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Be on the Lookout: Politicians Never Stop Campaigning
Brief #110 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by Steve Piazza
During the most recent Republican Presidential Debate, candidates made a hard sale expressing their unconditional support of Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
The New Supreme Court Ethics Code Needs More To Be Effective
Brief #214 – Civil Rights Policy Brief
by Rodney A. Maggay
On November 13, 2023 the Supreme Court announced that for the first time in its history the Court’s justices would be bound by an ethical code.
Republican-based Anti-Abortion Groups are Losing State Battles Over Reproductive Rights
Policy Brief #168 – Health and Gender
by Geoffrey Small
Republicans are struggling to maintain a consistent message, as anti-abortion activists have experienced infighting on how to administer laws post-Roe v. Wade.
Examining Competitive House Races in the Midwest
Brief #109 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by Ian Milden
There are a handful of seats in this region that Democrats can target, but the Democratic Party will need to make significant efforts to recruit the right candidates and support their campaigns.
War in Gaza Intensifies Internet Misinformation Concerns
Brief #101 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
The danger of false information spreading online has only intensified in the wake of the war in Gaza, and Twitter is one of the wort culprits.
Navigating Identity and Strife: Hala’s Tale in the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Brief #100 – Foreign Policy Brief
by Aziza Taslaq
Unveiling the layers of her experiences, Hala sheds light on the impact of the ongoing conflict on her daily life, perspectives, and aspirations for a just resolution.
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Brief #99 – Foreign Policy Brief
by Abran C
Growing conflict and escalating violence has now uprooted a staggering 6.9 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
From a Square to a Triangle: An Analysis of Modern Issues in Education and Immigration
Brief #135 – Immigration Policy Brief
by Rudy Lurz
Education as a field typically distances itself from the activist rhetoric which plagues immigration reform efforts.
What to expect from Speaker Johnson
Brief #108 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by William Borque
The fourth-term Congressman out of Western Louisiana was not on many Bingo cards as the next speaker of the house…but here we are.
The Increased Clout of Youth Climate Activists: The Case of Montana
The Increased Clout of Youth Climate Activists: The Case of Montana
Environmental Policy Brief #159 | By: Inijah Quadri | September 5, 2023
Photo taken from: thenation.com
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In a world demanding urgent action on climate change, youth activists are going beyond marching with placards and are wielding constitutions as their weapons of choice. A recent landmark case in Montana involved a group of young environmental activists, supported by the organization ‘Our Children’s Trust,’ challenging state policies on constitutional grounds, asserting their right to a “clean and healthful environment.”
This strategy highlights the delicate dance between the drive for development and the pressing need for environmental conservation. The Montana lawsuit might not just be a one-off event—it could herald the dawn of “green amendments” across the legal landscape.
Analysis
The youth activists, ranging from ages 5 to 22, and represented by ‘Our Children’s Trust,’ argued that the government’s insufficient action on climate change violated their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment. They contended that the state’s policy of evaluating fossil fuel permits—without considering greenhouse gas emissions—was unconstitutional. This approach not only risked their futures but also threatened the integrity of Montana’s cherished ecosystems.
District Court Judge Kathy Seeley ruled in favor of the activists, marking the first time a U.S. court ruled against a government for violating constitutional rights based on climate change. However, the immediate impacts of the ruling are limited as it is up to the Montana Legislature to determine how to bring the state’s policies into compliance.
The state, represented by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, decried the ruling as “absurd” and plans to appeal. Meanwhile, the youth group and ‘Our Children’s Trust’ hope that lawmakers will respect the state’s constitution and abide by the court’s decision, setting a precedent for similar cases worldwide.
While it is currently unclear if there are any other groups directly supporting the case, the outcome provides significant emotional support for various organizations and activists worldwide seeking to establish a public trust right, human right, or federal constitutional right to a healthy environment.
Broader Implications and Movement
The legal foray in Montana is interconnected with a larger, global youth-driven environmental thrust. There are stories of similar valiant efforts, from the courtrooms of the Netherlands to the streets of New Delhi to the EU. These shared narratives emphasize that we’re witnessing not just isolated events but a cohesive, worldwide youth-led revolution. The Montana case, with its intertwining of legal and environmental narratives, might just be a precursor to more such climate battles.
Conclusion
Youth-led legal actions highlight the delicate balance between developmental needs and environmental conservation. In other words, Children’s Trust argues that Montana’s government was supporting the state’s economic development without considering the impact of that development on the environment and people’s health. While the immediate impact of the Montana ruling remains to be seen, it sets an important legal precedent.
