Link
With all of the negative rhetoric coming out of Moscow lately, many US members of NATO are beginning to see Russia as an adversary, not friend of the organization. Created after WWII to counter the Warsaw pact, NATO provides security and military befits to its members. Russia's recent hostilities toward Ukraine go blatantly against NATO wishes. This has not been seen since the Cold War.
As one of the most important members of NATO, the US's opinion carries a lot of weight. Russia needs to back down or else they face more resistance from a organization dedicated to security and peacekeeping. This article deals with US foreign affairs and policy.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Blog #13- Afghanistan Votes
Link
Yesterday was a important victory in the fight to keep democracy in Afghanistan. In the governmental elections, over 57 percent of eligible voters turned out, comparable to US percentages. This is important because the Taliban has used fear over time to try and suppress voting. The Afghan people were able to stand up and vote democratically right in the faces of the Taliban. The country has faced a difficult past few years but this is a sign of improvement.
I believe that this truly is a sign that things are improving in the region. It relates to APGOPO because the Afghanistan plays a large part in Americas foreign policy due to our troops deployed there.
Yesterday was a important victory in the fight to keep democracy in Afghanistan. In the governmental elections, over 57 percent of eligible voters turned out, comparable to US percentages. This is important because the Taliban has used fear over time to try and suppress voting. The Afghan people were able to stand up and vote democratically right in the faces of the Taliban. The country has faced a difficult past few years but this is a sign of improvement.
I believe that this truly is a sign that things are improving in the region. It relates to APGOPO because the Afghanistan plays a large part in Americas foreign policy due to our troops deployed there.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Blog 12- Student Debt
Link
According to recent studies, student debt is becoming a very big problem for young adults across the nation. Over half of college bound students take out some sort of loan in order to pay for their education. Some speculate that it is causing an increase in the wealth gap in America. Their is a high correlation between income, test scores, and financial awards. The wealthier you are the more likely you are to do better on nationally recognized tests. It is the high test scores that often bring the money. Currently the federal government is looking into ways to provide more help to students who need it. President Obama has recognized this as an issue.
I believe that student debt is a problem and that it is a positive thing that the federal government is aware of this. It relates to APGOPO because it is a educational issue that deals with money and debt.
According to recent studies, student debt is becoming a very big problem for young adults across the nation. Over half of college bound students take out some sort of loan in order to pay for their education. Some speculate that it is causing an increase in the wealth gap in America. Their is a high correlation between income, test scores, and financial awards. The wealthier you are the more likely you are to do better on nationally recognized tests. It is the high test scores that often bring the money. Currently the federal government is looking into ways to provide more help to students who need it. President Obama has recognized this as an issue.
I believe that student debt is a problem and that it is a positive thing that the federal government is aware of this. It relates to APGOPO because it is a educational issue that deals with money and debt.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Blog #11- Trouble in Ukraine
Link
In the region of Crimea, a area inside the troubled Ukraine, violent steps have been taken by armed radicals. A governmental building was taken over by armed men and a Russian flag was raised above it. It is crucial that the newly elected prime minister react appropriately to this situation. He has sent out a message to the people in this region saying that this group is only composed of "radicals" and no harm will come.
Ukraine has ousted their old leader in favor of a new one. The country is plagued by civil unrest and economic disparity. The question now is, will the US recognize this new prime minister and what will be our actions? As chief diplomat, it is the President of the United States job to communicate with Ukraine.
In the region of Crimea, a area inside the troubled Ukraine, violent steps have been taken by armed radicals. A governmental building was taken over by armed men and a Russian flag was raised above it. It is crucial that the newly elected prime minister react appropriately to this situation. He has sent out a message to the people in this region saying that this group is only composed of "radicals" and no harm will come.
Ukraine has ousted their old leader in favor of a new one. The country is plagued by civil unrest and economic disparity. The question now is, will the US recognize this new prime minister and what will be our actions? As chief diplomat, it is the President of the United States job to communicate with Ukraine.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Blog #11- Comcast
Link
This month, it has been confirmed that one of the largest cable and telecommunications company, Comcast, is buying out Time Warner cable. This will mean that Comcast will now have a virtual monopoly on cable television. The merger will cost Comcast 45 billion dollars. This means that Comcast expects to make much more than this amount in profit.
It is up to US regulators to decide if this merger can take place legally. If Comcast has the monopoly it would be possible for them to fix prices, quality, and speed. It is the job of the US government to make sure that monopolies are not allowed to prosper.
This month, it has been confirmed that one of the largest cable and telecommunications company, Comcast, is buying out Time Warner cable. This will mean that Comcast will now have a virtual monopoly on cable television. The merger will cost Comcast 45 billion dollars. This means that Comcast expects to make much more than this amount in profit.
It is up to US regulators to decide if this merger can take place legally. If Comcast has the monopoly it would be possible for them to fix prices, quality, and speed. It is the job of the US government to make sure that monopolies are not allowed to prosper.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Blog #10- Death Penalty
Link
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is the 19 year old "suspect" for the Boston Marathon bombings. As Tsarnaev awaits his trial it has become apparent that the federal government is going to push for the death penalty if he is convicted. This was decided after prosecutors consulted families of the victims. A poll says that "57 percent of respondents favored a sentence of life without parole if Tsarnaev were to be convicted, while 33 percent thought death would be the appropriate punishment." At this time, no trail date for the suspect has been set.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is the 19 year old "suspect" for the Boston Marathon bombings. As Tsarnaev awaits his trial it has become apparent that the federal government is going to push for the death penalty if he is convicted. This was decided after prosecutors consulted families of the victims. A poll says that "57 percent of respondents favored a sentence of life without parole if Tsarnaev were to be convicted, while 33 percent thought death would be the appropriate punishment." At this time, no trail date for the suspect has been set.
The death penalty is, and always has been, a controversial topic. People have to decide if it is the right for the government to have that power. Personally, I support the death penalty. People who obviously committed horrible crimes such as these don't deserve to live off taxpayers money in a cell. It is much harder to get a person sentenced to death at the federal level compared to the state level and this trial will put this to the test.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Blog 9- NSA
Blog 9- NSA
Link
Yesterday, a letter signed by 54 civil liberties and public interest organizations was sent to congress. it was opposing S. 1631 the FISA Improvements act. It is a bill, that if passed, would extend the power of the NSA and allow them to being data and communications monitoring a gain. These groups state that this act gives the NSA power that tramples over the rights of Americans.
I completely agree with these organizations. The NSA has already been caught multiple times for violating peoples civil rights and they should not have more power. Why do more people not know about this? Everyone's privacy is at stake however this is not to be found on the front page of most news sources.
Link
Yesterday, a letter signed by 54 civil liberties and public interest organizations was sent to congress. it was opposing S. 1631 the FISA Improvements act. It is a bill, that if passed, would extend the power of the NSA and allow them to being data and communications monitoring a gain. These groups state that this act gives the NSA power that tramples over the rights of Americans.
I completely agree with these organizations. The NSA has already been caught multiple times for violating peoples civil rights and they should not have more power. Why do more people not know about this? Everyone's privacy is at stake however this is not to be found on the front page of most news sources.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)