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....
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4 comments:
I think the fact that New Jersey is beginning to allow civil unions is a small step in the right direction. I personally believe anyone should be able to love anyone they want and be able to "marry" anyone they choose. Although civil unions are different from marriages to me it seems like a lot better then nothing. It suprised me that some gay couples refused to get civil unions so they could wait until actual marriages were available to them, because the benefits of a civil union are similar to those of an actual marriage. Even though i do recognize that just because two people are gay doesn't mean they don't deserve the exact same marriage rights as straight people. Hopefully the fact that more states are beginning to accecpt civil unions will help spread this new law across the country. And eventually states like massachusetts should encourage people to allow actual marriages to all same sex couples.
i think that american troops being over in iraq is helping but it is a slow process... i believe that there is way too many bombings taking place and way too many people sufferig as a direct result... i have family members in the war and so i can relate to how all these other troops families feel... i think the most important thing right now is to wrok quickly in iraq and get home ASAP... of course this is much easier said then done and i believe that the troops are doing their best...
i found the article about the 2008 presidential candidates of the democratic party very intersting. i can understand how democrats are unsure who to support for the democratic party. this will be such a diverse election as well as a big step for this country that is supposedly unprejudiced to things such as race and gender. i for one as female and part black, am partial to this issue and am undecided also so far. I don't know much about either candidate as far as their beliefs or plan of action if they were elected, but i definately have respect for both of them for their significant efforts to move this country's prejudices behind.
i found the article about the same sex couples being able to get married interesting, i found this particular article interesting because i also belive that any person should be able to decide who they want to marry even if they are of the same or different sex. Civil unions are some what different then marriages but i believe that a civil union is good for the people of the same sex that would like to be married to eachother.I do hope that more countries will accept this law so every body can marry who they want to marry.
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