5/7

SEN. FRANKEN: REPORTS ON COMCAST-TIME WARNER DEAL COLLAPSE "HUGE VICTORY" IF TRUE.

 There has been massive proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Unfortunately this merger is said to have collapsed. Sen Franken, who is a critic of the deal, says this is a "huge victory". He believes that this would raise prices, restrict choices and bring even worse service.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/23/comcast_n_7130782.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

4/7

BIDEN DOWNPLAYS TENSIONS WITH ISREAL

VP Joe Biden promised Israel delivery of top-flight fighter jets to help maintain a military edge in the Middle East. The White House is seeking to ease tension with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tensions started rising when Netanyahu accepted a Republican invitation to speak to Congress, where he railed against Obama's quest for a nuclear deal with Iran.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/23/joe-biden-israel_n_7132108.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

3/7

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE HEADS TO THE SUPREME COURT WITH RECORD PUBLIC SUPPORT

With 61% of Americans in favor of same-sex marriage, support for it is as high as its ever been. The Supreme Court is taking up next week. 62% of Americans say states should recognize marriages that are performed legally in other states, and 61% say states should not be allowed to ban it. In another poll it was found that most Americans believe it is a state's decision.  Polls show that people in favor of same-sex marriage have the majority of public opinion.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/23/same-sex-marriage-poll_n_7128112.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

2/7

HOUSE PANEL APPROVES FAST TRACK TRADE BILL

A key committee cleared legislation for speed trade deals through congress this thursday. There was low democratic support because Obama is trying to shift towards Asia. There is a battle between the parties on how to punish countries that manipulate their currencies to gain an export edge. The vote in the House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee took a big step forward for the legislation, which prohibits Congress from amending trade deals and allow for just yes-or-no votes. Many Democrats oppose because they worry that trade deals could harm jobs and the environment. In efforts to make the fast-track bill more palatable for critics, there is a provision that would turn off the streamlined procedures if a trade deal did not fulfill objectives set by Congress.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/23/house-fast-track-trade_n_7132036.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

1/7

SENATE MAKES HISTORY BY CONFIRMING LORETTA LYNCH AS U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL

Loretta Lynch is the fist African American women to be confirmed as U.S. attorney general. She was confirmed 56 to 43. All democrats voted for her along with 10 republicans. A big critic of Lynch, Sen Ted Cruz, was the only one to miss the vote. Republicans who oppose Lynch do not oppose because they think she is unqualified, they oppose because they oppose of Obama's recent executive action on immigration and they know that Lynch will defend the policy. Republicans have been throwing roadblocks to delay her appointment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/23/loretta-lynch-attorney-general-confirmed_n_7127672.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

5/6

TENNESSEE SUSPENDS EXECUTIONS AMID LEGAL CHALLENGES TO LETHAL INJECTION, ELECTRIC CHAIR

Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended executions of convicted murderers. Inmates on death row have sued state, alleging that lethal injection and electrocution are unconstitutional because they are cruel and unusual punishment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/tennessee-suspends-executions_n_7057764.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

4/6

ELITE BLUE ANGELS SQUADRON GETS ITS FIRST FEMALE PILOT

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Katie Higgin's is the first fe,ale pilot with the prestigious Blue Angels. She is a third-generation military aviator. The Blue Angels is the "second-oldest formal flying team in the world" and "one of the most exclusive jobs available to a Naval pilot. Other women have been on the Blue Angels team, but none have ever been in the cockpit during a show till now. This is historically significant by adding a woman to the flight roster of such an elite aviation team.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/blue-angels-female-pilot_n_7057100.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

3/6

HISTORY NOW MADE, THE U.S. AND CUBA FACE A BUMBY ROAD AHEAD

April 12 Cuba and the United States make history. This is the first meeting of its kind in 60 years. Obama and Castro sat down for over an hour and discussed moving a step closer to restoring diplomatic ties. Obama is being praised by Latin American leaders for ending decades of hostility. They are working towards reopening embassies in each other's capitals and freeing up trade and travel.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/12/us-cuba-relations_n_7051080.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

