Federal Court System

Huntsville is in United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama , Eleventh Circuit

Obama and 5 questions about his presidency.

1.What was Obamas idea when bringing healthcare and  the stimulus package to the united states?
2.How did he improve Americas foreign image?
3.How has he continually combated terrorism?
4.Foreign sanctions during his presidency?
5.How he helped the auto industry survive and thrive?

Reflection-Gabe Menchaca

The beginning of this semester felt like the last but with an increase in the amount of inherent knowledge that i retained and or knew now. Yet, as it progressed i felt the end of school looming and therefore have started to become complacent with my work over the past few assignments. As I felt this happening i struck a deal with myself to learn as much as possible and anything that was necessary to prepare me for the final exam in May. I have begun to care less and less about my grades in classes cumulatively and have wanted to start focusing on the learning aspect more. I believe this is a great way to think and i have been less stressed these past few weeks than ever, even with track and field dominating the majority of my time outside of school. I also believe that the sudden ramp up of pressure/hard-tests in AP Gov will allow me to tweak the finite process of test taking to one that benefits me and the way I think the most. Also with quizzes and such it is making me think on my feet about things I will not have known the whole way, thus provoking me to make quick, educated decisions on questions that would have stumped me first quarter.

Political Barbeque

Earmark-Congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project.

Word origin-1590s, "to identify by an earmark," from earmark (n.). Meaning "to set aside money for a special purpose" is attested by 1868. Also the process of marking cattle. Earmarks got banned in 2011 after complaints about the bridge to nowhere, banned by the republican party. Congress would use this term to describe processes of allocating funds.

http://etymonline.com/index.php?term=earmark&allowed_in_frame=0

Logrolling- The practice of exchanging favors

Pork barrell spending is a “metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district. The usage originated in American English. In election campaigns, the term is used in derogatory fashion to attack opponents.”

Examples:

“One of the most famous alleged pork-barrel projects was the Big Dig in Boston, Massachusetts. The Big Dig was a project to relocate an existing 3.5-mile (5.6 km) section of the interstate highway system underground. It ended up costing$14.6 billion, or over $4 billion per mile. Tip O'Neill (D-Mass), after whom one of the Big Dig tunnels was named, pushed to have the Big Dig funded by the federal government while he was the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

During the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, the Gravina Island Bridge (also known as the "Bridge to Nowhere") in Alaska was cited as an example of pork barrel spending. The bridge, pushed for by Republican Senator Ted Stevens, was projected to cost $398 million and would connect the island's 50 residents and the Ketchikan International Airport to Revillagigedo Island and Ketchikan”

Logrolling- Vote trading by legislative members to obtain passage of action of interest to each legislative member. The first known use of the term was by Congressman Davy Crockett, who said on the floor in 1835, "my people don't like me to log-roll in their business, and vote away pre-emption rights to fellows in other states that never kindle a fire on their own land."

Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Logrolling.aspx

Grand Finale: Log rolling can be used to support earmarks which can be referred to as pork barreling when it is seen as unnecessary government expenditures.

Exploring Congress; How It Works

Bill Studied:https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr2817
Colorado Senate Member: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/michael_bennet/412330
Colorado Delegation: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CO

This site gives you a view into the inner workings of congress that allow you to see any house or senate member or bill and who is responsible for them. The report card user allows us to view how the specific person we chose compared to the rest of the people in that house. For example i chose Michael Bennett, who comparatively was one of the worst people in the democratic party as well as in the selection of senators is used to grade him. He had zero to no positive things about his report card all being negative to him and his ideology. I also learned that the other house and senate members were more mixed within Colorado as they all had different things they excelled in and things they fell short in, this pertained to both parties. As for the bills passed within the government they all fluctuated in length but seemed to be written as concisely as was possible to still convey a message. They were very in depth but i did not expect to see so many new bills being passed each month within the government.

Senator Michael Bennet; You cant trust this smirk to do your state any good.

