Archives for October 2018

The Washington Post hosted a wide-ranging event on all things space on Tuesday, October 23rd. Vice President Mike Pence headlined the event, discussing his role in championing Space Force as chairman of the National Space Council, the Trump administration’s initiative to create a new military branch to combat interstellar threats, in a one-on-one interview with the Post’s Robert Costa. The event also included panels featuring NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Rep. Don Beyer, Bill Nye of “Science Guy” fame, Ellen Stofan, Director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and former astronauts Sandra Magnus, Chris Ferguson, Victor Glover, Leland Melvin, and Nicole Stott.

Pence first commented on the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi saying it was an “Assault on a free and independent press, and our administration is determined to use all means at our disposal to get to the bottom of it. President Trump has already expressed his concern that there have been lies, there has been deception. He dispatched the Secretary of State to the region early on, and the Director of the CIA is there in Turkey now reviewing the evidence. We are going to follow the facts, were going to demand that those responsible are held accountable. Once we have all the facts, President Trump will the decision based upon the values of the American people and our vital national interests.”

Great discussion with @costareports at the @WashingtonPost’s #Transformers Space event about the #SpaceForce. We’re going to protect American interests in space & ensure America remains as dominant in Outer Space militarily as we are here on Earth. pic.twitter.com/kTmKYWSoxa

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 23, 2018

Space Force, the President’s initiative to develop a sixth military branch focused on space defense which is led by Pence, was the main focus of the interview. Pence suggested that the idea had broad bipartisan support and said that, “While America continues to lead in technology, in innovation, and in military strength, in terms of organizational structure this is what our competitors are already doing, and the President is determined to make sure that America leads in space as well.”

You can watch a replay of Post Live’s Transformers: Space event here.

The midterm elections are right around the corner and Uber is stepping up to help riders find their local polling places on Election Day with a single tap. They’re also partnering with nonprofit organization When We All Vote to help get both riders and drivers registered to vote.

Uber has also partnered with #VoteTogether and Democracy Works to provide riders with free rides to their polling places throughout the country.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement that “between now and Election Day, we’ll be hosting voter registration drives at more than 125 U.S. Greenlight Hub locations around the country to help register as many eligible voters as possible before their state’s deadline. These driver support centers will have local registration resources on hand, so drivers and delivery partners—or anyone else who wants to—can come easily register to vote in person.”

Khosrowshahi also added, “Decisions get made by those who show up. This Election Day, Uber will be doing what we can to make it easier for people to do just that. On November 6, I hope everyone does one thing: vote!”

You can read more about Uber’s big election day plan here.

 

The issue of student loan debt is a growing concern of people entering the workforce. The University of Pittsburgh has come up with a program to address this problem on their own with the announcement of a new, innovative program called Panthers Forward.

The initiative, led by Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, will accommodate a group of seniors who will graduate from the University of Pittsburgh campus this spring. Upon graduation, they will each receive up to $5,000, which the University will pay directly toward their debt. Graduates will then pay it forward to other Pitt students who are following in their footsteps. Since the participants will be under no contractual obligation to repay the University, the success of the program hinges on mentorship and networking opportunities.

“Panthers Forward injects some much-needed innovation into the stagnant landscape of higher education financing,” says Chancellor Gallagher. “It’s a bold new approach that utilizes a pay-it-forward philosophy and the power of community to position students at the University of Pittsburgh for lifelong success.”

You can read more about the Panthers Forward program here.

Mike Bloomberg has received the League of Conservation Voters’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to combating climate change in a ceremony on Tuesday, October 2nd. The League cites Bloomberg’s initiatives like America’s Pledge, the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, the Vibrant Oceans Initiative, and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures. Bloomberg announced plans to double his contributions to the LCV Victory Fund to $5 million.

“Michael Bloomberg is someone who believes that we can make change and achieve progress through politics and elections — a philosophy that also motivates our work at LCV.” said LCV’s Gene Karpinski.

Michael Bloomberg expressed optimism “The good news is: even without any help from Washington, we’re making real progress on climate change. Over the last ten years, thanks to bottom-up actions, the U.S. has cut carbon emissions more than any other large nation – and LCV’s “Clean Energy For All” campaign has helped drive that success.”

Several of Michael Bloomberg’s friends and colleagues made a video thanking him for his help combating climate change including Sen. Ed Markey, John Kerry, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, and Washington Mayor Jay Inslee. You can watch the video here.

Per POLITICO, notables from the event included Diana Taylor, Sam Waterston, Larry Rockefeller, Bob Semple, Kevin Sheekey, Rep. Paul Tonko, Brady Walkinshaw, Kathleen Welch, Antha Williams, Cristobal Alex, Joe Bonfiglio, Carol Browner, Fred Krupp, Mark Magana, Scott Nathan, Rhea Suh, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Gene Karpinski, Pete Maysmith and Tiernan Sittenfeld.