2/6

HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF WITH SOCIAL MEDIA BLITZ, OUTREACH TO 2008 ALUMNI

Hillary Clinton's campaign announcement Sunday was topped off with her campaign advisers calling for alumni of her 2008 campaign. Clinton's 2016 presidential bid was announced quietly in contrast to the Republican entrants so far. She made her bid official with a tweet and a video message Sunday afternoon. The video featured a diverse group of voter, and had a theme of economic fairness, which is expected to be the main point of her campaign. Mook has been voicing comments about the choice of the american people to vote for "a set of policies that crash the economy, got us into this mess and really robbed the middle class and everyday Americans of their economic security, versus a path forward where we tip the playing field back toward the middle class so that they can have opportunities...". Instead of following up the announcement with a big rally, Clinton will be holding many small, intimate with voters. This is modeled after the successful "listening tour" she ran when she ran for U.S. Senate in NY in 2000.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/09/cnbc-reporter-ted-cruz-fact-checking_n_7034356.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

1/6

CNBC REPORTER HAMMERS TED CRUZ: WHY SHOULD ANYONE BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY?

Senator Ted Cruz has been called out for statements he's made that appear to be factually incorrect. Cruz is a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, he sat down with John Harwood, a CNBC reporter, to discuss his political history. Harwood corrected Cruz about a speech he made in March concerning IRS agents and Cruz's negative opinion about Obamacare. Cruz defended himself saying he was making a joke. Cruz turned it around to blame Harwood, saying that he is fact checking a joke.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/09/cnbc-reporter-ted-cruz-fact-checking_n_7034356.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

5/5

FLORIDA OFFICIALS WERE BARRED FROM USING THE TERM 'CLIMATE CHANGE' ONCE RISK SCOTT TOOK POWER

The officials responsible for Florida's preparedness for climate change are restricted from using the terms "global warming" and "climate change" in official communications, emails and reports. Miami, Florida is one of the most vulnerable cities to damage from rising sea levels, so climate change is a major problem in Florida. Now scientist are frustrated with state governor, Scott, for not taking the problem seriously. Scott does not believe in global warming. The policy against mentioning global warming went into effect after Scott took office in 2011.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/florida-global-warming_n_6826824.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

4/5

OBAMA'S CALL FOR WOMEN'S EQUALITY: 'THIS IS SIMLY A MATTER OF RIGHT AND WRONG

International Women's Day was sunday and President Obama marked it by calling for equality for all women. Obama is quoted to say "simply a matter of right and wrong," and "was one if the great injustices of our time." Obama's statement on International Women's Day gives credit to women for being essential to the survival of economics, political systems, and families and communities. Obama sheds light on how women's rights are violated around the world and are treated like second class citizens. He focused on supporting girls' education and making sure that one day women, girls, boys and men will all be equal.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/obama-international-womens-day_n_6826596.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

3/5

TREY GOWDY ALEGES GAPS IN HILLARY CLINTON'S EMAILS

Republican Trey Gowdy is the chairman of select committee investigating the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi. He claims there are many messages missing from the Hillary Clinton emails. The gaps are significant because Clinton used a personal email account during her tenure as secretary of state, which potentially shields herself from future public scrutiny. The democratic members of the Benghazi committee said that releasing the Clinton emails already in the panel's possession would disprove Gowdy's Claim. Clinton has asked the State Department to turn over all of her emails.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/hillary-clinton-email_n_6826536.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

2/5

OBAMA SAYS HE'LL WALK AWAY FROM DEAL IF IRAN CAN MAKE A NUCLEAR BOMB

Obama said Sunday that his administration would walk away from a deal with Iran if it would allow the regime to make a nuclear bomb anytime soon. Obama claims is there is "no deal" then we'll walk away. The Secretary of State John Kerry has been negotiating a deal  with Iran. The deal would ease economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for the Iranian government to limit its nuclear ambitions (claims for peaceful purposes). There are arguments that the agreement so far doesn't do enough to restrict Iran's bomb-making. Also people are worried about Iran fooling nuclear weapons inspectors.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/bloody-sunday-selma-march_n_6826932.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

1/5

BLOODY SUNDAY' ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATED WITH MARCH ACROSS SELMA BRIDGE

On Sunday there was a reenactment of the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, as part of a weekend of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a turning point in the civil rights movement. There is also a march scheduled for Monday to Montgomery on the route MLK and his followers walked in in the wake of Bloody Sunday. President Obama visited Selma  on Saturday and declared the work of the U.S. civil rights movement not finished. The anniversary comes at a time when the focus on racial disparities in the U.S. is very prominent.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/bloody-sunday-selma-march_n_6826932.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

5/4

OBAMA WARNS SECURITY FUNDING LAPSE WOULD HURT THE ECONOMY

Senate Republicans started a short-term funding extension for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a possible option to deal with a stalled spending bill. the Senate has failed for the 4th time to advance a very large bill to fund the agency. Republicans are trying to block Obama's recent immigration orders. Democrats have repeated their call for "clean" bill free of immigration restrictions. if Homeland Security spending is cut off, the department's essential protective staff would stay on the job, but there would be no more money to pay them until new funding is approved.

