THE
NCP
December 2020 "ISSUE 1 VOLUME 17"
A note from the editors- Sophia Deasy, Sophie Byrne and AoibhĂn Dunleavy Kindness- Grace O'Shaughnessy The Christmas fair review- Lucy Deasy Christmas around the world- Kathleen Lynch My treasured book- Aaron O'reilly Christmas cookie recipe- Charlotte Reddy A very different Christmas- Sophia Deasy
BABY TAYLOR FINN
A note from the editors Hi, Sophie, Sophia and Aoibhín here. We wanted to first thank everyone who sent in articles for us to read and publish. We thoroughly enjoyed reading through each and every article and were astounded by the level of competence from every single writer. The quality and professionalism of the work was phenomenal, and we are so happy to be able to share that talent with the rest of the school. We accept and encourage any content from students such as essays, letters, and photographs. Each contribution is as valuable as the next and it truly is what makes each issue special. We also wanted to thank all of the readers of this issue and we hope that you will enjoy this special Christmas edition. We are aware that this Christmas is one like no other and is exceedingly hard for everyone as many of us aren’t able to see the people we love or do the things we enjoy during this time of year. We would like to thank everyone for making sacrifices as we know it’s not always easy and we are forever grateful that we are still able to publish the school paper, even if it’s only accessible online. This issue has been incredible to create and we have really seen it come together over the past few weeks thanks to all the talented students who submitted their work. We only hope that you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
A note from the editors We hope to only see more contributions over the next few months and years and look forward to having the pleasure of seeing all the young talented writers come into their own. This year has been a huge shift in reality for us all and it is so important we don’t face 2021 with dreaded anticipation. The New Year will certainly present us with a series of new challenges; however, we encourage all students to face these with perseverance and positivity, this way of life isn’t forever and we are closer to returning to normality then ever. The school and all of its students and teachers have worked exceedingly hard to overcome our circumstance and make the best of this school year. The NCP can only hope to contribute somewhat to this, and we hope to facilitate and inspire young writers and offer an outlet during this incredibly unusual time. AoibhĂn Dunleavy, Sophia Deasy, Sophie Byrne
How to stay together while staying apart How to stay together while staying apart? What a funny question.... this time last year we wouldn’t have seen ourselves in this position. We fully understand the circumstances that we are in at the moment and that you may feel slightly lonely keeping your distance but we will just have to live up to it. This is not just for their safety but for your own too, but being apart doesn’t mean that you are on your own, and here’s how you can stop that from bothering you. As humans, we are hardwired to be extroverts, to be constantly surrounded by people. But today, there are ways to communicate and talk to people without putting others at risk, and that is through technology. Even though we can’t be around our friends and our families, you must remember that they are only a phone call away. If you ever feel lonely, just send a friend a text or skype a family member and I guarantee, you will feel a million times better than you did before. We need to look out for each other, individually we are a drop, together we are an ocean. Check up on your friends to see how they are feeling, even if it is a quick text, it shows that you care.
