Happy Thursday and welcome back to Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Let’s break down the latest news.
Court Sides with Trump Administration in Fight Over Slavery Exhibit….A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can move forward with replacing a slavery exhibit at Philadelphia’s President’s House, overturning a lower court order that required the National Park Service to restore the display. The exhibit commemorates the nine enslaved Africans held at the site by President George Washington and was removed earlier this year. The appeals court said the district court lacked jurisdiction over Philadelphia’s lawsuit, allowing the administration to proceed with proposed new panels that officials say provide broader historical context about the site.
Common Sense Takeaway: Sorry, but does anyone buy that the Trump Administration wants to provide broader historical context to the display? I don’t think so. They are going to attempt to re-write history and make slavery seem less barbaric than it was. As they always do. With all the things going on in the world, why is this even a priority?
Trump Signs Iran Deal, Ending Conflict and Reopening Strait of Hormuz….President Donald Trump signed an interim agreement with Iran this week that ends the recent conflict and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The deal includes Iran reaffirming that it will not develop nuclear weapons, a commitment by the U.S. to lift sanctions, and the creation of a framework for future negotiations over Iran’s missile program, regional influence, and long-term security issues. It also outlines a deal for a $300 billion economic development fund to help rebuild Iran’s economy. While Trump called the agreement necessary to avoid an economic crisis, critics argue the deal grants major concessions to Tehran in exchange for limited commitments. U.S. and Iranian negotiators will now begin 60 days of talks aimed at reaching a broader, permanent agreement.
Common Sense Takeaway: So essentially, we are paying Iran $300 billion to re-open the Strait of Hormuz—which we previously had complete and total access to—and to pinky promise that they won’t develop a nuclear weapon? This is not a deal. This is a global embarrassment.
Supreme Court Limits Government’s Power to Disarm Marijuana Users….The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the federal government cannot automatically strip gun rights from someone solely because they regularly use marijuana, finding that such a broad application of federal law violates the Second Amendment. The case involved a man charged after authorities found a firearm and marijuana in his home, but the justices said the government failed to show he posed a danger to others. While the ruling is narrowly tailored and leaves other concerns about gun restrictions for drug users unresolved, it outlines another significant Second Amendment decision as attitudes toward marijuana continue to change.
Common Sense Takeaway: I believe this was the right decision. Many Americans legally and recreationally use marijuana around the country. That doesn’t mean they are violent criminals who shouldn’t be house a weapon for self-defense. I do believe other drugs, like cocaine, should not be as permissible though, given the illegal and dangerous nature of many of them.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Enjoy the holiday weekend. Check back on Monday for more.
I was an elementary librarian and I just read that title out loud in the same voice I used when I read Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good very bad day to students. I did it in a Scottish accent however. I'm not sure why. Anyway, Alexander was exaggerating. We the public, however, are not! It was awful! What a mess this man is!