In less than a month, it will mark five years that the United States has been at war in Iraq. In the last election voters sent a clear message that they wanted the government to find a way to get our troops out quickly. So how are we doin' on that?
We have an executive branch and a legislative branch that want to go in different directions....
1. Bush has ordered the troop surge, and the 21,500 have started deploying.
2. Violence continues out of control in parts of Iraq, with deep divisions among factions of Sunnis and Shiites.
3. The Democratic Congress wants to limit our role in Iraq. They tried a non-binding resolution condemning the "troop surge" plan. It passed in the House of Reps, but enough Republicans voted against it to prevent the Senate from passing the resolution. Senate Shifts Focus After Vote to Debate Iraq Resolution Fails
4. So now, Democratic leaders are drafting legislation to amend the 2002 authorization for the war. They want to work toward what they called a "phased withdrawal" of American troops from Iraq. Congressional Democrats Wrestle Over How to Force Bush to Alter Iraq Policy
5. The British announced they are pulling out. As US surges, British start exiting Iraq
Some related articles:
Home Page" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/23/us/23military.html?ex=1329886800&en=b1ae35068d5bf12a&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss" target=_blank>Long Iraq Tours Can Make Home a Trying Front
Iraq War's Effects Seen, Felt in High School's Halls
Europeans' chill deepens on US policy
Europe's rising unease over 'terror war'
U.S. Seizes Son of a Top Shiite, Stirring Uproar
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Political News
Hi,
Wow, this week off is flying by -- I spent the day at Olympia on Wednesday and visited the State Senate. Saw a few interesting things I might share with you when I see you Monday. Anyway, I do think we have one of the most impressive looking state capitols in the Union.
Here are a few random news stories I found interesting:
As I've mentioned in class, the 2008 Presidential race is already underway, and much earlier this year than is usual. One reason for all of the early interest is that there is a wide-open field, but also ther are many possible "firsts" which you can read about here:
In 2008 race, many presidential 'firsts' are possible
A lot of Democrats are having a hard time deciding which of the "firsts" to support. Whether to support Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton is a hot topic among Democrats - although I wish the other candidates got more attention too! This story from the New York Times discusses how Hillary has dealt with African-American voters: After a Delicately Worded Pitch, Clinton Draws Cheers
Also, the first bit of nastiness has started to creep into the campaign. The Obama and Clinton campaigns also got into a bit of a shouting match this week:
In Both Parties, 2008 Politeness Falls to Infighting
Several months ago the New Jersey Supreme Court handed down a decision stating that the ban on same-sex marriages violated it's state constitution. The N.J. legislature than had to act on the issue to remedy the problem. They did and this week "civil unions" began. Same-Sex Civil Unions Begin This Week in New Jersey
Human Rights Violation!!!!!
Egyptian Blogger Sentenced to Four Years in Jail
February 22, 2007 · A young Egyptian blogger has become the first person in Egypt sentenced to a jail term for opinions expressed on the internet. Human rights groups condemned what they called the "chilling precedent" set by an Alexandria court when it sentenced Abdel Kareem Suleiman to four years in prison for insulting Islam and President Hosni Mubarak.
The Ugliness of War!!!!!
Iraq Insurgents Turn to Chlorine Bombs
February 22, 2007 · Insurgents are deploying a new and deadly tactic against Iraqi civilians, authorities say: bombs combining explosives with poisonous chlorine gas. At least five people died in such an attack Wednesday, the third in a month.
Let me know what you think about these or other issues in the news....
Wow, this week off is flying by -- I spent the day at Olympia on Wednesday and visited the State Senate. Saw a few interesting things I might share with you when I see you Monday. Anyway, I do think we have one of the most impressive looking state capitols in the Union.
Here are a few random news stories I found interesting:
As I've mentioned in class, the 2008 Presidential race is already underway, and much earlier this year than is usual. One reason for all of the early interest is that there is a wide-open field, but also ther are many possible "firsts" which you can read about here:
In 2008 race, many presidential 'firsts' are possible
A lot of Democrats are having a hard time deciding which of the "firsts" to support. Whether to support Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton is a hot topic among Democrats - although I wish the other candidates got more attention too! This story from the New York Times discusses how Hillary has dealt with African-American voters: After a Delicately Worded Pitch, Clinton Draws Cheers
Also, the first bit of nastiness has started to creep into the campaign. The Obama and Clinton campaigns also got into a bit of a shouting match this week:
In Both Parties, 2008 Politeness Falls to Infighting
Several months ago the New Jersey Supreme Court handed down a decision stating that the ban on same-sex marriages violated it's state constitution. The N.J. legislature than had to act on the issue to remedy the problem. They did and this week "civil unions" began. Same-Sex Civil Unions Begin This Week in New Jersey
Human Rights Violation!!!!!
Egyptian Blogger Sentenced to Four Years in Jail
February 22, 2007 · A young Egyptian blogger has become the first person in Egypt sentenced to a jail term for opinions expressed on the internet. Human rights groups condemned what they called the "chilling precedent" set by an Alexandria court when it sentenced Abdel Kareem Suleiman to four years in prison for insulting Islam and President Hosni Mubarak.
The Ugliness of War!!!!!
Iraq Insurgents Turn to Chlorine Bombs
February 22, 2007 · Insurgents are deploying a new and deadly tactic against Iraqi civilians, authorities say: bombs combining explosives with poisonous chlorine gas. At least five people died in such an attack Wednesday, the third in a month.
Let me know what you think about these or other issues in the news....
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Re-Opening this Blog
President's Day and mid-winter break! Woo-hoo!
Especially for my 11th grade WTP class, I'm reopening this blog for current events discussions and current events assignments. I'll be trying to add interesting news items about our system of constitutional government and politics as I have time. Hopefully this blog will steer you toward some of the bigger issues of our day and promote discussion. Links to some good news sources are included on this page.
Especially for my 11th grade WTP class, I'm reopening this blog for current events discussions and current events assignments. I'll be trying to add interesting news items about our system of constitutional government and politics as I have time. Hopefully this blog will steer you toward some of the bigger issues of our day and promote discussion. Links to some good news sources are included on this page.
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