Iraq & Afghanistan: Did We Do Well?

The U.S. government experiments in Iraq and Afghanistan are fragile and slowly improving but violence is rising as American and NATO troops are recalled in the two countries.

After toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, the U.S. redesigned the country’s government, even rewriting the Constitution. Some things have improved under the disputed democratically elected governments. Others have not.

“Since the 2011 U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq, sectarian and ethnic divisions have widened,” according Kenneth Katzman, a specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs.

These divisions have created fertile ground for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and also for the return of sectarian militias that plagued Iraq in 2006 and 2007, according to The New York Times and Katzman.

The Iraqi military has struggled to successfully confront ISIL as the country grows continually more divided.

After the September 11 terrorist attack, the U.S. government launched what would become a 13 year war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. On Sunday, December 28th, President Barack Obama officially ended that war.

During those 13 years NATO forces successfully cast down the Taliban regime and, with the help of the United Nations, reformed the Afghani government.

Despite lacking a leader of the Defense ministry, high desertion rates and “an unprecedented terrorism campaign in the capital” by the Taliban, The Washington Post reported that the majority of Afghans have confidence in their national army.

Foreign Policy reported that “the Taliban is poised for a comeback with a recent surge in violence in Kabul and around the country. There are concerns that Afghanistan’s military and fragile political institutions will crumble as the United States leaves.”

You decide; was the U.S. successful in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Snow and Santa Claus

By Megan Trawick

Snowballs were flying and carolers were singing in Stevenson Ranch today during Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ visit to the neighborhood, sponsored by the Stevenson Ranch Home Owners Association.

With only 19 days left until Christmas, kids lined the street to tell Santa Claus what they wanted for Christmas. Katie Cochran, 5, enjoyed throwing snowballs at her dad and asked for princess Barbie clothes.

Aside from tree lighting and visits with Santa Claus, the event also ran a toy drive. Roughly 150 toys will be delivered to the Sheriff’s station and Highway Patrol officers, who then give the toys to local charities, said event coordinator Wendy Ash.

The Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland celebrated its 12 year anniversary, according to Ash. 

            

Thanksgiving and Black Friday is Synonymous Now?

By Megan Trawick

Thanksgiving, as you can probably guess, is a day devoted to being thankful. Black Friday, ironically, focuses on buying more, more, more!

Stores are not opening at 2 a.m. anymore; now those sales have been extended, reaching into prime Thanksgiving dinner time.

Target opens at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and online sales will be held all day.

Best Buy, in true holiday spirit, is having a 3day sale this week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They are open on Thanksgiving from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

The Westfield Valencia Mall will also open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. When asked about their Black Friday hours, store clerks at Francesca’s, JcPenney and Teavanna all said the store was open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Many chain stores claim they want to make shopping easier for the customers or reduce the number of Black Friday accidents. But is this the best way?

"When you're forced to come into work and leave your family on that one day of the year, it really strikes at basic family values," Rep. Matt Lesser of Connecticut told the Hartford Courant.

So this year, next year, or ten years in the future, remember: Thanksgiving is a time for family. The only thing you should be shopping for is a turkey and some pumpkin pie.

Fight Voter Apathy!

2014 Midterm Elections

Americans love to complain about government, particularly politicians. So why do so few Americans vote?

California was expecting record low voter turnout for 2014 Midterm Elections, according to The Field Poll. Santa Clarita was not about to mess with that prediction.

At one Santa Clarita polling place roughly 150 of 450 registered voters had cast their vote by 7:50 p.m., said a polling place organizer, Tim Pluma.

Historically, Santa Clarita voter turnout has fallen even lower than California’s disappointing average of 55.47 percent. In the November 2013 elections Santa Clarita voter turnout was less than 7 percent, according to The Signal.

Clearly voter turnout is a problem in our city.

Many political scientists attribute American’s lack of voting to disinterest caused by an overload of negative advertising, lack of education, or feeling that their vote does not count. So how can a community counteract this disinterest?

“People are motivated by their own self-interest,” said Pluma.

For local campaigns, he suggested local debates between candidates, wine and cheese parties, or even get out the vote events by corporations to draw more voters.

Voter-apathy has infected America, but you can help break the cycle.

“The government you elect is the government you deserve,” said Thomas Jefferson.

Your vote counts.