Mental Break: Ronald McGovernment Supersizes

Bernanke for Another Round of being Chairman of the US Reserve?

I found this segment about Ben Bernanke interesting. Many speculate that Bernanke is the abysmal failure that caused the financial system to crash and did not do anything to prevent it. Under Bernake's guidance, the unemployment rate has raised up to 17%, more than 120 banks have failed and derivatives has risen from $110tn to $290tn, 95% of that being concentrated in just five institutions. Now is it time for Mr. Bernanke to finish up his call of duty and move on? To many it is. As Chairman he should have taken more safety precautions to how he handled the financial situation, but it is what it is. Its time now to give the financial economy a face-lift from a new doctor.

President Obama's "Cash for Caulkers" Proposal

Finally! A plan that rewards "go green" citizens for using energy efficient appliances and insulation. President Obama proposed a plan to compensate homeowners up to $12, 000 in rebates for going environmental. I personally think that this is a brilliant plan. Not only does it save money, it also helps the earth stay healthy. Obama states that energy efficiency:

"creates jobs, saves money for families, and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment," Obama said. "With additional resources, in areas like advanced manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels, for instance, we can help turn good ideas into good private-sector jobs."

In these times it is important to think about the environment and the damage it endures. This is the source of life that we are talking about, it should be the prime concern, not money, war or oil. Its pretty far fetched to say so, but it is true all the same. Wake up and look around America! What are WE doing to our lands and seas? Hats off to Obama for coming up with a plan like this.

Why DID Palin Leave College in Hawaii??

Out of the four colleges Sarah Palin attended her first was in Hawaii, but she only stayed for one semester saying that the sunny bright environment was not "conducive to serious academics for eighteen year old Alaska girls". However her father gives a different story saying that her reason was in a land of Asians and South Islanders, Palin did not enjoy being in the minority and felt very uncomfortable. Can Palin not take the pressure of being different from those around her? Hopefully Palin will use the experience that she had back in Hawaii and apply it to her politics and ease that uncomfortable feeling for the minorities in the United States of America. Its really a wonder why this was not media- tized though.

Girlfriend Recommended for Federal Prosecutor

Senator Max Baucus acknowledges the fact that he recommended his girlfriend Melodee Hanes, a highly qualified prosecutor, for being nominated for United States attorney of State. Since Ms. Hanes and Mr. Baucus had a developing relationship which caused the controversy that she was picked due to favorites and not for her competence. Is it too impossible that Mr. Baucus have a relationship with a strong, powerful attorney? For once why can't a woman be criticized for her skill and not her relationship status? It is not like Ms. Hanes got an unfair advantage but after a unified decision with the senator, she decided to remove her name from the nomination for Federal Prosecutor. This was probably due to the pesky media that seems to want to find a scandal in everything. Fortunately for Ms. Hanes she found a new position as an attorney of the Justice Department, a job that she got on her own means, wit and skill with no help, no recommendations from her boyfriend, Mr. Max Baucus. So there!

Happy Thanksgiving- How Much Food and Beverage Do Americans Consume Today?

Thanksgiving is mainly centered around food, family and giving thanks to the priceless treasures we have, life. But how much does America really consume? I found this interesting, statistically speaking.

Party Crashers at White House State Dinner

Wannabe T.V reality stars, uninvited and impundent Washington area socialites Michaele and Tareq Salahi cruise past uptight security and into White House State Dinner Party. Even though they were screened before their intrusion and the President of the United States was not in any immediate danger, the incident leaves the Secret Service in a dubious state. After all, what are the odds of partycrashing the White House in cautious times? How safe is our President really? What if the next time something like this happens and it is not the innocent, attention seeking Salahis? What say you America...

Thirteen Year Old Runaway Goes Undetected for Eleven Days in Subways

Fransisco Hernandez Jr. goes undetected in the subways after fleeing scoldings from home for being problematic in class. It is simply amazing that 13 year old Hernandez Jr. who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome can ride crowed subways and not be noticed or that with all the security cameras and the obvious photographs posted around, it took ELEVEN days to find him. Is the police force really doing all the can to find America's missing children? Can't children have just as much priority as murderers, rapists or drug dealers? After all they hold the future and now is the time when kids need to be protected and found so they don't resort to drugs or any other illegal activities for comfort or attention.

Hippo Gets Mad... Crocodile Suffers

I found this amusing, a hippo attacks a crocodile after the crocodile tries to use its back as a stepping stone. This goes to show, even crocodiles should not dare to mess with the temper of a hippopotamus.

Facebook Fails

Major social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace fail to put in a report abuse button for inappropriate discriminative and sexually explicit content. According to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop), these sites have no legitimate reasons for not having the new tool and critisizes their apathy towards taking up the FREE SERVICE. Is there some hid alternative motive or are they, as in the social networking sites, too pressured by the encumbrance of caring? Facebook and MySpace are suppose to be enjoyable places that old friends can be reunited and new friends made in a secure environment, not places that permits intolerant behavior and sexual harrassment.

