More Debt

Today the House approved the 106 billion dollar war funding bill. This bill was barely passed. This bill is to help commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan in the upcoming months. It will also help cover expenses for all other war related issues. This is a steep price to pay but it is a necessary one to keep our nation secure.

Stefan Sigurjonsson
POS2001- 12 p.m.
Monday-Friday

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31386942/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

War Brewing

President Obama has vowed to protect South Korea from any nuclear threats made by North Korea. According to the president the United States is not going to put up with North Korea bullying its neighbor. This could ultimately turn against us and bring us into more conflict. North Korea is an extremist country and mite not take lightly to the presidents vow.

Stefan Sigurjonsson
POS2001- 12 p.m.
Monday-Friday

http://content.usatoday.com/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tallahassee&sParam=35372158.story

Bill, Bill, Bill

Gov. Crist signed a bill banning local government to charge what is known as a “crash tax.” This means if some one calls for an emergency dispatch they won’t be charged and outrageous amount of money for it, it will be free. This is good for us but bad for police, fire, and medical facilities. People shouldn’t have to pay a cent for that since we the people, do have to pay taxes each year. Another good bill signed by Crist.

Stefan Sigurjonsson
POS2001- 12 p.m.
Monday-Friday

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090616/CAPITOLNEWS/90616015/Crist+signs+bill+prohibiting+local+governments+to+charge+for+emergency+response

No Work

With a new budget and costs in Tallahassee, the city is proposing to cut 112 positions to reduce the amount of money being spent on the city’s payroll. This will save the city 6.6 million dollars. With this budget there will be fewer employees in park, recreation, and neighborhood affairs. This is a tuff break for all those people who will lose there jobs.

Stefan Sigurjonsson
POS2001- 12 p.m.
Monday-Friday

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090616/NEWS01/906160313&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

healthcare hoax

according to ruch limbaugh ther is no healthcare crisis. he says nobody is walking around worried about being wiped out by a car accident or illness. here is where i disagree, we are not all as well off as he is. for some of us insured people its a financial struggle to take care of an illness, imagine what its like for someone without. america needs to do something to better serve its citizens in the way of healthcare, i dont think universal will do but something needs to chnge soon.

thomas colbert
pos2001 12p.m.

satire

i like comedy, and when i can get my politics in a funny way, im willing to listen. jon stewart and stephen colbert are some of the funniest guys on the tube and the fact that theydo politics makes them even better. for the longest time these were my primary sources of political information. i love they sarcastic tones taken by these two on certain issues, however when its time to ask the hard question they are more than able. take a look at these guys, they make politics bareable.

thomas colbert
pos2001 12p.m.

logical fallicies

i have made an effort to watch fox news and i have noticed ont thing more than any other, they are full of it. i will use fallicies in this post just because fox did it so blatently.. They use true information the wrong way. they name call more than anyone else on television. fox i believe makes up all of its stats, or they just know who to poll because bush was always doing well. i just wondeer if anyone else pays any attention to how off they are most of the time.

thomas colbert
pos2001 12p.m.

what if

what if we had hilary clinton for a president now, what do you think would be different? what if sara palin was actually able to pull enough support to win mccain the presidency. what if george W had listened to gen. powell some 8 years back, where would we be as a country today? What if al gore won florida? what if...

thomas colbert
pos2001 12p.m.

Barak the magic negro

is this song racist? just because a black man sings it does not mean that its not. but just because it seems insulting to the race does not mean it is.i think its funny. the first time i heard the song on rush limbaugh, i flipped, then i heard it a few more times and listened to the words, its a big joke now. google barak the magic negro and listen yourself tell me what you think.

thomas colbert
pos2001 12p.m.

Crist Signs

Governor Charlie Crist Signed a bill on Tuesday requiring people that a charged with a felony to provide a DNA sample to the state. This bill could help authorities make arrest on crimes that were never solved. This could also make solving crimes a quicker process since more people’s DNA will be on file. This was a good choice by Gov. Crist and will make a big difference quickly. This should have been done a long time ago.

Stefan Sigurjonsson
POS2001- 12 p.m.
Monday-Friday

http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tallahassee&sParam=30982081.story

$73million to go to Zimabawe

The Obama administration announced last Friday. The money will not go to any government agencies, the president said. He also said, “because we continue to be concerned about consolidating democracy, human rights and rule of law,” Obama said. “But it will be going directly to the people in Zimbabwe.” Is this a good thing? Yes, most countries in Africa could use anybody's help they can get, but in a time when all you hear about is recession, is that a good thing?

source:

Lucas Parsons
POS2001 MF 9
June 16, 2009

Tell me something I don't know

On Tuesday, the Obama administration released a 200 page doscument on global climate change. It basically says all the info that we've been hearing for years now. There is onw a bill in the house that will reduce greenhouse emissions by 17% by 2020. I think this is a good way to go in the direction of a greener world.
Lucas Parsons
PoS2001 MF 9
June 16, 2009

Minor Problem

According to state agencies underage drinking in Florida is a major problem. A study shows that Florida’s minors drink on average more then the national average. This problem is costing our state over 3 billion dollars annually. I can only imagine that in time this problem could get worse.

Stefan Sigurjonsson
POS2001- 12 p.m.
Monday-Friday


http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tallahassee&sParam=30980257.story

Nevada Sen. John Ensign admits affair

Senator John Ensign admitted to having an affair with one of his staff members. It is bad enough that a Senator had an affair but I believe that it is worse that it was with a former co-worker who was close friends with her husband. It is a shame that someone who was considered a rising star in the Republican party has now given himself and his party a bad reputation. I think that this is going to hinder him from being re-elected in the 2012 elections because people want representatives that they can trust.
Natalie Bellini
POS2001-12pm
June 16, 2009

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/ensign.affair/index.html

New Anti-Smoking Bill

Last Friday, Obama signed a historic bill which, he hopes, will prevent teen smoking. The new bill will put even more regulations on tobacco. No more light flavored or "candy" flavored cigarettes are allowed to be sold. They will also feature bigger warning labels, much like Canada's, which show pictures of what happens to your internal organs when you smoke. I think they are going way to far with this one. We are already well aware of the dangers of smoking.



Justin Austin
12pm M-F
POS2001

Rival demonstrations fill Tehran streets

In Tehran, Iran during last weeks presidential elections Iran's government banned international journalists from covering election rallies. The government also blocked access to some online communication tools. Reporters for international news outlets could talk about the rallies in their live reports but were not allowed to leave their hotel rooms and offices. I do not believe that the government should have the power to control its people and block the whole country from the world. I think people should have the freedom to talk to their relatives that live in other countries whenever they want. They should not be restricted or told when and what time they are allowed to use certain websites and make phone calls.
Natalie Bellini
POS2001-12pm
June 16, 2009


http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/16/iran.elections.protests/index.html

Iranian-Americans 'hungry' for updates amid tumult in Iran

Iranian-Americans are turning to internet sources to find out what going on in Iran. I think that technology is great in the fact that even though there have been attempts to shut the world out of Iran, technology is prevailing and the needed information is going out. This is truly a testament to technology and the power of the internet. I think the internet is a crucial tool now and will continue to be one well into the future. It is also very refreshing to see people around the world becoming more and more active in their countries' affairs, even if they can't be there to witness them in person.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/16/iranian.americans/index.html

Randall Grant
POS2001
12PM M-F

Obama Kills a Fly

Here is some good footage to take your mind off studying for the final. In this interview, a pesky fly hovers around Obama. He warns it, then smashes it with his hands. I think it is kind of funny to see Obama talk so seriously to the fly. What do you all think?