China Shuts down Stock Market Briefly

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/chinas-currency-rout-is-rocking-markets-again-2016-1?wt=2

After a 7% loss in fifteen minutes within their stock market China is trying to recuperate and quell fears of a crash within their economic system. A mere month after their decision in December to remain with their current country plan China is trying to flood money into the infrastructure and economy in order to stay afloat.

California Gun Statute

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/31/landmark-california-gun-seizure-law-takes-effect

A law will go into effect the first day of the new year that will allow police officers to petition to take away guns from people that they deem are dangerous to the well being of others. This could be considered both a bad and good thing is it allows the local government to control and make sure the guns are not in the wrong hands but it may also intrude on peoples freedom and may also make people think the government is trying to control their daily lives by restricting their use of firearms. Anyways it will be exciting to see how this new law plays out.

California's Porter Ranch Gas Leak

http://www.wallstreethedge.com/californias-porter-ranch-gas-leak-will-be-investigated-by-the-epa/28198/

The gas leak is emitting pollution equal to approximately 4.3  million cars per day and has been for over three months. The government is finally cracking down on it and the source and its causes are being studied by the EPA. Hopefully this destructive force tot he environment will be solved soon or it will just cause more damage to the environment.

Chief Justice of The Alabama Supreme Court issues probate on same sex marriage licenses

http://www.decaturdaily.com/news/local/state-chief-justice-issues-order-blocking-gay-marriages/article_384228e2-b342-5d91-8800-253ff0373eda.html

The Chief Justice Roy Moore is attempting to supersede the authority of the government by not allowing same sex couples to get married. Not only is this both embarrassing to him but it is also an embarrassment for a whole state as one disloyal and quarrelsome man seems to think he is above the nations governing law. This is both annoying and an atrocious act against people trying to live their lives.

Shooter In Paris One Year After The Anniversary Of Charlie Hebdo

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/485950/Shooting-Paris-police-gunman-fire-terror-fear-attacks-Charlie-Hebdo-anniversary???

Just one year after the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris another one was, this time, foiled by police as the attacker tried to storm a police station with a gun. The entire city of Paris has been put on lockdown as the police try to see if any other suspects are roaming around the inner workings of Paris. The only casualties so far are the shooter himself.

Here is a link to a video explaining the attack. http://bcove.me/e61bceww

China to become one of the biggest Automated manufacturers by 2018

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-china-idUSKBN0TP0IQ20151206
Along with huge steps in automation within their companies, such as purchasing 230,000 robots to be used on factory lines, China is also leading the way by producing the most clean and efficient cars in the market. They will become the world-wide leader in the electronic car market within the next 3 years and will continue to innovate and pave the way to a better future, but will not help with the smog.

Beijing issues first red alert for smog

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/beijing-smog-red-alert-issued-schools-and-businesses-to-completely-shut-down-as-chinese-capital-a6763286.html
In a first ever move my any major Chinese city Beijing has enacted a red alert and shut down its city until the smog clears up. The smog is thick within the city as it is one of the major industrial powerhouses within China which causes the air to be filled with almost opaque grey smoke that covers the city in a gloomy haze.

Muslim Sunni's launch anti-extremism Campaign

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/indonesian-muslims-counter-isis_565c737ae4b072e9d1c26bda
After all the terrorists attack plaguing the world a group of a Muslim subsidiary the Sunni's are launching a campaign to stop extremist movements within their religion. This will hopefully lead to Americans and the rest of the world to view Muslims as a religion like anyone else and not just a religion based off of the fanatical hate of a few members within their huge religion.

Rebuilding the environment in Africa

http://news10.com/2015/12/06/at-climate-talks-african-nations-pledge-to-restore-forests/

Germany and the world bank have announced funding to support the re-supplementation of over 100 hectares of forest within Africa. 10 small countries in Africa roughly twice the size of France are joining forces in order to rebuild. Hopefully this money will actually get used to create new jobs in rebuilding the environment and is not going to be funneled into the corrupt outlets laden throughout Africa. As long as they can make sure the money gets put towards the project the future is looking green for Africa.

