News & Politics
"In a subtle way, you can shake the world."
― Mohandas Ghandi
― Mohandas Ghandi
WEEKLY POLLLast Week's Poll Results!Last week we at Ambush! asked our readers if the natural disasters happening and outside of the united states worried them and 50% said yes while the other 50% said a little.
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Recapping Hurricane Sandyby Samantha Plummer '19 “It’s like Sandy came back, but in a different place and different lives destroyed“
Hurricane Irma hit Houston hard; power lines and houses were destroyed. Some people were able to get away from the storm and others that didn’t were able to be saved. Citizens all around are trying to help with the tragic event: people are opening up shelters, staying to help, taking people to safer places, volunteering, donating, and showing general support. The people in the situation are coming together like they did when Hurricane Sandy hit. History is history but tragedy will still strike. https://www.livescience.com/24380-hurricane-sandy-status-data.html Organ Transplantsby Jaiden Van Doorn '21 In the USA if you want to have an organ transplant you can have two options; either sign up for a donor card, or have a family's consent to a donation ‘in the event of a loved one's brain dead.’ Currently; 1,20,000 people are on a waiting list for organ transplants. In 2013 Facebook started to allow their users to add their “donor status” to their profiles, which led to a high spike in registrations. In more recent news, Apple is offering its users to sign up as organ donors through their iPhones as a part of their iOS 10 software update. SPAIN Spain is considered the ‘gold standard’ for organ donations. They have the highest donor rates in the world for 24 years running. In 2015, 4,769 transplants were performed; 39.7 donors per million. Working on a system of “presumed constant” ‘the Spanish model considers all citizens as a potential donors unless they choose to opt-out’. THE BLACK MARKET The black market is an illegal traffic for trade, they sell things as from food, animals, and people, to body parts, and electronics illegally. Although the market for heart, lungs and other body parts make up a smaller section on the market, kidney's make up the biggest proportion of transplants due to the fact that donors can survive with just one. People of all gender and races regularly put their lives on the line for as much as $5,000 donating their body parts to 'unscrupulous gangs’ who go back out and sell these people's body parts for $200,000. In China alone, hospitals are to be believed of harvesting up to 11,000 organs from political prisoners each year. In India, around 2,000 people are illegally selling their kidneys each year. If you want to know more about the Organ transplants around the world I listed two websites below. http://sites.ndtv.com/moretogive/organ-donation-what-other-countries-are-doing-1297/, and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3031784/Inside-illegal-hospitals-performing-thousands-black-market-organ-transplants-year-200-000-time.html. WEEKLY POLLLast Week's Poll Results!Last week we asked Ambush! Readers if they thought DACA should be banned and 100% of poll takers said no.
September 11th, Never Forgottenby Jaiden Van Doorn '21
The passengers of Flight 93 were brave citizens who wanted to stop the terrorists; knowing they would not be able to see their families and their loved ones they called to say goodbye one last time. As the passengers were overthrowing the terrorists, the plane had flipped over and went straight into a field. All of the passengers on flight 93 were killed in this event. A total 2,996 were killed in these terrorist attacks, including the 19 terrorists hijackers who were aboard the four airplanes. Millions were in mourning over the losses of their loved ones, close friends, and family. http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks DACA vs Donald Trumpby Jaiden Van Boorn '21 For those who do not know what DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is, it is a program that President Barack Obama created with an executive order in 2012. The program allows young children who were brought here illegally, and are under the age of 16, to live and work here in the United States. Some of the requirements for DACA are: You had to be under 31 years of age as of June 15, 2012, you had two first come into the United States before your 16th birthday, and you have to have NOT been convicted of a felony. Our current president, Donald John Trump, is wanting to shut down the program. “I'm here to announce the the program known as DACA that was effectuated under the Obama administration is being rescinded,” Jeff Sessions announced. Sessions also said that there will be “no new applications” for the program that will be accepted’ however, “The administration will allow DACA recipients with a work permit set to expire before March 5, 2018, the opportunity to apply for a two-year renewal.” https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/immigration-reform/what-daca-here-s-what-you-need-know-about-program-n798761 https://undocu.berkeley.edu/legal-support-overview/what-is-daca/ The Emigrants by Friedrich Trump, Grandfather of Donald TrumpSage's Pagesby Sage Addington '18 Op-ed of President Trump's pardon of Joe Arpaio. WEEKLY POLLLast Week's Poll Results!Last week we asked Ambush! Readers if transgender individuals should be allowed to participate in the military, and 100% said yes.