While technology has its many strengths, it also has its flaws. We mustn’t spend too much time on our phones, laptops or computers as it may affect our mental health. It is good to get outside, to breathe in fresh air. When we are outside, we relax and calm down. Even better, get outside and exercise. Exercise is an escape for us to feel free and studies have shown that it makes us happier and more productive. If you are ever at home feeling glum or sad, just stick your headphones in, go outside, and start moving. Feel the freedom. The outdoors is somewhere where you can safely meet up with your friends and family without harming them, in these troubling times. So go out for a walk or run and enjoy their company. As a very important saying goes in Newbridge College, “It’s okay not to feel okay”. Everybody has off days, especially when your friends aren’t there to cheer you up. I know it feels like you are all alone, and that no one can hear you scream…. But don’t hide behind your mask, both physically and mentally, let people know how you are feeling. Just talk. One of the easiest things known to us humans, something we have been doing practically our whole existence, except we don’t do it enough. Talking about being lonely and having a bad day might just make you a little better. Our mental health is hugely important, and this virus is pushing it at the seams. Even though it feels like the world is ending, just remember that we will get through this together and stay positive. By Jane Anne Blake
Kindness Kindness. A universal language. Spreading happiness and love to lift others up is what makes the world go round. Words or actions, whichever you prefer, both are as valuable as each other. It takes very little effort to make a gesture of benevolence, whether it be a simple smile or holding the door, you can turn someone’s day from upside down to right side up. These images were created with the hope of raising everyone’s spirits during such low times where some may feel trapped. To remind every person that they, as an individual, are important and have a worth that is priceless. It was hoped that by using serene images of the sky, at different stages of day and night, it could change people’s perception. The colours, the shadows, the reflection of light, there are so many beauties to the sky, but the most incredible would be its vastness. There is no end, hence, the sky is the limit. Now that we have an eye-catching and prepossessing background as a foundation, we now layer these pictures with words. Words with deepmeaning and good intention, to motivate, inspire and encourage all but especially those who need it. Many of these quotes can be found belonging to the ‘You Got This’ pack of cards from New Look. A method of self-care worth practicing; choose one card at random once a week and apply it to your daily life. E.g. “Those who are brave are free,” perhaps you will find the strength to stand up against a bully, or exercise your rights when you feel a person or persons are denying them, or even stand up for what you believe to be morally right in an unjust situation.
We should practice forgiving the people who forget to have compassion for us, accept people for their faults and learn from one another’s mistakes. No matter how perfect we believe ourselves to be, there is always room for improvement in all aspects of our lives. If everyone was to set a weekly goal to do a good deed for someone else, even the smallest things such as a ‘thank you’ to the people who maintain the grounds and keep our school clean or sharing your appreciation for all your parents have done for you. Slowly, but surely, we can keep the world spinning the right way. By Grace O’Shaughnessy
The Christmas fair review December came round when my sister who is in TY mentioned that the Christmas fair was coming up, I finally had something to look forward to as most exciting events throughout the Christmas period were turned down due Covid 19 but hopefully next year will be a good one. There was a great buzz in the school this coming week because first years saw that the TY’s were hanging up posters and preparing for their big day. My siblings have always talked about the upcoming fair, it was finally the year I got the chance to experience it myself. Us students usually find out about the company’s from posters displayed around the school and on instagram. I was about to walk into my boring maths class when I looked up and saw mini company posters, It put a smile on my face and took my mind off the fact that I was going into maths! I was now eager to get my hands on something from the fair. The day finally arrived. It was Thursday morning when my sister was running around the house like a headless chicken gathering up all of her bits for the fair. I then went into school and I got the impression that my friends were very excited for the fair. I walked out to the fair and saw some very impressive stands, I was amazed by the creativity and hard work that everybody had put in. I especially loved Roshanna’s mini company ‘make your mark’ and Christy’s mini company ‘Christy’s customes’ because I felt they were unique.
Overall I had an amazing day and I am looking forward to see what the next year TY’s will have in store for the school. By Lucy Deasy
Christmas around the world India Midnight mass is a very important service for Christians in India. The whole family will walk to the mass and this will be followed by a massive feast of different delicacies and the giving and receiving of presents. Churches in India are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and candles for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass service. Many different languages are spoken in India. Some examples Happy/Merry Christmas in the many languages including Hindi; 'Śubh krisamas' (शुभ समस), Urdu; 'krismas mubarak' ()ﮐﺮﺳﻤﺲ. Instead of having traditional Christmas Trees, a banana or mango tree is decorated. Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes.