With the battle far from over, and as more states and countries contribute to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, it is clear that these youth-led legal actions have brought the balance between developmental needs and environmental conservation into the spotlight. Whether through the courts or the streets, more young voices are expected to reshape the discourse on climate change.
Are we on the cusp of a new era of environmental litigation?
Further Engagement Resources
- Sunrise Movement (https://www.sunrisemovement.org/): A youth-led movement advocating for political action on climate change.
- Environmental Law Institute (https://www.eli.org/): Offers resources and research on environmental law, including youth-driven legal actions.
- Our Children’s Trust (https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/): A legal team advocating for the rights of young individuals in the context of environmental challenges.
Is Donald Trump a Mob Boss? How Georgia is Using an Organized Crime Law to Prosecute Him
Is Donald Trump a Mob Boss? How Georgia is Using an Organized Crime Law to Prosecute Him
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #91 | By: Arvind Salem | August 30, 2023
Photo taken from: theweek.com
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President Trump has been indicted once again for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election: this time in Georgia, which means even if he becomes President he can’t pardon away the punishment. The case focuses on his role allegedly spearheading a criminal enterprise and includes 18 other defendants including Rudy Guliani, one of Trump’s lawyers during his effort to overturn the election, and Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff at the time of the election.
The indictment details a sprawling conspiracy to overturn the election and includes 41 counts: 22 counts related to forgery or false documents/statements, 8 counts are related to impersonating or soliciting public officials, 3 counts are related to influencing witnesses, 3 counts are related to election fraud/defrauding the state, 1 count is related to racketeering, and 1 count is related to perjury. These counts roughly map to five main areas of illegality: deliberately disseminating false statements about the election to manipulate Georgia’s legislature, efforts to intimidate state officials (including Trump’s infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger pressuring him to “find more votes”), breach of voting data, abusing and harassing state election workers, and attempting to send alternate electors to Congress to give Georgia’s electoral votes to President Trump.
Policy Analysis
Since it is so early in the case, many of the legal arguments have not yet been explored. One point of contention is the prosecution’s use of charges under the state’s RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, which are generally reserved for mobs and other forms of organized crime. Using RICO allows the prosecution to use actions outside of Georgia to make their case. For example, the indictment cites a meeting Trump had with Michigan legislators where he made false statements of election fraud as one of the events in his conspiracy. They also allow the prosecution to charge a host of people under the same conspiracy.
There are two main challenges related to Trump’s prosecution under this case.. First, the prosecution needs to prove that Trump acted with criminal intent, which means that they will have to prove that Trump was pushing these claims, even though he knew they weren’t true. This difficulty isn’t specific to this case: it also applies to the federal case against Trump for the same effort. The second difficulty is proving coordination. All of the defendants must have acted for a common goal for RICO to apply and they will likely argue that they were disparate actors each pursuing their individual objectives that just happened to align sometimes due to their similar political goals.
Another legal challenge associated with this case is Trump’s motion to move the trial to federal court. Courts have developed defendant friendly rules that generally allow federal officials to have their case heard in federal court. If successful, this could delay the trial (which is nearly always a good thing for Trump because it allows him to focus on campaigning) and give Trump a more friendly jury pool. Currently the jury pool is made up exclusively of people from Atlanta, a very Democratic city with jurors who are likely to be against Trump politically, but if the trial is moved to federal court, the jury pool would also consist of people in the areas surrounding Atlanta, which would likely be slightly more pro-Trump than a jury drawn of people just in Atlanta.
A final complication occurs from the relative timings of this case and Jack Smith’s federal case against Trump. Jack Smith’s case will likely go to trial earlier because it is more focused, while the Georgia case includes many defendants and attempts to prove a web of criminal conspiracy. Since they cover many of the same actions and issues, Trump’s defense team will have to be especially mindful of their strategy to ensure that anything they do in the first case does not provide ammunition for the Georgia prosecution.
Engagement Resources
- Winred
Winred allows people to donate money to Republican candidates to support their campaign. Readers interested in supporting President Trump or other members of the Republican party may find that this is a useful way to convey their support and help the Republican cause. - Brennan Center
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School is an organization that promotes reforms to the American democracy and argues against many practices today such as gerrymandering and mass incarceration. Readers who are concerned about the health of democracy in light of this indictment may wish to support the Brennan Center and help it advance its proposed reforms. - Act for America
Act for America is an organization that seeks to educate and mobilize Americans against foreign and domestic threats, and advocates for bills to achieve these aims. Those who feel that this indictment constitutes a breakdown of justice may wish to support this organization. - ActBlue
ActBlue allows people to donate to a host of Democratic organizations, candidates, and causes. Readers are likely to find organizations that are supporting the Trump indictment on this site and may wish to donate money to further that cause.
