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    News Round-Up: Tuesday, May 21, 2013


    By: alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    May 21st, 2013

    Oklahoma crews continue to search for survivors; Tumblr’s founder never graduated high school; a University of Rhode Island student is missing; two FBI agents fall to their deaths; Guantanamo Bay’s force-feeding faces scrutiny; the former IRS Commissioner claims he was unaware of inappropriate targeting; Apple is accused of taking advantage of tax loop-holes; and research shows a link between ADHD and obesity. Meanwhile, Eva Longoria jokes about her wardrobe malfunction, and Eminem faces a lawsuit.

    Caitlin + Alexis

    CRUCIAL:

    Crews Search for Survivors in Oklahoma After Tornado, http://nyti.ms/ZaeVKN
    Emergency crews in Oklahoma continue their search for survivors. Most of the tornado damage was in Moore, where a mile-wide tornado ripped destroyed everything in its path, including a hospital and two schools. As of this morning, a medical examiner has confirmed 24 deaths, nine of those dead are children. President Obama has declared a federal disaster in five Oklahoma counties and has said that “Oklahoma needs to get everything it needs right away.”

    University of Rhode Island Student Disappears on Way Home for Summer Vacation, http://abcn.ws/1a1mOBE
    Matthew Royer, a student at the University of Rhode Island, has been missing since May 16. He was last seen on the university’s campus. A junior, he had moved out of his apartment, returned his keys, and was on his way home to Skippack Township, PA when he went missing. With his family anxiously awaiting his return, he sent his mother a text message around 6 p.m. on Thursday saying he had overslept but was “about to leave.” Royer’s mother reported him missing the next day.

    FBI agents killed in training exercises belonged to elite hostage rescue team, http://wapo.st/18ZOpp4
    Christopher W. Lorek and Stephen Shaw, died Friday off the coast of Virginia Beach during an FBI training session. The two members of the FBI’s paramilitary counterterrorism Hostage Rescue Team were rappelling form a helicopter onto a ship.  The helicopter experienced difficulties and sent them falling a significant distance.

    Physician dismisses force-feeding concerns, http://aje.me/16IbttN
    Thirty of the 103 Guantanamo prisoners who have been on hunger strikes since February are now being forcce-fed a nutritional supplement. The president of the American Medical Association (AMA), who is not in favor of this practice, says that force-feeding “violates core ethical values of the medical profession.”

    Former IRS Chief: Can’t say how targeting happened, http://bit.ly/14Mqlmb
    Former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman testified today before the Senate Finance Committee on the IRS’ practice of targeting Tea Party applicants for tax-exempt status. Shulman claims he knew little about what was happening when he was Commissioner. He admits to having knowledge of what was going on but was unaware of the “scope and severity of the activity.”

    Senate investigators: Apple sheltered $44 billion from taxes, http://politi.co/10IE9Kc
    Senate investigators are accusing Apple of designing a system to protect billions of dollars in international profits from both U.S. and foreign tax collectors. The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, will appears on Capitol HIll today to defend his company against claims that Apple failed to pay taxes on $44 billion in offshore, taxable income between 2009 and 2012.

    Childhood ADHD Linked to Obesity in Adulthood, http://bit.ly/19TZl5m
    Research has indicated that there are some unfortunate long-term outcomes for people with ADHD. A study in Pediatrics reports that men who had ADHD as children are twice as likely to be obese in middle age. Approximately 6.8 percent of U.S. children ages three to 17 live with ADHD. Research has shown that medications used to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin and Adderall, may be helpful in the short run but can lead to increased risk for obesity in the long run.

    Before Tumblr, Founder Made Mom Proud. He Quit School, http://nyti.ms/12JyiZg
    Tumblr founder David Karp took his mother’s advice and dropped out of high school at age 14. Karp’s mother could tell that he needed time and space to follow his passion of computers. Now Karp is 26 years old and has just sold his company to Yahoo for $1.1 billion.

