Being Blue at PSU

By Sylus Smith As November arrives, we're in for more heated arguments, absurdist grandstanding, and the sort of televised bloodsports that the Romans could have only dreamt of. It's budget season. Due to the self-induced chaos of the Republican caucus, little attention has been recently paid to a looming government shutdown. However, since House Republicans have finally elected a Speaker, it's time to return to what they want to do with their power. Given the extent of new abortion restrictions, an apt candidate arises for immediate analysis. There is, however, a disturbing trend that emerges from such investigation. Whilst several programs exist to help alleviate the human suffering caused by attacks on abortion rights, these programs now also face threats from the Speaker and the Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee. Considering first the labyrinthine road taken to reach the elevation of Mike Johnson to the Speakership, it would seem fair to say that his posit...

By Christian Schamberger Fears loomed over this year’s election cycle as predictions pointed toward lower turnout rates relative to previous “off-year” elections. Even amid these fears, Democrats came out with tremendous victories last Tuesday in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and the rest of the country. The protection of abortion rights stood strong as voters cast their ballot for pro-choice candidates across the country. Three main victories include: 1. In Ohio, voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution by voting 56.6% “yes” on their ballots for Issue 1 which would protect “abortions up to fetal viability.” 2. The Virginia state house was a key race on last Tuesday as Governor Youngkin (R.) was looking to pass limitations to abortion rights if Republicans controlled both chambers. Democrats continued to hold onto the state senate and flipped the state house blue. 3. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky held his position in office even in the deep-red state of Mitch...

By Evan Sutton Israel's bombardment of Gaza has been raging on for one month as of the time of writing this. As the Israeli government commits numerous crimes, Cori Bush currently leads a coalition of progressive Democrats in support of a ceasefire. However, I am appalled that most fellow Democratic congresspeople still unconditionally support the discriminatory and destructive policies Israel forces on innocent Palestinians. For example, President Joe Biden, along with his allies, have called for an increase in military aid to the Israeli Defense Forces while providing what is effectively lip service to Palestinian children killed by Israel. If we want to adhere to our values of liberty and justice for all, we must condemn Israel's 75-year-long subjugation of Palestinian people and demand their rights be respected. In every violent breakout in the region since the Nakba (the mass expulsion of 750 thousand Palestinians from their homes), the Israeli government has killed and wo...