Tyler's Words of Wisdom

As we all know the economic recession is not something people like to talk about. Tyler, a fellow blogger, also knows that Americans hate talking or living in a recession. In this blog Tyler is letting all of us know that he thinks the government is doing a good job in helping our country get out of our recent slump. Tyler shows us that the New York Times has President Obama stating, “We’re losing jobs at less than half the rate we were when I took office.” Tyler also is applauding the efforts of the government by starting the Cash for Clunkers plan that has been a hit among many Americans today. I also agree that this program will help get the automobile industry going and will intern help people get their jobs back. I do not know much about the cash for clunkers, and would have liked a link or a little more information about it. I have enjoyed reading Tyler’s post; there are many of blogs that are bashing the Obama Administration it is enjoyable to read something with a little praise in it.

NO MORE TEXTING~

Is it crazy how addicted to texting our culture is? Instant communications seems to be the way the technology is working, but I feel like our need for instant gratification is killing us. We all suddenly have realized the dangers and now the government is trying to restrict its use. This slow moving circle has been going on for a long time in our country. Remember when smoking was cool? There were tons of movies that had actress making it seems so wonderful. Some years later here come all the TV ads and the government saying it will kill you. I guess the same thing is starting on texting.
Most people think that the best way to solve this problem is to make everything hands free. I believe that idea is bogus. Talking on your cell phone could be just as dangerous as texting. There have been studies that show that drivers that are talking have delayed reactions just like those who are drunk. U.S Secretary of Transportation says, “The bottom line is, we need to put an end to unsafe cell phone use, typing on blackberries and other activities that require drivers to take their eyes off the road and their focus away from driving.” There are so many people who are losing their lives over texting it is time for some national attention.
There is not only people going to jail for killing while they have been texting. There are also others, many more that are dying because they could not wait to text.
Rachel Begg, 19 just went to prison for four years after causing the death of a grandmother. Rachel was texting while she ploughed into the grandmother’s car at 70 mph.


Ashley Miller, 18, went in to oncoming traffic and hit another car head on killing her and a mother of 1. These are just two of the cases that are among the millions that have happened.

There is many campaigns that are trying to draw more attention to the fact that Americans are dying while texting. They are working hard to get the government to help install laws that will prohibit the use of cell phones while driving. Zero Fatalities is one of the more influential groups. This group reminds people that irresponsible driving will not only affect you, but someone else’s father, mother, sister, brother, etc. In Texas there are not many laws or bans that prohibit texting while driving. School bus drivers seem to the people who are the most restricted. The Governors Highway Safety Association has put together a list of states and the laws it has in place. With all of these groups, associations and individuals speaking out it is now time for the government to help get laws passed. “The danger is too great to do nothing,” is what was said by Sen. Bob Menendez. The bill that has been introduces by a group of senators is that the states have two years to enact their own bans, or they would lose their 25% of their federal highway money. This bad would apply to all cars that are moving, and would not apply to vehicles that are stopped or pulled over to the side of the road. Other bills state that if you are not old enough to buy alcohol then you cannot text while driving. A $200 dollar fine would be handed out to all persons under 21 that were caught in the act. It is true that these bills have not become laws and there is still much heated debate on how, when and where to fine or stop someone. When people are driving recklessly with an invincible attitude, I doubt they're thinking of the far-reaching consequences. I feel as if we should do whatever it takes to make sure our streets and roads are safe for all persons to drive.

Personal Feelings from a Fellow Blogger

When reading the blog posted by Meg, a classmate, I see that she is making her stance known about race and infidelity in our government. This blog shows that there are Americans who spend way too much time focusing on small petty stuff of the government official’s personal lives and not on the Government itself. Meg has stated that she hates the fact that some Americans are having a hard time getting over the fact that Mr. Obama is an African American. I know that there are people who are not “color blind” and who think that because of his skin color he will not lead this country very well. I understand her point of view and feel like no matter what the color of his skin Mr. Obama is our President and we should all respect him. If he fails, our country fails that is the problem we should be concentrating on how to get our country back on the right track. I wish there was a little more of a point about what people are saying and why it is wrong.
The other issue that Meg says people are focusing on is the infidelity of our government officials. I do believe that our leaders should realize that there are people of all ages who look up to them. Even if you are human and can make mistakes that there are some mistakes that make Americans questions your loyalty.
I think Meg did a good job on her post, a little more back up to what she is expressing and why would be a wonderful addition.

Cyber Security

There are so many things going on in the Whitehouse that you would think sooner or later they would get a break, but that is certainly not the case. Now they are on to cyber security. Although many people are applauding Obama for his actions on getting cyber security under control this early in his administration it makes me wonder what other Presidents did. Jim Langevin, co-chair of the House of Cyber Security Caucus, states that, “no single official oversees cyber security policy across the federal government.” President Obama is going to have to get someone to fill this position that has been vacant for a while now. This needs to be someone with cyber security credentials. This person will, I hope, work closely with all other Security advisors as well as the National Security Council. Also if there is for whatever reason a breach of any kind this appointed person will have the authority to shut down the internet.

President Obama asked for a 60-day review of structures for cyber security. The Cyberspace Policy Review stated this meant, “Cybersecurity policy includes strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace, and encompasses the full range of threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, resiliency, and recovery policies and activities, including computer network operations, information assurance, law enforcement, diplomacy, military, and intelligence missions as they relate to the security and stability of the global information and communications infrastructure.”

