Week 15

New voter rules announced ahead of Egypt referendum

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/11/world/meast/egypt-unrest/index.html?iref=allsearch

Summary:

Egypt's opposition called on its followers Wednesday to vote "no" in a crucial referendum on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Morsy. The decision came as Morsy's government forged ahead with its own plan, starting overseas voting in diplomatic missions for expatriates. Supporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy held competing demonstrations Tuesday evening in Cairo as a controversial vote neared. The moves reinforced the atmosphere of a nation in crisis, deeply divided over whether Egypt might move toward Islamic theocracy or retain its secular traditions. Tensions have run high since the president announced a controversial decree in late November expanding his decision-making powers beyond judicial review. Morsy has since partially dropped the decree, but opponents remain on edge ahead of a Saturday referendum on a divisive draft constitution

Opinion:

I think all what Morsy cares about is just the power he has. It is the start of democracy. It will be a rough process and take hard time and efforts.

Week 14

3 candidates face off in first debate

Article from Joongangdaily.com
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2963450

Summary:

On Tuesday the three major presidential candidates engage in the first televised debate organized by the National Election Commission. The debate is widely expected to become a critical turning point in the run-up to the election on December 19. They discuss about domestic issues, foreign affairs, national security and unification. The biggest contrasts was about North Korea. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party was conservative on North Korea, saying that "trust building" between the North and South was needed. She said there were no conditions for talks or humanitarian aid, and that a summit was possible. Moon said he would follow through with the agreement reached in 2007 after a summit. Lee blamed the Lee Myung-bak government for bad relations between the two Koreas. Also, she didn't hide her animosity toward Park. She said that her goal was to stop the Saenuri Party from winning power again and vowed to win the election for the sake of the country's workers.

Opinion:

I think Lee was very rude to Park on this debate. Even though Park is not an innocent person, it was inappropriate to make remarks about Park's negatives on the debate. She actually does not stand for winning, but using her opportunity to tear down Park Geun-hye. The candidates' purpoes in the debate is to put their party's ideology before the Korean public so that the people can know their positions on issues. However, Lee was there just for the sole purpose of making Park lose the election. She should have spent much of her time thinking about good governance, liberty, and improved economic conditions for all. I am curious about how well the three will fare in the next debate on economic issues next Monday.

Week 13

Obama’s Long Game on Middle East Peace

Article from TIME
http://swampland.time.com/2012/11/26/obamas-long-game-on-middle-east-peace/

Summary:

Second-term U.S. President Obama is already planning to strengthen diplomatic ties with Middle East, hoping to succeed where his predecessors failed. Obama took the first step to negotiate peace when he dispatched Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Gaza last week, seeking to build goodwill with Israel, Egypt and the Palestinians. When he took office in 2009, Obama sent his special envoy George Mitchell to the Middle East, but that investment proved fruitless. Even before Obama took office, Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza. Even though Vice President Joe Biden visited to Israel, it was aggravated by the construction of new settlements and evolved into crisis later in 2010. Obama backed without question Israel's right to defend itself and sent Clinton to broker a deal when needed, risking his own political capital if the cease-fire fails. Obama also spent time persuading Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy to use his sway over Hamas to bring about a cease-fire. This is actually the first time two leader have worked together on regional issues, and for the most part, it was a success. 

Opinion:

Negotiating peace is not going to be a quick process. I think this term will be important years for Obama to strengthen ties with the countries in Middle East. If Morsy and Obama can develop a working relationship, it would be a significant step toward peace. I hope U.S. foreign policy reduces the incidence of terrorism by brokering peace in the Middle East. However, negotiation should be prudential and careful.

Week 12

Gay Vote Proved a Boon for Obama

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/us/politics/gay-vote-seen-as-crucial-in-obamas-victory.html?hp

Article from NYTimes

Summary:

Gay vote is seen as crucial in Obama's victory. While President Obama’s lopsided support among Latino and other minority voters has been a focus of postelection analysis, the overwhelming support he received from another growing demographic group who is Americans who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, has received much less attention.

Gay voters are another demographic group along with other groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and Jews in which Democrats have been winning big victories over Republicans. As exit polls showed, Mitt Romney and Mr. Obama won roughly an equal number of votes among straight voters nationwide.

