President Trump has made it clear that the election isn’t over despite every major news network saying that it is. President Trump has still refused to concede, and because of this President-elect Biden has yet to receive a single daily presidential briefing. Mr. Biden stated that he is “unable to get the briefings that he ordinarily would have come by now.” President Trump can prevent Mr. Biden and his aides from receiving the presidential daily briefing, the compendium of the government’s latest secrets and best intelligence insights, for the entire transition. No law states that Mr. Biden must receive it, though under previous administrations since at least 1968, presidents have authorized their elected successors to be given the briefing after the election is called.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
“Denied Briefings” by Tanner R.
"Time’s Person of the Year: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris" by Brooke H.
President-elect, Joe Biden, and elect vice-president, Kamala Harris, have been titled “Time’s person of the year” for 2020 which will be issued on the cover of the magazine on Dec. 21st. Even though many presidents have had this title, this is the first time for a vice president. This comes after the dividing and narrow 2020 election and fight for the white house during the already tumultuous year. Times has stated that the BLM movement, frontline health care workers, and President Trump were all also under serious consideration. The choice of who should be person of the year has always had a close tie with presidents, and they state that they choose not only what this year reflects, but what the future holds. This ties in with our next four years being under Biden and Harris and whether the unity they promised for the country will actually be upheld.
This yearly tradition dates back to 1927 and has been ongoing ever since. 2014 Time stated that, “...its selection process is not a popularity contest. Its choice reflects the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill.” This statement reflects the wide variety of those who have been on the cover, ranging from peacemakers to Adolf Hitler. More recently, Greta Thurnberg, the young climate change activist was given the title last year. In 2017, the silence breakers of the me too movement were chosen. The year before that Donald Trump amid the 2016 election was chosen. Presidents wise, the last three of our presidents before Trump have been given the title twice, and nine presidents overall have been, with FDR having had the title a total of three times.
Some might argue that other movements and people would have been more important during this life changing year. Others might say that it is important to notice the way our country is heading as it has in the past. We do have to consider that it isn’t about who you like or support, but rather the impact they have had on our year and will have on the future.
Friday, December 11, 2020
"Who Should Get the Coronavirus Vaccine and When?" by Brooke H.
Currently, the vaccine to help prevent the coronavirus is right around the corner. This comes after two vaccines, Pfizer and Morena’s, are over 90% effective. The United Kingdom even granted use of it to emergencies that will begin this week. This comes right as America is nearing 300,000 cases nationwide and new daily cases high with the holiday season near. Secretary Alex Azar has claimed, “We could see the FDA authorization within days,” and that they are making sure it reaches the “gold-standard” processes. The real question after authorization though is who deserves the vaccine first?
The CDC has stated that no matter what, the elderly and healthcare workers will receive the first shots. We are put in a difficult situation of choosing between preventing deaths by helping the elderly, or preventing infections through essential workers. Who gets the shot after that is an even tricker decision. A committee of the CDC voted to put essential workers above those high risk above 65 in the second phase, which is labeled 1b. Many are afraid that minorities and lower income Americans, who have already been disportionately affected by the coronavirus, will be left behind once again. Many of these minorities and lower income are also a part of the 90 million people that are considered “essential workers.” This phrase is very broad, going across from the 3 million nurses to the 4 million fast food employees and many other professions. In Arkansas alone, 75% are essential workers and 56% are frontline workers. This also makes the nation have to choose between which professions are more important to protect than others. For example, some states are choosing to give educators the vaccine before retail/food processing workers while others are deciding the exact opposite.
These tough choices are ultimately up to the states and will shape the future of our country. Who would you choose, doctors or the elderly? Cashier or the teacher?
"California on Lockdown" by Hailie P.
Covid-19 has continued to cause havoc on the United States. The United States has recorded 200,000 cases a day as of December 6th. California has now taken measures to try and control the virus. They have issued a lockdown to try to stop the spread of covid-19.This lockdown will cause strict closures on businesses and ban gatherings outside of individuals' households. The lockdown will last 3 weeks which will still be in place during the Christmas season. Fear for small businesses is the biggest concern for individuals living in that state however individuals understand that it is more important to protect the lives of Americans. This attempt will try to stop holiday gatherings especially after the spike in cases since Thanksgiving. California has hit 2.3 million cases and it is only expected to rise without proper restrictions. ICU centers are struggling with bed capacities and this last push for lockdown is a wall to hopefully turn that around. California could be the first of many other states to issue a serious lockdown.
Do you think other states will begin lockdowns? Do you think it will help?
"The Largest Airlift Ever" by Ben R.
The recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan as US and UN forces withdrew has led to a refugee crisis as thousands of Afghan refugees desper...
