Critical Thinking Skills – Evaluating Conclusions – Test 1 (UK)

Passage 1

The ’76 campaign played out as debates over busing and fair housing roiled neighborhoods in the North. The rising black constituency posed a strategic dilemma for the all-white roster of Democratic candidates, which weighed outreach against fears of a backlash from blue-collar “white ethnics.” The mere act of campaigning in black areas was enough to win Jimmy Carter credit from the top-ranking black official at the Democratic National Committee, who said: “He isn’t saying much, but he’s going.”

That wouldn’t do for long, though, and the Carter presidency proved a turning point. From black leaders, Carter faced accusations of reneging on commitments and taking their support for granted.

Source: Steve Kornaki, NBC News Journey to Power; the History of Black Voters, 1976-2020

1. Aside from Jimmy Carter, other Democratic candidates did not go and campaign in black areas enough.

Passage 1

The ’76 campaign played out as debates over busing and fair housing roiled neighborhoods in the North. The rising black constituency posed a strategic dilemma for the all-white roster of Democratic candidates, which weighed outreach against fears of a backlash from blue-collar “white ethnics.” The mere act of campaigning in black areas was enough to win Jimmy Carter credit from the top-ranking black official at the Democratic National Committee, who said: “He isn’t saying much, but he’s going.”

That wouldn’t do for long, though, and the Carter presidency proved a turning point. From black leaders, Carter faced accusations of reneging on commitments and taking their support for granted.

Source: Steve Kornaki, NBC News Journey to Power; the History of Black Voters, 1976-2020

2. Black voters have been reliable democrats ever since the presidency of Jimmy Carter.

Passage 2

For the first time in history, wind energy accounted for more electrical usage in Texas than coal.

The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, which manages about 90% of the electrical flow in the state, released a report earlier this month stating that—during the first half of 2019—wind power generated 22% of the state’s electrical usage while coal only generated 21%.

In addition to Texas being the largest producer and consumer of energy in the US, they have also been the largest consumer of coal. Back in 2003, coal fulfilled 40% of the state’s electrical needs. Wind, on the other hand, only generated 0.8%.

That being said, a new report that was released today by the US Energy Information Administration shows that much has changed over the course of the last 16 years.

Based on data from 2018, Texas now ranks first in US-installed wind capacity and number of turbines. The state generated roughly 24 gigawatts of wind energy, which is three times more than Iowa, the second largest wind power state.

Only 41 US states have installed a minimum of one wind turbine. Of these 41 states, Texas had the largest number of turbines, with more than 13,000. For perspective, California had the second largest amount of turbines with about 7,600.

Source: McKinley Corbey, Good News Network, Historic First: Wind Turbines Deliver More Energy Than Coal in Texas–the Largest Consumer of Coal in US 

3. Based on the example set in Texas, the US will someday generate more energy through wind than coal.

Passage 2

For the first time in history, wind energy accounted for more electrical usage in Texas than coal.

The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, which manages about 90% of the electrical flow in the state, released a report earlier this month stating that—during the first half of 2019—wind power generated 22% of the state’s electrical usage while coal only generated 21%.

In addition to Texas being the largest producer and consumer of energy in the US, they have also been the largest consumer of coal. Back in 2003, coal fulfilled 40% of the state’s electrical needs. Wind, on the other hand, only generated 0.8%.

That being said, a new report that was released today by the US Energy Information Administration shows that much has changed over the course of the last 16 years.

Based on data from 2018, Texas now ranks first in US-installed wind capacity and number of turbines. The state generated roughly 24 gigawatts of wind energy, which is three times more than Iowa, the second largest wind power state.

Only 41 US states have installed a minimum of one wind turbine. Of these 41 states, Texas had the largest number of turbines, with more than 13,000. For perspective, California had the second largest amount of turbines with about 7,600.

Source: McKinley Corbey, Good News Network, Historic First: Wind Turbines Deliver More Energy Than Coal in Texas–the Largest Consumer of Coal in US 

4. The massive amount of investment into wind energy caused Texas to reach this historic point.

Passage 2

For the first time in history, wind energy accounted for more electrical usage in Texas than coal.

The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, which manages about 90% of the electrical flow in the state, released a report earlier this month stating that—during the first half of 2019—wind power generated 22% of the state’s electrical usage while coal only generated 21%.

In addition to Texas being the largest producer and consumer of energy in the US, they have also been the largest consumer of coal. Back in 2003, coal fulfilled 40% of the state’s electrical needs. Wind, on the other hand, only generated 0.8%.