Mr. Obama’s more than three-to-one edge in exit polls among the 5 percent of voters who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual was more than enough to give him the ultimate advantage.
As with Latinos and Asian-Americans, the number of voters who identify as gay appears to be growing.

Opinion:

In the younger population, there is a much wider range in the geography and ethnicity of those who are identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. They will be growing to a large, influential demographic group.

As Republicans plan to reach out to Hispanic and Asian-American voters, another question is whether they would also help themselves by improving their standing among gay voters. Republicans should try to do so, in part to win over some moderate straight voters. However, if Republican candidates move to the center on gay rights, they might also risk losing support among cultural conservatives.

Week 11

Obama makes history, again

Article from CNN

Summary

Four years ago, it was the first breaking of a racial barrier that African American win the presidential election. In the midst of national splintering and a time of deep ideological animosity, Americans elected President Barack Obama to a second term. Yale University sociologist Jeffrey Alexander who is the author of “Obama’s Victory and the Democratic Struggle for Power” sad that “This is affirmation that his color doesn't matter and that his message resonated with people. It is very important in that it will indicate that an African-American can be viewed for what he says and not what he is.” A changing America will be very much a part of Obama’s national conversation in a second term. That includes a stronger stance on race relations, an issue some believe Obama had distance himself from in his first term for political expediency.

Opinion

I think it is a significant moment to change the United States. If Obama lost the election, he would likely have been remembered in history as the first black president. But now, he has a change to create a legacy rooted not in his identity, but in his ideas. I personally think that Obama will do a better job than he did for last four years. Based on what he had done, I believe he will improve his abilities. 

Week 10

Why Election Day won't be postponed

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/31/politics/sandy-election-day-postponement/index.html?npt=NP1
Article from CNN

Summary:

Even though Superstorm Sandy leaves communities under water, stranding millions without power and consuming public resources in several states, next Tuesday's vote for president cannot be postponed to a later date. Without passage of a new federal law, voting for president is required to take place on Tuesday, November 6, as planned.

However, partial postponements of voting in some affected areas might be possible, consistent with the laws governing the election of the president and vice president. Because the Constitution give Congress the authority to determine time of choosing electors. Also, the same law also gives states some leeway in picking electors to the Electoral College. When that happens, the electors may be appointed on a subsequent day in such manner as the legislature of such state may direct.

Opinion: 

Since there is an enormous number of hurricane victims, the number of vote will be pretty low if the election for president will be still held on November 6. Not only the hurricane victims but also the candidates and other politicians are very busy solving this problem. Therefore, I think it will be better to postpone the election day at least in some affected areas.

Week 9

Business Leaders Urge Deficit Deal Even With More Taxes
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/us/politics/business-leaders-urge-deficit-deal-even-with-more-taxes.html?ref=politics&_r=0
Article from The New York Times


The partisan rift over taxes has blocked a deficit reduction deal for two years and has spilled into the 2012 campaigns. Yet as Republicans and Democrats continue to dispute, business leaders are increasing pressure on Washington to reach a deal, even if it calls for more revenue, including higher tax bills for themselves.
On Thursday morning, more than 80 executives of leading American corporations signed a statement calling for a deficit reduction compromise that would "include comprehensive and pro-growth tax reform, which broadens the base, lowers rates, raises revenues and reduces the deficit."


The business leaders’ goal contrasts with the campaign messages of both parties. While the executives seem to answer Mr. Obama’s call for “economic patriotism” by their tentative embrace of higher personal taxes, in interviews many of them have rejected his “pay your fair share” talk as class warfare, and a good number oppose his re-election.

But the business leaders’ position also contradicts the stand of Mitt Romney and other Republicans, who say that all tax increases are “job killers,” that the federal budget can be balanced with spending cuts alone and that any overhaul of the tax code should be “revenue neutral,” neither raising nor lowering the government’s total tax collection.

Week 8

2012 vice presidential debate could be key in campaign momentum

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121010/NEWS01/310100143/2012-vice-presidential-debate-could-key-campaign-momentum
Article from courier-journal

Summary:

Vice presidential debate at Centre College between Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan could be crucial in determining momentum in the last weeks before the election. Republicans seized momentum in last week’s presidential debate when Mitt Romney prevailed against a flat President Barack Obama.

