney’s goal is to get the truth of the story, give victims opportunities to speak, and hold the university accountable. They plan to meet with the university but they have not filed a lawsuit.

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Questions:

1. Do you believe that the wrestlers are telling the truth about this? Why come forward years after?

2. If this is true, what could be done to bring the wrestlers and other victims justice?

3. Since Doctor Robert Anderson is no longer alive, how should this situation be handled?

Will the Tokyo Olympics Be Cancelled? 🥇

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With the Tokyo Olympics set to begin soon, fears of the Coronavirus continue to spur. There are just over 170 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Japan with currently no sign of slowing. The Tokyo Olympics are estimated to cost Japan 26 billion US dollars to host the event, therefore a cancellation would be devastating. Dick Pound of the International Olympics Committee said to the associated press that the “outright cancellation of the Games, rather than postponement or relocation, would be likely if the disease proved too dangerous for the event.”(AP) Despite this, for fiscal reasons Japan and the Olympics Committee are still scheduled to hold the event. “Our basic thoughts are that we will go ahead with the Olympic and Paralympic Games as scheduled,” Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the Tokyo organizing committee.” Despite the seeming ‘go-ahead’ on the event, there is a chance that Olympians will withdraw. During the 2016 Olympics, concerns of the Zika virus caused Olympians of the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Rory Mcllroy, and Jason Day to withdraw from the competition. Australia's “federal sports minister says the nation's athletes could be pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics”. So far, many sources believe that since the virus is fairly new, “It is far too early to get in a panic over the fate of the Tokyo Olympics.”(UT) A decision is to be made by May.

If you got tickets to go to the Tokyo Olympics, would you still go? (based on current knowledge)

Do you believe a cancellation is possible? Why or why not?

If the virus becomes a pandemic, is it insensitive of the Committee to continue with the Competition?

Canada Oil-Sands Plan Collapses Over Politics and Economics

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/business/energy-environment/frontier-oil-sands-canada.html

Canadian mining company Teck Resources has recently abandoned a major oil-sands mining expansion proposal that was scheduled for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approval. This frees the leader from a choice that could have caused a deadlock between environmental and energy interest groups. Proponents of the oil-sands proposal cited its potential economic boons, including new job opportunities in Alberta and increased global oil exports. Meanwhile, opponents drew attention to environmental costs such as deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions, along with resistance from Indigenous groups. This issue is especially relevant, as Canada is currently the world's fourth largest oil producer, contributing over 60 percent of American oil imports. But at the same time, facing the challenges of tomorrow calls for a shift to environmentally-friendly plans that honor climate change policies such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

Needless to say, this is a multifaceted issue that touches on the "economy vs. environment" debate. But maybe it isn't a debate after all… Maybe both sides could win.

1. Do you think it was wise for Teck Resources to abandon its oil-sands mining project?
2. What do you believe was the greatest motivating factor behind Teck Resources' decision?
3. Do you think there exists an energy plan that is beneficial for the both the economy and the environment?

Northrop Grumman and Axiom Space Take Next Steps in Space Exploration

This is a combination of two different events that happened shortly after one another.

Mission Extension Vehicle

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/space-logistics-services/
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/NASA_Partnership_Gives_Satellites_a_New_Lease_on_Life

IntelSat 901 was launched in 2001 and now sits in a graveyard orbit, 300km above geostationary. While its radio equipment is expected to remain functional for several more years, its engines are out of fuel for station keeping, meaning the radio equipment is useless. This is where Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle, launched aboard a Russian Proton rocket, comes in. It will soon dock with IntelSat, where its extremely efficient ion thrusters will act as the engine in order to make use of the remaining years of service life on IntelSat's radios. Once the radios fail, it can then pull it to a graveyard orbit and attach to a different satellite. This maneuver marks the first unmanned "rescue" of a satellite, previously done by an entire Space Shuttle with a crew of three astronauts. It is also interesting that such experimental technology would be launched aboard a Proton rocket rather than an American rocket.

Axiom Space

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-first-commercial-destination-module-for-international-space-station
https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/27/nasa-taps-startup-axiom-space-for-the-first-habitable-commercial-module-for-the-space-station/

From 2024 to 2028, Axiom Space will send up a series of four modules to the ISS before detaching them, creating their own space station. The Axiom modules differ significantly from existing ISS modules in that they include a luxurious habitation space and viewing deck, meant for space tourists rather than scientists. The launch will be significant for another reason too: it marks the first time a space station will assemble and launch another artificial satellite.