Australia: In Australia, Christmas comes in the towards the beginning of the summer holidays, so children have their summer holidays. Australians hang wreaths on their front doors. People also decorate their houses and gardens with Christmas Trees and Christmas lights. Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of the 'Christmas Bush', a native Australian tree with small green leaves and cream coloured flowers that a deep red over a period of weeks. In each State capital City, there is a large Carols by Candlelight service. When Santa gets to Australia, he sometimes gives the reindeers a rest and might use kangaroos. Children often leave out carrots for Santa's reindeer and there might be some cake for Santa. Presents are normally exchanged between families on Christmas Day. On St. Stephan’s day most people go and visit their friends and often have barbecues at the beach. A famous Yacht race from Sydney to Hobart in Tasmania is also held on St. Stephan’s day.
The Netherlands For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is the 5th, when St. Nicholas brings them their presents- St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but the major celebrations are held on the 5th December. It all starts on the second Saturday of November, when Sinterklaas travels to a city or town. Dutch tradition says that St. Nicholas lives in Spain and every year he chooses a different harbour to dock at, so as many children as possible get a chance to see him. Sinterklaas travels with his servants called 'Zwarte Pieten' ('Black Peters'). When Sinterklaas and the Piets come ashore from the steam boat, all of the local church bells ring in celebration. Sinterklaas, dressed in his red robes, leads a procession through the town, riding a white horse. Every town has a few helpers, dressed the same as Sinterklaas and the Piets who help give the presents out. The evening of December 5th is called St. Nicholas’ Eve 'Sinterklaasavond' or 'Pakjesavond' (present evening). The children will receive their presents during the evening.
South Africa Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas comes in the summer. So, the schools are closed for the Christmas holidays. Going carol singing, on Christmas Eve is very popular in towns and cities. Carols by Candlelight services are also popular on Christmas Eve. And many people go to a Christmas morning Church Service. Traditional 'fir' Christmas Trees are popular and children leave a stocking out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. South Africa also has several other UK Christmas traditions, because of its history with the UK. On Christmas day afternoon, people visit family and friends or might go for a trip into the country side to play games or have a swim. St. Stephan’s day is also a public holiday in South Africa. In Afrikaans (one of the languages spoken in South Africa) Happy/Merry Christmas is 'GeseÍnde Kersfees'
Mexico In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th. From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children often perform the 'Posada' processions. Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. For the Posadas, the outside of the house is decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns. In each Posada, children are given candles and a board, with painted clay figures of Mary riding on a donkey and Joseph, to go around the streets with. They call at the houses of friends and neighbours and sing a song about Joseph and Mary asking for a room in the house. The children are told there is no room in the house and that they must go away. Eventually they are told there is room and are welcomed in. When they go into the house, they say prayers of thanks and then they have a party with food, games and fireworks. Christmas Eve is known as 'Noche Buena' and is a family day. People often take part in the final Posada and then in the evening have the main Christmas meal. At midnight, many people go to a Midnight Mass service, known as the 'Misa de Gallo' (which means Mass of the Rooster as people are up early like Roosters).
Argentina In Argentina, preparations for Christmas begin very early in December. Many people in Argentina are Catholic so they also celebrate Advent. The Houses are decorated with lights and wreaths of green, gold, red and white flowers. Red and white garlands are hung on the doors of houses. Christmas Trees are also very popular and they are often decorated by 8th December. The Nativity scene or 'pesebre' is also an important Christmas decoration in Argentina and is put near to the tree. Christmas Cards aren't common in Argentina, although some people give and receive presents, it's normally between close family and friends. The main Christmas celebrations take place on Christmas Eve. Many will go to a Mass in the late afternoon. The main meal is eaten around 1011pm of Christmas Eve.
By Kathleen Lynch
My Most Treasured Book I am lucky enough to own a first edition Harry Potter book. It is one of the first five hundred copies ever printed. If you do not know about Harry Potter, you must have been living under a rock since 1997. Anyway, you might ask how I acquired such a treasured possession. Well, my uncle who lives in the America came over to visit and he gave me all of his kid’s old books. A couple of weeks later I was watching You Tube and it said that if your Harry Potter book had the numbers 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 it was a first edition. I was so excited, I ran to my Dad and screamed at him to come over to verify the number. We could not believe it, there in black and white we read aloud the magical number sequence. I love this book and to this day it is one of my most treasured possessions. Harry Potter is available now to borrow from Newbridge College Library.