Justin Austin
12 P.M M-F
POS2001

Obama to OK benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers

President Obama will sign a memorandum Wednesday granting health care and other benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees. I believe that same sex partners should not discriminated against. They are human beings just like everyone else and they should have the same rights as everyone else. Homosexuals should not be discriminated against just because of their sexual preference.
Natalie Bellini
POS2001-12pm
June 16, 2009

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/obama.same.sex.benefits/index.html

Obama to OK benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers

Obama is advocating healthcare and other benefits for same sex partners of federal workers. I think this is a good thing. People shouldn't be discriminated against because of their sexual preferences. Benefits should be available to all federal workers as they are doing the same job, thus meriting the same benefits. However, it is a little contradictory because the president has a conflicting view of same sex marriages.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/obama.same.sex.benefits/index.html

Randall Grant
POS2001
12PM M-F

Senator admits affair

Nevada Senator John Ensign, admitted today to having an affair with a woman on his staff. The woman's husband also worked for Ensign. The woman has not yet been identified, but neither he nor she has worked for Ensign since May 2008. The problem wasn't that he had an affair, it was that he had an affair with someone on his staff. This is unacceptable behavior for a Senator or any other leader in our country. The Senator is a Republican, yet another piece of bad news for the party in shambles.
Lucas Parsons
POS2001 MF 9
June 16, 2009

Health Care Plan

According to Illnois Rep. the health care plan put together by Republicans in the House of Representatives would be far cheaper than a plan being drawn up in the Senate. A preliminary review of that plan by the Congressional Budget Office found it would cost about $1 trillion over 10 years to extend health insurance to 16 million people who otherwise would not be covered. Although, the health care plan would benefit tons of people, the way our economy is right now I do not believe that we are in the right position to spend $1 trillion. When our economy is on the rise then maybe we can start putting this health care plan into practice. But as of right now I believe that we should put this on hold.
Natalie Bellini
POS2001-12pm
June 16, 2009

Americans Should See The Guantanamo Atrocities

Congressional negotiators have agreed to drop amendments to a supplemental approrpiations bill that would have banned the release of photos depicting alleged detainee abuse and would have restricted bringing Guantanamo detainees to the United States.
I would honestly hope that congress wouldn't ban the U.S. citizens to see what all has happened to the Guantanamo detainees. Obama even claimed that he would do whatever he could to make sure that the photos and documents would not be released. I personally don't think it's right for Americans to not see what all has been done at Guantanamo. I believe that U.S. citizens have every right to see what all has happened at Guantanamo and that in doing so we can learn from this embarrassing and distressing mistake of our previous president.

Kathryn Edel
9:00a.m. M-F
POS2001

Typical Move By The Pentagon

May 4th of last month there was a U.S. air strike that killed dozens of Afghans. The Pentagon claimed that they had a video which showed Taliban fighters attacking U.S. and Afghan forces then running into a building which caused the U.S. forces to drop a bomb into the building which evidently killed women and children. Just from the claims, I believe the Pentagon did the right thing by bombing the building. So why haven't they released the video? Unless there are parts to this story that are being left out. Which would be a typical move by the pentagon.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/100/story/70130.html?storylink=omni_popular

Kathryn Edel
9:00a.m. M-F
POS2001

Going Green

Going green is the new rage these days, from the news, to fashion and even technology. Many products are aimed towards the use of more enviromentally friendly and recycable material. While using these items is an easy way to help make an effort in conserving the earth, it is easy to get consumed in buying a lot of green products. However, how much of the green products are really making a difference and how much difference? Is it enough difference where we should be concerned about it or not.

Shannon Todd
POS2001
9:00A.M.

Working for FREE??

British Airways has asked its flight attendants to work up to a month for free because they do not have enough funds to pay for their salary. Last month the company posted a record annual loss of $656 million dollars. Although this is an incredible amount of loss I believe that it is ridiculous that the airline would even fathom not to pay its employees for their work. If you do not have enough money to pay for the labor then find other ways of conserving money, but asking employees to work for a whole month for free is not the way to do it. People have bills to pay and they can not work for free.
Natalie Bellini
POS2001-12 pm
June 16, 2009

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/06/16/british.airways.work.free/index.html

Racist e-mail aimed at Obama raises hackles in Tennessee

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/tennessee.email/index.html

A republican legislative aide was caught distributing a very inappropriate email around depicting President Obama as a "pair of white eyes peering from a black background." I think this sort of behavior is absolutely unacceptable and the aide should definitely be fired for their actions. Though many may speculate that the election was lost, or won depending on how you view it, because of race, to continue this childish banter is definitely not behavior that is acceptable from a legislative aide. This not only looks bad on the Republican party, but the people in charge of hiring staff. What does everyone else think?

Randall Grant
POS2001
12PM M-F

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in the spotlight again after failing to have copies of the contracts of the 32 disasters it was apart of in 2007. This is outrageous because in 2007 the president declared 65 major disasters yet obviously FEMA only helped out in 32 of them, and of the 32 disasters FEMA spent $1.5 billion on disaster contracts that they have no proof of. It's shocking to me that FEMA is still even around.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090617/ap_on_go_ot/us_fema_contracting

Kathryn Edel
9:00a.m. M-F
POS2001

The City County Commisioner will discuss and debate whether to cut 112 positions, of which 80 are filled, on Thursday. These layoffs could effect Polics Officers, park employees public work employees. These layoffs will reduce the city payroll $6.6 million dollars. There are many more upcoming budget cuts in store for buisnesses around Tallahassee. I would have to say that some budget cuts are approraite but cutting this many jobs is ridiculous.

Shannon Todd
POS2001
9:00A.M.

Bombs in North Korea?

When watching the news I find it depressing to see that there is so much talk about Letterman making a sick joke about Palin's older daughter than the news about North Korea having nuclear missiles. President Obama claims that North Korea having nuclear missiles is a "grave threat to the world". With this being such a great threat why isn't more on this subject being broadcast? I consider this to be a terrifying subject that I hope would be more reported on.

Kathryn Edel
9:00a.m. M-F
POS2001

Path of peace available to North Korea, Obama says

This article suggests that if we gave North Korea the opportunity to be involved in the UN, that they may cease nuclear efforts. I think that this is clearly not the case. The North Koreans have continued with all of their nuclear efforts despite continued diplomacy efforts and stopping imports into the country. I think that the problem will just have to be solved as before with giving North Korea more money and aid to cease the actions that we dont like them to do.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/south.korea.meeting/index.html

Randall Grant
POS2001
12PM M-F

Twitter In Today's Society:

Twitter is being called one of the greatest revolutions in communications in a long time. But is it really that great? Time Magazine had a cover story that explains how Twitter is changing today's society. Twitter is basically an open-market where anyone can say anything and anyone can comment on each others opinions. Its sounds to be like a bad therapy session.

Shannon Todd
POS2001
9:00A.M.

Gay Rights

When will American come to the understanding that some people are gay. Why would anyone conceive of not giving our fellow Americans the same rights we all share. It disgust me that we have legalized gay discrimination throughout our country. This is an issue that both Republicans and Democrats need to work together to change now.

