Current Event on Gun Control: Law Denying Guns to the Mentally Ill

Link to the Original Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/nyregion/cuomo-defends-law-denying-guns-to-mentally-ill-people.html?_r=0

Who: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the people of New York
What: Governor Cuomo made a speech in the Bronx supporting the Safe Act, a New York State law that makes it easier to take guns away from people deemed mentally unstable, when he was interrupted by a group of protesters. The protesters were upset about several issues, including Cuomo's half-hearted support of the Dream Act, a law giving state tuition aid to students who are undocumented immigrants. Of about 140,000 people hospitalized for mental illness in a year, 34,500 were prohibited from owning firearms for five years. Protesters and supporters of the mentally ill thought this number was rather high, while Cuomo thought it was rather small compared to the amount that could still get a gun.
When: October 19, 2014
Where: New York
Why Does It Matter? Issues such as this matter because laws such as the Safe Act could limit the number of people that could get their hands on a gun. The less people out there that could potentially have a gun, the less potential shootings that could happen. I agree with Governor Cuomo's opinion that the Safe Act should be kept and more strictly enforced. On the other hand, Cuomo's Republican opponent Rob Astorino believes the act should be repealed, and that by working with educators, law enforcement officers, and others, we could find early signs of mental illness. However, even if they do find early signs of mental illness, that doesn't mean they won't be able to get a gun, or harm others.

Current Event on 8th Amendment: Botched Lethal Injection

Link to Original Article:
http://www.ibtimes.com/arizona-botched-lethal-injection-secrecy-compounding-pharmacies-eighth-amendment-1639770

Who: Joseph R. Wood III

What: Wood was a death-row inmate, and was executed through lethal injection in Arizona. However, the execution lasted 2 hours, and Wood was "gasping and struggling" in pain throughout the 2 hours before he finally died. His lawyer filed an emergency stay, but Wood died before a decision was made. Now people are saying this violated Wood's Constitutional protection from cruel and unusual punishment. Wood was supposed to be entitled to information regarding where the drugs used would come from, and qualifications of the suppliers. The State, however, decided to withhold this information.

When: July 26, 2014

Where: Arizona

Why Does it Matter? This matters because it was not the first but the third execution through lethal injection this year where the execution took longer than it was supposed to and the prisoner showed signs of suffering. This definitely breaks the Constitution's 8th Amendment claiming the protection against cruel and unusual punishment, but it can't be proved without information on the drugs used in the executions and who the suppliers of these drugs are. However, the State decides to withhold this information from us by enacting laws to conceal their supplier's identities. Some people think it fair that the criminal goes through pain and suffering in their execution if they caused pain and suffering to others.

Current Event on 4th Amendment: Search Based on Smell

Link to the Original Article:
http://www.theindianalawyer.com/warrantless-search-based-on-smell-does-not-violated-4th-amendment/PARAMS/article/34734

Who? Ashley Bell, Metropolitan Police Officer Lorrie Phillips, the Council of Appease in Indiana
What? Ashley Bell was arrested for Class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana after being patted down by Lorrie Phillips, who smelled the raw marijuana on her when she was pulled over for an illegally displayed temporary license plate. Bell argues that the pat down breaks her 4th Amendment rights because Phillips didn't have a warrant with him. However, the Council of Appease decided that the odor of marijuana was enough to provide probable cause for a warrantless search.
When? July 28, 2014
Where? The State of Indiana
Why Does It Matter? This matters because by passing the ability for police to search a person just based on smell, many more people may get charged for drug and alcohol possession in the future. It greatly affects our generation today because many teenagers are at the age where they would experiment with drugs and alcohol. If a warrantless search based on smell doesn't violate the 4th Amendment, the amount of teens arrested will most likely drastically increase. The future is looking towards a world with stricter laws and easier ways to get others in trouble.

Current Event on 1st Amendment: The Hobby Lobby Decision

Link to the Original Article:
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/beyond-the-outrage-is-hobby-lobby-decision-a-win-win

Who? Hobby Lobby
What? A challenge to freedom of religion stated in the 1st Amendment, where the Hobby Lobby owners wanted the same exemptions as churches to not allow the Contraceptive Mandate in religious for-profit companies.
When? Thursday, July 24, 2014
Where? Over 600 Hobby Lobby stores nationwide, including one in Dublin, CA.
Why Does It Matter? The Hobby Lobby decision by the Supreme Court matters because it concerns women's right of choice, and whether religious companies can impose their beliefs on their employees. This article argues that if the government makes an accommodation for religious corporations as it has for nonprofit religious organizations, then religious owners of for-profit companies will be protected, and women employees will be fully covered, creating a "win-win" situation. Because of decisions like Hobby Lobby's to not support women's rights and the Contraceptive Mandate, many people with opposing opinions refuse to shop at Hobby Lobby stores, and may go on strikes against stores like Hobby Lobby as well.

9/11 Hero

The hero I chose for 9/11 was Benjamin Keefe Clark, a chef from the 96th floor of the South Tower. I believe he is a great hero because he saved hundreds of people on his floor, helping them escape the building. Before becoming a chef, Benjamin had gone to military school and was a Marine for eight years. The only reason he didn't escape himself was because he stopped to help a woman in a wheelchair. Benjamin, age 39, ended up dying in the building's collapse.

For more information on Benjamin Clark and his story, click the links below:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/11/the-story-of-an-unsung-9-11-hero.html
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2002/america.remembers/stories/heroes/clark.html

One Hour of Code Certificate

Seminole Tribe

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