Soldier Income Raise

"What Congress Has in Store for You in 2010"

Overall Summary:

According to the article, Congress must pass two pieces of legislation to fund the military for the following year. Two bills were passed, one that allocates money going to the Defense Department and the other telling government how to use military money. In 2008 Congressed passed legislation saying that soldiers who spent a significant time mobilized receive money set aside for retirement before they turned sixty.

My Opinion:

I think that our military is made up of hardworking, selfless soldiers and we should do all we can to repay their service to our country. If this means raising their pay and giving them early retirement money, so be it. Without our soldiers, we would be a weak nation and our military is the best defense in the world. I think that U.S. soldiers are not appreciated enough for their time served these days because society does not accept reason for war or reasons for us being overseas, but we should not take that confusion and anger out on our soldiers, who dutifully protect us.

Fox Hunting

http://cts.hss.uts.edu.au/students08/Final_Website/images/foxnews.jpg

"Fox Hunting"

Overall Summary:

The Obama Administration has, for the second time, been caught dismissing Fox News. On several occasions people of Obama's Administration have insisted that Fox is "not really a news station" and that it does not supply viewers with facts so much as opinions. Instead, those who bashed Fox, would rather viewers tune in to CNN or more "reliable" resources.

My Opinion:

I think that President Obama has no business criticizing new stations. He obviously thinks that Fox is a conservative based news station but he shouldn't take viewers and therefore work from them, he should stick to his job. Also, this is showing Obama's tendency to dominate public opinion. He wants the public to think as he does and see his good side and is therefore directing them towards more liberal news resources, such as CNN, even though many of these stations, including Fox, are more moderate.

Obama Blames Slow Afghanistan Progress on Bush

"When Should President Obama Stop Blaming the Bush Administration?"

Overall Summary:

Even though the U.S. has been at war with Afghanistan for nine years, according to this article, President Obama makes the issue sound as if it began yesterday because the Bush Administration did no good towards the cause. The president's latest excuse to delay sending troops overseas is the Afghani election. CNN has taken a poll that shows majority of Americans, at fifty nine percent, oppose sending more troops overseas at all. Afghanistan is being said to be another Vietnam War in that the people of the nation favor one way and the president acts performs the other way.

My Opinion:

I think that Obama should stop blaming The Bush Administration on current situations. Obama should focus on his own job and if he thinks Bush ran the country poorly than he can make up for poor decisions and do things the way he wants them done. Also, I don't think sending more troops would help the cause overseas. The country is in a recession and the United States overall has a low morale and does not need to be worrying about family and friends overseas fighting a losing battle for an unknown cause.

Gay Marriage Rights In California

"Will Gay Marriage Harm Your Baby? How? Judge Asks"

Overall Summary:

The state of California is still confused over the matter of same-sex marriage. After legalizing gay marriage voters claimed that they did not approve of the recent change in legislation. Lawyer Charles Cooper implied in his debate that gay-marriage legalization was a threat to traditional families. However, when confronted by Judge Vaughn Walker, Cooper had no support for his argument.

My Opinion:

First of all, as said in the article, I believe that the demeaning of gay-marriage rights is "unconstitutionally discriminatory". The article also states that part of Lawyer Cooper's argument is that gay marriage would rip apart healthy families. I agree with the judge in that gay-marriage poses no threat to families. People for gay rights aren't aiming to destroy families they are looking to better their condition and take advantage of their full constitutional rights.

Don't Ask Don't Tell

"More Women Than Men Dismissed From Military For Being Gay"

Overall Summary:

More women were dismissed from the military this year than men under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. In 2008 the Air Force dismissed 56 women and 43 men. The army dismissed women at a quicker rate than men considering the ratio of women to men in the army. Out of everyone discharged 36 percent were women which is staggering considering women only make up 14 percent of the military.

My Opinion:

I think the current policy of "don't ask, don't tell" is pointless. Just as many women and men can hook up overseas as a gay or lesbian couples. Plus, I don't think sexual orientation should matter in service for our country, the government should be thankful to have people joining military to begin with. There is deffinately no reason to be kicking people out of the service when we need soldiers overseas.

Nobel Peace Prize to Obama

"Nobel Peace Prize is 'Call to Action'"

Overall Summary:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee surprised president Obama by awarding him the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The president is humble in that he does not see the accomplishment as recognition of his own doing but as a 'call to action' for world-wide peace and as an award for American leadership. President Obama was not mentioned as a primary candidate for the prize so the announcement shocked reporters and viewers. It is said that the vote came easy to the committee and the choice was unanimous.

My Opinion:

I honestly don't think President Obama should have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It is part of his duty to our country to sustain peace and justice. I'm sure others have worked very hard towards the goal of this prize and I don't think it should be awarded to a world leader whose duty is part of the prize's goals. Also, I don't think Obama has accomplished peace within the Mid-East, let alone world peace. I do believe he has plans for peace among conflicting countries but I believe that many leaders should aim towards peace, however few attain these goals within their presidency.

Pro-Choice/Life?

"Abortion Support Falls Shortly, New Research Finds"

Overall Summary:

Pro-choice citizens have declined by seven percent this year and it is giving hope to pro-life voters. Studies have shown that the diminishing pro-choice voters are of every ethnicity, religion, and background with the exception of African-Americans who remain mostly against abortion. Anti-abortion activists are rallying even stronger after hearing the decline in pro-choice opinions. Some say that the change in opinion is subject to marginal voting error while others say the recently elected pro-choice president may be responsible.

My Opinion:

I believe that every woman should have the option of abortion when necessary. Cathy Ruse, from Family Research Council in Washington, states that "all women deserve better than abortion" whereas I believe that all women deserve to make the choice themselves. I understand that anti-abortion has many religious ties and therefore has many supporters, for other reasons as well, but I also think that pro-life opinions should not be pushed onto others. I think that those who are pro-life should support each other and their views but regard state abortion laws as a legal matter not a moral one. I think that taking away a woman's right to abortion is a violation of personal rights to do what one pleases with their own body and medical matters. This topic in particular could go further into safety of a human being. Approximately two percent of woman in the country have an abortion each year. Two percent of woman, within a certain age range none the less, is not a dramatically large number of people. I think that the idea is really what bothers people with strict beliefs moreso as the practical reality. The opportunity for abortion should be legal for the few who need it. If abortion is deemed illegal nationwide I fear that we would be taking one step back from bettered and more open-minded laws.