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    ‘John McCain’


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Friday, May 10th, 2013

    Friday, May 10th, 2013
    Prosecutors may seek the death penalty for Ariel Castro; the death toll reaches 1,034 in the Bangladesh factory collapse; British police deny aiding Jimmy Savile; North Korea explains Kenneth Bae’s crimes; a British Olympic sailor dies in a capsize in the San Francisco Bay; and cyberthieves stole 45 million from ATMs in February.  Meanwhile, Randy Jackson is leaving ‘American Idol,’ and Kiefer Sutherland may return to ’24.’
    Caitlin
    CRUCIAL:
    Prosecutor may seek death penalty for Cleveland kidnap, rape suspect Ariel Castro, http://rtvote.com/18yGOO7
    Ohio prosecutors said Friday that they may seek the death penalty for Ariel Castro, who has been accused of raping and holding three women captive for over a decade.  “The horrific brutality that the victims endured is beyond comprehension,” said prosecutor Timothy McGinty. “The law of Ohio calls for the death penalty for those most depraved criminals who commit aggravated murder during the course of a kidnapping,” he continued.  Castro currently faces four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape.  A police report revealing that he forced miscarriages in one of the victims may lead to more charges.

    Bangladesh factory collapse death toll hits 1,034, http://rtvote.com/11pY08s
    A woman has been rescued alive from the rubble caused by a collapsed garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh.  The factory collapsed two weeks ago, killing 1,034 factory workers.  It’s currently the worst disaster the garment industry has ever seen.  There was a fire at another factory in Dhaka this week, further underscoring the factories’ dangerous conditions.

    British Police Force Denies Protecting Savile From Abuse Allegations, http://rtvote.com/11YfRhy
    British police deny covering up sexual abuse claims made against former TV personality Jimmy Savile.  However, an internal report shows that Savile had a close relationship with the West Yorkshire police and promoted crime-prevention campaigns on air for them.  “It seems to me that West Yorkshire Police over the years failed to join up the dots,” said lawyer Alan Collins, who represents 40 of the 500 who have stepped forward with sexual abuse allegations since Savile’s death in 2011.   “There seems to be a collective myopia,” Collins said. “Savile was able to run rings around the police for decades. He used police officers. He was ingrained with them, dovetailed with them.”

    North Korea Lays Out Case Against Jailed American, http://rtvote.com/11YgiZc
    North Korea claims that Korean-American Kenneth Bae has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor due to past missionary work in China and an anti-regime mission he planned to spread in Rason City, North Korea.  North Korea has considered missionary work a threat in the past and has insisted that Bae’s arrest is not a bargaining chip in talks with the U.S.

    British Olympic sailor killed in capsize in San Francisco Bay, http://rtvote.com/11pZUpq
    British Olympic sailor Andrew “Bart” Simpson was killed after his sailboat capsized when training for the America’s Cup with Swedish Artemis Racing team.  All 10 of Simpson’s crew members survived the capsize in the San Francisco Bay, but attempts to revive him did not work.   “The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened,” Artemis’s chief executive said. “Our prayers are with Andrew Simpson’s family, his wife and kids, and also the rest of my teammates. It’s a shocking experience to go through, and we have a lot to deal with in the next few days in terms of assuring everybody’s well being.”

    In Hours, Thieves Took $45 Million in A.T.M. Scheme, http://rtvote.com/11YhYSG
    According to an indictment made public on Thursday, cyberthieves made off with $45 million from thousands of ATMs in a matter of hours in February.  The thieves’ suspected leader, Alberto Lajud-Peña, was found dead in the Dominican Republic on April 27th.  Seven other people, who are all American citizens, have been charged with conspiracy to commit  “access device fraud.”