Justin Ford
POS2001
9:00a.m. M-F

Anger in Iran

Since the reelection of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran, there have been protests in the streets because of claims of a fixed election. The middle class seem to be most affected by Ahmadinejad because of claims that he has mishandled the economy and now the election. Iran has had a terrible past 30 years and I believe this stolen election may be the driving point for the Iranians to take back their country and create a change. I really support the Iranians because of our own failure to do anything about the stolen election in 2000 here in the United States.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iran_analysis

Kathryn Edel
POS2001
9:00a.m. M-F

Obama Pushes Health Issue:

Obama has a vision of health care and that is to extend it to all Americans. So far a plan has reached Congress costing $1 trillion dollars over the span of ten years: Still leaving 10 of millions of citizens uninsured. I think this is not such a good idea, there needs to be limitations on who can recieve healthcare not just anybody. Is this such a good idea.

Shannon Todd
POS2001
9:00A.M.

Employee Free Choice Act

With the death of the middle class family in America it is now more important than ever to support the new employee free choice act. It will allow workers to join a union if they wish no matter what company they may work for. It will also give them more workers rights. With union workers having more availability to healthcare and higher wages how can we say no to the employee free choice act. Please visit the website to learn more.

Justin Ford
POS2001
9:00a.m. M-F

Dream Big

We should strive to make 2010 the year of the young elected official. Young people throughout the country have been giving up the opportunity to run for public office in fear that they will not win for to long. There is absolutely nothing that we can't accomplish. America needs the next generation to take on the future now. So many of our current politicians are out of touch and need a different view of the world that we live in. As a youth, we have so many new ideas that need to be expressed throughout our government. I challenge all of you to dream big.

Justin Ford
POS2001
9:00AM M-F

Common Sense

President Obama set off on a tour top discuss his health plan with the citzens. Thursday he was in Green Bay. Obama's motive was to re-assure citizens that with a reformed nationalized health care system, citizens will not lose their preferred doctor and they will not recieve less care. Critics such as Republicans and Conservative Democrats are against the President's plan because they suggest that with this plan private health care will diminish and health care quality will decrease. As stated earlier, the President stated that his plan will not do that.
I wrote a paper on German, French, and Swiss health care systems last semester and in my opinion Germany has the best system, most think France does. But if Obama's plan works the way it's supposed to, I think America could have the most efficient system in the world.
Source http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/11/health.care.debate/index.html
Lucas Parsons
POS2001 M-F 9
June 11, 2009

Palin F

Sorry Judge

The state senate approved major reforms Wednesday night that will cut the number of probate judges from the current 117 to 50. The cost of health insurance, pensions for the judges, their clerks, and retired judges have increased through years and have caused financial problems for the system. November 2010 elections will take place under the newly drawn district. Current judges without a law degree can continue, however new candidates running for probate judge must be a lawyer. I belive this is a good thing for the United States right now. Sure 67 people are out of jobs, however this will leave more money out there for the rest of the world. If the job can get done with 50 why did we have so many in the first place. During a reccession we have to think of all ways we can save a few dollars.

Terrell Jones
POS2001 12-1:15p.m
M-F

Vote from Home

Honolulu holds the nation's first all-digital political election and city officials says it was a success. Starting May 6, 2009 some 115 thousand voters in Honolulu's neighborhood council election were able to pick winners entirely on-line or via telephone. The experiment appear to have little problems, and it saves the city around $100 thousand. This is the wave of our future, however web voting can not be used in city council or state elections.

Terrell Jones
POS2001 12-1:30p.m
M-F

$100 billion

$100 billion dollars is to much money to give away for other countries benefits. We don't even have everything together right here in America. We have a high unemployment rate, major companies need to be bailed out, and we have entire states filing bankrupt. I understand we want to help other countries, but we simply cant afford it.

Terrell Jones
POS2001 12p.m M-F
June 9, 2009

Finally Safe

The country is finally starting to help people with their fight against severe weather. The federal government is spending $5 billion dollars to make homes more suitable for all types of weather. 31 percent of the money is going towards states with hot climates such as Florida. This is the most money spent in this program since it was originated in 1970. I believe it makes sense to prepare for the terrible weather before it happens instead of waiting until one hits and the city is a mess.

Terrell Jones
POS2001 12p.m M-F
June 9, 2009

Its a recession

Bankruptcy filing is at its highest since 2005 as of now. Already in the first qharter of 2009 the rate of bankrupts rose ten percent from the previous quarter. It is up 35 percent from the previous year, and business filings are up 64 percent. The rate is expected to increase with the unemployment rate headed towards 10 percent. This is a terrible thing that is going on in America. I never would have imagined with us being one of the richest countries that we would be going through a recession period. The government spends all their time trying to help people in other countries rather than take care of business in our own backyards. I cant blame the rich for not helping out to much because you have to hold on to everthing you have until this reccession blows over.

Terrell Jones
POS2001 12p.m M-F
June 9, 2009

The Popular Quagmire: Afghanistan

I am dismayed at the level of corruption and incompetence in the Afghan armed forces. How much resources has the U.S. government invested in the restitution of the Afghanistan? How many U.S. soldiers have lost there lives to secure a better way of life and standard of living? American has sacrifice much to ensure the stability of the Afghan society. A better question is how long will U.S. foreign policy cater to the bl ant acts of corruption by Afghan military commander. The U.S. commander down to lower echelons treat the Afghan armed forces like children incapable of doing anything, which produces a system of dependence. In sense we babying the Afghan society and not allowing them grow as a nation. The more this trend continues the hard it will become to extract ourselves from the situation. I question whether public opinion or consensus is the sole determiner of policy where it concerned with Afghanistan. Should not be an objective assessment of the cost and benefit of continued involvement. The scarce resources distributed by government that we squander on the Afghan peoples could be used fix some of the pressing problems we have nationally. How long must this continue before our elected representatives make a critical decision.



Okino Leiba
POS2001 12 p.m.
May 7, 2009

Tuesday Class

Sorry I haven't kept up with these posts, things happen.

Tomorrow in class, we will have a group activity and a bonus quiz. The next extra credit activity will be on Friday. If possible, I may have your papers graded and given back to you, but probably not.

Republicans Attacking Sonia Sotomayor is Good News for the Democratic Party

As a Liberal political junky, there is nothing I want more than the conservative side of the Republican Party to continue their attacks on Sotomayor. So far they have said she is not smart enough for the position and is a racist. Not only does she have the best education out of the potential nominees she also has the most experience. These continued attacks from the right will only keep Hispanic voters from ever voting for the Republican Party again. The Hispanic voters are the fastest growing voting bloc in the United States. While they continue to rally their base they are also securing the failure of their own party.

Justin Ford
POS2001
9:00a.m. M-F

Robert Gibbs provides daily press breifings, loads of laughter

Politico has gone to through the effort to analyze the White House press briefing transcripts for the first four months of the Robert Gibb's press briefings to count the occurrences of (laughter) in the transcripts. Gibbs has accumulated an amazing 600 laughs since becoming press secretary, that is more than double his closest predecessor, Tony Snow, with 271. It dwarfs Dana Perrino, with only 59.I voted for Obama as many college students did, but I do worry it is a telling sign of an effort to dumb down politics, focusing more on the personalities and popularity contests than a focus on issues. Is this a sign that Obama's swagger has extended even to his press secretary? Should a press secretary be partly a comedian?

Max Herrle
POS2001
12pm M-F

North Korea Conducts Nuclear Weapon Test

Yesterday it was reported that North Korea had conducted an underground nuclear weapon test. Shortly after North Korea fired three ballistic missles off of the cost. According to the Los Angeles Times, North Korea has conducted five missile launches this week.

President Obama has been meeting with other countries to put strict sanctions on North Korea. China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea are working together to develop a plan to stand up to North Korea and get them back on track in ending their nuclear weapons development.

Los Angeles Times Story

What sanctions should be put on North Korea? I believe that there is really nothing we can do without offending its tyrannical ruler. This is a situation we should all be concerned about. The question is, do we need another war?

