Current Events Blog: Why ISIS is Supporting Trump

Noah Hirsch
January 30, 2017
Pre AP World History
3rd period

Current Events Blog

You might be aware that recently Donald Trump became president of the United States of America.  During his campaign trump claimed that he would stop all illegal muslim immigrants from coming into our country.  Now that he's president he's sticking to his questionable words.  Trump says the executive order is not a Muslim ban, even though it restricts citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States for three months and gives preference to non-Muslim refugees.  That is awful and there is something even worse about this. 

Almost every country with Muslims will be affected by the order, because it makes it easier for ISIS and Al Qaeda to recruit alienated young believers.  That means that the biggest terrorist group we are currently fighting still 100% supports our president and his actions.  This should not be the reality we live in.

1/30/17 North Korea starts reactor - Theresa Dvorocsik

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/29/asia/north-korea-secretary-mattis-asia-visit/index.html

North Korea appears to be restarting a plutonium reactor just as US Secretary of Defense James Mattis prepares to visit neighboring South Korea and Japan.

An analysis of new satellite imagery from 38 North, a North Korea tracking project associated with the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, concludes that country is preparing to restart the reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear facility.

While North Korea is starting up a nuclear reactant, the US is wasting time. If we need to get involved we should do so before it's too late. 

Paper airplanes, Aeva Ramirez2

A South Carolina student, David Elliot, is charged with assault and a 30 day sentence in jail for throwing a paper air plane. While the student was in class he threw a paper air plane that landed in the eye of his teacher. His eye appeared very red after the hit. The student may be released on a $1,087.50 bond. The school states that it will not get in the way of the law and the student will have to face consequences if seen necessary by law.

I think it's kinda crazy that this student is being punished to severely. Granted he did enjure a teacher but the student couldn't have controlled where the paper plane landed. I believe he should be pulled out of class for disruption and maybe call his parents concerning the teacher enjury. However I don't see the need to send a kid to jail for being a teenager.

http://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/student-threw-a-paper-airplane-he-now-faces-30-days-in-jail/

Ellen Whitehead Current Event

After nearly 10 seasons of the very successful television show, "Doctor Who," the main character Peter Capaldi, announces his leave. Capaldi has starred on the show since 2013, following Matt Smith. Capaldi stated that it was never his intention to be on a successful television show and have his fame where it is today. His departure is leaving "one of British television's most iconic roles vacant." Peter Capaldi will be well missed on his amazing role. I think that this change will chance the show drastically, they are losing the main character and hopefully they are able to find a replacement.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/entertainment/peter-capaldi-leaving-doctor-who/index.html

People getting fired ~Natalie Carvajal

  It is very sad that people are getting fired just bc of Donald trump. I mean if people have a job is for a reason , but they don't need to loose it for no reason. He has made so many people get fired just bc they don't support him, like what kind of sense is this. I never supported him , bc my family and many other families are going down till we hit the ground to depression and anxiety. We want to have a life a good one , but yet the devil shoes up and takes over our state , oh lord pls help us. Its like take back to when people couldn't find a job bc they were poor.  Well now that here in the future we find one we loose it bc of some dumb and really stupid president. I say lest help each other and support love and freedom and rights for our nation , not hate, not stupidity , or racism.

Www.noticiero telemundo.com

Gateway for Boyscouts by Alex Travell

www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/us/boy-scouts-transgender-membership/index.html


Recently, the BSA, or Boy Scouts of America said they will be accepting transgenders(etc.) after an eight year old in New Jersey accused them of expelling him for being transgender.  The BSA is walking away from relying on the boys' birth certificates. They will now be asking for their gender. The boy scouts aren't the only organization doing this. The girl scouts are, too.

I personally am a boy scout, and I really like this new change. Scouts has definitely changed my life for the better, and I think everyone should be able to experience it... no matter what gender.
There are countless things that you can learn in scouts that you can't learn anywhere else. I truly believe this is a huge step forward for the BSA.