Navigating Digital Ethics: Autonomy, Consent, and Algorithmic Justice in the Modern Age
Navigating Digital Ethics: Autonomy, Consent, and Algorithmic Justice in the Modern Age
Technology Policy Brief #96 | By: Inijah Quadri | August 30, 2023
Photo taken from: cxotoday.com
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In a world increasingly intertwined with digital technologies, there lies a pertinent responsibility to navigate the complex landscape of digital ethics. The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data has ignited pressing questions concerning the balance of power between machines and humans, the true essence of ‘informed consent’, and the hidden biases within algorithms that dictate our daily lives. Addressing these concerns is not just a technological challenge but a deeply ethical one, with implications for human rights, democracy, and the very fabric of our society.
Analysis
Technological Autonomy vs. Human Control:
The emergent capabilities of AI systems have blurred the boundaries between machine autonomy and human control. Systems that once required human input are now capable of independent decision-making, often in complex scenarios. This transition has led to profound ethical dilemmas. For instance, in healthcare, AI diagnostic tools might sometimes make recommendations that diverge from human expertise. While these tools can enhance precision and speed, relying solely on them without human oversight could result in misdiagnoses or the oversight of nuanced human symptoms. The ethical crux lies in determining where and when to draw the line, ensuring machines aid, not override, human judgment.
The Illusion of Informed Consent:
The modern digital user is incessantly bombarded with terms and conditions, privacy policies, and consent forms. The sheer volume and complexity of these documents often force users into passive acceptance, raising doubts about the genuineness of ‘informed’ consent. Are users truly aware of the extent of the data they’re sharing, its potential uses, or the long-term implications of these agreements? Ethical navigation in this realm mandates a radical redesign of user agreements: they must be concise, transparent, and comprehensible, ensuring users make truly informed decisions.
Unmasking Algorithmic Bias:
While algorithms are often perceived as neutral entities, they are, in fact, reflections of their creators and the data they are trained on. Biased data can lead to skewed algorithms, which in turn can perpetuate and even exacerbate existing societal inequalities. For instance, an AI system trained predominantly on one racial group’s data might misidentify members of another group, leading to potential discrimination. The challenge is not just to refine these algorithms but to approach their creation with a holistic, inclusive perspective, ensuring they are equitable and just.
To approach these challenges effectively, a multifaceted strategy is essential. This includes fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, ethicists, sociologists, and policymakers; creating regulatory frameworks that prioritize human rights and ethical considerations; and, most importantly, nurturing a societal ethos that places ethics at the forefront of technological advancements.
Engagement Resources
- Algorithm Watch (https://algorithmwatch.org/ ): This non-profit initiative stands out for its dedication to scrutinizing and shedding light on algorithmic decision-making processes. Their work emphasizes transparency and accountability, aiming to make opaque algorithms understandable for the general public.
- Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency in Machine Learning (FAT/ML) (https://www.fatml.org/): FAT/ML is a pioneering platform in the realm of machine learning. It endeavors to create systems that are not just technically proficient but also uphold the pillars of fairness, accountability, and transparency.
- Future of Life Institute (https://futureoflife.org/): A visionary organization, it seeks to align the trajectory of powerful technologies like AI with humanity’s best interests. It delves into the ethical, societal, and practical challenges, promoting research and dialogue that benefits all of society.
The Week That Was: Global News In Review
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Foreign Policy Brief #89 | By: Abran C | August 29, 2023
Photo taken from: cbc.ca
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Building BRICS
Last week, BRICS, a bloc of top emerging economies, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, took a major step in expanding their influence and global reach with the announcement that six more nations have been welcomed as new members. Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been invited to join the grouping of top emerging economies in January 2024. Collectively the bloc makes up around 32% of global GDP, and that is before the expansion took place. The bloc was formed in 2009 and previously said it was seeking to grow a stronger coalition of developing nations who can better represent the interests of the Global South on the world’s stage. Before the start of its annual summit in South Africa this week, more than 40 countries had expressed interest in joining BRICS, and 23 formally applied to join. Yet of the six that were invited to join it is hard to find commonalities with those selected, the best and most likely explanation is that they are geostrategic choices for the bloc. The block has expressed its intention to challenge Western hegemony and its expansion appears in-line with its global ambitions.
