Image from MSNBC!

What better way to spend your Saturday than getting ready for the announcement of South Carolina’s primary results tonight?  Check out the stories below and get excited for a primary party tonight!

Endorsements Galore!
Rick Perry drops out and endorses Newt.  VA Governor Bob McDonnell endorses Mitt.  SC Governor Nikki Haley endorses Mitt.  Jon Huntsman endorses Jon Huntsman…I mean, Mitt.  And Stephen Colbert endorses Herman Cain…or is Herman Cain endorsing Stephen Colbert?

Debate Highlights!
Haven’t had a chance to tune into all of the South Carolina debates?  Luckily, we’ve got some highlights for you.  John King versus Newt Gingirch and the marriage question.  The Sumter Item breaks down the bests and worsts.  And oh yeah, and Ron Paul – “He was there, too!”

Poll the Pols!
Public Policy Polling has Gingrich up by 9  points.  But that’s okay by Mitt – Romney says he won’t win every primary.

UMBC junior Liam Paddock and seniors Vince Savarese and Andy Streilein were named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of American 2011 University Division Men’s Scholar All-East Region team.

Paddock earned second team All-East honors, while Savarese and Streilein were tabbed as Honorable Mention. All three had been previously named to the America East Men’s Soccer All-Academic Team in the fall.

Read more on umbcretrievers.com.

EDIT: The date was fixed from Monday, January 20th to Monday, January 23rd.

Hey everyone,

Coming up this Monday, January 23th, at 8pm we will be having an open officer meeting before the start of the next semester. If you have any concerns or ideas you’d like to bring to us in person, you can meet with us then in the Retriever Learning Center, which is located in the library atrium. You can also send us ideas and concerns via email.

On Wednesday, January 25th at 7pm in Lecture Hall 2, we will be hosting our second Vets’ Choice Mission of the year. Anyone is
free to attend, but if you have participated in a past long-game, you are eligible to receive  a special vet ID. You can still vote on the
mission of your choice by clicking this link.

UMBC public policy professor and chair Donald Norris offers insight on Maryland political developments for both the Baltimore Sun and Patch this week. The Sun reports that possible contenders for Howard County executive are already raising campaign funds. Although the current size of their bank accounts might not indicate electability at this point, Norris suggests, viable candidates should begin fundraising soon.

In Patch, Norris reflects on the opposition to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s state redistricting plan, arguing that the issue will likely end up in court. On the impact of public opinion Norris notes “it is unlikely any of the letters will make a difference” at this stage, echoing the conclusions of an O’Malley spokesperson.

Well, looks like last semester got away from me a little bit. However, as this semester begins, be on the look out for more posts here!

In the meantime, here are a few links:

• Is the “Occupy” movement re-shaping U.S. student activism?

• Earlier this month in New Hampshire, HB 542–a bill allowing parents to object to K-12 classroom curricula, as well as the manner in which it is taught in some cases, and mandating that a parent-pleasing alternative be created in response–was passed by the state legislature, over the governor’s veto.

  Lots of deep questions here: should parents have the right to object to what their children are learning? What purpose does the public school serve–preparing students for public life in the future or providing students and their families with a tailor-made education?

• It’s been a pretty nice academic year for UMBC, which has racked up a number of accomplishments and praises. The most recent occurred just last week, when SGA President Catie Collins represented UMBC at a White House event to promote engaged citizenship. Collins’ invitation stems from a national recognition of UMBC’s energized campus culture, which builds community by working across difference and emphasizing ingenuity.

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