International

Suicide Bombers in Moscow Kill 38

Molly Burns

On the morning of Monday March 29th, 2010 during rush hour, suicide bombers wearing belts packed with explosives set off two large explosions 40 minutes apart in two spereate subway stations in central Moscow. The explosions killed more 38 people and injured over 100. According to Moscow’s Mayor Yuri M. Luzhkov, the suicide bombers were two female terrorists who had planned the attacks for the time of day when the most people would be using the subway, which serves as many as 10 million commuters a day. The first blast occurred at a station near the F.S.B., and Moscow officials have said they believe the intention of this attack was to send a threatening message to Security Services that work there. The second attack occurred at the Park Kultury station and did less damage than the first, killing 12. Although Russian authorities have claimed that Muslim extremists are responsible for this attack, no specific group has come forth to claim responsibility as of yet. President Obama called Russia’s president Dmitry Medvedev on Monday to assure him that he would help Russia to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. The same group being blamed for these attacks has also been linked to other terrorist activity, including a bomb that killed 26 people in Moscow last November.

• Yuri M. Luzhkov: Russian politician who has served as the Mayor of Russia since 1992 and is one of the founders of the United Russia party.
• F.S.B: The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. The main domestic security agency of the Russian federation and the successor to the soviet era K.G.B.

• Argument for: Aiding Russia in any retaliation would send the message to terrorists that the US remains serious about the war on terrorism.
• Argument against: Pouring money and resources toward a fight that may not directly affect the US could be unpopular.

Additional Reading:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/world/europe/30moscow.html?pagewanted=2&hp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8593961.stm

United States

Nine Arrested in “Christian Militia” Plot Against US Gov’t

Garrett Snyder

On Monday March 29th, federal authorities raided the compound of a Michigan-based militia group that claim Christian affiliation, known as the Hutaree and arrested nine suspects. The group allegedly described themselves on their website as “Christian Warriors” preparing to fight the “Antichrist.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation had been monitoring the group’s members for some time but were forced take physical action against them over the weekend after learning of an imminent threat against police. The U.S. attorney’s investigation revealed that Hutaree members plotted to make a false 911 emergency call, kill the responding officers and then use a bomb to kill many more at the resulting funeral. The charges against the nine suspects include seditious conspiracy, illegal firearm possession, and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction such as homemade bombs.

• Seditious conspiracy: Plotting to levy war against the US

• Christian right-wing political organizations have roundly condemned the organization and its actions. However, the populist anger and anti-government backlash propagated recently by far-leaning Republicans seems to only have added fuel to the fire for extremist groups such as Hutaree making them a very real threat to the security of the US.
• Many government officials fear that recent political tensions in Washington have led to not only the greater presence of anti-government militia groups, but increased the threat of violence they pose.

Additional Reading:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/29/michigan.arrests/index.html

The Hill

The G8 Summit

Julia Newman

On March 30th 2010, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, went to Ottawa, Canada to meet with other G8 Summit leaders. Clinton traveled to Canada to prepare for the Summit occurring in June. While in Canada, Clinton has plans to hold bilateral talks with the Japanese foreign minister, Katsuya Okada. The 36th annual G8 Summit will be held from June 25th-27th. The idea behind the G8 Summit is to get the leaders of most populous and most powerful countries together to discuss global issues, such as international security and climate change. The countries involved in this summit include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

• Bilateral talks: diplomatic discussions that include only the two states involved.

• The positives of the G8 summit: With globalization (integrated economies, and other issues) increasing, this is a great way for world leaders to see the big picture and work collaboratively.
• The negatives of the G8 Summit: This summit leaves out many countries and therefore does not get a well-rounded worldview.

Additional Reading:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/29/clinton.canada/index.html

California

Furloughs Expected to be Upheld

Joshua Fimbres

A recent appellate court put on hold a ruling by a lower court that struck down Governor Schwarzenegger’s furlough plan. The Alameda Superior Court ruled that furloughs could not be placed on workers who received a majority of their funds outside of the general fund. That ruling would have sent about sixty thousand people back to work this week. However, the 1^st District of Appeals is expected to overturn that ruling and uphold the governor’s furloughs. Those furlough day’s set aside three days out of the month whereby state workers will work without pay. It is expected that those furlough days will save the state 1.3 billion dollars for the budget shortfall California faces.