Former Miss California's Juvenile Behavior on Larry King Live

I found this both immature and funny. Carrie Prejean, former Miss California, defiantly takes off her mike during Larry King Live because of his "inappropriate" prying to the reasons why she settled with her dispute with pageant organization. Her childish behavior does not only suggest that her settlement did not comply with her said morals but also suggests that her character is not as flattering as it is suppose to be. Isn't the US tired of having this type of immaturity representing the country and states?

US. Citizens Held in Captivity...Again.

Three US citizens are being held in captivity by the Iranian government after being caught trekking the Iraqi- Iranian mountains on charges of espionage. Two things really come into mind here. One: What are US citizens, no matter how adventurous and daredevil they are feeling, doing marching around what is suppose is considered "enemy territory" during these troubling times? And two: Is it really safe to explore any part of Iran or Iraq without the fear of being captured, charged of espionage and POSSIBLY tortured? This war is affecting our natural instincts to explore outside of the realms of the United States...

The Fort Hood Catastrophe: Phychiatrist Gone Mad

After thorough investigation, it was concluded that Fort Hood attack was not a terrorist plot but that won't make this horrific event any less horrifying.  It has been speculated by federal officials that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused, acted out from emotional, ideological and religious issues that circulated his life. 13 people were killed that day. 

The Case of the Baby Snatchers

East of Mexico City lies a small private hospital that once in a blue moon... STEALS SOMEONE'S BABY! A gang of doctors and nurses trick patients into believing that problems were experienced during conception and the new born died, but when the truth was that they were selling off the babies without parental consent and keeping the earnings to themselves. This is absurd. How can someone find it OKAY to strip a mother from the joys and delights of motherhood? 

Yet Another Palin Case

The renowned Bristol Palin situation is back, this time she is not pregnant. Apparently, according to The Guardian, Bristol and Levi Johnston, father of her child Tripp, are neck to neck about custody... Levi accusing Bristol of denying him his rights to Tripp, Bristol accusing Levi of only wanting to "get some" and acrimonious statements made in Vanity Fair merging in the mix. Oh the joys and delights of teenage pregnancy. Johnston and Palin need to stop selfishly thinking about themselves and focus their attention on Tripp, who is certainly going to feel this in the future. If Sarah Palin can not control what happens in her household, how is she suppose to manage a country with millions of teenage pregnancies, poverty, drug and alcohol abuses?

Today 7,000 Americans Lost Their Unemployment Benefits

Apparently their are just too much unemployed Americans that rely on living on unemployment benefits. Over a month after passing the unemployment benefits bill, Senate is still debating on extending benefits. 

Over the last few years unemployment has reached skyrocketing limits, all you have to do is look around you or in the park after dark to know those who suffer from it, each person with a different story but same ending. Thousands of people rely on unemployment benefits and when it backfires they are spiraled into an oblivion. Although finding work is a difficult process, I see too many unemployed people out on the streets rattling plastic cups for coins. The government is trying what they can, now its time for us to do our part and stop rattling and starting striving for the better.

A Step Towards Acceptance: President Obama Promises to Sign Hate Crimes Bill

Hate crimes bill, named after Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., is promised to be signed and passed by legislation and President Obama unlike the past president, George Bush Jr, who vetoed it. Once the bill is signed, it would be a federal crime to assault anyone because of their sexuality or gender identity. All of this sounds brilliant on paper but how will it play in society? Just because it is there does not necessarily mean that those, who brutally discriminate against others because of who they are, are going to stop their actions.

Save the Polar Bears!!

Because the rapidly decreasing polar bear populations, the Interior Department proposed to reserve more than 200,000 acres of ice, land and water around Alaska for critical habitat. Many officials say that the cause of polar bear extinction is because of global warming. This global climate change doesnt only affect humans but also our furry and not so furry friends.

One More For Public Option

Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, favors and is considering voting on Public Option, a government- run health insurance plan as long as it makes a few alterations. Many Democrats are already pro- Public Option, stating that the plan will lower and hold down costs of health insurance. Reid's vote is essential to the 60 votes needed for approval but can the Republicans beat them to the finish line? Supporters from both parties speculate that the other party will not be able to muster up enough votes.
Why can't Senate work together and make a plan that satisfies the needs of EVERYONE? or at least the majority of.

Stop bickering and start collaborating!

Kidman Against Hollywood

Actress and UN Ambassador, Nicole Kidman, made an appearance before Congress against Hollywood's portrayal of women and accuses Hollywood of contributing to violence against women by making them appear as weak sex objects on the silver screen. She admits that she would refuse to take up any role in Hollywood production that demanded her to stoop below her morals...