In the days since the Obama-Romney debate, the Republican challenger has gained ground in national polls and all-important swing-state polls, where the Nov. 6 election will be won or lost. Democrats believe Biden, 69, will go on the offensive more than Obama did last week and more than the vice president did in 2008. Democrats and Republicans both say Biden, a skilled debater, has no reason not to go after the 42-year-old Ryan, who hasn’t had a campaign debate in 14 years. Ryan’s challenge is to prove that he can debate, especially on foreign affairs issues that he had to familiarize himself with after being chosen as Romney’s running mate this summer.

Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, is most comfortable dealing with federal budget issues and has studied two large binders full of facts while on the campaign trail in an effort to broaden his knowledge.

Week 7

Romney wasn't stellar, but Obama fell short

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/04/opinion/schroeder-presidential-debate/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Article from CNN

Incumbent presidents often take it on the chin when they return to the debate stage after a four-year absence. Wednesday night in Denver added another such instance to the history books. It's not that Mitt Romney was particularly stellar, but rather that President Obama fell short. In an untested format for presidential debates, with two-minute opening statements followed by open-ended discussion, the candidates found themselves having to move fast and think on their feet. On this point, Romney came across as the more nimble performer. He seemed alert to his surroundings in a way that Obama was not.

Romney energizes campaign with feisty debate performance

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/04/romney-energizes-campaign-with-feisty-debate-performance/

Article from Foxnews

Mitt Romney energized his campaign for president Wednesday night, charging out of his first debate having, by most accounts from both sides of the political spectrum, dominated President Obama in a standoff for which he was evidently well-prepared.

Week 6

Republicans Intensify Drive to Win Over Jewish Voters

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/us/politics/republicans-go-after-jewish-vote.html?_r=1&ref=politics
Article from NYT

Summary:

Republicans have intensified an effort to lure a small but potentially significant group of new or wavering voters from President Obama by using billboards, television advertisements and finely honed voter lists.
Focused on South Florida, Ohio and Nevada, the Republican Jewish Coalition, backed mostly by the casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a Zionist, has begun spending $6.5 million on an air-and-ground strategy to reach Jewish voters who may view Mr. Obama as unreliable on the question of Israel’s security. Jewish voters, who generally vote for Democrats in big numbers, overwhelmingly supported Mr. Obama in 2008, giving him 78 percent of their vote, according to exit polls conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.

Last week, the coalition began the first in a series of “buyer’s remorse” television ads featuring a Jewish voter concerned about Israel and the economy who declared that he would not vote for Mr. Obama this time around.
The hope among Republican groups is to continue to erode Mr. Obama’s deep-seated popularity in the Jewish community, which polls show has dropped slightly since 2008, by emphasizing first Israel and then the economy.

Week 5

Obama’s Evolution to a Tougher Line on China

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/21/us/politics/obamas-evolution-to-a-tougher-line-on-china.html?hp
Article from NYT

Summary:

President Obama’s patience with China had been fraying for months, and by November 2010 he was fed up. Meeting with President Hu Jintao in Seoul, South Korea, Mr. Obama warned that if China did not do more to curb North Korea’s bellicose behavior, he would have to take steps to shield the United States from the threat of a nuclear missile attack from the North. For the first time in a half dozen stilted encounters, Mr. Obama seemed to get through to the bland, tightly scripted Chinese leader. Mr. Hu dropped his talking points and asked Mr. Obama to clarify what he meant, according to two people who were in the room. The president’s answer included a clear hint that the United States would move warships to the seas off China, a step sure to antagonize the increasingly nationalistic Chinese.

Opinion:

I think China should not support North Korea anymore. North Korea relies on China, so they decides whatever they want such as developing nuclear bomb.

