Obama’s Expected Keystone Pipeline Veto Is Likely to Be the First in a Wave

Hye Min Shin
February 23, 2015
AP Government

Obama’s Expected Keystone Pipeline Veto Is Likely to Be the First in a Wave

After the party majority shifted from Democrat to Republican party, President Obama is expected to open up "the veto era" in his presidency. First of the veto, people expect, will be against the Keystone Pipeline, which would allow Republicans to create a pathway of petroleum from Alberta to the Gulf Coast.  Recently passed in the House, the Keystone Pipeline bill will soon reach the Senate with both parties prepared to either vote for or against. Democrat Senators, now a minority, will fight against the bill so it would not reach President Obama. On the other hand, Republican Senators will plan a veto override once President Obama does veto the bill. However, Republicans predicting another gridlock government claim, "There’s a lot we can get done together if president puts his famous pen to use signing bills rather than vetoing legislation his liberal allies don’t like." Bill Hoagland, vice president of the Bipartisan policy center advises that President and Congress should work together in order to prevent another gridlocked and divided government in the future. 

Personally, as a pro-environment supporter, I agree with President Obama vetoing the bill and I hope that Keystone Pipeline would never be enacted since it will cause a lot of environmental damage. Moreover, I see Republicans as hypocrites. It is ridiculous that they expect Democrats to participate when they were the ones that attempted to prevent every Democrat agenda previously. This relates to ch.13 since it deals with legislative process and the creation of a bill. 

Citation

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/us/politics/with-expected-keystone-veto-obama-to-open-new-era-of-presidency.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Hye Min Shin
January, 19, 2015
AP Government

Cuomo to Propose 2 New Minimum Wages, for New York City and State

 Democrat Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in NY proposed a proposition to raise NY's average hourly income to $11.50 in NY city and to $10.50 in other suburban areas. Noticing the widening wealth gap and rising living standard, he announced that higher income rate is necessary for people to reside in NY. With boosting economy and stock market, he believes that this is possible. He claimed past Sunday (right before Martin Luther King's birthday) NY Senate, which is Republican based, has yet approved it. However with his proposal gaining numerous support from NY state worker's union and other various organizations, this could become a reality. 

I believe that new minimum wage is necessary everywhere. The standard of living rises every day for some reason. Frankly, I have seen prices double since last year and yet the minimum wage only rose by a dollar. This is unacceptable in my opinion. If the standard of living were to rise, so should the minimum wage. This upsets me. This relates to chapter 10 and 12 because depending on how State Senate Republicans react to this proposal, their chance of winning in NY could be affected. More middle-class independents may turn Democrats as a result. If successful, Andrew M. Cuomo may have easier time campaigning and gaining individual donations in the next election. 

Citation

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/19/nyregion/cuomo-to-propose-raising-minimum-wage-to-11-50-in-new-york-city-and-10-50-elsewhere.html?ref=politics&_r=0

Hye Min Shin
AP Government
December 21, 2014

Two N.Y.P.D. Officers Are Killed in Brooklyn Ambush; Suspect Commits Suicide

On December 21, another police murder case has been recorded in Brooklyn, NY. Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who expressed his disdain about Eric Gardner and Micheal Brown cases, pulled out a gun and shot two police men: Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, sitting in the car. After shooting them in their heads and upper bodies which killed the officers right away, Brinsley made a run and eventually committed a suicide. 

Though Mayor Bill de Blasio, who previously allowed anti-police protests to continue, expressed his sympathy and condolences to these men, N.Y.P.D. severely criticized and blamed him for this tragic event. As Mayor made his way to the "anews" conference, numerous police officers turned their backs on him, facing the walls. Patrick Lynch, the head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, claimed, “That blood on the hands starts on the steps of City Hall, in the office of the mayor.” 

The tension between police and protesters is increasing everyday. I believe this problem is negatively affecting innocent people all around the nation and harming the national security as a result. Yes, policemen have been forceful in previous cases and protesters can attempt to change the system. However, use of violence is not a good way to do so, in my opinion. Now, police may take grudge and become more unyielding and violent.
This issue may be discussed in future elections. I believe the Democrat and the Republican parties will be split, with Democrats siding with the protesters and the Republicans siding with the police force. If it ever becomes an issue, voter turnout for midterm elections may rise since states are responsible of their police management.

Citation
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/nyregion/two-police-officers-shot-in-their-patrol-car-in-brooklyn.html?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=Blogs

‘Superbugs’ Kill India’s Babies and Pose an Overseas Threat

Hye Min Shin
December 14
AP Government

‘Superbugs’ Kill India’s Babies and Pose an Overseas Threat

In India, thousands of babies are dying due to "superbugs" that have grown resistance to antibiotics. Because people in India are exposed to filthy living conditions, they tend to contract diseases and bacteria easily. Due to prevalence of diseases, pharmaceutical companies sell antibiotics to anyone, without prescriptions. As a result, mutated bacteria that could resist antibiotics spread throughout India, killing thousands. Babies, who lack strong immune system, appear to be a common target. This poses a threat to the national security since spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria could threaten people all around the world and could lead to deaths of millions. In order to prevent this phenomenon, companies are advised to, “crack down on inappropriate antibiotic use in developing countries” and limit or stop “India’s industrialized animal husbandry, where antibiotics are widespread." Dr. Paul, chief of pediatrics at India Institute and the leader of research strongly believes Indian government should enforce more regulations regarding people’s sanitation and public health. 

