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    ‘Congress’


    By: coral@rockthevote.com

    NEWS ROUND-UP: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

    Monday, September 26th, 2011

    In today’s news, an Afghan gunman kills an American citizen in Kabul; the NYPD has been caught on tape pepper spraying Occupy Wall Street protesters; a Michigan State University study changes what we knew about youth voting; and Obama takes a jab at Perry and the GOP debate audience. In entertainment news, Molly Sims is married and Colin Powell jumps on the book bandwagon.

    Coral + Caitlin

    CRUCIAL

    Congress Stays in Washington as Shutdown Looms, http://bit.ly/o83ho3
    Congress will stay in Washington this week to prevent a government shutdown, as it made no progress over the weekend. FEMA is using 30 to 40 million dollars a day to aid victims of hurricane Irene. The government’s yearly budget must be agreed upon soon as disaster aid could run out Tuesday. The Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill on Monday that will fund the government until November 18th and give it enough time to figure out its budget for the rest of the fiscal year.

    Gunman Kills American at Kabul CIA Office, http://on.wsj.com/r74T7Q
    Late Sunday night, an Afghan gunman killed one American citizen and wounded another at the Central Intelligence Agency’s office in Kabul. The attacker was said to have the trust of the CIA and was a possible informant. The gunman attacked alone and used an American weapon for the assault.

    Occupy Wall Street: Demonstration Turns Violent with Pepper Spray; 80 Protesters Arrested [VIDEO], http://bit.ly/nxSgGE
    New York police have been caught on tape trapping Occupy Wall Street protesters in an orange net and pepper spraying them, supposedly without provocation. 80 people were said to have been arrested that day including arrests for disorderly conduct and obstructing vehicular and pedestrian traffic in addition to assault of a police officer.

    Army to cut 8.6% of troops, http://bit.ly/oUnUVG
    In March, the Army will begin to cut 50,000 troops; the cuts will be over 5 years. “We feel that with the demand going down in Iraq and Afghanistan, and given the time to conduct a reasonable drawdown, we can manage (the force reduction) just as we have managed drawdowns in the past,” Army Times quotes Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick as saying.

    India floods situation worsens in UP, Bihar and Orissa, http://bbc.in/nSD04I
    More than 80 people have died due to the flooding in India. Heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh (UP) have killed more than 30 people. The monsoon rains have been affecting the area for the past two weeks, and they are expected to continue for at least two more days. The Indian Air Force has been called in to help as hundreds of thousands have been forced to climb on top of houses or trees to seek relief from the waters.

    Study “changes our understanding” of youth voting behavior, http://bit.ly/p62I0d
    Michigan State University (MSU) has performed a study that shows low-income students are more likely to vote if they are engaged in political activism. Before, the thought was that students were either involved in protests or voting but uncommonly both. MSU’s research suggests if high school civics teachers engage their classes in discussions about social issues and politics, students will be more likely to head to the polls.

    Obama takes shots at Perry, GOP debate audiences, http://wapo.st/o1QUug
    President Obama’s campaign is in full swing, and he’s taking shots at Governor Rick Perry. On Sunday, at a fundraiser at the Silicon Valley home of John Thompson, chairman of Symantec Corporation, Obama made remarks saying, “a governor whose state is on fire, denying climate change.” He also scrutinized the GOP debate audience, calling them out for cheering at the prospect of an uninsured man dying and for booing gay service men.

    The end of straw polls?, http://wapo.st/rv4fr0
    Presidential Candidate Herman Cain won the P5 straw poll in Florida on Saturday. The P5 poll has been won by the later GOP nominee for the past 32 years. However right now, Cain does not seem to be a likely candidate for the nomination. As a result, candidates are considering no longer participating in straw polls. Candidate Mitt Romney, a front runner for the election, has even opted to not campaign in the the straw polls this year.

    Netflix nabs DreamWorks, Amazon signs Fox, http://bit.ly/poytCU
    Many Netflix subscribers have become disappointed in the company. However, Netflix is taking a step in the right direction by announcing a partnership with DreamWorks that will begin in 2013. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Instant Video is shaping up to be a tough competitor, as it will partner with FOX film and television.

