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.