I believe this problem is very concerning since these "Superbugs" could spread and kill people all around the world. For a problem that has such simple solution: improve sanitation and provide safe drinking water, the consequences seem to harsh. I hope people will help tackle this problem down before it becomes a national conflict. I wish another 3rd party regarding national health could rise and demonstrate to public how important it is to fix health threatening problems in other nations. 

Citation

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/world/asia/superbugs-kill-indias-babies-and-pose-an-overseas-threat.html

Political Cartoon

Hye Min Shin
November 15, 2014
Ch.8

Political Cartoon

In the recent election, Democrat candidates distanced themselves from President Obama. Since  approval rate of President Obama's policies has plummeted significantly, Democrat candidates may have wanted to separate themselves from President Obama.
However, if Democrats don't even trust their leader and do not show confidence in their party, who would want to vote for Democrats? Frankly, this just shows division and dysfunction within the party. In my opinion, instead of distancing themselves from the president, they should have attempted to improve their image by working together.

Recent mid-term election was very unfortunate. The voter turnout appeared very low; majority of Republican candidates won their place in Congress. With them, hopes for environmental and immigration reforms are very low.

If President Obama plans to win his third election, he should attempt to improve his ratings. (and to win my vote, he should work very hard towards either the environmental or immigration reform. )

Citation

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/cartoons/2014/03/14/editorial-cartoons-on-2014-congressional-elections

Hye Min Shin

CH.4 and 7 or Ch.8

November 9, 2014

A Strategy for Rich Countries: Absorb More Immigrants

         Until now, people failed to acknowledge immigration as an important economic issue. However, a new research  claims that absorbing immigrants into rich countries will help boost their economy. Right now, numerous wealthy countries experience a constant decline in their birth rate. This means that fewer, younger generation would need to provide more for larger, older population, which would eventually create a deficit and would prevent economic welfare ( this phenomenon is happening in Japan, where younger generation are expected to pay more to take care of growing older generation).United Nation researcher, Patrick Gerland, advises that in order to prevent this phenomenon, rich countries should either attempt to raise the birth rate or attract immigrants into their countries. He believes that the latter would really help balance World's generally growing population and aid in solving other problems such as environmental issues. 

          This is new idea that I haven't been exposed to. For now I am one of those people who are little skeptical of this research but I can understand why a decline in birth rate may result in economic problems. This relates to Ch.4 and Ch.7 since immigration is one of the issues that Republicans and Democrats are divided on. If people begin to see validity of this research, I believe that polling may change to favor Democrats who will more willing to encourage immigration than Republicans. It appears that Republicans (with their opposition to immigration and environmental reforms) are short-sighted and fail to focus on long-term benefits. 

           This relates to Ch. 8 since with so many immigrants, the election turnout may decrease even more. It has been said that minorities such as Hispanics and African Americans tend to vote less than European Americans do. Thus, more immigrants may lead to lesser people voting. Truly, this immigration issue may be related to recent national turnout of 36%. It appears that there is a negative correlation between # of immigrants and # of people voting. As population of immigrants constantly increase (Hispanics: the fastest growing population of America), the voting turnout is gradually decreasing.
         

Citation

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/upshot/a-strategy-for-rich-countries-absorb-more-immigrants.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=1&abt=0002&abg=1

Invest now or face 'irreversible' effects of climate change, U.N. panel warns

Hye Min Shin
November 02, 2014
Ch. 4 & Ch.7

        Though many people like John Coleman (a weatherman) disagrees, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and people like Danny Kenny, a CEO of weather channel, claims that global warming exists. IPCC reports earth is gradually warming up and will be up to 4.8 degrees Celsius (8.6 Fahrenheit) warmer in 2100 if gas emission level stays the same. After multiple research and ample data, IPCC blames human as a cause of global Warming. It strongly recommends all nations to enforce environmental policies that could limit the global warming. Right now, our goal lies on maintaining the global warming under 2 degrees Celsius increase. IPCC believes the goal could be achieve by using renewable energy and focusing on increased efficiency. 

      
       I do believe global warming is a grave issue that needs people's support all around the world. Yet, people fail to take this seriously, especially large companies and Republicans. It appears that their profit concerns them more than the global conflict. This relates to Ch.4 and Ch.7 since public is significantly divided on the environmental issues. Democrats [liberals] tend to push for harsher environmental policies unlike Republicans [conservatives] who tend to oppose Democrats on this issue. However once polls demonstrate more support for environmental policies, Republicans may change their position. 

Citation

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/02/world/ipcc-climate-change-report/index.html?hpt=hp_t2