It was definitely a busier week than last week. Congress is back in session and had to work on their economic plan in order to avoid a standoff and subsequent governmental shutdown. That was avoided, luckily. Because it all ended up being squared away, I didn't actually pay any attention to it and you won't find many articles about it here. We also saw the first 100 days come to pass yesterday. I don't know about you, but it's felt like a lot longer than that...!
Science
While the best solution is still to reduce our plastic consumption, this is very exciting and promising information to hopefully take care of the plastic problem we currently have. *Warning-If looking at maggot-like caterpillars would creep you out, don't open this article.
There is finally a malaria vaccine, and it's going to be rolled out in three African nations very soon.
The malaria vaccine is good, but there is a certain logic behind the idea of letting African scientists be the ones to develop the vaccines they need, and distribute them in the way that works best for their countries.
Scientists have developed an artificial womb to help premature lamb fetuses reach maturity. They would like to develop this technology for human use one day. However, that comes with a whole host of ethical issues that must be addressed first. *Warning-If looking at a lamb fetus would creep you out, don't open this article.
The First 100 Days
Being president of the United States is super hard work. Apparently.
100 days into the new administration, here is the world's take on Trump.
Here is an article written by Pramila Jayapal, my Congressional representative, about her first 100 days in office. I might be biased because she's my rep, but she's pretty awesome!
The state of the Democrats 100 days into the new presidency.
Russia Investigation
The first 100 days of the Russian investigation.
The White House has refused to give documents about Michael Flynn to help with the Russian investigation.
Carl Bernstein seems to think there's an active cover-up going on with the Russia investigation. Somebody who helped uncover Watergate would probably know best.
Apparently there is a plan for the investigation's schedule, going forward.
Healthcare
The GOP healthcare plan just passed a huge hurdle towards being approved.
Here is a closer look at the amendments being proposed to the GOP healthcare bill that have won the approval of so many who had opposed the first bill.
Obama Wall Street Fee Controversy
In this week's example of irony, or possibly hypocrisy: Elizabeth Warren complaining about Obama giving a paid speech whilst promoting her own book, for which I am sure she is charging money to readers to purchase…Be careful Dems, we don't want to become the snake the swallows its own tail and destroys itself.
While I'm not sure I agree with this opinion piece, it does explain very well why some people are freaking out about Obama accepting a fee to give a speech for Wall Street. It's good to consider all sides of an argument.
Miscellaneous
New Orleans have begun taking down some offensive monuments from the Civil War era, with plans to take down more soon. They don't know where to put them, however. Might I make a suggestion? The Robert E. Lee or the Jefferson Davis statue, depending on size, might look wonderful in Fremont, across the street from the Lenin statue...
Gift Ngoepe has become the first African to play major league baseball in the United States.
All these judges are being so mean to Trump, shooting down his illegal, unethical, and unconstitutional executive orders...Here's the latest.
Here is an opinion piece about Trump's bullying of Canada that started this week.
This is a clear, well-written, non-hysterical article about net neutrality and the changes proposed this week.
Question(s) of the Week:
I'm not going to pretend to know the answers to these questions, so I am just going to pose them here for us to ponder over time. This whole "Obama fee" controversy feels like much ado about nothing, to me, but apparently it's a big deal? Why is it such a big deal? If the idea of receiving money from Wall Street for giving a speech is problematic, isn't giving the speech at all in the first place even more problematic? Why aren't people upset that Obama is giving the speech at all, instead of the fact that he'll be receiving money for it? And why are people upset at the idea of receiving money for giving a speech? Should all things done by a former president or politician be altruistic in nature? Why shouldn't they profit from doing work? Would you give a speech for free every time? It's not quite the same as being invited to talk at a high school graduation, after all. Why is ok for Elizabeth Warren to write and promote her books while in office but it's not ok for Obama to take money for giving a speech while out of office?
Like I said, I don't know the answers to these questions. They're more philosophical in nature than something with a firm yes or no answer. Each person has to answer them for themselves, really. I wish you luck with that!
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