Thinking Politically's analysis on warrantless wiretapping

Commented on Thinking Politically

I strongly agree with your opinion. The government isn't allowed to search houses without a warrant so it should be same with wiretapping. Due to our situation with 9/11 in the past and our troops in Iraq, it would be understandable to be cautious to anything else that would happen in our nation. There is a possibility that by taking this action it could catch a suspect in action trying to plan something, but the chances are too slim compared to the guilty and innocent ratio in our nation. I am basically implying that, the chance of warrantless wiretapping catching a suspect is a little narrow. When Thinking Politically propose the idea that putting up surveillance cameras on the streets and department stores, I think she made a good point. Putting them cameras on public locations is reasonable, but compared to the events at home it is another story. Some people might think "What is the difference from warrant and warrantless? In the end they're going to tap the lines at the end." Well the idea is to ensure unreckless acts that certain officers might carry out and also the basic view is that it is unconstitutional as stated by Thinking Politically. I would personally feel that I would have no privacy if the government supports warrantless wiretapping. I agree with Thinking Politically that things need to be done for our nation, but in a reasonal and legal procedure.

Has gas prices killed you yet?

Gas prices . . . . two words . .. . "mind blowing." I am quite sure majority of everyone agree with me on this because people don't like spending SO MUCH on gas just to get to their destinations. I recently noticed that gas is like for 3.50$ and I use plus. If gas ever goes up to 5 dollars a gallon, I think I would cry. If gas starts to raise every week at the rate it is now, I'm fairly sure that people will change their transportation vehicles to something more conservative. I don't usually pay for my gas, my parents do, but I have to pay it most of the time because I feel bad due to the high prices they are now. I am doing this good deed, but I am only a college student! I cannot handle all those expenses, everytime I refill my gas tank I feel like I want to cry as much as many people do. I think one of the methods that can attack this "gas" problem is to invest into alernative forms of transportation, for example bussing. Have more busses rome around the U.S. and more stops to pick people up. Have highways reserve a lane SOLELY for busses to save gas. By doing this, I'm fairly sure we can easily save gas by having busses carry the majority of the nation to their destination instead of cars driving 1 person compared to busses carrying approximately 50 people. This can dramatically save the unneccessary waste of gas usage and the cost of a bus ride is not as traumatizing compared to paying a whole tank of gas. Not only will our pollution will lessen, but wasting money on gas will be less! If we don't do this, I'm afraid that not only I, but everyone else will be financially unstable and cry. Well I will cry, but other people will be saddened if there is still a constant rise in gas prices. I hope some action is taken to attack the gas prices.

Ramzy's analysis of the Iraq War

Commented on We are the government; You and I

I agree with you Ramzy, I too was at first with Bush's decision for taking action in response to September 11. United States is considered to be one of the most powerful nations, but we shouldn't be in over our heads and take on every nation due to our disagreement of their systems. Their is one error in your statement though; when you say invade afghanistan, what is your defination of invade? You mean invading by fighting Iraqies in Afghanistan or fighting Afgahnis in Afghanistan. Depending on your definition of invading Afghanistan, we didn't actually invade Afghanistan because they are our allies. We did invade Iraq though and even though I did not support the war in Iraq, I also believe that since we destroyed the government that we should fix it. I would personally feel guilty if I were to be at fault of something and not take the responsibiliy to clean it up. Your idea/action that we should take in response to Iraq is fairly reasonable. Though Bush has put himself in a bad situation, I deeply feel bad for him because he was put at a difficult situation. I truly hope as you do Ramzy for us to finish Iraq and fix our own problems that we have developed due to invading Iraq. It is agreeable to say, we want our troops back. (Implying family and friends that are in Iraq.)

Are We Behind In School?

Just by looking at it, we have elementary schools all the way up to colleges just like any other nation. But if we were to ask random questions to the American public, they would majority answer it incorrect. In comparison with other nations, we are fairly behind in education and technology. I do admit that both the national and state government is trying to improve our education, but not necessarily enough. The introduction of Pre-AP and AP classes to improve and expand the learnings of students is one of the steps taken, but these classes are only voluntary and are not required. As long as the government attempts to create more ways to improve our education to exceed other nations, then we could possibly increase our chances of leading in education insteaed of being behind of other nations.
So when we think about it, how far are we from other nations? Elaine Wu says "In a 2003 study conducted by UNICEF that took the averages from five different international education studies, the researchers ranked the United States No. 18 out of 24 nations in terms of the relative effectiveness of its educational system." Wow, we're not even at the halfway mark. What nations could have beaten us in education? In many studies, Finland, Australia, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands and the United Kingdom beat the United States, while the Asian nations of South Korea, Japan and Singapore ranked first through third, respectively. We are suppose to be a very prosperous nation, but by looking at the results of school. Our future kids might not be able to keep that title for us.
Not that America isn't spending much for education, actually by international standards, the United States spends a lot of money on education, and in terms of class sizes, a lot of countries that do well have larger class sizes than the United States. The United States focuses more on procedure, and we try to teach many topics fast. Other countries tend to break topics up and go much more in-depth. They work on the concept, not just the procedure! Maybe we're rushing things and trying to be the nation with the MOST knowledge, but really in the end our in-dept analysises are weak. Maybe If we were to uptake the methods of other nations and advance their techniques, would could easily eliminate the problem of us being so far behind of other nations.

