Foreign Current Event #4 - Great Britain - Scotish Politics News

Over the past few decades there have been many referenda in Scotland over the issue of independence from Britain. Each has had different results, but there has always been a fairly large support for Scotish independence. The main hang-up on gaining support has always been the issue of whether Scotland can support itself economically without Britain. Recently, the Scotish Finance Secretary has come out and said that "There can no longer be any argument over whether Scotland can afford to be independent." He has also used data to try to make the Scotish people realize that they aren't exactly getting a fair deal from Britain. Although Scotland makes up only 8.4% of Britain's population, they have been paying 9.6% of the country's taxes, with only 9.3% of the money comming back to them. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few years with this issue, and how it will effect Britain as a whole, as well as independence efforts in Wales and Northern Ireland.

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/300356-no-argument-that-scotland-can-afford-independence-swinney-insists/

Foreign Current Event #3 - Great Britain - Welsh Politics News

     Plaid Cymru (pronounced Pla-eed Kem-ree) is a Welsh regional political party. Formed in 1925, it didnt gain any seats in parliament until the 1960's. With devolution begining to occur, Welsh political parties are starting to gain more power. Plaid Cymru is one of the smaller Welsh parties but is growing in support.
     The current leader of the party, Ieuan Wyn Jones (pronounced Yoo-wan Oo-wen Jones), is stepping down this year and is taking responsibility for the party's poor turnout during the last election. Election ballots have been sent out to Plaid Cymru members and lower-level leaders to appoint a new leader. The results will be known by March 15th. Candidates are competing over their views on issues such as water access rights and nuclear power in the Dwyfor Meirionnydd (pronounced Doo-er-vour May-reeo-neth) region of the nation. Wales, a country that is a leader in biomass-based fuel sources, is starting to see more support for nuclear power. Jobs, clean energy and improved infrastructure are all hopes for the new party leadership.

Foreign Current Event #2 - Nigerian Confilct in the North

     This Monday, the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri was disturbed by a break out of fighting in the city's market. The fighting was started by the Radical Islamist sect called Boko Haram. That name literally means "Western culture is forbidden" and the group's goal is to stop western influences in the country. Although the suspected cause of the attack is increasing tention between the Muslin north and the governments attempts to stop the spread of Shariah Law, it is really just the result of the long-building tensions likely due to economic and social disparity between the north and south. Southern Nigeria is mainly Christian and is wealthier due to rich oil reserves off the coast. Northern Nigeria, which is almost completely Muslim, has suffered due to a weak economy and unequal distribution of oil-based funds.

   http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/explosions-gun-battles-rage-in-northeast-nigeria-city-thats-home-to-radical-islamist-sect/2012/02/20/gIQActxIPR_story.html

Foreign Current Event #1 - Russia in Chaos

It has been a common sight on the news and in the papers; tens of thousands of people standing in the streets in front of the Kremlin in Moscow. In the coldest European winter in decades, these people stood in protest in the cold for hours...why? Well, it has to do with the recent controversy that has broken out over the re-election efforts of Vladimir Putin. Some videos came out during the elections of what appeared to be stuffed ballot-boxes, before the voting even started. Putin, although he hasn't been the president over the past few years, has still been the main source of power in the country. This is due in part to the complex set-up of the government, which had both a president and a prime minister. Although there were large numbers of people in protest this weekend, it is not necessarily representative of the popular view. Putin has great support in the country, much of which is through United Russia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russians-give-putin-cold-shoulder/2012/02/04/gIQAW47DpQ_story.html 

Last Political Cartoon...I think...

I can't read the signature on this cartoon so, again, I'm not sure who drew it.
-The cartoon depicts Obama, the current president (duh), pulling a "Tebow", which requires you to take a knee, rest an elbow on your leg, and pray...simple.
-So what is he praying for? Well he is giving thanks for the current "crop of GOP candidates". The reason he is doing this is because the Republican field appears weak, confused and reaching for something that can bring Obama down. It appears, so far at least, that Obama is safe. As more candidates drop out, Obama seems to have more and more of a chance. But at the same time, as the field clears, the GOP support is focused on fewer people.
-The cartoon shows how Obama probably feels right now as he watches the GOP primaries and debates. The general feel both on the GOP and Democrat sides is that the field has no one of great promise. Romney, the past and current frontrunner, is viewed as boring, inconsistant and unable to beat Obama. This cant make Obama feel any worse.
-The cartoon makes fun of both the GOP and Tim Tebow at the same time. "The Tebow Craze" is reaching its end now, but the GOP is getting smaller, and it seems, may be done soon as well.
It does not appear that the artist has a strong bias. If any, it would be a bias against the GOP, but any commentary against the GOP through this cartoon appears to be just a reflection on the general view.

A look back at the 1st Half of the year........

     As I look back on my first half of my last year of high school, I see many great things and just as many that arent so great. What I mean is this: High School has been great because of the people and the fun that comes with them. High School (and especially this year) has been anti-great becasue of the work load and the stress. Now that I am done with college apps, I imagine (and hope) that some if not all of this stress will go away.
     As far as my Comparative Government class, it did not go as I had planned, to be honest. I usually do very very well in History-type classes, but this year was a different story. I wont go into all the details, but the general idea is that I am not happy about my performance in US Gov. However, I am looking forward to the CompGov half of the year, because this subject interests me greatly. Lets go team China! If only I had Huntsman on my side...
    

Political Cartoon #6

-this cartoon is by Nate Beeler
-the cartoon depicts two of the Republican Nominees for President: Mitt Romney (with his media-strong, high-cost campaign) and Rick Santorum (with his low-cost, roots-based campaign)
-The cartoon is referencing Santorums quick rise to the top during the recent Iowa caucuses, which was for the most part unforseen. Romney has been on top from the beginning of the election campaigns, and Santorum has been hanging in the bottom three up until now. The image appears to be mocking the false-optimism brought to Santorum and his supporters from his second place "victory" in Iowa. Santorum and Romney may be even, but the Mitt Monster truck has much more momentum than Santorum's trike. The sign is pointing on to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
-This deals with Santorums quick rise to the top, and the prediction by most that it will not make any huge impact on the success of him campaign.
-The author is showing how many American feel about Santorum as a potential presidential nominee, but it appears to me that he is also somewhat biased against Santorum and against the GOP as a whole.
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