Trump Fires AG After She Refuses to Defend Travel Ban-Victoria Gonzalez Current Event

                  Attorney General, Sarah Yates, was fired Monday January 30, 2017 after refusing to take further action on the travel ban which Trump has recently enforced through an executive order. Shortly after her resignation US Attorney, Dana Boente, was sworn in as new Attorney General. The White House Statement claimed that "Yates has betrayed the Department of Justice", while other government members such as Elijah Cummings applauded her for standing up for what she believed in. It personally makes me sad that we have come to a point in which our own government has become so against some of our own policies that they would rather risk their entire political career or position in the US Government than take part in what they believe is wrong. The point of division has even gone within our own government, not just the people.

 http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/politics/donald-trump-immigration-order-department-of-justice/index.html

Bella Macey Current Event

  A law passed last year in California was the ban on bullet button rifles. But now the original inventor of the bullet button rifle, Darin Prince has created a new way to use a rifle that doesn't have a bullet button. So of course once that came out m'any other companies recreated the invention and it is now sold everywhere especially in California.
  Personally I'm not a fan of guns but I also understand why we need them in this world. But I'm very curious as to why California would ban bullet button rifles when people won't follow the law and obey it anyways.

http://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/clever-californians-discover-way-to-get-around-new-gun-ban/

Migrant overcrowding | Mica Stout

3,000 people living in Moria at a camp run the risk of over crowding. 3 men died from toxic fumes from the heaters. The investigators believe that it is carbon monoxide poisoning due to the usage of heaters and wood burning. With more than 60,000 migrants, it is dangerous to have over crowding especially if there is a risk of haveing carbon monoxide in the air.

I think claustrophobic which I hear the word over crowding. It's terrible that these people have to deal with that when all they are trying to do it live peacefully. If 3 people already died, from 3,000 people, and there are hundreds of thousands of people more, how is that going to help.


Migrant crisis: Alarm over recent deaths at Lesbos camp - BBC News https://apple.news/APY35Rm6mRFmNXTxIpbCC3w

Ellie Bush current event

After trump's immigration ban, the next thing on his hit list are protections from LGBTQ community. Right now, it includes overturning a directive that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workforce and those who contract with the government.

I think that no matter what Trump does, most people still aren't going to like him. I still think he needs to do whatever he can to make sure that all Americans are on the same page and United.

http://www.recode.net/2017/1/30/14446972/trump-reversal-lgbt-protections-tech-leaders-championed

Transgender by Madeline Cedillo 3rd period

Boy Scouts promote Transgender

By Madeline Cedillo

January 30, 2017

Recently,the Boy Scouts are now accepting students that are transgender.Those is due to them not discriminating any child.In this experience the kid is referred to as the gender they prefer.This has caused many controversy in the media and kid camps.They are trying to take a step into the aseptance of the transgender people.They are trying their best to keep all of the "waters calm."

Elle Holland Current Event #17

The Boy Scouts of America says they will begin accepting members based on the gender that their actions indict, allowing transgender children to become scouts. Before this the organization looked at birth certificates to determine eligibility. They decided that as communities and the world are changing and state laws are interpreting gender identity differently, that it was time to make a change in their youth program.Their organization local council will help find units that will be best fit for each child.

I think this is a huge step because it is allowing young children to be comfortable with who they are and gives them a good outlet and a good set of friends. As a whole the world is changing and adapting with the people of it and small changes like this will allow everyone to be happy and comfortable no matter what their situation.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/us/boy-scouts-transgender-membership/index.html

Current Events #16 - Grayson Lesley - Milburn

President Donald Tump's recent immigration ban has sent all of us spinning. He recently signed a document stating that if any immigrant (even if legal and holding a green card) are outside of the States, they will be held and not allowed back in.

I think this is ridiculous and should not be happening. I can only imagine what the future holds for us. Let's hope it is positive.

.http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-executive-order-immigration-reaction/index.html

Executive Order. -Caleb Gutierrez 

This past weekend, President Trump signed an executive order that banned 7 countries from their people being allowed in the United States. On top of that, President Goofball signed another executive order saying that if you have a green card, and if you are outside of the country as he signed the law, then you can not re-enter the country. These 2 laws, caused more than 100 people to be detained at airports. These law completely changes who we are as a country. Our country is supposed to be the country of freedom.


Source: CNN News

One of the FBI's most wanted has been captured- Melanie Escalante

Terry Strickland, suspect of a double homicide, was found and captured on Sunday morning. On July 17th, Strickland shot 2 men during a dispute. The FBI had been looking for him for 6 months until they found him in El Paso, Texas after someone made a call to the public access line with helpful information. Following the tip, a $100,000 reward was given to the caller.

