Editorials | Seattle police should welcome federal civil-rights probe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials | Seattle police should welcome federal civil-rights probe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Update on the "lame-duck" Congress

Ah, Congress, let's see what you've been up to:

Nation & World | Add-ons turn tax cut bill into 'Christmas tree' | Seattle Times Newspaper

Unfinished Business - Handy interactive about what is happening with the major bills being considered in the "lame-duck" session of Congress.

A chair and a photo stand in for Liu Xiaobo at Nobel peace prize ceremony

A chair and a photo stand in for Liu Xiaobo at Nobel peace prize ceremony | World news | The Guardian

Clinton Gets Comfortable At White House Podium

Clinton Gets Comfortable At White House Podium

President Obama enlisted the support of Bill Clinton to sell his tax-cut deal Friday. After meeting for two hours, the two presidents spoke to the press in the White House briefing room. It was supposed to be brief, but after 10 minutes Obama excused himself. His predecessor carried on for another 20 minutes. Guy Raz talks with NPR's Don Gonyea, who watched the briefing.

Jobless benefits end for 2 million

Well, it's come to things like this. The Republicans and conservatives in Congress are blocking an extension of unemployment insurance for those that have been out of work more than 99 weeks. Opponents of extending benefits say they don't want to add to the deficit, it will create severe hardships for many (1st article) and could hurt the overall economy as well.

It seems to me that Congress is failing to do what is needed at this difficult economic time.

Holidays about survival as jobless benefits end

Cutting back unemployment benefits would hurt the economy, too

Constitutionality of Taser Use in Hands of Court

Jayzel Mattos, a 39 year-old mother, was shot with a Taser gun by police during a domestic disturbance call.

According to the story published first in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Mattos' will get another hearing on her lawsuit alleging that shooting her with a Taser constituted excessive force in violation of her constitutional rights could help establish standards over the increasing use of the electronic gun by law enforcement here and in other states.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that Mattos' rights weren't violated, but in a rare move will rehear her case and another involving a Seattle woman who was seven months pregnant when she was stunned by the electronic gun during a traffic stop.

You can read more of the at:
National Constitution Center: News Feed

Controversy over New Airport Security

Have U.S. fliers finally had enough with airport security? Well, at least some are complaining loudly about the newest security measures the Travel Safety Administration (TSA) is implementing.

The focus of the debate is over full-body scanners (which render a semi-nude image of the passenger) and "enhanced pat-downs" .

First a report on the controversy: Pat-Downs at Airports Prompt Complaints

A report in the Nov. 23rd Washington Post claims that despite protests, many are okay with the scanners: Poll: Nearly two-thirds of Americans support full-body scanners at airports.

NPR did some reports you can listen to that I found informative:

TSA Critics Call For Day Of Protest

The head of the TSA says he will reconsider the passenger screening procedures that have created a public backlash, but he warned the public not to expect changes anytime soon. Critics of the new procedures are planning a protest on Wednesday that could lengthen lines and disrupt holiday travel schedules.

TSA Is 'Far Behind The Curve' On Security, Lawmaker Says

Pat-downs and body scans of travelers might catch some of the would-be bombers of past years, says Rep. John Mica (R-FL), but won't stop terrorists intent on putting bombs on cargo planes.

Speech and Harm - NYTimes.com

Speech and Harm - NYTimes.com

Statistics on Poverty that are a national & international embarassment

BBC News - More US households short of food

BBC News - Number of Americans living in poverty 'increases by 4m'

BBC News - Hunger index shows one billion without enough food

The Release of Aung San Suu Kyi - and the story behind it

She is simply one of the great heroes of freedom, democracy, and human rights in the world today. She has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her leadership for non-violent change in Burma/Myanmar even though she has been imprisoned for most of the last two decades.

First, the latest on what the newly freed democracy leader has communicated to her followers:
Suu Kyi tells supporters to work with her for change - CNN.com

Some background on her story:

Suu Kyi: Symbol of hope

updated Sat November 13, 2010

She is small but only in physical stature. Aung San Suu Kyi is the very embodiment of Myanmar's long struggle for democracy.

Another background story from the BBC: BBC News - Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi

An interactive time-line of the troubled nation and the military dictatorship that has ruled the country with an iron fist:
Myanmar's recent history

updated Mon November 8, 2010

Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, has been under military rule since 1962.

The Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Violent Video Games

Are video games that have extreme depictions of violence subject to 1st Amendment protection or should the government be able to regulate the amount of violence displayed in such games? The Supreme Court took up this case in November. I'd love to know what images they were shown in the Court briefings.

Anyhow, I found a few stories on this case:

The Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Violent Video Games: A First Step Into the Brave New World of Virtual Reality?