Justin Austin
POS2001
12pm M-F

Obama's Supreme Court Justice Decision

I believe that Obama will choose the best person for the position. In my opinion, Varack wants what is best for the country. If picking a Democrat is not the best choice, then what is the chances that he will do so? Wheteher the individual is Democrat or Republican, Obama does not discriminate and will choose the best candidate for the Supreme Court Justice chair.

Annecia Pillers
POS 2001
M-F 9:00AM

How to make fun of Barack Obama

America has always enjoyed taking part in our right to free speech and mocking the president when they make errors, whether it be in speech or in judgment. However, lately there has been some confusion and hesitation in directing that same since of humor towards our new president, Obama. A lot of questions have come up over his skin color and whether it is acceptable to make fun of him since the jokes always comes back to him being a pimp or a rap artist, both being stereotypes that are considered racist. In my opinion, if comics are having this hard of a time coming up with original and truthful ways to create comedy based on him, they should divert their efforts elsewhere until there is something to truly make fun of him for. History repeats itself and I don't think he will leave office without screwing up or making an error without the recognition and justifiable laughter that all of our other presidents had to endure.

Here are a few clips on how people are actually spending their time in trying to discover new ways to make fun of Obama.

Obama Wins song
How to make fun of BARACK OBAMA

Sara King
POS 2001
9:00AM M-F

Afghanistan wasting our support?

Since 2001 the US has put forth $33 billion dollars to help Afghanistan reconstruct and get its self moving in the right direction. The money has gone to many different outlets, some more useful than others but all ending in the same failure. $1 million of this aid went to construct and put into operation a new power generating facility, which once constructed was left up to the Afghani people to keep up and running. However when the US came back to audit the plant it found that two of the three generators were out of commission and the other was only operating at 60 percent efficiency. Another wasted endeavor came in the form of trying to get people to stop growing poppy seeds used to make opium by replacing them with saffron. However the project didn't make it through the two years that it needed in order to make its self self-sustaining. While these two examples only account for a small fraction of the money being spent it still shows that the money is being spent poorly and for all intensive purposes being wasted.

I feel that all the money that we are spending over-seas to rebuild these countries is a waste of our money as a country. Not only do we have our own needs right now, with our country being in a recession, we don't need to take on the problems of another country. I'm not saying that the troops that are over there don't deserve the funds that they are getting I'm just saying that I don't agree with all the reforms that the US is spending on so that the Afghanis can run everything we build for them into the ground.

Do you feel that the money is being spent wisely? If not how do you think that the money would be better spent?

Afghanistan's reconstruction outpaces oversight

James McCoy
POS 2001
M-F 9:00AM

Trouble in Pakistan

Several news outlets are reporting that 2 million plus people have been driven from their homes in the tribal regions in Pakistan. With the continued support from America and the new aggression from the Pakistan military many majors concerns have come to my attention during these last few weeks. Pakistan is on the verge of an all out civil war while continuing to be a nuclear state. If the nuclear weapons fell into the wrong hands it would be a major threat to global security. Most of the current attention has been given to the possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons while Pakistan already has nuclear weapons and is on the verge of being a failed state. It is debatable how close Pakistan is to becoming a failed state, but the reality of what could happen is more than enough to be alarmed. How much of a threat do you think the current situation merits?

Justin Ford
POS2001
M-F 9:00AM

Remembering our Veterans

Memorial Day weekend is upon us again, and regardless of your ideological views never forget the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Every soldier who puts on the uniform in the morning is doing so realizing that they may have to put their life on the line at any time. Soldiers do their job regardless of what they may think of any of the particular missions they are given. They serve equally under both Democrats and Republicans. Their loyalty lies not with a specific president or administration but more importantly with the United States of America. The military never forgets what they are fighting for, so we should do our best to show them that we will never forget them.

Justin Ford
POS2001
M-F 9:00AM

Advocates Await Specifics of Obama's Plan for Vets Program

The White House proposed a significant budget increase for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Which would include an 11% increase for fiscal year of 2010.I feel like now is not the right time to be increasing anyone's budget. I respect and give honor to all veterans, but do you think now is that right time for an increase in their budget?




Chanequia Jones
POS2001 12pm MTWRF

Obama is to Pick New Supreme Court Justice

The president has to pick a new Supreme Court Justice to replace retiring Justice David Souter. The White House stated that decision could come as early as the first week in June. In my opinion, I believe he is going to pick a democrat, due to that being the political party he represents.Do you think the new Supreme Court Justice will be a Democrat or Republic? Why?






Chanequia Jones
POS2001 12pm MTWRF

Recycling Bailout Money: Is It Right?

Some lawmakers are questioning whether the Department of Treasury has the power to recycle returned bailout dollars to fund new or expand rescues for auto companies, life insurers, and small banks. In my opinion, I would rather them recycle the money instead of issuing out new money for the taxpayers to payback. If you had a voice in what to do with this recycled money, what would you do?





Chanequia Jones
POS2001 12pm MTWRF

US Offers to Renew Talks With Cuba on Immigration

"The US intends to use the renewal of talks to reaffirm both sides commitment to safe, legal and orderly migration to the US... and to improve operational relations with Cuba on migration issues," State Department spokeswoman Heide Bronke-Fulton told CNN. This comes after the Bush Administration suspended immigration talks with the Cuban dictatorship in January 2004. Some members of Congress are less than enthusiastic about this. They believe the Obama administration should first insist that the Castro dictatorship complies with the accord before renewing "talks". I think that the US needs to solve our economic, joblessness, and homeless situation first before talks of letting immigrants come into the US. What are your thoughts?




Chanequia Jones
POS2001 12pm MTWRF

President Obama's First 100 Days

A poll was taken by CNN to grade President Obama on how well he has done in his first 100 days in office. He was given an overall grade of a C. I would give him a B, because he has come into to office with all of these issues and not to mention a huge dept. Yet still he is tackling each issue looking at all aspects,and is staying calm, cool, and collective. What would you give him?








Chanequia Jones
POS2001 12pm MTWRF

Obama/Baucus Health Care Reform Politically Feasible?

The proposed healthcare reform policy constructed by President Obama and Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus (D) of Montana, looks to be a politically feasible solution, unlike the Clinton administration's utter failure in 1993. But some extreme left-wing activists still are not happy. Instead of a British-style, single-payer system that these activists want, the Obama/Baucus plan emphasizes a public health care option, which is an easier pill for Conservatives to swallow. I think that liberals on all sides of the political spectrum should celebrate the administration's reform plan. According NY Times columnist Paul Krugman, the plan could "be to the new New Deal what social security was to the original" (Krugman, The Conscience of a Liberal, 243)

A brief outline of the plan:

1. Community Rating
2. Subsidies for low-income families
3. Mandated Coverage
4. Public-private competition



Thomas Ziebarth
POS2001 9 a.m.

Friday Class

We will continue our discussion of political ideologies and have another goup activity.

Don't forget that there is no class on Monday.

Is Michael Steele what the GOP needs right now?

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele made a speech Monday night in which he said " change is being delivered in the form of a teabag". The same Michael Steele spoke to the Washington Times earlier this year in which he said he would make an "off the hook" public relations offensive to "urban hip/hop communities". Steele may have some edge with African American and minorities which are more socially conservative. This can be supported by the 2008 elections having an overwhelming Democratic turnout in support of Obama but yet passing the conservative bans on gay marriages into three state constitutions (Arizona, California and Florida). However, for the die hard conservatives which Rush Limbaugh and Sara Palin appeal to, I do not think Steele's presence is bolstering support among them. Do you think the republican party will be more succesful in the future by appealing to a more conservative religious right, or the more moderates like John McCain, Jeb Bush or Lindsay Graham?