• Appellate court: Any court of law that is empowered to hear appeals
• Furlough: A temporary layoff from work, in this case days without pay, forced by the state

• Arguments for furloughs being upheld: Furloughs will save the state 1.3 billion dollars. Some argue that the state should not shield state workers from recession when state is not able to support itself.
• Arguments against furloughs being upheld: Workers under the original ruling would not strain the state’s general funds, which is where the deficit lies.

Additional Reading

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/30/2644784/court-prolongs-schwarzeneggers.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/03/court-stays-ruling-that-would-have-ended-furloughs.html

Los Angeles

LAUSD To Shorten School Year

Jennifer Halligan

The Los Angeles Unified School District has decided to shorten the school year for the next two years, although they are technically waiting for approval from teacher and administrator unions. This will affect all schools in the LAUSD, from elementary to high school, and cuts five days from this year’s calendar and seven from the next. The action will save the district about $140 million, which will help reduce the district’s deficit of $640 million. A new state law will allow districts to receive full funding per year even if they cut a few days. The shortening also means that the jobs of about 1,800 teachers and 300 librarians, nurses, and counselors will be safe despite their pay being decreased.

• Argument for: The cuts will help save money, and the district is suffering from a budget crisis.
• Argument against: Students need education, and cutting the amount of days they’ll be taught is not going to help them to learn and get into college.

Additional reading:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/lausd-teachers-administrators-agree-to-shorten-school-year.html#more

Local Cultural Events

Skateboard: Evolution and Art in California

Meg Patch

Chances are if you live in Southern California, you probably see skateboarders all the time. The Skateboard: Evolution and Art exhibition at the California Heritage Museum shows the evolution of boards from before 1950 to the present, displaying the riders, designers, artists and manufacturers that created the California phenomenon now known as the skateboard. The skateboard started out as a simple plank of wood with metal roller skate wheels nailed to the bottom. Now, a skateboard involves polyurethane wheels and kicktails and many other modern advancements. Learn more about the evolution of the skateboard and this unique cultural activity that has spread from California to throughout the world. The show opened to the public last November, but it will continue to be open through Sunday, May 30^th, 2010. The museum is open from 11am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday, but it will be closed Easter, April 4^th, 2010. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 if you are a senior or a Student. Members and Children under twelve get in for free.

http://web.mac.com/calmuseum/Site/Current.html

Directions to the California Cultural Museum from LMU:

-Right on Lincoln

-Left on Ocean Park

-Left on Main

2612 Main St.

Santa Monica, CA

90405

International

Google shuts down China Site over Censorship Disagreement

Molly Burns

On Monday March 22, 2010 after almost two months of warnings, Google closed its Internet search engine in China. Google redirected its users to its uncensored search engine in Hong Kong because of China’s censorship laws for its citizens. On Tuesday March 23rd users who went to google.cn (Google’s Chinese site) were sent directly to the Hong Kong address, google.com.hk. By the same day, Chinese users living outside Hong Kong could not see uncensored content from the Hong Kong search engine because government computers had disabled searches sensitive content or blocked links to specific search results. This move exhibits the reaction the Chinese government has taken towards Google’s decision and its failure to take into account China’s censorship laws. Additionally, China Mobile is expected to cancel a deal that would make Google the search engine on its cell phones. Although the search engine is gone, Google will keep its research and development team in China and will also continue to provide the services of online maps and music.

• Hong Kong-One of China’s two administrative regions which runs a system that is economically and politically different than that of China’s mainland.
• China Mobile- China’s biggest cellular communications company, used by millions of people.

• Argument for: Google’s move represents a rejection of China’s censorship of its citizens and brings global attention to the issue.
• Argument against: Depending upon the Chinese government’s reaction, Google could seriously jeopardize its relationship with the world’s largest Internet market (nearly 400 million Web users).

Additional reading:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/technology/23google.html?fta=y

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/technology/24google.html?hp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8582233.stm

United States

Suicide a Problem for Americas Colleges

Paul C. Kadzielski

As of March 19th 2010 six students had committed suicide at Cornell University during the 2009-2010 academic year. Three of those suicides took place within the last 30 days. The two most recent suicides were both engineering majors who jumped from the Thurston Avenue Bridge into the gorge below on March 18^th and March 19^th. There appears to be no connection between any of the suicides at the upstate New York university. The school upped its suicide prevention programs in 2002 and had been suicide free since 2005. Suicide is the number 2 killer of college students in America just behind accidental deaths and the number 3 killer of people between the ages to 15 and 24. The national suicide rate is holding steady, accounting for approximately 13% of all college student deaths across the country.