4/4

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO OVERTURN JUDGE'S IMMIGRATION RULING

The Department of Justice officially files an appeal and a request for a stay of a judge's recent decision to block Presidents Obama's executive actions on immigration. This appeal would overturn U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen's oder last week to halt Obama's policies from moving forward. If the stay was granted it would allow Obama's actions to be implemented. Obama's actions could allow as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants to receive work authorization and remain in the country. Hanen's injunction prevented the Obama administration from starting to accept application for an expanded version of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

3/4

OBAMA BEGINS SALES PITCH ON TRADE TO WARY U.S. PUBLIC

President Barack Obama has began a broad sales pitch to the U.S. public about the merits of free trade deals, an area in which he faces stiff resistance from many in his own Democratic party.He wants to work with Congressional Republicans to finalize the Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact. That is a agreement that would stretch form Japan to chile covering 40% of the world economy. Labor and environmental groups allied with Democrats have been pushing hard against the idea. Fast track authority is suppose to protect workers and promote businesses. Obama cast it as a way to puch back against the exporting powerhouse of China

2/4

MITT ROMNEY'S NEICE PICKED TO HEAD MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY

Michigan Republicans picked a niece of Mitt Romney to lead the state party for the next two years. Ronna Romney McDaniel received votes based on her efforts to make the party more appealing to minorities. Michigan has hopes to send A Republican to the White House in 2016.

1/4

PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT NOMIEE ALLEGEDLY SENT RACIST EMAIL

The nomination of judge Thomas K. Kistler to the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court hit a road block on Friday after the Centre Daily Times reported that he once sent an allegedly racist email. Kistler confirmed he sent the email but denied that racism had anything to do with it. News of the email threatens to derail Kislter's nomination.

5/3

VOX AND BUZZFEED ABTAIN INTERVIEWS WITH OBAMA

Vox and BuzzFeed are a pair of fast-growing digital media companies. They have both landed their first interviews with President Obama. Klein and Yglesias of Vox sat down with the president in January. Their interview will be published online Monday morning. Smith, the editor and chief of BuzzFeed, will speak with the president at the White House tuesday. These interviews are an indication that Vox and BuzzFeed are emerging as serious news organizations. Also this shows that the Obama administration is making an effort to connect with millennials and broaden its reach beyond traditional media outlets. Obama will also participate in a video shoot with BuzzFeed's new  video production unit.BuzzFeed has invited users to submit questions for the president before the interview, and plans to post the video of Mr. Obama exclusively to Facebook. For both BuzzFeed and Vox, the interviews represent a significant step forward for new digital media organizations, which continue to encroach on territory once reserved for print and broadcast news outlets.

4/3

U.S. SECRET SERVICE DEPUTY DIRECTER STEPS DOWN

The deputy directer of the U.S. Secret Service is leaving his post. This in the latest top level departure this year a series of high profile security lapses. A.T. smith ha accepted another position within the Department of Homeland Security effective Tuesday. Smith served as deputy director since April 2012 and was responsible for daily operations, including 6,500 employees, and protecting the president. In January, The Secret Service forced aside four officials while another opted to retire. Last month some members of Congress expressed concern to the administration about Smith's presence in top leadership. Recent lapses by the agency, like allowing a knife-carrying man to jump a fence and run into the White House in September, has caused a review of the agency leadership. This has recommended that an outsider be brought in to challenge an insular culture.

3/3

NEW JEB BUSH HIRE CALLED WOMEN 'SLUTS' ON TWITTER

Jeb Bush's political action committee has drawn ire of Democrats over new staffer's history of offensive remarks on twitter. Ethan Czahor, co-founder of Hipster.com and now chief technology officer of Right to Rise PAC, made many offensive comment about "sluts" and gay men at the gym, among others. He took to twitter Monday to say he had "deleted some old jokes I made years ago I no longer find funny or appropriate #learning #maturing." Governor Bush thinks the comments were inappropriate, and thats why they were deleted at his request. Democrats blasted out the tweets to reporters and criticized Czahor's hiring. Democrats accuse Bush as not being ready for prime time because of their poor hiring. Czahor wasn't the first hire by Bush to cause scrutiny. 

