2017 Year in Review: Day 1 | Politics

6-word summary of global politics in 2017: Time-travel (one word) to pre-Civil War is possible?

Here we go!

The Wall

Trump is still optimistic, but the experienced businessman he is, he ironically doesn't realize how unrealistic the costs to build the will are.

In other words, it didn't happen. Period.

Missile roundup

North Korea has launched 23 nuclear missiles, the first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) being fired on July 4 (perfect in time for the U.S. Independence Day--nothing says "independence" than nuclear fireworks). One in September, was a "success," having reached a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter earthquake scale and spanning over 1,000 kilometers or roughly 620 miles toward Japan. Here's a summary of the country's missile launches this year and everything you need to know, from how concerned you should be to emergency procedures. Trump responded to North Korea's unabashed nuclear threat by saying that the nation "will be met with fire and fury."

Russian Collusion

Here's everything we've found out and you need to know about the Trump administration's collusion with Russia, all in one video. You're welcome.

Terrorism

To date, there have been 1,096 attacks and 7,456 casualties internationally.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2017 edition (you can find a PDF of this online) though it contains data from 2016. Data regarding terrorism in 2017 will be issued next year.

You can also see a visual, a map of the magnitude or amount of impact per nation, all compiled in one map.

DACA

Trump threatened to revoke DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which the Obama administration passed in 2012, and the benefits it offers undocumented children. Nothing has been set in stone, so DREAMers will have to wait for a decision from legislators after the winter vacation, in January. Multiple schools have provided shelters for families and sued Trump for the inconvenience that the revocation has on the families. According to an advocacy group, 122 immigrants lose their DACA protection every day.

Roundup of Politicians Who Resigned Due to Sexual Assault Allegations

1. Minnesota Sen. Al Franken (DFL)
2. Texas GOP Rep. Blake Farenthold (R)
3. Oregon Former Senator Bob Packwood (R)
4. Washington Sen. Brock Adams (D)
5. Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas (R)
6. Kentucky State Rep. Dan Johnson (R)
7. Oregon Rep. David Wu (D)
8. Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R)
9. NY Rep. Eric Massa (D)
10. Former president George H.W. Bush (R)
11. Georgia 2012 presidential nominee Herman Cain (R)
12. Michigan Rep. John Conyers (D)
13. Florida Former Rep. Mark Foley (R)
14. CA State Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D)
15. Illinois Former Rep. Mel Reynolds (D)
16. Majority whip for CA State Assembly Raul Bocanegra (D)
17. Alabama GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore (R)
18. Nevada Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D)
19. Arizona Rep. Trent Franks (R)

Roundup of Everyone Trump Has Fired

Here's a summary from the Washington Post. It gives a visual and reasons as to why Trump fired or threatened to fire his employees. Long story short, does he really have reasons when he doesn't really know why he's doing and talking about? Yeah, there's not as much reason as there is a tantrum.

14 Things You May Not Know About Red Pandas + New Logo

What's up Nurds,

It's Joss here. And I have GOOD NEWS!!! Look what I coded! Isn't she cute?! Thanks to Khan Academy, I was able to code this red panda and trust me, I know what you're thinking. It looks like a fox. But if you look below, red pandas actually do look like foxes and raccoons.

Without Khan Academy and their lessons on coding, I would not be improving as I am. I had been working on this for awhile and even more so within the past week. It was certainly not easy. It wasn't like they had an animal outline or figure that I could choose from and then choose outlines to add on top of it; it was ALL from scratch. So if you want to learn how to code--animals, happy faces, even video games--I totally recommend it, just go to the Khan Academy website and you can sign in with a Google or Facebook account and you can even earn energy points for watching educational videos and doing practice questions/quizzes, whether that be for computer programming (coding) or should you choose to explore another topic of study.

Virginia Zoo

That aside, this cute little red panda will be the logo for this blog as opposed to this blasé looking bear on the left that I attempted to code awhile back when I was first learning to code. 

Additionally, I'm taking this as an opportunity to continue coding animals, like the red panda, that are endangered to raise awareness. This isn't sponsored in any way. I love animals and feel that I can lend a hand, even by just writing about the issues that go on in this world. Hopefully, by coding all of these animals, I can create an atmosphere and environment on this blog, where we can discuss issues, not only about animals, but issues in this world in general and hopefully this jungle of animals on this blog will be a symbol of that. 

Please sign this petition on change.org to save red pandas. Here is some further information provided on the page to provide some context: 

 "We all know the fluffy, lovable Red Pandas, don't we? They face a huge problem: extinction. Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, there are less than 10,000 left in the world. This is because of deforestation, environment change, food needs, and poaching. We need to help these animals survive in any way we can. Their environment is mowed down because we want to live there, they are slaughtered because we want to wear them. We are not just taking their homes. We are taking their lives. If you care about the environment, about these sweet creatures, then sign this petition so we can start to make a change. If you want to impact these animals lives even more, donate to the Red Panda Network, where you can be sure your money is going to a great cause."

On top of that, I want to provide some facts that you just may not know about red pandas, which shouldn't be a surprise considering how little we hear about red pandas, if we even do hear about them.

Sharknado

First things first, you would want to waste their money on something that came out on TV?! Secondly, can't you tell that the sharks are fake? And wait a second....sharks can't survive without water!!! For fish-sake!!! 

I saw it the day it came on television and to tell you the truth it was pretty amusing, but that's it! It was actually the worst piece of crap I've seen in my life..and I watch a lot of crap!

But I guess if ya wanna watch it you can. I mean I can't force you to do something you don't wanna do. 

But if you want chainsaws, romance, and action in one, be my guest.

Let's not forget the plot holes sprinkled, well, all over the movie.

I give this one full heart as a pitty point. The action was eh, alright.