In response to War, huh, yeah..what is it good for absolutely NOTHING!
There are so many people across the country that are impacted with the troops that are in or going to Afghanistan. We may not understand how the decision was made to send the number of troop and why it will take 18 months, but the overall goal is to get our troops home. This ordeal has lasted 8 years and has cost the lives of so many of our men and women, and it does need to stop.
Our country has gone through so much over the decade and it seems it is declining each year. With our newly elected president things are looking up. He is making the first step and saying what the goal is. I know that I haven’t been 100% in the news in the past but I don’t remember Bush making the plan to get our men and women in the armed forces home, or him receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Obama spoke for most when he spoke as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in regards to the war, he “…spelled out a doctrine of justifiable war and the steps needed for a ‘just and lasting peace.’”
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Baltimore's Mayor Convicted
"Ms. Dixon, whose conviction may force her from office…" are you kidding me, may? According to the article in the New York Times "Baltimore's Mayor Convicted," the mayor of Baltimore Sheila Dixon was convicted of one count of embezzlement and acquitted of three other charges.
The first African American female Mayor in Baltimore had a total of seven charges of theft filed against her including an estimate of$1500 in gift cards that were donated with the intentions of going tothe needy. Dixon stated that she believed the cards were personal gifts, even though witnesses state she contacted donators advising gift cards were for the needy. Dixon is still awaiting trial set forMarch 2010 for two counts of perjury.
The prosecutor is still undetermined if they will seek jail time for Dixon's sentencing. I feel that she should receive the normal sentencing with no special treatment along with restitution, plus additional funds, community service to help the needy, a public apology, and resigning from public office without possibility of re-election for future public office positions.
Some Baltimoreans are upset of Dixon stealing from the needy and some are upset that the state is wasting funds on prosecuting Dixon. I believe that Dixon should be processed as anyone else committing these crimes even more so due to her being the Mayor that took advantage of her position. Officials in public office are there to help the community and make the city a better place, but when a prestigious position as Mayor of Baltimore is accused of committing these acts only negativity is stirred up. Outrage is not only from the residents of Baltimore and the state of Maryland but all over the United States.
The first African American female Mayor in Baltimore had a total of seven charges of theft filed against her including an estimate of$1500 in gift cards that were donated with the intentions of going tothe needy. Dixon stated that she believed the cards were personal gifts, even though witnesses state she contacted donators advising gift cards were for the needy. Dixon is still awaiting trial set forMarch 2010 for two counts of perjury.
The prosecutor is still undetermined if they will seek jail time for Dixon's sentencing. I feel that she should receive the normal sentencing with no special treatment along with restitution, plus additional funds, community service to help the needy, a public apology, and resigning from public office without possibility of re-election for future public office positions.
Some Baltimoreans are upset of Dixon stealing from the needy and some are upset that the state is wasting funds on prosecuting Dixon. I believe that Dixon should be processed as anyone else committing these crimes even more so due to her being the Mayor that took advantage of her position. Officials in public office are there to help the community and make the city a better place, but when a prestigious position as Mayor of Baltimore is accused of committing these acts only negativity is stirred up. Outrage is not only from the residents of Baltimore and the state of Maryland but all over the United States.
Friday, November 20, 2009
In response to “Equal Entitlement”
In response to “Equal Entitlement”
“…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” this sentence in the Declaration of Independence does not take into account the diversity in this country. It sounds great in theory and the government is attempting to make changes towards equality but I think that the entire nation would have to start completely over for that to happen.
Yes, there are individuals that are more educated than others, which should open up more employment doors for them, just as someone who has a natural skill that does not have a college degree has other doors open to them whom are just as happy with their life.
The focus is on the individuals that don’t have the college degree or were they born with a natural skill and struggle to live day to day. For whatever reason these individuals had little or no opportunity to advance in their life due to their sole focus is on surviving. The government has set up programs for those individuals to get the help they need, such as education and healthcare.
As far as more taxes for the wealthy I feel that is not fair because like most Americans they are working for their money and that is theirs, but as the saying goes “nothing in life is fair.” I think if the wealthy were to take a small percentage and “donate” to the government for the programs instead of forcing them, it would more likely happen with out all the hype. As an incentive the wealthy would get a tax break which would benefit all. It contradicts “all men are created equal” but it is helping out the ones in need. As the cycle continues and more programs set up “equality” seem possible. Everyone will still be separated by class since we are not able to start from scratch, but I feel there will be a decrease in poverty since more individuals will have the opportunity to advance in their life and peruse happiness on how they deem fit.
“…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” this sentence in the Declaration of Independence does not take into account the diversity in this country. It sounds great in theory and the government is attempting to make changes towards equality but I think that the entire nation would have to start completely over for that to happen.