    CULTURAL:

    Eva Longoria jokes after wardrobe malfunction at Cannes, http://bit.ly/16GzOAb

    Bradley Cooper Shares a Tender Moment With James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio, http://eonli.ne/14NIRKZ

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Daughter Not a Big Fan of Their PDA, http://eonli.ne/14NJg08

    Oklahoma Tornado: Celebs React to Devastation, Tweet Condolences and Ways to Help, http://eonli.ne/190iEw2

    Eminem’s Facebook Lawsuit: Artist’s Publisher Upset By Company’s Song Usage, http://huff.to/17ZrJqa

    alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    Bio: My name is Alexis Macdermott and I will be starting my third year at Duke University this fall. I am currently pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in economics. I am a native of Southwest Florida and am an avid runner and film enthusiast. I look forward to joining the Marketing and Communications team for the summer here at RTV!

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in News Round-Up | No Comments »

    News Round-Up: Tuesday, May 21, 2013


    By: alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    May 21st, 2013

    Oklahoma crews continue to search for survivors; Tumblr’s founder never graduated high school; a University of Rhode Island student is missing; two FBI agents fall to their deaths; Guantanamo Bay’s force-feeding faces scrutiny; the former IRS Commissioner claims he was unaware of inappropriate targeting; Apple is accused of taking advantage of tax loop-holes; and research shows a link between ADHD and obesity. Meanwhile, Eva Longoria jokes about her wardrobe malfunction, and Eminem faces a lawsuit.

    Caitlin + Alexis

    CRUCIAL:

    Crews Search for Survivors in Oklahoma After Tornado, http://nyti.ms/ZaeVKN
    Emergency crews in Oklahoma continue their search for survivors. Most of the tornado damage was in Moore, where a mile-wide tornado ripped destroyed everything in its path, including a hospital and two schools. As of this morning, a medical examiner has confirmed 24 deaths, nine of those dead are children. President Obama has declared a federal disaster in five Oklahoma counties and has said that “Oklahoma needs to get everything it needs right away.”

    University of Rhode Island Student Disappears on Way Home for Summer Vacation, http://abcn.ws/1a1mOBE
    Matthew Royer, a student at the University of Rhode Island, has been missing since May 16. He was last seen on the university’s campus. A junior, he had moved out of his apartment, returned his keys, and was on his way home to Skippack Township, PA when he went missing. With his family anxiously awaiting his return, he sent his mother a text message around 6 p.m. on Thursday saying he had overslept but was “about to leave.” Royer’s mother reported him missing the next day.

    FBI agents killed in training exercises belonged to elite hostage rescue team, http://wapo.st/18ZOpp4
    Christopher W. Lorek and Stephen Shaw, died Friday off the coast of Virginia Beach during an FBI training session. The two members of the FBI’s paramilitary counterterrorism Hostage Rescue Team were rappelling form a helicopter onto a ship.  The helicopter experienced difficulties and sent them falling a significant distance.

    Physician dismisses force-feeding concerns, http://aje.me/16IbttN
    Thirty of the 103 Guantanamo prisoners who have been on hunger strikes since February are now being forcce-fed a nutritional supplement. The president of the American Medical Association (AMA), who is not in favor of this practice, says that force-feeding “violates core ethical values of the medical profession.”

    Former IRS Chief: Can’t say how targeting happened, http://bit.ly/14Mqlmb
    Former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman testified today before the Senate Finance Committee on the IRS’ practice of targeting Tea Party applicants for tax-exempt status. Shulman claims he knew little about what was happening when he was Commissioner. He admits to having knowledge of what was going on but was unaware of the “scope and severity of the activity.”

    Senate investigators: Apple sheltered $44 billion from taxes, http://politi.co/10IE9Kc
    Senate investigators are accusing Apple of designing a system to protect billions of dollars in international profits from both U.S. and foreign tax collectors. The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, will appears on Capitol HIll today to defend his company against claims that Apple failed to pay taxes on $44 billion in offshore, taxable income between 2009 and 2012.

    Childhood ADHD Linked to Obesity in Adulthood, http://bit.ly/19TZl5m
    Research has indicated that there are some unfortunate long-term outcomes for people with ADHD. A study in Pediatrics reports that men who had ADHD as children are twice as likely to be obese in middle age. Approximately 6.8 percent of U.S. children ages three to 17 live with ADHD. Research has shown that medications used to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin and Adderall, may be helpful in the short run but can lead to increased risk for obesity in the long run.

