Because the United States is still in financial disarray, with US President Barack Obama continuing to deal with the multiple issues that plague America. He has recently stated an aid grunt to two members (Chrysler and General Motors) of the the Big Three – the biggest American automotive companies that are struggling with the times. Obama has also extended his campaign towards other counties, Muslim countries particularly, calling for unity and an end to all hate and animosity. He is also slated to meet with different European leaders in a summit where they will discuss the possible solutions to the growing financial woes; as well as visit Turkey, where he is expected to reiterate his appeal to Muslims. Last but not the least of course, is the US governments’ $800 billion stimulus package designed to rejuvenate America’s ailing economy.
Two Western hotels have been bombed by unknown perpetrators, years fter bombs ripped through one of the two hotels along with the much deplored Bali resort bombs that killed many Western citizens. Two hotels, the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton were bombed in an early suicide bombing, injuring many Westerners and killing seven. This comes to re-kindle memories of the Bali bombings a few years back that killed hundreds of tourists, many of which were westerners. The face of extremism hits again, as shown in one security video released to the press, showing a man walking into the supposedly secure hotels blasting himself and a few other guests as they go on with their early morning business.
The two hit hotels were Western brands as well as frequented by many tourists form the West who prefer their brands over local ones for apparent security measures they assumed were in place to avoid a repeat of previous bombings. They were proved wrong and several paid with their lives, and injuries in the dozens in a combined toll. Security issues were seen as severely lacking though they were in place, proving their guard cannot be let down or people pay for it with their lives.
Many people have been waiting for the much needed reforms to the US’s defunct Health Care system that has notably degraded through the years. Many US hospitals may have the best and latest technology in their arsenal but access is the issue, and not many can afford it in the current economic conditions. President Obama used the Health Care system as a front for his campaign, responsible for him winning the US elections a few months back. He jumped from the rigors of the campaign trail into the thick of the recession, first winning a battle as he successfully got the Economic Stimulus Bill passed and out to help Americans cope with the ever worsening economic conditions. (more…)
With most US troops out of Iraq, some will be headed back to Afghanistan the country where the war on terror began. But the Taliban has resorted to battle that the Americans and most pf the West have been fighting hard to master, close quarter guerrilla warfare. Battle where the enemy looks like anybody else and where enemies are kept close with friends kept closer. The definition of the war on terror may have been diffused so much that the true goals and lines that used to be well defined are now crossed. In Iraq, most casualties were fought at a distance, killed by roadside bombs that are filmed by their makers for use as propaganda materials for their extremism. The war is raging on many fronts; using media, the internet and with religion bent as much as it could to justify their actions. These wars cannot be resolved for the fundamental values on which they are baed are surely far from well defined, form the enemy’s standpoint that is.
In the closed society of Iran, seen through the eyes of screened and heavily guarded media outlets it seems all is well yet the recent problems that have surfaced with the elections have renewed interest in the darker side of the Middle Eastern country that has scorned the West through the supposedly proclaimed winner President Ahmadinejad. Staunchly criticizing the West for meddling in the affairs of others, he has stood strong against any actions by the West against his country, that is in turmoil due to the dubious election results that again landed him in power. But he is seen as a lone pawn in a country that is ruled by strict religious leaders who impose the law through self-appointed people working to enforce laws at whatever cost. (more…)
Recent protests in Tibet, whose people have been fighting long for freedom from the Chinese who have ruled with an iron fist many have died as result of protests calling for freedom from the communist state. Now comes the Urumqi region, where majority of the population again strive to attain freedom from the government’s oppressive rule, deaths continue. Much like the few other authoritarian states that dot the world, the things that happen within their borders remain unknown to the rest of the world, in a land where not being Chinese assures a government spy or informant hot on your trail, watching your every move and reporting it to the secret police, sending you off at the slightest hint of actions not to their liking. (more…)
President Obama has won the election and is in control, or is he? Much speculation has been raised on his experience and actions during this early years of his presidency which would be a difficult time indeed. The Recession is taking its toll on the economy and not even the might of the Federal Bank may solve the problems being faced by the US economy. His team has their hands full in coming up with solutions to the ever growing problems they have to solve and they have do do it quickly for even the mightiest companies have been hit so hard they may not have enough time before they collapse as they go down on the domino effect as the sub-prime market collapse ripples globally.
In the rest of the world, governments are looking to the US for inspiration for they are the biggest economy on earth, what they do may give clues to what they can achieve and what may be too far fetched for their capabilities. Global banks collapse and multi-national firms file for bankruptcy, seems the economic troubles of this year are just beginning to take their toll as we ride through this recession. The world is facing even more pressure from global warming as economies try to enforce laws that will help make the earth last longer. But even with such pressing issues, the world seems to be trying its best, just hope it’s good enough to make it count.
It will be a fight indeed, the fight to fix the US’s struggling economy. President elect Obama has begun putting together his economic team who would form his cabinet and advisers as he prepares to take office January 20, 2009 in what would be hailed as the most expensive inaugural event ever dwarfing the budget of previous presidents. His team is working to boost the reach of the bailout proposal which is to be used by them to re-structure and fix the economy. Vice President Biden is also hard at work trying to lobby for the proposed additional money from the Federal government but they are in for a rough ride.
News of misspending of previous bailout funds are starting to surface and congress won’t make it easier this time for the new presidency. They are trying to get the money out of the banks and into the pockets of the ordinary American as fast as they could. Just hope it comes in time to make a difference for people are still losing jobs, homes and just about everything in what has been seen as the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression.
In the past, stars like Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda actively campaigned for their favored political parties. It’s nothing new, as celebrities often try to use their fame and their considerable clout with the public, to influence voters. But this year’s presidential campaign will probably go down in history as having the most celebrity participation of all time. Stars like Oprah, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson & Ben Affleck, to name a few, have all voiced their support for Democratic candidate Barack Obama. And now comes a music video by will.i.am, singer of The Black Eye Peas, “Yes We Can” and “We are the Ones” that are based on Obama’s speeches.
The songs, that were originally released in YouTube and Dipdive.com, feature cameos by several celebrities who support Barack Obama. “Yes We Can” even won an Emmy for Best New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment, and won a Webby Award for will.i.am as “Artist of the Year”. It is now being promoted as a viral video on Obama’s campaign website. You can check out more about the songs in Wikipedia.
Image source: ww.news.yahoo.com
People’s look upon for the Republican presidential nominee has worsen across-the-board since September, an Associated Press-Yahoo! News poll showed Friday, with McCain losing ground in how favourably he’s seen and in a long list of personal merits voters seek in White House contenders.
Perceptions of Obama have enhanced or remained steady. Beyond views of the two rivals’ character traits, McCain faces another trouble — Obama is more trusted on the economy, the contest’s commanding issue, including a 15-percentage-point edge for better grasping how the raging financial crisis is upsetting people.
Obama’s image has been sturdy even as voters’ views of the overall campaign have tumbled downhill since September. The portion of people saying the contest excites them has sunk to 32 percent while those calling it frustrating have grown to 41 percent — and in both cases, six in 10 of those whose feelings have worsened are McCain backers.