Yes, there are individuals that are more educated than others, which should open up more employment doors for them, just as someone who has a natural skill that does not have a college degree has other doors open to them whom are just as happy with their life.
The focus is on the individuals that don’t have the college degree or were they born with a natural skill and struggle to live day to day. For whatever reason these individuals had little or no opportunity to advance in their life due to their sole focus is on surviving. The government has set up programs for those individuals to get the help they need, such as education and healthcare.
As far as more taxes for the wealthy I feel that is not fair because like most Americans they are working for their money and that is theirs, but as the saying goes “nothing in life is fair.” I think if the wealthy were to take a small percentage and “donate” to the government for the programs instead of forcing them, it would more likely happen with out all the hype. As an incentive the wealthy would get a tax break which would benefit all. It contradicts “all men are created equal” but it is helping out the ones in need. As the cycle continues and more programs set up “equality” seem possible. Everyone will still be separated by class since we are not able to start from scratch, but I feel there will be a decrease in poverty since more individuals will have the opportunity to advance in their life and peruse happiness on how they deem fit.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Unsafe at home...
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice” This is the first sentence when an individual enlists into the military.
“Death toll rises to 13 in Fort Hood rampage,” This heinous event occurred Thursday, November 5, 2009 around 1:30 pm CST in Fort Hood, Texas. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged shooter, was informed that he would be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and opened fire killing 13 people and injuring 30. Hasan was a psychiatrist at Ft. Hood and has seen the state of mind that soldiers were in when they returned home from being deployed. Hasan told his friends and family that he was trying to get out of the military due to fear since the tragedy of 9/11.
From my understanding anyone that enlists in the military is aware of the possibility of deployment. These soldiers took an oath to serve our county to fight for our freedom and rights; as they get ready to leave their loved ones to go overseas they are killed. Fort Hood is the largest military base in the county where most individuals feel the safest. President Obama states, “It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”
How can an event like this possibly happen? What will come about this ordeal?
President Barack Obama spoke about the incident, saying that White House officials are working with the Pentagon, the FBI and Homeland Security to get answers for questions about the attack. It is to assume that the screening process for foreign nationals will have more intensive background checks due to the alleged shooter being Muslim.
According to CNN American Muslims throughout the country need to be cautious, Council of American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) Executive Director Nihad Awad stated, "Unfortunately, based on past experience, we also urge American Muslims, and those who may be perceived to be Muslim, to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves, their families and their religious institutions from possible backlash."
From actions after 9/11 individuals took it amongst themselves to get justice into their own hands and that’s what it seems may happen in this case. There is sadness from the incident that occurred but anger seems to override it. We are still in shock that something like this could happen at a secure military base, whether this incident happened out of fear of being deployed or for religious beliefs there will be precautions that need to be taken by the United States government to put America at ease.
“Death toll rises to 13 in Fort Hood rampage,” This heinous event occurred Thursday, November 5, 2009 around 1:30 pm CST in Fort Hood, Texas. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged shooter, was informed that he would be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and opened fire killing 13 people and injuring 30. Hasan was a psychiatrist at Ft. Hood and has seen the state of mind that soldiers were in when they returned home from being deployed. Hasan told his friends and family that he was trying to get out of the military due to fear since the tragedy of 9/11.
From my understanding anyone that enlists in the military is aware of the possibility of deployment. These soldiers took an oath to serve our county to fight for our freedom and rights; as they get ready to leave their loved ones to go overseas they are killed. Fort Hood is the largest military base in the county where most individuals feel the safest. President Obama states, “It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”
How can an event like this possibly happen? What will come about this ordeal?
President Barack Obama spoke about the incident, saying that White House officials are working with the Pentagon, the FBI and Homeland Security to get answers for questions about the attack. It is to assume that the screening process for foreign nationals will have more intensive background checks due to the alleged shooter being Muslim.
According to CNN American Muslims throughout the country need to be cautious, Council of American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) Executive Director Nihad Awad stated, "Unfortunately, based on past experience, we also urge American Muslims, and those who may be perceived to be Muslim, to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves, their families and their religious institutions from possible backlash."
From actions after 9/11 individuals took it amongst themselves to get justice into their own hands and that’s what it seems may happen in this case. There is sadness from the incident that occurred but anger seems to override it. We are still in shock that something like this could happen at a secure military base, whether this incident happened out of fear of being deployed or for religious beliefs there will be precautions that need to be taken by the United States government to put America at ease.
