How to Start a Cascade (or at Least Some Ripples and Waves)

After reading everyone's final essays and visiting all of the blogs and Facebook groups, I have to say, you have started some amazing projects. I know some of you may not have grand ambitions for your new blogs and Facebook groups, yet it's easy to see that quite a few of you not only have an important vision, but a plan and a desire to keep working to make a change in the world.

Even if you do not see yourself being an avid blogger now that the semester is over, I am asking all of you -- as in everybody -- for a favor. A number of you mentioned feeling disappointed that more people hadn't joined your Facebook groups. Since your group is one of the best ways to publicize your blog, the more people you can attract to the group the higher your blog's profile is likely to be.

So here's the favor: Teaching the two sections of this course this semester was very rewarding for me, and among the many things I valued about the experience is the sense of camaraderie and community that was developed in both the classroom and on the blog. As a way to continue in that spirit, I would like to encourage you all to visit your classmates' blogs and to join their Facebook groups.

This second step is really important. As you all know by now, when you join a group, this will appear to anyone who can view your feed, which in turn will allow people in your networks to learn about their existence. Simply by joining the groups, which takes no time at all, you will surely help grow the groups and increase the visibility of your classmates' blogs. Combined, you can reach thousands of others (the 11 public profiles I could view boast a combined 4,719 friends)!

Below you find links to everyone's blogs and Facebook groups. Please visit the blogs and join the groups, and make any contributions to others' efforts that you can.

Thank you!


Blogs

The Child Saver

Choice





Class Structure: The Importance of Blogging





Debate-A-Base





The Deep Blue Sea




An E-Vote Today Keeps Your Candidate Away





End Female Genital Mutilation





Gender Stereotypes






Give Red: Donate Blood





The “Ideal” Woman





In Harmful Hands








The Last of the Zoroastrians






License to Kill





Make a Difference — End Indifference






MCAS





More Trees, Less Bush





Revitalize America’s Rail Network




SAG on Strike





Save the Sharks





Social Exclusions & Inclusions of Disabled Individuals in Society




Truth Commission for the Congo





Un Gran Trecho



Facebook Groups:

1,000,000 Against Animal Cruelty

Adventures in Colombian Microcredit

American Class Structure

The Child Saver Choice

Concerned Citizens for Rail Transport

Debaters for Speed

End Shark Finning

A Fight Against MCAS Testing

Give Blood!

His & Hers

The Last of the Zoroastrians

Marine Sanctuaries

More Trees, Less Bush

PMC Watch

SAG on Strike

Social Exclusions & Inclusions of Disabled Individuals in Society

Spread Knowledge and Help End FGM

Truth Commission for the Congo

Voters in Opposition to E-Voting (V.O.T.E.)

Wake Up! End Indifference and Make a Difference

The Women’s ‘Ideal’

Blackwater Being Held Responsible

It seems that, now that Obama is the new face of America, we will finally start being responsible.  5 Blackwater guards have just been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for killing 17 innocent Iraqi civilians on September 16, 2007.  

Blackwater, the private security firm, has been running amok in Iraq since Bush declared "Mission Accomplished".  There has been no oversight, and it seemed like the Blackwater guards were above any laws.  

However, last week the Iraqis and the Americans signed an agreement which removed the Blackwater guards' immunity.  These five guards are the first to have charges brought against them - and I would fully expect there to be more to come.

However, I would just like to take a few minutes to just let it sink in... 

GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY RESPONSIBILITY IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!

Source: The New York Times: In Iraq, Anger and Satisfaction Over Blackwater Charges

Changing Bush's Orders

There is a good chance the President-Elect Obama will overturn some of President Bush's most controversial decisions. The orders under inspection range from embryonic stem cell research to "gag" orders on international aid organizations regarding abortion, to oil and gas drilling on federal lands. 

According to John Podesta, Obama's transition co-chair, Obama's transition team has been going through "hundreds of Bush's executive orders", determining whether or not they require further review and possible turnovers. Obama may use executive orders to make his mark on Washington quickly, especially if he decides to lift the ban on stem cell research, as this would cause quite a stir not only in the political world but also religious, medical, and in the general public. 

