Economic: North Dakota, a Place to go for Employment
A total of more than 9,000 jobs in public and private companies are open in North Dakota. North Dakota also has the lowest unemployment rate at 4.2%, compared to the national level of 9.5%. Michael Ziesch, a researcher for Job Service North Dakota says that a balanced economy, including robust energy and agricultural industries have kept the state strong. North Dakota also had the least exposure to subprime loans. The highest influx of people to North Dakota is from Michigan which has the highest unemployment rate at 15.2%. While its unfortuante that our country has so many states with such high unemployment rates, its refreshing to learn of a state that is actually doing well during these times, even if it is one that no one would expect.
Korkki, Phyllis. "North Dakota, the place to go for employment." The New York Times: Bussiness. The New York Times, 25 July 2009. Web. 28 July 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/business/26count.html?_r=1&sq=&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&scp=5&adxnnlx=1248800507-uRveE1SCBxIiP7oEbZXHIg.
International:Global Views of U.S. Helped by Obama, Survey Says
According to a worl survey, the popularity of the U.S. had increased since Obama became president. On the contrary, the survey shows major opposition to his policy of sending more troops over to Afghanistan. The survey, given by Pew Global Attitudes Project, shows an all time high amount of confidence in the U.S. leader from other countries. The survey which invloved more than 24 countries and 26,000 people also revelaed that anti-American animosity was high in countries such as Turkey and Pakistan (no suprise there). 86% of Britains say that they trust Obama to "do the right thing" when it comes to dealing with worldly affairs in contrasrt to the 16 % who trusted George W. Bush. After his speech in Cairo on June 4th, Israeli ratings of our president slipped from 60% to 49%. Closing Guantonamo Bay prison and setting a troop withdrawl deadline in Iraq were the two policies that gained the most support. I think that the increase in ratings is a good thing for our country, no matter what ones political preference is. The numbers show that many countries have confidence in him and think that he will be different than Bush, a view that I agree with.
Knowlton, Brian. "Global Views of U.S. Helped by Obama, Survey Says." The New York Times: World. The New York Times, 24 July 2009. Web. 28 July 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/24survey.html?scp=9&sq=national&st=nyt.
National: Charges Against Immigrants Sent Home
From reviewing the cases of deportation of illegal immigrants in jails in Harris County, TX, it has been discovered that drunk driving and drug possesion are the two most popular charges held against the illegal immigrants. In the first five months of 2009, 670 cases of both crimes were recorded. Simple assault, aggravated assault, and aggravated robbery were also high on the list. 150 were arrested on trafficking charges and 101 of those 150 were also charged with running from the police. This article was not chalk full of info but did include a lot of numbers that I didn't know. I chose this article and found it interesting because I find it dumb that illegal immigrants would even engage in illegal activites such as the one above if they are already in our country illegally. I would like to find out the reasons they partook in these crimes, knowing that they would probably get sent back to their home country.
"Charges Against Immigrants Sent Home." The NEw York Times: U.S. The New York Times, 24 July 2009. Web. 28 July 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/us/26sidesecure.html?scp=36&sq=&st=nyt.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, July 13th
International: Zambia's arrest of editor triggers outbreak
In Lusaka, Zambia, Chansa Kabwela was arrested on July 13th, 2009. Kabwela was the editor of an independent newspaper who was charged with spreading obscene pictures to governemnt officials. Kabwela claims that she wanted to make officials aware of the consequences of the health workers' strike by spreading pictures of women giving birth in the streets. The Catholic bishops are urging the government to move away from the issue, claiming it is not a major one and that the government should focus on "violence away from the media". Many residents of Zambia claim that the charges against Kabwela are just being brought to harass and intimidate other journalists. I think that Kabwela should have the freedom to make a statement about her opinion on the strike but she should do it without exploiting other women. I am not sure if she had permission to photograph the birth of these babies but if not, I think she was in the wrong.
"Zambia's arrest of editor triggers outrage." MSNBC World News. 19 July 2009. Associate Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010161/ns/world_news-africa/#storyContinued.