Guatemala’s Presidential Election
Guatemalan’s took to the polls on Sunday in an unexpected election in which progressive Semilla party candidate, Bernardo Arevalo, was elected as the next President of the most populous Central American nation. Arevalo rapidly gained support appealing to widespread public discontent with crime and corruption, promising to tackle malnutrition, and bring growth to a country that has one of the highest levels of inequality in the region. The Electoral Observation Mission of Guatemala observed the elections over the weekend and reported no irregularities. Yet on Monday, after fears of possible election tampering, the country’s electoral registry suspended the Semilla party to which Arevalo belongs. Though it appears he will be able to take office as president on Jan. 14,2024, it is not clear whether his Semilla party lawmakers would be able to take their seats in the country’s Congress. The Organization of American States’ human rights commission asked that the current Guatemalan government provide protection for Arévalo after reports emerged of a possible plot to kill him and UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the attempts to undermine the results of Guatemala’s presidential election.
Japan releases Fukushima power plant water into the Pacific Ocean
Japan has started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The plant was destroyed in 2011 after an earthquake and massive tsunami struck the Island nation, and water used to cool the plants reactors from a meltdown has been accumulating ever since. Currently, some 350 million gallons are being stored in more than 1,000 tanks according to Japanese authorities. A review by the UN’s nuclear watchdog says the discharge will have no great radiological impact to people and the environment, yet still surrounding nations and the Japanese public remain concerned. The government has been working on a complex filtration system that removes most of the radioactive isotopes from the water. Known as the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), it can remove several different radioactive contaminants from the water. but there’s a radioactive isotope that they cannot filter out: tritium. Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen, and hydrogen is part of the water itself (H20). So it is impossible to create a filter that could remove the tritium. Still the International Atomic Energy Agency has peer reviewed this plan and believes it is consistent with international safety standards.
Extreme Heat Ravages Arizona
Extreme Heat Ravages Arizona
Environmental Policy Brief #158 | By: Carlos Avalos | August 29, 2023
Photo taken from: nbcnews.com
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If you were wondering if summer 2023 felt a bit warmer than usual, you would be correct. Specifically, NASA reported July 2023 as Hottest Month on Record Ever Since 1880. The world is on track to experience record-setting high temperatures for the next five years because of heat-trapping pollution being released into the atmosphere. Many places in the U.S have experienced record-breaking heat. There was a major heatwave this summer where people living in the Western and Southwestern United States experienced extreme heat and record-breaking temperatures. During certain times in July 2023 “about one-third of Americans were under excessive heat warnings, watches or advisories over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, after a persistent heat dome hovering over Texas expanded to California, Nevada and Arizona.”
This extreme heat hitting certain parts of the U.S is large in part due to climate change and global warming. Climate change can be defined as “a change in global or regional climate patterns attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.”
Global warming is when “a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.”
Analysis
In Arizona, the temperature has been oppressive during the summer months. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in downtown Phoenix clocked in for 30 plus consecutive days of temperatures above 110 degrees in July. This beat the old record set almost sixty years ago in June of 1974 where a streak of 18 days was set. In July Phoenix also set a record for highest monthly average temperature for any U.S city at 102.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
So far this year 25 people have died due to the extreme heat in Maricopa County. Around 249 heat related deaths are currently under investigation. Last year 425 people dies in Maricopas County due to the heat.
The heat is so extreme that Arizona Hospitals are seeing severe degree burns just by people being exposed to the concrete by falling on it. If part of a person’s body is left on the pavement for minutes the part of the skin exposed can be completely damaged. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are filling up the emergency rooms with an abnormal number of Hospitals being filled to the brink. In Arizona, “Hospitals have not been this busy with overflow since a few peaks in the Covid pandemic.”
The heat in Arizona is also taking its toll on agriculture, flowers, and the Saguaro Cactus. Extreme heat is causing harm to Honeybees, a species vital to our ecosystem, especially food production; dire heat is killing honey bees and melting their homes. Wheat Kernels are shrinking because of the heat causing their protein levels to rise which in turn CAUSES crop yields to be half of what farmer usually produce; canola oil and safflower seeds are being damaged by the heat making many fruits and vegetables too soft to harvest. Some steps to combat these issues are harvesting at night, spraying crops with water vapor, or using netting on their crops.
In Arizona, probably the biggest tell all that there is something extremely wrong, is the story of what’s happening to the the Saguaro Cactus.
The severe heat in Arizona is causing the Saguaro cactus to lose limbs or to completely fall over on itself. Extreme heat and lack of monsoon rain in Arizona are testing the preconceived notion that “plants could adapt to high temperatures and sustain themselves in a drought.”
The federal government is hearing the SOS sent out by many states and is responding. “A bipartisan infrastructure law sets aside $20 billion to upgrade electrical grids to be able to withstand stronger storms and heatwaves; President Biden also said he asked Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to issue a “Heat Hazard Alert,” which gives workers federal heat-related protections.”
Engagement Resources
- Az Heat Resilience workgroup, part of Arizona State Universities
- Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation is doing all they can to help Arizonian’s during the extreme heat. The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation in the city of Phoenix is also doing everything it can to help people stay cool.