I imagine that tracking down one of the most wanted criminals can be very difficult so I am glad that the FBI was able to do it quickly. If Terry Strickland hadn't been caught, the amount of danger he could've caused is scary to think about especially since we live in Texas (where he was captured). I'm we have hard working FBI agents to keep us safe.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/15/us/terry-strickland-fbi-most-wanted-arrest/index.html

Dangerous raid in Yemen- Jade Pierre

 On Saturday 1/28/17 a dangerous and fatal attack took effect in Yemen. In the raid one U.S service member was killed and left 3 Yemen citizens injured. The U.S announced that the "causalities where sustained in an operation against Al-Qaida in the Arabian peninsula."The pentagon stated that another U.S service member was injured during a rough landing at a near by location. Alice reports that 6 women and 3 children where among the forty people killed in the raid.
  In my opinion it deeply saddens me to know that there has always been conflicts in this area of the world and they have yet to be resolved. As times have past it seems to me that violence has been increasing. Not only that but now as we get older we start to realize reality and have a more mature view point of the world.
  http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/29/512299339/one-u-s-service-member-killed-several-others-injured-during-raid-in-yemen

Jessica Ball Current Event 1/29/2017

Current Events: Syrian Family Turned Back at Airport

A Christian, Syrian family with their Visas in hand, were turned around at the airport because Donald Trump had just signed the executive order. This executive order denies citizens from seven different countries, including Syria. They finally fled war-torn Syria, and with 16 suitcases they were on their way to start a new, safe life in America. This family had worked 15 years to join their other family members in Pennsylvania. The family was detained when they got to the airport and then they were put on a flight back to the Middle East. Keep in mind that there have been zero acts of terrorism caused by Syrian refugees. The mayor of Philadelphia is “sickened” by this situation.

This is absolutely ridiculous. This family already had permission to enter the United States with their Visas, and everything was perfectly legal, until this old man that looks like a leather handbag all of the sudden signed a piece of paper denying their entrance. Imagine finally leaving all of the pain and persecution that was forced upon you, and you finally get a chance to live in a place where your religion can be accepted, and then just moments before you are finally free, one signature prevents you from that dream. There are so many stories in the news talking about how families are being split apart because of this executive order and it is absolutely heart breaking. I hope Donald Trump figures out what the heck he is doing in office soon because so far with his decision to sign this executive order,  and his decision to cut government arts funding makes me infuriated. 

Grace Biltz | First women, now scientists to march on Washington

Do you remember what happened last Saturday? Over 500,000 women marched on Washington to voice their beliefs about women's rights. Even more women marched in cities throughout the world. Now scientists are now planning to march on Washington. They are concerned about climate change and President Trump's position on this critical issue. March organizers are currently trying to coordinate the details.
The march organizers issued a statement, "An American government that ignores science to pursue ideological agendas endangers the world." President Trump has called climate change a hoax which concerns environmental groups such as Greenpeace. Organizers say that details and the event's date will be announced soon.
I think that we should do everything we can to protect the earth and our environment. We know that people have an impact on the environment. So it is important to regulate abuses. It's our job as a citizen to stand up for what we believe and make sure our representatives hear our voices.




Source:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/01/26/first-women-now-scientists-march-washington/97079742/

Ellen Whitehead Current Event

Because the Oscar nominees were released this morning, there has been lots of press and controversy. The recent film, "La La Land" recieved 14 nominees, tieing the record with "Titanic" and "All About Eve" for the most Academy Awards in history. This years nominees broke the record for black actors nominated, by nominated six, with the help of the diverse films, "Moonlight," "Fences," and "Hidden Figures." "Moonlight" expectly earned eight nominees. Mel Gibson was nominated for best director for the film. "Hacksaw Ridge." One of the biggest dissapointments was in teh Best Actress category. "Arrival," supported in eight categories, was not nominated for best actress with their lead, Amy Adams, even though ABC originally announced her as a nominee. Another mistake made by ABC was the nomination of Tom Hanks for best actor in "Sully."This year's Oscar will be different from any other and definetly one to watch.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/24/movies/oscar-nominations-2017.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

1/23/17 China's New Two-Child Policy - Theresa Dvorocsik

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/23/world/china-two-child/index.html

The number of babies born in China in 2016 jumped 7.9% from the previous year, according to government figures, a jump attributable to China's shift to a two-child policy. A total of 17.86 million babies were born in 2016, an increase of 1.31 million over the total in 2015. The new total represents the highest annual number of newborns since 2000. 

I remember learning about this for the first time in 6th grade- that there was a law stating a family could have only one baby and the horrors if they had twins. Now families can have two children but are over populating China. Some say we are running out of space, but I  think there will always be space for children. 

Elle Holland Current Event #16

On January 21st over a million americans took to the streets in order to protest the recent inauguration and stand up for women's rights. Organized events with thousands of people took place across america all with the message that women's rights are human rights. In Austin and Houstan Texas alone their were about 60 thousand protesters and Washinton had about 597 thousand protesters for this movement. The Protesting was peaceful but definitely made a loud statement.

