Hye Min Shin
AP Government
March 23, 2015

Out of Yemen, U.S. Is Hobbled in Terror Fight

As a result of deadly attacks by ISIS groups, U.S. officials have been pulled out from Yemen. With ISIS growing stronger and expanding with its vigorous network activities, U.S. has been losing military bases and has been struggling to suppress ISIS activities. Now that U.S. also lost its base in Yemen, its military forces and power in Middle East will diminish as time goes on. Though U.S. officials have been planted in parts of Yemen, security of U.S. is threatened with expansion of ISIS.

Originally, I did not see ISIS as that much of a threat. I scoffed at the fact that a group dominating a tiny part of a country, compared to U.S. would dare to declare war on us. However now that I have noticed it gaining momentum very quickly, I am very worried.This relates to ch.14 since losing a military base in Yemen means reduction of president's power in foreign affairs. Especially in Middle East where terrorist groups prosper, this could mean that the President should focus more on U.S. security.

Citation
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/23/us/politics/out-of-yemen-us-is-hobbled-in-terror-fight.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Hye Min Shin

AP Government

March 9, 2015

The article discusses about the current Supreme Court approach on King v. Burwell case. Recently, Supreme Court announced that action of Congress, which coercively attempted to force states into establishing their own health care insurances, was unconstitutional. Though Congress claimed that it was an option for states, it also claimed that states that refused would not receive funds for federal insurance. Interestingly, Supreme Court, which would have only relied on the Constitution, took this approach by exploiting the technology advancement: by hearing people’s opinions in media. It seems people’s opinions are beginning to influence the politics and the Supreme Court.

This was interesting because Supreme Court is expanding its perspective and taking opinions of other people through media. I am glad that Supreme Court noticed the selfish, conservative approach of Congress. This relates to our current chapter because it talks about the gridlock and such strong opposition between the parties.