Trump Bans Transgender Individuals From Serving in the Militaryby Haley Oliver '21 I’m sure you are hearing a lot about President Trump, but have you heard this story? Donald Trump has banned transgender individuals from serving in the military. On July 26, 2017, President Trump tweeted, “After my consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow….”, “...Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming….”, “... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and distribution that transgender in the military would be entail. Thank you.” Helms, a Navy Veteran who served for 8 years from 1970-78, told BuzzFeed News, “What Trump did was strictly to serve his bigot followers and nothing else. Trans people have proven to serve well and without any issues, both in our country and several throughout the world.” In 2018, until the plan is final, Trump said transgender individuals currently serving will not be charged based on gender identity. The White House has been taking votes on the issue-- before Trump announced his ban--24 Republicans helped Democrats block an amendment to prevent the pentagon from paying the cost of transgender medical procedures. Vicky Hartzler, a Republican who lobbies the White House, reportedly said, “Military service is a privilege, not a right.” Does Donald Trump Approve of Racial Profiling?by Rocco Addington '20 Does Donald Trump approve of racial profiling? Joe Arpaio was a sheriff for the Maricopa County police office, when in 2011 the former sheriff was convicted of racial profiling. He was found out because he was targeting and stopping Latinos in traffic, and when the officials found out he was convicted. Arpaio was going to be sentenced in October, but as of August 26th he was pardoned by one President Trump. Trump even went so far as to say he kept Arizona safe on his twitter. So what does this say about Donald Trump? Why would he pardon someone who was convicted of racial profiling? What does this mean? I think you should ask yourself, does Donald Trump approve of racial profiling? WEEKLY POLLLast Week's Poll Results!Last week we asked Ambush! poll takers if they believe there's been an influx of terrorism within recent years and 20% of poll takers said no while 80% said yes. When we asked if any Ambush! readers feel any fear when reading about terrorism, 40% of poll takers said they do not while 60% said they do.
Charlottesville Protests Turn Violentby Reylena Tsosie '21
Antonia Hatch, a student at Gallup High, says, “White supremacy shouldn’t even exist in this day and age. With poor leadership, the more people become ignorant and disrespectful to others.” Governor of Virginia, Terry McAdiffe, was outraged when he told the groups: “You pretend that you are a patriot, but you are anything but a patriot.” The Barcelona Terrorist Attackby Haley Oliver '21
Another vehicle attack occurred earlier on Friday August 20, 2017, by other members of what Catalonia regional police have described as a “12-member extremist cell,” killed one person and wounded several others in the coastal town of Cambrils. The event ended in a shootout with the police and five dead attackers. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for both attacks. Sage's Pagesby Sage Addington '18 Op-ed of President Trump gazing directly into the sun during a solar eclipse, although he did eventually put his eclipse glasses on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUAfLufjM7g WEEKLY POLLS
Last Week's Poll Results!80% of Ambush! Poll takers thought it was right for the statue of Robert E. Lee to be removed in Charlottesville, Virginia and the remaining 20% said they were indifferent.