Here is the opinion of one game designer, that thinks such games deserve to be protected by the First Amendment: Why the Supreme Court should rule that violent video games are free speech

For Germans, a good day and a bad day

A horrific attack upon Jews and the fall of the Berlin Wall both came on a November 9th although separated by many decades. How do Germans feel about remembrances on this date? of Nazi Germany are

In Berlin, Recalling Kristallnacht and the Wall - NYTimes.com

Myanmar Votes in Election Controlled by Military

Myanmar Votes in Election Controlled by Military: "Polling places appeared nearly empty as the rest of the city went about its business in the first election in this tightly controlled nation in 20 years.

"

5 reasons Murray bucked trend, got re-elected

The Seattle Times offered these reasons for why Patty Murray was able to win in a year that favored Republicans. Some of this is speculation and some based on hard data, but they all seem like pretty reasonable factors in her election.

Finally, I would add, that as far as politicians go, Patty Murray isn't exciting, but she is a likable sort of person, and her brand of liberalism is a very good fit with western WA.

Local News | 5 reasons Murray bucked trend, got re-elected | Seattle Times Newspaper:

Election worsens WA State's budget problems

Well now what? Is this what voters really wanted in rejecting various tax initiatives?

Part of the problem is that few voters seem to know what kind of government services and programs will be cut when they vote against tax measures.

Take a look and see what you think:

Election worsens state's budget pain | Seattle Times Newspaper:

Video Games (violent ones) considered at the Supreme Court

High court case on violent games tests limits on speech: "On Tuesday, Supreme Court justices will hear arguments in the case involving the ban on the sale of violent video games to minors"

Haiti's woes, and some hope

Haiti still has a long way to go, and an outbreak of cholera has brought new tragedy to a nation that has seen too much of it.

There's Gotta Be a Better Way

When you think of all the problems of our nation, it is a shame to see so much money spent on trying to win elections.

Local News | Murray-Rossi race draws $12M in independent spending | Seattle Times Newspaper

I-1098 a State Income-tax for the Wealthy

I believe this to be a very important issue, and am supporting it's passage. Read about it in the Seattle Times Income-tax measure took years to shape or in the Online Voters Guide.

OMG - The Political Ads!

I couldn't agree more with the disappointment and disgust over the political ads that appear on television and in my mailbox. It is really hard to feel hopeful about our democratic society when political campaign operatives spend so much money on these attack ads based on half-truths and statements taken out of context.

The worst thing about it is that the reason these ads are so prevalent - the are believed to be very effective. So, my life's work is dedicated to strengthening our democracy through education - it is really disheartening to see the money and media that work against the pursuit of a healthy democracy.

Check out the following editorial from the staff at the Seattle Times:

Editorials | Shady, negative television ads muck up campaign season | Seattle Times Newspaper

What do you think? Are there any particular ads that are bothering you? Reply and let us know where to find them!

Unit 5 - Freedom of Religion

Youths, adults sign on to wear purple, support gay teens

I heard on the MRHS announcements this morning that tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 20) some in our school will be wearing purple.

A worthy way to exercise your First Amendment rights. Now if I can find something purple...

From USA Today:
Youths, adults sign on to wear purple, support gay teens:
"When Tammy Aaberg wears her purple T-shirt that says "End the Hate" on Wednesday, she'll be thinking of her son Justin. He killed himself after he was bullied at school for being gay."

If you are interested in becoming more involved in this issue, a good place to start might be with the The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Or our school's very own Gay/Straight Alliance.

10 years after Bush v. Gore, new concerns about voting

Bush v. Gore refers not only to the election of 2000, but the Supreme Court case, that ordered an end to the recount process in Florida and gave the victory to George Bush.

In that election, Al Gore won about a half million more votes than Bush, and if not for our electoral college system, would have been the President. Florida's electoral votes (unfairly many would say) were awarded to Bush after a month of counting and recounting, and a lawsuit over the process had reached the Supreme Court.

There were lots of reports of voting irregularities including confusing ballots, and out-dated voting machines that didn't properly record some people's votes on computer punch cards. The bottom line was that a lot of Americans never believed George Bush deserved to become President of the United States, and the Supreme Court, in a divided decision, was seen as making a unwarranted decision to stop the election for political reasons.

Since that time, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed by Congress to deal with some of the issues that led to the problems. This article helps update us on where we are today with voting processes across the many states and counties that all do it a little differently.

10 years after Bush v. Gore, new concerns about voting - USATODAY.com:

BTW - The change some wanted us to see, a reform of the electoral college system, has yet to happen.

Court allows agents to secretly put GPS trackers on cars

Without any thoughtful constitutional analysis, my first impression is this is just wrong. What do you think? Is this a violation of 4th Amendment rights?

