A lot happened over the course of 2017, from political upheavals to shocking scandals that rocked Hollywood. But what blog articles really captured the up’s and down’s of 2017? Here are our Top 10:
1) Understanding President Trump’s Muslim-Based Immigration Ban.
Since President Trump’s inauguration, his presidency has been fraught with controversy. Trump ran his presidential campaign on a platform that pledged he would “Make America Great Again.” Among his promises were to bar immigration from Muslim nations. Did he keep his promise?
2) DAPL: Can Trump Push Forward the Dakota Access Pipeline?
The protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) have been going on for around a year now, with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their allies demonstrating to stop the completion of the oil pipeline. The Sioux argue that, not only does the project violate their treaty rights by failing to consult them on projects crossing through their land, the oil pipeline would also poison their only water supply by crossing under Lake Oahe and destroy land sacred to the tribe.
3) Net Neutrality: Is This the End?
Towards the end of last month, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai began to take steps to block elements of an order from Obama administration dealing with privacy and net neutrality–the effects of which were set to take effect at the beginning of this month. Since then, with many already sounding the death knell for net neutrality, the FCC has softened its stance slightly but many remain concerned about the future of net neutrality as a policy as Mr. Pai continues to take steps with the potential to weaken the steps the Obama administration took.
4) United Faces a Beating… in Court
Over the last week, the news (and many videos) of one Dr. David Dao being brutally attacked by Aviation Security Officers and dragged from his legally purchased seat on United Flight 3411 has been absolutely everywhere. The incident has caused a firestorm of public outrage against United.
5) Sessions Wants to Go After Marijuana, But Congress Isn’t Interested
The legal house of cards on which the marijuana industry has built itself–legal at a state level but illegal federally–is one which has garnered much discussion. Built on promises of a hands-off policy from the Obama administration, the business of medical and recreational marijuana has exploded in states across the nation. Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states as well as the District of Columbia.
6) Bill Cosby’s Sexual Assault Trial Begins
The allegations of rape and sexual assault against famous comedian and actor Bill Cosby have been some of the most well publicized accusations in recent memory. With nearly 60 women coming forward with accusations of rape and sexual assault, usually involving situations where Mr. Cosby drugged them before sexual intercourse, the stories that came out were horrifying to say the least.
7) Can’t Revoke Citizenship due to “Immaterial Falsehoods,” SCOTUS Rules
What does it take to remove a person’s citizenship? With all the discussion today about crimes that illegal immigrants have committed, border walls, travel bans (but not a ban!), and tougher ICE enforcement, it might be helpful to get some clarity on some of the finer points of immigration law.
8) The Legalities of Firing Nazis
Charlottesville, Virginia is on everybody’s lips. In response to the removal of Confederate monuments, neo-Nazis, KKK members, white supremacists, militia, hard right conservatives, and others gathered–many armed with semi-automatic rifles and clothed in body armor–in Charlottesville for a “Unite the Right” rally.
9) DACA is on a Limited Lifespan, What Should You Do? Part 1: Renewing DACA Status
As of September 5th, it is official, President Trump has announced an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program, created by executive order from former-President Obama, has provided protection to around 800,000 people within the United States. These people are often referred to as Dreamers due to the similarities between DACA and the failed 2001 DREAM Act.
10) Understanding Gun Rights and Laws in Light of the Las Vegas Tragedy, Part One: The Second Amendment
The last week has seen an incredible tragedy in Las Vegas. It’s hard to imagine there are many who have not already heard of the incident. However, for those who have not, on October first a gunman opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas-shooting concert goers from his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort. As of now, reports place the mass shooting as the deadliest in U.S. history with 58 people killed and 489 injured.
