Protests in China, The Update
The current update on the protests in China is that Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, officially withdrew the Extradition Bill on September 4th.
You may be asking yourself wait didn’t she already do something about the extradition bill? The answer is that she previously suspended the bill and said that it was “dead”.
How does this relate to the protests in Hong Kong?
The protests are in reaction to a bill released, “that would allow people accused of crimes to be sent to places with which Hong Kong had no extradition treaty - including mainland China, where the courts are controlled by the Communist Party.”
First, how rude. Second, where did things from here.
The protests were in response to this bill, but have and will continue in response to police brutality. These protests are peaceful marches and sit ins. The vast majority of participants are nonviolent, but some protestors have broken into buildings, defaced government property, set fires and had run ins with police.
While the protests started in response to the extradition bill, protestors are also fighting for democracy, freedom, amnesty for arrested protestors, and independent inquiry into police conduct. The protests will continue until there is justice.
The 2020 Democratic Primary, Where Are We Now
With the third Democratic Presidential Debate Approaching on September 12th, only 10 candidates met the qualification requirements.
Looking at this list of 10, it is clear that the candidates who made the cut, are the ones who have received the most media coverage and had the most striking moments in past debates.
Moving forward, don’t listen to big media outlets on who to follow, don’t listen to this publication or any other, don’t listen to the tweets or Instagram posts you see. Listen to yourself, your own opinions, what you think is important, what you want from a president, and what you want them to focus on.
Female candidates still in the game:
Senator Kamala Harris of California
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Candidates prioritizing climate change:
Nearly all of the candidates call for rejoining the Paris climate change agreement
Senator Elizabeth Warren, Former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Kamala Harris, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg all support the carbon tax and have outlined plans that include the carbon tax.
Candidates who care about gun control:
Biden believes the only solution for major gun control legislation is to defeat Republicans in elections.
Warren claims she will reduce overall gun deaths by 80% and wants to address gun control in a broader way, in regards to public health, not just with legislation.
Sanders called for background checks and an assault weapons ban.
Buttigieg regards background checks as “a very middle-of-the-road, rather conservative compromise.”
Klobuchar said background checks were “the minimum that we should do.”
Vote. Vote. Vote. It is not only your right, but it is your duty to make your voice heard. Dive deep into what you want for our future, what you can do to achieve that, and who you can put that trust in.
Is It Worth The High?
Indiana announced the third death related to vaping on September 6th.
The harmful effects of vaping have always been broadcasted by doctors, but as the numbers double in vaping-related lung illness to 450 possible cases in 33 states, it is time to put down the Juul and dab pen.
The Center for Disease Control is currently investigating the illness but has advised people to stop using e-cigarette products while it is ongoing. They believe that a chemical found in vapes and pens is causing the potentially fatal illness.
The focus on the danger of e-cigarettes has been the nicotine content, but these illnesses suggest there are many more dangers in both regular vapes and T.H.C vape products.
The question is, is the high worth: illness, hospitalization, and even death?
Thank you for reading.
Isabelle Rosa, word enthusiast