Up To Date

I had the opportunity to sit down with my good friend Britt Olsen who recently worked as a congressional intern for Representative John Curtis (Utah-3).  Tune in to learn the inner workings of the US House of Representatives, how the partisan theatrics of both the majority and minority parties prevent good solutions from being implemented, and a more efficient way of contacting your elected officials.  

Have you ever wondered what Washington DC is like on the inside? Away from all the cameras and media? I had the opportunity to sit down with my good friend Christopher Vizcardo who recently finished an internship with Utah Senator Mike Lee. Tune in to learn more  about how elected officials answer mail from constituents, the impeachment inquiry, how to better gain the attention of a US Senator, and a behind-the-scene look at how the Senate operates. 

The House of Representatives voted 230-197 to impeach President Donald Trump making him the third president in US history to be impeached. The articles of impeachment were regarding abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his actions regarding Ukraine.  Why did Congress vote the way they did? Were President's Trump's actions impeachable? What happens next? Tune in to find out.  You can read the House's Intelligence Committee 300-page report at: https://intelligence.house.gov/report/ 

Venezuela is in the middle of a humanitarian crisis as it faces unprecedented inflation and corruption at the highest level of their government. Adam Smith went to the Columbian/Venezuelan border during the summer to deliver medical supplies as part of his $5 for Freedom campaign. He also filmed a documentary titled "Paradise Lost" to help raise awareness about the Venezuelan people. Tune in to learn more about his experience and what you can do to help refugees in your community and around the world.   To learn more about the Utah Venezuelan Alliance go to their website. Para aprender más sobre la Alianza Venezolana de Utah, siga su página de Internet: alianzavenezolanautah.org  

Civic engagement is crucial for a healthy community and our commitment to our democratic ideals. But what exactly does it mean to be civically engaged? How can one be civically engaged? Why should we care about being civically engaged? Tune in to learn more. 

I had the opportunity to get together with my good friend Adam Perry and get his opinion on civic engagement, the role the LDS Church plays in Utah politics, what the American way means to him, and why it's important to have civic discussions and conversations with those that may not agree with everything you have to say. Tune in to learn more.   If you'd like to read more on Adam's opinions, go check out his website at https://aperry53.wixsite.com/blunderingballots If you want to learn more about how you can be civically engaged, I would encourage you to visit this website: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2019/11/12/the-bucket-list-for-involved-citizens-76-things-you-can-do-to-boost-civic-engagement/ 

One week ago, about 70 miles south of the US/Mexico border, several American citizens were gunned down by cartel members. 9 were killed and several others were wounded.  President Trump and Utah Senator Mike Lee have proposed waging war against the cartels due to Mexico's insufficient action against them. It is estimated that since 2007 over 250,000 have died and over 40,000 have disappeared because of cartel violence in Mexico. Who were these American victims? Why were they targeted? Is war the best policy for the US and Mexico? Tune in to learn more. 

I had the chance to sit down with my good friend Abdi Eftin and discuss about his experience as a refugee from Kenya, his political and civic involvement, and the Somali Bantus of Utah nonprofit he founded. Tune in to learn more about who the Somali Bantus are and how you can be involved in aiding and assisting the refugee communities near you. If you would like to get involved with the Somali Bantus of Utah by volunteering or donating feel free to visit their website at: https://www.somalibantusofut.org/  Facebook: Somali Bantus of Utah Instagram: @SB_Utah

Over the weekend President Donald Trump announced that the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is dead. What does this mean in America's war against terror? What does our strategy in the region look like now? Tune in to learn more.

Santiago, Chile is in chaos. Violent protests have brought the city under martial law. Many of the protesters cite income inequality as the reason for their frustration. Is this the end of the Chilean model? Why should we in the United States care and what can we learn from Chile? Tune in to learn more.