What Happens When 33,000 Young People Show up to Talk Politics?

The mainstream media is going to have to change its narrative. How can you say that we’re apathetic and lazy when 33,000 tune in to watch the president address the nation?

On Tuesday, the League put on #BarackTalk, our second annual State of the Union panel and watch party. From hip-hop stars to journalists, the panelists discussed some of the most pressing issues of our time in the context of the speech. More importantly, twenty-somethings from around the country tweeted at a mind-blowing rate about what the state of our union is.

From unemployment to college affordability to the prison industrial complex, you spoke up; and when 33,000 people get together, the powers that be can’t afford not to listen.

What makes politicians quake in their boots is that we don’t simply pay attention to what’s going on it our world. We vote.

(Don’t forget, if you need to update your voter registration to your new address, do it online right now).

Missed the live broadcast? Check it out here.

Posted by:

The Editor

Political Quick Hits: January 27th Edition

Here’s your weekly quick look at few developing stories in the political arena:

• Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords officially resigned from Congress on Wednesday. She resigned to focus more on her recovery from being shot in January, 2011 at a political event in Arizona. Giffords’ pledged to return one day saying, “Everyday, I am working hard. I will recover and will return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for all Americans.” (NBC)

Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt

Victory in LA

History made. The MTA board approves project labor agreement. from Mark Ridley-Thomas on Vimeo.

Yesterday, I got to witness an historic day in Los Angeles. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board voted in favor of negotiating an agency-wide Project Labor Agreement and Construction Careers Policy.

The purpose of a PLA agreement is to facilitate the construction industry and to promote employment opportunities by building high speed rail transportation. The PLA specifically will help out the people in low-income areas who need employment the most as well as provide a more green transportation option. 

Many organizations such as Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education (S.C.O.P.E.) came together as one coalition and fought to get this legislation passed. Check here for more info.

Posted by:

LaNisha

Boston Bruins Goalie Tim Thomas Snubs President Obama

The reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins visited the White House on Monday, but star goalie Tim Thomas made bigger news by choosing not to attend. Tim Thomas was one of only two Americans on last year’s championship hockey team. In a statement on Facebook, Thomas said, “I believe the Federal government has grown out of control” and ” This was not about politics or party.”

He made this about politics when he chose not to attend!

Did Tim Thomas have the right not to attend? Absolutely. But should he have actually attended? … Continue Reading

Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt

Youth Voting Trends in Republican Presidential Primaries

With three different winners in three different primaries, it appears that the Republican presidential nominee is still anyone’s guess.  However, there is one interesting trend in the Republican primaries. Compared to 2008, overall voter turnout has remained low, but whom young voters are supporting says more about the voters than the party.

In Iowa, 18,000 people under the age of 30 participated in the caucus. They represented only 4 percent of their entire eligible electorate. Hardly an impressive showing, but almost half of those voters chose Ron Paul.

… Continue Reading

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Ife