Which of the 9 political funding options do you find the most interesting, surprising, or new to you?

From $25 to $10,000,000: A Guide to Political Donations
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/17/us/politics/a-guide-to-political-donations.html

Analysis: Who can claim the biggest win on the payroll tax cut extension?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/politics/congress-acts-to-extend-payroll-tax-cut-and-aid-to-jobless.html?hpw

Opinion: Should same-gender marriage be decided by referendum, legislative action, or the courts?

By Ricardo Lopez
February 17, 2012, 4:21 p.m.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie followed through on his word Friday, vetoing a gay marriage bill passed by the state’s legislature a day earlier.

“I am adhering to what I've said since this bill was first introduced - an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide," Christie said in a statement.

Christie is urging the legislature to put the measure on the ballot in the form of a referendum.

“This is the only path to amend our state Constitution and the best way to resolve the issue of same-sex marriage in our state,” he said.

Democrats were not surprised by the veto. Christie, a Republican, announced his intentions last month at a town hall meeting.


Yet Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat, denounced the governor's action and vowed to work to override it.“Governor Christie's veto is a shameful act hidden behind the guise of a public referendum. Today, he firmly planted his feet on the wrong side of history,” he said in a statement.


“He had a chance to do the right thing, and failed miserably.”


New Jersey lawmakers now have until Jan. 2014 to muster a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber to override the governor’s veto.Gay marriage supporters need three more votes in the Senate to override the veto. Senate Democrats passed the bill 24-16. The Assembly, which passed the bill 42-33, needs needs 14 more votes for a veto override.


On Thursday, the Democratic-controlled Assembly voted 42-33 in favor of gay marriage.


That vote came after emotional speeches from both sides on Thursday. Seven states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-christie-veto-20120217,0,1375226.story

Opinion: What should the Administration be doing right now with regard to the environment (if anything)?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-weighs-political-cost-of-environmental-rules/2012/02/07/gIQAvJzx8Q_story.html?hpid=z1

By the way, our Wednesday after-school practice session has to be moved to Thursday this week because my Uncle Roy Pirrung will be speaking to the track team Wednesday. If you want to hear him speak too, feel free to show up. It's interesting and inspiring. His bio. is below:
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/MountainUltraTrail/Pirrung_Roy.asp

Less than 100 days. How long will you be able to stay for Wednesday's Exam Practice Session?

What else are you doing to get ready for the APGOPO Exam?

(oh, and Romney won Nevada).