Week 4

Typhoon-stricken North Korea rebuffs aid offer from South

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/asia/north-korea-flood-aid/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
Article from CNN

Summary:

North Korea refused aid from the South Korean government. The impoverished nation was plagued by powerful Tropical Storm Bolaven in August that killed at least 48 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Therefore, South Korea offered aid to North Korea last week. The North initially agreed but requested a list of aid items. However, later, North Korea replied saying that they don't need such aid. North Korea is reported to be in desperate need of aid to cope with flooding. The United Nations World Food Program has called for emergency help for North Korea.

Opinion:

I cannot understand why North Korea refused the aid from the South Korean government.  It is not just simple problem that they can react emotionally. Even though, the relationship between the North and South became worse, South Korea offered aid. I think they have no other choices to recover the damages from typhoon. They should have received the aid from South Korea.

Week 3

Afghanistan fires hundreds of troops over insider attacks

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/world/asia/afghanistan-violence/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
Article from CNN

Summary:

Hundreds of Afghan soldiers have been arrested or expelled amid concerns over growing "insider attacks" on NATO troops.  So far this year, more than 40 NATO troops have been killed by Afghanistan security forces or insurgence uniform. They are known as 'green-on-blue' attacks. The rising frequency reasonably prompted U.S. forces in Afghanistan to suspend the training of local police recruits. Afghanistan President, Karzai, promised to implement strict measures.

Opinion:

I think it is a good idea that U.S. temporarily halted training of Afghan police over attacks. This year, 35 such attacks have killed 45 people, U.S. If U.S. forces did not suspend, more people would be at risk. 

Week 2

Obama signs N. Korean human rights act

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2012/08/18/13/0200000000AEN20120818000100315F.HTML
Article from Yonhap News Agency

* A human rights act is a statute that sets out individual rights and freedoms under the law.

Summary:

On May 15, 2012, according to the White house, U.S President Barack Obama approved the reauthorization of the North Korean Human Rights Act until 2017. The North Korean Human Rights Act, which became law in October 2004, was previously reauthorized in 2008. The legislation addresses U.S policy on issues including radio broadcasting into North Korea, humanitarian assistance, and the appointment of a special envoy on the North's human rights issues. That is to say, the law put pressure on Pyongyang on the issues of human rights, democracy, refugee protection and freedom of information. Lawmakers emphasized the urgency of addressing human rights abuses by the secretive communist regime, armed with nuclear weapons and missiles. By promoting human rights and transparency, this law is an important part of addressing the North Korean security threat.

Opinion:

President Obama renewed North Korean human rights act until 2017. For past years, there have been a lot of issues regarding infringement upon North Koreans' rights. Because a regime that abuses its own people with impunity cannot be trusted to negotiate honestly with the outside world. United States and rest of the world need a reason to justify some limitations they put on North Korea. I wonder North Korea will continue to last forever. It surely must collapse because its government is doing a really bad job handling diplomacy with, such as, nuclear weapons.

Week 1

Wisconsin Republican asks court to rule on voter ID before election

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/22/us-usa-campaign-wisconsin-voterid-idUSBRE87L01C20120822
Article from Reuters.com

* The Voter identification laws are the laws that require residents to show a photo ID to receive a ballot for an election.

Summary:

On August 21, a Wisconsin Republican, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, petitioned the state Supreme Court to reinstate a voter identification law before November, when Wisconsin could be one of the key states in the presidential election. Recently, the state's highest court has already declined once this year to intervene and overturn rulings by the two circuit court judges at an earlier stage in the cases. Now, the GOP attorney general is asking the court to reconsider. The Supreme Court is expected to eventually take these cases, but it is unclear if it will do so before an appeals court has ruled on them or in time for the November election. Republicans argue that it is needed to prevent fraud while Democrats say a higher proportion of minorities and the elderly do not have photo IDs and the laws could suppress voter turnout. Thirty states currently require voters to show some form of identification before voting, according to the National Council of State Legislatures. In 14 of those states, the identification must include a photo of the voter.

Opinion:

I heard the news that the photo ID requirement was in effect for Wisconsin's February primary and there were few reports of problems. I personally think that Republicans and Democrats need to stop wasting time opposing these measures. It makes them look like they are trying to abet fraud. I don't think the voter identification laws will benefit them or increase their chances. Since a higher proportion of minorities and the elderly do not photo IDs, the laws could suppress voter turnout. It will probably cause decreasing the number of voters.