2/3

SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO STOP GAY MARRIAGES IN ALABAMA

On monday the Supreme Court refused to halt same-sex marriage in Alabama.Because Alabama's top judge instructed them to, probate judges in the state have been refusing to issue any licenses to marry. There was a request by Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, to put a stay on the ruling that overturned the state's ban on gay marriage, but that expired on Monday. With the option to intervene by putting a hold on same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court declined to do so. Moore, the Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, complicated the matter by sending out a notice to all probate judges in the state, telling them to not issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Despite Moore's orders, many same-sex marriages did proceed in Alabama on Monday. But in other counties people weren't as lucky, couples in Tuscaloosa, Jackson and Marshall County were not permitted marriage license.

1/3

HEALTH LAW CASE POSES CONUNDRUM FOR REPUBLICANS

Republicans in Congress are urging the Supreme Court to strike down subsidies for health insurance. They are also chiding the Obama administration because it has no plan to avert the hardship that could occur if they win in court. Republicans now have realized that a if the court decision is in their favor it poses a risk to members of their party. With an increase on their numbers on Capitol Hill, Republicans theoretically have more power to undo President Obama's health care overhaul, but they also have more responsibility for the result. The No. 2 Republican in the Senate Said the Obama administration's top health official was treating Congress with contempt by refusing to discuss contingency plans if the Supreme Court blocked subsidy payments. At Senate hearing, The secretary of health and human services, repeatedly dodged questions from republicans who asked about the court case. IN a legal brief, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Cruz and other Republican lawmakers urged the court to hold that subsidies provided to people in the federal insurance exchange were illegal. A ruling like that would blow a hole in the health care law, jeopardizing subsidies for more than five million people in the states that use federal exchange. democrats complain  about hypocrisy. They argue that "It's like throwing gasoline on a fire, then indignantly asking the administration for its plan to put out the fire." Insurers canceled many policies that did not meet coverage standards set by the Affordable Care Act. If republicans prevail in court, many people could lose their insurance plans because they would lose the subsidies and and no longer afford the premiums.

5/2

MICHELLE OBAMA FORGOES HEADSCARF IN SAUDI ARABIA

Michelle Obama joined President Obama in Saudi Arabia for a condolence visit after the  death of the King Abdullah. She stepped of the plane wearing long paints and long jacket, cut no head scarf. It is law there for females to wear headscarf and loose robes. For foreigners though, it is not required. There are strict laws in Saudi Arabia separating men from women. Women are not allowed to drive, they have to get permission from a male relative  to travel. When Mrs. Obama stepped off the plane she was greeted by Saudi officials and some shook her hand but most just nodded in acknowledgement.

4/2

THE 529 MICROCOSM: A REVEALING POLITICAL TRAIN WRECK WITH REGARD TO AN INEFFICIENT TAX BREAK

This train wreck over the White House's proposal and then retraction of a plan to cut back on wasteful tax benefits is instructive. This is a clear example of how much hot air there is in these fiscal debates. The benefit in question is the 529 college savings plan. This allows people to save as much money  as they want for college, without paying taxes on that money. The problem with this tax benefit is that is provides subsidy to people who woulds save in other forms anyway. So the White House proposed to tax withdrawals, while boosting better targeted measures to help lower-income households afford college. These efforts were quickly attacked by defenders of the 529s. The White house took everybody by surprise when an official said that this provision has become too much of a distraction and that they were not going to ask congress to pass it. This 529 rollback was going raise close to $1 billion over 10 years, it is hard to think that we are poised for a push on tax reform.

3/2

MORMONS SEEK GOLDEN MEAN BETWEEN GAY RIGHTD AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Mormon leaders are trying to find a middle ground in the battle between gay rights and religious freedom. They insist that both problems should be a national priority. A rare news conference at church headquarters in Salt Lake City was held, and the leaders of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints condemned the discrimination against gays, and vowed to support them. They wish to protect people from being denied jobs or housing because of sexual orientation. They claim that discriminating against sexual orientation is just as bad as discriminating against race or gender. Now that the church backs nondiscrimination laws it will will make those laws more likely to pass after being stalled in Legislature for so long. The Mormon leaders however, have made it clear that they will not be changing the doctrine, which says that marriage can only be between a man and a women. They say that the doctrine is a scared Scripture, and they are not at liberty to change it. The church is now trying to position itself in favor of  both gay rights and the conservative religious opposition to gay rights. The Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights organization, says that the Mormon leaders' endorsement is meaningful but it is flawed. This move has been called well intentioned but naive. They have confidence though, that now with the help from the Mormon leaders, a bill that would ban housing and employment discrimination based on someone's sexuality or gender identity.