Stem cell research in particular has been a heavily debated topic during the Bush administration. In August of 2001, Bush stopped the National Institutes of Health from providing any funding for embryonic stem cell research. Despite the fact that stem cell research could help millions of people around the globe. People with diseases such as Parkinsons, Diabetes, and even spinal injuries could be helped, possibly even cured by stem cells. These people are definitely waiting for the Bush ban to be lifted on stem cell research. The controversy behind stem cell research is that researchers require human embryos for their research, which come from recently aborted fetus's. Conservatives are against this notion, and President Bush being a Conservative stunted the ability to pursue research into the capabilities of Stem Cells.

However with President-Elect Obama coming into office in January we are likely to see some of these orders overturned. If Obama were to reverse any of Bush's orders it would be an instant example of change in Washington. 

Loan Modification Plan Allows Many to Keep Their Homes

Eddie Morrison, a truck driver making $65,000 dollars a year, was behind on his mortgage and waiting for a foreclosure letter when he received a letter from their mortgage holder, IndyMac, that informed him that he would be able to keep his home.

The mortgage holder, which had recently be seized by federal regulators, and was now being headed by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila Bair, put a hold on foreclosures. This freeze gave people such as Eddie Morrison the time to create an affordable loan payment plan. Bair based this plan on the idea that she thinks it is of the utmost importance to deal with the root of the economic problem by helping homeowners such as Morrison. 

Bair has proposed a plan that will "allow homeowners who are sixty days late on their mortgage a chance to reduce high interest rates and extend the length of the loan if they qualify". Some people in Washington believe that the proposal is really just a subsidy for troubled homeowners. However Bair was quoted as saying "we could prevent 1.5 million foreclosures from occurring".  She also believed that her plan could prevent thirty percent of the predicted foreclosures expected over the next two years. 

I hope that this plan is taken into consideration by politicians in Washington, because if her numbers are correct then the proposed plan could give some seriously needed stress relief to homeowners.

The Fall of the Auto Industry?

By 2009 there are estimated to be only 19,700 auto dealerships left in the United States. This is compared to the 50,00 that were in operation during the 1940s. An even more telling number is the 747,000 cars sold in November; seems like a lot? Not when compared to the 1.18 million that were sold by this time last year. This report comes courtesy of Autodata and is a frightening look at the American auto industry. 

In Miama, Florida a sign on car dealership read "buy one, get two!" This is desperation as never before seen in the auto industry. Car dealerships continue to to report record low sales level, and it seems the only hope lies in the proposed government bailout of the big three auto companies; Chrysler, Ford, and GM. Ali Ahmed, sales manager at Rob Lambdin's University Dodge in Miami, was quoted as saying, "The first thing people think when they walk in is, 'it's a fake ad. It's a normal car dealer ad. It's a gimmick". The sad fact is that it is not. The only catch is that you must buy a Dodge truck at retail price before you can receive your second vehicle at $3,000 dollars in tax, tag and dealership fees.

With auto sales at an fifteen-year low, 700 dealerships have had to shut down since the beginning of the year, and that number is expected to hit 900 by the end of the year. Annette Sykora, the chairwoman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, stated that dealers have had to cut personnel and expenses. She has had to cut staff by almost twenty percent at her dealerships. 

Sykora discussed with the school superintendent of schools in Slaton, Texas where some of her dealerships are located, and discussed what would happen if those dealerships were to shut down. She stated that "the loss of tax revenue would would force them to cut programs and teachers". Not only this but families who lost their jobs would have to leave town in search of other work, which would only further hurt the towns economy. 

This domino effect is something that not many people may relate with a dealership closing. The economy of a town would be seriously damaged, as not only would families leave, but teachers salaries would be cut, local media would take a hit as dealerships are a prime source of advertising. These are only a few examples of how closing dealership impact this particular town, imagine if towns all over the nation began to experience these consequences. 

Bill Gates Speaks on Stimulus Package

On Wednesday December 3rd, Bill Gates, the creator and CEO of Microsoft, was interviewed on his take on the current economy. He believes that President-Elect Obama must work with Congress to implement a wide-ranging stimulus package as soon as possible, as well as double the United States commitment to foreign aid. Gates was quoted as saying "clearly we need a stimulus that doesn't undermine the incentive for business to be careful about their spending and making those correct investments". This is true as if a stimulus package were to come into play companies could become comfortable with where they are, yet this cannot happen if the economy is to recover and build. For the foreseeable future companies must remain vigilant and smart in their dealings.

