http://grist.org/politics/meet-south-dakotas-surprisingly-green-senate-candidate/
Rick Weiland, the Democratic canditate for South Dakota, is refusing to back fossil fuels, which Democrats in rural, Republican areas usually do in order to gain votes. Instead, he has taken a firm stance against the Keystone pipeline, arguing that it would not create any lasting jobs within South Dakota. He also points that it is a Canadian company, not an American company, which is benefiting. In contrast, Mike Rounds has suggested getting rid of EPA regulations.
I actually didn't believe that Rounds would support getting rid of EPA and assumed it was just propaganda. After visiting his site, I discovered that it was not and that really is his stance on it. It makes no sense to me to, as his site puts it, "stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions". While I don't have any strong feelings about the Keystone pipeline, I am in favor of protecting our environment in order to preserve it as well as prevent birth defects and death which have occurred when companies were not properly regulated.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
What Does South Dakota Care About?
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/fixgov/posts/2014/10/22-2014-midterms-key-issues-south-dakota-senate-schaff
This article answers various questions concerning key issues in the South Dakota Senate race. It describes the issue caused by Mike Rounds' federal visa scandal as a big topic as well as health care and the Keystone pipeline. Because South Dakota's population has a large number of senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are also important topics. Gun rights are also a point of dispute between the candidates. The stance of each candidate on all of these isssues was explained. The article also discusses sponsorship of the candidates and who was backing them. It identified the reservations as being largely Democratic but less likely to vote, and the "West River" area of South Dakota, specifically Rapid City, as more Republican.
I think it's important to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate as well as their stances on different issues. Although I can't vote in this election, many of my friends can and will. I was interested to learn that the reservations are Democratic. I wonder how South Dakota would be affected if there was a larger native turnout at elections.
This article answers various questions concerning key issues in the South Dakota Senate race. It describes the issue caused by Mike Rounds' federal visa scandal as a big topic as well as health care and the Keystone pipeline. Because South Dakota's population has a large number of senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are also important topics. Gun rights are also a point of dispute between the candidates. The stance of each candidate on all of these isssues was explained. The article also discusses sponsorship of the candidates and who was backing them. It identified the reservations as being largely Democratic but less likely to vote, and the "West River" area of South Dakota, specifically Rapid City, as more Republican.
I think it's important to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate as well as their stances on different issues. Although I can't vote in this election, many of my friends can and will. I was interested to learn that the reservations are Democratic. I wonder how South Dakota would be affected if there was a larger native turnout at elections.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Art Helps Preemie Babies Dream Big
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/10/living/nicu-to-the-moon-photos/index.html?hpt=li_t3
In Atlanta, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is starting a Safe Sleep Campaign to try to teach parents about how to keep their babies safe at night. Dangerous behaviors can include having babies sleep with their parents, sleeping with too many stuffed animals, or, the most well-known, sleeping on their stomachs. To promote this campaign, the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital teamed up with a local branding agency to design adorable art featuring their preemies, all born after only 25 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. This art shows the babies in the future careers that the hospital imagines they might have.
I love this idea for many reasons. Because my father helps deliver babies, I know how terrifying pregnancy and early birth can be. Recently, he had three women miscarry in only one day. I've been at the hospital and seen new parents watching the intensive care unit, praying their baby would make it through the night. So I know how important it is for these parents to be able to visualize a long, successful life for their babies. This art not only gives hope to the parents, it shows why doctors and nurses do what they do- so that people can go on to do great things and change the world.
In Atlanta, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is starting a Safe Sleep Campaign to try to teach parents about how to keep their babies safe at night. Dangerous behaviors can include having babies sleep with their parents, sleeping with too many stuffed animals, or, the most well-known, sleeping on their stomachs. To promote this campaign, the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital teamed up with a local branding agency to design adorable art featuring their preemies, all born after only 25 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. This art shows the babies in the future careers that the hospital imagines they might have.