Economic: Obama wants $12 billion for 2-year colleges
For my national article this week, I decided to do something that most of us can understand/relate to since we are applying to colleges this year..even if they aren't 2 year institutes. President Obama has released a $12 billion dollar plan to help community colleges prepare the generation of today's teens for careers. As he explains his plan, he notes unemployment rates are still up and will be for a while before the decrease. In noting this, Obama also made the point that many of the jobs lost, such as in the auto industry, will not be coming back. Because of this, this generation needs to be educated enough to obtain different jobs. Obama's plan includes competitive grants would be offered to 2 year colleges to try nwe programs and up the level of their training. Money would also go to renovating and more online class options. Obama claimed that although our economy is suffering, this is a good use for the money; claiming, "Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result." I think this is a good use of some funds but maybe not as much as $12 billion. Right now, in the U.S,'s situation I don't think money should be spent on renovating colleges where it is not crucial its exsistence.
"Obama wants $12 billion for two year colleges." MSNBC News. 18 July 2009. Associated Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31906166/ns/us_news-education/.
National: Calif. governor, lawmakers reach budget deal
Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, and the state's legistlative leaders have finally foudn a way to to close the $26 billion dollar shortfall to try and get the state back on solid ground with no more IOUs. If the agreement is passed, it will provide temporary aid to the states "epic fiscal crisis" by issuing more than $15 million in cuts. The rest will be made up by borrowing and moving money from other government accounts and speeding up the collection of specific taxes. If CA does receive the loans, it will be able to stop issuing IOUs, depending on the rate that the cash comes into the treasury. I don't have a strong opinion for or against the agreement I just hope that it works. If this agreement works, it will add to the positive efforts in making our countrie's economic state better.
"Calif. governor, lawmakers reach budget deal." MSNBC News. 19 July 2009. Associated Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010922/ns/us_news-life/.
In Lusaka, Zambia, Chansa Kabwela was arrested on July 13th, 2009. Kabwela was the editor of an independent newspaper who was charged with spreading obscene pictures to governemnt officials. Kabwela claims that she wanted to make officials aware of the consequences of the health workers' strike by spreading pictures of women giving birth in the streets. The Catholic bishops are urging the government to move away from the issue, claiming it is not a major one and that the government should focus on "violence away from the media". Many residents of Zambia claim that the charges against Kabwela are just being brought to harass and intimidate other journalists. I think that Kabwela should have the freedom to make a statement about her opinion on the strike but she should do it without exploiting other women. I am not sure if she had permission to photograph the birth of these babies but if not, I think she was in the wrong.
"Zambia's arrest of editor triggers outrage." MSNBC World News. 19 July 2009. Associate Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010161/ns/world_news-africa/#storyContinued.
Economic: Obama wants $12 billion for 2-year colleges
For my national article this week, I decided to do something that most of us can understand/relate to since we are applying to colleges this year..even if they aren't 2 year institutes. President Obama has released a $12 billion dollar plan to help community colleges prepare the generation of today's teens for careers. As he explains his plan, he notes unemployment rates are still up and will be for a while before the decrease. In noting this, Obama also made the point that many of the jobs lost, such as in the auto industry, will not be coming back. Because of this, this generation needs to be educated enough to obtain different jobs. Obama's plan includes competitive grants would be offered to 2 year colleges to try nwe programs and up the level of their training. Money would also go to renovating and more online class options. Obama claimed that although our economy is suffering, this is a good use for the money; claiming, "Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result." I think this is a good use of some funds but maybe not as much as $12 billion. Right now, in the U.S,'s situation I don't think money should be spent on renovating colleges where it is not crucial its exsistence.
"Obama wants $12 billion for two year colleges." MSNBC News. 18 July 2009. Associated Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31906166/ns/us_news-education/.
