Blog Post # 8
May 22nd

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/20/pennsylvania-gay-marriage-ruling/9323521/

Pa. governor won't appeal ruling legalizing gay marriage

On May 21st Pennsylvania became the 19th state to declare legislation preventing same-sex couples from marrying unconstitutional. The governor, Tom Corbett, declared that he wouldn't appeal the ruling because he didn't think he would succeed. His religious and political beliefs, as a Roman Catholic and Republican, makes him stand by the fact that marriage should be solely between a man and a woman. The judge who overruled Pennsylvania's own Defense of Marriage Act, a federal judge, wrote a 39 page paper on his decision for the 21 people who sued the state for not being able to marry. The official lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union stating that the DOMA in the state violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment. Brown, the judge, in his paper referenced Brown v. Board of Education Topeka and how its challenging of "separate but equal" is finally just equal. 

This article references terms learned in Unit 6 taking about civil rights. It is also very applicable since this is our own state that this happened in. The Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marraige Act but it has not yet been incorporated into the states by selective incorporation. These rulings in states like Pennsylvania do that. The judge talks about separate but equal, the 14th amendment, and the equal protection clause. He also references the court case, Brown v. Board of Education Topeka which challenged the separate but equal doctrine in schools. This advancement of another state giving marriage equality to its citizens makes it seem like very soon every state will allow same-sex marriage. 

Blog Post # 7

Obama says US, Europe prepping sanctions on Russia's economic sectors if it invades Ukraine

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2014/04/25/obama-sectoral-sanctions-if-russia-enters-ukraine

The USA and other European countries prepare to make sanctions on Russia if they invade the eastern side of Ukraine. Instead of individual sanctions, the nations are prepared to use economic sanctions to the whole nation to change the force that Russia is currently using in Ukraine. Russia does not seem to be coming down or changing its' course so the President and other leaders have warned the country of the economic effects of their transgressions. All of this comes a week after Russia, the USA, Ukraine, and Europe signed an agreement hoping to lessen the tension and crisis. 

This issues has to deal with foreign policy, and how President Obama deals with other countries to promote peace and understanding. The President, and other countries, hope to use economic sanctions to encourage their policy. This is an example of soft power, something President Obama uses frequently instead of hard military power, to make change Russia. The countries all coming together to make these economic sanctions is also an example of multilateralism. 

Blog Post 6

Current Event #6



http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-prayer-breakfast-20140414-story.html#axzz2yw2hPQfM

In reaction to the Jewish community center shooting in Kansas City, President Obama offered condolences and support for the families who lost their loved ones. At the annual Easter prayer breakfast spoke to religious leaders and said, " Nobody should have to worry about their security when gathering with their fellow believes. No one should ever have to fear for their safety when they go to pray. And as a government, we're going to provide whatever assistance is needed to support the investigation." Obama expressed his support for all religious leaders and other leaders to keep in mind the struggle to "combat the ignorance and intolerance, including anti-Semitism, that can lead to hatred and violence."

This article has a little to do with public policy and the President's beliefs, though these beliefs are not very political because I think the freedom of religion is something that is held up by most Americans, especially people working to uphold the Constitution like President Obama.