    Before Tumblr, Founder Made Mom Proud. He Quit School, http://nyti.ms/12JyiZg
    Tumblr founder David Karp took his mother’s advice and dropped out of high school at age 14. Karp’s mother could tell that he needed time and space to follow his passion of computers. Now Karp is 26 years old and has just sold his company to Yahoo for $1.1 billion.

    CULTURAL:

    Eva Longoria jokes after wardrobe malfunction at Cannes, http://bit.ly/16GzOAb

    Bradley Cooper Shares a Tender Moment With James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio, http://eonli.ne/14NIRKZ

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Daughter Not a Big Fan of Their PDA, http://eonli.ne/14NJg08

    Oklahoma Tornado: Celebs React to Devastation, Tweet Condolences and Ways to Help, http://eonli.ne/190iEw2

    Eminem’s Facebook Lawsuit: Artist’s Publisher Upset By Company’s Song Usage, http://huff.to/17ZrJqa

    alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    Bio: My name is Alexis Macdermott and I will be starting my third year at Duke University this fall. I am currently pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in economics. I am a native of Southwest Florida and am an avid runner and film enthusiast. I look forward to joining the Marketing and Communications team for the summer here at RTV!

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in News Round-Up | No Comments »

    News Round-Up: Monday, May 20, 2013


    By: alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    May 20th, 2013

    A fatal tornado in Oklahoma leaves one dead; Iraq endures multiple car bomb attacks; Obama’s Counsel was informed of IRS Audit findings in April; the Syrian army pushes farther into Qusayr; Yahoo buys Tumblr; and China asks North Korea to return a seized boat and its 16-man crew. Meanwhile, Drake and Kanye West will guest star in ‘Anchorman 2,’ and Justin Bieber is booed at the Billboard Music Awards.

    Caitlin + Alexis

    CRUCIAL:

    Tornadoes hit Plains, Midwest; 1 dead in Okla., http://usat.ly/12FRcQP
    A 79-year-old man was killed Sunday night when a tornado hit his mobile home in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The tornado was part of a larger severe weather system made up of many different tornadoes. At least twenty more people in Oklahoma were injured. Storms are expected to continue today.

    Car bomb attacks kill dozens in Iraqi cities, http://bbc.in/12FYtQG
    A string of car bomb attacks in central and southern Iraq has left at least 54 dead and many more injured. Baghdad experienced the worst of the attacks, enduring nine explosions in many Shia Muslim districts of the city.

    Obama’s Counsel Was Told of IRS Audit Findings Weeks Ago, http://on.wsj.com/17RmAQR
    During the week of April 22, the Treasury Department attorneys informed the Office of the White House Counsel and its head, Kathryn Ruemmler, that an inspector general’s report was nearing completion. Ms. Ruemmler had been told that a few IRS employees had targeted conservative groups labeling them with terms such as ‘tea party’ and ‘patriot.’ Many have argued that the president should have been notified of the scandal as soon as it surfaced.

    Syrian offensive on Qusayr deepens, http://aje.me/14EWQ5Y
    In Syria, 13 Hezbollah fighters and more than 52 opposition activists have died as the Syrian Army continues to push deeper into Qusayr near the Lebanese border. Amidst rumors that President Bashar al-Assad has recruited soldiers from outside of the Syrian borders, he claims that the Syrian military “needs no support form any Arab or foreign state.”

    China asks North Korea to free seized boat, http://bbc.in/Z6JT6r
    On May 5th, North Korea captured a Chinese fishing boat and its 16-man crew, which it has since been holding captive. China has asked North Korea to free the boat and crew. The North Korean captors has called the boat owner, Mr. Yu, eight times demanding a 600,000 yuan ransom. Chinese diplomats in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, have been working on the issue since May 10th.