• Approximately 1,100 college students commit suicide each academic year (2005)
• Nearly half of all college students consider suicide while attending a university
• Students experiencing depression or excess stress are encouraged to seek free confidential help at LMU’s Student Psychological Services (310) 338-2868
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800 273-8255

Additional Information:

http://www.lmu.edu/page1330.aspx

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=1188772

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-03-16-IHE-cornell-suicides-16_ST_N.htm

http://www.statisticstop10.com/Causes_of_Death_College_Age_Adults.htmlhttp://www.suicide.org/college-student-suicide.html

The Hill

Health Care Passed

Julia Newman

On Monday March 22, 2010 President Barack Obama’s long awaited health care bill was signed into effect. The following are changes that will be seen immediately from the bill:

• Health care companies will not be able to put a cap on your plan (this is important if you fall ill with something such as cancer and the medical bills are steep)
• $5 billion is set aside to temporarily help the uninsured who are sick (this is only till 2014 when a new system kicks in)
• Insurers are required to provide coverage for children up to the age of 26.
• Seniors who fall into a specific category will be given $250 to help pay for prescription drugs.

The following are changes that will be seen by 2014:

• Exchanges with small business will be created, making it impossible to turn away people with pre-existing conditions.
• If the Senate approves the House changes then a fine will be created for those who do not buy coverage. Although this would not apply to poorer Americans (those making $88,000 annually)
• Medicaid will cover more people.
• Tax credits will be made available to help pay premiums

The Health Care Bill should be approached as an unpartisan issue. This is not about being a Democrat or Republican, everyone should look at the bill and how it will effect them.

• Tax credits: Credits that reduce a person's tax liability by an amount equal to the tax credits.
• Premiums: Payments

California

Agreement Reached on Early Budget Package

Joshua Fimbres

Governor Schwarzenegger and legislators of the State of California reached an agreement on an early budget package. The three parts of the agreement include trimming 1.1 billion dollars from the public transit system, tax incentives of 10,000 for first time home-buyers, and incentives for green-technology companies. These measures are intended to stimulate the real estate market in and a growing green sector in California. Legislators are trying to avoid more tax increases due to unpopularity among voters and thus are seeking to trim other services with the exception of education. The hope among lawmakers is that the economy will improve and increase the state’s tax revenue, thus preventing the need for more cuts.

• Early budget package: Compromise made for future budget that will be passed by state legislature
• Tax incentives: Credits that reduce taxes; provided by government to promote certain projects/activities
• Green Sector: Refers to all high-tech and environmentally sustainable businesses

• Arguments for: Tax credits for first time home buyers intends to provide incentives for possible consumers in real estate market. Tax credits for green technology businesses are meant to spur job growth in that growing sector. An 1.1 billion dollar cut from mass transit funds attempts to help avoid cutting the education budget.
• Arguments against: The projection does not assess all costs needed to balance budget and the state will eventually require a cut of education spending.

Additional Reading:

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/23/2626438/lawmakers-schwarzenegger-strike.html


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget23-2010mar23,0,933509.story

Los Angeles

The DWP Sees Rate Increases to Pay for Green Initiatives

Jennifer Halligan

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s rates will soon be rising. The increase is part of a plan that Mayor Villaraigosa has for helping the environment, and he has stated that the increase will ensure that 20% of the DWP’s energy comes from renewable sources by December 31, 2010. The new revenue will add up to an additional $648 million per year. The money will help pay for what Villaraigosa calls “green doctors”, that will, among other things, appraise the energy-efficiency of Los Angeles residents’ homes, as well as conservation programs and a solar initiative that should create 16,000 jobs. The increase is scheduled to begin next month but rise in phases over a full year. DWP customers will be separated by how much energy they use: Tier 1 customers, or households that use very little energy, will see their rates rise an average of 8.8%, while Tier 2 customers, who use more energy, will see an increase of 16.9% to 18.9%, and Tier 3 customers will see an increase of 24.4% to 28.4%.

• Renewable sources: Natural energy resources that will be replenished naturally over time
• Revenue: Income
• Solar initiative: A California plan to help the environment by exploring and using solar (sun) energy

• In favor of the legislation: It is vital we focus on the environment, and Los Angeles needs to be more “green”. Also, this will create jobs.
• Opposed to the legislation: The DWP already provides substantial money to the city’s budget; the mayor should not be pressuring for more. This is an unfair hidden tax.

