New Changes in the Military

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  According to Independent.co Muslim women in the US military are now allowed to wear Hijabs in combat. As long as the material is flame resistant. The new regulations also allow men to wear turbans and beard in most cases. However if the head coverings causes a "specific, concrete hazard... that cannot be mitigated by reasonable measures." So basically if the hijab or turban creates a safety hazard the soldiers must remove. The hijab and turbans have to be made from dull materials and must match the color of their uniforms. Soldiers who wear head coverings and beards must have it approved by a lower command level. This is a step in the right direction for civil rights in the military.

US Soldier wearing turban 

Little Boy speaks out

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   In a town hall meeting in Springdale, Arkansas, a little boy named Toby got us and said "Donald Trump makes Mexicans not important to people who are in Arkansas who like Mexicans, like me, my grandma. And he is deleting all the parks and PBS Kids just  to make a wall... and he shouldn't do that. He shouldn't do all that stuff just for the wall" He's referring to how the Trump administration is planning on cutting the financial support to the National Park Services and public television. Toby also said "People like parks, people like PBS Kids, and the Mexican wall, people like Mexicans."

Town hall meeting 

Kellyanne Conway

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   Kellyanne Conway has been targeted on media for quite some time. I mean she kinda deserves it, but who am I to say. She is most recently famous for telling reporters to "Go buy Ivanka's clothes" since Nordstrum stopped selling her brand. Conway hasn't been appearing on TV as much recently, and according to Politco, it has nothing to do with the fact that Trump is driving her insane, but it's because she's a working mother. Funny... why was she on my TV screen every gosh darn day of the presidential race? Why wasn't she being a mother then? Conway says "I don't think I have to explain myself if I'm not going TV if I'm out with for kids for three days looking at houses and school." It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that why weren't you doing that before? You've known you were going to be in DC since last November,  that's about 4 months to prepare. I think she's just hiding from the TV's because she doesn't want to become the next poltical meme. But on the other she does seem exhausted. I guess she could use the rest before she shows up on my social media and delivers some "alternative facts". Hopefully we can keep her from confusing the US population for a little longer. 

Conway pleading for help 

Trans Bathroom

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  Trump administration has revoked Obama's transgender rule. This rule stated that students could use which ever bathroom they wanted to based on their gender orientation, defended by the law Title IX (according to NPR). By taking this rule away, Trump isn't really accomplishing much. He's just provoking more protest. Which will lead to large movements all across the country where people use the opposite sex bathroom. This is not proven yet, but it's reasonable to infer this since it's how the public has responded to other Trump executive action. The Justice of education said that the Obama documents don't "contain extensive legal analysis or explain how the position is consistent with the express language of Title IX, nor did they undergo any formal public process. This interpretation has given rise to significant litigation regarding school restrooms and locker room." They're basically saying that because Obama didn't use fancy language or go through a formal process, this rule is invalid. Ok but how but the First Amendment? How about when Thomas Jefferson said "we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal."? Let students use whichever bathroom they want, it's their constitutional right.

DeVos Confirmed

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   Betsy DeVos, the atrocious nominee for Education Secretary, has been confirmed. Her nomination has been "one of the most contentious confirmations in history". (NY Times). She was confirmed with a 51 to 50 vote. Mike Pence was the tie breaking vote. Which is the first time a vice president was called to break a tie on a cabinet nominee. Senator Al Franken asked for republican senators to explain why they supported DeVos. He said "If we cannot set aside party loyalty long enough to preform the essential duty of vetting the president's nominee, what are we even doing here?". Only 2 Republican senators voted for DeVos, Susan Collins (Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). Bothe said Devos was "unqualified because of a lack of familiarity with public schools and with laws meant to protect students." (NyTimes). Democrats have also showed concern of her nomination because in the past DeVos has said that the government sucks and that public schools are a "dead end". 