    Gay marriage: Downing Street pleads with Labour to save bill, http://bit.ly/12MJ9jU
    Prime Minister of Britain David Cameron faces opposition in his own party around the issue of gay marriage. On Monday, up to 150 Conservative M.P.s threatened to vote against legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the country. The bill is being tabled by former Tory minister, Tim Loughton, who does not not support gay marriage. He has proposed a bill to allow for civil unions for same-sex couples, instead. Loughton has waged an argument with an unsupported claim that same-sex marriage would cost taxpayers £4 billion in ‘new “survivors” pensions.’ If Labor leader Ed Milibrand can turn the tables and pass the bill legalizing same-sex marriage, he is on his way to gaining serious political capital.

    Yahoo Deal Shows Power Shift, http://on.wsj.com/18VzXP1
    It was announced Monday that Yahoo Inc. has agreed to buy Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Yahoo brings staying power and money to the table, while Tumblr offers Yahoo a fast-growing community of users. CEO and founder of Tumblr, David Karp, will remain chief executive throughout the shift in ownership, and Tumblr will continue to be operated as an independent business.

    CULTURAL:

    ‘Anchorman 2’: New trailer released as Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate spotted filming sequel in New York City, http://nydn.us/15WjsU9

    Justin Bieber booed at 2013 Billboard Music Awards, http://cbsn.ws/13Bvknm

    A Parking Lot With a Beat, http://nyti.ms/17RIV0w

    Decisions, Decisions: Taking Over for Vonnegut, http://nyti.ms/1151Gej

    An English actress, transformed by Washington, http://wapo.st/10Dr1Gh

    alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    Bio: My name is Alexis Macdermott and I will be starting my third year at Duke University this fall. I am currently pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in economics. I am a native of Southwest Florida and am an avid runner and film enthusiast. I look forward to joining the Marketing and Communications team for the summer here at RTV!

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in News Round-Up | No Comments »

    Ask me? We should be debt free.


    By: Rock the Vote
    May 17th, 2013

    Whenever I tell an adult that I’m an English major, they scoff. “English?” they laugh, “What are you going to do with English? Do something useful, like economics.” I get that response so often that I’ve started preemptively apologizing for my choice of major: I joke that I’ll never get a job, or laugh about not knowing what career I want to pursue. But behind that laughter is both fear and guilt. Fear, because I’m terrified of entering a job market where nearly half of recent college graduates work in jobs that don’t require degrees. And guilt, because I’ve spent my parents’ hard-earned money on an insecure and volatile field. My parents worked to ensure that I wouldn’t have to take out college loans; they chose not to apply for financial aid and instead scrimped to cover the costs of my education. I’ve done my part: I work in retail during my summers and I work as a student caller at my school during the semester. Yet I still feel the weight of an uncertain future after college. And if I feel stressed, what about my fellow students who have already accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debts?

     It’s nearly impossible to maintain a steady well-paying job in modern America without a college education. Universities have become the norm; high school seniors are no longer asked if they are going to college, but where. Society pushes the Millennial generation towards education, yet then punishes us if we are not white-collar enough to afford that education.  Already my friends with student loans struggle to afford the costs of a college education. What will they do if their interest rates double to 6.8% in July?  We’re constantly told that our generation is the future. But without either lower student loan rates or a complete revamping of the college education system, the future is looking pretty grim. I don’t want to graduate and work in retail; I don’t want to apologize because my major isn’t ‘practical.’ I do want to pursue the things I love without fears of debt or unemployment.  But these fears will only end when America’s 1.1 trillion dollars of student debt does.

    – Elizabeth Nadler

    Rock the Vote
    Bio: Rock the Vote was founded in 1990 to organize artists and fight against censorship of musicians. Since then we've evolved to focus on empowering young people to get involved in the political process. We use pop culture, peer-to-peer organizing, and the latest technology to raise visibility of politics and demystify the process of registering to vote.
    @rockthevote
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Be Debt Free, Uncategorized, wewill | 1 Comment »

    News Round-Up: Thursday, May 16, 2013


    By: alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    May 16th, 2013

    A suicide bombing kills six Americans in the the city of Kabul,  in Afghanistan; Tsarnaev brother leaves a confession note behind in boat; Steven Miller will resign from the IRS; a tornado kills six in Texas; e-mails regarding the Benghazi attack reveal turmoil within the C.I.A.; and the New Orleans Mother’s Day shooting suspect is arrested. Meanwhile, U.S. researchers report a breakthrough in stem cell research, and ‘Downton Abbey’ returns to U.S. TV in January.