Additional Reading:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dwp-rates16-2010mar16,0,7870063.story

Local Cultural Events

Scandinavian Festival 2010

Meg Patch

On April 17th through 18th, the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation is putting on a festival at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. If you enjoy the idea of making a head wreath, dancing around a maypole or singing traditional Scandinavian songs then you might want to think about taking the drive up to Thousand Oaks. If dancing isn’t for you then come and enjoy Swedish Meatballs, Aebleskivers (a traditional Danish pancake), Swedish Pancakes, Lefse (a traditional Norwegian flatbread) or Danish Pastries. You will also be able to play many games such as Croquet or Kubb, an ancient game of the Vikings. If you are a car fanatic, they will also be showing vintage cars and motorcycles such as Volvos, Saabs and Nimbus Motorcycles. The festival will be rich in Scandinavian music, dancing, demonstrations, vendors, and food. Don’t miss the chance to explore such a wonderful culture. On Saturday the festival runs from 10am-5pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

http://www.scandinaviancenter.org/scandinavian_festival/

*Directions from the 405N:

-Take the US-101 N toward Ventura

-Continue onto CA-23N (Signs for CA-23 N/Fillmore)

-Take exit 15 for Avenida De Los Arboles

-Turn left at Avenida De Los Arboles

-Turn right at Mountclef Blvd

-Take 2nd left onto Memorial Pkwy

-Continue straight onto N Luther Ave

-Turn right at S Campus Dr

-Turn right at Chapel Ln

(Destination will be on the left)

60 W Olsen Rd

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

International

Building Project worsens Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Molly Burns

On Tuesday March 9th, 2010 after a visit by Vice President Joe Biden to Israel during which he pledged full American support of Israel’s security, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced the construction of 1,600 new housing units in the form of homes and apartments for Jews in East Jerusalem. This announcement has not only led to conflict between the US and Israel, but it has also worsened the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because the proposed housing would exist in an area where possession of the land is widely contested. On Friday, March 12th the Middle East Quartet to Mediate Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks, issued a statement that denounced Israel’s plan. As of Monday March 15th President Obama has insisted that the Israeli government rescind the planning of the building units in an area that is already controversial. Obama has also asked that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commit to negotiations with Palestine, even after over a year of peace talks that have been produced almost no results. The likelihood of either of President Obama’s requests being heeded is somewhat up in the air considering that the Prime Minister has said the housing construction is non-negotiable.

• Benjamin Netanyahu: former Israeli Prime Minister who leads the right-wing Likud party. Sworn in as prime minister on April 1, 2009 until present.
• Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The debate between Israelis and Palestinians over disputed territory. Both sides claim to have sovereign rights to East Jerusalem. While these two nations have been at odds since the late 19^th century, there has been constant violence over land rights since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
• The Middle East Quartet to Mediate Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks- A group established in 2002 that is comprised of the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations and is involved in mediating the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• Argument for: Denouncing Israel’s plans sends the message that the US is in support of peace talks and negotiations between Israel and Palestine, and is not simply Israel’s ally.
• Argument against: Putting too much stress on our relationship with Israel could leave them alone in the global community.

Additional Reading:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/world/middleeast/16mideast.html?ref=middleeast

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/world/middleeast/13diplo.html?fta=y

United States

Healthcare and Student Loans get Barreled

Paul C. Kadzielski

Democrats in Congress decided on March 11 to add a student loan package to the existing healthcare bill. This last minute addition to the healthcare bill before it goes to reconciliation is called pork barreling. The new loan package would allow the federal government to lend directly to students, rather than lending to private banks and having those banks lend to students. The student loan package will also increase Pell Grants. This student loan package was one of President Obama’s campaign promises.

• Reconciliation: When a bill needs 51+ votes to be passed. The normal standard is 60+ votes. Reconciliation was used to pass notable bills such as social security.
• Pork Barreling: Adding unrelated extra requirements, bills or laws to an existing bill.
• Pell Grant: Grants given to low-income students to attend college or other secondary education.

• Argument for adding the student package to healthcare: It will allow more students to attend higher education and accumulate less debt while doing so. The government is protecting students from bankers. It also will join two good bills together and help get the healthcare bill passed through reconciliation. According to some estimates, it will save the government $66 billion.
• Argument against adding the student package to healthcare: This is a low blow to Republicans who will now be painted as voting against students if they vote against healthcare. The student package, according to some estimates, may cost $2 billion after the savings.

Additional Reading:

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/85595-dem-plan-to-twin-healthcare-and-student-lending-complicates-vote-

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/13/democrats-dump-student-aid-overhaul-health-care/

http://washingtonindependent.com/79101/dems-shoot-for-an-exacta-with-health-reform-student-lending-overhaul