"I can't be responsible for all of Hollywood, but I can certainly be responsible for my own career." - Nicole Kidman

but that is controversial considering her past roles in the cinematic industry.

Global Warming Does Not Exist?

According to survey, only 57% of Americans today believe that the world is suffering from global warming. So I suppose the melting of ice in the Arctic Regions and the rise of oceanic temperatures have nothing to do with the warming of the world and are just illusions from our minds. Also according to survey only 36% of Americans believe that human activity is the cause of these environmental changes. How dumb can we be?

A Traitor Amongst US Science!

Stewart Nozette, 52, a former NASA scientist who helped discover the existence of water on the moon was arrested by the FBI after attempting to sell US satellite secrets to the Israelis. According to the indictment he had been bought out to work as a consultant to the Isreali defence firm. Secretly of course. These days are dangerous ones, how will the US and its economy be able to strive if trust is limited?

Shell Gets Oily

President Obama's administration gave thumbs up for Shell to drill for oil and natural gas in environmental sensitive Beaufort Sea. Alaskan conservative groups are accusing Obama for making the same mistakes as past president, George Bush Jr. Is it really the best idea to start using up more of our nonrenewable resources in this already endangered world? It seems that instead of taking steps to secure our environment and future, we are taking steps back into past mistakes!

"We're disappointed to see the Obama administration taking decisions that will threaten the Arctic. It might as well have been the Bush administration."
- Rebecca Noblin (Alaskan Specialist for Center of Biological Diversity)

Yet Another Chance to Legalize Marijuana

US justice department is backing away from the excessive, blood hound driven chase to rid Marijuana from the United States of America. According to President Barrack's justice department, busting people using medical marijuana is just a waste of limited police power. If marijuana could inflict the same pain relieving reaction as morphine why not just legalize a bit? 

Small Earthquake Strikes East Cal!

After a sequence of tremors in Lone Pine, California an earthquake finally hits today! Luckily there has been no reports of damage or injuries.

DNA is Gooood!

FBI statistics show that because of the increasing use of DNA the number of rape crimes has dropped increasingly from two decades ago. DNA has risen confidence in the court room for victims testifying and has stopped many criminals in their tracks and hauled them off to the pen. However, the system still has a few kinks here and there with miscalculating evidence and wrongfully convicted people. It is quite obvious that there needs to be improvements but isnt it reassuring to know that the streets are safer?

When Will Obama Aggressively Take a Stand for Homosexual Equality?

Gay men and lesbians rapidly grow impatient with Obama's delayed "aggressive" effort being put in securing equal rights and minimizing discrimination for gays and lesbians alike. President Obama plans to address gay rights on Saturday but the skepticalism grows within the homosexual community. Obama being in presidency for nearly a year frustrates those who are not seeing the fruits of his labour and the push toward a homosexually equal society. How will this affect Obama's image on America and his voters?

Where' D monie-go?

A whooping $179 Million budget deficit faces San Diego next year. California's second biggest city will face yet more budget cuts! Is it really such a bad idea for the government to just secretly print the money and anonymously donate it? I haven't heard anyone suggest a better idea!

Iran nuclear talks da bomb? - Optimistic?

Hopes have been raised as Iran and six major nations have held talks about Tehrans nuclear program. Iran has given permission for UN inspectors to enter a newly disclosed uranium enrichment plant. Does this give us hope for future optimism? Or is it just just another case of America's quest to be the sole nation with nuclear weapons marching onward!

American Samoa - Disaster!

President Obama has declared American Samoa a major disaster area after an 8.3 earthquake, tsunami and flooding hits the region. Many hundreds of people are already dead with the toll sure to rise. Hawaii, along many other islands in the area, is now on a tsunami watch. What can be done in the short and long term for the people so cruelly affected by mother natures fury?

Health Care Softens up

Nearly two million people who have financial issues in buying insurance will be relieved to know that The Senate Finance Committee voted to soften the impact of financial penalties imposed on people who do not have insurance under health care legislation on thursday. Lawmakers delayed and reduced the penalties for others. How will this change the impact on the health industry?

Study Shows Babies Will Live for Five Score Years

This is very interesting. Statistics go beyond biblical three score and seven years and shows that the chances of living past 80 years of age has doubled since 1950. According to Professor Kaare Christensen, of the Danish Ageing Research Centre this trend has no intent in slowing down:

"People are not only living longer than they did previously, but also they are living longer, with less disability and fewer functional limitations"

Bank of America Left in Rambles Searching for a Successor

The sudden resignation of chief executive Kennedy D. Lewis has left Bank of America frantically searching for new successor. Going through dozens of possibles, the search is expected to take weeks. How will the Bank of America deal with this upturn of events? Will the chosen successor be able to handle the upcoming bailout the country will experience? This is a tough job and calls for a tough person.