I am so glad that the women of our country can come together and stand up for their own rights like this. Hopefuly this was a bit of a wake-up call to our new president that he has created such a problem with half of the population he is now "in charge" of.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/one-million-marchers-outside-washington/index.html

Natalie carvajal

Women's march
   The women's march was about them asking for respect mostly and to not be discriminated any more. So they did a march to protest about how they are being seen, and preferred as toys. This reminds me of when women's did a march to deserve the right to vote​ back then. So this march was somewhat like that, they had posters and shirts, saying that they deserved respect peace etc.
 

Noticiero telemundo.com

Current event Bella macey

  Valerie Bradley who is a mother that homeschooled her son was sentenced to jail because she didn't file all the correct work for the homeschooling. But her son is doing very well in school and is very eager to learn and she is still in trouble because the paper work was not properly done. So she was sentenced to 180 days in jail and then a common pleas by the judge was made and they put the son in public school and got her jail sentence removed. Home School Legal Defense Association, also known as HSLDA thinks that all charges should be removed.
  I agree with the HSLDA because it was a simple mistake that was taken to the extreme. Also the son is very smart academically and so he obviously wasn't doing anything wrong when it came to teaching him. But at least while he is at public school he can develop social skills that can help him later on in the future.

http://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/court-applauds-homeschool-mom-but-oks-criminal-charges-anyway/

Trumps TPP Withdraw by Madeline Cedillo

Trumps TTP Withdraw

By Madeline Cedillo

January 23,2017

As soon as the new "President" took office in the White House, he has started to "make America great again."-_-** Ine of the first things that he decided to start his presidency was with,withdrawing the TPP. The TPP is a 12 Nation pact that Barack Obama had started during his president years.Now Trump decided to withdraw United States from this pact.This has not been passed but is in the proses to.This means that imports and exports from many countries, would stop having that type of economical business with the United States. Some of theses countries including Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Mexico and Canada.This type of economical Withdraw will really affect our Nation.He wants to make his own "offers" for our goods/resources.

I think that this pact, is really important to America and it, will really affect our economy in a very bad way.

Current Events - Canadian Women turned away from Border heading to march

In Canada, two women claim they were turned away at the border going to the womens march. They did not give an explanation. 

I believe this goes into World History because this is something that has been.happening for a while. 

I think it's sad they didnt get to go to the march. Hopefully they have better luck next time.http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/us/canadians-rejected-border-womens-march/index.html

Janette Davalos

Analysis: Well to start off, I'm not too fond of Trump. Not many people I know are. Although, he is now addressing one of the longest debates that have been going on for years, Abortion. I don't really have a strong opinion on the subject because people can be rude and head strong if you even mention the subject. Moreover, both sides make very good points, I could never choose one side to agree with.

Summary: On January 23 Trump signed an executive order that banned federal money going into groups that performed abortion. According to BBC he wants to "stand up for all Americans even the unborn."  The policy was known as the "Mexico City Policy." This is not the first time it has been put down, it was also signed by Ronald Raegan but later then overruled by Clintons policy.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38724063

Holden Daniels Blog Post: US bombing in Libya was linked to Berlin truck attack

www.cnn.com/2017/01/23/politics/us-libya-bombing-isis-berlin-attack/index.html

intelligence indicating the possible presence of terrorists linked to the Berlin truck attack contributed to the decision to Strike Libyan camps 28 miles southwest of Sirte last week, a US official and a source close to Libyan intelligence.

I think its great that we can account for what has recently happened and link these two things together to find the guys who did both these things and to stop them.

Current Event One: Olivia Martin

January 23rd
Olivia Martin

As Attourney General, it's not only your job to enforce the law but also to protect people and have a sense of justice in such a high position in our country. Jeff Sessions, who may very well become the next one, has voted against the many bills this past year over protection of the LGBTQ+ community. These past 8 years, so much groundwork has been laid to protect minorities from discrimination and violence, but Sessions looks for ways to undermine that.

Even when 16% of our own state and 14% of the whole country is living in poverty, people choose to encourage bigotry and sexism as more important issues are growing. Jeff Sessions, possibly the next attorney general, is a man who chooses to make the most vulnerable people even more so, and even more powerless. He doesn't actually believe that LGBT people or women experience any sort of discrimination. “I’m not sure women or people with different sexual orientations face that kind of discrimination,” Sessions said. “I just don’t see it.” People who hold power in our government, or any power at all, shouldn't be so close-minded and unwilling to give minorities basic human rights.