Another point that Gates is pushing toward Obama is the need to increase the spending on the nation's education systems, as well as attempt to increase upon technological advances which would improve agriculture, prevent disease, and promote agricultural growth in the world's poorest nations. This is also a valid point as the global South is just beginning to enter their industrial revolution as it would be of value to the United Sates if they were to help the growth now. 

Gates made another great point in saying "The key point I'd make is that in addition to that stimulus, you've got to fund the kind of scientific work and educational investments that could really have us be a much better country as we emerge from the recession". This is true as while we need a stimulus to help us out of this economic slump, we also need programs that will help us to avoid this type of situation in the future. 

Changing Interrogation Policies?

On Wednesday December 3rd, Eric Holder, President-Elect Obama's nomination for Attorney General, met with twelve retired admirals and generals about making changes to the United States current policy on interrogation. Each of the twelve officers has been against President Bush's endorsement of brutal interrogation techniques, such as the use of water-boarding. Water-boarding is designed to make the prisoner fell as though they a re drowning when in reality they are not. 

Each of the officers has expressed the need for a single, less controversial, policy for interrogation and detainment that will apply to all agencies. The meeting was also attended by Washington lawyer Greg Craig, who is one of Obama's appointment for White House Counsel, and Mary De Rosa, a member of Obama's national security transition team. 

Retired Rear Admiral John Hutson, was quoted as saying "It is (important) that the new President say up front that the United States is not going to engage in torture or enhanced interrogations". This is true as Obama needs to take a stand on a controversial issue such as the use of torture by the United States, as techniques such as these only help to strengthen a poor image of America. Another important point made by Hutson was that some inmates currently detained in Guantanamo Bay "should be treated like any other criminal" and tried in a United States district court. 

This would be a huge step in strengthening the image of the United States as Guantanamo has constantly an issue of debate among the citizens of every country. During his campaign President-Elect Obama indicated that he would like to close Guantanamo Bay and re-evaluate the Bush administrations policies on torture and detainment of suspected terrorists. Obama was quoted as saying "I have said repeatedly that I intend to close down Gunatanamo, and I will follow through on that". I for hope that this becomes a reality as the current detainment policies for Guantanamo Bay are ridiculous, containment without trial? Who knows how many innocent people are currently being housed in the facility. A change in torture policy and the closing of Guantanamo Bay would go a long way towards changing the image the world holds of America.

God Bless this American

In January Washington D.C. is going to be filled to the brim with people hoping to get a glimpse of President-Elect Obama during the inauguration. Tickets are difficult to get and are incredibly high-priced. Packages have gone for hundreds of dollars, and space to stay is even more difficult to find. Hotels have booked, and people have begun to look for rooms to rent.

However one businessman, Earl Stafford of Virginia, is making sure that some of the less fortunate people of the nation will be able to share in the historical event. Stafford has spent $1 million dollars to give hundreds of impoverished people, terminally ill individuals, and wounded men and women in uniform a chance to attend the inauguration for a cost of absolutely nothing. 

Tickets are handed out by congress and there are only 240,00 seats available. Yet Stafford has put together what is being called a "build-your-own-ball" package. HIs deal includes a high-end hotel room or luxury suite, food and drinks, a heated viewing spot above the parade route, and gowns and tuxedos to wear to the celebratory ball. He has even thrown in a beautician to help attendees get ready. Stafford invested his $1 million dollars into the JW Marriots "build-your-own-ball" package just after the election. 

The bill is being paid for by this family's nonprofit organization, the Stafford foundation, however the organization is also open to money from sponsors. Stafford was quoted as saying he hopes the balconies are filled "with those who are disadvantaged, those who are distressed, mingling with who aren't so. And we hope to see on their faces a sense of excitement." So far at least 2/3rd of the tickets will go to underprivileged people while the rest will be handed out to contributing sponsors, companies or volunteers.  