That being said, a new report that was released today by the US Energy Information Administration shows that much has changed over the course of the last 16 years.

Based on data from 2018, Texas now ranks first in US-installed wind capacity and number of turbines. The state generated roughly 24 gigawatts of wind energy, which is three times more than Iowa, the second largest wind power state.

Only 41 US states have installed a minimum of one wind turbine. Of these 41 states, Texas had the largest number of turbines, with more than 13,000. For perspective, California had the second largest amount of turbines with about 7,600.

Source: McKinley Corbey, Good News Network, Historic First: Wind Turbines Deliver More Energy Than Coal in Texas–the Largest Consumer of Coal in US 

5. Texas has the highest energy needs of any state in the country due to their climate and geographic location.

Passage 2

For the first time in history, wind energy accounted for more electrical usage in Texas than coal.

The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, which manages about 90% of the electrical flow in the state, released a report earlier this month stating that—during the first half of 2019—wind power generated 22% of the state’s electrical usage while coal only generated 21%.

In addition to Texas being the largest producer and consumer of energy in the US, they have also been the largest consumer of coal. Back in 2003, coal fulfilled 40% of the state’s electrical needs. Wind, on the other hand, only generated 0.8%.

That being said, a new report that was released today by the US Energy Information Administration shows that much has changed over the course of the last 16 years.

Based on data from 2018, Texas now ranks first in US-installed wind capacity and number of turbines. The state generated roughly 24 gigawatts of wind energy, which is three times more than Iowa, the second largest wind power state.

Only 41 US states have installed a minimum of one wind turbine. Of these 41 states, Texas had the largest number of turbines, with more than 13,000. For perspective, California had the second largest amount of turbines with about 7,600.

Source: McKinley Corbey, Good News Network, Historic First: Wind Turbines Deliver More Energy Than Coal in Texas–the Largest Consumer of Coal in US 

6. Iowa has higher wind energy efficiency than California.

Passage 3

Walmart is removing promotional displays for violent video games in its stores following the recent mass shootings at two of its locations, along with criticism from lawmakers that such games promote real-world violence.

“We’ve taken this action out of respect for the incidents of the past week, and this action does not reflect a long-term change in our video game assortment,” spokeswoman Tara House said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch.

Walmart faces mounting pressure over its decision to continue selling guns following two mass shootings at it stores in recent weeks. Twenty-two people were slain at one of its stores in El Paso, Texas, while last month an employee shot and killed two other workers at a Walmart in Southaven, Mississippi.

Walmart’s decision to remove violent video game signage was criticized on social media, with consumers pointing out the double-standard of allowing gun sales. Others noted that video games are just as popular in other countries that don’t suffer the same rate of gun violence as the U.S.

Source: Aimee Picchi CBS News – Walmart removes violent video game displays from stores after mass shootings

7. Walmart blames violent video games for the gun violence at their stores.

Passage 3

Walmart is removing promotional displays for violent video games in its stores following the recent mass shootings at two of its locations, along with criticism from lawmakers that such games promote real-world violence.

“We’ve taken this action out of respect for the incidents of the past week, and this action does not reflect a long-term change in our video game assortment,” spokeswoman Tara House said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch.

Walmart faces mounting pressure over its decision to continue selling guns following two mass shootings at it stores in recent weeks. Twenty-two people were slain at one of its stores in El Paso, Texas, while last month an employee shot and killed two other workers at a Walmart in Southaven, Mississippi.

Walmart’s decision to remove violent video game signage was criticized on social media, with consumers pointing out the double-standard of allowing gun sales. Others noted that video games are just as popular in other countries that don’t suffer the same rate of gun violence as the U.S.

Source: Aimee Picchi CBS News – Walmart removes violent video game displays from stores after mass shootings

8. Walmart is continuing to sell guns at their stores following political pressure.

Passage 3

Walmart is removing promotional displays for violent video games in its stores following the recent mass shootings at two of its locations, along with criticism from lawmakers that such games promote real-world violence.

“We’ve taken this action out of respect for the incidents of the past week, and this action does not reflect a long-term change in our video game assortment,” spokeswoman Tara House said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch.

Walmart faces mounting pressure over its decision to continue selling guns following two mass shootings at it stores in recent weeks. Twenty-two people were slain at one of its stores in El Paso, Texas, while last month an employee shot and killed two other workers at a Walmart in Southaven, Mississippi.