Friday, October 23, 2009
In the New York Times editorial "Compassion Deficit" the editor discusses how local governments have responded to the increase in the homeless in different areas around the country. The first example the editor mentions informs the readers about the ordeal in Brooksville, Pennsylvania where a minister fought through the court system to have a shelter reopened after local officials closed it down for “zoning violations.” Reverend Jack Wisor was awarded $100,000 to reopen the shelter. This is one example of how government officials and the community are threatened by the homeless; feeling as if they are all criminals when in fact “in the past year, an average of 10 percent of homeless individuals seeking shelter lost homes to foreclosure,” according to an article on End Homelessness, "From Homeowner to Homeless Shelter" Shannon Moriarty.
With the new laws and arrests that are made against the homeless only adds to their financial burdens with legal fees. The closures of shelters prevent the homeless from the opportunity to prepare themselves mentally and physically to seek employment getting food, hygiene, and shelter. Local governments are creating obstacles for the homeless in their attempt getting the help they need to get back on track. It only takes a little help and encouragement to point someone in the right direction, granted they may not be in the same position as they were previously but any little bit helps.
The editor mentions the local governments in Daytona Beach, Florida whom are empathetic with the homeless. The community is coming together by helping the homeless get on their feet and helping clean up the city. I feel that’s how the entire country needs to take on the situation, as Americans we are suppose to be “United” coming together as one, and helping out the ones in need. There is a variety of reasons homelessness exist but the negative downturn of the economy is the main reason why there is a large increase. As the editor states, “it’s far more than a local shame…”
With the new laws and arrests that are made against the homeless only adds to their financial burdens with legal fees. The closures of shelters prevent the homeless from the opportunity to prepare themselves mentally and physically to seek employment getting food, hygiene, and shelter. Local governments are creating obstacles for the homeless in their attempt getting the help they need to get back on track. It only takes a little help and encouragement to point someone in the right direction, granted they may not be in the same position as they were previously but any little bit helps.
The editor mentions the local governments in Daytona Beach, Florida whom are empathetic with the homeless. The community is coming together by helping the homeless get on their feet and helping clean up the city. I feel that’s how the entire country needs to take on the situation, as Americans we are suppose to be “United” coming together as one, and helping out the ones in need. There is a variety of reasons homelessness exist but the negative downturn of the economy is the main reason why there is a large increase. As the editor states, “it’s far more than a local shame…”
Friday, October 2, 2009
Morals vs. Politics
In the New York Times editorial "High Cost of Death Row" the editor points out that the death penalty is more expensive than an inmate sentenced to life without parole. Not only does the editor state his position of the death penalty being morally wrong he also catches the attention of those that are concerned more about politics versus beliefs. He mentions different states and the millions of dollars that are used towards an execution, and then stating that those funds would be more effective applied to other programs. The editor also refers to information obtained from "Death Penalty Information Center, a research organization that opposes capital punishment," and how some legislators are giving the allocated funds for capital punishment. As Americans we follow the Constitution to make sure the inmate is given a fair due process. The process of capital punishment consumes more funds with the pre-trial, trial, and appeals than with an inmate sentenced to life without parole.
The death penalty is a severe action taken by the state to determine the prisoner's justice. Executing the criminal is a long process thatis expensive for the state along with time consuming. I can understand how some feel 'an eye for an eye" and others feel that we should not decide when someone is put to death. I am in agreement with the editor that the funds that are used to execute a criminal are better used elsewhere; somewhere that will be beneficial for the state. We devote time and money to violent inmates to determine their fate. The inmate committed the violent acts and I believe executing someone should not be an option. Justice for the criminal would have them isolated in solitary confinement for the rest of their life without parole. Yes tax payers would still be spending money on the term the criminal is incarcerated, but not as extreme as the amount for executing them.
The death penalty is a severe action taken by the state to determine the prisoner's justice. Executing the criminal is a long process thatis expensive for the state along with time consuming. I can understand how some feel 'an eye for an eye" and others feel that we should not decide when someone is put to death. I am in agreement with the editor that the funds that are used to execute a criminal are better used elsewhere; somewhere that will be beneficial for the state. We devote time and money to violent inmates to determine their fate. The inmate committed the violent acts and I believe executing someone should not be an option. Justice for the criminal would have them isolated in solitary confinement for the rest of their life without parole. Yes tax payers would still be spending money on the term the criminal is incarcerated, but not as extreme as the amount for executing them.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Is race more powerful than political beliefs?
I came across the article, "Race and politics in the age of Obama," on CNN, inreference to ex-president Jimmy Carter's comments about President Obama's race. Carter is not alone when he stated that some Americans believe that Obama is in office due to his race and not his political beliefs. Since we have our first African American President there are some people that feel that he has excelled further than past presidents, but without the respect his position deserves. America has changed drastically over the past centuries but it is sad to say that racism still exists. Race is something that we all deal with on adaily basis regardless of our skin color. There are people who are racist and don’t even know it. This is one of the many articles available on this topic; it gave me something to think about.
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