World Police

Why do we feel the need to stick our nose in domestic affairs of other countries that have nothing to do with the well being of our own country? For some unknown reason we have it in our minds that we control the world and everything that goes on in it. When we don’t like something another country is doing we come in, show our guns, then tell them how we want things done, sometimes not that simple. We always think it’s our god given right to establish order everywhere. In reality the only country we need to be worrying about establishing order in is our own. We cannot start fixing other countries until we figure out how to fix ourselves. The Constitution clearly states we must establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Nowhere does it say anything about the wellbeing of other countries, let other countries worry about themselves we’ll worry about us.

Nico Pento
POS1041
T-TR 11:35

Founders vs. Leaders

July 4th 1777, this marked the birth of the United States of America, a country created by a group of men who decided to stand up for what they believe and leave everything they new behind to start a new nation, to be free. Would the founding fathers be proud of where the country is today, have we lived up to our reputation?

Once a super-power controlling the world, this country has become a laughing stock. Once primitive countries such as China and Japan who knew nothing of the modern world until America's assistance have become what we once were, controllers of the world. America is in debt with so many countries, if you divide the national debt by 305,544,655 (the estimated population of the U.S.) it comes out to $34,781.12, that is how much every American owes, this is un-repayable. America spends and spends with no profitable return, borrowing money from everyone until there is no one left to borrow from, then outsources all major production. American made cars such as General Motors are not even American companies anymore their production factories are in South America now. We have no means of turning a profit anymore. We have fallen to the bottom of the totem pole.

I think the founding fathers would be disgusted with the face of this country as it is today. This country was built on the idea of independence but we have no more independence. We are dependent on other countries for our well being. If China or Japan decided to seize trade with us we would be screwed, they have us under their pinkie and there is nothing we can do about it.

Nico Pento
POS 1041
T-TR 11:35

Real Change?

For the last two years Barrack Obama has been preaching a message of change, but is that really what we're going to get? Not two weeks in office and I'm already scratching my head about a choice by Obama. Timothy Geithner was chosen by Obama to be our nation's treasury secretary. The problem with Geithner is he has been employing an illegal immigrant, and even worse he did not pay his Social Security and Medicare taxes for four years. How can Obama's tax plan work when people of higher income such as Geithner doesn't even pay their taxes? Geithner claims he made an honest mistake, so when the IRS audited him he payed back two years, but he waited until he was in the running for the treasury secretary before he payed back the other two years. This man either made an idiotic mistake on his taxes, in which case he does not need to be our treasury secretary because he has to deal with money and things like taxes which he apparently cannot do, or he is a dishonest cheater. Either way it is not a good idea to put Geithner in charge of our money. I'm disappointed in Obama for choosing him and the senate for confirming him. Nice start to changing Washington...

Luke Strickland
POS2041
Friday 1 p.m.

Domestic Adoption

One of my brother-in-laws is one of seven children, which only he and one other sibling are biological. The other five were adopted internationally. I was talking to my sister the other day and she mentioned that they were considering adopting an international child. Since I am somewhat aware of the extreme need that we have domestically to find our own family-less children homes, I asked her why they weren't considering a domestic child. She told me that they had checked into it, but apparently domestic adoption is much more expensive and time consuming than international adoption. Why is this? I'm not sure what role, if any, our federal government plays in establishing our guidelines for domestic adoption, but it only stands to reason that simplifying the process would be much more cost effective for both the adopting parents and the state and/or federal governments that are having to support the children in their care. Now, I'm not suggesting that we pawn these children off on just anyone who seeks to adopt. We need to maintain high standards and careful procedures to ensure that these children are being placed in a capable, loving home. It just seems absurd that international adoption, even after considering travel and distance, is cheaper and less cumbersome than domestic. Our government clearly needs to intervene to ensure that our people are able to take care of our children before resorting to care for others. I in no way am implying that children of other lands are any less deserving or in any less of a need of a loving home. I simply feel that we should take care of our own first.

Deana Davis
POS1041

Free Vick!

Okay, Michael Vick screwed up and he should do jail time for it. I don't agree with what he did, but our judicial system is so unfair. This year in the NFL, Matt Jones of the Jacksonville Jaguars was arrested for trafficking cocaine. No serious jail time, and he played the first 17 out of 20 games before the NFL finally stepped in and suspended him for three games. Who would you trust more a coke dealer or someone who fights dogs? The big difference between the two cases was the media. Most of you probably have no idea who Matt Jones is, but everyone knows about Michael Vick. The media convicted Vick.

Luke Strickland
POS 2041
Friday 1:00 p.m.