Obama Wants the 2016 Olympics to be Closer to Home

The bidding of the location of the 2016 Olympics keeps on but with a few words put in for the 2016 Olympic to be in Chicago by President Obama. Taking time from health care debate, President Obama will take a overnight flight to Copenhagen, Denmark on Friday to bid hometown Chicago. Congress is concerned that the president's attention is not tuned to the right station. Could President Obama's decision to bid Chicago for 2016 Olympics be to justify his childhood in the States? Or is this looking past personal and does Obama want to build up the economy with "free money"?

At Last a Cure for Aids

A new AIDS vaccine had been scientifically declared to protect! This new vaccine named RV 144, has shown that out of the 16,000 volunteers in Thailand,the infection rate was significantly one third lower than normal. Could this be a breakthrough for the health industry? How will this affect the world's rising exposure of AIDS? Will the world's economy suffer from less deaths?

East Africa Experiences a Hunger Crisis

Due to the absence of rain nearly 20 million people in Kenya, Somalia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia are suffering from starvation according to UN statistics. Budget cuts made to the UN World Food Program make it hard for the UN to aid all in need. This arouses concern that help will not be provided to pregnant and children in dire need. With less money going to World Food Programs, what will outcomes be for those who suffer?

Parents Disagree With Obama's "Study Hard" Tactic

Seriously! Who is really doing the brainwashing? Parents or President?

ALERT! 9.2 Billion People Estimated to Populate the World in 2050 According to Friedman

What is more horrifying than knowing the world is already over populated with 6.7 billion people? Knowing that over the next 43 years, world population will most likely increase by 2.5 billion! According to Tom Friedman's book "Hot, Flat and Crowded", the population surge is expected happen mostly in undeveloped nations, where government is fragile and poor. Could this increase population call for more violence and extreme civil unrest within the nations? How will unstable government be able to cope with the increase demands of a growing nation?

Todays Lesson Plan: 9/11

Mayor Rudy Giuliani joins family members from 9/11 to create an educational plan to educate the events of 9/11 to middle and high school students. This plan is expected to be tested at schools in New York City, California, New Jersey, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois and Kansas this year. It was developed with the help of Brick, N.J.-based Sept. 11 Education Trust, families of victims, Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a New York senator at the time of the attacks, consisting of primary sources and archival footage. Doesn't this information classify under history? It is important to know what happened but should we have to have a separate class designed especially for that?

Philly Eagle's Quaterback Michael Vick Tells All About His Dark Past

Michael Vick, ex convict and Philadelphia Eagle's quarterback speaks to 200 Nueva Esperanza Academy freshmen in Philly, informing them the dangers of falling under peer pressure. Vick had been in the federal pen for 18 months for running a dogfighting ring and because of his actions his contract with the NFL, which made him one of the highest paid players, had been suspended. Once he got out of prison in July, he was signed back on the team. Many animal rights organizations were outraged by NFL's decision. But doesn't Vick deserve a second chance to prove himself? He claims that he is reformed from his past experiences and now acts like a spokesperson for anti- peer pressure organizations. I think he deserves to prove himself to his best potential.

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Commuters Have No Fear: San Fran Bay Bridge Reopens

After being closed down on Friday for inspections and repairs, the San Francisco Bay Bridge is finally open to commuters. This is a breath of relief for those who took the Golden Gate, ferry or any other means to get out and into San Francisco. During the inspection, bridge crews found a 2-inch-thick steel link cracked halfway through the bridge. Scary! Even though there was a somewhat hassle to get across, it is reassuring to know that the bridge will not collapse while people are commuting.

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President Obama Encourages Kids to Stay in School and Strive for a Good Education

President Obama's plan to tell nation wide kids of the importance of education and the benefits of staying in school sparks interest in many television and talk shows. His planned speech has been accused by several conservative organizations and persons to be diving too directly within local education and trying to teach them with his "socialist" agenda, but is this really about socialism or any kind of "ism"? Is it a crime to inform kids that getting an education will lead them closer to their dreams in life?

Director Michael Moore lashes out against capitalism with his upcoming movie "Capitalism: A Love Story"

World famous liberal political commentator and film director Michael Moore is at it again. Capitalism, according to Moore, is a one way street benefitting the poor and leaving millions in the dust of poverty."Capitalism is an evil, and you cannot regulate evil," he concludes. Is the capitalist system really as democratic as we are led to believe it is? Will Moore's film "Capitalism: A Love Story" influence a revolt against government or go somewhat unnoticed?

Hiya!

Hiya! so this is my new blog that I had to make for my economics class. My blogs will be mainly about the world, economic and business issues so Enjoy!