Canadian Judges Views on Marijuana Laws

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/a-quebec-judge-slammed-canadas-antiquated-and-ridiculous-marijuana-laws-while-handing-down-a-1-fine-vgtrn
Canada  became the first G7 nation to legalize marijuana this past week and is thus forging the path into a future where drugs may be used for recreational and medicinal purposes by all those who need it. Prior to the legalization a Canadian judge fined a man $1 for housing and manufacturing 30 marijuana plants. Calling the laws obsolete and outdated he slammed all countries but especially Canada for what he called a very inane and petty crime, if any at all.

Largest Protests in South Korea Since 2008

http://imgur.com/gallery/zVlXJ

"People are angry with President Park Geun-Hye for a variety of reasons. -Starting in 2017, the government will only allow middle and high schools to use a single government written history textbook. People are worried that her father's history will be white washed and paint that the militarist dictatorship was fine. That it was ok to take away democratic rights. -People are angry that policies are being pushed by the president where it makes it easier to fire people and take away worker's rights. Also, policies that only benefit the rich. -Graduated college students have a high unemployment rate. About 410,000 youth in their 20s are currently unemployed. (total population of South Korea stands at about 50 million). -Farmers are angry about the falling price of rice. -People are also angry that she leaves the country every time there is a protest. She lacks action when it comes to national events such as a Sewol Ferry disaster."

Germany Government

1/4. Two main political parties are CDU (Christlich-Demokratische Union Deutschlands or Christian Democratic Union of Germany) is Germany's main conservative party and SPD (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands or Social Democratic Party of Germany) grew out of the 19th-century labour movement and was originally a Marxist party. 
http://www.expatica.com/de/about/The-main-political-parties-in-Germany_107953.html
2. Federal parliamentary republic,federal legislative power lying with the Bundestag (German Parliament) and the Bundesrat  (a federal council representing Germany's 16 länder or federal states).
The Head of State, the Bundespräsident, elected every 5 years by the Bundestag and state delegates, has a largely ceremonial role. Yes The Bundeskanzler (Chancellor) is the Head of Government, elected by and responsible to the Bundestag usually for a four-year term, is almost always the leader of the largest party.  Federal republic.
http://www.expatica.com/de/about/The-main-political-parties-in-Germany_107953.html
3.Around 11 parties.
5. All these parties,11, are officially recognized.
6.The main two premises the parties are based off are economic and social issues.
7.The federal chancellor is the only member of the federal government to be elected. The constitution empowers him to personally choose his ministers, who head the most important political authorities. Moreover it is the Chancellor who determines the number of ministries and their responsibilities. It is he who lays down the guidelines of government policy. These outline the Chancellor’s right to stipulate binding government activities. This authority gives the federal chancellor  a whole array of instruments of leadership that easily stands up to a comparison with the power of the President in a presidential democracy.
http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en/political-system/main-content-04/the-federal-chancellor-and-the-government.html

Justin Trudeau sworn in as new Canada prime minister

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34725055

The new PM of Canada has finally left and a new one has been sworn in. Already taking drastic steps around the world front Trudeau is looking to keep Canada on a path to economic expansion while drawing down its unnecessary conflicts by removing planes and fighters from the middle east.

Romanian PM Ponta quits after street protests

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/04/uk-romania-government-ponta-idUKKCN0ST0XT20151104

After many days and nights of protesting all around Romania, the prime minister Ponta is resigning. After hearing of possible corruption within the government and mostly attributed to Ponta Romanians began their protesting and have kept a firm stance on the matter, and as you can see it has clearly paid off.

Cuba's Innovative Biotechnology Attracts Global Attention

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Cubas-Innovative-Biotechnology-Attracting-Global-Attention-20151103-0018.html

As Cubas relationship with the United States has grown stronger they are more willing to share the innovative technologies that allowed them to grow more food without destroying their limited land and resources. In a worlds fair Cuba will be showcasing the many ways they utilized technology to keep a sustainable ecosystem for their people.