Explaining the Panama Papers
Earlier this month, confidential files from a law firm called Mossack Fonseca were made public. The documents, collectively called “the Panama Papers,” were leaked by an anonymous source to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), who shared them with various news organizations. This week, btw breaks down the basics, offers a comparison of other […]
Occupation in Oregon
As the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon by armed militia closes out another week, btw brings you news of what is happening and what both sides hope to accomplish in a standoff. Background Father and son ranchers, Dwight Hammond (73) and Steven (43), own about 12,000 acres of land located in […]
Obama’s Executive Action on Gun Control
In his first weekly address of the New Year, President Obama announced that he would pursue Executive Action as a way to implement gun control legislation. It is a controversial measure because it is a controversial subject and also because he is going forward without the consent of Congress. What is an Executive Order? As btw […]
Every Student Succeeds Act Signed Into Law
At the start of the school year, btw brought you a story of this country’s history of education reform. Last week, President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This legislation will replace the unpopular No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Law that went into effect in 2001 (which was a reauthorization of […]
Obamacare: Two Years In
You have heard it called “Obamacare.” Ever since its official passage, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (often shortened to the Affordable Care Act, or ACA), has had staunch supporters and harsh critics. The ACA’s supporters call the law a success because more Americans are insured than ever before. Opponents call it a failure because of high […]
Republican Debates: 3 Down…
The Republican National Committee kicked off its season of debates in late summer. On August 3, there was a “forum” in New Hampshire, where eleven of the candidates answered questions in front of a live audience. Three days later was the first official, televised debate of this campaign which took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Since […]
ADA: 25 Years of Equality, Independence and Freedom
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. This is civil rights legislation intended to create equal opportunities for people with disabilities. It provides both protection from discrimination and requires employers and public facilities to provide appropriate accommodations. In honor of its 25th anniversary of this important […]
YOU DECIDE: Is the Iran Deal Good for the United States?
As btw reported back in April, many countries have viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a considerable threat. In 2006, a diplomatic group made up of six world powers calling themselves P5+1 (named for the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus one non-member), gathered together to strategize on the best way to […]
Landmark Ruling on Marriage Equality
At the end of June, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ended its 2014–2015 term with a number of hot-topic decisions. One of its biggest was a landmark ruling on same-sex marriage. This means that the decision will have significant and lasting impact on future legislation. You’ve probably witnessed the flurry of reactions […]
Caring for Our Veterans
As more and more troops return home from the Middle East, many of them are in need of the services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). But the department designed to support those who serve our country has become plagued with allegations of inefficiency and scandal, leaving many to question its […]