Max Herrle
POS2001
12 PM

Thursday Class

We will have a quiz on political ideologies, as well as beginning to discuss the related lecture notes. Also, there will be a group activity dealing with the same material.

Do not forget that there is no class on Monday, May 25.

Patriotism & Torture

Dick Cheney and others on the far right have proclaimed that they did nothing wrong when using torture methods, because it keep America safe. They have often shielded their neoconservatives’ views by making it seem like torture was the patriotic action to take. I completely understand the argument of using extreme force in extreme situations, but making torture a law in order to try and pry information out of people on a hunch is not only unconstitutional but also un-American. I served in both Kosovo and Iraq and it discuss me that we have lowered our standards as American in recent years. To be an American means that we have certain principles that set us apart from other countries. We have fought and died for those same ideals for many centuries. I personally am not willing to continue to give a man who dodged his own military service the right to take that away from us. He should not only stop trying to justify his actions, but instead start to apologize for them.

Justin Ford
POS 2001
9:00AM M-F

Obama Orders a Cheeseburger

Many of you have probably heard about president Obama ordering a cheeseburger at a local restaurant in Virginia. The footage, seen on YouTube, shows him and Joe Biden ordering burgers, declining the special treatment of free burgers. Media outlets rushed to air this on their networks and it became headline news for the day.

My question is: why does anyone care? A man has got to eat.

I know this is a bit hypocritical of me, I just want to know your opinions on this.

Here is a rather funny clip of Fox News turning this into something negative. You'll probably get a laugh out of it.



Justin Austin
POS2001
12 PM

Tuesday Class

We will continue our discussion on the Forms of Government notes and will have a related group activity. We will also have a quiz on Political Culture.

Monday Class

We will discuss the Forms of Government lecture notes and have a group activity. It will also be the last day to submit the syllabus contract without being withdrawn from the class and the last day to do the Intro for full credit.

I will be in my office from 10:15-12:00 and 1:15-1:30 only, people who can't make it during those times will not be able to do the intro.

Wanda Sykes at the White Hourse Correspondent's Dinner

I loved it. If you are not aware that the vast majority of the media and celebrities in general swing pretty far to the left you are living in a dream world. I understand that and as someone whose ideologies swing to the right I can still appriciate good humor. There is a long history at these dinners, since Bill Clinton being made fun of by Don Imus, that there are some harsh things being said. I am a Rush fan and a Sean Hannity fan but they are easy targets! I enjoyed Wanda Sykes and thought she was whitty and hilarious. You?

William Derrick
POS2001 12pm

The Grey Area in Politics

I was sitting in class today and I realized something about fallacies. Every political debate is full of almost 50 percent of them! I am a very black and white person and I am realizing that politics are not for me. That fact of the matter is that swaying either way on certain issues is the only way to gain votes. We are becomming a more moderate society and that is why the GOP is losing so many votes because we tend to practice more conservative views. If you look at the GOP house minority leader John Boehner, all of his votes swing towards very conservative views on many social issues like gay marriage, abortion and the place of God in our government. The GOP would love to see things return back to when "One Nation Under God" meant something but the sad fact is that it will most likely will not. What does the grey area in politics mean to you? What moves does the GOP need to make to step back up to the plate in 2010?
William Derrick
POS2001 12pm

Why Should We Care?

I am a conservative republican and I hate Nancy Pelosy. That being said, who cares if she knew about the enhanced interrogations? People are losing sight of the real issue here. The past is the past. Although these techniques have been under close scrutiny by those who feel it was torture, I for one feel for no remorse for the men who, after being waterboarded, gave up information on a terror attack on the west coast similar to 9/11. I was in the Marine Corps for four years and spent two tours in Iraq defending your right to say we should not hurt the very men that decapitated my fellow Marines (and a civilian reporter). There is the one thing that no one on the news points out; NO ONE WANTS TO HURT ANYONE. I have been water boarded. A friend of mine is a Force Recon Scout Sniper and as part of his training learned how to and was waterboarded as well. Anyways, my only point is to say that weather or not Speaker Pelosy knew of this happening should not matter. We are trying to win a war, and some feelings are going to get hurt. If you are against waterboarding (which I have had worse happen to me in Iraq), this is my favorite question to ask and see absolutley no response except; Well.... not waterboard them. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST THE CIA DO BESIDES POURING WATER DOWN THE NOSE OF A TERRORIST WHO SUPPOSEDLY HAS INFORMATION THAT COULD SAVE AMERICAN LIVES BUT WILL NOT GIVE IT UP?

William Derrick
POS2001 12pm

Political Spectacle

As always one political party is try to sway public opinion to further there ideology without concern to the issue. The Congressional Republican party made a personal attack on the speaker of house Nancy Pelosi concerning her complicity in the use of advance integration techniques by the CIA. This personal assault on Nancy Pelosi is a subtle attack on the Democratic party and on the current policies being instituted. In my personal opinion the current and fundamental issue is the President Obama decision to close the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Republican party has charged the Democratic executive branch with endangering the lives of Americans while trying to promote there agenda. The decisions of the former administration where it is concerned with the prison and interrogation technique has lowered the approval of the party. This a blatant attempt by the Republican party to shift or diffuse the blame in a public spectacle. The simple fact is the Guantanamo Bay prison became highlighted as a liability and President Obama was fulfilling his campaign promise of greater transparency in government decisions.

Okino Leiba
POS2001
12 p.m. M-F

Friday Class

We will have a quiz on the Forms of Government lecture notes and begin discussing those notes. There will also be time to ask questions about the Policy Comparison directions. We will do Extra Credit Activity 2, so you should bring your book and/or prepare your questions in advance. We'll go over the answers to the logical fallacies assignment and in the 12 p.m. class, we'll go over the U.S. Citizenship quiz.

Thursday Class

Thursday is a hugely important day in class in terms of your grade. We will be going over the directions for the policy comparison. Missing this class could be very detrimental to your grade. We will also be doing a group activity, so I suggest that you have the critical thinking notes (with the list of logical fallacies) with you. There might also be a bonus quiz, so you might want to brush up on your American citizenship knowledge...

Finally, the Constitution Knowledge assignment is due.

Tea Party Protesters

It has been stated in other blogs and comments that the Tea Parties that have been going on have been a grassroots effort organized solely by the people. I have some inside knowledge on this matter because I have done organizing throughout the country, and there isn’t any type of grassroots organizing that happens on this level without political backing. Without the constant advertisements of fox news these events would have never happened with this magnitude. The media was not the only catalyst in this matter. They also needed a certain amount backing needed for permits and other cost. These events were the Republican Party way of trying to regain some of the support they lost during the last election. The rallies have accomplished nothing. Anger only breed’s anger, and without any real plan of action from the Republican Party or rally members nothing legislative will ever come out us this.

Justin Ford
POS 2001
9:00AM M-F

Tuesday Class

We will continue our discussion of critical thinking and have a quiz on the lecture notes for the Study of Politics. We will have a group activity, but you don't need to bring any additional materials for it. You do not need your book.

Monday Class

We will continue our discussion on critical thinking and the United States knowledge assignment is due. Also, we will do extra credit activity one. You should prepare the questions in advance (see the class web site) and bring your book/notes to class.

If you haven't done so already, don't forget to turn in your syllabus contract and to do your introduction letter/office visit as soon as you can.

