YOUR DAILY BRIEFING
The news you need for October 18, 2022.
THE STORIES
RISE IN VIOLENCE AGAINST POLICE
ARKANSAS’ BAN ON TRANS YOUTH GOES ON TRIAL
EXPLAINED: BERNIE DISAGREES WITH THE FED
VIOLENCE AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS SPIKES
THE STORY
The United States is seeing a rise in violence towards police, as 13 officers have been shot just this week. This year alone, 56 officers have been killed by gunfire: this is 14% greater than this time last year and 45% greater than this time in 2020.
In Illinois, two police officers were shot while making a traffic stop
In Philadelphia, three SWAT members were shot while executing a warrant
In Connecticut, three officers were shot (2 fatally) in an ambush attack while responding to a domestic disturbance report
On top of this, many departments around the nation are facing staffing shortages, some agencies even down hundreds of officers.
Criminology experts have a few potential explanations, including the fraying of social connections due to COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd and distrust of police as a response, and an increase in firearm sales and gun ownership. A 2016 report that was summarized in an FBI document examined 50 shootings and found that the two key motives were a desire to escape (40%) and their hatred of the police (28%).
THE TAKES
LEFT: Police officers should not be facing this violence and in no way does the left support this. However, civilians only distrust the police and their system as a result of their actions. Police brutality and racial motives are an issue in the policing system and must be combated, but killing innocent police officers is not the way to do so.
MIDDLE: This is not the fault of the left nor the right, but rather the criminals who committed these wrongdoings. Police in this nation are facing a huge crisis in regards to civilian distrust, decreased funding, and labor shortages. If this is not combated, it could be extremely detrimental to areas that face high rates of crime and even areas that don’t. This issue should not be politicized as if it is, innocent civilians, police officers, and everyone in America will directly face its repercussions.
RIGHT: This is the harsh reality of the “defund the police” narrative the left has steadfastly endorsed. Democrats painted police officers as racist incapable people who abuse their authority. It’s no surprise that has caused a rise in violence against officers. The police keep our population safe from crime. While they should be held accountable for their mistakes when they happen, this is an overreaction. The left should not be racializing every issue and pushing detrimental “defund the police” dialogue.
TRIAL BEGINS ON ARKANSAS’ BAN ON TRANS YOUTH CARE
THE STORY
The law would ban gender-confirming care for children. Meaning it would outlaw gender-confirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers, or surgery for anyone under 18 years old.
Doctors who break the law could lose their licenses, face professional discipline, or be sued.
It has overwhelming Republican support in the state.
The bill is condemned by many medical experts, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
U.S. District Court Judge Jay Moody temporarily blocked the law last year.
The law was previously vetoed by Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson because she said a total prohibition on care went too far.
Hutchinson had signed other restrictions on trans-youth into law.
THE TAKES
LEFT: Once again Republicans are showing their lack of humanity and sheer disdain for the LGBTQ community. Nobody, parent or patient, undertakes a measure this serious without a serious consultation with a doctor. Doctors too, repeatedly remind patients of the side effects and consequences of their decision. Furthermore, with all the social stigma, those making this decision are very aware of what will happen to them if they went ahead with this. Given this, what really is the harm of allowing trans-youth to live how they want to live? With trans-youth suicides on the rise, is there really anyway you can oppose this? We hope the judge will see this for what it is, a blatant attempt at disregarding patients rights.
MIDDLE: While concerns over children making such life-altering decisions is understandable, ultimately, there is no case in which a parent, patient, and doctor do not spend ample time discussing and understanding the case at hand. Furthermore, with the continual rise in trans-suicides, this is really no longer a just a social justice issue, it is a public health issue. This has to be viewed as a matter of minimizing those suicides and death. Ultimately, if you want to protect children the best way might just be to mandate additional checks in the process but not banning it entirely.
RIGHT: This law is not about restricting trans-people’s rights nor is it about purposely singling out trans-youth. This law is about protecting children. Nothing in this law or any law in Arkansas prevents someone from making a transition after the age of 18. We just don’t want them making life altering decisions before they are mature enough to understand the consequences.
EXPLAINED: IS THE FED DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
EXPLAINED
Recently, the Fed has taken measures to slow down the economy by raising interest rates in an attempt to curb rising prices (Source: Bull Oak Capital):
“I think they’re hurting the situation. It is wrong to be saying that the way we’re going to deal with inflation is by lowering wages and increasing unemployment.” — Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), on the Fed raising rates.
Sen. Sanders is referring to the negative relationship between inflation and unemployment described by the Philips Curve (Source: economicshelp.com):
The chart above illustrate’s Bernie’s concern that when inflation gets low, unemployment gets high. However, some economists push back on the theory behind the Phillips Curve. They argue that this relationship only exists in the short run, but in long run the economy reverts towards the natural rate of unemployment.