HARRY
POTTER
By Aaron O'Reilly
Christmas cookie recipe Prep & cook time: 1 hour 12 minutes 1 hour and 12 minutes Ingredients: Cookie dough • 3/4 cup flour, plus extra for rolling • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • pinch of salt • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened • 1/4 cup sugar • 1 egg yolk • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract For the Icing: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice • 1 large egg white
Method 1. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. 2. In a medium bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the butter and sugar. Once light and fluffy, add the egg yolk and vanilla and almond extracts. 3. Once well incorporated, sprinkle over half the flour mixture and beat gently until combined, then sprinkle over the rest. Beat until no streaks of flour remain, but be careful not to over-mix. 4. Dust a clean counter top with flour, and dump the dough out onto it. Gather it into a ball and press it into a 1/2" thick round disk. Flour your rolling pin, then roll out the dough out big enough to cut out about 8 shapes. Place the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Gather the dough scraps and re-roll to cut out 4 more shapes and place them on the cookie sheet. You should get 12 cookies. 5. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for the minutes while you preheat the oven to 350. 6. Once the oven is hot, bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges of the cookies just start to turn brown. Let them sit on the sheet a few minutes before moving them a wire rack to cool completely.
Method 7. Once the cookies are cooled completely, make the royal icing: in a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice. 8. Beat the egg white in a small bowl to loosen them, and then measure out 2 tablespoons of egg whites and add them to the bowl with the sugar. 9. Whisk together the icing, starting slowly, and trust that the sugar will melt and it will become liquid. Resist the urge to add any more liquid to the bowl, and instead just keep whisk slowly. 10. When the icing comes together, spoon a small amount onto each cookie, and use an off-set spatula to spread it almost to the edges. 11. Let the royal icing harden completely on the cookies before proceeding. 12. Pipe two thin black lines onto each cookie, and then press mini M&Ms sideways (see photos for reference).
By Charlotte Reddy
A very different Christmas Christmas this year will be different but despite COVID 19 we will find ways around making Christmas happen. It sounds weird saying 2019, it feels like years ago, I bet you agree with me in saying that this year really dragged out. Whats your favourite part about Christmas? Mine is definitely the food, I am very fond of the Christmas dinners throughout the Christmas period because it is an occasion and it only falls once a year. This aspect of meals and going out for dinner really brings families and friends closer, its amazing how much your emotions alter throughout the Christmas period, I estimate that your mind is taken off everything. More than half of parents said it was “very important” that their child see extended family during the holidays, this may be inflexible to do this year but don’t concern yourself, there is more to come. This Christmas I’m positive that most of you are looking forward to a family dinner and presents this year, more than ever because it’s a necessity, a break to acknowledge the modest things in life.
In my view, I sense that 2020 has had it ups and downs regardless of the pandemic, many things have altered-if we take for example substantial corporate businesses and small-scale independent businesses. From a personal business orientated family viewpoint, we have made an effort to support small Irish businesses over large well known ones. Presents have also taken a turn, many of the readers may be wondering what.. Have you bought more considerate gifts this year? I’m sure you're going to agree.
By Sophia Deasy
Accessories to help you read-lax over the festive season! We all know how stressful 2020 has been, and by now it has taken its toll on all of us, both mentally and physically. Even the most resilient of us need to take a rest at one point or another. So, if you plan on indulging and getting lost in a good book this Christmas, why not do it in style with some very comfy accessories. Kick back and enjoy our top picks to make your reading experience more comfortable, cozy and ‘read-laxing.’ Baby, it’s cold outside… and boy do we mean cold! Reading in such a cold environment can make your hands become chilly, and hand warmers and slippers are an excellent way of keeping your hands and feet toasty. There are many to choose from, whether it be a classic pair or a novelty pair, we have found the best ones money can buy.