Auto Bailout Unpopular

The Auto companies proposal for a bailout, which looked strong in early November, is beginning to fail in the eyes of the American public. A recent poll has shown that six in ten Americans disagree with using taxpayers money to bail out auto companies. The poll, which was conducted on Monday and Tuesday, showed that sixty-one percent of those questioned were fully against the government using taxpayer money to aid failing auto companies, while thirty-six percent were for the auto companies receiving government aid. 

The poll also revelaed that fifty-three percent of people do not believe a government bailout will help the failing U.S. economy. This is an interesting notion as American auto-companies supply the population with millions of jobs and if they were to turn a new leaf that could result in more jobs which would strengthen the American economy. Only fifteen percent of people polled thought that they would be immediately affected if the auto-makers were to declare bankruptcy. Again this is interesting as auto-makers supply many jobs to the United States people. 

One funny aspect of this poll is that in early November there was fairly strong favor for this bailout. However after executives from GM, Ford and Chrysler performed poorly at congressional hearings, and admitted that they had taken private jets to those hearings, support dropped drastically. You would think they could have flown coach.

Where did the Ballots Go?

The recount of ballots for the senate race in Minnesota has stalled due to a large number of missing votes. An envelope from the city of Minneapolis, which contained 130 ballots, has gone missing. Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann has decided to give the city until December 16th to find the missing votes, if the votes are not found by then the canvassing board will meet that day and decide upon a course of action. Gelbmann was quoted as saying "We won't meet our goal to have all the ballots hand-counted by the end of the day [Friday] unless the envelope returns in the 24 hours". Andy Barr, the spokesperson for Democratic candidate Al Franken, has said he is "glad that Minneapolis election officials now acknowledge that these ballots are missing and that they are committed to finding them". 

However, Fritz Knaak, the spokesperson for Republican candidate Norm Coleman, has stated that it was "premature and simply irresponsible to suggest that there were missing ballots". He accused the Democratic Minneapolis Mayer R.T. Rybak of giving the Franken campaign news of the situation before the Coleman campaign. Going so far as to suggest the partisanship may cause an unfair advantage for the Democratic candidate by saying that "...the Secretary of State's office will refrain from any activity or action that can be perceived as partisan or supportive of the Franken campaign's overblown rhetoric about missing ballots". 

The recount began when unofficial results from the November 4th general election had Coleman, a freshmen Republican, ahead of Franken by 215 votes. How an envelope with 130 votes goes missing we may never know, but hopefully they will be found soon and Minnesota can find out who next represent their state in the Senate. 

Amerian's Agree with Obama's Plan for Troop Withdrawal

A recent poll of Americans has shown that the majority agree with President-elect Obama's plan for U.S. troops currently in the Middle East. As it stands his plan now involves a 16-month drawback of troops from Iraq, while transferring troops into Afghanistan.  A recent CNN poll shows that fifty-five percent of people polled agreed with his plan to lower the number of troops in Iraq and increase the number in Afghanistan. 

The poll also revealed that sixty-three percent of those polled are against the war in Iraq, while thirty-six percent agree with the war. Interestingly enough fifty-two percent are in favor of a war in Afghanistan, while forty-six percent are against military involvement in Afghanistan. CNN Senior Political Advisor put the situation into the best terms i have heard yet, "To the American public, Afghanistan is the good war, and it's going badly. Iraq is the bad war and it's going fairly well". I believe that the poll results reflect these numbers, as people think we need to be in Afghanistan and while the war in Iraq may be going fairly well, we still are not supposed to be there. 

President Obama is still standing by his plan, he has been quoted as saying that 16 months is the still the "right time frame" for a withdrawal. However, the some political analysts believe that the dispute between Pakistan and India may be the next big flair up in the world. So far Americans has stated that they want to remain out of this conflict, yet if the terrorist groups responsible continue to target American's, it is a possibility that we may see some American military forces in the area; so far Obama has been against this type of action, which is a good sign for Americans. 