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/1/18/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-would-threaten-lgbt-protections

Canadians turned away at US border- Melanie Escalante

Joseph Decunha and his 2 American friends drove from their home in Canada to join the women marching in Washington DC only for Decunha to be denied entry while his friends were allowed entry. Decunha told the border patrol officers that they planned to march and they would be in DC as Trump was inaugurated. At the time of the 2nd inspection, they were asked personal questions about their political preference in which they responded honestly that they were anti-Trump. After Decunha answered the patrol officer's unnecessary questions, he was denied access due to "silent disruption". Upon being photographed and fingerprinted, the patrol officer revealed that if Decunha were pro-Trump, he would be allowed access into the country.

Personally, I expected something like this to happen now that Trump is our president. More people are finding it okay to be unfair and overall wrong. Not only was he not let in because of his opinion, but he was the only one of his friends to be denied access as if he was being picked on. You can't make a decision, especially one as important as coming into a country, based on whether or not that person agrees with you. I hope that somehow, Joseph Decunha can be repaid in some way. I hope that behavior of officials does not continue in this way just because they feel as if they can. Hearing things like this just anger me and make me feel scared about our life these next 4 years. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/21/us/canadians-rejected-border-womens-march/index.html

Women's March- Hannah Niara

This past Saturday was a big day for women all over the country. On January 21, 2017 the Women's March on Washington filled the streets with more than 1 million people. The reason behind the march was to show that women should be respected and their rights should stay the same even with Donald Trump as our new President. There are four women who are behind this entire event. Tamika Mallory, Bob Bland, Linda Sarsour, and Carmen Perez. These women explained how hard it was to be living in the United States as women of different races. Therefore they decided to create this march so that every women in the U.S could have a voice. I really wish that I could've attended one of the marches. I feel like this is an incredible way to allow women to be themselves and speak what's on their minds.

Ellie Bush current event

A series of furious storms passed through the Southeast on Sunday. This killed 18 people, and left many homes in bad shape. Officials said that 14 people were killed in Georgia. When officials first found out that 3 people had been killed by the tornado, search and rescue operations were underway. The storms caused serious damage.

As much as I wish that we could prevent natural disasters, we really can't because they are obviously natural. It is very sad that so many people have died from natural disasters that we can't control.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/01/22/deadly-georgia-storms/96919488/

Trumps First Week

Noah Hirsch

3rd period 

Pre AP World History

January 22, 2017

Trumps first week

Trumps presidency isn't off to a very surprising star.  He is working on rolling back the affordable care act as many people suspected, his administration has taken over running the entire federal government, and trump has addressed his first national disaster.  The national disaster he addressed were the deadly tornadoes taking place in Georgia.  This is all pretty standard stuff that everyone pretty much expected.  Another thing that many people expected to happen was the women march on Washington in which thousands of women walked in protest of Donald Trumps presidency.  

Honestly the biggest news so far is the fact that there is no crazy breaking news.  Many people expected the world to already be over but its still turning.  Im happy to see trump acting somewhat as a respectable political figure but he still has four years to ruin this country so we'll see what happens next.

Women's Marches Around The World Rally Millions - Mila Fisher

On our new president's Inauguration day, more than a million, both men and women, participated in a Women's Marches all around the United States, with Washington alone accumulating to near 500,000 people, according to city officials, which was said to be easily one of the largest demonstrations in the history of the city, and without even one arrest.

The March is a movement supporting and vying for women's rights and civil rights, but many have interpreted it as a protest against what our new president stands for, and what he has voiced against the female population. On this topic, actress America Ferrera told the crown in Washington;

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war, our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack, and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America, and we are here to stay."

There has been a lot of contention around this presidency, and many are speaking out. At the march, though many of the signs were peaceful and supportive in their campaigning for women's rights, there were also signs condemning Donald Trump and his actions and protesting against his treatment of women. It is my hope that this election drama was all a buildup to nothing, and we will have rather uneventful four years in terms of politics.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/womens-march-heads-washington-day-trumps-inauguration/story?id=44936042

Jessica Ball Current Events 1/22/17

Current Event: Women’s March

                Yesterday morning of January 22^nd, there was a women’s march protesting Donald Trump, and his presidency.  The marches occurred in all 50 states, and 32 countries around the world from Belarus, to New Zealand, and an estimated 2.6 million people participated. Demonstrators protested rights such as reproductive rights, immigration laws, and civil rights. There are many reports saying that women feel very empowered after going to their city’s march because all of the love and support that was shown. There were also various speakers and performers that joined along to support the cause. So far Donald Trump and his family have gone out of their way to ignore the 2.6 million people from across the world that are protesting him.

