Reince Priebus and the CNN/NBC Scuffle

 Did the RNC make the right decision?

Representation without Representation

             It seems to begin earlier and earlier every year.  In June of even-numbered years, a hard, heavy, and steady artillery fire of political campaign ads begin to batter the American people.  The barrage continues until the second Tuesday of November, when citizens drag themselves to their polling places and cast votes for their Congressional representatives and senators.  Once these Congress members win election they travel to Washington, D.C. to serve the interests of their constituents.

If I Were a Betting Man

Sports, professional in particular, are likely the most popular form of entertainment in the world today.  Sure, everybody likes movies, music, and television but people are incredibly passionate about sports; they live and die by results of their favorite team’s games.  Professional sports today are more popular than they have ever been.  That being said, two questions dominate the wide world for sports:  should athletes really make as much money as they do, and are these sports safe.  But another question lingers in the background: should we be able to gamble on these sports?

An Argument Which Does Not Exist

           This week featured two happenings in the drive to legalize same-sex marriage in the United States.  First, the Supreme Court finally heard cases concerning the constitutionality marriage restrictions and second, Facebook was hit by a wave of profile picture changes to a red equals sign.  One of those matters a great deal, one hardly matters at all.  I’ll let you decide which is which.  My distaste for internet activism aside, same-sex marriage is the topic of the hour and I would be amiss if I did not add my two cents.

Roadblocks to Effective Government

Citizens of the United States often complain that their Congressional representatives and senators focus on ensuring continual reelection over effectively governing the nation.  Desire to maintain political power discourages members of Congress from tackling politically sensitive and often times vitally important issues, resulting in the crippling gridlock we have experienced over the past decade.  While it seems like an easy fix to this problem is to create term limits for representatives and senators, effecting change in this area is not as easy as it sounds.

The Inception of World War One

             At the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 after the end of formal fighting in World War One, Britain and France, over the objection of the United States, forced Germany to accept a war guilt clause.  This clause put the complete responsibility for dragging Europe into the war in 1914 on Germany, forcing the state to accept draconian punishments.  These included complete disarmament, significant land concessions, and substantial war reparations.  While the German delegation had little choice but to sign it, the reality is that Germany did not prove to be the state most at fault for the descent into war. 

World War One and Total War

            While World War One may not have been the first global war (the Seven Years War featured fighting in Europe, North America, Central Asia, and numerous naval skirmishes all across the globe), it was certainly the first total war.  To be considered a total war, a war must have profound impact on the daily lives of nearly every citizen in the combatant states.  Their social, political, economic, and cultural lives become directed by the state in such a manner that it benefits the military effort.