Watergate Hotel Case

Article 5:
Summary
The Watergate Hotel, located in Washington D.C., has been renovated and will be re-opening its doors next month. The hotel has been closed since 2007 following a n ownership battle. The Watergate Hotel was made famous following a break-in that was covered up by then president, Richard Nixon, and that ultimately lead to his impeachment and resignation. When visitors check-in to the newly renovated hotel their room keys will say “No need to break-in” and the customer service number was skillfully created to end in 1972. Additionally, the wash rooms are set to occasionally play recordings of Richard Nixon’s speeches. Euro Capital Properties, the company that restored the hotel, wanted to restore hotel to its ““storied past,
while paving the way for a new chapter to be written” according to its website. Everything besides the pool, exterior, and stairwell have been designed by Ron Arad. The project has cost Euro Capital Properties a total of $125 million thus far.
Analysis
The Watergate Hotel was made famous after it became the origin of a political scandal involving President Richard Nixon that ultimately led to his impeachment and resignation. In the 1968 election, Nixon narrowly won the presidency and was determined to win by a wider margin in the next election. As a result, the White House authorized surveillance of people whom Nixon and his staff considered “enemies” and Nixon ordered Henry Kissinger to install wiretaps on the phones of his own staff members and reporters. Following the release of the Pentagon Papers, Nixon created the Plumbers in order to stop government leaks and had the newly-formed group break into the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist. Nixon also created CREEP, the committee for re-election of the president, and authorized them to use “dirty tricks” against his opponents. CREEP and the Plumbers then broke into the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate complex in order to install listening devices, however, they were caught. Nixon then proceed to contact the CIA in order to have them persuade the FBI to stop their investigation of the Watergate break-in and authorized “hush-money” to the burglars to keep them quiet. In order to further protect himself, Nixon forced his two closest aides, Haldeman and Ehrlichman, to resign. In February of 1973, the Senate began holding hearings to investigate the Watergate break-in and one of the burglars testified that Nixon and his staff had been involved. As the hearings progressed, some of Nixon’s staff members also began testifying about Nixon’s involvement and it was discovered that there was a taping system in the Oval Office. Following this discovery, Nixon’s special prosecutor asked to see the tapes and was subsequently fired, which began the “Saturday Night Massacre.” Nixon did eventually release the tapes, however, it was discovered that they had been edited. The House of Representatives began holding regarding the possible impeachment of Nixon for his actions and ultimately decided to impeach him on charges of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and a refusal to obey a congressional order. Nixon then obeyed a supreme court order and released the complete tapes and subsequently resigned.
Reaction
I was actually quite impressed with the renovations. The pictures included in the article are really stunning, and the hotel looks like it's going to be a beautiful place to stay at. If I was rich and I was in D.C., I’d definitely stay there. I also found the fact that the room keys say “No need to break in” and that the wash rooms will be playing Nixon’s speeches to be really funny. The hotel will always be known for the break-in, so it’s neat to see that they aren’t trying to hide it and that they are incorporating it into a fun experience for guests. I also think that it was a really good business move because it will attract a lot of tourists and history buffs who have learned about the scandal. In addition, I have a feeling that it will become a hotspot for politicians and celebrities once again when it reopens its doors.
Article 6:
Summary
Ken Starr, a former lawyer who was made famous during his investigation of President Bill Clinton, has been removed from his position as president of Baylor University following the discovery that he mishandled sexual assault allegations made against football players. In addition, Baylor also fired the football coach, Art Briles, in connection to the sex scandal. Despite having been removed from his position as president, Starr will still remain Baylor’s chancellor and professor at the law school. Starr released a statement apologizing to the victims whose cases he mishandled stating, “To those victims who were not treated with the care, concern, and support they deserve, I am profoundly sorry.” It is believed that the cases were mishandled in order to prevent the players from facing punishment and, therefore, being unable to play for the school’s winning football team. Baylor has a history of sexual assault issues, and numerous students have been convicted and sentenced to jail time for their crimes.
Analysis
Ken Starr, the lawyer discussed in this New York Times article, was made famous as a result of his investigation into sexual assault allegations made against President Bill Clinton. Originally, Ken Starr served as the special prosecutor in the investigation into Whitewater. During Whitewater in 1994, Clinton was accused of participating in real estate fraud while he was governor of Arkansas preceding his presidency. However, there was no evidence found to convict Clinton, but Starr never closed the case in hopes that other allegations may come forward. During the same year, a woman named Paula Jones came forward and sued President Clinton for sexual harassment. The case was eventually brought to the Supreme Court and it was ruled that the lawsuit could continue, mainly due to the fact that the Supreme Court was conservative at the time. Eventually, Starr began aiding Paula Jones’ attorneys and discovered Clinton’s relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a previous White House intern. When Clinton was called to testify in the Paula Jones case, he denied having a relationship with Lewinsky under oath, however, he later admitted to lying following the discovery of DNA samples. Starr released the Starr report in September of 1998 and Republicans attempted to use it as a campaign issue but ultimately failed in doing so. In December of 1998, 2 articles of impeachment were passed by the House of Representatives on the grounds of perjury and obstruction of justice, however, the Senate ultimately voted to acquit Clinton in February of 1999.