National: Calif. governor, lawmakers reach budget deal
Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, and the state's legistlative leaders have finally foudn a way to to close the $26 billion dollar shortfall to try and get the state back on solid ground with no more IOUs. If the agreement is passed, it will provide temporary aid to the states "epic fiscal crisis" by issuing more than $15 million in cuts. The rest will be made up by borrowing and moving money from other government accounts and speeding up the collection of specific taxes. If CA does receive the loans, it will be able to stop issuing IOUs, depending on the rate that the cash comes into the treasury. I don't have a strong opinion for or against the agreement I just hope that it works. If this agreement works, it will add to the positive efforts in making our countrie's economic state better.
"Calif. governor, lawmakers reach budget deal." MSNBC News. 19 July 2009. Associated Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010922/ns/us_news-life/.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Monday, July 6th
International: Israel/Gaza: 22 Days of Death and Destruction
Amnesty International plans to release a report of the 22 day "war" on the Gaza Strip earlier this year. Amnesty International is not happy with the way that Israel investigated the crimes and therefore, will focus on how ISrael used "battlefield weapons against a civilian population trapped in Gaza". Throughout the investigation, representatives for the company doing the research have found that most people were killed by attacks during the late night hours, children were killed while playing in their bedrooms, and paramedics were attacked while trying to rescue and save the civilians of Gaza. Israel has dismissed the situation and damaged they caused as "collateral damage", which AI clearly disagrees with. AI can investigate this because states have the resposibility, under international law, to start criminal investigations wherever there is evidence of war crimes. I think that AI is doing a good thing because it will help people that weren't in close proximity to the actual fighting understand what the attacks were like and also , Israel may realize the damage they have done.
Underhill, Johnathan. "Israel/Gaza: 22 Days of Death and Destruction." "Scoop": Independent News. 02 July 2009. 19 July 2009 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0907/S00066.htm.
National:Attorney General Considering Torture Probe
AG Eric Holder is contemplating opening a case in the U.S. Court that many consider done with and in the past. Holder is deciding whether or not to assign an investigator to the Bush's administration interrogation processes. Obama is not in favor of the probe because it is not a relevant issue and may distract him and his administration from the health care and energy reform. Holder claims he knows what disturbance this will cause in the White House now but is horrified by what he has learned from CIA reports. The act in question is if the CIA tortured terrorism suspects after September 11th, 2001. This issue presents an interesting view because it shows the seperation of powers. Even though the presdient, Obama, is against it...Holder still has the power to carry out the investigation if he wishes. I do not think the investigation should be ordered because again, it is in the past and would just bring unecessary drama to the White House.
Pickler, Nedra. "Attorney General Considering Torture Probe." CNNEWS: Politics. 03 July 2009. CNN. 19 July 2009 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/11/politics/main5152838.shtml.
Economy: Madoff Accountant Pleads Not Guilty
David Friehling, a long time auditor of Bernard Madoff, pleaded not guility to charges of rubber-stamping Madoff's books for 17 years without confirming their accuracy. Friehling also used his right to have a grand jury evaluate his case, something that usually takes place in a plea bargain case. His next court appearence will be in October so that attorney Lisa Boroni can have time to contemplate a "possible dispostion". Investigating authorites say that if Friehling had done his job, his records would have shown that Madoff owed billions of dollars to investors. I disagree that Friehlin got off because he, like Madoff, was dishonest with the customers and knew what he was partaking in at the time.
"Madoff Accountant Pleads Not Guilty." CNNews: Bussiness. 17 July 2009. CNN. 19 July 2009 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/17/business/main5168964.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain;cbsnewsLeadStoriesHeadlines.
Amnesty International plans to release a report of the 22 day "war" on the Gaza Strip earlier this year. Amnesty International is not happy with the way that Israel investigated the crimes and therefore, will focus on how ISrael used "battlefield weapons against a civilian population trapped in Gaza". Throughout the investigation, representatives for the company doing the research have found that most people were killed by attacks during the late night hours, children were killed while playing in their bedrooms, and paramedics were attacked while trying to rescue and save the civilians of Gaza. Israel has dismissed the situation and damaged they caused as "collateral damage", which AI clearly disagrees with. AI can investigate this because states have the resposibility, under international law, to start criminal investigations wherever there is evidence of war crimes. I think that AI is doing a good thing because it will help people that weren't in close proximity to the actual fighting understand what the attacks were like and also , Israel may realize the damage they have done.
