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Dear friends of VTIPG and the Community Change Collaborative,
We share five articles each week that we find timely and meaningful that address significant concerns related to the state of our democracy and civil society. We aim to offer pieces that illuminate diverse dimensions of our country's policy and governance challenges and the state of social norms that sustain the possibility of addressing those concerns. Please note, the views expressed in these essays do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of VTIPG faculty or staff or of Virginia Tech. We upload these articles and stories to our website. You may find that archive at News and Opportunities at http://ipg.vt.edu.
If you would like to suggest an article for consideration, please contact the editor at the address below.
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Our first piece this week, from the Associated Press, argues that Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris made an excellent choice in selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
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A second selection, from Vox, argues that although Walz does bring strengths to the ticket, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro may have been a stronger pick due to his popularity in the most important swing state in the coming election.
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Our third story, from NBC News, contends that Harris's choice signals that abortion rights will be a critical focus for the Democratic ticket, given Walz's strong record on the issue.
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A fourth article, from ABC News, highlights the fact that abortions increased in the first three months of 2024, continuing a trend in evidence across the nation since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.
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Last, we feature a story from NPR that discusses efforts to contain the ongoing Park Fire, which is ravaging Northern California.
Brief synopses of these articles appear below. We hope the perspectives they offer encourage reflection and conversation!
Best wishes,
Billy Parvatam
VTIPG Communications Coordinator
pbilly97@vt.edu.
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Photo: Governor Tim Walz. Credit to Wikipedia. |
Kamala Harris made a brilliant pick with Tim Walz
Former New York Congressman Steve Israel commended Vice President Kamala Harris for her selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate in this Hill opinion piece. He pointed to Walz's work ethic, national security experience through his military service, and ability to speak to Americans of all ideological backgrounds. Israel suggested that the governor’s background as a teacher, coach, member of the armed forces, and congressman will prove valuable to the Democratic ticket.
Israel, S. (2024, August 7). "Kamala Harris made a brilliant pick with Tim Walz." The Hill. https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4814697-kamala-harris-made-a-brilliant-pick-with-tim-walz/
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Photo: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Credit to Vox. | |
Will Kamala Harris regret picking Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro?
In this article Vox Senior Correspondent Eric Levitz discussed the pros and cons of Vice President Harris's selection of Governor Walz as her running mate in lieu of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Levitz argued that Shapiro could have increased Harris's chances to win the Commonwealth in the fall election, a state many analysts deem essential for her election. Additionally, Shapiro's reputation as a moderate Democrat could have countered right-wing attacks that Harris is "dangerously liberal." More positively, in Levitz’ view, Walz has been excellent in delivering effective attacks against Republican positions, and his moderate tone concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza could help to maintain Democratic party unity and enthusiasm. Ultimately, Levitz contended, the bar for Walz is not high since, in his view, Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) has had a disastrous start as former President Donald Trump's running mate.
Levitz, E. (2024, August 6). "Will Kamala Harris regret picking Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro?" Vox. https://www.vox.com/politics/364677/tim-walz-harris-vp-josh-shapiro
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Photo: Governor Tim Walz signed two bills in 2023 that have made Minnesota a refuge for people for abortion care. Credit to NBC News. | |
With Harris and Walz, Democrats put abortion rights at the top of the agenda
Aria Bendix of NBC News argues in this piece that Harris's selection of Walz as a running mate suggests that the Democrats will highlight abortion rights as a key issue in the 2024 general election. Walz, who has received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood, an organization that supports abortion rights, has signed several laws protecting a woman's right to choose during his tenure as Minnesota's Governor. He has also championed in vitro fertilization and shared publicly that his spouse employed fertility treatments to help to conceive their two children.
Bendix, A. (2024, August 6). "Where Tim Walz stands on abortion rights and IVF: A strong supporter." NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/tim-walz-abortion-rights-ivf-strong-supporter-rcna165390
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Photo: Abortion-rights activists demonstrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2022. Credit to NPR. | |
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US abortion numbers have risen slightly since Roe was overturned, study finds
In this piece, Geoff Mulvihill and Kimberlee Kruesi describe the findings of a recent study that found that the number of women obtaining abortions in the U.S. rose marginally in the first quarter of 2024. An important reason for that increase was the fact that several Democratic Party-controlled states have passed laws since 2022 to protect doctors who employ telemedicine to assist patients in states that have enacted abortion bans. This information comes ahead of the upcoming November election when voters in several states will consider referenda on the question of abortion access.
Mulvihill, G., & Kruesi, K. (2024, August 7). "US abortion numbers have risen slightly since Roe was overturned; study finds." ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-abortion-numbers-risen-slightly-roe-overturned-study-112638958
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Photo: A plane drops fire retardant on the park fire near Forest Ranch, California, Sunday July 28, 2024. Credit to NPR. | |
Crews battle wildfires across the US West and fight to hold containment lines
This NPR article discusses efforts to contain the Park Fire, the largest wildfire in California so far this year. To date, the conflagration has charred more than 562 square miles in inland Northern California, while also decreasing air quality in the northwestern U.S. and western Canada. Unfortunately, Park is only one of more than 100 active wildfires across the country. Although no fatalities have thus far been reported, the blaze has thus far destroyed at least 66 structures and damaged 5 others. More generally, this and other fires across the nation are highlighting the impact of rising temperatures amidst long-term climate change.
The Associated Press. (2024, July 29). "Crews battle wildfires across the US West and fight to hold containment lines." NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/07/28/nx-s1-5055018/california-wildfire-park-fire
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