Rights and Bailouts

"If I knew for a certainly that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life, as from that dry and parching wind of the African deserts called the simoom, which fills the mouth and nose and ears and eyes with dust till you are suffocated, for fear that I should get some of his good done to me,-some of its virus mingled with my blood"

- Thoreau

As I consider the ultimate effects of our governments continuing bailout of various business interests in the country I am disheartened by a few facts. One, We have no idea what it will ultimately cost. Two, we have been convinced that is imminently necessary. Leaving aside the economic arguments for and against for a moment let us consider the ominous effects of ceding so much of our rights to the government. We Americans guard are right jealousy, in times of peace and prosperity no one can generally shake us from an understanding of what is our due as citizens. It is only in times of trouble, when the mass of people is frothing at some nameless fear, can the government, with all the best reasons, rapidly grow in size and potency. In the infancy of our Republic the threat of war with France gave us the Alien and Sedition Acts. Our Civil War brought about the rise of a grand bureaucracy, the draft, and the first income tax in the victorious North. World War I gave us a modern standing army and the Sedition Acts With the Great Depression, which the government  and prolonged through tariffs and interference, we saw an attempt to pack the Supreme Court and a massive expansion of Government power which brought us everything from redlining to the Farm bill. During this same period the crime wave that came with government enforced prohibition was used to justify the creation of the FBI headed by Mr. J. Edgar Hoover. This dreary list continues on to present day, and I would continue, but who wants to get a file started at Carnivore? The point is that the consequences of these programs and infringements generally far outstrip the urgency with which they were called for. What will be the consequences of large portions of the banking world remaining under government control?  (Some of these banks, it should be noted, accepted Government funding against their will.)  Who can say with any certainty? But mark well where the benign hand of our government flits and tarries in these days of panic. 

Conservatives are Whiny People

Conservative groups are currently latching onto a piece of the Constitution that makes Senator Hillary Clinton ineligible to be Barack Obama's Secretary of State. Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution states: "No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time." This basically means that  no lawmaker can hold a position if the salary for that position has been raised while that lawmaker was in office. 

This is a problem for Senator Clinton as in January, President Bush raised the salary for the Secretary of State and other cabinet positions by $4,700 dollars. Senator Clinton has served in the Senate since January of 2001. The conservative advocacy group Judicial Watch says that the case is closed and shut, that Hillary Clinton cannot be the Secretary of State. Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton was quoted as saying "There's no getting around the Constitution's ineligibility clause, so Hillary Clinton is prohibited from serving in the Cabinet until at least 2013, when her current term expires".

However many legal scholars are claiming that there are ways around this clause. One such solution is to lower the salary of said position to its previous amount. This happened in 1974 when Ohio Senator William Saxbe was appointed attorney general by President Nixon. CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin listed off several other solutions, such as, for Senator Clinton to accept a lower salary, for the Senate to vote on a lower salary, or to simply ignore the problem based on "...the idea that no one has the right, has the standing, to sue to stop her from becoming secretary of state". 

The clause can say what it says, as far as the Obama administration is concerned there are plenty of ways around it. In fact, Obama has said that he was well aware of the clause when he nominated Senator Clinton for the position. Also the public has fully agreed with the decision as a poll showed that 71% of Americans agree with Obama's decision. Overall the conservative groups such as the Judicial Watch Committee need to get over the fact that they lost and allow the Obama administration to move ahead unhindered. When there is clearly precedent to accept Clinton to her nominated position, the conservatives should allow it to happen and stop whining.

What's a Proper Reaction?

So India has suffered an embarrassing and horrific attack on its citizens, on its' soil, on one of the best known symbols, the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.  Now what?  India has two options: it could do like the U.S. did after 9/11, and just go wild, using military force to defeat a guerilla foe.  Or, it could do what the U.S. should have done, and work with the leadership of the country where the terrorists came from.  Let's examine the two scenarios.

Option 1: Respond Like the U.S.

Well, it certainly seems to be a popular idea.  All of the pundits and reporters and TV commentators seem to be stuck on the metaphor of "India's 9/11".  And there certainly are parallels.  Like 9/11, it was a devastating attack on India's soil, with a high number of civilian casualties, on a national landmark, with shocking swiftness, preparedness, and surprise.  If India chose to go the route of the U.S., they would likely raid Pakistan to destroy the training camps, because it is the country of the terrorist's origin.