Stan's Soapbox (Editorial from 1970)With the protests in Charlottesville, it's hard to ask first time writers to write an op-ed. Because of that reason, we at Ambush! have chosen to upload this editorial from Stan Lee's Marvel Comics, originally published in December 1970. by Stan Lee Let's lay it right on the line. Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. But unlike a team of costumed super-villains, they can't be halted with a punch in the snoot, or a zap from a ray gun. The only way to destroy them is to expose them--to reveal them for the insidious evils they really are. The bigot is an unreasoning hater--one who hates blindly, fanatically, indiscriminately. If his hang-up is black men, he hates ALL black men. If a redhead once offended him, he hates ALL redheads. If some foreigner beat him to a job, he's down on ALL, foreigners. He hates people he's never seen--people he's never known--with equal intensity--with equal venom. Now, we're not trying to say it's unreasonable for one human being to bug another. But, although anyone has the right to dislike another individual, it's totally irrational, patently insane to condemn and entire race--to despise another nation--to vilify an entire religion. Sooner or later, we must learn to judge each other on our own merits. Sooner or later, if a man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance. For then, and only then, will we be truly worthy of the concept that man was created in the image of God--a God who calls us ALL-- His children. Pax et Justitia, Stan. WEEKLY POLLMay Poll Results!100% of Ambush! Poll takers said they think the likelihood of President Trump getting impeached is high. 100% of Ambush! Poll takers said they did not think it was appropriate for Sean Spicer to hide from the press in the bushes.
Sean Spicer The Bush Hiderby Sage Addington '18 South Korea's 2017 Electionby Sydnee Yazzie '18 Citizens of South Korean went to the polls to vote for a successor to former President Park Geun-hye, who was forced from office in a corruption scandal on Tuesday May 9th 2017. The hopes of this election was to choose a “clean” President and put a stop to political corruption. The Candidates:
The election was being closely watched in China. Its relations with South Korea have been tense since an American anti-missile system was deployed on Korean soil, prompting Chinese boycotts of Korean products. American leaders are concerned that a victory by Mr. Moon could lessen South Korean resolve to confront North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs. The new South Korean president must deal with both Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea who is determined to expand his arsenal of nuclear missiles, and President Trump, whose approach to the North has alarmed many South Koreans who find it confusing and dangerous. At home, the new president must address the public grievances against deep-rooted corrupt ties between the government and businesses that brought about Ms. Park’s downfall. All candidates have pledged to overhaul the chaebol, the family-controlled conglomerates that have dominated the economy for decades, to make them more transparent. The Results:With 60 percent of the vote counted, Mr. Moon was in first place with 39.6 percent of the vote. Hong Joon-pyo had 26.2 percent. Ahn Cheol-soo, had 21.3 percent. Moon won with 41.08%, according to the commission, 13,423,800 voters selected Moon Jae-in as their preference for President. In his victory speech, Moon said, "This is the great victory for the great people who have been with me to build a just country, united country and a country where principle and common sense works.” Moon also vowed to be the “People’s President”. MAY POLLS
April Poll Results!100% of Ambush! Poll takers said the United States should stay out of foreign affairs. 75% of Ambush Survey takers also said they did not think the missile attack on Syria will benefit the United States in anyway.
APRIL POLLS
March Poll Results!80% of Ambush! survey takers said Governor Rick Synder should resign due to how he is handling the Flint Water Crisis, 20% said he shouldn't resign because the water crisis is not his fault. 66% of Ambush! survey takers said extremists did not affect their view of refugees as refugees are fleeing said extremist groups, the other 44% submitted unspecified answers. Trump Strikesby Sydnee Yazzie '18 The United States launched a military strike Thursday, April 2, 2017, on a Syrian government air base in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of Syrian civilians earlier that week. The strike took place at 8:40 p.m. ET, when there would have been minimal activity at the Syrian base. This attack targeted aircraft, aircraft shelters, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems, and "the things that make the airfield operate," Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis . The missiles were launched from warships in the Eastern Mediterranean.