    CULTURAL:

    Palestinians chose a new president — on reality TV, http://rtvote.com/18yGJtQ

    8 Obnoxious Trends on Instagram, http://rtvote.com/14acHcf

    Randy Jackson confirms exit: I’ve decided to leave ‘American Idol’ after 12 years, http://rtvote.com/14aiYEZ

    McCain proposes ‘a la carte’ cable bill, http://rtvote.com/14aj4MN

    Kiefer Sutherland mulling return to ‘24’ after cancellation of ‘Touch’: reports, http://rtvote.com/11q4Avx

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »


    By: Liza Dee

    The Time for Immigration Reform is NOW

    Monday, April 8th, 2013

    Americans everywhere believe that now is the time for action on an essential issue: immigration reform.

    And it seems that perhaps that time has come. Those who support immigration reform have finally gained the attention of both Democrats and Republicans and have pressured them to work together on comprehensive immigration reform, including creating a clear pathway to citizenship for 11 million immigrants..

    Immigration reform is a top priority for President Obama during his second-term, and the “Gang of Eight” group of Senators, led by Republican John McCain of Arizona and Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, is working toward a bipartisan agreement on a comprehensive immigration bill that could propose this path to citizenship.

    Although  the “Gang of Eight” hopes to finish their negotiations by the end of this week, it is highly unlikely that their bill will sail through Congress unopposed. Instead, their legislation is sure to meet heated debate,, staunch opposition, and backlash from interest groups.

    It is critical that we continue fighting for immigration reform. The Latino vote has proved itself one of the most powerful political contingents. In the 2012 election, Latinos made up ten percent of nationwide turnout, tipping the 2012 elections and in turn, proving that they comprise a growing and engaged group in our country.

    For young voters in particular, immigration reform is a decisive issue. 68 percent of young people support a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, and with good reason; one in five Americans ages 18 to 24 was either born in another country or has at least one parent who is foreign-born.  

    This Wednesday, tens of thousands are expected to rally outside the Capitol, pressuring Congress to enact legislation. Now is the time to join the ranks of passionate immigration reform advocates and make your voice heard.  In the past, immigration reform has collapsed against strong public backlash. It is critical that with a plan finally in sight, we keep up this momentum and make sure immigration reform gets done.

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Immigration, wewill | 3 Comments »


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Tuesday, March 7th, 2013

    Thursday, March 7th, 2013

    A top Venezuelan general reveals Hugo Chavez died of a heart attack; the UN Security Council issues new sanctions on North Korea; Rand Paul ends his filibuster at 13 hours; President Obama takes GOP Senators out to dinner; a new study shows processed meats contribute to early deaths; and a Dunkin’ Donuts employee thwarts a robber with a hot cup of coffee to the face. Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson lets it slip that she’s having a boy; Valerie Harper has terminal cancer; and LeBron James is set to marry his longtime love.

    Caitlin
    CRUCIAL:
    Hugo Chavez died of massive heart attack: top general, http://rtvote.com/XVahx8
    On the second of seven days of mourning Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, one of the country’s top Generals, Jose Ornella, revealed that Chavez died of a massive heart attack. “He couldn’t speak, but he said it with his lips … ‘I don’t want to die. Please don’t let me die,’ because he loved his country, he sacrificed himself for his country,” said Ornella. Chavez had been hospitalized with a respiratory infection after his fourth cancer surgery.

    UN SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVES NEW SANCTIONS TO PUNISH NORTH KOREA FOR ITS LATEST NUCLEAR TEST, http://rtvote.com/XV5oTQ
    The United Nations Security Council has overwhelmingly voted to implement new sanctions on North Korea in response to its testing of nuclear weapons. The vote came only a few hours after North Korea threatened the United States with nuclear weapons, promising to “engulf Washington in a sea of fire.” An anonymous spokesman for Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry said that North Korea said it would carry out “preemptive nuclear strikes on the headquarters of the aggressors,” intimating that the country believes the United States is proactively waging nuclear war.