                I find it odd but not that surprising that Trump has not responded to this yet but it is concerning because there is a good chance that there may be no real change. Obviously we aren’t getting a new president any time soon, but hopefully some real change will come out of this huge event. This is really a big part of history when men, women, and children all got together to protest hatred and demonstrate love, acceptance, and kindness. Even if no real change comes out of these protests, at least the love and empowerment is still there for everyone to look to if things start to go badly. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/us/womens-march.html?_r=0

protest against Trump and inauguration outcome- Valerie Garcia

The day after Trump's inauguration there were over 1 million people not including D.C out in the streets protesting against Trump and for women rights. These protest were happening all over the united states. when comparing the crowd of people in the protest in Washington to Trump's inauguration Trump got very defensive. He calms that he saw a million or half a million of people out there, but when you compare his crowd to our former President Obama there was a huge difference. The White house press secretary Sean Spicer also went to say that "This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period."

Honestly I'm all about peaceful protest and getting to hear your voice heard but we have all these people protesting and not wanting him to be president and yet we still had the lowest amount of voters this year. if they didn't want him to be president they should have went out and voted. These protest aren't gonna stop him from being our president for the next four years. 

www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/one-million-marchers-outside-washington/index.html

Deadly Storms in Georgia - Lauren Rothert

A deadly storm has swept through Georgia and taken 16 lives and leaving many injured. Sources say these storms have devastated communities and homes. There is an issued alert for high risk thunderstorms and strong tornadoes, this is the first high risk alert Georgia has received since 2014. Many other states in the Southeast have been issued precautionary warnings such as Alabama and Florida. Victims have described the tornadoes as strong and powerful, people have been thrown from their homes, and there has been a lot of damage. Mississippi has also been hit with a tornado, winds there reached up to 165 miles per hour. Four people have been pronounced dead with another 20 injured in Mississippi. Georgia has been declared a state of emergency.

I am glad that many states have been warned about the severe weather ahead of time. I am praying for all of the people impacted, and I hope the damage is manageable. I wish there was a better way to prepare for such strong tornadoes, maybe then we would not have to deal with so many deaths and large amounts of damage.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/22/us/georgia-storms-fatalities/index.html

Massive Shooting - Maddie DeWitt

Critical shooting in Brazoria County , a shooting that killed three people  and two people injured. The Deputies had a call from a unknown man that said he shot his wife. They are getting more details when its available. Just the fact you will call a deputy to say you killed your wife , is very sick of him .http://www.khou.com/news/three-killed-two-critical-in-brazoria-county-shooting/389934736

Woman's March in Washington - Maddie DeWitt

A  large crowd walks the street of Pennsylvania Ave in Washington from the Woman's March . This march is for Donald Trump for women's rights. Then it started to spread across the world . I think this is a good cause , because I don't think he treats women with respect at all and if we as girls or women we could physically and mentally that we need to be respected. http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/one-million-marchers-outside-washington/index.html

Pope ; Judging Trump - Maddie DeWitt

January 21, 2017 , Pope Francis said he wants to see what Donald Trumps in order to judge him . In a interview he said , he doesn't judge people early. He says that , because Adolf Hitler in Germany doing the 1930's . People voted for him and then destroyed the people .http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pope-judge-trump-44958373

Maddie DeWitt - New President

On January 20, 2017 , Barack Obama left the white house and Your new president was sworn in. Known as Donald Trump. In his speech or Inaugural Address , he told thousands of people he will make America win again and that he will bring back the things that went away like borders  wealth , jobs , etc . In my opinion thats not my president , i don't believe anything he says , Barack Obama is still my president.  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/us/politics/trump-inauguration-day.html?_r=0

Grace Biltz | Intersectional Feminism

Today, the Women's March is taking place in Washington D.C. to support women's rights. However. feminism should be taken into consideration that not all women are alike. The struggles that white, middle class women are very different than a black women in poverty. A Muslim woman also faces different challenges than a lesbian Latino woman would face today in America. 

This awareness and support of these various "feminists" is called intersectional feminism. Recognizing women's differences and the disadvantages they may face is critical to helping all women achieve equality. 

I support women's rights and believe that we should stay strong no matter what people may say about us. Women shouldn't have to be discriminated against because of their race or gender. Everybody should be treated equally. 

Source: 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/01/19/feminism-intersectionality-racism-sexism-class/96633750/ 

Little Elm Shootout

A detective in Pittle Elm shot an police officer in the lung and neck and the police offer was rushed to the hospital and died. School buses full of kids were on lockdown. School on lockdown and the detective is hiding in a residents home. For more of the sort I'm the link is below.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/96691538/?client=safari

Elle Holland Current event #15

At least two inmates were found dead after prisoners of Brazil's Piraquara State Penitentiary blasted a hole through the wall of the prison and exchanged gunfire with the police early on sunday morning. 28 prisoners escaped the penitentiary, which is in the Curitiba region of southern Brazil. the two who were found dead were found alongside expensive weaponry and a tent filled with food and drinks that was used by theme who provided cover for the escape. Brazil has the fourth-largest prison population in the world with more than 622,000 in jail.