    Caitlin + Alexis

    CRUCIAL:

    Suicide bomber targets troops in Afghanistan, http://aje.me/12CJ9Tv
    A suicide bombing in Kabul at 8am this morning left 15 dead and 37 more injured. According to police, the bomber attacked a convoy of foreign military vehicles. The explosion is said to have come from a Toyota Corolla and detonated next to two foreign military vehicles. Hezb-e-Islami, a group closely linked to the Taliban, has claimed responsibility. They have also disclosed that the attack was an effort to target U.S. military advisers.

    Boston bombings suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev left note in boat he hid in, sources say, http://cbsn.ws/YYcpqF
    Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the suspects of the Boston bombings, wrote a note in the boat in which he hid that claims responsibility for the April 16th attack. Part of the note disclosed by CBS reads: “When you attack one Muslim, you attack all Muslims.” Dzhokhar also included in his note that his brother, Tamerlan, was a ‘martyr in paradise.’

    Obama Administration Sacks IRS Chief AfterTargeting Scandal, http://bit.ly/182pUpY
    During the 2012 election, agents of the IRS dishonestly singled out conservative non-profits for additional review. The agency has since admitted to their inappropriate actions. President Barack Obama announcedWednesday that Treasury Secretary Jack Lew  has requested and accepted the resignation of Steven Miller, the acting IRS commissioner.  Obama also said that his administration will work to end any future misconduct.

    Tornado witness: Hail was the size of softballs, http://usat.ly/1463EcY
    A fatal tornado in North Texas on Wednesday has killed six and wounded dozens. The storm that hit Southern Granbury has left at least 250 people homeless.

    Early E-Mails on Benghazi Show Internal Divisions, http://nyti.ms/10H1xZD
    E-mails were released by the White House on Wednesday bringing more attention to last September’s attack in Benghazi, Libya. The State Department and the highest levels of the C.I.A. are being questioned about the events. Hundreds of pages of e-mails have been released showing a disagreement between David H. Petraeus, the then director of the C.I.A., and Michael J. Morell, his deputy, with regard to how much information to disclose to the public. According to officials, Mr. Morell, deleted a reference to extremist threats in Libya in an effort to uphold the reputation of the C.I.A.

    Suspect arrested in New Orleans Mother’s Day shooting, http://reut.rs/12CNZQT
    New Orleans police arrested suspect Akein Scott, 19, late Wednesday in connection with a shooting at a Mother’s Day parade. Police had identified the suspect on Monday in a surveillance video.

    Arizonans to vote next year on sovereignty issue vs. feds, http://bit.ly/12dHDa6
    The state House voted Tuesday to allow Arizona to vote next year on whether or not to give themselves the ability to challenge the federal government. According to the Arizona Daily Star, “SCR 1016 would amend the Arizona Constitution to acknowledge the U.S. Constitution is ‘the supreme law of the land to which all government, state and federal, is subject.’”

    CULTURAL:

    ‘Downton Abbey’ to Return in January, After British Broadcast, http://nyti.ms/10ZRQ7n

    Christie’s Contemporary Art Auction Sets Record at $495 Million, http://nyti.ms/12cF4Fl

    Cannes: Standing O? No. ‘Great Gatsby’ Opens Fest to Lukewarm Applause, http://bit.ly/12DdZeV

    Dylan Inducted as Honorary Member of Arts Academy, http://bit.ly/17yw4QO

    Arena-Rock Masters, Unafraid to Leave the Lights On, http://nyti.ms/147wp98

    alexis.m@rockthevote.com
    Bio: My name is Alexis Macdermott and I will be starting my third year at Duke University this fall. I am currently pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in economics. I am a native of Southwest Florida and am an avid runner and film enthusiast. I look forward to joining the Marketing and Communications team for the summer here at RTV!

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in News Round-Up | 2 Comments »

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