Bills To Legalize Gay Marriage where appproved by two states

Last week, both New Jersey and Maryland passed bills through their respective houses to legalize same-sex marriage.  Several years ago, a similiar bill was denied in New Jersey, but it was finally pushed through because of the Democractic majority in the house. However, it was was vetoed by New Jersey governor Chris Christie, but the house would like to get an appeal. In Maryland, however, the bill is going to be put on the ballot on Nov.6 for the residents to vote on. If it where to pass, this would make Maryland the 8th state to legalize gay marriage. “This is the civil rights issue of our generation,” said Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr., a Democrat from Baltimore. “I’m overwhelmed,” Luke Clippinger, one of the seven openly gay members of the Maryland House, said after the vote. “My voice is still breaking.”

By: Alexander Dudley

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Santorum's Theocracy

In this video, Santorum accuses Obama of "exercising his values, and trumping the values of the church." I found it interesting that a presidential candidate is suggesting that he will impose a government based on the bible. He calls Obama's views a theology which doesn't really make sense because the ideals that Obama is supporting are secular and don't involve religion. On the other hand, Santorum is preaching a seemingly theocratic government, something that Jefferson opposed and attempted to make clear in the First Amendment.

-Stefano

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Affirmative Action Case

I found this pieces on the front page of the New York Times to be very interesting because it deals with the issue of where the government's powers lies, and the authority they have to make decisions. In a new case brought up in the Supreme Court, Fisher vs. Texas, a white student named Abigail Fisher sued the state of Texas in order to challenge its way of allocating the remaining spots in a complicated arrangement where race plays a significant role. She states that she did not receive entry into the University of Texas because of her race; however, the Supreme Court ruled only in 2003 that "public colleges and universities could not use a point system to boost minority enrollment but could take race into account in vaguer ways to ensure academic diversity." This ruling, written by former Justice O'Connor, was meant to last for twenty-five years and was intended to make admissions become "color-blind" in their processes. This new case moreover should illuminate the line of where the United States government can stand on affirmative action, and maybe some governing to as how "minority percentages" are found. Most importantly, this case could help the nation move past "racial balancing" and move into simply excepting those whom they see fit for the school regardless of color or race. 

-Sean Ramras

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Mitt Romney's New Problem: 'Hypocrite' Sheriff Paul Babeu Resigns After Gay Sex Scandal

Mitt Romney has a very big problem. His Arizona Co-Chair has resigned. It is ironic how Co- Chair, Paul Babeu is extremely against illegal immigration, and yet his boyfriend was here illegally. "If Romney cannot win Michigan, we need a new candidate." It is a really close with Santorium right behind. This definently hurt Romney, but he is still in the lead.

- Jonathan Chang

Obama continues push for payroll tax cut extension

Barack Obama is making a push for an extended tax cut holiday on payrolls, for people in small businesses who make about $50,000 a year. This move could save Americans about $40 dollars on their next paycheck. Critics say that Obama's push is a typical Republican move, and that Democrats in the past have never really vouged for tax cuts. Could this maybe be one of Obama's moves to get reelected? Regardless, with Congress being heavily Republican right now, chances are that this bill will indeed pass. 

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Frank Nespral