These two missions may be part of the beginning of the second phase of space exploration. We are not just reaching into space but taking the first steps towards establishing a permanent presence: being able to repair and build structures in space. This is similar to the way that colonists followed explorers into the New World.

1. What is the role of the government in science? Should they be involved in routine procedures such as putting up communications satellites or servicing space stations? Should they be focusing on new research that is not necessarily profitable?
2. What reasons might a commercial company have for pursuing scientific missions?
3. Should space be commercialized? How is the balance between environmental and commercial interests determined on Earth? Is space debris an environmental issue?
4. What did farmer John say when his neighbor asked him if he had enough crops to feed his family?
        "There's barley enough."

Roger Stone Sentenced To More Than 3 Years Amid Furor Over Trump And DOJ

Article Link.

Consequence arises amid the Trump administrations controversy when Roger Stone, convicted of lying to congress, obstructing justice, and witness tampering. Stone initially served as a direct line between the Trump administration and Wikileaks, intending on released controversial material on other politicians. His role led to several false statements on important documents for a House Intelligence Committee investigation. Roger Stone's case became especially controversial when Attorney General William Barr ordered the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington DC to file a second memo for less prison time. This was thrown into further uproar when the President himself went on twitter to criticizing the initial sentence and praising Barr. Key to the controversy is DJT's interference with the Judicial branch, which is largely protected from executive interference through precedent and expectation, not constitutional language. Following the controversy, more than 1,000 former Justice Department lawyers and employees and a variety of Democrat Senators have begun calling for Barr to resign due to overstepping his role.

Questions:

1. Was the Stone sentence too lenient? Should stone be given more time for treason?
2. Did DJT overstep in the judicial branch? What further action by the rest of the US government should be taken?
3. Should William Barr follow the calls and step down from his position as Attorney General?
4. What does this mean for the future of the Trump Administration?

The 11 Criminals Granted Clemency by Trump Had One Thing in Common: Connections

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President Trump has once again made a controversial move, deciding to grant clemency to several criminals. However, the controversy stems from both the decisions themselves as well as the method. Rather than those unlawfully convicted, Trump decided to pardon several notable white-collar criminals including financier Michael R. Milken and New York City police commissioner Bernard B. Kerik. As a result, many pointed to the various political and social connections that existed between them and the president. Some of the criminals granted clemency were given personal pleas by those close to the president, while others called in previous favors or close ties. However, defendants of Trump's actions argue that he is bypassing the "broken system" on purpose, in order to bring justice back into the system. 

Questions

1.  While Trump has been known to make controversial moves, this is within his power as the president. Do you think there is another motive for this decision, or is it just for the sake of showing his power to "improve" the justice system?

2.  White-collar crimes, such as fraud or embezzlement, can often be more harmful to a larger group of people than for example blue-collar crimes. With Trump granting clemency to white collar criminals, could this set a negative precedent for future would-be criminals?

Bloomberg to join Democratic debate amid poll surge

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Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg is set to participate in his first
Democratic debate on Wednesday, February 19 in Nevada, despite not being on the Nevada
or South Carolina ballot. He has instead chosen to enter the race on March 3 (Super Tuesday)
when states such as California and Texas will hold their presidential primaries. According to a NPR/PBS NewsHour/Maris poll, Bloomberg is ranked 2nd with support from 19% of those
surveyed, compared to Bernie Sanders with 31%, Joe Biden with 15% and Elizabeth Warren with 12%. I was personally not surprised at his fairly high approval rating, because his absence during confrontational debates has left his campaign pretty much unchallenged. However, Bloomberg has been criticized outside the debates by fellow Democratic candidates for attempting to buy the White House, as he has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on digital ads for his campaign. He has also been criticized in the media for past sexually inappropriate comments regarding women, as well as for his controversial ‘stop-and-frisk’ policy directed disproportionately towards Black and Latino people. Each candidate has the power to drastically change the course of America and its relationship with other nations, but many are still unsure of what Bloomberg’s true stances are.  

Questions: 

1) Other candidates have had the chance to voice their opinions and stand firm on certain
issues they prioritize. Will Bloomberg be at a disadvantage in this election for not having more
opportunities to do so? Why or why not?

2). The minority vote has proven to be crucial in presidential elections, and Bloomberg has
attempted to appeal to this group of people. Do you believe Bloomberg’s past racist comments
will significantly impact his ability to secure the minority vote?

3) Are people right to be concerned about Bloomberg’s excessive use of his wealth to win
the election?