Higher Education Doesn’t Have to Mean Higher Costs
Higher Education Doesn’t Have to Mean Higher Costs
Education Policy Brief #85 | By: Steve Piazza | August 21, 2023
Photo taken from: www.salon.com
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The rising cost of public higher education starts with tuition policy implemented by varying governing structures within each state. According to the Education Commission of the States, tuition at public four-year schools in 42 states and D.C is determined by distinctive campus authorities, or boards, with the reach of some spanning multiple campuses. Similar structures for two-year schools are in place, though with modifications to meet different needs.
Most institutional board members are selected by the state governor, though some involve a student or students elected by the student body. Other states like Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, and Nevada hold a public election. North Carolina’s 13-member board elects eight of its members while the governor elects four and the students one.
The reason that these boards are compelled to raise tuition stems from many different factors. And when they do, it’s not surprising that such changes present hardships on students. Thus, a number of efforts are being made to prevent current and potential students from experiencing obstacles to their education.
Policy Analysis
College tuition rises for a number of reasons, largely from substantial increases in spending across different sectors of academia. These can include elevated expenditures in capital improvement, salaries, athletic and other programs, and goods and services, not to mention just basic adjustments due to inflation.
Reductions in state appropriations and grant money students receive also force policy makers to spend more. Unexpected events such as the pandemic don’t help.
Over the past two decades, the average change in spending for the country’s state flagship schools has been 38% according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal. And when colleges are spending vast amounts of money, coupled with declining enrollment, increases in student contributions are inevitable. The student share has risen to as much as 42.2.% in 2022 according to a 2023 State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) report.
The effects of tuition increases on students are far reaching. 34% of adults 18-24 say they are not attending college because of the costs, according to a three-year old study by Intelligent.com. Those who do enroll may be forced to drop out, transfer to other less expensive schools, or switch majors.
Higher costs can also cause emotional and psychological problems that may result from food and shelter insecurity, transportation hardships, problems accessing healthcare, widening wealth gaps, and difficulties obtaining books and incidentals.
To address these issues, calls have been going out for caps on tuition and attendance, an increase in the number of grants being offered, more technology-based learning opportunities, and a ceiling on, or the elimination of, student debt.
Perhaps it will take more than that. Some say a structural change is necessary, such as in policies that must be reshaped to make the higher education marketplace more transparent and competitive. But that might not be such an easy thing to accomplish. According to another Wall Street Journal report, governing boards themselves do not even know all the data.
One popular strategy that seems to be gaining traction involves the idea of a tuition free college education. The Campaign for Free College Tuition (CFCT) has been working to build a strong coalition of community, education, and business leaders to establish programs that eliminate tuition for the sake of a sound economy in the future.
Ryan Morgan, CFCT’s CEO, told U.S. RESIST DEMOCRACY NEWS that over the past ten years, 34 states have implemented some sort of free tuition program. The Michigan Reconnect program has proved the most comprehensive, as it provides free tuition for anybody in the state over 25 years old and has its eyes on lowering the minimum age to 21. Massachusetts has been developing a similar model, while other states are watching very closely.
At the federal level, President Biden’s 2024-25 budget includes a $500 million allotment for a free tuition pilot program aimed at select two-year colleges. If these programs are successful, the administration estimates that providing free tuition for two-year schools would cost $90 billion over 10 years. Morgan adds if we include funding for those students who choose to move on to a four-year college, that overall cost could fall roughly somewhere between $9-$18 billion a year.
That may seem like a lot, but improving accessibility to higher education in this country must begin somewhere. As Morgan says “If we’re able to set a baseline for making even two-year community college free, it will prompt a lot of other changes in the education system.”
The whole debate over tuition for many has become a way to criticize and devalue higher education. But there’s enough research that supports the idea that higher education is vital to the country’s place in the world economy, not to mention the future of democracy. The idea of making it affordable supports itself.
Engagement Resources:
- More information on CFCT’s commitment to cost free, higher education can be found on their site: https://www.freecollegenow.org/
- For information on the Michigan Reconnect program, click here.
- The Education Trust is a progressive organization that seeks to remove obstacles to public education. Learn more about their efforts towards college affordability by clicking here.
The Battle Over Autonomous Vehicles in San Francisco
The Battle Over Autonomous Vehicles in San Francisco
Technology Policy Brief #95 | By: Mindy Spatt | August 21, 2023
Photo taken from: www.wired.com/
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Waymo and Cruise autonomous vehicles (AVs) have become ubiquitous in some parts of San Francisco and seem to arouse strong feelings wherever they go. So much so that a proposal by the California Public Utilities Commission to allow them to begin charging for rides in San Francisco motivated hundreds to attend the meeting or call in to make public comment. The Commission voted 3 to 1 to approve the AV companys’ application.
