Tag Archives: current events

Response to Current Events: The 2024 Election

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If you’ve been keeping up with the news, I’m sure you have noticed that Colorado has banned former President Trump from being on the ballot. Despite your political stance, one must question if this is Constitutional. Is this action silencing the voices of voters from Colorado? If so, would that be against the First Amendment, which writes, “Congress shall make no law […] prohibiting the freedom of speech […]” (US Constitution). Are citizens forced to vote a certain way by removing a president from the ballot? Is the election being rigged by not having a fair amount of voting in each state?

Colorado stands on the 14th Amendment and argues that this allows them to disregard Trump on the ballot. The 14th Amendment Section 3 reads:

“No person shall be a […] elector of President and Vice-President, […] having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, […] or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability” (US Constitution).

From my understanding, Colorado is using this Amendment to claim that President Trump engaged in insurrection in the 2020 Election and on Jan. 6, 2021, a protest at the U.S. Capitol. One must question whether the 2020 election was a hoax; if Trump was doing shifty business, wouldn’t that mean he would have won rather than Biden? Despite claims that Trump cheated in the election, President Biden won in a landslide with 306 Electoral College votes, while Trump had 232. 

Another topic that has been vigorously discussed is the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6. Many have argued that Trump was behind these ‘attacks,’ which may be true (who knows). However, political commentator Tucker Carlson brought suspicious footage of police officers escorting rioters through the building to light. Democrats were seen to manipulate the information about the death of police officer Brian Sicknick. Video Linked Here. With this knowledge in mind, can President Trump be prosecuted for these ‘rebellions,’ or is he innocent? If he is clear, it would not be Constitutional for any state to prohibit his ballot.

Although you may see this situation in a completely different way, you must look out for the future of our country. Democracy is being lost with the power of the states increasing while our voices are being quieted. We, the country’s future, must protect democracy, free speech, and the Constitution.

Books about presidential elections are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

Stop Cop City

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Recently UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield claimed that the US would again be focusing on ‘conflict-induced famine and food insecurity’ during its presidency over the UNSC this month because she believes it is a national security, economic, and moral issue.

Atlanta citizens have been grappling with the issue of Cop City for quite some time now, and numerous riots have risen due to the severe environmental destruction and financial impacts it would have. Cop City, an unfinished establishment, is meant to serve as a Public Safety Training Center that would allow and nurture specialized training within law enforcement and those working in fire-departments. The building of the establishment first started in the spring of 2023 on an 85-acre plot of land near the South-River Forest. The 90 million dollars going into construction completely goes against what Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and the US are trying to focus on.

People have been wrongfully shot, imprisoned, and even killed as a result of these protests, and although I don’t personally condone the use of violence in order to make a change, I am very strongly against the construction of Cop City.

I believe that these 90 million dollars going into this project can be used to make a bigger difference within smaller communities in Atlanta; it is more than enough money to be able to provide poorer households with clean water/food, housing, better education, and so many other amenities and basic necessities. 

I have a friend who lives in Atlanta, and she attended a public commentary forum/rally in early June to advocate against Cop City. She told me that the event lasted for about 15 hours in city hall, and what really was disheartening for the both of us was that the council members weren’t even listening to the citizens that were pouring their hearts out by telling extremely personal stories about how this project has affected them. My friend also claimed that most of the council members seemed to be on their phones the entire time, and didn’t even really look up at the citizens on stand.

I feel that a deal or a system can be approached between states regarding a shared training facility, or some other existing space within Atlanta can be utilized. The ensured safety of people is important, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of mass deforestation and death. I think that a state can only be successful if it listens to its citizens, and takes the well-being and opinions of everyone into mind whilst making life-changing decisions.

If you know anyone who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, please spread awareness and say no to Cop City at https://www.copcityvote.com/. 

What is Happening in Ukraine?

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All over the news for the past week, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been a devastating scene to watch. Currently, Russian troops are flooding through the Ukrainian border. Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin claims that Russia can not feel “safe” as a result of the Ukrainian push to join NATO and become more westernized. For those who are unaware of the term NATO that is being thrown around lately, NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Created post-WWII to try and prevent future hostilities, NATO is a military defense alliance that includes 28 European countries and 2 North American countries, including the United States. One of the main points of NATO is that an attack on one is an attack on all. Putin has been very adamant about keeping Ukraine out of NATO. For a geographical reference, Ukraine and Russia share a border. As a result, there are many Russian-Ukrainian ties between the people in both countries. Putin does not want any western influence to disrupt his current dictatorship.

Bomb shelters in Subway Stations

Rockets have been shot in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with over 2 million civilians living in the city. Unlike past global conflicts that the newest generation read in textbooks, visuals are not provided. The difference currently is the influence of modernized technology and social media. Through cell phones, people across the globe have seen real time videos or rockets filling the skies and destroying the cities. Over social media Ukrainians have posted video of their bomb shelters inside of the subway stations. Citizens have been recording their current conditions with covered windows and packed bags, waiting for the bomb siren. 

In order to protect the country, all men ages 18-60 have been ordered to remain in Ukraine to protect their land. Families are being separated as the men stay and the woman and children attempt to flee. President of Ukraine Volodymr Zelenskyy has stayed present. He has not been hiding but rather leading his people and fighting alongside them. 

As for external involvement, the U.S has announced sanctions against the Russian Central Bank. Meaning business with Russia has been closed and assets have frozen. Additionally, the U.S and other Allies have taken some of the Russian banks off of the SWIFT financial messaging system. The hope is to put economic pressure onto Russia. The elite wealthy class of Russia will definitely feel the pressure from bank removals which is one of the hopes from these sanctions. The Biden Administration has made it very clear that the United States will not intervene militarily in Ukraine. The main reasoning being it could ignite another World War, the current conflict being regional. The current troops throughout Europe are not present to fight Russians, but to defend NATO allies, which is part of the defense alliance.

-Lilly G.