I think if brazils prisoners are not being watched over enough to where they could easily escape they need to get a better grip on their security. Maybe arrest people for serious crimes and less for frivolous rule breaking in order to watch the actual bad people more carefully so they can keep the country safer.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/15/americas/brazil-prison-escape-riot/index.html

Social Class: The Difference Between Clean Air or Pollution-Victoria Gonzalez #1

             Can social class have an effect on what type of air we breathe? As ridiculous as that sounds-that's exactly the case in Beijing. Beijing has always been in a tug-of-war state with smog and pollution-however, it is now that technology comes to the aid of countless Chinese citizens by filtering clean air, water and healthy food. Social class comes in to play because many can afford these expensive yet effective systems that filters water for bathing or washing vegetables, and air conditioning that filters out smog before letting it flow throughout the house. Air filtering systems costs about $4,300 while water filters can cost $1,000. Not to mention that in case the air filtering systems don't work, there are air purifiers in each room which have to be renewed each month-costing about $430. While it is impressive that technology has helped us thus far, it is extremely unfair to the working class of China. With a pay of about $17,000 each year, the average citizen cannot afford all these expensive air treatments. While apparently Chinese government officials are doing everything they can to try and improve these conditions for the working class, I hope that they will be able to do so as soon as possible. Because this isn't a matter of luxury, this is a matter of someone's well-being.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/15/health/china-beijing-smog-tale-of-two-cities/index.html 

Kyrgyzstan Plane Crash | Mica Stout

        Just before 4:30 am this morning in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a plane missed the run way and crashed into a neighborhood in Dacha Su. The plane destroyed many homes and killed 37 people while many were left wounded. In that neighborhood, one boy who was in 3rd grade came home to find his whole family killed from the crash. The pilot said the cause of the crash was because of dense fog in the air. Unfortunately the  captain died in the crash.
        It's really unfortunate that the plane crashed and killed all those people and especially that little boy's family. Plane crashes are devastating. Back in 2001 everyone knows that 9/11 was a terrible day for everyone, and so many people weren't expecting to die. I know this event wasn't half as bad as that, but it reminded me of it and the dangers of airplanes.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/cargo-plane-crashes-kyrgyzstan-killing-37/story?id=44800106

Bye Bye Internet, Aeva Ramirez1

LogRythem, headquartered in BOULDER, colo. which is a company that helps companies protect themselves from cyber threats, has predicted that the internet will shut down for 24 hours as well as part of the grid in 2017. There were attacks that brought down Amazon, Twitter, and Netflix in 2016 that are predicted to have been warm ups.“We’ll see a rise in attacks on fundamental protocols of internet communications…" says LogRythem. Once the grid is shut down hackers will target and silence media stations and then manipulate social media to attack people personally.

Well when I first saw the title I thought "Oh great what about my homework" because I have a couple of classes that rely on the internet but as I continued to read I thought the article was a bit fishy. It bothered me how precise LogRythem's predictions were as if that's how they would do it themselves. What if the hackers already have control of the media and are even now slowly and in small amounts affecting what we think is real. However its their job to be precise so I tried to not make everything a conspiracy theory as I read. I also wonder if they know who the hackers were in 2016. If this does happen I hope that the hackers realize that they are dealing with peoples lives. I know that people can forget about the things that don't directly effect them in pursuit of a goal.  


http://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/the-entire-internet-will-shut-down-for-24-hours-in-2017-major-company-predicts/

8 shot dead in MLKJ Day celebration, Amy Mills

Shots were fired just two hours after the Miami Park MLKJ celebration. Several people were injured through the stampede in order to escape the shooting zone, not including the three adults and five minors shot. Additionally, two minors were grazed by bullets and were released after treatment. Two weapons have been recovered, and two people have been detained for questioning. "The nature of the shooting, we don't have information on that right now," Detective Marjorie Eloi claims. "We don't know how serious the injuries are. There was no gun exchange on our part."

https://a.msn.com/r/2/AAlVCtZ?m=en-us

Blast to Freedom -Alex Travell

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/15/americas/brazil-prison-escape-riot/index.html


At a prison in Brazil, inmates blasted a hole through a wall, and exchanged gunfire with police. During this incident, two inmates were considered dead, and 28 prisoners escaped. While the prisoners were escaping, fifteen heavily armed men were outside the penitentiary providing support for them.