The Isreal Lobby

U.S. pro-Israeli foriegn policy in the Israel and Palestine conflict has, in itself, allowed certain injustices to occur; and has played a role in postponing their resolution. The recent conflict in Gaza is a prime example of the Isreal Lobby's role in U.S. foriegn policy. First and foremost, the Israeli army, the fourth most powerful in the world, is funded almost entirely by US foriegn aid. 3 billion dollars in military aid was given to Israel in 2007, that's 8 million dollars every day of the year. This drastically overshadows any foriegn aid reluctantly given to Palestinian refugees for basic supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies. Hamas recieves funding from among the crowded Palestinian refugee camps throughout the area and alledgedly from Iran. The documented funds given to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) by American taxpayers account for 9.1 billion of its 9.5 billion dollar worth. American law states that foriegn military aid given to a state can only be used for self-defence. Israel's blatant and unjustified attacks against civilian and UN targets in Gaza have broken numerous Federal laws in the United States and has violated several international conventions against armed conflict as well as various International Humanitarian Laws, and will only serve to weaken it's national security in the middle east.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is among the largest members of the Israel Lobby in the United States. Without their support, you don't win elections. According to Morris Amitay, the former AIPAC director, "It's almost politically suicidal for a member of congress who wants to seek reelection to take any stand that might be interpreted as anti-policy of the conservative Israeli government."  

AIPAC official Steven Rosen in an illustration of AIPAC's power to journalist Jeffery Goldberg put a napkin in front of him and said,"In twenty-four hours, we could have the signatures of seventy senators on this napkin." This statement proved all to real; on January 15th, an updated version of this napkin was released for the general public. Entitled "American Leaders Speak Out in Support of Israel’s Right to Self-Defense," this document is the ultimate piece of evidence of the control that the pro-Israeli Lobby has over U.S. politicians. 

Eric Pate

CPO 2001

T H 8:30am

Pro What?

Pro-life or pro-choice is what it should all come down to. The unfortunate side of all of this is that these two beliefs are only based on women and what they decide to do with their fertility. But put the thousands of Americans and millions of other people into the equation and see if they also belong in this category. Organ donors have a choice, and the recipients have hope. This highly talked about subject comes down to a pro-life or pro-choice consent. This is not all a matter of making a decision for someone who is not living but for someone who deserves to live. These two particular beliefs should not only be the foundation for women, but for the many people who are willing to do whatever they can to help another, let alone, their family.

Shelby Heffernan
POS1041
T-TR 11:35am

Cutting Back On Our Needs

Wednesday, I had to talk to the Dean of Registration about a situation concerning my financial-aid and it was at that meeting that I realized just how bad the situation with our state cutbacks is. I've heard the news about the 2.3 billion dollar deficit that the state of Florida has and obviously their solution to make-up for that "missing" money is by making budget cuts on state and local levels. The only thing is that the cuts are being made in the programs that we need the most like education (1/2 billion dollars) and health care. The Dean informed me of the strict guidelines that I had to follow in order to keep my financial aid. I receive Bright Future's Scholarship and this is the first time out of the 4 semesters that I've been at Chipola that I have requested financial aid; eventhough it has been a tough process,the extra money is great to pay for the books I need.The reason that she gave for the strict concerns for Florida financial-aid recipients was that the educational budget cuts that are being made are causing our state and local officials to look real close at the recipients of financial aid.She said when Chipola is audited, if even a small percentage of the students are not inside these guidelines then financial aid can be taken away from the entire college.I found that to be a shock so I went home and talked to my family about her comments and the situation. Cedrik, my fiancee tried to consul my negative feelings about Florida's future educational funding cuts. He said "Atleast our son (now 8 months old) would be able to get all the funding he needs for his education because if it doesn't improve, we'll just move out of the state of Florida and it will be better." Although I wanted so bad to believe that, I had to face the fact that this economic crisis is a national situation and that affects all 50 states' governments; which therefore also effects their local governments and there is no running away from it. We can only be patient and wait for a change, but mostly be patient.*Sorry if this blog was long. I just feel so strongly about this topic because I have to be concerned about my educational future as well my son's and family's.


Janai Mills

POS 2112

Obama's Arrival

So in just five short days, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the next president of the United States. Although I was unfortunately unable to make it out to vote for him in the election, I sat watching my television the night of November 4th as he gave his acceptance speech with a feeling that I can't even convey in words. It makes me extremely proud to see how far our country has come, and even prouder to be an American. I can't wait until Tuesday to watch yet another monumental, important moment in American history go down in the books.

Eric Kennedy
POS1041

Falling America

Some foreign rulers feel that America is not as strong as it is said to be because of the money crisis that we are in. One stated, " how can a country so strong be begging for money from other nation." I felt this statement to be a threat and feel that the U.S. government should be rushing to figure out ways to help the economic system and to be on the lookout for foreign terrorist so that America can regain her status of being strong willed.

Temara Thomas
POS 2041
Friday 1-4