Torture in the Senate: What was in the report?

Its amazing what horrors people can come up with in the pursuit of information or in simple terms torture. Some of the many techniques used on the prisoners were water boarding, being stripped naked, and sleep deprivation. These techniques were being used on suspected terrorists in an attempt to reveal information that could prevent another attack like 9/11. The biggest issue brought up in the report though was the lack of accountability on any ones part. In the report its stated that persenal used unaurthorized techniques and no punishment was upheld. The techniques, according to the report, were also not sanctioned and many of them were made-up techniques. 

If you want to learn more here is the link to the actual document:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1377107-sscistudy1.html

Torture in the Senate: Uproar of the Nations

The CIA's torture reports released this Tuesday has elicited many comments from other countries. Below are some comments from our allies:

France

 The Foreign Ministry said that, when it comes to the fight against terrorism, "The main objective of the international community must stay within the framework of respect for human rights and international humanitarian law."

Great Britain

 Prime Minster David Cameron condemned torture while in Turkey on Tuesday, saying: "Torture is wrong. Torture is always wrong. Those of us want to see a safer, more secure world, want to see the extremism defeated. We won't succeed if we lose our moral authority."

United Nations 

U.N. Special Rapporteur on Counter Terrorism and Human Rights Ben Emmerson called on the U.S. to prosecute those responsible for crimes outlined in the report. Emmerson said the program was "a clear policy orchestrated at a high level within the Bush administration, which allowed ... systematic crimes and gross violations of international human rights law."

Question now is will actions be taken not only to change CIA's intelligence questioning, but also if actions will be taken to against those in charge during the time in question. I definitely think that things should be changed in the CIA's strategy in intelligence gathering. I also think that an investigation should be done, but what the punishment should be is for those in charge to decide.

For more comments and information: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/10/world/senate-torture-report-world-reaction/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30420805

Torture in the Senate: Senate reports being declassified.

CIA is planning to release declassified reports on post 9/11 torture today. The military and embassies have been put on high alert, expecting the blow back that will follow the reports release. A question that I have is why now? This tactic and torture report have remained sealed for nearly 13 years. I guess its good that this is coming to light, but why was it kept for so long? I pray that no Americans will be harmed due to the fallout of what is in the report.

Orion, grounded until Friday.

Orion's, "Mars ship", first test flight was postponed to Friday. Orion was scheduled to fly this morning, but due to circumstances could not. A stray boat entered into the launch danger zone and would not leave. High winds and a faulty valves were also to blame for the postponing. Orion is an unmanned ship that is one step closer to men on Mars. Orion test flight will consist of two flights around the Earth and a fast landing that will be used to test the heat shields. Hopefully the test launch on Friday go off with out a hitch. If not NASA will have to request an extension. Though it is only in the testing phase of its journey, the idea that humans on Mars is not just a dream any more. Is really amazing for me.

The future of tech: Is there room for humans?

With AIs being programmed to be more intelligent, where does that leave us humans? According to Professor Stephen Hawking, no where good. In an interview with BBC News about his upgrade in his communication system, Professor Hawking commented "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race." The fear of technology becoming self thinking and no longer needing humans has shown up many times in our culture. From "2001: a space odyssey" to the kids movie "Wall-E", the fear or at least the idea of robots superseding the human race is not a new thing. Does this mean that we should give up on the idea of intelligent robots?  Not everyone feels that way. "I believe we will remain in charge of the technology for a decently long time and the potential of it to solve many of the world problems will be realized," said Rollo Carpenter, creator of Cleverbot. Imagine AIs preforming jobs that humans are incapable of doing. Going dangerous places or completing intricate surgeries. Most of this is already here, but with more advance AI, humans won't be needed to guide the machines as it is done now. Whether you are part of the AI fan club or those preparing for a robot uprising, the fact is that something like Wall-E or HAL are decades of and its for another generation to worry about or cheer on.

Fighting in Ferguson

 The aftermath of the jury's verdict that Officer Wilson will not be indicted, has left Ferguson in flames. Rioting after the news broke have destroyed at least a dozen business, most to far gone to save. I think that this is not the way to protest what they say is racial prejudice. Whether this was the case in this police shooting, I can't and won't speculate, but the actions of the protesters are doing more harm to them selves then anyone else. The damages to the building and cars will eventually need to be payed for and that money used to pay for the damage takes away from the city. This violence needs to stop. I have nothing to say on the issue of the case, it was the jury's job to review the evidence and that can't be questioned. That is how our judicial system works. I find this whole thing strange and I don't think I can ever understand the actions taken either by those involved in the shooting or the rioters.

Tragedy strikes Fraternity house.

The tragedy of a death of someone so young, its scary to say the least. Has a high school student not even a year away from joining a college community and with friends are already in college, its not hard to see how this tragedy could happen to some one I know. Its even more scary that he was from Western New York where I live. I would love to say that I know for sure that this couldn't happen to me or any of my friends, but I can't know that. I would hope that none of my friends would ever drink underage or even get drunk while of age, but that's not my place. My advice to all is to be carefull and I hope that this tragedy will prevent others from doing the same. 

More Tests?

Albany came out on November 17th to clarify that Common Core field tests are mandatory for all New York schools. I looked up what these field test are and its just bug fixing in a way. The companies and the Federal Government who created Common Core are trying to see where things are working and where things are falling apart. Teachers and school districts are not happy with these field test. Honestly, certain districts are fed up with the amount of testing being done right now. With the already established standardized tests, teachers are frustrated with the dwindling teaching time. If the trend continues there wont be anything to test on. Kids are not test scores, yet that is what school has become. In my opinion these test are actually making things worse. Things need to change, because where we are heading right now is not the best road to go down.