Charges dropped against Iraqi officials

An Iraqi court dropped charges on two government officials that were accused for an incident. The U.S. Embassy spokesman Philip Reeker understood and confirmed that deputy health minister and general hameed as not guilty of kidnapping, murder, and corruption charges. They remained in American custody and so that the charges could be reinstated for any reason. Possibly for safety precautions. The court also decided to release alZamili and al-Shimmari for lack of evidence for example undocumentation and not solid enough due to basing from rumors. There was one trial that the witness failed to show up, but the reason was that Iraq does not have a witness protection program. That would definately be bad for the witness to show up the court unprotected. Al-Zamili and al-Shimmari were accused of abusing their power to help the madhi army which is based on anti-U.S. cleric. Supposedly al-Zamili's arrest last year was to believe that he stole money from the Madhi Army to increase attacks and violence involving with Iraqi citizens. Ambulances were considered to be the transporter of kidnapping victims. All of this ceased when al-Sadr declared a cease fire in late August.
All of these seems to be very suspicious and is obviously taken care of. More actions into investigating and finding out about the hospitical and clinics otherwise more kidnappings are going to happen. For these violent sectarian attacks on Iraqi citizens, it is just morally wrong. I don't understand how people can do that. What if they were actually guitly of all of this? For the charges to be dropped would just let them cause more chaos within throughout the town involving with the hopsital or clinic. To find evidance on some of these incidents is very difficult, unless they are caught in action. Darn them.

This is found at the Huffington Post

U.S. House member loses his cool

Apparently Cythnia Mckinney(Who served in the democrat House of Representatives) and Christopher Shays(Who served in the republican House of Representatives) has committed actions that has affected their outcome in the primaries. In Christopher Shays's case, he lost control of himself and started to take out his anger on one of the officers that he believed that didn't make a better enough effort for his connections. Christopher Shays's explosion consisted with profanity and touching the officer's nametag. "Later, the Republican issued a statement with his apology. And he said he hopes to meet with the officer he accosted to express his regrets when Congress reconvenes next week." Obviously, he immediately proposed an apology for his action and if he were to meat the officer again, he would display his deepest apologies. For a U.S. House member to over-react like this, the possibility of his position being denied may become a chance. People would see and feel awkward for a House member to explode and not be calm.
In Cythnia's case, she allegedly struck an officer with her cellphone because he stopped her at a gate. "A grand jury declined to indict her but, politically, she was toast." It seems that her political career seems to be over because of this incident. Her case seems to be more serious than that of Christopher Shays's, that is why Shay barely won his re-election. Thought this over-reaction is uncalled for, people should still view the members of the house just as regular people. People seem to highlight these attributes just to go in favor for the party they are with. Otherwise, this article to me personally does not have any purpose except for revealing that the members of the house are normal people.

This article is found at Los Angeles Time

Bush Sends Anti-Steroid Pact to Senate

"President Bush asked the Senate to swiftly approve an agreement ratified by more than 70 nations to fight the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in sports." There was a statement on thursday by the White house implying that their agreement's principle already reflects U.S. law and policy. Basically White House press secretary Dana perino is stating our nation is going to solidify our place as worldwide leader in ridding athletes of drug use due to our ratification of the convention. "U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Jim Scherr said he appreciated Bush's support." Obviously for majority of the U.S. to support this, Bush is going to take action to gain popularity. This is suppose to help control international competitions like Olympics and Pan American Games. The White House states that this convention is supposedly a walkthrough in strengthening their policies against performance enhancing drugs.

"The use of performance-enhancing drugs by elite athletes sets a dangerous example for millions of young Americans, encouraging young people to take grave risks with their health and safety" I personally agree with this action that Bush is taking. Not only is this action an improvement for his figure, but a better direction for U.S. Pro athletes that utilizes performance-enhancement drugs is not only cheating, but hurting themselves. This article is worth reading because of the purpose of this pact is considered to be important and better for the U.S.

This article was found at The Austin American Statesman