First up, we have the incredible ‘Water Bear’ slippers- priced at €25. These would make a wonderful gift for a friend or a lovely gift to yourself. Currently available from Amazon UK. Next up, we have this adorable ‘Huggable Avocado’ hand warmer – what a cute way to warm up your paws. Available from Urban Outfitters and priced at a very reasonable €12. Finally, the crème de la crème of slippers and perhaps the world’s most comfortable slipper in the world – behold, the beauty of The UGG slipper. Theses beauties are handwoven by angels but be warned, they come with an eye watering price tag of €100, but we must confess, they are worth every penny. These slippers are available at Schuh.co.uk.
Now that you have created your perfect reading space you will need some tasty treats to help you truly relax, and what could be better than curling up with a delicious mug of hot chocolate! A great delicious beverage to have after opening all your Christmas presents this year. I heard they go great with chocolate croissants or red velvet cupcakes. But what good would these be without a cozy blanket or throw? You need to avoid getting a cold, especially in the harsh winter months, right? What better than something cozy and fluffy? So, have yourself a cozy, comfy and happy little Christmas. We hope you enjoyed our cozy recommendations!
A sustainable Christmas - Is it possible? It’s that time of year again, are you ready? I’m sure not. It seems as though this Christmas went just as fast as the rest of the year has. The shops have finally opened after the nationwide lockdown and everyone is rushing to get their last-minute presents. Christmas this year is going to be a lot different than any other year and I’m not going to lie, it’s taken me time to accept that. But one thing hasn’t changed and that is traditions. Traditions such as gift giving, tree decorating and plenty more. Although these memory making traditions are a big part of making Christmas special, the negative effects may make you think twice about your outlook on going all out for one special day. The festive season is prone to over-consumption as we tend to try and impress our friends and family with food and gifts. You may think that a greener Christmas is impossible, but I happen to think it’s achievable without skimping on the festive magic. I have even brainstormed a few ideas of my own specially for you. Waste detrimental to the environment during the Christmas period, wrapping paper, food and of course there’s always that one Christmas gift you don’t want that you toss in the bin the following week. Solutions to this festive waste are not as difficult as they may seem. As simple as switching to eco-friendly wrapping paper or even opting for fabric wrapping can make a big difference of the effect it has on the environment.
When it comes to food waste; we tend to make a lot more than we must. Cutting down the amount of food we make is so important, buying and cooking consciously can make your Christmas greener without regret. Another tip for making your Christmas greener that I know a lot of meat-lovers are going to disagree with, is to go meat free. Meat consumption throughout the year doesn’t even compare to the copious amounts of meat that is consumed on Christmas day. Every year, we look forward to that one Saturday that the whole family decides to put up the Christmas decorations together we got years ago. This is one of the only Christmas traditions that contribute to the solution. Second-hand or handcrafted decorations are your best bet this Christmas, not only for an authentic feel to your home but also an eco-friendlier feel to your home. Another sustainable approach to spicing up your house this Christmas, some might add it’s the most important part of the Christmas traditions (myself included), is a Christmas tree! Looking into alternative Christmas trees will not only last many more Christmases to come but also provide you with no guilt as to where your special plant has come from before it’s perfect location in front of your living room window. The next point I was going to say will sound just as crazy to you as it does to me but for all you try-new-things type of people turning your houseplant into a Christmas tree will guarantee your mind that no danger has come to any poor unsuspecting evergreen. This year is going to be a different type of gifting season, but we can’t let the difference of traditions get us down this Christmas.
