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