2/2

FIDEL CASTRO BREAKS SILENCE OVER THAW IN U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS

After almost six weeks Fidel Castro has ended his silence over the deal to restore diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. He wrote a letter saying that he supported peaceful end to conflict but still distrusted American politics. Mr. Castro wrote about how he wants to "defend cooperation and friendship with all the world's people" he included his "political adversaries" in that list. The letter was read to students at the University of Havana, and was published in the official Communist Party's newspaper. There had been past rumors that Castro was dead. After he had made an announcement on Dec. 17 of the detente. Castro has left analysts to wonder whether he has approved of the deal. The Letter he wrote was very scattered, talking about global economic inequality and Greek notions of utopia, and also including Cuba's role in the Angolan conflict before he even mention the reconciliation. Castro has repeatedly  mentioned that he does not trust American Politics, that he has not discussed this matter with America, but he is not rejecting the proposal.

1/2

SENATE  DEMOCRATS DELAY G.O.P. ATTEMPT TO FORCE KEYSTONE VOTE.

Democrats in the senate were successful in delaying Republican efforts to force a vote on a bill to approve construction on of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. it was a small victory for the minority part in the senate. It was a procedural vote that is unlikely to prevent the Republicans from eventually approving the pipeline. If/when it is passed in the senate it will most likely be vetoed by President Obama. The vote was a challenge for the majority leader, Mitch McConnell, he moved for a final vote just after a week of debate. Democrats were mad because they said their objections had been cut off. There is concern that the Republican majority is using their power fairly.There has been promise that both sides will try to work together in light of recent events.

5/1

OBAMA WILL URGE F.C.C. TO AID LOCAL BROADBAND EXPANSION

Obama will ask the Federal Communication Commission to pre-empt state laws that restrict communities' ability to broaden high-speed Internet access. This initiative includes efforts by the Commerce Department to help communities with broadband infrastructures, with also loans and grants from the Agriculture Department to Internet providers in rural areas. These plans are crucial to Obama's plan to nurture innovation. These tries to remove roadblocks to Internet competition is likely to face resistance from telecommunications companies. removing these strict laws would be an important first step in making competition that would widely expand broadband access.

4/1

OBAMA CALLS FOR NEW LAWS TO BOLSTER CYBER SECURITY

President Obama called on Congress to pass legislation to strengthen cyber security. His concern is about the recent high-profile computer breaches. Obama's proposal would increase the prosecution of crimes conducted through the computer and toughen penalties for them. This new effort came after Obama called for legislation to force American companies to become more forthcoming when credit card data and other consumer information are lost in an online breach. This high concern for cyber security came after the hacking of Sony in December, which the US government says was the work of the North Korean government. Obama is persistent to get legislation passed for the sake of the American people's privacy and safety.

3/1

HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO EASE SOME DODD-FRANK FINANCIAL RULES

On Wednesday the House passed legislation to ease banking regulations that were adopted after the financial crisis. Many democrats voting for it, ignoring President Obama's threat to veto it. The legislation would delay a Dodd-Frank mandate that financial firms sell off bundled debt. The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee saw the changes as "modest clarifications". Obama and senator Elizabeth Warren intend to stop all legislation that further gets rid of Dodd-Frank. All of the arguing over Dodd-Frank is great for scoring political points but the bill, in reality isn't going anywhere.

2/1

HOUSE IS READY TO FIRE FIRST SHOT IN IMMIGRATION FIGHT WITH OBAMA

Republicans are firing their first shots in their immigration fight with Obama. The house votes on Wednesday on a bill that would invalidate President Obama's executive action on immigration. Even if it does get passed Obama would veto it. the immigration act would make $40 million that would pay for most Homeland Security operations. Republicans also know that they cannot be held responsible for the Department of Homeland Security to run out of money. Especially now with the terrorist attacks in France.

1/1

BOEHNER FACING DISSENT AND DEFECTIONS IN VOTE TO REMAIN SPEAKER OF HOUSE

This article is about the struggle of Boehner as the speaker of the house and his relection. Democrats and the Tea party are trying to ruin Boehner and the republican reputation. They use the fact that that Scalise, a republican congress member, was caught many years ago at a white supremacy rally. Democrats are saying that Boehner is responsible for the members of his party and the fact that some of the members are behaving badly reflects back on him. This article also puts the pressure on Boehner that many republicans didn't vote for him.