Political Games: This Week in Politics 8/28-9/04

Senators and Wikipedia, the Disappearing Facts:

A study done by prestigious schools, such as the University of California and Yale, found that information posted about Senators that portrayed a negative view were taken down much faster than other types of information. The statistics ranged from 29% to 36% more likely to be taken down within 12 to 72 hours. Politicians who were no longer in office were also tested, “Our findings suggest the editorial bias limited to active politicians, the types of people for whom the stakes of a positive public image are the highest,” the study said. This goes to show: Don’t use Wikipedia as a source for information.

Bush and Trump Bump Heads:

Bush and Trump continue to rev up the heat as each politician takes shots at one another. Bush stated his backlash comes from Trump’s constant jabs at him. “Besides, he tries to personalize everything. Ig you’re not totally in agreement with him you’re an idiot, or stupid, or don’t have energy, or blah, blah, blah,” he said. This feud could end with either of the front runners on top, but could also end with a new Republican poll leader. Remember, it takes one bad PR mistake to crush a campaign, and both candidates are treading the line.

Good News for the Iran Deal:

Sen. Barbara A Mikulski pledged her support to the Iran Deal which makes 34 Senators. Since the opposition would not be able to gain the two-thirds vote to override the legislation, Obama has little to worry about. Also, ten senators currently have not made a decision. This means he could garner seven more supporters which would mean they could sustain a filibuster. Obama would not even need to veto at this point. “No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime. I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having nuclear bombs,” Sen. Barbara A Mikulski said.

Rubio and Bush on Government Duty and Religious Rights:

Rubio and Bush both seem to be of the opinion, after the Kentucky clerk case, that there should be a middle ground between religious consciousness and governmental duties. However, the law of the land has been laid by the Supreme Court, and that law states that LGBT community members have the right to marriage. In a government setting, one that was built by the founders with separation of church and state in mind, should be an easy decision to make. Skirting the topic, Rubio and Bush both stated a middle ground should be found, but gave no indication that they had a middle ground mind. “As I said, I think we ought to be able, a big, tolerant country out to be able to forge a consensus. This doesn’t have to be resolved in Washington. This ought to be resolved at the local level where you find common ground where a person based, clearly based on her religious convictions should be able to act on that, her conscience and have people not be discriminated against,” bush said in a quote to Tampa Bay Times. One issue with this is that it is contradictory. How can one act on their conscience, which includes ideals of discrimination, and not have people discriminated against?

Charleston Church Shooting: Seeking the Death Penalty:

Prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty in the case of Dylann Roof, the man who killed nine people in a South Carolina historical church. Racial motives have been cited as his reasoning in federal court, but no hate crime laws exist in South Carolina. The families of the victims have forgiven the man and will not push the death penalty, but the story has blown up to a point over social media that it might be the only route. His mental state and other reasons might be his defense against the death penalty.

A 5.1% Unemployment Rate and a Possible Rate Hike:

The US saw a growth of 173,000 jobs for the month of August. This was below the projected number, however, economists stated the number for August is generally set high. Since the number of jobs was not meant, this could mean an increase in interest rates during the Fed meetings on the 16^th and 17^th. As the market stabilizes, even in China, economists are not really sure what will happen. “We don’t think it is sufficiently strong enough for the Fed to proceed with a September rate hike without markets worrying that the data is not good enough to support it,” said Rob Carnell at IGN bank to BBC News.

Legislation to Look For:

Senate-

S.764 – National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2015

• A bill to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes.
  Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans.

S.1315 – Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2015

• A bill to protect the right of law-abiding citizens to transport knives interstate, notwithstanding a patchwork of local and State prohibitions.
  Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 201

S.1493 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015

• A bill to provide for an increase, effective December 1, 2015, in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes
  Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 202.

House of Representatives-

H.R.3062 – Assuring Private Property Rights Over Vast Access to Land Act

• To prohibit the use of eminent domain in carrying out certain projects.
  Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.

H.R.3027 – Meers Point Boundary Clarification Act

• To authorize the conveyance of four small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge for the purposes of addressing a long-term boundary discrepancy.
  Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

H.R.3153 – Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and Castaic Wilderness Act

• To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those killed by the collapse of the Saint Francis Dam on March 12, 1928, and for other purposes.
  Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

(All information comes from OpenCongress.org)

Also check out:

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Hillary Clinton says she regrets using private email.

Saudi king meets Obama amid concerns over Iran deal.

Key Senate Democrat announces opposition to Iran deal.