President Trump’s Plans for Planned Parenthood

By: Mary Kiser

President Trump talked with the Freedom Caucus, a conference of conservative representatives, in a last-ditch effort to replace Obamacare with Trumpcare.

The president “offered to repeal Obamacare’s Essential Health Benefits provision, which mandates the health insurers offer coverage for basic care like hospitalizations, prescriptions, and notably for women, pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care.”

He wanted to provide an extra incentive for the group of men’s support, and he hinted at Trumpcare’s primary goal: defunding Planned Parenthood, at least on a federal level.

He and the male representatives were in lengthy, general discussions about women’s health.

Not a single woman was present.

However, Planned Parenthood’s services are inclusive. “[Defunding] Planned Parenthood means preventing low-income and rural women and men who depend on Planned Parenthood for cancer screenings, STD testing, and birth control consultations. In 105 countries, Planned Parenthood is the only birth control clinic. Annually, 2.5 million women and men seek care at Planned Parent-hood clinics.”

If the congressional decision is in favor of Trumpcare, then both women and men will suffer the repercussions, and so will their children.

Planned Parenthood is “one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education.”

The nonprofit organization’s work focuses on reproductive health. According to its website, 80 percent of their patients want birth control which prevents 579,000 unplanned pregnancies.

But the organization also provides “270,000 Pap tests and more than 360,000 breast exams in a single year, and it provides more than 4.2 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including more than 650,000 HIV tests.”

Planned Parenthood saves lives, but the organization’s pro-life opponents look at other statistics.

The organization performs abortion procedures, but the stats are less than 94 percent and more than 3 percent. “Advocates and opponents of abortion rights have calculated somewhere between 15 percent and 37 percent of the organization’s annual non-government health services revenue comes from abortion services.”

Conservatives and liberals have their reasons for either supporting or opposing Planned Parenthood. Religious beliefs, personal experiences, and personal choices can make for a complicated decision.

Before they make one, Congress should look at how Planned Parenthood either helps or hinders their country. The fate of millions of women and men rest in their hands.

Choose wisely.

Trump’s Artistic Vision for America

By: Mary Kiser

Donald Trump will most likely cut funds for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which comes as a shock to people, especially those in creative fields. Even though the president’s only presenting a proposal, there’s a chance Congress could approve the budget cuts, which would starve artists out of $300 million.

“The Trump administration has revealed a proposal to cut the NEA and NEH in its federal budget plan. The elimination of both agencies would have a serious impact on cultural production, and the artists, musicians, writers, and scholars who rely on it,” Caroline Elbaor, a writer for artnet News, elaborates.

Creatives aren’t the only people who would suffer. The school system would face taxing consequences, too. All students (mainly the ones living in low-income areas) won’t get to enjoy educational trips to “history museums, art exhibits, and music and theater performances. ‘Congress must look out for the millions of American families that can’t always travel to big cities to visit a museum when they want to learn about art and history,’” Kirsten Gillibrand, a senator, states.

The NEA and NEH are vital to the country’s progression, but even if people could thrive without the agencies, at least one student would never get to gaze at Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, thank veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or count the stars in Jasper John’s Three Flags.

Art can be expressed through a computer screen, but it can only be experienced in the flesh.

Will Trump Help or Hinder the Economy?

By: Mary Kiser

Since President-elect Donald Trump defied the political regime, he’s reigned supreme. His message spurred crowds, incited riots, and garnered a monstrous flock. Like moths to a flame, people were drawn to his rich personality and commanding presence. Ultimately, Mr. Trump’s swagger defeated his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. She lacked trustworthy charisma, and she crumbled under her own scandals. As she and her husband, Bill Clinton, retired their bully pulpit, Trump took the stage. As he promoted populism, his covert plans suggested otherwise.

Lionized (or criticized) economist, Paul Krugman, detailed his thoughts about America’s upcoming administration. He commented on chameleon Paul Ryan, and his party’s problem. Krugman wrote, “Republicans like Paul Ryan…liked to warn…about the dangers of budget deficits…now, suddenly, those very same politicians are perfectly happy with the prospect of deficits swollen by tax cuts; the budget resolution they’re considering would, according to their own estimates, add $9 trillion in debt over the next decade.” The wealthy would receive substantial tax breaks, and the working class would shoulder the country’s financial burden (again). Unfortunately, in the past, “trickle-down” economics never flourished. However, Mr. Trump might just surprise his critics. If he can nab the White House, he can accomplish anything.

Where is Hillary Clinton Now?

By: Mary Kiser

“If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle.”



Source: Google



            Since President-elect Trump’s victory over the Democratic Party, millions of millennials are dazed and confused. Even though he lost the popular vote, he won the Electoral College through charismatic speeches and unconventional campaigns. Regardless of the Green Party’s Jill Stein’s fundraiser or protests in Portland, Oregon, his relationship with a Republican-controlled Congress will last a minimum of four years (assuming death, disease, or impeachment never occur). While Mr. Trump is prepped for the Oval Office, some people are wondering where Hillary Clinton is, and how she is doing.