Walmart’s decision to remove violent video game signage was criticized on social media, with consumers pointing out the double-standard of allowing gun sales. Others noted that video games are just as popular in other countries that don’t suffer the same rate of gun violence as the U.S.

Source: Aimee Picchi CBS News – Walmart removes violent video game displays from stores after mass shootings

9. Walmart may stop selling violent video games altogether if gun violence persists.

Passage 4

Last winter, as Michigan State’s basketball team put together one of the more celebrated seasons of the Tom Izzo era, the man partly responsible for it all spent his nights sleeping in an abandoned house 50 miles away.

Antonio Smith is a proud man. Sometimes too proud to ask for help. Yet months later, he’s no longer too proud to share what he hopes is his rock bottom: 539 W. Eldridge Ave. in Flint.

He stares up at a partially collapsed ceiling in the living room, a few feet from where he used to sleep on a daybed, covered by as many blankets as he could find.

“Mm-hmm,” Smith says in his deep voice, as if to sigh.

“I couldn’t even tell you what I was thinking most of the time,” he says. “That’s where the drinking really intensified, just to make it through the night.”

No heat. No running water. This deserted, single-story home, owned by a friend, was often his shelter from the bitter elements and a street that came alive at night. It couldn’t shelter him from the despair and depression over his situation.

Being back at this house and sharing his shame is part of Smith’s penance and his effort to give back by making himself an example.

Source: Graham Couch, Lansing State Journal Former Michigan State star Antonio Smith turning life around after battling homelessness

10. If Smith had been more open about asking for help, he would not have been in a situation where he was homeless.

Passage 4

Last winter, as Michigan State’s basketball team put together one of the more celebrated seasons of the Tom Izzo era, the man partly responsible for it all spent his nights sleeping in an abandoned house 50 miles away.

Antonio Smith is a proud man. Sometimes too proud to ask for help. Yet months later, he’s no longer too proud to share what he hopes is his rock bottom: 539 W. Eldridge Ave. in Flint.

He stares up at a partially collapsed ceiling in the living room, a few feet from where he used to sleep on a daybed, covered by as many blankets as he could find.

“Mm-hmm,” Smith says in his deep voice, as if to sigh.

“I couldn’t even tell you what I was thinking most of the time,” he says. “That’s where the drinking really intensified, just to make it through the night.”

No heat. No running water. This deserted, single-story home, owned by a friend, was often his shelter from the bitter elements and a street that came alive at night. It couldn’t shelter him from the despair and depression over his situation.

Being back at this house and sharing his shame is part of Smith’s penance and his effort to give back by making himself an example.

Source: Graham Couch, Lansing State Journal Former Michigan State star Antonio Smith turning life around after battling homelessness

11. It took this extreme situation to cause Smith to begin giving back to his community.

Passage 4

Last winter, as Michigan State’s basketball team put together one of the more celebrated seasons of the Tom Izzo era, the man partly responsible for it all spent his nights sleeping in an abandoned house 50 miles away.

Antonio Smith is a proud man. Sometimes too proud to ask for help. Yet months later, he’s no longer too proud to share what he hopes is his rock bottom: 539 W. Eldridge Ave. in Flint.

He stares up at a partially collapsed ceiling in the living room, a few feet from where he used to sleep on a daybed, covered by as many blankets as he could find.

“Mm-hmm,” Smith says in his deep voice, as if to sigh.

“I couldn’t even tell you what I was thinking most of the time,” he says. “That’s where the drinking really intensified, just to make it through the night.”

No heat. No running water. This deserted, single-story home, owned by a friend, was often his shelter from the bitter elements and a street that came alive at night. It couldn’t shelter him from the despair and depression over his situation.

Being back at this house and sharing his shame is part of Smith’s penance and his effort to give back by making himself an example.

Source: Graham Couch, Lansing State Journal Former Michigan State star Antonio Smith turning life around after battling homelessness

12. Smith suffered through extreme heat during the summers because he had no air-conditioning.

Passage 5

FedEx is cutting ties with Amazon as the online retailer builds out its own delivery fleet, directly competing with the shippers who used to deliver its packages.

The shipping company announced Wednesday that it would no longer make ground deliveries for Amazon once its contract expires at the end of this month. The move comes two months after FedEx said it was terminating its air delivery contract with Amazon. (FedEx will still deliver Amazon packages internationally, the Wall Street Journal reported.)