I love this idea for many reasons. Because my father helps deliver babies, I know how terrifying pregnancy and early birth can be. Recently, he had three women miscarry in only one day. I've been at the hospital and seen new parents watching the intensive care unit, praying their baby would make it through the night. So I know how important it is for these parents to be able to visualize a long, successful life for their babies. This art not only gives hope to the parents, it shows why doctors and nurses do what they do- so that people can go on to do great things and change the world.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Senator Proposes After Helping End Ban
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/08/politics/nevada-state-senator-gay-marriage-proposal/index.html
After the ban on same-sex marriage in Nevada was overturned, the senator of the state, Kelvin Atkinson, held a press conference to discuss the changes that would occur. Everyone was stunned when Atkinson suddenly proposed to his partner, Sherwood Howard, during the press conference. Fortunately, Howard said yes. Atkinson says his family, especially his 18-year-old daughter, are all very supportive of the engagement. It's possible they may be the first couple married in Nevada.
I am very happy for both Atkinson and Howard. I'm also excited for all the other couples in Nevada and Idaho who will now be able to marry. The article also discusses the rapidly growing number of states allowing same-sex marriage. I have several family friends and relatives who are gay or bisexual, and I know that they are estatic about the incredible progress of the movement. I can only imagine how Atkinson felt when he overturned the ban knowing that he could now get married.
After the ban on same-sex marriage in Nevada was overturned, the senator of the state, Kelvin Atkinson, held a press conference to discuss the changes that would occur. Everyone was stunned when Atkinson suddenly proposed to his partner, Sherwood Howard, during the press conference. Fortunately, Howard said yes. Atkinson says his family, especially his 18-year-old daughter, are all very supportive of the engagement. It's possible they may be the first couple married in Nevada.
I am very happy for both Atkinson and Howard. I'm also excited for all the other couples in Nevada and Idaho who will now be able to marry. The article also discusses the rapidly growing number of states allowing same-sex marriage. I have several family friends and relatives who are gay or bisexual, and I know that they are estatic about the incredible progress of the movement. I can only imagine how Atkinson felt when he overturned the ban knowing that he could now get married.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Losing Parents to Ebola May Doom Children
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/02/health/ebola-outbreak/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
In West Africa, nearly four thousand children have been orphaned by Ebola. Now those children are unable to find homes. While relatives would normally be quick to adopt them, fear of infection prevents many from taking these children in. The nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone now have to deal not only with Ebola but the thousands of orphans who have nowhere else to go. Fortunately, UNICEF is working on providing aid for them and educating people to increase the chances of adoption. But while they need around 200 million dollars to effectively work on the problem, only 25% of that amount is available. And the number of orphans is only going to increase as Ebola spreads. In Sierra Leone, five people are dying from the disease every hour.
I feel horrible for these kids. It would be bad enough to watch your parents die an awful death from Ebola, but these children are being left for dead with no one to take care of them. I hope UNICEF is able to raise the money they need to help with this problem. This disease is ravaging West Africa, but many people could survive it if they had the proper water resources, medical supplies, and hygenic hospitals. We need to work on providing them with these tools and on providing aid for the survivors and children.
In West Africa, nearly four thousand children have been orphaned by Ebola. Now those children are unable to find homes. While relatives would normally be quick to adopt them, fear of infection prevents many from taking these children in. The nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone now have to deal not only with Ebola but the thousands of orphans who have nowhere else to go. Fortunately, UNICEF is working on providing aid for them and educating people to increase the chances of adoption. But while they need around 200 million dollars to effectively work on the problem, only 25% of that amount is available. And the number of orphans is only going to increase as Ebola spreads. In Sierra Leone, five people are dying from the disease every hour.
I feel horrible for these kids. It would be bad enough to watch your parents die an awful death from Ebola, but these children are being left for dead with no one to take care of them. I hope UNICEF is able to raise the money they need to help with this problem. This disease is ravaging West Africa, but many people could survive it if they had the proper water resources, medical supplies, and hygenic hospitals. We need to work on providing them with these tools and on providing aid for the survivors and children.
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