Current Events Activity 3.1

1. The Texas abortion restrictions may be reviewed by the Supreme Court. Orders will be published on Monday morning, letting people know whether they will review it or not. People feel that it should be reviewed because the closing of the majority of Texas abortion clinics make it difficult for a woman to procure one. The Texas attorney general disagrees, saying that the closing of the clinics were meant to improve the medical standards in which abortions are performed.

2. Officer Kleinert was shielded from criminal charges by a 125 year old law meant to protect federal agents in the old West. The Supremacy Clause is a US constitutional provision that declares the Constitution the primary law of the land. This could have some far reaching effects because by using this law in this situation, people are wondering if it applies to the whole police task force. 

3. UT didn't do as much cultural prep work as the University of Washington has done with their players and has no plans to go sight-seeing. This will be the first regular season intercollegiate game played in China and more college athletic departments are exploring playing games internationally than ever before. Smart is worried for his team's strength and eating habits and is concerned because not only is it his first game at UT but he's also missing the first day recruits can sign a national letter of intent.

4. The decision in the election will determine whether Myanmar will continue existing under military rule. The day was described as being "full of excitement and energy." The main fight is between Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy and the Union Solidarity Development Party. Suu Kyi is expected to secure victory.

5. Pope Francis says that the theft of documents describing financial malfeasance inside the Holy See is a crime. He said this because documents had been published in two books last week, detailing the misdeeds and mismanagement of the Catholic Church, such as the high cost of sainthood and how money meant for the poor was used to pay the Vatican administration. Pope Francis says measures have been made to stop the actions revealed in these documents and yet he is upset that they are now public knowledge, implying that perhaps not everything is fixed.

6. Sanctuary cities are cities in the United States that have a policy of not persecuting illegal aliens. The two opinions expressed in these columns are that the Republican Party's policy on immigration will not solve immigration issues and that ending the policy of sanctuary cities would decrease crime rates. The author of the first column supports his argument by giving the reader an example of how Republicans don't want to talk about immigration and yet they consider it an important issue. The second author supports his argument by giving the reader an instance in which a crime could have been prevented with deportation. Both cartoons reflect the attitudes of the columns, that Republicans see all immigration as bad even though America is a country predominately founded by immigrants, and that sanctuary cities are just attracting criminals. I do think that Republican opinion on these issues are hindering progress but I do not think it is right to deport illegal aliens who pose no threat to society, so I disagree with the second column.

This editorial page allows readers to voice their opinions on the subject via Facebook or email. I think this is a good idea because it gives the public a voice and a chance to debate with each other.