A call for open Internet

Washington Post published a piece on November 11th titled "Obama’s call for an open Internet puts him at odds with regulators" by By Brian Fung and Nancy Scola. True to its title the article goes on to explain what President Obama is up against. President Obama idea is to protect smaller Web start-ups by stopping the favoritism with internet providers and major Web firms. The problem is how to go about it. The authors Fung and Scola are very well written and use many interviews and comments to gain the full spectrum of issues and opinions. This article intrigued me and I may at a later date research more into this issue. Th article was excellent and I suggest that you give it a read. One question that did come to my mind while I was reading and was not fully answered was how President Obama plans to handle this issue. 

Prevailing Wins

The Republican party was able to keep their predicted win of a majority in the Senate. Not surprisingly though, many factors led to the Republican's win (the first time since 2006). Midterms are notoriously know for drawing middle age and older white voters to its poles. Also due to President Obama's lower ratings people are itching for a change of power. Republicans managed to hold out on many of the races that were very close. In the coming years it shall be interesting to see how a Republican controlled Congress works with our Democratic president.

Who shall prevail?

As the polls come to a close and the votes are being tallied the question is who shall win the Senate majority.   According to NY Times Republicans have a 75% chance of gaining the majority in the Senate. The likeliest break is set as 47 Democrat seats to 53 Republican seats. Democrats could still pull a quick trick but in all, except the Kansas's race, predictions match across the board. Only time will tell, who shall prevail.

Comments: Answers

Before my next installment of ABCs of the Republican Platform, I'm going to try and answer or at least address some of the questions in the comment section.

The Connector
 What do you think will be important for you to know to help you with that all important decision of which party to choose?

• I think it is important to know not only what they say they are for, but also what they actually vote for.

Samantha Kaczor 
What have you learned about the Republican Party after starting this project so far?

• I have learned that Republicans say that they are very small government and are very pro life.

kyle AAA
 Are republicans supplying programs or centers to helps thoughts who have had a kid by accident?

• In my first ABCs of the Republican Platform I mention a bit about that. Republicans push for adoption counseling and other programs that help expecting moms choose to keep the child at least till term. 

The Connector

How does the Republican's position on abortion fit with their overall philosophy of government?

• I honestly don't truly know just yet. That is something I will keep in mind as I continue to research Republican's positions.  

Kate

Great to see people pro-life!!

• Me too!

Gabriella Simoneit

What are some bills, that are pro-life, the Republicans have tried to pass?

• They have pushed no late term abortions and banning federal abortion funding. There are many more, but it would take another post to track them all. If you want to know more try this website:

http://www.nrlc.org/ 

2. 
   

Senate: Last Ditch Push

Now going into the final week of the Senate Midterm Race, both Republican and Democrat parties are looking for that extra push in the key toss up states. Republicans are trying to to gain a majority of the seats in the Senate. Republican party needs to focus on Kansas, Colorado, and Georgia.

1. Alaska

   Leans Republican

   10/15/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

2. Arkansas

   Likely Republican

   10/22/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

   •  

3. Colorado

   Toss Up

   10/1/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes

4. Georgia

   Toss Up

   10/15/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes

   •  

5. Iowa

   
   

   Leans Republican

   10/1/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

6. Kansas

   Toss Up

   10/15/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes

   •  

7. Kentucky

   Likely Republican

   7/10/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

8. Louisiana

   Toss Up

   7/10/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes

   •  

9. Michigan

   Likely Democratic

   7/24/14

   Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
   No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

   •  

10. Minnesota

    Likely Democratic

    9/17/14

    Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
    No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

    •  

11. New Hampshire

    Leans Democratic

    9/17/14

    Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
    No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

    •  

12. North Carolina

    Leans Democratic

    9/17/14

    Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
    No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

    •  

13. Oregon

    Likely Democratic

    7/10/14

    Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
    No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

    •  

14. South Dakota

    
    

    Leans Republican

    10/8/14

    Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
    No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

    •  

15. Virginia

    Likely Democratic

    7/10/14

    Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Toss-Up	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
    No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

    •  

ABCs of the Republicans' platform Part one

A- Abortion.
I'm very pro-life and I wondered whether or not Republicans were too. According to the http://www.republicanviews.org/ Republicans are very big on the idea that an unborn child has the same right to life as given in the Constitution. I want to know if that idea held up in the voting of the Republicans' politicians.On the website for On the Issues and  National Right to Life, the scorecard for both the House and Senate had a Large majority of the Republicans voting very pro-life. Nearly all of the House voted against taxpayer funding for abortions. According to On the Issues website, Republican leaders promoted adoption incentives instead of abortion and support and counseling for those choosing adoption instead of abortion.

Links to recourse:
http://www.republicanviews.org/republican-views-on-abortion/
http://www.ontheissues.org/Abortion.htm
http://www.nrlc.org/

The Stand off

Both my parents and grandparents are Republicans. I have never really known what that meant. Now less then six months away from my eighteenth birthday, I'm interested in what it means to be in either parties. In my current  events class, I've been given the opportunity to learn about the Republicans' views. In the class we are focusing on the Midterm elections and because of little knowledge in what it means to be in any of the parties the focuses I choose to delve into what it means to be a Republican. Each day I'm going to write about the Republican platform and what they actually back and vote for. I hope to learn where I fit before it is my turn to choose.