Obama Announces New Gun Measures

An emotional President Obama discusses gun control measures:

Another mass shooting

Horror struck San Bernardino, CA today as a mass shooting claimed the lives of 14 innocent people.  The report from NBC news:

Seattle High Schools Consider Later Start Time

The high school where I teach, first period begins at 7:30 a.m.  Very few of the students, in my opinion, are awake enough to fully engage in a academic subject at time of the morning.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that high schools start no later than 8:30 a.m.  In light of this several Seattle area school districts are considering later start times for their high schools.  I hope they make these changes, and my school district will consider seriously making this type of change as well.

Mass shooting at another campus

Reports are stating that 10 people died yesterday at the hands of a gunman at Umpqua Community College in Oregon.

From NBC News:

South Carolina Officer Throws Student Across Room

A school resource officer assigned to a South Carolina high school has been fired over an incident caught on video.

The video



 The New York Times reviews recent incidents involving controversial actions by school police.  Video accompanies the story.

Controversy over racial and religious remarks by Trump, Carson

Controversial remarks by a Trump supporter last week, led to attacks and counter-attacks by both the Republican and Democratic candidates for president this weekend.


 

Following up on this issue on Meet the Press, Ben Carson expressed doubt about whether a Muslim should serve as president under our Constitution.

On Unrest in Baltimore

The voices of some of those who live in the neighborhood:

Terror in Paris

Ebola Quarantine

Ebola Quarantine - Is this a common sense health precaution to benefit the community (common good) or an unreasonable restriction on the individual liberties (and reputation) of a nurse who has sacrificed to help fight the crisis in Africa?

Here is an update from NBC news:

Can the police search your cell phone without a warrant?

That is the question the Supreme Court is hearing today. A report from National Public Radio.

Abortion Rights vs. Freedom of Speech at the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court yesterday heard arguments in a case involving both abortion rights and free speech rights in the state of Massachusetts.  Here is a report on the arguments at the Court on PBS:


A discussion with legal representatives from both sides followed up the story:

Nelson Mandela dead at 95

Sad news just released, former President Nelson Mandela, who worked to dismantle the racist apartheid system in South Africa has died after a long battle with ill health.  Here is a video looking back at his life and accomplishments from the New York Times:

Obama Addresses Problems with Launch of Healthcare Exchanges

News Conference - October 21, 2013

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Middle School Shooting in Nevada

Junior-High Teacher killed:

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The Budget Shutdown is over, but the problems may come back very soon.  From CNN Money, here are four reasons the deal is not that good.

Malala's Story Comes to the U.S.

Breaking News

Why the big fight over the filibuster in the Senate?

A good explainer by the Christian Science Monitor can answer your questions here.

Racism in Italian Politics

The Italian people recently elected, for the first time, a minister to Italy's Parliament whose parents were immigrants from Africa.  Cecilia Kyenge, however has been subject to a lot of verbal abuse, exposing racist attitudes in Italy.

Today comes news that a high ranking member of Italy's Northern League party, compared her appearance to that of an "orangutan".

Full story from the BBC here.

More Surveillance Decisions Being Conducted Without Public's Knowledge

Yet another report surfaced in the media today spelling out the extent to which the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Court, at the request of the National Security Agency, has expanded the reasons the government may use to access private communications without a search warrant. 

I wonder why there isn't more outrage at, what seems to me, our government running afoul of the Fourth Amendment's provision requiring a warrant for government searches and seizures in to our persons, papers, homes, and effects.

The story was posted by the New York Times and can be read here.

Suspects in Boston Marathon Bombing Identified

One died in a police shootout and the other is still at large. The story from the New York Times.

A timeline of the showdown with police  is on USA Today.  They also have posted a videocast describing the events overnight.

Comments from a few classmates here.  A relative spoke to the media and called for the suspect to turn himself.