Hillary and Jeb Bush in Spotlight

This article talks about how former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and Jeb Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush both spoke in Dallas, which is where the dedication of the President George W. Bush Presidential Center is going to be dedicated tomorrow. It then talks about how both Clinton and Bush are potential 2016 presidential candidates. Also, many people have been talking about the legacy of the Bush presidency. He has had some of the highest approval ratings (right after 9/11) and lowest approval ratings (towards the end of his presidency).

Personally, I think that it is too early to be talking about the next presidential election. At least it should be too early. I also think that this dedication is not getting the attention that it normal would due to the Boston Bombings.  This will be a very rare occasion because President Barack Obama and all four living former presidents (Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush) will be in attendance.

Do you think it is too early to be discussing the next presidential election? What are your views about the Bush presidency?

How Strong is America?

This article describes how national tragedies, like the Boston Bombings, unite this country. It then explains how we have the largest military in the world, and that there is nowhere on this earth were out enemies can hide yet we have some very serious domestic issues we need to solve.

It gives our gun control issue as an example of one of these fatal domestic problems. Tens of thousands of Americans die every year from gun violence, and yet our government cannot do anything about it. Whether you are in support of some form of gun control or not, it is clear that of government is not capable of fixing the problem. 

I think this article makes a very good point. It is amazing that our country can put politics aside and act as Americans instead of Democrats and Republicans when we need it most. It is just a shame that people usually have to die before we unite in this way. We are considered the most powerful country in the world, the leader of the free world, and yet we cannot fix simple things that other countries do not even have to worry about. Do you think that we are as strong as we think we are?

Shrinking Europe Military Spending Stirs Concern

This article relates to foreign policy topics that we have been discussing in class. According to the article, certain European countries have not been paying the amount agreed upon to support NATO. This greatly impacts the U.S. because we rely on other countries in this coalition to pull their weight. Currently, the U.S. is supplying 75% of the money that supports NATO. The economy and large deficits in many countries certainly do not help the situation. In order for NATO to work, each country must supply the predetermined amount of money. Since this isn't happening, NATO is in jeopardy; the loss of NATO poses a huge threat, especially with China's increase in military spending. Surely, "if it (NATO) were gone, it would be very, very hard to recreate.”

Day Centers, Fit Elders, and the Effects on Medicaid

I chose this article because of its relevance to our past lesson on Medicaid. It talks about the increase in adult day care centers and how it is attracting the type of people who seem to me to be lacking legitimacy. Elderly can be found doing activities in these centers, such as "vigorous games of table tennis, billiards and mahjongg," which leads to the suspicion that these elders do not necessarily need such treatment. Although I am a strong advocate for helping the elderly, I do believe that these cases seem a little unnecessary. It certainly seems wrong that the care companies, financed by Medicaid, are paying the centers which refer new clients back to the companies. Advocates for the elderly claim that these social day care centers are taking healthy clients away from the regular senior centers. It seems appalling that these social centers are giving their elderly such rewards as $50 cash payments for recruiting another (possibly healthy) client and an unlimited MetroCard (yet if the client doesn't way the MetroCard, they are offered $125 in cash) yet some regular centers run on about $4 a person per day.

In Gun Bill Defeat, a President’s Distaste for Twisting Arms

The main focus of this article is on President Obama's role in attempting to pass the most recent gun control bill that would expand background checks for people purchasing guns. The article questions how Obama will be able to successfully pass any form of legislation if he was not able to pass the gun control bill that 90% of the public supported. On the other hand, some people on Capitol Hill insisted that President Obama could not have done any more to pass the bill; between dinners, phone calls, and meetings, he discussed the issue with over thirty senators. The article also alludes to the fact that the rules of interaction between Congress and the president are not what they were fifty years ago. This demonstrates just another example of how our government is constantly changing as it adapts to new regulations.

Federal Charges on Boston Bombing Suspect

Here's the link if the link on the title doesn't work.

I chose this article because it provides more up-to-date information on the event of the Boston Marathon bombing. Suspect Ozhokar Tsarnaev was charged Monday for the use of a weapon of mass destruction and wreckage which we all know resulted in death. Although Tsarnaev's first court appearance was from his hospital bed, I think most can agree that there should be no pity for this dreadful boy (19-years-old). The article is accompanied by the document of the federal charges against Dzhokar Tsarnaev, which I found to be very interesting and I recommend taking a look at it. It includes every slight detail of the event and the observations from cameras, which is certainly important when looking at the evidence. It is relieving to know that Obama's promise that the bombers will face justice is being fulfilled.

