Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829-1837. Hailed by many as a “champion of the common man”, Jackson was a polarizing figure throughout his political career.

Jackson’s reputation as a hardworking man who rose to success despite humble beginnings served him well during his presidency. Jackson was by no means an intellectual; rather, he was a rugged, blunt war hero that some would consider a bully. Nonetheless, for the most part, Jackson had the overwhelming support of the American people while in office.

Several key issues defined Jackson’s presidency.

The National Bank
As one would expect, Jackson vehemently opposed the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson, in true Jacksonian fashion, would eventually veto the bank recharter in an attempt to preserve Jefferson’s dream of an agrarian nation.

Nullification Crisis
Essentially, South Carolina alleged that they could nullify federal laws (specifically, tariffs). Jackson supported a strong and stable central government, and therefore threatened to send federal troops into South Carolina if talks of secession continued. Jackson famously summed up his response to this issue as he stated,

Our federal Union: It must be preserved!

Restricting the right of peaceful protest is something that the Ferguson Missouri Police Department has been accused of regarding the current protests in response to the death of Michael Brown.

The image below is one of many that has gone viral recently, as it depicts the use of tear gas by law enforcement against protesters in Ferguson.

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson has adamantly defended his officers, alleging that the protests going on are violent in nature and pose an imminent threat to police and civilians.

Meanwhile, some, including journalist Wesley Lowery, argue that their rights were infringed upon by Ferguson law enforcement.

Read Lowery’s account of his allegedly unlawful arrest here.

Harsh treatment of Native Americans would not stop there.

After the Passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, Andrew Jackson ordered the removal of Native Americans from the southeast United States, defying Chief Justice John Marshall who ruled that it was unconstitutional to do so.

John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it! … Build a fire under them. When it gets hot enough, they’ll go.

This removal and “cleansing” was known as the Trail Of Tears.
Native Americans on the trail suffered from disease, starvation, and brutality. Death was very common and a significant portion of the Native American population was wiped out.

To quote a Georgian soldier aiding in the removal effort:

I fought through the War Between the States and have seen many men shot, but the Cherokee Removal was the cruelest work I ever knew.

Partially true.

On March 10, 2006, the Westboro Baptist Church picketed the funeral of Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder.

Originally the district courts ruled in favor of Synder’s family who sued the Phelps family for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

However, on March 8, 2010, the Supreme Court in an 8-1 decision ruled in favor of Phelps & the Westboro Baptist Church, citing the first amendment.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, stating:

“What Westboro said, in the whole context of how and where it chose to say it, is entitled to ‘special protection’ under the First Amendment and that protection cannot be overcome by a jury finding that the picketing was outrageous.”

The lone dissenter, Justice Samuel Alito, argued:

“Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case”

You can read the full dissenting opinion here.

Fireside Chats were a series of radio addresses to American citizens, delivered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt between 1933 and 1944. These fireside chats were very intimate and were a direct way for the President to use forms of media to interact and inform the American people. Using radio as his medium, Roosevelt gained support for his causes while reassuring American citizens. (Side note: Using radio as a medium was especially beneficial for FDR, as he did not have to speak in public and therefore expose others to his polio.)

Fireside chats were extraordinarily successful for FDR.
C-SPAN ranks FDR first in the category “Public Persuasion”, above Lincoln, Reagan, and all presidents, in part because of his fireside chats.

Check out the audio from the first ever fireside chat below!
Very cool!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt9f-MZX-58

The death toll is now at least 89, not to mention 17 missing and 582 injured.

President Xi Jinping has prioritized rescue and minimizing casualties, but the heavy rain soaking in the region is making it very difficult for personnel to do so.

Premier Chou En-Lai was the very first Premier (basically Prime Minister) of the People’s Republic of China. He played role in the negotiation process and setting up the meeting between Chinese and American leaders.

One of the main reasons Chou En-Lai was such an important figure during this trip was the condition of Chairman Mao Zedong. When Nixon visited the People’s Republic of China, the Chairman was in very poor health. Although he met Nixon once during the trip, no real negotiations were done during that time, and the meeting was more ceremonial.

As Chairman Mao Zedong left for the remainder of Nixon’s visit, Chou En-Lai was a important figure in handling negotiations on behalf of Mao Zedong and the government of the People’s Republic of China.

Those affected by the earthquake posted descriptions and reactions to the earthquake on Weibo (Chinese version of Twitter).

Here are some descriptions and reactions to the quake that were posted on Weibo:

@wyyy:

This morning at 7:40 I was brushing my teeth, all of a sudden everything shook for a few moments, I thought I didn’t get enough sleep last night and was feeling dizzy. Turns out it was an earthquake. Sigh. Seems that with the huge rain downpour outside, we really don’t know how much longer this planet is going to let us live here.

@dengdjianjyany

Gansu earthquake. So many natural disasters in so short a time, another flood, another landslide, another earthquake, another something. And it’s not finished, my God, is there any safe place left? Wish everybody a life of peace.

@Heidiping

Another earthquake, life really is fragile, survivors, be at peace!

This is especially relevant as Edward Snowden is currently seeking asylum (protection) in Russia. Still awaiting the final decision, the event brings up questions about whether or not the U.S. will even respect the right to seek protection, or right to asylum, as they are vigorously seeking to bring Snowden back to the U.S. and try him for several crimes.

Indeed, the Venezuelan Constitution provides security and equal protection under the law for its citizens, with a strong emphasis on human rights.

A few key points to note:

• Title III of the Venezuelan Constitution ensures free health care to all, as health care is considered a fundamental human right. (Check out Articles 83-85 here).

• Many other human rights are preserved under title III including equality under the law, free thought and expression, and legal rights.

• The fundamental principles of the Venezuelan Constitution are explained here under Title I Article 1:

  The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is irrevocably free and independent, basing its moral property and values of freedom, equality, justice and international peace on the doctrine of Simón Bolívar, the Liberator…