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    ‘Australia’


    By: Kristin Andrews

    News Round-Up: Thursday, April 7, 2011

    Thursday, April 7th, 2011

    Will the government shut down tomorrow? Talks are growing more serious with still no agreement to be seen. Tragically, another strong aftershock earthquake hits Japan, and a tsunami is expected to follow. Meanwhile, Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera are expected to leave their respective positions on The Today Show, YouTube is planning a site overhaul and Tina Fey announces baby number two.

    CRUCIAL:

    With No Sign of a Deal, Barack Obama Turns Up Heat on Congress, http://politi.co/eMJwbB

    After what some thought was failing to be involved enough in budget talks, Obama invited both Senate and House leadership to work towards a deal in the Oval Office last night.  He has become more vocal in recent days about the urgency of the budget crisis, saying there is “no reason why we should have a government shutdown”.  However, Congress has as of yet failed to reach a deal for the budget proposal.

    Wisconsin Judge Race Heads for Recount, http://on.wsj.com/ehcMGi

    In one of the most highly publicized judicial races in recent memory, the Democratic-backed JoAnne Kloppenburg seems to have won victory by a slim margin of 204 votes.  This election is important because it may influence whether or not the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn the state’s new collective bargaining law.  The opposition has 3 days to decide whether to ask for a recount.

    Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Japan, Tsunami Expected, http://bit.ly/gj5lqH

    The latest earthquake hit Japan is being called a strong aftershock and hit near Honshu. Waves of up to 2 meters have been spotted, and a Tsunami is expected to follow.

    Australia requiring grim pictures to replace logos on cigarette boxes, http://bit.ly/e3zAFf

    Tobacco companies in Australia will be forced to strip all logos from their cigarette packages and replace them with graphic images such as cancer-riddled mouths and sickly children under legislation unveiled Thursday, which the government says will make Australia the world’s toughest country on tobacco advertising.

    YouTube Recasts for New Viewers, http://on.wsj.com/i9wGKi

    In order to compete with television streaming sites that seem to be on the rise, YouTube will create original programing and post it to its new and improved home page.

    Glenn Beck to transition off his daily programming with Fox News, http://fxn.ws/eeI0mT

    Fox News and Glenn Beck announced Wednesday that they will team up to produce a slate of new projects for Fox News Channel and its digital spaces. ABC is speculating replacements.

    Matt Lauer Leaving the Today Show, http://bit.ly/hWQw40

    Matt Lauer has said he will be leaving the show in December 2012 when his contract is set to end. This follows yesterday’s news that Meredith Viera would also be leaving the program.

    CULTURAL:

    Tina Fey announces she is pregnant with her second child: http://bit.ly/g9lnK7

    Hangover 2 trailer pulled for being too offensive: http://bit.ly/f6ekmQ

    Lady Gaga confronts anti-gay protester: http://bit.ly/fPRpEz

    Flashback! Photos of 90s girl groups and boy bands: http://bit.ly/hWL5D7

    LeBron James’ mother arrested in Miami: http://bit.ly/eKJccV

    New TLC show tracks the behavior of extreme couponers: http://bit.ly/fUKED2

    J.J. Abrams to release a novel in 2012…if the world doesn’t end first: http://bit.ly/e36lh2

    ‘Atlas Shrugged’ becomes first movie to target Tea Party: http://bit.ly/g9J6XL

      Kristin Andrews
      Bio: Kristin is Rock the Vote's Communications Intern

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

      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
      Posted in News Round-Up | 1 Comment »


      By: Danni Lin

      Rocking the Global Vote

      Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

      With a 52% youth turnout rate under our belts from the 2008 presidential election, the Millennial generation has proved that we are worth courting, that we have opinions on issues that matter to us, and that we can be agents of change. Interestingly enough, the US isn’t the only country that’s responding to the changing demographics of our world, one in which the number of American Millennial voters is estimated to be between 60 and 75 million. Jordan and Australia are also pushing the youth vote in their respective countries.

      Let’s travel nearly 6000 miles to Jordan. In Jordan, 58% of the population is under the age of 25, ensuring that young people have a huge say in the direction of their country when they vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections in November. The government and various groups are doing their part to get out the vote, launching campaigns to educate young people on the voting process and stressing the importance of participation in government. Both the Higher Council for Youth and the All Jordan Youth Commission have plans to directly reach out to at least 4300 people through workshops, seminars, and debates that encourage young people to vote based on candidates’ merits rather than family ties or other social pressures. Like Rock the Vote, Jordan’s civic society is working on increasing youth participation and encouraging informed voting.

      If we travel another 9000 miles, we’ll arrive in Australia, one of 32 countries with compulsory voting. This month, the Australian Electoral Commission helped Google create Student Voice, a website which allows school students aged 15-17 to vote in a mock version of the upcoming elections in addition to offering educational resources and competitions. In partnering with Google, Australia is hoping to harness the power of the internet to give unprecedented access to young people on politics, government, and voting in order to better prepare them for their civic duties. As Australian officials work to make young voting more relatable to students, Rock the Vote’s very own Democracy Class is doing the exact same thing in the states but by mixing music and pop culture with information on elections and voting. When Democracy Class comes to your school, we also simulate a mock election with your peers as the candidates and hold a debate on issues you care about. Two initiatives in totally different countries both aim to get young people engaged in the political process early in their lifetimes.

      How are the needs of young people in politics similar everywhere? What do you think about the direction of youth voting in America? What are some ways young people can help to get out the vote? What do you think is the best way?

        Danni Lin
        Bio:

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

        Tags: , , , , , ,
        Posted in young activists, young voters, youth activism | Comments Off