 A meme

Rogue Twitter accounts

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  According to an NPR article, there have been several twitter accounts that are indirectly affiliated with an agency, and are tweeting their opposing views of Trump. Their have been claims that these accounts are run by members of this agencies. But the members say that they left the account to the activists. NPR says that "this form of expression could be a logical way to oppose a media blackout." Most of these accounts are also encouraging people to contact their senators and congressional representatives, since they probably don't spend time looking for constituents on Twitter. These accounts are essentially just sharing facts and advice on how to be involved, as well as squeezing in a few jokes about Trump. But all in all they're just advocating participatory democracy.

"Revenge of the Bureaucrats"

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  According to a Politico article, Trump is planning on signing an executive order that will shrink the size of the government workforce, and federal hiring. As well as shrinking agencies that work with domestic policy. However Trump doesn't know how hard it's going to be. Employees can leak confidential info to the press and Capitol Hill, unraveling some of the White houses best plans. Trump's aides are trying a new process called "reduction in force", which would allow his new administration to skip over the complex rules for hiring and firing federal employees. However the majority of the employees that are in the federal workforce work in security and defense related agencies, and Trump said he wouldn't do anything to those agencies during his campaign. Earlier, House Republicans brought back an 1876 rule that allows them to reduce salaries of individuals who work with the government using legislation. A career federal worker, told Politico, "they're basically creating an environment of fear within the government. In creating that culture of fear it's probably going to suppress some of the people from standing up to the administration." And instead of standing up, those who are close to retirement will most likely leave.

political cartoon on bureaucracy 

Muslim Ban gets real

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  Today at airports all over the country, there have been people from 7 Muslim countries trying to enter into the United States, but not being able to because of the Muslim Ban Trump put into action. I have been constantly checking twitter, seeing videos of families waiting hours for their relatives, and not knowing what's happened to them. Some of these people were in mid-flight when the Muslim ban was put into place, and they were completely unaware of what was going to happen to them once they landed. Senator Elizabeth Warren is at the Logan International Airport in Boston, protesting the ban. "It's illegal, it's unconstitutional, and it will be overturned" she says to a crowd hoping to welcome several the several Muslims, who are at this moment being detained. In a video I saw on twitter, two sisters have been waiting 8 hours for their mother, who was coming from Iraq, one of the 7 banned countries. In the video one said that their mother had gotten her visa approved on January 16th, and left yesterday to come to the US. Mid flight the ban was put into action, and now the sisters have no idea of what will happen to their mother. It has been speculated that she will be forced to return to Iraq. Does President Trump have no mercy? Does he not have eyes? Can he not see that people are suffering from his "executive order", people just want to see their families. From personal experience I know how incredibly difficult it already is to get an American Visa approved. I've only seen my relatives a few times in my life, because my family can't get their Visa's, while everyone around me gets to spend most holidays with their entire family, or just stop by grandma's for the weekend. By creating this ban on Muslims, Trump is depriving hundreds of families of the small moments we can get with our relatives. This shouldn't be the solution to stop terrorists attacking this country. It shouldn't be this hard to see our families. There shouldn't be protests at airports. This shouldn't be America. This isn't America. And I really hope Trump realizes that no matter what he does, the people will always fight back, the people will always stand up for what's right, because the people did not chose him.

Senator Elizabeth Warren greeting a woman who had been 

waiting for her husband who had

 been detained for a while 

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/trump-refugees-lawsuit-iraq-visas-234305

Veto The Cheeto

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  According to this Politco article, Trump as well as a few Republican Senators, are threatening to shoot down any filibuster for Supreme Court. Which will obviously infuriate the Democratic Senators who are salty that Obama couldn't appoint someone instead. Trump says that he would want Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnel to use the "nuclear option" if Democrats block his SCOTUS pick. This will change the Senate rules on a majority vote. Which will make it easier for future presidents to confirm non- mainstream nominees, or wildcard nominees and "potentially leading to the death of the 60-vote threshold for legislation."(Politico). It hasn't even been a week of Trump's presidency, and he's already trying to change the way the Senate has worked for basically all of America. Heavens help us all. 