Afghan Civilians are killed by U.S. Bombing Raids

According to an article published in the New York Times, the U.S. has taken responsibility for the  over 100 Afghan civilians who were killed on monday night when American bomb raids, intending to quell a Taliban insurgency, struck two villages in the Farah province. These are not the first civilian casualties since the U.S. has deployed troops in Afghanistan. According to The Times,  2000 civilians have been killed in the past year due to fighting, claiming that most of the deaths are a result of U.S. bombing raids. It is such chilling statistics as these, that have left me wondering if the "Change" that President Obama has promised, is not just polite political euphemism. As a Democrat, it pains me to bear this cynicism, but I can't help but be disturbed when I hear the media referring to the war in Afghanistan as "Obama's War." While I am not as naive as to assume that Obama would adopt the "tree-hugging, peace-loving, bleeding heart- liberal" politics of say, Nancy Pelosi, I did have optimism that his policy on international conflicts would less "bloody" than the last 8 years. But then again, maybe I am naive enough to hope for a day when when citizens of all countries will stand beside one another in peace and brotherhood. This is change that I can see. 

Thomas Ziebarth

POS2001 

9 A.M. M-F 

Living the Laws

So, I went up to the Shell Station on Macomb to get a pack of cigarettes. I'm wearing simply a pear of blue jeans - no shoes, no shirt. Before I get to the window, I am screamed at, "PUT A F**KING SHIRT ON!" Now, there is no sign on the window, yet alone the establishment, to have the proper attire to enter the store. Yes, I may look different, but a guy right behind me walks in wearing a skinny tank-top and his jeans down to his ankles. I simply look at the two clerks and proceed back to my car to find a shirt. I walk back to the door and enter. I ask for a pack of smokes. I comment on the incident. The female clerk says, "Don't you see the sign on the door!?" " No baby I don't, and where I am from, no one wears shirts, yet alone shoes." "I'll make sure to put a sign on the door tomorrow!" Now, was it my appearance that her decision was based off of, or was it in her actual store policy?

Obama to be prayer day no-show

Original Article

Does anybody else think it's ridiculous that people are making a big deal of this?  We live in the United States where we are promised the freedom to practice any religion that we please.  I think this also includes not practicing a religion if we don't want to.  I realize that there are people who think of this day as "tradition," and that the President should attend regardless, but I'm of the opinion that the constitution applies to everyone, including the President, who should have to choice to omit himself from religious ceremonies.  Anyone else?

Randall Grant

POS2001

12PM M-F

The Flyover

What should be done about the carelessness of those in charge of this Air Force One flyover in New York City? The administration feels that it is okay to release top secret documents on our interrogation techniques but when asked to present the photos that were taken as part of this photo op, the answer is no? This is not about just the flyover but also about Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, shrugging off things like the Tea Parties and even this flyover when asked about it by the media. Should someone come forward and admit a mistake or should we just turn a blind eye because of all the other political issues that are bigger than this in the world right now?

William Derrick
POS2001
12pm M-F

Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda: Drilling bill was a path to clean energy

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D) of Florida's 9th district wrote in the Tallahasse Democrat on the third about HB1219. This bill will allow drilling for oil off of the coast of Florida. Vasilinda said of the bill, "My amendments were the only attempt this session in the House to do anything toward truly clean and renewable energy." The Florida House Legislature, which is dominated by Republicans, were able to pass the bill with a vote of 70 to 43.


I worked the Florida session last year; the house and senate are dominated by Republicans, who are generally less concerned with the environment. I think Rep. Vasalinda has the right idea, since this bill passed, we need to make it a bill that lead us to a green Florida.

Lucas Parsons
POS 2001
M-F 9:00

Transparency?

I have recently noticed an ongoing trend in this administration. Transparency was something that "Candidate" Obama preached in his campaign for the presidency on a daily basis. He even went as far as to say every bill that he signs into law will be on the Internet for the public to review for at least five days before he signs it. Once has that ALMOST happened. One bill appeared on the Internet for 33 hours and then was sign. This was during the weekend I might add. As we pass this, media deemed, "historical 100 days in office" has our government CHANGED as much as the president said it would?

William Derrick
POS2001
12pm M-F

Tobacco Tax Increase

All of you smokers out there are sure to have noticed the substantial increase on the price of cigarettes during these troubled times. Not only have the states raised taxes; the federal government has too.

Cigarettes have gone up over 61 cents due to the federal tax and states are quickly adding their own provisions to increase their revenue. This may not seem like much, but to people with little money it is a BIG difference. Obama has said in a statement that it is a step forward in the "War on Tobacco". Has the federal government gone too far by interfering with our rights as citizens to smoke?

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (“Act,”
Public Law 111-3), was signed into law on February 4, 2009. The Act
increases the Federal excise taxes on tobacco products and sets forth new permit
and enforcement provisions regarding tobacco products and processed
tobacco. http://www.ttb.gov/main_pages/schip-summary.shtml

Justin Austin
POS2001
12pm M/F

Hate Your State

I don't like to use the word, "U.S. Interest," that's why I wish some other critics or friends of ours, would stop saying, " we go into this country, we go into that country." We do this and we do that. And just shh! We don't do a thing, they do it to us. We are part of the victims, we're not part of the victimizers. The goal of U.S. global policy is to make the world safe for the Fortune 500. It's to protect to overall global Capitalists system.

Chad Hillman
POS2001
9am M-F

Friday Class

We will be discussing the Critical Thinking lecture notes and you will get back the Basic Knowledge assignment. I would also strongly advise that you bring your syllabus to class with you.

THE US GOVERNMENT

As normal citizens of our country how much do we actually know about our government? Its a scary thing to wake up everyday and think about what our government is really up to? Who really runs our country, how many government agencies are there that the public doesnt know about? Is there a cure for aids, cancer, or any other virus's and diseases? Are they hiding the finds for population control? What are your thoughts?

Jason Spiewak
POS1041
T/R11:35

Obama Asked to get rid of his Blackberry

When President Barrack Obama took office one of the first things the secret service had to ask him to do was hand over his personel Blackberry Cellphone. The president did not want to hand it ove because it was his way of communicating with the people outside of the White House, family and friends etc. This was one issue they were worried about but the main thing they were taking it from him for was because of the gps in it and someone being able to triangulate our president at all times, which we could say would not be good? Do you think he should be able to keep his phone?

Jason Spiewak
POS1041
T/R 11:35

The Subway 5dollar Footlong

So our economy is obviously in a very hard time right now and there isnt much alot of american households can do. Subway came out with the 5 dollar footlong and is now completey running the "sandwich market." There CEO and employess are all benifiting off the poor economy, and there buisness is booming! Can other resturants afford to do this? Why dont they?

Jason Spiewak
POS1041
T/R 11:35

Obama Banned Torture

President Obama promised in his campaign that if eleceted he would ban the interrogation method that many were using TORTURE! He then released memos that were left from the Bush administration that gave legal guidelines to the executive branch on "enhanced interrogation techniques." After releasing them he had stated that he was not going to prosecute any of the people who drafted these memos, but then later got convinced into changing his mind and plans on trying any body that broke any law using these memos..... The CIA feels betrayed that he released this information what are your thought?