Reaction
I was incredibly surprised by this article, however, I also found it a bit ironic. Starr’s entire reputation was built on his fierce pursuit of sexual allegations, so it’s a bit ironic that now he has been stripped of his title as president as a result of mishandling sexual assault allegations. I was also really angered by this article as well. I have been reading so many articles about colleges and universities mishandling sexual assault allegations lately, and I am really disappointed by this. Students go to college in order to learn, and their campus becomes their home while they are pursuing their degree. To have something so horrendous happen to them in a place that they see as a home, and then have their college or university mishandle their cases after they were brave enough to come forward makes me so angry. These students deserve justice and their attackers deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law. I really hope that this starts to change and that these criminals are punished.
Article 7:
Summary
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead in his room at a hunting resort. Presidio County judge Cinderela Guevara pronounced that Scalia died of natural causes without ordering an autopsy or seeing the body. Guevara pronounced him dead by phone, however, she only did so after being assured by law enforcement officials that there were no signs of foul play and that Scalia had suffered from chronic conditions by his physician. Scalia had denied a security detail while he was staying at the resort, so US marshalls were not present when he died. John Poindexter, the Houston businessman who owns the ranch where Scalia died, revealed that Scalia was acting entirely normal and natural. Scalia had attended a private party the night of his death, but retired early because he was tired from traveling to the ranch and from his other activities during the day, as many other guests were. Poindexter became concerned when Scalia did not come down for breakfast and went up to his room and knocked on the door. When Poindexter did not a receive an answer, he entered Scalia’s room and found him stating, “Everything was in perfect order. He was in his pajamas, peacefully, in bed.”
Analysis
Anthony Scalia was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in hopes that he would the liberal drift of the federal courts.
In 1981, Reagan appointed the first female justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, as a result of her conservative views. However, she consistently voted to uphold Roe vs. Wade despite the fact that Reagan opposed the ruling. Reagan also elevated William Rehnquist, a well-known conservative, to Chief Justice in 1986. Reagan nominated Robert Bork, however, his nomination was ultimately rejected by the Senate in 1987 due to the fact that liberal groups had joined together in order to lobby the Senate to reject Bork’s nomination because they disagreed with Reagan’s desire to appoint conservative judges. Anthony Kennedy, a moderate conservative, was ultimately appointed by Reagan and his nomination was quickly approved by the
Senate.
Reaction
I remember when this story first emerged because I heard it all over the news and everyone was talking about it, but I didn’t really know much about Anthony Scalia at the time. However, a lot of articles were published about his time in the supreme court following his death so I decided to read some of them. It turns out that I am definitely not a fan of Scalia because he opposed a lot of progressive causes as a result of his conservatism which really upset me. Despite the fact that I disagree with his beliefs, I still feel bad for his family and friends because it is incredibly difficult to lose someone you love and it's even worse when it is publicized by the media. I am interested to see who will replace Scalia now that his position on the Supreme Court has been vacated. I read in early May that Obama had begun conducting interviews for his replacement, so I’ve been keeping my eye on the news lately to see if his replacement will be announced. I really hope Obama decides to nominate a liberal judge because this country needs someone who is going to be progressive.
Article 8:
Summary
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 required men and women to be paid equal amounts for equal work, however, women are still making less than men 53 years later. Statistics have shown that women make 79 cents for every $1 made by a man, however, the statistics for women of minorities are even worse. African American women make 64 cents for every $1 made by a white man and latina women make 56 cents for every $1 made by s white man. This issue was recently brought to attention again in the media after the US women’s soccer team filed a lawsuit for wage-discrimination. Some argue that making 5 to 7 percent less than men isn’t much of a difference, however, it can total to a difference of $600,000 over the course of one’s career. Now, states are beginning to take their own initiatives to combat these issues by hosting City Club panels to discuss the issues at hand and possible ways to solve them.
Analysis
The fight for equal pay for equal work is reflective of the women’s movement during the 1960s and 1970s.
The women's movement of the 60s and 70s is often referred to as the second wave of feminism to emphasize the fact that the women’s movement dates back to at least the 1840s and that the first wave was during the 1920s with the fight for women to have the right to vote. The civil rights movement inspired many women to challenge the traditional roles they had been placed into and to fight for equality. Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique, helped to create NOW, the National Organization for Women. NOW attacked stereotypes of women and praised more balance of roles in marriage. Its main goals were to get the ERA, the Equal Rights Amendment, passed and to protect reproductive rights. Unfortunately, the ERA was met with opposition and fell three states short of becoming a constitutional amendment. The women’s movement had numerous lasting effects, specifically through the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Roe v. Wade
ruling.
Reaction
I was really pleased to read that states are starting to take their own actions against this absurd pay imbalance. The fact that women are doing the same exact work as men and getting paid less to do it is absolutely appalling. The government needs to place stricter laws and restrictions on businesses and companies. I strongly believe that this is a serious issue and that it can’t be ignored. It’s so disappointing that we are in the 21st century and women are STILL making less than men. It’s absolutely ridiculous and the United States should be appalled by this and give the issue its full attention. I really hope that this issue is addressed soon because the longer this country waits to solve it, the harder it will be to solve. I have been keeping my eye on the election debates to see if the candidates discuss this issue and how and when they plan on solving it. Needless to say, however, I am certainly not a Donald Trump fan.