"I don't know what's happening"- possibly Donald J Trump 

Women Take Action

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  The day after Trumps inauguration, January 21, 2017, women all over the country, and parts of the world, took to the streets in protest for the rights they fear Trump will take away from them. There were about 900 protests throughout the country, from LA, to Utah, to NYC, to D.C, and even in our small town of Huntsville, Alabama. I was able to go to one of the marches, not here but in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it was amazing to see how many women and men showed up (about 3,000). The crowd was amazing as well. Everyone was in great spirits and incredibly friendly. The whole atmosphere made me feel powerful and proud to be not only a woman but also a Muslim, and part of a targeted minority group. I was really hoping that this nation wide protest, would open Trump's eyes and make him realize that there are people who are tremendously worried for their rights. On Sunday Trump tweeted "Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn’t these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly,"  Trump, these people did they vote! They just didn't vote for you! Two hours later he tweeted, "Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views." I feel like he only tweeted this because he was told people weren't reacting to his first tweet well, and he needed to cover it up somehow. The POTUS really needs to understand that the people do not like him. The majority did not vote for him, and he needs to try to appeal to the majority, If not, there will be more nationwide protests. 

Chattanooga Women's March 

Trumps first actions as POTUS

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  On Wednesday, Trump signed the executive order for building the wall along the US- Mexican border. Although he has signed it, there's still a chance that it won't happen, because Congress has to agree to it first. So hopefully Congress will be smart and veto the order, and then we can use the money for something more important... like Climate Control. Trump also signed another order to tighten the enforcement of US immigration law. Trump is expected to stop countries with Muslim majorities from coming into the US. This includes: Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia. I'm not going to lie, I saw this coming. Even though Trump did say he wasn't going to ban Muslims from coming into the country, after he spiked major controversy after he said he would. As of right now this "Muslim Ban" will only last a month. But there is no way of knowing for sure. 

President Mango signing Executive orders 

Besty DeVos

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  Betsy DeVos "is a Republican mega-donor, billionaire philanthropist". (Politico). She is also an advocate for expanding charter schools and voucher programs that use tax payer money for private schools. Her family has donated millions of dollars to campaigns for lawmakers that support DeVos' views. She has also recently been nominated for a position in Trump's cabinet. Her Senate hearing took place just a few days ago, and she did not seem to impress the senators. Especially Senator Elizabeth Warren and Al Franken. In a video that went viral, DeVos was asked a series of questions relating to financial aid. It was clear that DeVos had zero experience with financial aid, and Senator Warren's tone made it clear that she was not impressed. DeVos also did not seem very prepared for her hearing. Whenever a Senator asked a very specific question, she would answer with uncertainty. For example, Bernie Sanders stated the fact that she and her family had donated about 200 million dollars to the Republican party, she responded with "I don't know". Later on she was asked if guns should be allowed in school, she said yes. Her reasoning? Some school in Wyoming needs to be able to protect themselves from bear attacks... Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, called the school she mentioned, and asked if they had a gun and they said no. They also said that have bear repellent and a fence to protect them from the rare chances of a bear attack. Hopefully, the senators will deliberate for a good while before making their final decision.

 

Besty DeVos- probably after being served some facts from some well educated senators

Trump most unfavorable president yet

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After 200+ years of America, and 44 amazing Presidents we are now faced with Donald Trump. America's least favorable president in the past 40 years

...Trump will take the oath of office this Friday, and according to the Washington Post, Trump is one of the least popular presidents coming into office. Which is not surprising at all considering how UN-qualified he is for office. And how he's had multiple scandals surrounding him. Such as Russian hackers, sexual abuses, lack of public tax returns, disrespectful comments about Chinese and disables people, shall I continue? Only 44% of Americans believe Trump is suitable for office! That's not even half of the population... Which also makes sense since he didn't win the popular vote!