    Paul’s filibuster seizes the day, http://rtvote.com/XVeDnM
    Rand Paul’s filibuster ended yesterday after about 13 hours. Paul’s filibuster was meant to block John Brennan’s confirmation as CIA Director. The Republican from Kentucky spoke for the first three hours, denouncing the Obama’s administration use of drones. Paul was then followed by Utah Republican Mike Lee, Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and four others. At the end of his filibustering, Paul was met with a round of applause.

    G.O.P. Senators Give Obama Dinner Thumbs Up, http://rtvote.com/16bBE9F
    In a continued attempt to mend relations between Democrats and Republicans, President Obama took Senate Republicans out to dinner last night and picked up the bill. After the long meal at the Jefferson Hotel, John McCain and Tom Coburn gave reporters a thumbs up. President Obama has been reaching out to Republicans in an effort to create bipartisanship for easier negotiations around things like the sequester.

    Worker mauled to death at California sanctuary by her favorite lion, http://rtvote.com/ZtWXxQ
    A 26-year-old intern at an exotic-cat sanctuary in California was killed by her favorite lion, to whom she was tending when she was attacked. Before authorities arrived on the scene, other employees attempted to distract the 350-pound lion, but the woman died soon after a sheriff’s deputy killed the feline named Cous Cous. “They are wild animals, end of story,” animal expert Jack Hanna said. “No matter what anyone says, they are wild animals.”

    Dunkin’ Donuts Employee Stops Robbery With Coffee, http://rtvote.com/16bvHtn
    A Dunkin’ Donuts employee in West Haven, Connecticut stopped a robbery Saturday night by throwing a cup of hot coffee in the potential robber’s face. The man attempted to climb through the drive-through window before the employee, only known as Angelica, threw the coffee, causing the man to retract into his vehicle and drive away. Apparently, Angelica celebrated her victory by yelling “Go run on Dunkin’.”

    Processed meat ‘early death’ link, http://rtvote.com/16bAxGU
    A study from medical journal BMC Medicine followed 10 Europeans over 13 years, finding that diets heavy in processed meats, such as bacon, ham, and sausage, caused early deaths specifically linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Although people who eat a lot of processed meats usually tend to be smokers, the researchers insist that these meats pose their own health risks.
    CULTURAL:
    Jessica Simpson Having a Boy: Pregnant Star Accidentally Confirms Baby-to-Be’s Gender,http://rtvote.com/XVgnwz
    Valerie Harper reveals she has terminal cancer, http://rtvote.com/XVgAQj

    Kim Kardashian health scare: Doctor orders rest, http://rtvote.com/Zu4vRg

    LeBron James & Savannah Brinson set wedding date, http://rtvote.com/16bGQue

    Taylor Swift Sells Home Near Conor Kennedy for $1M Profit, http://rtvote.com/XVj0iN

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

    Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

    Egypt’s Defense Minister warns of a government collapse; the White House will resume its nomination of Gen. John Allen; the U.S. will expand its role in Mali; President Obama will announce his plan for immigration reform; and Google reveals its map of North Korea. Meanwhile, a Miami clinic is busted for supplying drugs to sports stars; Surfer Garrett McNamara rides a world record 100 foot wave; and Frank Ocean may press charges against Chris Brown.

    Caitlin
    CRUCIAL:
    Egyptians Defy Curfew as Army Warns of ‘Collapse,’ http://rtvote.com/TS5TQ7
    Egyptian Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi posted on Facebook  that there will be “grave repercussions if the political forces do not act” in Egypt. “The continuing conflict between political forces and their differences concerning the management of the country could lead to a collapse of the state and threaten future generations,” wrote Sisi. His warning comes after five days of clashes  that left 52 people dead and hundreds wounded. President Mohamed Morsi issued a state-sanctioned curfew in response to the protests, causing thousands to demonstrate and chant on Monday, “Down, down with Mohamed Morsi.”

