Near School Tragedy

This article reports on a recent school shooting that happened in Seattle. The gunman was a 16-year old student at Washington State high school. Last week the suspect started shooting inside the school before being stopped by one of the teachers at the school. The suspect began attending the high school about a month ago and seemed to be adjusting well and making friends. In fact one of his new friends spoke out and said that she started receiving strange text from him shortly before the incident, such as  “It does not matter anyway after tonight” and “I decided I need to go, it’s my time.” The suspect only fired two shots before he was tackled down by an Advanced Placement Government teacher. Brady Olson was the teacher that tackled him and when he was asked about it he said, he did what any United States teacher would do and that was to run toward the gunfire and not away from it. The shooter entered into the cafeteria and when the students saw him with the gun they all ran out the back door. Before he could shoot off another round he was tackled down by Mr. Olson. Many students were not surprised by the actions of the teacher.

The event relates to the government because it occurs in a public building and the suspect is now under investigations and may be facing charges for what he did. This shows that the law applies to everyone no matter their age. It also shows that suspect must undergo procedure and that investigations must be conducted. The due process which is granted by the fifth amendment applies to everyone and that the law does not exclude anyone.

As a high school student myself this incident is an awful scenery to picture. For a student who shows no signs of any problems to show up to school and attempt to take the lives of innocent students is frightening. I am glad that the gunmen did not kill anyone and also the Mr. Olson, the teacher that tackled did what he did. If I wasn’t for him the end results might have been differently. I hope that if anything ever happened in school that I would have a teacher like Mr. Olson that would put the students safety first.   

https://news.yahoo.com/police-no-one-hurt-shooting-washington-high-school-151709888.html

"Trill Kill"

In this CNN article a recent killing of a college baseball player in Oklahoma. Three teenage boys are now facing murder charges for the crime. One of the teenagers was recently convicted of the crime and when asked what his reason was for killing the college student he said that he and his friends were simply bored and had nothing to do. Chancy Allen Luna was convicted of first degree murder and the jury has recommended that he received a life sentence. The victim of the drive by shooting was Christopher Lane who was 23 years old.  He was shot and killed by the teenagers  while he was on a jog. The driver of the vehicle, Micheal Jones has been charged with second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with eligibility to parole starting in 2051. The third suspect who was 15 at the time of the crime is facing lesser charges because he agreed to testify against the Luna and Jones.

This article relates to AP Government because it shows different laws and procedures in each state and how the courts work. With the third suspect his situation also shows that suspects can make a deal with the system in order to help them and in return receive a lesser sentence.

My opinion on the issue discussed in this article is that the act was cruel and heartless. To take an innocent person’s life simply because you were bored is just brutal. If you don’t have anything to do then join a club or play a game being bored is not an excuse to take someone’s life. If I could ask them one question them it would be, what did you expect was going to happen and did you think of the consequences? In my opinion justice is being served right now for the innocent man that lost his life at the hands of some destructive teenagers.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/18/us/thrill-kill-teen-convicted/index.html

Police Distrust Increase

In this article the topic of race is talked about when it comes to police traffic stops in Wilmington, NC. The article uses a recent traffic study from professors at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The results for the amount of traffic stops of drivers based on race is alarming with black drivers being two times more likely to be searched during a traffic stop than whites in Wilmington. Out of the 20 North Carolina cities used in the study Wilmington, NC ranked 2nd. The researchers have said that the purpose of this study is to call attention to the difference and to hopefully these statistics will start a change in the community. The Wilmington police department released a statement after the results of this study were released and said that the amount of traffic stops over the years have been decreasing. But although the amount is decreasing the amount of African American’s that are searched have been increasing over the years.

The results in this article seem to be shocking because I would not imagine such high numbers for the city that I reside in. In the midst of several police incidents with African Americans that have lead to injuries and deaths these statistics seem to increase police relations with citizens. As the enforcers of the law, I believe that the law has been misused and broken by several police officers who have taken advantage of the power that they are given. Police distrust has formed because those who are suppose to be protecting us are now the ones in the news for violating laws the are suppose to protect. The police distrust is increasing day by day as more incidents occur that give reason as to why citizens shouldn't trust police. This needs to stop because it is affecting so many innocent lives, and has increased government, mainly police distrust.

This relates to government because the issue of police relations with citizens continues to decline. The police department, which is a part of the enforcers of the law are on the opposite sides of the law now breaking the laws. People around the United States are now exercising their first amendment rights by speaking up for the what is currently happening in our country.  

http://www.wect.com/story/28798955/traffic-study-blacks-two-times-more-likely-to-get-searched-by-police-during-stops-in-wilmington

Kenya Massacre

This article discusses the events that have unfolded after the recent Kenyan University shooting incident. Last week a university in Kenya was unexpectedly invaded by al-Shabab, this attack has left more than 147 people dead. An eye witness has said that the members of the group asked students if they were Christians and if they answered yes then they were shot to death on the spot. The attack that happened early in the morning has left students of the university devastated, many students are yet to even be accounted for. Mohammed Mohamud has been identified as the leader of this attack, the government has posted a  $220,000 bounty for him.  After the incident Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta released a statement vowing to fight against the group. With the supporting article, it shows he has plans in order to fight against this group.   

In this article it discusses the tragic events that have recently unfolded in Kenya, which is a country in Africa. I believe that it is important to know about current events and issues from all around the world instead of just focusing on your own town’s news. Hearing and reading about this recent massacre has truly been devastating, to know that college students were simply killed because of their religion. This recent event in the country has outraged the government and they are working to prevent an event such as this from happening again. In the United States we have the freedom believe and worship who we choice and not be punished for it. While in many other countries people are being punished and killed simply because they don’t have the same beliefs as others. This event relates to the different structures of government and the difference in the rights of the people. It also shows the structural and systematic difference between the Kenyan government and the United States government.     

To hear about this issue was horrifying and I believe that it shouldn’t have happened. It was a violation of human rights, a person should have right to believe in whatever they want to. To take 147 innocent lives simply because they share your beliefs to me is just wrong period.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/02/garissa-attack-kenya/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32194722