Much of the public comment came from people with ties to either the two autonomous car companies or Lyft/Uber. A group of “gig workers” in matching shirts begged the Commission not to let the AVs cut into their desperately needed business. That must have seemed ironic to the taxi drivers who spoke at the meeting and made those same arguments several years ago when the Commission authorized Lyft and Uber to operate over their objections. The gig workers’ argument was counteracted by SEIU local 87, which said Cruise and Waymo would bring actual jobs, with decent pay and benefits, to some of their 3,000 unemployed members.
Handicapped organizations pointed out that Cruise (owned by General Motors) and Waymo (owned by Alphabet) couldn’t yet accommodate wheelchairs, with Lyft and Uber drivers insisting they always, always assisted customers in need. Several leading organizations for the blind offered a different perspective, complaining that drivers were put off by their blindness and often refused to accommodate their dogs. Autonomous Vehicles wouldn’t have that problem, and the technology holds enormous promise for handicapped people.
Since the issue the Commission was voting on was whether the AVs, already allowed to operate on the roads, could offer paid rides, comparisons to Lyft/Uber were inevitable, and outside of the wheelchair issue no one spoke up for the companies from a passenger perspective. Several callers expressed concerns about the high levels of sexual assault and harassment for women in Lyft and Uber cars, problems that would be absent in a driverless car. But women aren’t the only ones who feel fearful in a Lyft or Uber. One caller described getting into cars with drivers who are often “either stoned, drunk, texting or talking.” A representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving pointed out that despite the groups’ advocacy drunk driving is still a leading cause of death on our roads.
Ties to either side were so apparent that some callers felt the need to preface their comments by saying they were independent of Lyft, Uber, Waymo and Cruise. The callers that rang the truest to me were the bicycle riders. I’m a cyclist and their comments mirrored my experience on San Francisco’s increasingly dangerous streets. “Being almost killed by a driver who is either distracted or speeding is a daily occurrence,” said one. “Cruise and Waymo have never done that.” Another cyclist explained that Cruise and Waymo program their vehicles to obey California’s little known “Three Feet for Safety Law” that requires drivers to leave 3 feet of space when passing a bicycle.
A further irony to the debate is that the rideshare companies have made no secret of their own goal of eventually getting rid of drivers and moving to AVs themselves. Even when that happens they’ll still be just be a small percentage of total vehicles on the road and won’t lessen fears of pedestrians and cyclists who face life and death danger from people-driven cars. As one caller succinctly put it “we should ban human drivers.”
Engagement Resources
- Uber’s first ever safety report discloses 3,045 sexual assaults and nine murders in the US last year By Nick Statt, Dec 5, 2019 https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/5/20997939/uber-safety-report-2018-sexual-assault-ride-hailing-platform-stats
- SF City Attorney Files Motion to Halt Roll-Out of More Self-Driving Cruise and Waymo Robotaxis, By Joe Kukara, Aug. 17, 2023 https://sfist.com/2023/08/17/sf-city-attorney-files-motion-to-halt-roll-out-of-more-self-driving-cruise-and-waymo-robotaxis/
An Early Look at the 2023 Louisiana Governor’s Race
An Early Look at the 2023 Louisiana Governor’s Race
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #90 | By: Ian Milden | August 21, 2023
Photo taken from: lailluminator.com
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Louisiana is one of three states to hold an election for Governor in the year before a Presidential election. This brief will explain the unusual dynamics of Louisiana elections and then examine the state of the open-seat race.
Analysis
Louisiana has an open-seat race for Governor this year since Louisiana state law prohibits Governor John Bel Edwards (D-LA) from running for three consecutive terms. He would be eligible to run in 2027 if he is interested. While an open seat race in a deep south state that votes for Republicans for federal office may not catch the interest of too many Democrats outside of the state, Louisiana’s unusual election system has helped Democrats win a few Governor’s races in the state.
Louisiana will hold what is called a “jungle primary”, where all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, compete in the same primary. The structure of the jungle primary is similar to the first round of voting in Alaska’s new election system, which I discussed in a previous brief. The top two candidates advance to a runoff election. This year, the jungle primary is scheduled to occur on October 14th. The runoff election will occur on November 18th.
