In the seventh state of the Union Address for U.S. President George W. Bush, he has already set the tone for his waning few months in the White House. He said he wants to salvage his legacy in domestic diplomacy and politics before leaving for office in January 2009. His first agenda was to push Congress in passing a stimulus package that will avert recession in their economy.
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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. Continue reading Health Care Reform – Opposition from Within
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. Continue reading Iran – Protesting may mean your life
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. Continue reading China – The Oppression Continues