Underhill, Johnathan. "Israel/Gaza: 22 Days of Death and Destruction." "Scoop": Independent News. 02 July 2009. 19 July 2009 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0907/S00066.htm.
National:Attorney General Considering Torture Probe
AG Eric Holder is contemplating opening a case in the U.S. Court that many consider done with and in the past. Holder is deciding whether or not to assign an investigator to the Bush's administration interrogation processes. Obama is not in favor of the probe because it is not a relevant issue and may distract him and his administration from the health care and energy reform. Holder claims he knows what disturbance this will cause in the White House now but is horrified by what he has learned from CIA reports. The act in question is if the CIA tortured terrorism suspects after September 11th, 2001. This issue presents an interesting view because it shows the seperation of powers. Even though the presdient, Obama, is against it...Holder still has the power to carry out the investigation if he wishes. I do not think the investigation should be ordered because again, it is in the past and would just bring unecessary drama to the White House.
Pickler, Nedra. "Attorney General Considering Torture Probe." CNNEWS: Politics. 03 July 2009. CNN. 19 July 2009 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/11/politics/main5152838.shtml.
Economy: Madoff Accountant Pleads Not Guilty
David Friehling, a long time auditor of Bernard Madoff, pleaded not guility to charges of rubber-stamping Madoff's books for 17 years without confirming their accuracy. Friehling also used his right to have a grand jury evaluate his case, something that usually takes place in a plea bargain case. His next court appearence will be in October so that attorney Lisa Boroni can have time to contemplate a "possible dispostion". Investigating authorites say that if Friehling had done his job, his records would have shown that Madoff owed billions of dollars to investors. I disagree that Friehlin got off because he, like Madoff, was dishonest with the customers and knew what he was partaking in at the time.
"Madoff Accountant Pleads Not Guilty." CNNews: Bussiness. 17 July 2009. CNN. 19 July 2009 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/17/business/main5168964.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain;cbsnewsLeadStoriesHeadlines.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday June 29th, 2009
International: Pakistan: Taliban buying children for suicide attacks
Batiullah Mehsud, a prominent leader of the Taliban, has been reported using children in suicide attacks in Pakistan. Once the children are trained in the Taliban camps, Mehsud sells them to other Taliban leaders from anywhere between $6,000 and $12,000. Mehsud has admitted to this crime but in certain areas that are heavily populated the security cannot check everyone physically so he can get away with using kids in those areas. Pakistan has launched a mission to capture Mehsud, hopefully drying out his supply of bombers. There was recently a drone attack at a madrassa, a site for Taliban training that killed 14; the U.S. is the only country present in Pakistan that has the ability to launch missles from remote controlled drones so many are blaming our country. I personally think that using kids in these missions is not acceptable and should be stopped as soon as possible, no matter what it takes.
Robertson, Nic. "Pakistan:Taliban Buying Children for Suicide Attacks." CNN 07 Jul 2009 Web.7 Jul 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/07/pakistan.child.bombers/index.html.
National: South Carolina GOP Votes to Censure Sanford
On Monday night, July 6th, South Carolina's Republican party, after many hours of deliberation, decided to censure Sanford for escapading overseas with his mistress. However, the Republican party did not ask the governor to resign. The censure reprimands the governor for "falling below the standards expected of Republican elected officials." Sanford replied with a thank you and an announcement to earn back the trust of the party and his state. To arrive at this decision, officials had to go through four ballots before a majority was reached. Sandford is refusing any calls telling him to step aside. The situation is made even more historic and significant because it is the first censure of a sitting governor in the South Carolina Republican Party. I agree that he should be given another chance because everyone makes mistakes and he did not hurt the state as a whole. Of course it affected his family and I'm sure even some of his close friends regarding trust but it did not harm his state at all.
