2.8 Refugees in America

First Article
1. They fear that the US isn't doing enough to screen refugees before they enter the country and that ISIS will come to the US.
2. Very few refugees have made it to the US, and US governors are refusing to take in refugees.
3. Refugees must submit a written application, go through a security background check, and the US must have a face-to-face interview with a refugee official.
4. The US suspects the refugees of being part of ISIS until they go through the procedures proving that they are simply freeing Syria to find a home.
5. The US is worried about national security and fears that refugees could be terrorists looking to hurt Americans.
6. I think the US should let more refugees into our country, because America is supposed to be a tolerant melting pot. If these Assyrians go through the process to be admitted to the United States, they should be let into the country. Our country prides itself on liberty and justice, so it should extend those amenities to people simply trying to flee their war-torn country.

Second Article
1. The states that have said "no" to refugees are all lead by Republican governors.
2. States don't have the authority to prohibit refugees from settling on their land, but they can ask the State Department to not allow it.
3. Many of these governors fear Islam and do not trust that most, if not all, of these refugees are good people looking for a place where they can be free. These governors are listening to the people, who are also scared of the unknown refugees. People are afraid of what they are not comfortable with, so any foreign people who are not Christian are not deemed trustworthy.
4. The governors are saying that it is an issue of national security and they are protecting the people in their states.
5. Yes; I think that refugees should be accepted all throughout the United States. If I was fleeing my country and trying to find a new home, I would be angered to learn that I was being turned away based on my religion.

2.7 Democrats Don't Want You to Watch

1. The Democratic National Committee organizes and schedules the party's primary debates.
2. TV ratings are lower on Friday and Saturday nights, so typically, parties do not like to schedule debates on these days. Ratings are high on Thursdays, and Democrats only have one debate on a Thursday.
3. Republicans scheduled their debates on days that historically receive high ratings, while Democrats scheduled most of their debates on unpopular days for viewership.
4. Democrats planned a debate on a Saturday six days before Christmas. Another debate is planned for the Sunday night of Martin Luther King weekend.
5. It keeps her from being shown too much, so voters may choose her based solely on her name and political experience instead of what she says to the public.
6. It negatively affects Sanders' campaign, because he is not as popular of a candidate as Clinton. This being said, he needs all the exposure he can get. The debates help get his name out there and show how he compares to Clinton.
7. Sanders' campaign heavily involves young people who can keep up with him through social media.
8. It gives Martin O'Malley very little exposure, and he is not going to be seen as much if the debate is scheduled on a night of poor ratings. Since he is not very well known, debates are his time to draw attention.

2.4 Jeb Is Sad :(

1. Jeb Bush has the most endorsement, the most money in the bank, the best name recognition, and a good poll standing.
2. Bush has struggled with trite questions and has had weak arguments. He is not the best politician.
3. Rubio is a better speaker than Bush. Rubio has the exact same policies as Bush, but he expresses them better. He is also a gutsy political risk-taker.
4. Bush cannot understand how Clinton's campaign is a political retread, because his family name has also been greatly involved in politics for many years.
5. Rubio is more dynamic than Bush, and Rubio has the same views as Bush. Rubio is better at politics, and he can also share his wealth if Bush chooses to help him. It helps Bush the most, because if he drops out now, he could still be seen as a dutiful politician to the Republican Party.

2.5 Parties Vs. Media

1. The Republican National Committee believed that the moderators were trying to be mean-spirited and embarrass the candidates.
2. RNC could let another media organization hold the next debate instead of NBC.
3. I thought that John Harwood's comment about Trump's presidential campaign resembling a "comic book." His idea to build a wall to keep out the Mexicans does seem absurd.
4. Many journalists in the media believe that asking tough questions to Republicans is their job. They think that Democrats are normal and Republicans are not.
5. Republicans are using their control over the Republican debate schedule to pressure NBC to treat candidates with respect.
6. American Republicans have been convinced for years that the media has been hostile to them.
7. The Republican Party cannot actually boycott the media, because centrists and independent voters watch the mainstream media. The Republican Party wants to reach those voters, so they need to cooperate with the media.
8. No. The candidates need their air time and will do anything to voice their messages to the people. If they are at odds with NBC, other media outlets could follow suit.
9. The star power of some of the candidates could encourage viewers to not watch NBC.
10. Candidates could lose supporters if they limit their broadcasts to certain media outlets.