Jason Spiewak

POS1041

T/R 11:35

Just Say No

Of late, it appears that no one in America has the ability to just say NO any more. Everywhere you go you hear that the government has bailed out another company, that banks have lent to those they no can't repay the loan, or that the government is dishing out handouts left and right to those who don't really need them. I feel that everyone needs to relearn that word that our parents taught us. NO. Government, instead of bailing out the business, just say NO. NO you cant have money when you ran your company into the ground, No Mr. bank I won't buy your WORTHLESS assets. And more than anything, NO to the individuals in America. NO more free cheese. NO you cant have a check because you can't get off your but and find a job. NO because four generations of your family have been relying on government handouts. And as individuals, Americans need to start saying NO to homes we can't afford, NO I'm not going to buy that because i can't afford it. NO I'm not taking your money because I can work hard and get there myself. The power of NO. our parents knew it. We need to relearn it.

Nicholas Conlin
POS1041
T/R 11:35am

Discrimination claim appears to divide high court

A divided Supreme Court took up its first examination of race in the Obama era Wednesday, wrestling with claims of job discrimination by white firefighters in a case that could force changes in employment practices nationwide.
The case from New Haven, Conn., pits white firefighters, who showed up at the court Wednesday in their dress uniforms, against the city over its decision to scrap a promotion exam because no African-Americans and only two Hispanic firefighters were likely to be made lieutenants or captains based on the results.

This is truely unfair to those white fire fighters. It is not that fault that there is not enough minorities to fill those slots. They should not be punished for doing their jobs and qualifying for what they deserve because there's not enough minorities to meet a quota. I do feel that they have a valid case and it deserves serious consideration.

Hagins, Jonathan C.
pos1041
1135

torture....

I am literaly so sick of hearing people whine about torture. Now it comes out that Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice gave the CIA verbal permission to waterboard some big name terrorist. I honestly do not see what the big deal is about that. If it gains useful information then what is wrong with using it? If it saves ONE American life, then what is wrong with using it? It is in a controlled environment. No one is going to literally drown the terrorist. How else is our military supposed to get through to people who willingly blow themselves up to make a point?

Robbie Schmalfuss

CPO 2001 T/R 1:05

100 days of NO

Obama will 'celebrate' his first 100 days in office on April 29th. What is the significance of that anyways? What is 100 days compared to 4 years? I guess it is significant in that in the first 100 days he has passed the largest spending bill of all time, driving our debt up to $12 trillion. It is funny that the DNC made a 1 minute video called "100 Days of No", and in it they highlight the fact that no republicans voted YES on the presidents budget, all but 3 voted NO on the stimulus bill, etc. They say all these things that make republicans look horrible, but they dont tell you exactly why they voted that way. Typical....

Robbie Schmalfuss

CPO2001 T/R 1:05

U.S., Europe Weigh Next Steps on Iran

Top U.S. and European diplomats met Wednesday to plan a way ahead in dealing with Iran's suspected nuclear program, just hours after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad indicated he was willing to build a new relationship with the United States.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana met for talks on Iran just hours after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was open to finding new ways to deal with the United States. Ahmadinejad said he is preparing new proposals aimed at breaking the impasse with the West over his country's nuclear program.

I get the whole point of talking and trying to figure out things with Iran, but are we just ignoring N. Korea? I am truely misunderstanding this they are telling us that they plan to launch a long range missle that could have nuclear capabilities. Not to take from Iran but N.Korea is what we should be focusing on.
Hagins, Jonathan C.
pos1041
1135

We Are Not Alone...

Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell said yesterday that aliens are definitely real. He claims that he knows for a fact that we're being visited and that the U.S. government knows about it too. He is calling upon them to release information proving this or else he and his colleagues will. I think that is is hilarious because I believe there is no such thing as aliens and this is all one huge conspiracy. 

Robbie Schmalfuss

CPO2001   T/R 1:05

6 States OK'd to Write Education Laws Outside 'No Child'

Six states are getting the OK to write their own prescriptions for ailing schools under the Bush administration's signature education law.
It's a softening from how No Child Left Behind currently works — with schools having to take certain steps at specific times for missing math and reading testing goals. Critics have complained that the approach is too rigid and treats schools the same regardless of whether they miss the mark by a little or a lot.

I believe this is why our schools are doing so horribly, because we look for any excuse or reason to place blame on the problem. The real problem is that the parents are to busy and the teachers are over worked and under paid. That leads to the only individuals truely suffering being the childre trapped in our education system.
Hagins, Jonathan C.
pos1041
1135

Russia to Korea: "No Nukes"

Apparently, Russia is sending a diplomat to N. Korea to talk about disarming their nuclear program. I don't really understand this one at all. Russia at the same time has an alliance with Iran and is supplying Iran with materials and personnel to get a nuclear program up-and-running. Russia does not like the U.S. and neither does N. Korea, so I would think they'd both want each other to have nukes, unless it is a regional power grab for Russia.

Robbie Schmalfuss

CPO2001 T/R 1:05

Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Jailed for Violating Bond Order

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was jailed Thursday for a bond violation in his perjury case, his pleas for leniency rejected by a judge who made it clear the mayor would get no special treatment.
Kilpatrick, charged with perjury and other felonies over his testimony in a civil trial, apologized and acknowledged that he made a mistake when he visited Windsor, Ontario, minutes away from Detroit, for city business last month. But District Judge Ronald Giles was not moved, saying he needed to treat the mayor like any other defendant.

I guess he thought that the law only applied to common folks. It is nice to see our judicial proceess actually working to make justice equal. Although we all know there are always holes in the system. It is still nice to say for once that the law applies to others than just myself.

Hagins, Jonathan C.
POS1041
1135

Palin in the news again....

So Palin is in the news again. Only this time it is about her daughter, Bristol. Apparently, she is not letting the father of her baby, Levi Johnston, see their son. Honestly media, who cares? I think it is about time that the media get off of the Palin's backs about this kind of crap. They took a bad enough beating during the election. Come on people.

Robbie Schmalfuss

CPO 2001 T/R 1:05

Elementary Kids...and Saving Money???

I don't get it, Wakulla Bank went out to Kate Sullivan Elementary school and educated the students there on ways to manage money, and save money. I understand it, but I don't see the relation in teaching an elementary student to save money, had they wanted to do so they could have chose middle school students but according to me their prime targets should be high school students, who already work or are about to work and start paying bills. I think they need to be the ones knowing about it. What do you guys think?

Jigar Patel
TR 11:35
POS 1041

Obama invites mideast leaders.

President Obama said he plans to invite top officials from Egypt, Israel, and Palestine to talk peace and how the United States can strengthen and deepen its partnership with them . Dates for the meeting have not been disclosed but each official will meet with the president separately. I think that this will be a great start to peace in the Middle East. Israel and Palestine really need to stop fighting and start talking they cannot keep on being so stubborn with each other. What they need to understand is that no one is going anywhere and they need to learn to live together.

Alex Suarez
CPO 2001
TR 1:05

Cash-Strapped Postal Service Seeks Help in Cutting Costs

WASHINGTON -- The post office will run out of money this year unless it gets help, Postmaster General John Potter told Congress on Wednesday as he sought permission to cut delivery to five days a week.

The agency lost $2.8 billion last year and is looking at much larger losses this year. Reducing mail delivery from six days to five days a week could save $3.5 billion annually, Potter said.

How come this so called economic bail out did not include the postal service? What are we going to do with out the mail service? I know that we can e-mail and all but there are just somethings that have to be mailed.
Hagins, Jonathan C.
POS1041
1135

Athletics, something we hold so dear

With the town hall meeting yesterday, which i did not attend, hosted by the president of FSU in his reasoning behind the cuts to FSU educational programs, I really wanted to ask him could any of those programs have been saved if Bowden had retired as was planned and we did not need to pay $4 million to the guy that was to replace him?

I have heard that he, the FSU president was going for shock value, which was true, but he also need something of shock value he could cut and not lose his job over cutting. If he had called out athletics, football for example, toget a cut to its budget, he would probably get drawn and quartered if he were lucky, hate to think of what unlucky would bring.

