Joyner 26'-27' Current Event Packet #2

What three states have been dealing with heated debates revolving upcoming midterms?

Maine, Michigan, and Georgia

Who called Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed a terrorist and what did he say back? And which state is this happening in?

Republican Mike Rogers said Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is linked to terrorism while El-Sayed called Rogers a warmonger. This is happening in Michigan

Why does El-Sayed believe Rogers is desperate?

because there is no reference to El-Sayed being linked to terrorism. Basically, Rogers is desperately trying to find something to attack El-Sayed with.

What does Dem. Troy Jackson accuse Rep. Susan Collins of? And which state is this happening in?

Failing to oppose Trump's policies on tariffs and war with Iran causing a rise in energy prices. This is happening in Maine.

What does Dem. Jon Ossoff accuse Mike Collins of? And which state is this happening in?

Ossoff accuses Mr. Collins of sucking up to Donald Trump, whatever Trump asks of Collins, Collins does. This is hurting farmers in particular and an increase of health care premiums. This is happening in Georgia.

What are the most prevalent topics, or most popular issues right now for midterm debates and what are less popular topics?

War w/ Iran, immigration raids, and higher gas prices are more popular while transgender people in sports (usually undercutting democrats) have seen a drop in debates.

What does Mr. Collins use as his defense?

"He is more in contact with regular Georgians."

What does Ossoff also condemn about Mr. Collins?

That Mr. Collins pat has been quite controversial, very ant-semitic and racist. Saying he hired "half the Third Reich."

What does Jackson hone in on when questioning Ms. Collins?

Drastic increase in oil prices, and that Collins position is geared toward personal gain, yet most accusations have not been said "these allegations are false -- and have been proven false."

Who has the Flu?

Texas' Dem. senate candidate, James Talarico

What does Ken Paxton want from Talarico?

Proof of life, (a photo of himself printed on newspapers displaying the date)

What is Trump's stance on Talarico's condition?

Trump thinks Talarico should show up in person to debate Paxton despite Talarico's flu.

What happened in 2024 to drop boxes?

Thermite was set to drop boxes damaging ~500 ballots.

What new tech has been added to drop boxes?

Text messages will be sent if temperature inside the box rises above a certain threshold, if the drop box takes a physical hit or removed from geo-fenced location, surveillance cameras, and fire suppressant material.

Do all states have drop boxes/have these newly added drop boxes?

Not all states have drop boxes/new tech added to drop boxes. For example Indiana does not and must rely on other forms of sending in their ballot like delivering to an early voting center.

What is another reason for why some people do not want to use drop boxes other than the incident in 2024? And what party mainly believes this?

Conspiracies revolving around the 2020 election believe there was election manipulation, in particular, or stuffing more than one ballot into a drop box, "ballot stuffing," or when unauthorized ballot collection is called "ballot harvesting." These theories are mainly from Republicans.

Why do people believe in using drop boxes are crucial right now?

Because mail ballots have been arriving late causing rejected ballots.

Why have mail ballots been late recently and has USPS tried to combat this?

Mail ballots have been late due to USPS cutting down on trips to local post offices to save money. However, USPS says they will be more efficient during election season to make sure ballots arrive on time.

What are some states active in implementing more high-tech drop boxes?

Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Illinois, and Washington.

What film was centered around the 2020 debunked election fraud, and what did it cause?

2000 Mules, being the mules who stuffed the ballots. Due to this film, masked men stalked outside of drop boxes, causing voter fright.

Why are some Republicans in favor of drop boxes?

Because for the Republican rural working class, they only get an hour break to vote, causing voting to be very hard given little time. So, most of these guys have to vote early on their off days instead of their one-hour break, but preventing drop boxes causes rural workers to not vote at all.

What state is opting for a "grace period" for when mail ballots arrive?

Arizona is opting for a grace period.

What are some of the findings of the ICE report regarding this year's upcoming midterm? This is a very long flashcard. Sorry, it seemed important

Access to multiple states' voter files as well as civic engagement nonprofits and immigration operations will be held in November despite it being illegal. Systematic alien verification for entitlements (SAVE) has received deficiencies that the feds have used to purge voters, recycling debunked claims over 2020 election fraud, the FBI getting more involved into individual voters and voting machines, and lastly, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been trying to take over states' voting records.

Do we know what the DOJ is doing w/ states' voter files?

nope

What has been happening due to financial cuts to FEMA

Experienced workers are being fired, causing fright amongst staff for Hurricane Isaias. Losing key people with knowledge on what to do in sticky situations such as that makes FEMA's staff worried about how to manage disasters like the upcoming hurricane.

What natural phenomenon is causing crazy weather this time around?

El Niño

What is a major concern for people surrounding FEMA?

Many states aren't getting financial aid, or it's taking a very long time for FEMA to approve of declarations and send out assistance.

What is Trump using for talking points during midterm elections?

Approving of disaster declarations to consequential states for partisan gain.

What are two examples of Trump using emergency aid for partisan gain?

1. Trump says he gives 18 million dollars in disaster funds because of his utter support for Tom Tiffany in the upcoming election.

2. Trump 'ironically' puts that he won't give disaster funds to NC if Rep. Michael Whatley loses.

What states does Trump seem to be focused on giving federal disaster aid to?

Trump is focused on only rallying up disaster aid to Republican states compared to the other 15 requests that need federal disaster aid as well. For example, Hawaii just had two back-to-back hurricanes, causing a plea for help.

Why have politics permeated into FEMA?

Because a majority of FEMA employees are Republican.

Who did Christa Pike kill?

Colleen Slemmer

Why is it controversial to give lethal injections regarding Christa Pike's execution?

Due to Pike surviving lethal injections, facing another lethal injection would be illegal because it goes against the cruel and unusual punishment clause. Since Pike doesn't understand why she is being executed, moreover, having small veins and thrombocytosis—a blood-clotting condition—these would mess up the procedure and be deemed unconstitutional. Potentially this could block any execution given to Pike period.

Why could the state of Tennessee use the electric chair to execute Pike?

Tennessee could use the electric chair to execute Pike because the electric chair was still legal when Pike murdered Slemmer (ex-post facto prohibition.)

Who will be hung on Dec. 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, and what did the murderer do?

Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 people and injured 32 at the Texas Post Army Station.

What was the last known public execution in the US, but what prompted the ending of public executions?

Roscoe "Red" Jackson in Missouri was the last known public execution however Rainey Bethea in Kentucky prompted the ending of public executions?

Why do some people defend public executions?

Some people defend public executions because it shows the consequences and seriousness of your actions.

Why are many against public executions?

Many people, especially Britons, view this act as stooping to the criminal's level by acting with the same violence as the criminal. Moreover, it is unacceptable, and "it's to do with the sanctity of being a human being and what that means."

What are some other countries that still implement public executions?

Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.