On President Donald Trump's orders, US warships launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the airbase that was home to the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks according to U.S officials. To justify the airstrike President Trump said, “On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians. Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack" The strike represents a substantial escalation of the US military campaign in the region as it is the first direct military action taken by the US against the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's six-year civil war. This could also be interpreted by the Syrian government as an act of war. According to a televised statement by the Syrian Armed Forces General Command, at least six people were killed in the attack. Russia describe the act as an act of aggression while Assad's office called it a disgraceful act. Trump's decision marked a dramatic shift in his position on whether the US should take military action against the Syrian President's regime, which Trump opposed during his presidential campaign. MARCH POLLS
Water Crisis in Flint, Michiganby Sydnee Yazzie '18
an emergency loan. To reduce the water fund shortfall, the city of Flint made the decision to switch water sources in 2014. While a new pipeline connecting Flint with Lake Huron was under construction, the city turned to the Flint River as a water source during the two-year transition. The Flint River had been the city's primary water source decades earlier, but Flint switched to Lake Huron in 1967, purchasing its supply through the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
On August 14, 2014, Flint announces fecal coliform bacterium has been detected in the water supply, prompting a boil water advisory for a neighborhood on the west side of Flint. The city boosts the amount of chlorine in the water and flushes the system. The advisory is lifted on August 20. On September 5, 2014, the city issues another boil water advisory after a positive test for total coliform bacteria. The presence of this type of bacteria is a warning sign that E. coli or other disease-causing organisms may be contaminating the water. City officials tell residents they will flush the pipes and add more chlorine to the water. After four days, residents are told they can safely resume drinking water from the tap. Over the course of a couple months, the city continues to advise residents to not drink the water and continue to flush the pipelines with chlorine. The city then warned residents that the water contained byproducts of disinfectants that could increase health risks and increase the risk of cancer. In 2016, three people were prosecuted for misleading regulators about the contaminated water supply. Mike Glasgow was charged with tampering with evidence and filing false reports to the state of Michigan about the water quality. Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby were charged with misconduct, evidence tampering and altering water test results. By early 2017, the water quality has returned to acceptable levels, however residents are instructed to continue to use bottled or filtered water until all the lead pipes have been replaced, which is expected to be completed no sooner than 2019. Possible Presidential Pardon: Leonard PeltierBy Sydnee Yazzie '18
Reservation searching for a young man named Jimmy Eagle, who was wanted for questioning in connection with the recent assault and robbery of two local ranch employees. Williams radioed into a local dispatch that he and Coler had come under fire from the occupants of a vehicle suspected to be Eagle’s, were unable to return fire , Williams then radioed that they would be killed if reinforcements did not arrive. He then next radioed that he was hit. Another, FBI Special Agent, Gary Adams, was the first to respond to Williams' call when he arrived he too came under intense gun fire. The FBI, BIA, and the local police spent the afternoon waiting for other law enforcement officers. At 2:30 p.m. A BIA officer shot Joe Stuntz, an AIM member who had taken part in the shootout. At 4:31 p.m., authorities recovered the bodies of Williams and Coler from their vehicles. Agents, William and Coler were later confirmed to have died on June 26, 1975. Stuntz appeared to have died later, during the shooting. Leonard Peltier provided a number of different alibis about his activities on the morning of the shooting. Peltier described working on a car in Oglala, claiming to have driven back to the Jumping Bull Compound about an hour before the shooting started. Peltier purchased a Plymouth station wagon in Denver, Colorado. The FBI sent out descriptions of the vehicle and the description of an RV, Peltier and accomplices were believed to be on the run. An Oregon State Trooper stopped the vehicles and ordered the driver of the RV to exit, after a brief exchange of gunfire, the driver escaped on foot. Authorities later identified the driver as Peltier. Agent Coler’s gun was found in a bag under the front seat of the RV, where authorities later reported to have Peltier's fingerprints on it. Peltier being on the run was part of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives in December 22, 1975. Peltier hid in a friend’s house located in Hinton, Alberta and was later arrested on February 6, 1976. Peltier's trial was held in Fargo, North Dakota, where a jury convicted Peltier of the murders of Coler and Williams. Peltier's conviction sparked great controversy and drew criticism from a number of sources. Numerous appeals have been filed on his behalf; none of the resulting rulings has been made in his favor. Peltier is considered by the AIM to be a political prisoner and has received support from individuals and groups. Many people suspect that Leonard Peltier is innocent and had an unfair trial. People including the prosecutor that handled Peltier’s case has come forward to say that he agrees Peltier is innocent. With every new President, people hope that Leonard Peltier will get a presidential pardon as his last resort for his freedom. Facing 2017 Poll ResultsLast month Ambush! Asked its readers how they felt about the Presidency as we move into 2017. Surprisingly 100% of Ambush! Poll takers said they were nervous and afraid of the direction we are headed.
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