Edward Snowden, appearing on screen via Google Hangout, was welcomed with applause at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSW) in Austin, TX, on Monday, March 10. Snowden joined a discussion on government spying and online security which also featured Christopher Soghoian of the ACLU.

“SXSW and the tech community ... they’re the folks who can really fix things,” Snowden said when asked why he chose to speak to the tech community instead of policy groups.

With the March 18 primary approaching for the Illinois gubernatorial race, 4 Republicans are vying for the favor of voters and a large swath of undecided voters may make the difference.

Illinois is currently dealing with a downgraded credit rating and a public pensions crisis. Hovering between 8 and 9 percent, unemployment is still above the national average.

Political observers know that California has been a reliable national stronghold for the Democratic Party for over a decade. The party boasts two U.S. senators, over 70 percent of the state's congressional delegation, the governor's office, a super majority in the Assembly, and -- until recently -- the State Senate.

As we learn through the study of history, important issues are never stagnant, but ever-changing based on many catalysts of the day. Today, the perspective Americans have of the Middle East, the culture, and, more specifically, the people is a major question. The negative connotations associated with these individuals is unfortunate, but undeniable.

During a cybersecurity panel on Tuesday, General Keith Alexander, currently the head of the NSA, said he will submit proposed legislation within in the next week to prevent journalists from reporting on NSA leaks regarding the depth and scope of surveillance programs and data collection.