This incident really helped me realize how easy it is for some to escape prison. I never think about the fact that people can be on the outside trying to help them escape too. I would really like to know how they got such resources while locked up. All I know after reading this, though, is that just because someone is locked away in a cell, doesn't mean they can't escape. Hey, just look at those guys who escaped Alcatraz! No one knows if they made it out, but they could have. If they did, then they were able to successfully escape one of the most protected prisons out there, and that's definitely an eye-opener.

Kate Boyer - Intersexuality in Kenya

The LGBT+ community has been growing rapidly these past few years. Recently, there has been a lot of talk concerning people who identify as transgender (trans). Transgender, although similar, is different from intersex. Intersex is when the sex of the child is unclear due to ambiguous genitalia. Ryan, originally named Ruth, is an intersex female. When he was born, his mother didn't know what sex he was so she decided that she wanted a daughter. Later, however, when Ruth reached puberty, it was clear that he wasn't female. The lack of breast development and the broadening of the shoulders made it obvious. Peers began to bully Ruth; this resulted in the boy dropping out of school at age 16. Ruth changed his name to Ryan and identifies as intersex, rather than trans. He does, however, live his day-to-day life in a trans-like manner. 

I think many Americans take the acceptance of the LGBT+ community for granted. After reading this article, I realized how unforgiving this world actually is. In Kenya, homosexuality is illegal and anything remotely similar is extremely horrific in their culture. I can't imagine having to experience what Ryan did, and find him very inspirational.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/05/health/growing-up-intersex-in-kenya/index.html

Mexico Night Club Shooting - Caleb Gutierrez

A shooting attack on Monday at an electronic music festival in Mexico's Caribbean coast resort of Playa del Carmen killed 5 people, including two Canadians, an Italian and a Colombian, authorities said. The gunman tried to enter the nightclub, but wasn't allowed because he possessed a gun. 

No one is sure yet why the attack happened, but mexican police said the gunman looked "middle eastern".

I still don't understand why people STILL shoot other people. This all started when Sandy Hook Elementary was attacked in 2012. Ever since, there has been some kind of attack involving guns. And it's no longer a surprise when it happens... and that sucks. 

Ringling Brothers Circus to Close - Lauren Rothert

After over 100 years of performing, the Ringling Brothers Circus is closing. With a decline in ticket sales and high operation costs, there is not enough money to keep the circus going. It is believed that the decrease in ticket sales is in response to the removal of elephants from the show. The elephants were a large part of the show before animal rights groups began to protest against the torture the animals went through. Many are celebrating the closing of the circus, protesters have fought hard for 36 years. The Ringling Brothers Circus has tried to adapt, and change protocol due to complaints from activist, but nothing has brought in more customers. The circus is due to close in May.

I feel that the closing of the Ringling Brothers Circus is bittersweet. As a little girl my family and I went to the circus a few times, so it is a little disappointing that there will be no more performances. On the other hand, I am excited because the circus has mistreated animals for so long. These animals deserve better, and they are finally on their way to a better lifestyle. I hope other circus shows follow this trend the Ringling Brothers Circus has started, because mistreating the poor animals for a show is wrong and unhealthy.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/14/entertainment/ringling-circus-closing/index.html

Grace Biltz | Medal of Freedom

Today, on January 12, 2017, President Obama bestowed the nation's highest civilian honor on Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden Jr., the Vice President. He presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Biden; which has only been given three times before. President Obama gave Biden this award in a ceremony at the White House. The President called him "the best vice president America's ever had." In giving the award Obama cited Biden's love of country, his lifetime of public service that will endure for generations and his faith in fellow Americans. 

Biden was President Obama's Vice President for two terms. Before being a VP in 2009, he was a U.S. Senator representing Delaware for over 3 decades. 

It was clear during the ceremony that President Obama and Joe Biden had a great working partnership. I believe that Biden definitely did deserve this award. He has made a great contribution and impact on the country.  

Source: 

http://www.npr.org/2017/01/12/509545778/in-surprise-send-off-president-obama-awards-biden-presidential-medal-of-freedom 

He was my Guardian Angel By Madeline Cedillo 3rd period

He was my Guardian Angel

January 10, 2017

Madeline Cedillo

Annika Dean was at the airport during the Fort-Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. She hid behind a luggage cart during the attack hoping the shooter would not find her.Suring all of this a man called, Tony Bartosiewicz found her and said he would protect her.If she would had came out of behind the cart she would have been one of the many people shot because he was right in the other side of the cart.He helped her out in this very nerve wrecking situation and he will always be her "Guardian Angel".

I think that she is very fortunate to be alive and am very happy that the man could help her out during this moment of crisis.