Christopher Law

Christopher Varute Law is a young scholar from the University of California, Merced, who studied Psychology. He belongs to a Thai family and has lived most of his life in Southern California. At UC Merced, he was the Founder and President of Thai/Laos club. Law has been involved in Former Congressman Ron Paul's presidential campaign on multiple levels. Some of his policy interests are Gun Rights, Drug Policy and Vaccines. Chris considers himself a social liberal and a fiscal conservative.

 Policy CornerVendettas of the Week

Voting Out: The Electoral College

Christopher Law November 24, 2016

The United States is currently exercising the process… References and FootnotesJimmy Soni, "What Is The Electoral College? How It Works And Why It Matters," The Huffington Post, November 6, 2012, Accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/what-is-the-electoral-college_n_2078970.html ↩Richard Posner, “In Defense of the Electoral College," Slate, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/view_from_chicago/2012/11/defending_the_electoral_college.html ↩ John Samples, "In Defense of the Electoral College," Cato Institute, November 10, 2000, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/defense-electoral-college. ↩Nate Silver, "Would Al Gore Have Won in 2000 Without the Electoral College?" The New York Times, September 20, 2011, accessed September 13, 2015, http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/would-al-gore-have-won-in-2000-without-the-electoral-college/?_r=0. ↩Markn Baldassare, Dean Bonner, David Kordus, and Lunna Lopes, "California Voter and Party Profiles,"PPIC Publication, August 1, 2015, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.ppic.org/main/publication_show.asp?i=526. ↩Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 11, 2015, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/remp.html. ↩Jason Easley, "Racist Chickens Come Home To Roost As Donald Trump Leads The GOP In New Poll," Politicus USA, July 9, 2015, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/09/republicans-flipping-donald-trump-leads-gop-poll.html. ↩Jennifer Agiesta, "Donald Trump Tops 30%" CNN, September 10, 2015, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/10/politics/donald-trump-ben-carson-cnn-poll ↩Rick Ungar, "Trump Throws Constitution And 14th Amendment Under The Bus," Forbes, August 19, 2015, accessed September 13, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2015/08/19/trump-throws-constitution-and-14th-amendment-under-the-bus ↩

Policy CornerVendettas of the Week

Halting Innovation

Christopher Law November 10, 2016

Within this year… References and FootnotesNiall McCarthy, "US Patent Disputes Are Set To Reach A Record High: Who Gets Sued The Most?" Forbes, August 4, 2015, Accessed August 9, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/08/04/us-patent-disputes-are-set-to-reach-a-record-high-who-gets-sued-the-most-infographics/. ↩"General Information Concerning Patents," October 1, 2014, Accessed August 9, 2015, http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/general-information-concerning-patents. ↩"Who Are Patent Trolls And What Will H.R. 9 Do About Them?" Forbes, May 29, 2015, Accessed August 9, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/econostats/2015/05/29/who-are-patent-trolls-and-what-will-h-r-9-do-about-them ↩"Patent: Pros and Cons," Accessed August 9, 2015, http://www.inventorbasics.com/Patent Pros & Cons.htm ↩Niall McCarthy, "US Patent Disputes Are Set To Reach A Record High: Who Gets Sued The Most?" Forbes, August 4, 2015, Accessed August 9, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/08/04/us-patent-disputes-are-set-to-reach-a-record-high-who-gets-sued-the-most-infographics/. ↩Jeff Roberts, "Apple Gets $533M Patent Verdict Tossed in Fight with No Products Company Comments," July 8, 2015, Accessed August 9, 2015, http://fortune.com/2015/07/08/apple-patent-smartflash ↩"Who Are Patent Trolls And What Will H.R. 9 Do About Them?" Forbes, May 29, 2015, accessed August 9, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/econostats/2015/05/29/who-are-patent-trolls-and-what-will-h-r-9-do-about-them ↩David Bolton, "Why Software Patents Are Bad!" Accessed August 9, 2015, http://cplus.about.com/od/thebusinessofsoftware/a/patents.htm. ↩Dean Baker, "OPINION: Current Drug-patent System Is Bad Medicine,” Al Jazeera America, November 24, 2014, Accessed August 9, 2015, http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/11/drug-patents-pharmaceuticalindustrygenericsindia.html. ↩Russell Hasan, "Libertarian Patent Reform," Libertarian Patent Reform, September 21, 2014, Accessed August 11, 2015, http://www.libertyunbound.com/node/1306. ↩