A Presidential Pat for Young Scientists

In this article, President Obama wants to encourage students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by creating STEM. STEM is supposed to given students the resources to pursue education in discipline. Obama also designated $180 million for the program to increase opportunities for kindergarten through graduate school, mostly for females and minorities. An additional $265 million would be directed toward school districts, universities, science agencies, museums, etc.

I find this article to be really interesting because it deals with science (which I love) and giving money to schools (Which is a great plus for everyone going to college). The only problem I have with this is the reverse discrimination. While females and minorities get a good potion of this, what about the white males or males in general? It's not right to give money to females just because they are females, but not give any to males. People should qualify for these. I get so angry when someone doesn't get as much of a chance than everyone else. This bill should give everyone an equal opportunity. That's what our country is about after all.

Judge Throws Out Some Murder Charges Against Philadelphia Abortion Doctor

This article talks about how a doctor in the Philadelphia area aborted live fetus' when they should have been dead. "Eight workers at Dr. Gosnell’s clinic have pleaded guilty in the case, including three to third degree murder." Later in the article, the doctor said "Baby C"had a spasm after given a drug to kill it, so the judge dismissed that murder charge.

I feel that this is really brutal. If you are going to abort a fetus, please, make sure it is dead first. No organism deserves to go through slow and painful death, on top of getting it's head cut off like that. I also find it very rude/surprising that the doctor called the fetus "Baby C." The baby doesn't even have a name, nor is it a true baby yet, so don't call it one. I am in the middle when it comes to abortion, but I agree with the judges ruling on this case. I also agree with the last line of this article: "When the fetus leaves the mother, they are due the respect of any human being."

Two Videos on Obama about Gun Control Filibuster/Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lowfwLIxagA&NR=1&feature=endscreen (10:58 minutes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUILWHZ0SWc (5:09 minutes)

Both of these videos are amazing. Obama talks about how 90% of the United States wanted this bill to be passed, but because of the filibuster, it may not even be heard. Obama stands up for the Gun Control bill and wants to get it passed. In both of these videos, Obama rallies the people of Connecticut, telling them it will be accomplished.

I really wanted to watch these videos and found them to be very influential. Obama did a great job with his speeches and I agree with him. Who are the senators representing? Certainly not the American people anymore. The one thing I find funny is how rude/ignorant people are when they comment on the video. It's a shame that there are so many people who bash Obama for trying to tell the Senators they are wrong. What do you guys think?

Report on Iran Urges Obama to Rethink Sanctions

Since we're currently chatting about foreign policy in class I figured I'd veer from the Boston bombings and poisoned letters mailed to Washington and see what was going on over in the Middle East. There's always something.

Many experts who recently left the Obama administration are urging the President to rethink his strict stance on Iran including the oil sanctions and covert operations arguing that they will just push the Iranian government further into the depths of corruption and strain relationships between our two countries further.

It's hard since Congress and Israel, our greatest ally, are pulling us in different directions. As we are currently learning know Congress wants to be a part of the foreign policy making, but does Obama listen to Congress or go the way of Israel since they've been on our side?

Drive for Gun Control Blocked in Senate

First of all I'd like to apologize for my late night blog postings. I guess that's what happens when you take three hour naps on a daily basis. Secondly, yes you're reading this correctly. Nora Roger is posting an article about gun control; however, it's interesting, so we're just going to accept it.

Today the Senate voted down measures to ban assault rifles, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and more extensive background checks when going to buy a firearm. Senate Republican from Iowa was quoted to have said "Criminals do not submit to background checks now. They will not submit to extended background checks" which makes sense, but I still don't see the harm in a little bit more digging before giving certain people access to guns.

What I was most interested in though was the background checks aspect of the vote because out of all the things up for vote that seemed like the most overall supported by the general public. Most people (who aren't criminals) don't seem to have a problem with the idea, so if the Senate is supposed to be representing their constituents and they vote against it, what does that mean for our system? Are we at a point where politicians are just voting no out of spite? What do you think?