    Obama proceeds with Allen nomination as NATO commander in Europe, http://rtvote.com/Xe0X4p
    The White House will go ahead as planned and nominate Gen. John Allen for Europe’s NATO commander. Officials decided to resubmit the nomination to Congress after the Pentagon cleared Allen of any misconduct with Tampa socialite Jill Kelley. In other White House news, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that he will leave his cabinet post.

    Delhi Gang Rape Trial Will Be Held in Delhi, Supreme Court Rules, http://rtvote.com/Xe50Ob
    India’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that it will not move the trial of five men convicted of gang-rape and murder out of Dehli. An advocate for the suspects said that the trial should take place in a new location as the media around the case has created a bias. The case, which has caused public outrage in India, charges five men with the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a bus. The men could face the death penalty. The court made its ruling based on the decision that the advocate who filed the claim, M.L. Sharma, did not have the authority to represent the suspects — not because his claim was invalid.

    U.S. to Expand Role in Africa, http://rtvote.com/Xe6acq
    On Monday, the U.S. signed an agreement with Niger that allows American military to be stationed on its border with Mali. Mali is currently fighting off Islamist rebels with the help of the French military. The U.S. will create an intelligence-gathering hub in Niger, as well as use drones to monitor militants, in an attempt to help France.

    President Obama, John McCain, Marco Rubio begin immigration dance, http://rtvote.com/Xe1ZgI
    President Obama will reveal his plan for immigration reform today in Las Vegas. On Monday, John McCain and Marco Rubio announced their own bipartisan plan for reform. White House officials say that Obama’s plan will address more of the details relating to immigration form rather than the larger principals found in the Senators’ bipartisan plan.
    Father of Newtown victim heckled at hearing, http://rtvote.com/Xe2Y0y
    Neil Heslin, the father of a 6-year-old Newtown shooting victim, was heckled while testifying at the Connecticut State Legislature on Tuesday. Heslin asked during his testimony why Bushmaster assault-style weapons, like the one shooter Adam Lanza used, were legal in Connecticut, prompting pro-gun advocates to shout “the Second Amendment!.”  Close to 1,500 people — both pro and anti-gun advocates — attended the hearings at the Connecticut capitol.
    Google rolls out detailed map of North Korea – with gulags, http://rtvote.com/14s6MAV
    On Monday, Google announced detailed maps of North Korea. Previously, Google was not able to map North Korea due to limited information. Specifically, North Korean officials would not provide the proper information due to the country’s notorious penchant for secrecy and the fact that only hundreds of citizens have access to the Internet. Google’s map of the country shows hospitals, subways, and schools in the capital of Pyongyang. Maps of the countryside are harder to decipher and some parts show gray zones where 200,000 people are imprisoned in reeducation camps.
    CULTURAL:
    A Miami Clinic Supplies Drugs to Sports’ Biggest Names, http://rtvote.com/Xe3OKG
    Surfer Garrett McNamara ‘rides world record 100ft wave’ in Portugal, http://rtvote.com/Xe49x3

    Singer Frank Ocean wants Chris Brown charged over brawl, http://rtvote.com/TSbAO1

    Girl Meets World Casts Its Star, Cory and Topanga’s Daughter, http://rtvote.com/TSbLJg

    Rick Ross Advised To Increase Security After Escaping Drive-By Shooting, http://rtvote.com/Xe9wwf

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

    Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

    Egyptian protests of President Morsi continue; GOP Senators criticize Susan Rice after meeting with her; Cyber Monday brings in a record $1.5 billion in sales; scientists and doctors exhume Yasser Arafat’s body; House and Senate Republicans are split on how to handle the “fiscal cliff”; and NJ Governor Chris Christie will run for re-election. Meanwhile, China’s Communist paper publishes an ‘Onion’ story; Angus T. Jones says ‘Two and a Half Men’ is “filth”; and Gabriel Aubry publishes photos of himself post-altercation with Halle Berry’s fiance.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Mursi opponents clash with police in Cairo, http://reut.rs/QHM8Js
    Hundreds of Egyptians are protesting in Tahrir Square for the fifth straight day. The protests are in response to President Mohamed Morsi’s elimination of a legal check on his presidency, although he recently announced that he would scale back his power. Hundreds have been wounded and one has died in the demonstrations. “We don’t want a dictatorship again,” said one protester, Ahmed Hussein, 32.