    CULTURAL

    Todd G. Buchholz reviews, “Germany’s Mediterranean Envy,” http://nyti.ms/oy1IZW

    John Avlon discusses the GOP’s “Jeers for a Gay Soldier,” http://bit.ly/nkdDbB

    Doritos Creator Dies at 97, http://bit.ly/qlolhH

    Kenya’s Nobel peace laureate Wangari Maathai dies, http://bit.ly/oCIBgY

    Colin Powell Writes New Book, http://bit.ly/oksQm0

    Molly Sims Marries Scott Stuber, http://bit.ly/qPPrfz

      coral@rockthevote.com
      Bio: Coral is the Marketing Intern at Rock the Vote

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

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      By: Katie Scholick

      News Round-Up: Monday, July 18, 2011

      Monday, July 18th, 2011

      The Deputy Commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police resigns, the former Chief Executive of News International is arrested, a $1.5 trillion debt deal is being considered, former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray will run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Japan is set to ban Fukushima cattle shipments, and Giuliani tells the GOP to “stay out of” gay marriage. Also, groups urge feds to throw out Florida’s election laws, and nearly 180,000 South Carolina voters are affected by the state’s new voter ID law.

      Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

      CRITICAL:

      Another Top Police Official Resigns in British Scandal,       http://nyti.ms/oa9Jps
      Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered a special parliamentary session after the resignation of Deputy Commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police, John Yates. Yates resigned a day after the former Chief Executive of News International, Rebekah Brooks was arrested and kept in custody for 12 hours.

      Congress tees up crucial votes on debt limit,       http://wapo.st/p4T27Y
      We’re now just two weeks away from a government default, and a few possible deals to raise the debt ceiling are starting to take shape. A $1.5 trillion deal is being pushed by Senators Reid and McConnell. The deal would include cuts to domestic programs only. President Obama is still hoping for a bigger deal with $3 trillion in cuts and $1 trillion in taxes.

      (via National Journal N2K) CLOSE A DOOR, OPEN A WINDOW. Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren won’t get to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after President Obama announced he was giving the job to former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. But Democrats may have something else in mind for Warren: She has shown increasing interest in a Senate bid in her home state, where Sen. Scott Brown so far faces a lackluster field. Warren would have faced a tough confirmation fight, but losing a nomination bid only to serve in the Senate has happened before; just ask Sen. Jeff Sessions.

      Japan set to ban Fukushima cattle shipments after radioactive meat scare,       http://bit.ly/r8K7lN
      The effects from Japan’s nuclear crisis continue. Potentially harmful levels of radiation have been found in the country’s food supply. Specifically, cows were fed rice straw that was harvested after the March 11 tsunami-triggered meltdown. The beef, some of which has already been processed and consumed, has high levels of radioactive cesium.

      Woman Who Groped TSA Agent’s Breast Let Out of Jail,       http://bit.ly/qq9XjG
      61-year-old Yukari Mihamae admitted that she grabbed the left breast of a female TSA agent at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. According to police, she “squeezed and twisted the agent’s breast with both hands” after refusing to be screened. She was charged with a felony count of sexual abuse.

      Giuliani to GOP on gay marriage: ‘Stay out of it,’       http://politi.co/o93dQ5
      Rudy Giuliani, who may run for the GOP presidential nomination, thinks that marriage should be between a man and woman; however, he has recently advocated that the states should decide about marriage equality laws. Giuliani believes that the Republican party should avoid “getting involved in people’s sexual lives.”

      Groups urge feds to throw out Florida’s election law for violating Voting Rights Act,       http://bit.ly/qKNpWc
      Voting rights advocates in Florida are urging the U.S. Department of Justice to use its authority under the Voting Rights Act. Specifically, the groups are asking that the DOJ kill the Florida legislation that limits early voting and imposes new restrictions on voter registration.

      Nearly 180,000 SC voters affected by new voter ID law, http://bit.ly/o8L145
      Legislation passed in May leaves 7% of registered South Carolina voters without the proper ID they will need to vote. The Justice Department still needs to approve the ID law. If they do, thousands of would-be-voters “will have to take some action before their next election.”

      Tweets-per-second mark set during final,       http://es.pn/r0UDc0
      According to Twitter’s @Twitter account, Women’s World Cup fans set a new record yesterday, tweeting 7,196 times per second during the dramatic penalty kick shootout between the US and Japan. The previous record was set last New Year’s.