Policy CornerVendettas of the Week

Democratic Dissonance

Christopher Law July 15, 2016

In 2011, President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)… References and Footnotes"National Defense Authorization Act," Snopes.com, accessed July 10, 2015. http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/ndaa.asp ↩Sydney Freedberg, "Senate Passes NDAA By Veto-Proof 71-25; McCain Pledges July Conference," Breaking Defense,  June 18, 2015, accessed July 10, 2015, http://breakingdefense.com/2015/06/senate-passes-ndaa-by-veto-proof-71-5-mccain-pledges-conference-in-july ↩"Sections 1021, 1022 of NDAA," Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, April 6, 2012, accessed July 10, 2015, https://mococivilrights.wordpress.com/ndaa/mccrc-ndaaaumf-resolution/sections-1021-1022-of-ndaa ↩"Obama Admin. Admits for First Time It Killed Four U.S. Citizens in Drone Strikes Outside War Zones," Democracy Now! May 22, 2013, accessed July 10, 2015. http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2013/5/22/obama_admin_admits_for_first_time_it_killed_four_us_citizens_in_drone_strikes_outside_war_zones ↩"Indefinite Detention and Torture: US Already Enforcing NDAA," RT, January 30, 2012, accessed July 13, 2015, http://rt.com/usa/us-ndaa-al-madhwani-gitmo-089 ↩Zeke Miller, "Obama Admin. Admits for First Time It Killed Four U.S. Citizens in Drone Strikes Outside War Zones," Democracy Now! May 22, 2013, accessed July 10, 2015. ↩Naomi Wolf, "Revealed: How the FBI Coordinated the Crackdown on Occupy," The Guardian, December 29, 2012, accessed July 13, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/29/fbi-coordinated-crackdown-occupy. ↩Murtaza Hussain, "Florida Man, Accused of Terrorism Based on Book Collection, Set Free," The Intercept,  June 29, 2015, accessed July 13, 2015, https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/06/29/case-orlando-imam-judge-rules-islamic-books-evidence-terrorism ↩"Indefinite Detention and Torture: US Already Enforcing NDAA," RT, January 30, 2012, accessed July 13, 2015, http://rt.com/usa/us-ndaa-al-madhwani-gitmo-089 ↩Lucy Steigerwald, "Obama Administration Argues That Blocking the NDAA's Indefinite Detainment Provision Will Harm the U.S.," Reason.com, September 14, 2012, accessed July 10, 2015, http://reason.com/blog/2012/09/14/obama-administration-argues-that-blockin ↩ Lance Johnson, "John McCain Defends NDAA, Calls Rand Paul 'wacko Bird' for Defending Constitution," Natural News, March 13, 2013, accessed July 10, 2015, http://www.naturalnews.com/039462_John_McCain_NDAA_Rand_Paul.html. ↩Robert Johnson, "John McCain Is Furious That He Can't Lock Up Americans Under The NDAA," Business Insider, March 30, 2012, accessed July 10, 2015, http://www.businessinsider.com/john-mccain-wants-to-enforce-the-ndaa-2012-3 ↩"Myth v. Fact: Trying Terror Suspects in Federal Courts," Human Rights First, March 1, 2015, accessed July 10, 2015, http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/Federal-Court-Myth-vs-Fact.pdf. ↩Benjamin Weiser, "Palestinian Groups Are Found Liable at Manhattan Terror Trial," The New York Times, February 23, 2015, accessed July 13, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/24/nyregion/damages-awarded-in-terror-case-against-palestinian-groups.html. ↩

Policy CornerVendettas of the Week

Public Health Enemy #1

Christopher Law June 22, 2016

The California Senate just recently… References and FootnotesTara Haelle, "California Vaccination Bill SB 277 Clears Senate - And Will Save Taxpayer Money If It Becomes Law," Forbes, May 18, 2015, accessed May 23,2015 http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2015/05/18/california-vaccination-bill-sb-277-clears-senate-and-will-save-taxpayer-money-if-it-becomes-law/. ↩Jen Christensen and Nadia Kounang, "Childhood Vaccines Are Safe. Seriously," CNN, July 1, 2014, accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/health/vaccines-for-kids-safe ↩ Max Read, "Medical Journal Calls Anti-Vaccination Study an 'Elaborate Fraud,'" Gawker, January 6, 2011, accessed May 23, 2015, http://gawker.com/5726216/medical-journal-calls-anti-vaccination-study-an-elaborate-fraud. ↩Carrie Dann, "Jeb Bush: 'Parents Ought to Make Sure Their Children Are Vaccinated,'" NBC News, February 4, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/measles-outbreak/jeb-bush-parents-ought-make-sure-their-children-are-vaccinated-n300236. ↩Dan Merica, "Hillary Clinton Hits GOP with Pro-vaccine Tweet," CNN, February 3, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/02/politics/hillary-clinton-vaccines/.[/ref] have shown support for vaccines, there is still much opposition to mandatory vaccinations. Rand Paul"Rand Paul: Vaccines Can Lead to 'Mental Disorders,'" States News Service, February 3, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-399964521.html ↩“Six Reasons To Say NO to Vaccination,” The Healthy Home Economist, May 25, 2010, accessed May 25, 2015. ↩ Bahar Gholipour, "Vaccination Has Saved 732,000 Children's Lives Since 1994," Live Science, April 24, 2014, accessed May 23, 2015. ↩ Alexandria Sifferlin, "4 Diseases Making a Comeback Thanks to Anti-Vaxxers," Time, March 17, 2014, Accessed May 23, 2015. http://time.com/27308/4-diseases-making-a-comeback-thanks-to-anti-vaxxers/. ↩Jason Beaubien, "Measles Vaccination Rates: Tanzania Does Better Than U.S.," NPR, February 6, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/02/06/384068229/measles-vaccination-rates-tanzania-does-better-than-u-s. ↩