This system was implemented during the second term of Governor Edwin Edwards (D-LA), who is not related to the outgoing governor. Edwin Edwards’ first two terms as Governor were from 1971 until 1979. Louisiana prevents Governors from serving three consecutive terms, so Edwin Edwards could not run for reelection in 1979. Edwards calculated that Republicans would consolidate around Dave Treen in the 1979 election and that his own party would fracture and have a weak opponent against Treen in the runoff. Edwards thought that he could reunify the party behind him and win an easy campaign in 1983. Treen won the 1979 election, but he lost to Edwards in 1983. Edwards was defeated in 1987 by fellow Democrat Buddy Roemer due to the state’s financial troubles and Edwards’ corruption scandals. Roemer switched parties while in office, but he failed to secure support from within the state Republican Party, which resulted in voters dividing their support among several Republican candidates in 1991. Edwards was the only prominent Democrat to run, so he made the runoff. Roemer failed to make the runoff, losing the other spot to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. Edwards won his 4th term in 1991 with help from some very unusual bumper stickers.
The clear route for Democrats to win statewide races in Louisiana is to have one prominent Democrat run against a field of Republicans and hope either a controversial candidate emerges or conflict within the Republican party prevents them from unifying around the Republican candidate who made the runoff.
The prominent Democratic candidate for Governor is Shawn Wilson, the former state Secretary of Transportation. Wilson stepped down from his position just before launching his campaign for Governor. Wilson was endorsed by outgoing Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Troy Brown. Wilson only entered the race in March, which gave him a relatively late start.
There’s also a large field of Republican candidates running for Governor. Among the candidates are Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroeder, State Senate Majority Leader Sharon Hewitt, state representative Richard Nelson, and former CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack. The state Republican Party caused controversy by endorsing Attorney General Landry, which sparked significant criticism from Landry’s rivals and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungusser (R-LA), who is running for reelection.
Landry is likely to make the runoff election. Whether he makes it against Wilson or another Republican remains to be seen. I don’t think that the controversy surrounding the state party’s endorsement of Landry is enough to deter other Republicans from supporting him in the runoff. Regardless, I think it is reasonable to assume that Landry is the Republican front-runner and has a good chance to be elected the next Governor of Louisiana.
Engagement Resources
- Shawn Wilson’s Campaign Website: https://www.wilsonforla.com/
- Louisiana Democratic Party; https://louisianademocrats.org/
- Democratic Governors Association Website: https://democraticgovernors.org/
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Foreign Policy Brief #88 | By: Abran C | August 15, 2023
Photo taken from: nytimes.com
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Amazon nations summit commits to safeguarding world’s largest rainforest
Early last week eight South American nations, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela ended the first Amazon nations summit in 14 years by signing a declaration to safeguard the world’s largest rainforest. The eight states came to an agreement to stop the rainforest from reaching a point of no return. The heads of state at the summit also challenged countries in the global north to do more to stop the rapid destruction of the Amazon, a task they say cannot fall to just a few countries when the crisis has been caused by so many. Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged world leaders to consider a radical rethinking of global economics, calling for a “Marshall Plan” style strategy in which developing countries’ debts are canceled in exchange for action to protect the climate. The summit itself is progress and a step towards ending deforestation and combating climate change, however, it stopped short of reaching the demands of environmentalists and Indigenous groups. These demands included for all member countries to adopt pledges to completely end illegal deforestation by 2030 and follow in Colombia’s pledge to halt all new oil exploration in the forest. Instead, participating countries will be left to pursue their own individual deforestation goals.
Russia and India go to the moon
Last week two spacecraft, one sent by Russia and the other by India, headed for the Moon’s South Pole, a location that no lunar lander has ever successfully touched down on. The Russian and Indian crafts are on opposing quests to search for water ice and any useful minerals that might be present in the lunar surface. The missions reflect the renewed interest in the Moon for space exploration by a now growing number of nations, not just the usual space powers such as the United States and Europe. National pride will likely also be a factor in pushing ahead as Russia is hoping to prove its continued capabilities in space given that the country’s space programme has been affected by sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. The recent discovery of pockets of water ice on the nearest celestial body to Earth has caused excitement because hydrogen in the water could potentially be extracted to make rocket fuel on a future Moon base by whomever gets there first.
Migrant boat capsizes in the English channel
According to French maritime officials, last week six people died after a boat carrying migrants headed to Britain sank in the English Channel. It was stated that about 10 passengers were still missing, with 55 having been rescued from the capsized boat. More than 100,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel on small boats from France to England since public records on arrivals began being kept in 2018. As a result French authorities have stepped up patrols and other deterrent measures after London agreed in March to send Paris hundreds of millions of euros annually towards the effort to restrict asylum seekers. The deaths from the boat crossing stem from the lack of legal routes of entry into the UK and France for refugees seeking asylum and looking to reunite with family in the UK. The ruling conservative party in the UK has opted to rely on policies designed to deter people from making the journey through threat of deportation, a strategy that has received much criticism from human rights groups.
