Election Survey

With the upcoming election, we created a survey for the middle and upper school students and faculty to see what issues are most important to our community. Some of the issues in the survey included: immigration, national security, terrorism, economy, health care, race, trade, crime, guns, abortion, environment, and education. Stop by the library or the Hajjar Stem Video Wall to see the full results posted.

State of the Union

Last night President Obama gave his sixth annual State of the Union Speech. How was the speech interpreted and then reported? The Washington Post showcases headlines from 23 different newspapers which offer a glimpse into different reactions from organizations with various political positions. To read about Obama's "ambitious agenda," check out The New York Times. Following #SOTU on Twitter will give you a range of perspectives from news organizations to average people. Sometimes what is omitted can be just as important as what is said, so head over to CNN for an update about what was missing from Obama's speech.

Joel Benenson, Lead Pollster

Image courtesy of Ralph Alswang Photographer

Today during assembly the students in both the middle and upper schools were fortunate to hear from President Obama’s Lead Pollster, Joel Benenson. To learn more about Joel Benenson, check out the New York Times article from when he first began working with President Obama or look at his consulting firm, Benenson Strategy Group. If you are interested in seeing more polls, check out Real Clear Politics which has current polls in addition to polls from the 2012 election. Benenson is often quoted in the news speaking about the democratic political strategy that comes from polling. To read some of his recent quotes, try a Google news search with his name.

Important Issues - Voting Results

We surveyed students and faculty in the library before the election, asking them to vote on the one issue that is most important to them.  Economy was the big winner with 43 votes while education was not far behind with 31 votes.  Thank you to all who participated!

What Issues Are Important to You?

The debates have come and gone and we are in the final weeks of the election.  Are you still not sure which candidate you support?  Check out The Washington Post, which details a wide-ranging list of issues important to many people. 

What is most important to you?  Stop by the library to vote on what you think is the most critical issue that the candidates should be talking about.  The last day to cast your vote is November 1st and we will announce the results of the issues most essential to the school the following week.

Obama, Romney and the Issues

Do you want a closer look into some of the issues debated by the two presidential candidates?  The New York Times directly examines what each candidate said on Tuesday in relation to several issues including energy, taxes, foreign policy, Pell Grants and immigration. 

Moderator Candy Crowley was not the only one fact checking the debate.  The Week Magazine culls several sources in order to check whether the candidates were telling the full truth. 

Missed the debate completely?  You can still watch it online or get a transcript at NBC News.

Joe Biden and Paul Ryan Face Off Tonight

Don’t miss the vice presidential debates tonight at 9pm.  The debates will be shown on all four television networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) and major cable news channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC.)  In addition, several news websites will be streaming the debates live online including Politico, The Wall Street Journal, and C-SPAN.

In preparation for the debate tonight, the New York Times comments on past vice presidential debates and The Week Magazine shows some past debate video highlights.

 

Domestic Affairs Presidential Debate

Last night, the first presidential debate was held on the topic of domestic affairs.  CBS News has video coverage of the debate in its entirety.  Did you think something one of the candidates said last night didn’t sound truthful?  The New York Times was live fact-checking statements made by the two candidates during the debate and NPR has also tried to clarify some one-sided claims.  Next Thursday, 10/11, the vice presidential candidates will debate and there will be two more presidential debates on 10/16 (Town Hall) and 10/22 (Foreign Policy.)

Romney v. Obama - The Speeches

With the presidential election coming up, both parties have recently held their national conventions. It’s important to take information directly from the source, so instead of reading one newspaper’s take on the speeches, form your own opinion based on the facts. Watch the two candidates deliver their speeches at their respective conventions and then decide what you think.

Is the Health Care Law Unconstitutional?

While Dwight-Englewood students were off enjoying their spring break vacations, the Supreme Court was busy hearing arguments in the controversial health care case Department of Health and Human Resources v. Florida, the results of which are expected to be announced in June.   Want to learn more about the details of the law but don’t have the time to pore over lengthy legal documents?  Check out Jonathan Gruber’s highly readable and informative graphic novel, Health Care Reform.

Do You Have Online Rights?

With various tracking policies and constantly changing privacy policies by a wide array of companies, it can be difficult to make sure your privacy is protected online.  Last week, the Obama Administration released the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, a set of standards written to guard against privacy exploitation.  Will these guidelines become law?  Read more about it on Wired’s Threat Level: Privacy, Crime, and Security Online blog or on the Forbes technology site.