Stuff YOU Should Know

Iraq Erupts Into Violence

It has been a while since btw reported on major military and political activity in Iraq. Recently, however, members of the militant group called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) seized control of various border crossings into neighboring Jordan and Syria. The group, known for its very strict view of Islam wish to create an Islamic state in the regions of Iraq currently run by the Sunnis. To date, ISIS has gained control over four strategically important towns – Anah, Qaim, Rawa and Rutba. The fighting has become unpredictable, with a army funeral targeted, killing at least six mourners.

When the United States pulled troops out of Iraq in 2011, President Obama warned that insurgents would likely destabilize surrounding regions. The supreme leader of Iran (Iraq’s neighbor), Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has publicly opposed U.S. intervention in Iraq. Secretary of State John Kerry visited the region, with the goal of advising in the formation of a new Iraqi government. In a statement, Kerry said that the future of the country depended upon the negotiations made in the upcoming weeks.

Dig Deeper Secretary of State Kerry said that President Obama had the option of taking military action against ISIS because it is considered a terrorist organization. Do you think that he will? Why or why not? Continue to follow as this story unfolds.

Supreme Court Hears Case About Threats Made on Facebook

A Pennsylvania man, Anthony Elonis, got dumped by his wife and then lost his job. Like many people, he took to social networking (his Facebook page in particular) to vent. His ex-wife was not his only target. Elonis threatened former co-workers, law enforcement and an unspecified elementary school. He believed that his action was, in his words, therapeutic. However, he was arrested for making violent threats and sentenced to 44 months in prison and 3 years of supervised community release. Elonis has appealed his ruling and will soon be heard by the Supreme Court.

This case could be an important landmark for courts in considering the nature of threatening communication in the digital age. While ensuring Americans have the right to free speech, the First Amendment does not protect “true threats” to harm another person. Officials for Facebook have said that language itself alone cannot be an indicator of potential action, that context, intent and perception is needed. The challenge for the Supreme Court justices is to determine if a “reasonable person” would have found plaintiff’s comments threatening.

What Do You Think? Should people be held accountable for threats made on social media? Why or why not? Give an example of something that you would consider okay and something you would not.

Benghazi Bombing Suspect Captured

When there is news about the 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi that left four people dead, it is usually regarding the mishandling of the situation and the aftermath of its initial reports. But on June 15, the alleged leader of the ambush, Ahmed Abu Khattala, was captured in Libya during a secret military raid similar to the kind used to kill Osama bin Laden. Abu Khattala is now being held in a undisclosed location where he will await trial.

Khattala, who had been identified by eyewitnesses as being present during the attacks, has denied playing any role in them. The U.S. State Department identified him as a senior leader of the Islamic extremist group, Ansar al-Sharia. President Obama made a statement saying that this capture sends a message to the rest of the world that when Americans are attacked, those responsible will be brought to justice. Lawmakers are in opposition over the prisoner’s immediate fate. Some believe he should be detained until he awaits trial. Others believe we should take advantage of our ability to interrogate him to find out more information about other terrorist threats.

Dig Deeper Do you think this recent development will help alleviate the bad press surrounding the US government’s handling of the situation in Benghazi? Why or why not?

Change in Republican Leadership

Republican Eric Cantor of Virginia will be stepping down as House of Representatives Majority Leader. This is because he lost his re-election during the state’s recent primary election to little-known opponent, Dave Brat of the Tea Party. The defeat was a big surprise because Cantor was expected by many to succeed John Boehner as the speaker of the House (the third-highest ranking office in American politics behind the president and vice president). Cantor is also the only majority leader in the history of Congress to lose in a primary.

This recent development has many wondering about the future of the Republican leadership. Kevin McCarthy of California, the current Majority Whip (whose primary responsibility is to hold his party accountable to “party policy” at times like legislative voting) is likely to take over Cantor’s role as Majority Leader. The GOP will hold leadership elections this month This will open up opportunities for up-and-coming party members hoping to move up the ranks. Some of them include former vice-president-hopeful Paul Ryan, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is the only female currently in the leadership.

What Do You Think? Florida Representative Mario Diaz Balart called Cantor’s defeat, “a tsunami for House Republicans.” What do you think he meant by this? Do a search and find out what other politicians on both sides (Republican and Democrat) have to say.