As we all know our nation’s security and prosperity depends on the stability and security of infrastructure that are largely privately-owned and globally operated. As long as we are willing to safeguard these infrastructures with balance for all parts of our government any cyber hacking will be easily stopped. Melissa Hathaway who conducted the review stated, “We now have a strong and common view of what is needed to achieve change. Ensuring that cyberspace is sufficiently resilient and trustworthy to support U.S. goals of economic growth, civil liberties and privacy protections, national security, and the continued advancement of democratic institutions requires making cybersecurity a national priority.” There are a few things, in my eyes, that will need to be done.

1. An official needs to be appointed to oversee all changes and help to review laws that will strengthen accountability.

2. Americans need to know that there is a threat or risk. Like people have said all along a well informed public is the key to a strong democracy.

Now once all key factors come together then Americans and our government can all have the satisfaction knowing that our world is safe to use and we can transfer all digital information without being scared.

No Cheating Democrats

This blog is written by Ann Coulter, who is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers. She is a litigator for the Center for Individual Rights in Washington D.C. dedicated to defense of individual rights with emphasis on freedom of speech, civil rights, and freedom of religion. Ann Coulter also has a blog that is widely known for her strong views about Democrats. Ann is a little ticked off by the “extra votes” found by a heavily Democratic town. She is directing this blog to everyone really. It seems she would like to get a rise out of Democrats and she would like for the Replublicans to know she is on their side. Throughout the whole blog she references different events that show how Democrats cheated their way in politics. Most people by the end of this article would be outraged by how many re-votes and different elections that were held in order to correct the mistakes.

To me the basic argument is that Democrats are willing to do anything to make sure that only Democrats win, even cheat. As you read the blog you can see tons of different instances where an election was won by a Republican and the Democrats are the ones who want a recount, or who want them to vote again. After reading this blog I kind of feel as if some Republicans have been taken advantage of. The government should step in and make sure that all voting is done correctly the first time and there should be a better way of checking to see if the counts are correct.

To me Ann does a good job in getting people to see that what is going on is wrong and that something should be done. I did not know that there was so much power on the Democratic side to make certain states re-vote. I also cannot believe after all that has happened the Government has not already out something in place to stop it all. As we all know being an elected official is a chore in its self. Having to have people vote for you is hard enough, but try having to get them to do it twice. I do not think any one wins here. People may think that the Democrats are winning, but really they are hindering the Government from working properly.

For complete story please go to: http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/article.cgi?article=289

Economic Policy

Phil Kerpen an economic policy analysis wrote this article hoping it would reach all Americans. Phil is known for sayings things like, “Be afraid, be very afraid of the Obama Administration.” Mr. Kerpen works for Fox news that has been out since 1996. Fox news is shown in about one hundred and two million households with the slogan of “fair and balanced.” The argument that Kerpen is stressing is that another stimulus is not going to help our economy any more than any of the others have. In the 1930’s, the Government, had a spending package that some people say sent the U.S. into the “Great Depression.” The most recent stimulus package was sent out by President Bush hoping to get Americans to spend again. Bush thought that when people started to spend it would boost our economy. Phil Kerpen is expressing that if we have stimulus package two it is going to hurt Americans even more. Kerpen lets us see how unemployment will rise even with the stimulus package two. Also how taxes will rise and inflation will skyrocket.

When Kerpen wrote this article is stated that, “Unemployment was at 9.6% , and is 16.5 percent if you include people who have given up looking for work and part-time workers who wish they were full-time.” I myself searched the numbers on unemployment and found that the number most recent is 9.7% and will hit more than 10% by end of 2009. It is true that businesses are continuing to stash money, close facilities, and not invest as much as before.

This article was great in convincing me and I am sure others to understand how much the stimulus package can hurt us if we do it again. I did not realize where the money came from and where we would get the money back. I knew that we have a deficit that is way beyond most people imagination, but I do think that if we do not start pay off our debt now it is going to hurt our kids in the future. Now having kids of my own makes me look at how the government is spending all of this money and how is it going to affect people in the future. I do not want my kids paying for what craziness that we caused now.

Even now I am not excited about paying higher taxes, and I do not want the government denying my wish to save. This argument is whether or not the stimulus package would hurt Americans. I learned a little about how the government gets back the money that it spends.

I do not think that any one wins this political process. With a deficit of over a trillion dollars and the possibility of raising taxes no one would win.

Sonia Sotomayor ~ Could Be Supreme Court Judge

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/13/sotomayor.hearing/index.html

When I walk past the court house I look up and see Lady Justice and how she is blindfolded and her scales are equal it makes me happy to know that justice is equal. To me it is amazing how much controversy you see in the White House over who is going to be named Supreme Court Judge. I have been following this story since President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Judge. There are many people who think that Mrs. Sotomayor will not be a good judge because of her possible indication of bias on gender or race. She has been known for saying, “a wise Latina woman should be able to reach a better ruling than a white man,” and for the wide spread “white firefighter” case. The New Haven firefighter case is not simply an issue of preference for minorities -- it was an issue of whether New Haven would be sued for possibly having a test that was prejudicial to minorities. I have two things to say about that: one, no written test can completely determine someone's ability to lead other people. I could do brilliantly on the GEDs, for example, but that doesn't qualify me to be the head of an English department. Secondly, many legal scholars believe that the ruling (which wasn't just Sotomayor) was far more in keeping with the law -- whether you agree with that law and precedent than the one issued by the Supremes. It is hard to choose a side on whether or not Sonia Sotomayor should be a Supreme Court Judge. I do believe that as a Latino woman she should be proud of where she is and how much of a role model she is being for other women today. I also think that when she said,” her personal and professional experiences help her listen and understand, with the law always commanding the result in every case” says a lot about her work. I hope that I never have to go before the Supreme Court, but if I did I would be glad that there is a Judge that is rigorously committed to applying the law. I think it is important for citizens to know who is appointed to the highest court and who is upholding the law of our country.