Amazon.com Inc. is building its own fleet of air and ground transportation to have more control of how its packages are delivered and cut its reliance on FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. The Seattle-based company has been leasing jets, building package-sorting hubs at several airports in the U.S. and has launched a program that lets contractors start businesses delivering packages in vans stamped with the Amazon logo.

This week Amazon began testing an autonomous delivery robot in Southern California, ZDNet reports. The squat, six-wheeled machine is designed to deliver packages from a distribution center to an Amazon Prime customer without the need for cars or trucks.

Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx, which recently added Saturday delivery, plans to deliver seven days a week starting next year. It, too, is developing an autonomous developing a delivery bot. Last month, the company warned for the first time in a government filing that Amazon’s fledgling in-house delivery business could hurt its revenue and “negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.”

At the same time, e-commerce has become a priority for retailers like Walmart and Target, meaning that FedEx can distance itself from Amazon.com without suffering the competitive damage it might once have. FedEx noted that Amazon made up just 1.3% of its total revenue in 2018, or about $850 million.

Source: CBS News (August 8, 2019) FedEx cuts ties with Amazon as e-retailer builds its own delivery fleet. 

13. FedEx will lose a significant amount of delivery business once their contract with Amazon expires.

Passage 5

FedEx is cutting ties with Amazon as the online retailer builds out its own delivery fleet, directly competing with the shippers who used to deliver its packages.

The shipping company announced Wednesday that it would no longer make ground deliveries for Amazon once its contract expires at the end of this month. The move comes two months after FedEx said it was terminating its air delivery contract with Amazon. (FedEx will still deliver Amazon packages internationally, the Wall Street Journal reported.)

Amazon.com Inc. is building its own fleet of air and ground transportation to have more control of how its packages are delivered and cut its reliance on FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. The Seattle-based company has been leasing jets, building package-sorting hubs at several airports in the U.S. and has launched a program that lets contractors start businesses delivering packages in vans stamped with the Amazon logo.

This week Amazon began testing an autonomous delivery robot in Southern California, ZDNet reports. The squat, six-wheeled machine is designed to deliver packages from a distribution center to an Amazon Prime customer without the need for cars or trucks.

Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx, which recently added Saturday delivery, plans to deliver seven days a week starting next year. It, too, is developing an autonomous developing a delivery bot. Last month, the company warned for the first time in a government filing that Amazon’s fledgling in-house delivery business could hurt its revenue and “negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.”

At the same time, e-commerce has become a priority for retailers like Walmart and Target, meaning that FedEx can distance itself from Amazon.com without suffering the competitive damage it might once have. FedEx noted that Amazon made up just 1.3% of its total revenue in 2018, or about $850 million.

Source: CBS News (August 8, 2019) FedEx cuts ties with Amazon as e-retailer builds its own delivery fleet. 

14. FedEx is the first company to institute a new policy of seven-day delivery.

Passage 5

FedEx is cutting ties with Amazon as the online retailer builds out its own delivery fleet, directly competing with the shippers who used to deliver its packages.

The shipping company announced Wednesday that it would no longer make ground deliveries for Amazon once its contract expires at the end of this month. The move comes two months after FedEx said it was terminating its air delivery contract with Amazon. (FedEx will still deliver Amazon packages internationally, the Wall Street Journal reported.)

Amazon.com Inc. is building its own fleet of air and ground transportation to have more control of how its packages are delivered and cut its reliance on FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. The Seattle-based company has been leasing jets, building package-sorting hubs at several airports in the U.S. and has launched a program that lets contractors start businesses delivering packages in vans stamped with the Amazon logo.

This week Amazon began testing an autonomous delivery robot in Southern California, ZDNet reports. The squat, six-wheeled machine is designed to deliver packages from a distribution center to an Amazon Prime customer without the need for cars or trucks.

Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx, which recently added Saturday delivery, plans to deliver seven days a week starting next year. It, too, is developing an autonomous developing a delivery bot. Last month, the company warned for the first time in a government filing that Amazon’s fledgling in-house delivery business could hurt its revenue and “negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.”

At the same time, e-commerce has become a priority for retailers like Walmart and Target, meaning that FedEx can distance itself from Amazon.com without suffering the competitive damage it might once have. FedEx noted that Amazon made up just 1.3% of its total revenue in 2018, or about $850 million.

Source: CBS News (August 8, 2019) FedEx cuts ties with Amazon as e-retailer builds its own delivery fleet. 

15. Amazon is focused on building its own delivery fleet, including robots, so that it is self-reliant for delivery.