Do Trump’s Indictment Defenses Stand a Chance?
Do Trump’s Indictment Defenses Stand a Chance?
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #89 | By: Arvind Salem | August 15, 2023
Photo taken from: theday.com
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Off the heels of a superseding indictment adding more charges to his classified documents case, President Donald Trump faces a third indictment: this time related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
On August 1st, President Trump was indicted on four counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to disenfranchise voters. The indictment specifically acknowledges that Trump had the right to speak about the election results and challenge them through lawful means, but argues that Trump’s actions were outside the bounds of legal conduct and amounted to a criminal conspiracy.
The specific actions that the prosecution, led by Jack Smith, argues were illegal include pressuring state officials to change results to disenfranchise millions of voters, assembling a state of fraudulent electors to change the electoral vote count, trying to weaponize the Department of Justice to conduct fake investigations to falsely claim that there was voter fraud, pressuring Mike Pence to change the outcome of the election, and lying to his supporters to get them to storm the Capitol and obstruct the proceedings.
The indictment also mentions six co-conspirators but leaves them unnamed. However, matching outside information with the descriptions in the indictment have allowed five of them to be identified: former Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman and Sidney Powell, Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and pro-Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro who orchestrated the fake electors plot. The sixth co-conspirator, who the indictment states is a political consultant, is unknown.
Policy Analysis
The biggest question in any Trump indictment is what is the likelihood that Trump is found guilty and goes to prison. To answer this question, it is necessary to look at Trump’s likely legal defense and the circumstances surrounding the trial.
Trump has three main legal defenses. The first, and most obvious defense, is that Trump had the right to say whatever he wanted to about the election being stolen under the first amendment. While this is true, the first amendment does not protect coercing state officials to overturn election results, using fraud to recruit fake electors, or using the executive branch (the Justice Department and Vice President) to stay in power. The only question here is if the prosecution has enough evidence to prove that Trump did all of these things.
The second defense is that he did not explicitly order Mike Pence to overturn the election results, but he asked him in an aspiration sense (rather than ordering him). The distinction is that asking is protected under the first amendment whereas ordering in this situation would be illegal. To counter this defense, the prosecution could simply call Mike Pence to testify regarding how he understood Trump’s request (whether it was aspirational or an order). Additionally, Trump has other instances where he has ordered people to help him overturn the election such as his infamous quote where he pressured officials in Georgia to “find” him more votes.
The third defense is that Trump sincerely believed that the election was stolen from him. Trump’s lawyers argue that since he was acting on something he sincerely believed in, there was no criminal intent. However, prosecutors may not need to prove that Trump was insincere in his claims to prove criminal intent, but merely prove that Trump knew he was using illegal means. The prosecution could also attach the very premise that Trump thought the election was stolen by focusing on all the instances where his advisors, lawyers, intelligence agencies, the courts, and the Department of Justice all told him that there was no election fraud.
Another complication for Trump arises from the Judge overseeing the case: Tanya Chutkan. Judge Chutkan is known for being extremely harsh to January 6th rioters and called for the people who lied to them to be charged. In one sentencing hearing in 2021 she said, “You have made a very good point that the people who exhorted you and encouraged you and rallied you to go and take action and to fight have not been charged.” Out of the 31 January 6th defendants that have come before her, she has sentenced every single one to prison time, and is the judge most likely to go beyond punishments requested by the prosecution. Trump’s legal team has made it a priority to move the trial outside of Washington D.C., due to its Democrat leanings, to a state that leans Republican such as West Virginia. If such a motion is successful, it would also mean that Judge Chutkan would not be on the case. However it is worth noting that none of more than a dozen similar motions by riot defendants have succeeded due to the constitutional principle that defendants should be tried wherever the crime allegedly occurred.
Engagement Resources
Winred allows people to donate money to Republican candidates to support their campaign. Readers interested in supporting President Trump or other members of the Republican party may find that this is a useful way to convey their support and help the Republican cause.
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School is an organization that promotes reforms to the American democracy and argues against many practices today such as gerrymandering and mass incarceration. Readers who are concerned about the health of democracy in light of this indictment may wish to support the Brennan Center and help it advance its proposed reforms.
Act for America is an organization that seeks to educate and mobilize Americans against foreign and domestic threats, and advocates for bills to achieve these aims. Those who feel that this indictment constitutes a breakdown of justice may wish to support this organization.
ActBlue allows people to donate to a host of Democratic organizations, candidates, and causes. Readers are likely to find organizations that are supporting the Trump indictment on this site and may wish to donate money to further that cause.