      CULTURAL:

      Box Office Report: ‘Harry Potter’ Nabs a Record-Breaking $476 Mil in Worldwide Debut, http://bit.ly/nZe4KW

      Ivanka Trump Gives Birth to Baby Girl! http://bit.ly/oH3A6i

      50 Cent Sets Goal To Feed Billions of Africans, http://bit.ly/mPupZW

      Lopez, Anthony announce split, http://usat.ly/pNnIqK

      The Obamas watch the World Cup, http://bit.ly/oUkYmU

        Katie Scholick
        Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

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

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        By: Katie Scholick

        News Round-Up: Thursday, July 14, 2011

        Thursday, July 14th, 2011

        The US women’s soccer team advances to the World Cup final, Obama stands strong behind a long-term debt deal, a Brooklyn man has murdered and dismembered an 8 year-old boy, the U.S. may lose its Aaa debt rating, and Minnesota is currently a dry state. Also, two studies show that certain pills can prevent H.I.V. infection, Spotify is coming to the U.S., and Amazon is creating an iPad competitor.

        Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

        CRITICAL:

        Abby Wambach header breaks tie; United States advances to World Cup final,         http://es.pn/q8mITj
        The US women’s soccer team played a challenging nail-biter against France yesterday.  In the end, Abby Wambach and goalie, Hope Solo pulled through to win the game. The Americans will play Japan in the World Cup final on Sunday.

        (via National Journal N2K) CONGRESS TAKES AIM AT MURDOCH. A bipartisan chorus of lawmakers is calling for a federal investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., amid reports that journalists employed by Murdoch’s empire may have hacked the phones of 9/11 victims. Homeland Security Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y., sent a letter Wednesday to FBI Director Robert Mueller calling for an investigation. “It is my duty to discern every fact behind these allegations,” wrote King, noting that he lost 150 constituents in the attacks. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., echoed King’s call for an investigation as well as congressional hearings: “These latest allegations demand a swift and immediate inquiry by the appropriate agencies into whether any U.S. laws were broken.”

        Obama: ‘This May Bring My Presidency Down, but I Will Not Yield’ on No Short-Term Extensions,         http://abcn.ws/q8JJbY
        “Don’t call my bluff,” President Obama said to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. “I am not afraid to veto and I will take it to the American people.” Obama’s sternness was in response to Cantor’s repeated suggestions that they pass a short-term debt-ceiling increase instead of the grand bargain that the President wants. Republicans have accused the President of storming out of the talks, while the White House says the meeting had simply ended.

        House votes to block EPA on water pollution, http://politi.co/q5tDpN
        In what was a largely party-line vote, the House of Representatives voted 239-184 to strip the EPA of its authority to regulate state water quality. If the measure were to somehow make it through the Democratic majority in the Senate, then President Obama would veto it.

        Brooklyn boy Leiby Kletzky, 8, murdered and dismembered,         http://nydn.us/pjepVR
        Leiby Kletzky, an 8-year-old boy in Brooklyn, was murdered and dismembered while walking home from summer camp. The man, a stranger whom Kletzky had asked for directions, had no excuse for why he killed the boy. The police found Kletzky’s severed feet in the freezer and the rest of his body in a trash bin two miles away.

        Shutdown Hits Happy Hour,         http://on.wsj.com/p2C1zj
        In Minnesota, more than 300 bars and liquor stores cannot buy beer, wine, or liquor due to their buyers’ cards having expired. The state usually renews these licenses; however, the renewal departments are closed due to Minnesota’s government shut down.

        Treasuries, Dollar Weaken on Moody’s Rating Warning,         http://buswk.co/qL91I3
        Could the United States really default on its loans? With debt ceiling negotiations going poorly, Moody’s Investors Service warns that the country could lose its Aaa debt rating. The rating allows the US to have more credit to borrow money. The warning  hashad a ripple effect today, weakening both the dollar and treasuries.

        Two Studies Show Pills Can Prevent H.I.V. Infection,         http://nyti.ms/puh5xN
        Scientists report that modern antiretroviral drugs work to not only treat HIV/AIDS, but prevent it as well. Two new studies show that taking a daily pill in combination with certain AIDS drugs can keep uninfected people from catching the virus. “This is an extremely exciting day for H.I.V. prevention,” said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of AIDS prevention at the CDC.

        Spotify Wins Over Music Pirates With Labels’ Approval,         http://bloom.bg/oCXJci
        Spotify, the music service that lets users stream any song they want in its entirety at no cost, is coming to America. Started in Sweden as something of an experiment to combat piracy with convenience, the iTunes and Pandora competitor is hugely popular in Europe. Americans can now sign up for paid premium accounts or wait for invites to the free, ad-supported version.