Hamby, Peter. "South Carolina GOP Votes to Censure Sanford." CNN 07 Jul 2009 Web.7 Jul 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/07/south.carolina.sanford.censure/index.html?iref=mpstoryview.
Economy: GM to Get Final $20B in U.S. Funding This Year
General Motors Company will receive $20 Billion from the government throughout the rest of 2009. This will enable the comapny to leave bankruptcy court and launch a public stock program in early 2010. Steven Rattner, the head of the Obama autos task force, said that "an IPO for a portion of the government's stake that would return GM to public ownership would need a "decently robust" stock market to succeed." Officials predict this will happen sometime next year. In the "New GM", the government will receive a stake for $60B to support GM's turnaround. Before GM is fully back on its feet, the government will continue to monitor its progress similarly to how an institutional investor with a large stake in a company would. I don't really have an opinion as of right now because I think it is really unpredictable how spending that much money on GM will turn out. I think it could end up being a success or a failure, and $20B is a lot of money supporting a failure.
Reuters, "GM to Get Final $20B in U.S. Funding This Year." Fox:Bussiness 07 Jul 2009 Web.7 Jul 2009. http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/transportation/gm-final-b-funding-year/.
Batiullah Mehsud, a prominent leader of the Taliban, has been reported using children in suicide attacks in Pakistan. Once the children are trained in the Taliban camps, Mehsud sells them to other Taliban leaders from anywhere between $6,000 and $12,000. Mehsud has admitted to this crime but in certain areas that are heavily populated the security cannot check everyone physically so he can get away with using kids in those areas. Pakistan has launched a mission to capture Mehsud, hopefully drying out his supply of bombers. There was recently a drone attack at a madrassa, a site for Taliban training that killed 14; the U.S. is the only country present in Pakistan that has the ability to launch missles from remote controlled drones so many are blaming our country. I personally think that using kids in these missions is not acceptable and should be stopped as soon as possible, no matter what it takes.
Robertson, Nic. "Pakistan:Taliban Buying Children for Suicide Attacks." CNN 07 Jul 2009 Web.7 Jul 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/07/pakistan.child.bombers/index.html.
National: South Carolina GOP Votes to Censure Sanford
On Monday night, July 6th, South Carolina's Republican party, after many hours of deliberation, decided to censure Sanford for escapading overseas with his mistress. However, the Republican party did not ask the governor to resign. The censure reprimands the governor for "falling below the standards expected of Republican elected officials." Sanford replied with a thank you and an announcement to earn back the trust of the party and his state. To arrive at this decision, officials had to go through four ballots before a majority was reached. Sandford is refusing any calls telling him to step aside. The situation is made even more historic and significant because it is the first censure of a sitting governor in the South Carolina Republican Party. I agree that he should be given another chance because everyone makes mistakes and he did not hurt the state as a whole. Of course it affected his family and I'm sure even some of his close friends regarding trust but it did not harm his state at all.
Hamby, Peter. "South Carolina GOP Votes to Censure Sanford." CNN 07 Jul 2009 Web.7 Jul 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/07/south.carolina.sanford.censure/index.html?iref=mpstoryview.
Economy: GM to Get Final $20B in U.S. Funding This Year
General Motors Company will receive $20 Billion from the government throughout the rest of 2009. This will enable the comapny to leave bankruptcy court and launch a public stock program in early 2010. Steven Rattner, the head of the Obama autos task force, said that "an IPO for a portion of the government's stake that would return GM to public ownership would need a "decently robust" stock market to succeed." Officials predict this will happen sometime next year. In the "New GM", the government will receive a stake for $60B to support GM's turnaround. Before GM is fully back on its feet, the government will continue to monitor its progress similarly to how an institutional investor with a large stake in a company would. I don't really have an opinion as of right now because I think it is really unpredictable how spending that much money on GM will turn out. I think it could end up being a success or a failure, and $20B is a lot of money supporting a failure.
Reuters, "GM to Get Final $20B in U.S. Funding This Year." Fox:Bussiness 07 Jul 2009 Web.7 Jul 2009. http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/transportation/gm-final-b-funding-year/.
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