Option 2: Diplomacy and Cooperation

The Indian government could, instead, work with Pakistan to take down the terrorists in a more lasting and damaging way, by building up security and intelligence and then sharing information with Pakistan.  It's not like the Pakistani government was behind the attacks; it was an entirely solo attack by the terrorists.  Pakistan's government is weak at this time, and is unable to effectively root out the terrorists hiding within its borders.  It needs help from other countries, especially India, to fight it's terrorists.  Plus, Pakistan has had some horrible attacks of its own, such as the September attack on the Islamabad Marriott.  It's not like the government enjoys having such dangerous chaos-makers inside its' borders.

So what'll it be?  Go on a reckless military offensive, attacking other countries mercilessly and needlessly?  Or will it be a diplomatic approach, working with other countries to counter-act the terrorists and root them out?  So far, it seems that India is going with route # 2.  I'd say that it's by far the right choice.

Now, what about the Pakistanis?  The terrorists came from their country, and they claim to be waging a jihad against the forces of evil.  What should the people of Pakistan do?  Should they sit by, let the governments make big, sweeping statements about how this cannot be tolerated and the terrorists will be dealt with?  Or should they act on their own, and show the terrorists that they are not helping their Muslim sisters and brothers?

Do you remember when the Muslim world rose up and protested the offensive Danish cartoon about the Prophet Muhammed?  What if the Muslim world rose up again and protested the killing of innocent civilians?  Most of Pakistan is not under the control of the radical fundamentalist Imams who preach hatred of the West.  They can show the terrorists that killing others is not the way to get to heaven and the promised 72 virgins.  

So far, there have been some positive signs of a repudiation of the terrorist's ideology.  The Pakistani government has responded with sincere seriousness and has shown no link to the group involved.  In addition, many of the prominent political and cultural leaders have stated their outrage and dismay and horror at the attack. Now, however, it is time for the rest of Pakistan and the Muslim world to step up.  Because its' one thing for a politician to say something.  It's quite another for the people to rise up as one and agree.

SOURCES: New York Times Op-Ed Column

India's 9/11?  Not Exactly

Calling All Pakistanis

Rice Visits Pakistan

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a brief stop in Pakistan today. Rice met with President Asif Ali Zardari, her purpose being to strengthen the lines of communication between India and Pakistan, in light of the recent attacks on Mumbai. Her stop in Pakistan cam on the heels of a stop she made in India just a few days ago. The purpose of the meeting was to again speak about the recent attack on Mumbai. 

President Zardari promised Rice that Pakistan would be investigating whether or not Pakistani militants were involved in the Mumbai attacks, he also vowed to take strong action against anyone that is found to have been involved. This statement was made after India accused Pakistani militants of being responsible for the attacks and requested that Pakistan find and turn over twenty suspects to the custody of authorities in India. 

The Pakistani paper, The Daily Times, stated that "Rice herself has made no such accusation, saying that she wouldn't make conclusions until more evidence has been gathered". Despite this Pakistani cooperation in the matter would go a long way towards improving relations between India and Pakistan. While it is still unclear as to who exactly carried out the attacks, many believe it was Pakistani militants, while others blame it on Indian Muslims, on thing that is certain is that it will take cooperation from everyone to find the people responsible and bring them to justice. 

Secretary of Defense Gates to Stay on for Obama Cabinet

Current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has agreed to stay on during the Obama administration. While the two have had their differences on certain issues, such as the Iraq war, secretary gates was quoted as saying he was "impressed" with comments made by president-elect Obama. Gates has already stated that he has no intention of being a "caretaker secretary" and listed off several challenges that Obama will face including the budget and war strategy, while also stating that he will be involved in all of these issues. 

Gates has said that he does not necessarily disagree with Obama's withdrawal plan for Iraq, stating that "he [Obama] wanted to have a responsible drawdown, and he also said that he was prepared to listen to his commanders." This is frankly great news as it shows that Obama truly is open to suggestions from people that have had more experience in government. Gates has so far stressed the issue of the Iraq war, specifically in regard to the length of a soldiers duty and the implementation of stop-loss. Stop-loss refers to the involuntary extension of a soldiers tour of duty. 