Obama's Reaction to the Bombing at the Boston Marathon

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/us/politics/obama-calls-marathon-bombings-an-act-of-terrorism.html?ref=politics&_r=0

In Obama’s second public newscast after the Boston Marathon, on Tuesday, April 16, Obama describes the bombing as “an act of terrorism”. On Monday, he didn’t use this phrase due to the lack of information and sensitivity of not wanting to evoke the fear of terrorism. In the past, Obama has been noted for not relaying information to the public very well. Three instances in which this happened was the assault in Libya killing four Americans (2012), failed plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines jetliner(2009), and shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Tex., in which Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 active and retired soldiers (2009). There is some criticism that Obama didn’t declare the bombing in Boston as an act of terrorism quickly enough. In his speech, Obama said that there is still no information on who was responsible for the bombing or why they did it. His focus was on the quick response of the emergency responders and the crowd in helping those who were injured. He left the American people with these encouraging words,  The American people refuse to be terrorized, if you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil, that’s it: selflessly, compassionately, unafraid.”

I think Obama wanted a good amount of time to declare this an act of terrorism. I also think that he did a good job at making the American people fell safe and that everything will work out the end. I am confident that we will soon know who set the bombs off and for what purposes.

Immigration Bill

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/us/senators-set-to-unveil-immigration-bill.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=politics

There is bipartisan support for a complex immigration bill that was supposed to be unveiled today (April, 13), but was pushed back due to the bombing at the Boston Marathon. There are eight senators (4 Democratic and 4 Republicans) working on this bill, which is full of compromises. It is the most ambitious effort to reshape and fix the immigration system in the last 26 years. The most controversial part of the bill, is a pathway for current illegal citizens to gain citizenship in a 13 year track. The bill proposes Homeland Security spend around 5.5 billion dollars over the next 10 years to step up security along the boarder. The bill also proposes a merit-base point system, for immigrates to receive a permanent green card. Points would be based on their skills in the work force, education, and family ties. This is to decrease the amount of visas that are given out based on family ties. This bill also sets up a seasonal visa for farmer workers and laborers. Also, a fast track to citizenship for immigrates, who came here as children. These are just some of the examples of what this immigration bill will set up.

There are many great ideas in this bill that can make our immigration system work more smoothly. There are a lot of compromises, which will gain support from both sides, but there will also be much debate of this bill. I hope a compromise can be made and that this bill be passed.

Bomb Details Emerge in Boston Case

Bomb Details Emerge in Boston Case

This article dicusses the tragic events that occurred on Monday at the Boston Marathon. Several bombs went off in the crowd near the finish line during the Boston Marathon, killing 3 so far and injuring more than 170 people. The bombs responsible for this tragedy were rigged  to shoot sharp bits of shrapnel into anyone within reach of their blast. They were filled with nails, ball bearings, and black powder. So far no one has been arrested for this crime, but police are determined on finding the individual or individuals responsible.

I think that the most disturbing part of this bombing is the fact that these bombs were specifically  designed to cause harm. These weren't just random bombs put together, they were meticuloulsy constructed to cause severe damage. So many people lost limbs because of the excessive amount of shrapnel. This to me is the worst kind of attack. This type of violence is a horrific and should never happen, but I'm glad to see that everyone is working together and helping Boston in their time of need.

"The Philadelphia Horror"

Now Michelle Malkin is obviously conservative and the bias in the article is a little heavy, but here's a description pulled from the grand jury report on "The Philadelphia Horror":

“This case is about a doctor who killed babies and endangered women. What we mean is that he regularly and illegally delivered live, viable, babies in the third trimester of pregnancy – and then murdered these newborns by severing their spinal cords with scissors. The medical practice by which he carried out this business was a filthy fraud in which he overdosed his patients with dangerous drugs, spread venereal disease among them with infected instruments, perforated their wombs and bowels – and, on at least two occasions, caused their deaths. Over the years, many people came to know that something was going on here. But no one put a stop to it.”

Dr. Gosnell, who ran this clinic and performed these late term abortions for over 20 years is facing 43 charges (mostly murder). That something like this was noted by inspectors and still nothing was done until now is highly disturbing, and that this travesty has not been widely covered or has been diverted away from the issue of abortion and what counts as "life" (see TIME Report) is to me a sign of how the "SCLM" is not so much "so called" as actually liberal. 

Supreme Court Struggles With Gay Marriage Case

This is a bit late, but I have been meaning to put this up. As all of you probably have seen the red equal sign people have been making their profiles on Facebook (or at least heard of this sign), this article talks about how the Supreme Court struggles to act on Gay Marriage after California same-sex marriage was banned.

I feel that same-sex marriage should be allowed and if someone doesn't, why should someone not be allowed to marry the person they love? What is wrong with that? I don't care if a girl marries a girl or a guy marries a guy; if they truly love each other, why is it a problem? I support equal rights for gay marriage.

What do you guys think?