            According to a USA Today article, “So, here’s where a woman found Hillary Clinton,” a voter informed the public about her whereabouts. A woman, named Margot Gerster, took a selfie with the former presidential-candidate. Her post on Instagram read:

I’ve been feeling so heartbroken since yesterday’s election and decided what better way to relax than take my girls hiking. So I decided to take them to one of favorite places in Chappaqua….As we were leaving, I heard a bit of rustling coming towards me and as I stepped into the clearing there she was, Hillary Clinton and Bill with their dogs doing exactly the same thing as I was….Now, I’m not one for signs but I think ill definitely take this one. So proud.

            Experts suggest that the best way to cope with stressors is through physical exercise. A brisk walk, light jog, and yoga can relieve tension and boost mood. Like over 60 million Americans, Clinton needed a break from politics, too.

Source:

Article: “So, here’s where a woman found Hillary Clinton” by William Cummings

 

Mike Pence versus Tim Kaine

By: Mary Kiser

A brief on their pros.

The focus is always on Clinton or Trump. Health scares, winded speeches, and shock create this soap opera of a presidential election. Where are Pence and Kaine in the midst of all this slipshod drama? Both seem to be like placid bats in some soundproof cave off the Coast of Kardashian-kin Island. Some people might not even know who these two men are, and why they are so important. Don’t worry, though. This is the article to read.

Trump chooses Pence to be his vice president if he wins this election, and Clinton chooses Kaine as her vice president if she beats Trump to those 270 votes. Both are white males, but other than race and gender, these two hopefuls have little in common. Kaine is a Virginian Senator who, according to Clinton, has “devoted his life to fighting for others.” What does that mean? It means that Kaine is a man of many titles. He is a missionary, civil rights lawyer, teacher, and elected official. Plus, he is only one of thirty people to serve as Mayor, Governor, and Senator in the United States. His resume seems impressive enough, but what about his policies? Policies are the real skin and bones to his allure. On his website, anyone can read that he helps veterans with employment, wants diplomatic unity with foreign countries, advocates for newbie graduates and their careers, stresses the issue of sexual violence, increases research for children with cancer, and promotes the use of vital overdose medications. These are only a few of his passions on legislative paper, and even though he is not in the media often, that is probably an asset for the Clinton campaign.

Pence is the other vice-president-in-campaigning. Like Trump, he has an affair with the spotlight albeit a very narrow and dimly lit one. He is the star of “The Mike Pence Show,” but the broadcast is now a part of 20^th century history. However, he wins a Congressional seat in the year 2000, and he did display bipartisan views. He opposes Bush’s No Child Left Behind, and he is praised for his unwavering stances. One of his best accomplishments came alive in 2013 with a “$1.1 billion give-back” that proves to be the “largest tax cut in state history.” Even though Pence is very conservative, he does possess some shiny trophies that the Republican Party can polish and shine.

Whether a vote is cast for Trump or Clinton, remember that the vote will also be cast for their respective V.P. picks. If death, disease, or impeachment is to happen to either one, then either Pence or Kaine will assume the Commander-in-Chief position. Know their background, policies, and viewpoints. Think about not what they do for themselves, but what they do for the American people. The president is only as powerful as her running mate.

Sources:

Tim Kaine website: http://www.kaine.senate.gov/about

Hillary Clinton selects Tim Kaine as her running mate: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/22/politics/hillary-clinton-vp-pick/

Mike Pence website: http://www.biography.com/people/mike-pence-071416

Fifty Shades of Crazy

By: Mary Kiser

I've written about presidential candidate Donald J. Trump before, half-heartedly joking that I'd love for him to be the GOP nominee, so I could drink beer and watch what I think is more of a reality TV circus than pressing political debates. But now that he's still in the race, with a whopping 736 delegates won, he is the front-runner for the nomination. And that's such a scary fact because facts don't lie, and that fact is the truth. The truth that Trump could secure the nomination; the truth that he could debate with either Clinton or Sanders; the truth that he could become the next POTUS, no matter how big or small his chances are against the Democrat nominee.

But, and that's a big "but," hence the italics, he has to start making some sense. Yes, I said it. He has to start using coherence and strong ideals mashed with fact. Otherwise, the only people that would vote for him would be his family, the affluent, and a portion of the easily influenced.

There are so many examples I could write about concerning Trump and his antics to aid my bully pulpit, but I'll refer to his comments on abortion, since those are his most recent spectacle. Later retracted, he believes that women should be punished if they choose to abort versus adoption or raising the child. Because of this outlandish comment, critics went wild with even more ammo to fire at Trump. So, he then said that the doctor should be punished and not the woman.