Isn't it sad when we are having people with no job, needing to go to school to get a degree or training in a new field or brush up on skills learned in the past but no longer as fresh in their memory as needed, to cut funding to education across the board while at the same time keeping athletics at the same ammount, which is great but I don't see how kicking a football is more important than training a science teacher.

Michael Desilets
CPO 2001
T/R 8:35

Virus Vials Missing

In Frederick, Maryland at Fort Detrick three vials containing samples of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis were misplaced causing the Military to begin a Army criminal investigation. This Encephalitis causes sickness in horses and can be transmitted to humans by mosquitos. When in contact with humans the strand can cause death. Should the U.S. be doing more to protect these viruses from being stolen. After all, we are the ones that might come in contact to it one day.

Michael Orta

CPO 2001

T/R 8:35a.m.

same sex marriage

For or against? Is it really anyone's buisness who people decide to marry. I feel like there are so many more important things going on in this world today occupying peoples time with wondering if a law should be passed allowing same sex marriages. The bond two people decide to make is a special and private matter and it should not be such a controversial matter.

Lauren D'Lando
CPO2001
T/R 8:35

Pakistan into terrorist hands?

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Pakistan is in danger of falling into terrorist hands because of failed government policies. The Taliban has taken a district only 60 miles away from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. Clinton said that the United States should be very worried about this because Pakistan has nuclear weapon capability. She also says that there has not been enough of a show concern from the people of Pakistan, she said that they have to start pushing the topic forward to the government. In my opinion this is very important we do not want the Taliban to take another country over. This is another reason on why America should be in Afghanistan patrolling the border with Pakistan we cannot have terrorist using safe havens in both countries, we also need to open talks with Pakistan and see how both the United States in Afghanistan and Pakistan can combat this problem.

Alex Suarez
CPO 2001
TR 1:05

Guantanamo Bay prisoner rights

The question that has been asked by many in these times of war is why the prisoners that were held in Guantanamo Bay did not have a right to a fair trial if they were being held in a U.S. prison by U.S. law. The men held at Guantanamo were sent lawyers but the lawyers by law were not allowed to discuss the case the U.S. was building against them. They could not even see their own file the U.S. made on them. Why should these men not have the right to a fair and speedy trial as mentioned in the Bill of Rights.

Michael Orta

CPO 2001

T/R 8:35a.m. 

MLB steroids solution?

In recent years the rise and falls of many baseball players has been witness by Americans and most all the cases involve steroids. The government can punish athletes who lie on the stand but should they be able to do more? I believe that since MLB is a billion dollar industry that the government should get more involved within the field of testing players for performance enhancing drugs. This could help out Americas favorite pastime so that it will remain Americas favorite past time.

Michael Orta

CPO 2001

T/R 8:35a.m.

Government Sponsored Monoplolies (GSMs)

GSMs, what are they? Exactly what it sounds like. The government contracts out to a private company, a service or utility, in an area, locally the lad line and cable system. This makes sense in a way, instead of ten different phone companies running lines to the same places, like each and everyone home, only one company does. This makes it so that a requirement to run a line to every house isn't a rule to fight but one to endorse. Where they come to be a problem is when they are mostly unregulated such as with the cable industry.
Mostly unregulated as far as the cable industry isn't exactly true, there are many shared regulations like that among phone providers, but with the growing use of broadband, cable is faster than DSL, the use of VOIP (voice of ip, or the internet), more regulation is called for.
A key piece of regulation would be something similar to what is required of telephone operators, that being where one phone company provides local service, and that company only, but outside companies can compete to provide long distane service, those commercials from the past with 10 cents a minute calleing with MCI, before that became MCI World Com and went belly up. If cable companies were required to allow outside companies to provide broadband services in much the same way, a reduction in cost would occur, as competition demands lowering of cost, and an increase in quality, quality of the service itself but also of the customer service.
As of now this won't ever happen. The idea of net neutrality is getting thrown out the window as the refusal to release documents on ACTA, an internation traty about the internet, against court orders, and the fact that the ones informing congress about issues relating to net neutrality harken from the companies wishing to get rid of it.
What would a cable company do with the removal of net neutrality, well one thing that is already taking place is charging by the gigabyte of data transferred. This may seem like it makes sense, but the refusal to show data relating to how they are unable to make money on broadband, when corporate profits are rising, with all the upgrades they need to do to keep up with demand.
This will end up stifling development in one of the few area the US is a leader and that is information technology, take Netflix for example. They offer a service where you can stream Hi-Def films over your computer so that you don't have to wait, or if you want the environmentally conscious view point, so that you don't have to have a disc sent to your house, wasting gas and paper and everything else. That is 5 gigs for a single movie, this company has a 2 gig a month trial run now, after those 2 gigs you pay a dollar a gig. Did they feel competition to their On-demand service?
Government Sponsored Monopolies can be a good thing, think telephone service or utility service, but don't forget those are heavily regulated, and sometimes regulations my hurt one businesses bottom line, but it can help you, and help far more people, creating for more job opportunities.

Michael Desilets
CPO 2001
T/R 8:35

Missile failure

There has been an ongoing timeline between North and South Korea, United States, Japan, China and Russia concerning nuclear weapons and missles. In recent months North Korea has accused South Korea of "hostile intent" and revoked all military and political agreements with Seoul. Just recently has North Korea stated that there "missle launch" was no more than a peaceful launch of a satellite.

Lauren D'Lando
CPO2001
T/R 8:35

Missile failure

There has been an ongoing timeline between North and South Korea, United States, Japan, China and Russia concerning nuclear weapons and missles. In recent months North Korea has accused South Korea of "hostile intent" and revoked all military and political agreements with Seoul. Just recently has North Korea stated that there "missle launch" was no more than a peaceful launch of a satellite.

Afghanistan Sex Law

I saw a video online of woman last week protesting a law past in Afghanistan that allowed husbands to demand sex from their spouses once a week. Not only is this extremely wrong in the view of civil rights but it is practically rape. I am glad i live in the U.S. because even though woman do not receive all the respect they deserve, there are treated better here than in other places on Earth. They should honestly rethink this law.

Michael Orta

CPO 2001

T/R 8:35a.m.

Talks between North and South Korea end quickly

For the first time in over a year North Korea and South Korea had a government to government talk. The meeting was supposed to be about business deals about a company that both countries run but soon turned sour after the south brought up a topic about a South Korean detainee. The detainee was supposedly telling a worker at the company to defect to South Korea and criticized the government of the north. When the south asked for him back the north refused to talk about it saying he was not on the agenda. The talks soon after stopped after twenty-two minutes. I guess you can say that it went pretty good, North Korea actually having talks with another nation there usually the hermits of that region. I think that any talks with North Korea are good but this one went sour pretty quickly. The North Korean government should not give back the detainee if he was breaking the law in North Korea than he should be tried in North Korea, he should not have been talking like he was. There are certain countries that you go to that you cannot do certain things and you have to learn before hand on what is right and what is wrong.

Alex Suarez
CPO 2001
TR 1:05

Government systems

Is our government system too forgiving and generous? There are people commiting murders and crimes daily and our streets are still filled with criminals. The death penalty needs to be heightened incases such as the capturing of one of the Somolia pirates. Not only is he going to get a taste of American prosecution but he had a big smile on his face on national television because he knows he is going to be provided with clothes, food, and a place to sleep each night. Our system needs to really give what some of these people deserve.

Lauren D'Lando
CPO2001
T/R 8:35