    (via USA Today) GOP senators criticize Susan Rice after meeting, http://usat.ly/UZsiVo
    After meeting with U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Tuesday, three GOP lawmakers say their concerns have only grown about the diplomat’s misleading statements she made about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya that left the ambassador and three other Americans dead. The meeting with Sens. John McCain, Lindsay Graham and Kelly Ayotte on Capitol Hill came as the White House has signaled it may nominate Rice to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of State. McCain, R-Ariz., has said he may oppose her nomination because she should have known her statements on the Sept. 11 attack were false.

    Cyber Monday bargains click with shoppers, http://nydn.us/TqdyTv
    According to Internet analytical firm comScore, this year’s Cyber Monday sales were up 20% from 2011, bringing in a record $1.5 billion. The number of shoppers on Thanksgiving was also up with 32% more people hitting the stores this holiday. Many retailers started their Cyber Monday sales early, causing Black Friday’s e-commerce shopping to top $1 billion for the first time.

    Yasser Arafat’s body exhumed in Ramallah, http://aje.me/Reonss
    Former Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat’s body was exhumed Tuesday. Arafat died of a stroke in 2004; although, many believe that he was poisoned. Palestinian doctors, with with help from scientists from France, Switzerland, and Russia, are collecting samples from Arafat’s body in order to find a more conclusive cause of death. According to Al Jazeera, Arafat’s body was reburied right after exhumation and Palestinians will not be able to hold a full military funeral.

    House, Senate Republicans split over next moves on ‘fiscal cliff’, http://bit.ly/U99J2u
    According to The Hill, House and Senate Republicans cannot agree on how to handle the “fiscal cliff.” Some GOP Senators want to strike a compromise before the January deadline, while House Republicans prefer to wait in order to revise the tax-code and implement entitlement cuts. Republican Senator Bob Corker has gone on record saying that he has already drafted legislation for the “fiscal cliff” and “it’s only a matter of doing it.” However, House GOP members say that five weeks is not enough time to make the legislative changes they want, especially regarding Medicare.

    NJ Gov. Christie’s Focus: Rebuilding, Re-election, http://bit.ly/VaF4X1
    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced Monday that he will seek reelection in 2013. Christie, who wants more time to rebuild New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, said “We have a job to do. This job won’t be finished by next year.” The governor has been considered a presidential candidate for the 2016 election, although some Republicans blame Mitt Romney’s loss on his embrace of President Obama in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

    DR Congo rebels set conditions before pullout,     http://aje.me/Upbpaq
    Congolese rebels, known as M23, refuted reports that they’ve retreated from Goma, stating that they will not leave until their demands are met. Congo’s government said they will not entertain peace talks with the rebels until they leave Goma. 500,000 people have fled Goma, Congo’s largest city, due to its current violence. The United Nations has accused Rwanda and Uganda of backing M23, noting that Rwanda’s government and the rebels are ethnic Tutsi. Both countries have denied the claims.

    CULTURAL:

    People’s Daily Quotes the Onion: Kim Jong Eun ‘Sexiest Man Alive’, http://on.wsj.com/ToeXXi

    Angus T. Jones blasts ‘Two and a Half Men,’ calls the hit series ‘filth’, http://nydn.us/TgUFyv

    Chris Brown returns from his Twitter timeout, declaring victory, http://lat.ms/TfJfuT

    Gabriel Aubry says he was badly beaten at Halle Berry’s home, http://lat.ms/Y0kM4f

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the New Batman After All?, http://bit.ly/VaMwS6

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

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