Celebrate Constitution Week
On September 17, the United States celebrates an important anniversary. On that date in 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention added their signature to a document that would become the “supreme law of the land”—the U.S. Constitution. James Wilson, a delegate from Philadelphia, proudly stated that “it is the best form of government which has ever […]
Women’s History Month: Carol Moseley Braun
Have you ever heard of Carol Moseley Braun? She served as a U.S. senator from 1993 to 1999. Braun was the first female African American elected to the U.S. Senate. Here, btw takes a closer look at her life and contributions to American politics and beyond. Early Life Carol Moseley Braun was born in Chicago, […]
Iowa Results . . . Delayed
Last Monday was the Iowa Democratic caucus: the first primary election of the 2020 presidential campaign. While Iowa only accounts for a very small percentage of the number of delegates necessary for a candidate to win the Democratic nomination, it’s an important event because it represents the first meaningful public reaction to possible presidential candidates. […]
Smartphones: The Future of Voting?
Last week, btw took a closer look at the new use of smartphones in the Iowa caucus: for the first time ever, Iowans will be able to vote for their favorite candidate in the Democratic primary election from the comfort of their own homes, using an app on their phones. But Iowa isn’t the only […]
Happy Constitution Day!
On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by the members of the Constitutional Convention. These delegates from several of the states had been meeting in Philadelphia. Initially they gathered to discuss ways to improve upon the Articles of Confederation, which was this nation’s first official governmental system. However, in the course of […]
We the People
We live in a country where it is easy to take our freedom for granted. But the concept that the government must answer to its citizens is a very complicated idea. Despite the challenges and the shortcomings that are a reality in our very complicated nation, the basic foundation of our democracy remains a model […]
Is the Republican Party Headed for a Split?
Political frustration is hardly new. Continually governing an “of the people, by the people, for the people” global superpower based on open-ended principles laid out more than 200 years ago is no easy feat. Still, this election season has the Republican Party fractured in a way it hasn’t been for many years. Prominent members of […]
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 […]
Patents: For the Benefit of Society
You have probably seen a copyright symbol– © –printed inside of your favorite books or on the backs of CDs. But what do you know of the patent? Both copyrights and patents protect the originators of intellectual property–any idea, process or invention that comes from a person’s mind. Patents, however, can be a very complicated […]
Satire and Political Cartoons: A Historical Slideshow
The militant Islamic attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris have raised questions around the world. Such as, how does the right to free speech relate to the right of religious freedom? How does religious beliefs intersect with satire? Does a free press have an unlimited right to poke fun at any subject matter? […]
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