From Samba to Scandal:  The Harmful Consequences of George Santos’ Career on Brazilian-Americans
From Samba to Scandal:  The Harmful Consequences of George Santos’ Career on Brazilian-Americans

I've always believed in the power of representation to break down misbeliefs. Unfortunately, Representative George Santos seems determined to do the opposite, becoming a source of concern for Latinx Americans, particularly those with Brazilian roots like myself. His actions perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a distorted image of Brazil in the United States. In the midst of George Santos' political antics, I can't help but wonder if there's a Portuguese translation for what others might call 'political idiocy.'

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Op-EdArvind Salem
Navigating the Controversy: Rashida Tlaib and the Dynamics of Censure
Navigating the Controversy: Rashida Tlaib and the Dynamics of Censure

On November 7th the U.S. House of Representatives decided to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI),  a member of Congress. This move has generated controversy, as it is seen by critics as an attempt to stifle the voice of the American representative in Congress.

Tlaib, known for her support for Palestine, faced censure due to her remarks regarding the Israel Palestine conflict. The motion accused her of spreading "narratives" about the attack on Israel that occurred on October 7th, 2023 and advocating for the destruction of Israel.

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Caucus PublicationsArvind SalemMuslim Caucus
The Jewish Caucus's Perspective on the Israel-Hamas War
The Jewish Caucus's Perspective on the Israel-Hamas War

On October 7th, 2023, amid the sacred Jewish Holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists broke through the southern border of Israel, destroying various homes and towns, namely Kfar Aza and Kibbutz Be’eri, while also killing 1,200+ Israeli Civilians and kidnapping over 240 others. These terrorists committed brutal atrocities, such as rape, beheadings, infanticide, and burning civilians to death. Many victims were burned and mutilated so badly that identification was barely possible. These monstrosities, committed unprovoked, led to an outbreak of war between Israel’s military and Hamas, who fled back into Gaza with civilians and bodies, which were shown on video being abused and paraded around as civilians cheered. Israel’s Operation Iron Swords began soon after, with heavy bombardment and an eventual ground invasion of the Gaza strip by the IDF. As of yet, this operation has sadly killed over 11K Palestinians, as well as displaced 1.5 Million. It has also, however, helped free over 25 Israeli, American, and Thai hostages thus far and severely weakened Hamas’ military capabilities and infrastructure. While the death toll in Gaza is absolutely awful, the “anti-Israel” camp has been spreading a wide array of mis-informed opinions and lies about the situation, including the many outlined below. This publication, crafted with the input of the members of the Jewish Caucus dispels those lies and shows why most Democrats, including President Biden, have been, and are currently, very supportive of Israel, and why that does not go against your progressive values, but rather with it.

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Caucus PublicationsArvind SalemJewish Caucus
Interview with Allie Phillips: Candidate for Tennessee House
Interview with Allie Phillips: Candidate for Tennessee House

In the post-roe era of the country, we will be seeing many candidates run from the local to federal level on the issue of abortion. We can see this, especially in the South, where many states are conservative and Republican. 

On November 3, I had the honor of interviewing Allie Phillips, a Democrat running for Tennessee House District 57. Allie has had an experience like so many others in post-roe America. In November of 2022, after a routine anatomy scan, she and her husband found out that their daughter was incompatible with life. Shocked by this devastating news, they decided that termination was the best option for them. Tennessee was one of the states that implemented a statewide abortion ban after the Dobbs decision. As a result of the abortion ban, Allie flew to New York to receive an abortion, to inevitably find out that her daughter’s heart stopped beating within the week of flying up to New York. 

This interview covers topics from improving Tennessee Public Schools to helping young people get involved in politics.  

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FeatureArvind Salem
The Ethics Code We Desperately Need in Congress
The Ethics Code We Desperately Need in Congress

For Congressman Alan Lownethal, a Democrat of California’s 47th district, March 6, 2020, was a memorable day. The House Transportation Committee, of which he has been a member since 2017, published its damning preliminary findings into Boeing’s mismanagement of its 737 MAX, which was involved in two fatal crashes that left a total of 346 people, including 8 Americans, dead. What was more memorable to his constituents, however, was the insight that Mr. Lowenthal’s wife, Dr. Deborah Malumed, had, the day prior, sold shares of the company -- a conspicuous and downright chilling conflict of interest.

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Op-EdArvind Salem
Climate Anxiety Reaches High Tide
Climate Anxiety Reaches High Tide

Climate anxiety, also known as ecoanxiety, is a new phenomenon due to the rising awareness of the imminence of global warming. Sarah Lowe, a clinical psychologist and an associate professor at Yale School of Public Health, defines climate anxiety as “distress about climate change and its impacts on the landscape and human existence,” and like any other anxiety disorder, it “can manifest as intrusive thoughts” and can significantly disrupt an individual’s life. In 2017, the American Psychological Association joined hands with the environment-focused non-profit ecoAmerica to define “eco-anxiety” as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.”

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AnalysisArvind Salem
Voter Fatigue and Energizing Youth Constituents
Voter Fatigue and Energizing Youth Constituents

It's often said that young people are the future, that a country’s youth are vehicles for change, and that  the youth always present the world with a new chance at positive change and development. It's also  common to hear that the most important avenue for making these positive changes is voting, and yet,  the data is clear: young Americans do not vote. According to research by the Census Bureau, in 2018,  voter turnout among those ages 18-29 was a measly 36%. In 2022, younger voters made up a smaller  proportion of the electorate than in 2018. And so, an important question is raised to anyone interested  in advocating for political action: how can we get young people more involved in our political  processes? 

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Arvind Salem
Why I, as a Jewish Floridian, cannot support Ron DeSantis
Why I, as a Jewish Floridian, cannot support Ron DeSantis

Misusing public funds for campaigning, and racist comments, and leaving his state in the dust for political stunts, alongside clandestine bills with no public oversight. These are all things that Ron DeSantis has done, but that unfortunately a plurality of politicians all around the world have done. What sets DeSantis apart from other politicians, even those in his own party, is the scapegoating war he has waged on the LGBTQ community, primarily transgender people.

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Op-EdArvind Salem