Now, both Cruz and Kasich say women shouldn't be punished, but their policies portray a different story. Cruz favored the shut down of the federal government in order to "block Planned Parenthood Funding," which hurts women who want basic healthcare for themselves and their sex lives. Kasich, on the other hand, has signed seventeen anti-abortion tactics into law since 2011.

So, these are your three. Donald J. Trump might be a little more bold and brash about his political stance, but he truly does reflect what the GOP wants for America. And if this isn't what you want for our country, then go out and vote. It's so crucial and vital, especially now when racism, sexism, and xenophobia have skyrocketed at an all-time high within the Republican Party.

http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160331/blog/160339975

Your Opinion Matters!

By: Mary Kiser

 

       On November 4, 2008, the first African-American president was elected into the White House. This was, and still is, one of the greatest feats against racism that the United States had ever experienced. President Barack Obama was on a mission to save this country from what could’ve resulted in a second Depression and the constant iron grip of the Iraq War. During his time in office, he has accumulated more than several achievements to showcase for it. He signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” increased the 2010-2011 Department of Veterans Affairs budget by at least ten percent, and signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act in 2009. These are only a few out of at least fifty accomplishments that he and his team have made possible during his first and second terms.

     However, another man or possibly a woman will resume the presidency with (hopefully) even more vigor, verve, and vivacity than the U.S. and its’ citizens have ever seen before. Either he or she will be responsible for our country’s next phase of development. But before President Obama becomes the lame duck, somebody else will have to succeed him. And that’s where you come in.

     Don’t just sit, wait, and sit some more while you can still apply for it. Get your Voter ID! It’s not only important but absolutely essential if you want to be able to vote for your favorite politician in the upcoming 2016 Presidential Election. After all, if you weren’t a fan of President Obama’s policies, then what better way to prove it by voting for somebody completely different? If you think that your vote doesn’t matter because you’re too young, party too much, or are too lazy, you’re wrong. It does matter, and sometimes it can take just one vote to make the difference. If you’re still not convinced, look up the 1876 Presidential Election.

 

Favorite Speeches: Diane Savino on Gay Marriage

Photo by Salvatore Vuono

By Mary Clark

Same sex marriage has been a hot political issue for years now. It has even been compared to the fight to end segregation. It has put politics and religion at war against each other and has stirred up a passionate uprising on both sides of the issue. In 2009, the New York Senate assembled to debate the issue of legalizing same sex marriage in the state. From that session, came a little known Staten Island senator, Diane Savino, who gave one of the most moving, passionate speeches to date, showing the assembly the way she views the inequality of denying same sex marriages.

The Problem with the Personhood Amendment

Photo by Ambro

By Kathryn Arnsberger

In 1920, women in the United States gained the right to vote. It was a monumental step in women’s rights and many thought it could only move forward in the right direction from there. However, on November eighth of this year, Mississippi almost took a big step back.

Initiative 26, also known as the Personhood Amendment, would have defined life as starting at conception. The Mississippi amendment would have made abortion completely illegal even in cases of rape, incest, and health complications. That, however, is not all the amendment would have done. Initiative 26 would have also banned many forms of birth control and hindered in vitro fertilization treatments.

Will Charleston Continue to be Occupied?

By Kevin Phillips

Every Sunday a large group of people of all ages, races, and backgrounds gather at Mall Park, located directly beside the Trident Tech Palmer campus, and have a community “potluck dinner.” People bring prepared food and drinks, and then offer a free meal to the entire community or anyone that can make it to the park. Traditionally, events such as these are hosted by local churches or charities, but not this one. It is being organized and executed by Occupy Charleston. 

Occupy Charleston is a protest movement that is inspired by Occupy Wall St., a movement that began on Sept. 17, 2011 when 30O people began sleeping over night in Zuccotti Park, located in New York City’s financial district, commonly called Wall St. The movement has inspired similar demonstrations in over 700 cities in over 45 countries worldwide. 

Colbert in Charleston: Passion or Hype?



James Hinchey Photography



By Elizabeth Hair

The atmosphere was festive and unseasonably warm on the afternoon of Friday, January 20.  The College of Charleston campus was abuzz and the scene downtown resembled a concert at a block party.   The crowd was full of college students (many skipping class), alumni, working professionals, and tourists who came from all over the state to be a part of the “Rock Me Like a Herman Cain: South Cain-olina Primary Rally." 

ATV Law Good for State

Photo by Axel O'Dell

By Steve Brandenburg

Every day I spend with my children is a blessing, and just hearing them say “I love you” can make a bad day good. In a world with so many dangers, it seems that around every corner awaits some new danger or virus. It seems like a never ending struggle to protect our children. We try to balance being responsible parents while not making it as though our children live in bubbles. As a father, I can’t imagine allowing someone to hurt my child. Even worse, I wouldn’t ever want to be the one to contribute to my own child’s death.