Obama to Choose Richardson for Secretary of Commerce

A Democratic source close to president-elect Obama has told CNN that Obama is likely to choose New Mexico governor Bill Richardson for his Secretary of Commerce. According to this source Obama has had Richardson on his list for cabinet members and also spoke to him about the position during November. CNN senior political correspondent Candy Crowley was quoted as saying "He brings to this plate, in particular in an era where the economy is the focus of attention, a lot of skills that could be put to use -- perhaps opening up marketplaces for U.S. products abroad". If this is true to be one of the reasons that Obama is seeking him then it shows that the economy is still first ad foremost on Obama's agenda. 

Richardson was considering running for the 2008 presidential election, however after a poor showing the New Hampshire primaries he dropped out and later endorsed Obama. 

Saxby Destroys Hopes for Filibuster Proof Seante

When the 2008 general election began results on the senate races began to indicate something that has not happened for over thirty years; a filibuster proof senate. The democrats were beginning to have hopes that they may not only have control of the senate but also be filibuster proof. However this dream was shot dead on Tuesday, December 2nd, when Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss was elected over his opponent, Democrat Jim Martin. 

Chambliss was reported as saying that the "people all around the world truly had their eyes on Georgia, and you have delivered tonight a strong message to the world that conservative Georgian values matter". The election, which has been going on since November 4th, due to Chambliss's inability to win the majority vote in a three-person race, marks the end of the dream for a filibuster proof senate. An interesting fact is that this is the first time since 1992 that Georgia has held a run-off election.

The New Ambassador

Susan Elizabeth Rice was born on November 17, 1964. She is a foreign policy expert and is now the American Ambassador to the United States. The two ambassadors who came before her were Kofi Annan, and Ban Ki-Moon.

Barack Obama has chosen Susan E.Rice to be the ambassador of the United Nations. According to a recent article in The New York Times, Ms.Rice will hopefully help stop major problems even if it means using armed forces to help solve those problems. Problems can include the recent genocide cases that have taken place in Darfur. According to this article, Experts believe that Obama is serious about spreading positive change, the reason they believe such a statement is because he chose Susan E.Rice who is Obama's "closest advisors, so it underscores how much of a priority he's making the position." She is a good candidate for this position because she is not afraid to face whatever she has to in order to prevent a crisis from happening. “Admirers said she is a good listener and able to stand up to strong personalities, including foreign autocrats and militants in volatile regions of the world.” (www.nytimes.com) The reason I believe Ms.Susan Rice is going to be an excellent United Nations Ambassador to the United States is because, according to the article, she visited Rwanda in 1994 right after the genocide. After she saw millions of bodies lying on the ground, she promised herself that she would never let this happen if she ever was in charge of managing or even being part of the UN. “I swore to myself that if I ever faced such a crisis again, I would come down on the side of dramatic action, going down in flames if that was required,” she told the Atlantic Monthly in 2001.

 

For more information, please click here. 

Jimmy Carter and Human Rights

The world was ecstatic when it heard that Barack Obama was going to be the next president of the United States. With Barack Obama as president, everyone knew that everything was going to be okay whether it was ending the two ongoing wars or defending and properly understanding Human Rights worldwide. Jimmy Carter, the founder of The Carter Center, has said in a recent interview with CNN, “a high priority will be the restoration of human rights, which have been badly eroded in recent years.” The reason Jimmy Carter decided to focus and address this topic is because he believes that the United States should focus more on enforcing Human Rights around the world. According to Jimmy Carter, activists from around the world join his annual conferences and say that the US is not advocating and encouraging other countries to engage in Human Rights acts. Because the US is not encouraging those acts, countries do not feel the need to do so. “For years, these activists have told us that when the United States engaged in torture and indefinite detention, their decades of struggle for rights began to erode. Dictators who had felt pressure from the United States to improve rights were suddenly off the hook. With new leadership in Washington, a clear and principled message on the centrality of human rights can help set a new tone.” Jimmy Carter believes that the United States is the main and higher power in which developing countries can look up to when it comes to issues regarding Human Rights. The main purpose of Jimmy Carter’s interview was to show that when humans are taken advantage of, used and abused, peace could never be achieved. He also encourages people to listen to Human Right activists when they speak about problems within their own communities. We need to be aware of those problems and help solve them before they escalate and become more dangerous and harder to handle.

For more information, please click here.