Making our friends and family feel special and show that we love them is important so send them a present that means something, make them a handmade gift. I know when you think handmade gift, you think of the presents we used to give our parents when we had no money when we were younger, but come on guys, we can brainstorm some amazing presents. We have the gift of internet, so use it! Shopping locally is not only great for all those small businesses, but it is really good for the environment as well, preventing package travel and unnecessary use of fossil fuels can go a large way for the earth. Although you may think that these small alterations to your Christmas won’t make a difference, you’re anything but right. These easy fixes can make a huge difference, proving that Christmas really can be greener. By Hannah Rooney
The 2020 US Presidential Election One of the most controversial and important events broadcasted in the media this year was the 2020 United States presidential election. The two main candidates and their running mates this year were Donald Trump and Mike Pence and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Following a series of broadcasted political debates, carried out in person with social distancing measures, the election for the 46th president and the vice president of the United States was put to a vote on Tuesday, November 3. After a seemingly eternal wait, and a great deal of pressure placed on Nevada, all votes had been counted and the results came in at 306 electoral points to Biden and 232 electoral points to Trump. The results of the election mean that in Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the President of the United States in a public ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2021, on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C, and will mark the commencement of the fouryear term of a Biden-Harris administration. The American Political system differs hugely from the Irish one, as does it’s voting system. The United States of America facilitates under a democratic political system known as a direct democracy. The country is governed as a federal republic and, like Ireland, is also a constitutional democracy. This essentially means that the functions and roles of the government are governed by the constitution created to protect the rights and privileges of the citizens of America.
In the US Congress there are two chambers. These consist of The House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress, is made up of elected representatives from across the country. There are currently 435 voting members of the House of Representatives and each state is allocated a different number of representatives based on their population. The upper chamber is known as the Senate and was originally intended to be a regulatory group providing checks and balances for the work of the Representatives elected. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the judiciary in the United States, similar to the Irish system, and is responsible for making sure any laws passed by the legislature are compatible with the US constitution. The US follows a two-party system. Currently, the two major parties that dominate the US political sphere are the Democratic and Republican parties. The Democratic Party was founded in 1828 and members of this party are also known as liberals or progressives because of their association with libertarian values, like freedom of choice and self-determination, social justice, and social liberalism. The Republicans, on the other hand, are a younger party, founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists. They are known as conservatives because of their preference for conservatism, promoting individual rights and limited government. This party is also known for being corporatist, endorsing economic liberalism, less government spending, and lower taxes.
Aside from the two major parties, there are lesser known third parties, the more notable of which include the Progressive Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Green Party. These third parties have a much harder time winning offices in government simply because they are so much smaller in both size and power. In the history of the US, no third-party candidate has ever won the presidential election. In fact, third party candidates usually have to get thousands of signatures just to be on the ballots. While there are much larger parties, this does not exempt individuals from running for president. The constitutional requirements and qualifications to run for president of the United States are described in avid detail under Article 11, Section 1 of the U.S Constitution. Disregarding important social factors such as charisma, background, socio-economic standing and fund-raising, there are three main eligibility requirements in the constitution that can inhibit people from serving. These are ‘the officeholder’s age, time of residency in the U.S., and citizenship status.’ In this years election the most noticeable individual candidate running was Kanye West who took to Twitter to announce his campaign, though he collected just 60,000 votes out of an estimated total of 160 million. Another notable independent was libertarian, Jo Jorgensen, who made a stronger showing claiming more than 1.5 million votes.