        Amazon to Battle Apple iPad With Tablet, http://on.wsj.com/pxJcwm
        Amazon plans to release a tablet to rival the Apple iPad by October. Amazon’s tablet will run on Google’s Android platform, and it will not have a camera.

        CULTURAL:

        Emmy Nominations are Announced, http://nyti.ms/qrUQJ8

        These Three Will Be Out Of Glee For Season 4, http://bit.ly/oNFbgj

        Lady Gaga to intern with Philip Treacy, http://bit.ly/pe9Ix8

        Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), http://nyti.ms/nOgO7L

          Katie Scholick
          Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

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

          Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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          By: Katie Scholick

          News Round-Up: Thursday, July 7, 2011

          Thursday, July 7th, 2011

          Casey Anthony may be released from prison this summer, Rep. Tim Scott threatens to impeach President Obama if he invokes the 14th amendment on the debt limit, the E.P.A. Chief wants to institute tough environmental rules, and Bill Clinton is accusing Republicans of suppressing the youth vote.

          In tech news, Obama’s Twitter Town Hall reached tons of young people, and Facebook has added video chatting via Skype.

          Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

          CRITICAL:

          Casey Anthony sentence: Four years in jail with credit for time served, http://bit.ly/nDWc3N

          Charged with four counts of lying to the police, Casey Anthony will have to serve a year per count in jail. However, with credit for time served, analysts say she may be released from prison by the end of the summer. Anthony is also being fined $1,000 for each count.

          Rep. Tim Scott Floats Impeachment If Obama Invokes 14th Amendment On Debt Limit,           http://huff.to/q16DC6

          Some are suggesting that President Obama use the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling without Congress. Rep. Tim Scott of South Carolina has threatened to impeach the President if this occurs. Although he is more keen on reaching a debt agreement in Congress, Obama has not ruled out the 14th Amendment possibility.

          Obama to Push for Wider Deal With G.O.P. on Deficit Cuts,           http://nyti.ms/rmg5eq

          So far in the debt negotiations, Republicans have opposed all tax increases. Instead, they want to close the gap with only $2 trillion in spending cuts. Now, President Obama is hoping that Speaker Boehner might agree to a larger $4 trillion deal, $1 trillion of which would be incurred through revenue increases.

          E.P.A. Chief Stands Firm as Tough Rules Loom,           http://nyti.ms/qgQxKw

          Lisa P. Jackson, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, is moving forward with aggressive new regulations on smog, mercury, CO2, mining waste, and car emissions. The tough new rules are attracting intense opposition from industry groups as well as many Republicans in Congress.

          Bill Clinton claims GOP trying to suppress youth vote,           http://bit.ly/q3fKH9

          Former President Clinton says that Republicans are deliberately trying to diminish the youth vote in 2012. He noted Republicans’ tactics of eliminating same-day registration and making it difficult for college students to vote in the states where they attend school.  Clinton compared these new voting hurdles to poll taxes and the Jim Crow laws.

          Obama Twitter time reaches young voters,           http://bit.ly/pCqWGK

          At yesterday’s Twitter Town Hall, President Obama became the first president to live Tweet. While some thought the town hall was a great way to reach the younger electorate and talk about pressing issues, others thought Twitter was not an appropriate forum for discussing complex ideas.

          Progressive Youth Frustrated by President They Helped Elect,           http://abcn.ws/oPCah5

          The young voters who helped elect President Obama in 2008 may not be as energized in 2012. While 2008 turned out an unprecedented number of young voters, new voting restrictions will make it more difficult to get young voters to the polls. In addition, ABC News notes that young people are disheartened by how current realities in Washington compare to Obama’s 2008 campaign promises.

          Facebook launches video chat with Skype, http://bit.ly/pQZpdK

          Just days after Google unveiled its social network and hours before Twitter held a town hall with President Obama, Facebook announced its newest upgrade. By clicking a little video icon in their Facebook chat friends list, users can now video chat over Skype.