Policy CornerVendettas of the Week

Public Health Enemy #1

Christopher Law May 11, 2016

The California Senate just… References and FootnotesTara Haelle, "California Vaccination Bill SB 277 Clears Senate - And Will Save Taxpayer Money If It Becomes Law," Forbes, May 18, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2015/05/18/california-vaccination-bill-sb-277-clears-senate-and-will-save-taxpayer-money-if-it-becomes-law/. ↩Jen Christensen and Nadia Kounang, "Childhood Vaccines Are Safe. Seriously," CNN, July 1, 2014, accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/health/vaccines-for-kids-safe ↩ Max Read, "Medical Journal Calls Anti-Vaccination Study an 'Elaborate Fraud,'" Gawker, January 6, 2011, accessed May 23, 2015, http://gawker.com/5726216/medical-journal-calls-anti-vaccination-study-an-elaborate-fraud. ↩Carrie Dann, "Jeb Bush: 'Parents Ought to Make Sure Their Children Are Vaccinated,'" NBC News, February 4, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/measles-outbreak/jeb-bush-parents-ought-make-sure-their-children-are-vaccinated-n300236. ↩Dan Merica, "Hillary Clinton Hits GOP with Pro-vaccine Tweet," CNN, February 3, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/02/politics/hillary-clinton-vaccines/.[/ref] have shown support for vaccines, there is still much opposition to mandatory vaccinations. Rand Paul"Rand Paul: Vaccines Can Lead to 'Mental Disorders,'" States News Service, February 3, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-399964521.html ↩“Six Reasons To Say NO to Vaccination,” The Healthy Home Economist, May 25, 2010, accessed May 25, 2015. ↩ Bahar Gholipour, "Vaccination Has Saved 732,000 Children's Lives Since 1994," Live Science, April 24, 2014, accessed May 23, 2015. ↩ Alexandria Sifferlin, "4 Diseases Making a Comeback Thanks to Anti-Vaxxers," Time, March 17, 2014, Accessed May 23, 2015. http://time.com/27308/4-diseases-making-a-comeback-thanks-to-anti-vaxxers/. ↩Jason Beaubien, "Measles Vaccination Rates: Tanzania Does Better Than U.S.," NPR, February 6, 2015, accessed May 23, 2015, http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/02/06/384068229/measles-vaccination-rates-tanzania-does-better-than-u-s. ↩

Policy CornerVendettas of the Week

Misguided Aid

Christopher Law May 4, 2016

The United States, being a powerful and strong… References and FootnotesMichael Warren, "Obama: Reallocate Defense Resources to Foreign Aid," February 19, 2015, accessed August 17, 2015, http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-reallocate-defense-resources-foreign-aid_845409.html. ↩“Ron Paul: Foreign Aid Takes Money From Poor In U.S., Given To Rich,” accessed August 16, 2015, http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/10/18/ron_paul_foreign_aid_takes_money_from_poor_in_us_given_to_rich.html. ↩"U.S. National Debt Clock: Real Time," accessed August 17, 2015, http://www.usdebtclock.org ↩ Charles Abugre, "Why Foreign Aid Is Important for Africa," CNN, August 13, 2010, accessed August 16, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/08/13/aid.africa.abugre ↩James Glassman, "Foreign Aid: The Good And Bad," Forbes, April 8, 2011, accessed August 17, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesglassman/2011/04/08/foreign-aid-the-good-and-bad ↩Dambisa Moyo, "Why Foreign Aid Is Hurting Africa," WSJ, March 21, 2009, accessed August 16, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123758895999200083. ↩Daud Mustafa, Abdul-Hakeem Kilishi, and Sa'ad Akanbi, "Corruption and Foreign Aid Nexus in the African Continent: An Empirical Analysis for Nigeria," Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development 6 (2015). ↩James Peron, "The Sorry Record of Foreign Aid in Africa,” Foundation for Economic Education, August 1, 2001, Accessed August 17, 2015, http://fee.org/freeman/the-sorry-record-of-foreign-aid-in-africa. ↩Gaetano Venezia, "The Failings of Foreign Aid and Our Obligation to Consume,” (2015). Senior Honors Theses. Paper 69. ↩Celia Dugger, "Charity Finds That U.S. Food Aid for Africa Hurts Instead of Helps," The New York Times, August 14, 2007, accessed August 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/world/americas/14iht-food.4.7116855.html?pagewanted=all. ↩Gaetano Venezia, "The Failings of Foreign Aid and Our Obligation to Consume,” (2015). Senior Honors Theses. Paper 69. ↩