What does a Biden-Harris win mean? The win of Joe Biden in this election will not only have a major impact on the United States but also on hundreds of other countries in the world, including Ireland. Under Biden’s leadership, seeking higher education could become more of a right than a luxury. The president-elect promised to work towards making state colleges and universities free to families making less than $125,000 a year. The Biden campaign site reads, “Our criminal justice system cannot be just unless we root out the racial, gender, and income-based disparities in the system. Biden also said he expects police officers to do better by the communities they are hired to serve. “I don't support defunding the police,” Biden told CBS News. “I support conditioning federal aid to police based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency and honourableness and, in fact, are able to demonstrate they can protect the community and everybody in the community.” Biden also seeks to protect targeted marginalized groups. Non-violent drug offenders could see jail sentences morph into rehab visits, and if Biden keeps his campaign promise, we could also see fewer race-based prison sentences. For American women, the arguments around reproductive rights have always been a hot-button issue. President Trump worked long and hard to overturn the decision of Roe v. Wade. Many fear it is now under attack after the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Biden said that he plans to codify Roe v. Wade, pledging his Justice Department so states cannot violate the constitutional right to an abortion. Additionally, Biden said he will seek to get rid of the laws mandating parental notifications. Biden has assured voters that he will “welcome immigrants in our communities and reassert America’s commitment to asylum-seekers and refugees.” We should expect the president to be hard at work modernizing America’s immigration system and undoing the damage from Trump’s four years in office.
In the past few years in America, the Trump Administration has made it legal for employers to discriminate against and fire employees due to their sexual orientation and that alone. They also argued that employers should be allowed to refuse employment based on an individual’s orientation. Biden has pledged to “Protect LBGTQ+ individuals from violence and work to end the epidemic of violence against the transgender community, particularly transgender women of colour.” Under the Biden administration, the LBGTQ+ community could see fairer treatment in health care and criminal justice, along with strides in overall rights. President Donald Trump began to dismantle many of the steps taken by President Barack Obama to reduce the American carbon footprint. Trump reversed a ban on coal leasing on federal lands that was put in place to reduce carbon dioxide and methane emission. Since Trump lifted the ban, American energy production increased at the expense of the environment, several states, and a host of American Indian groups, leading to lawsuits against the Trump administration. Biden has promised to recommit the United States to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Under his leadership, Americans should expect the U.S. to lead an effort urging every countries to ramp up the ambitions of their domestic climate targets. Biden has promised to make sure that big corporations don’t get first priority on emergency loan programs, but there’s still no telling what the full economic impact of coronavirus will be. Regardless, Biden said he will seek to make sure the local business people get a first crack at staying afloat.
How will the election results impact Ireland? Considering the announcement of Brexit earlier this year on January 31st , many Irish citizens were concerned about the results of the election as it would have a major impact on the deal that will be made when Britain leave the European Union. According to a statement released by his campaign, the former US vice president will work to advance the Northern Ireland peace process and ensure that there will be no US-UK trade deal if Brexit threatens the Good Friday Agreement. Biden's campaign also said that he will prioritise creating a roadmap to citizenship for undocumented migrants and work closely with Ireland on the UN Security Council on challenges such as climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and non-proliferation. The US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Mick Mulvaney said that the entire federal government is agreed that if there is a return to a hard border on the island of Ireland then any potential trade deal with the UK will not go ahead. Speaking last month during his first official visit as envoy to Dublin, Mulvaney said that the US would do whatever it could to prevent a return to a hard border and to protect the Good Friday Agreement. Along with political debates regarding a hard border, Biden’s win will also have an impact on the Irish economy. There are many varied influences on US commerce, from the Senate and House of Representatives, through to internal and external crises such as Covid, international trade conditions, global markets, and the pipeline of innovation.
When it comes to taxing of business, a Biden led administration is not seen as likely to bring about huge change from the Trump one, including in the area of international tax reform. On the domestic front, Joe Biden’s tax policy includes a plan to increase corporation tax from 21% to 28%. If implemented, that could have a dampening impact on investment by US firms, including overseas in places like Ireland. But without Democratic control of the Senate, getting those tax changes through will be difficult if not impossible. As a result, change is seen by experts here as unlikely. Regardless of your nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and socio-economic background the results of the 2020 US Election will have some impact on your life. How large that impact is entirely depends on your personal situation. The outcome of this election was incredibly important for many people and the result is one we all must accept and learn to live with regardless of personal beliefs and opinion.
Sophie Byrne- TY