          CULTURAL:

          Chord Overstreet Could Be Back On ‘Glee,’ http://aol.it/qOIO0h

          Natalie Portman’s Baby Name Revealed, http://bit.ly/qx4F8B

          Cowboys’ Star Scores! Ex GF Gives Back 76K Ring, http://bit.ly/oTFtk8

          Young Rappers Headline BET’s ‘Closer to My Dreams Tour,’ http://bit.ly/p7X1je

            Katie Scholick
            Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

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

            Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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            By: Katie Scholick

            News Round-Up: Friday, July 1, 2011

            Friday, July 1st, 2011

            Obama is aiming for a deficit deal by July 22nd, Minnesota’s government has shut down after Democrats and Republicans could not compromise on a budget, the NBA enters a lockout, and the Strauss-Kahn case may be falling apart.

            Also, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment: http://bit.ly/ifZUXU; http://bit.ly/j63Mo9.  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez admits he has cancer, the Ohio governor signs a bill that allows guns in bars, and the demand for Google+ is through the roof.

            From everyone at Rock the Vote, have a very happy Fourth of July!

            Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

            CRITICAL:

            Obama Pushes for a Deficit Deal by July 22, http://on.wsj.com/moDUsm

            With negotiations over a deficit deal seemingly falling apart, the Obama administration has announced that leaders in Congress have a strict deadline of July 22 to figure out a solution. A July 22 deadline would allow ten days to implement the plan before the Treasury defaults on August 2.

            (via POLITICO Breaking News)             Minnesota’s government shut down at midnight local time Friday after six months of negotiations between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the state’s Republican-controlled legislature failed to produce a budget compromise. At a late-night capitol press conference attended by the very GOP legislators with which Dayton was sparring, the governor blamed Republicans for refusing to budge from a no-tax increase position. A GOP legislator said Dayton “threw in the towel.”

            CBA expires, NBA locks out its players, http://es.pn/mNYRNJ

            The negotiations between NBA players and team owners are looking as hopeless as that of the debt ceiling. The NBA lockout started today after its collective bargaining agreement expired. Both sides’ demands are millions of dollars a part and could potentially cause the entire 2011-2012 season to be cancelled.

            Strauss-Kahn Case Seen as Near Collapse, http://nyti.ms/iMtV6U

            Investigators have found some major holes in the sexual assault case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn.  The housekeeper who is charging Strauss-Kahn with sexual assault, has since repeatedly lied, leading to discussions of whether or not to dismiss the felony charges.

            Chavez Says Cancerous Cells Removed, http://nyti.ms/iYgNFd

            In a morbid turn of events, oil markets reacted positively to the revelation that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has cancer. The anti-American and anti-capitalist leader is unpopular with businesses after he took over Venezuela’s oil industry. Poorer Venezuelans “widely love” Chavez for using oil revenues to build schools and clinics.

            Ohio governor signs law allowing guns in bars,             http://reut.rs/iiWUHf

            Ohio gun owners will no longer have to leave their firearms at home when they go out for a drink. Republican Governor John Kasich has signed a new law that allows concealed weapons in not just bars, but shopping malls and sporting venues as well. Businesses can choose to ban or allow guns in their buildings.

            Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment, http://bit.ly/ifZUXU

            In honor of the 40th Anniversary of the ratification of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz has recognized the integral role young voters play in the electoral process.  In a statement she released, Schultz expresses that “while Republican governors and legislatures across the country attempt to hinder young people from voting, the Democratic Party will continue fighting to expand the electorate and make sure young voters are able to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.”

            Thad McCotter to join W.H. race Friday, http://politi.co/jDYjTV

            Thaddeus McCotter may not be a very well-known politician, but he wants to be President. The four-term congressman from Michigan is the 8th Republican candidate to announce his campaign. He says new media tools like Twitter can let him compete with richer candidates that have better name recognition.

            Google can’t cope with demand for Google+, http://bit.ly/jZClIw

            Could Google+ surpass Facebook? It may be too soon to tell, but Google’s new social media program is off to a popular start. “Insane demand” for access to the invite-only beta version forced Google to shut off invitations until it could handle the new users.

            CULTURAL:

            Lil Wayne, Eminem Go Into Guinness World Records on Social Media Day, http://bit.ly/ltFdRr

            So You Think You Can Dance: Inside The ‘Heated’ Elimination Deliberations, http://bit.ly/jn1Z8T

            Ladies First: Sonya Thomas and the women’s movement in competitive eating, http://es.pn/k8e4A9

            ‘Transformers 3′ Makes $20+M Thursday; Breaks 2011 Opening Day Record On Way To $350M Global Cume For First 7 Days, http://bit.ly/lFapWJ

              Katie Scholick
              Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

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

              Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
              Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

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