Polls showing past presidents and favorabilty 

SCOTUS

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President-elect Donald Trump is given the task to chose a new supreme court justice, and this has caused an uproar for Democrats. Knowing Trump he will probably chose someone who is more conservative for the position, making the Supreme Court a conservative majority. According to Politco, Joe Biden has told Democrats to accept whoever Trump chooses for the position. He said "The Constitution says that the President shall nominate, not maybe he could, maybe he can't, He shall nominate. Implicit in the Constitution is that the Senate will act on its Constitutional responsibility and give its advice and consent. No one is required for the nominee, but they, in my view, are required to give the nominee a hearing and a vote." (Politico). Biden reminds us that it is Trumps' Constitutional duty to nominate someone for this position and the public has to be ok with it, Because every nominee deserves a fair hearing. 

Current Supreme Court Justices 

Barack Obama and Joe Biden, The Ultimate Bromance

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   Barack Obama and Joe Biden are often known for they're #goals worthy friendship. Yesterday was a great example of this. Biden went to the White House thinking he would be having lunch with the President and his wife, but was surprised with a impromptu ceremony. Before introducing Biden, Obama surprised Biden once again by awarding him with the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor. In the video posted on NPR, you can see Biden in disbelief, as well as tears in his eyes. Obama said that Biden has been the best vice president America has ever had, and "to know Joe Biden is to know love without pretense, service without self-regard, and to live life fully," (NPR). After accepting the award, Biden said a few words thanking Obama, and telling the audience about just how close he is with Obama and his family. He told Obama, "this honor is not only well beyond what I deserve, but it's a reflection of the generosity of your spirit... I don't deserve this. But I know it came from the president's hear". The Obama, Biden bromance will truly be missed.

Bros 

Repealing and Replacing Obamacare

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  During a town hall meeting, speaker of the house, Paul Ryan, said that Republicans are working on repealing Obama care and replacing all in the same bill. Ryan says there's not a set date, but it will for sure happen in the first 100 days of Trump's presidency. Trump also mentioned the repeal and replace during his news conference on Wednesday. CNN says that some republicans have been wary of this because it's insanely difficult to find a replacement of a law that insures millions of people. Ryan never said anything about the government's duty to provide health care for Americans. But he says "I clearly think there's a role for the government in health care". Later on he talked about elements of the health care law, saying that "people with pre-existing conditions, no matter how much money they make, should have access to insurance." (CNN). He also said that the government is collapsing and that "we've got rescue people". Paul Ryan is faced with the difficult task of leading the house during Trump's administration. The house is currently filled with republicans who support Trump and want to see his policies in action ASAP, people who are worried about how much everything will cost, and Democrats who are obviously against Trump. He's got such a wide spread of views to please, all while trying to please not only Trump, but the public as well. Even though Paul Ryan waited a while to officially endorse Trump, he knows that his party's success is determined on his ability to help Trump succeed. So he has to try really hard to help Trump, even if it means working his butt off to create a healthcare bill that is fit for everyone within the next 107 days.

Speaker of the House: Paul Ryan 

Canadian Government (CW)

Type of Government:
   Canada is a parliamentary democracy. Which means they have a parliament with 3 different parts: The Crown, the Senate, and the House of Commons. The Crown in charge of governmental acts, the senate has people chosen by Governor General and they represent the territories and provinces of Canada, and the House of Commons have people elected by Canadians. The House and Senate make-up the legislature that have to power to make laws, similar to the US government. Though the legislatures between the US and Canada are similar, it is in the Preamble of the Canadian Constitution that they have "Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom". The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has the highest elected power, but the Queen of England chooses a Governor General, David Johnston, to represent her in Canada.

Government Parties:
  As of right now, the Canadian government has about 20 political parties. The five main ones are the Conservative Party of Canada, Green Party of Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, and New Democratic Party.

Justin Trudeau- Canadian Prime Minister 

David Johnston- Canadian Governor General

Canadian Parliament Building 

http://www.parl.gc.ca/MarleauMontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?Sec=Ch01&Seq=2&Language=E