Court allows agents to secretly put GPS trackers on cars - CNN.com:

Courage by Activists for Gay Rights in Belgrade, Serbia

These marchers were not afraid to put themselves in harm's way to fight for equality and a more democratic society.

Judge Orders End to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

It seems as though nobody knows for sure what is going to happen next, but for now a judge has ruled that the military policy barring openly gay men and women from serving in the military has to end immediately. But will it? There are a lot of political hurdles...

The story from USA Today.

Another News Clip of Liu Xiaobo

News Clip of Nobel Peace Prize

Some Encouraging Words from Mormon Church

After agreeing to accept a petition from the Human Rights Campaign, LDS leaders issued a statement condemning "acts of cruelty, or attempts to belittle or mock any group that is different...such actions have no place in our society." The statement specifically included people who are targeted because of sexual orientation.

Could the Church statement have gone farther? Of course, but religious institutions tend not to turn on a dime, and I think this is a welcome advance in the cause of seeing all of humanity treated with respect, dignity, and equality.

Mormon church says cruelty toward gays is wrong - USATODAY.com:

The Elusive Youth Vote

The Elusive Youth Vote: - In the last two midterm elections, only one in four people under age 30 voted, about half the rate for recent presidential elections

Is there any reason to expect that the turnout will be different this time? Usually without the excitement of a presidential race, less young people exercise their right to vote. With two wars, an economy that is slumping, and the cost of higher education zooming into the stratosphere, you would think there would be enough incentive for young people to get out there this year.

Any predictions?

Murray vs. Rossi

Who will be representing us in the Senate for the next six years (alongside Maria Cantwell)? Does liberal Democrat Patty Murray deserve a fourth term as U.S. Senator or should former State Senator (and candidate for governor) Dino Rossi, a fairly conservative Republican, deserve a shot at the job?

The T.V. ads have had so many distortions in them, I'd suggest digging around yourself. Here are a few feature articles on the candidates done by the Seattle Times - They are a pretty good place to start.

Local News | Sen. Patty Murray: suburban mom to D.C. power broker | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Rossi counts on voter anger in Senate bid | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Candidates on taxes, Wall Street, Afghanistan | Seattle Times Newspaper

How much protection does offensive speech deserve?

How does the First Amendment deal with this?

The story of the religious fringe group behind the case argued at the Supreme Court this week.

In Topeka, the Price of Free Speech

9 Accused of Torturing 3 in Bronx for Being Gay

This news story was just sickening. On the heels of several suicides involving young gay people, this is just too much. From the N.Y. Times:

9 Accused of Torturing 3 in Bronx for Being Gay - NYTimes.com

Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Chinese Dissident Liu Xiaobo

A very good choice this year - good job Nobel committee - and let us all stand in solidarity with Liu Xiaobo.


Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Chinese Dissident Liu Xiaobo - NYTimes.com

From CBS News:

The First Monday in October

The Supreme Court begins it's term with newcomer Elena Kagan today. A few video reports from NBC news:

First a look at some of the cases the Court will be hearing:


Then, a look at the first day:

Tyler Clementi's Suicide Prompts Debate Over Online Privacy

A debate of the issues raised by Tyler Clementi's suicide:



You can view the debate on the site of PBS NewsHour.

Shock at student's suicide over sex video

Shock, anger, outrage, and sadness. Just some of the emotions many are feeling after the suicide of 18-year old Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University. A closeted gay man, his room mate secretly video recorded him having sex with another man and broadcast it on the internet. It was this action that prompted young Tyler Clementi to jump to his death off of the George Washington bridge.
A summary of the story from PBS:




Shock at student's suicide over sex video: Coverage of the reaction by the BBC

For bullied gay teens, the world is still far from accepting Some commentary by Petula Dvorak.

For Many, Health Care Relief Begins Today

For Many, Health Care Relief Begins Today: "As a number of the law’s central provisions take effect, The Times talked to three families about the changes.




"

Move to End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Stalls in Senate

Move to End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Stalls in Senate: "The Senate voted not to proceed with debate of the annual authorization of military spending that included a provision allowing the repeal of the policy on gay soldiers.


"

Students Take Political Action on the "Dream Act"

Students Spell Out Messages on Immigration:

Support for the Dream Act - It would create a path to legal status for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant students who arrived in this country before they were sixteen years old, have been here for at least five years, and have graduated high school. They would then need to complete either two years of military service or two years of college to earn the status of a legal resident. (Not citizenship, the naturalization process is yet another process to go through if they wanted to become citizens.)

What Else Was in That "DADT" Bill? A Lot. | Mother Jones

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

Justice Breyer on the Constitution

No left wing radical, yet someone who stands up to the silly extremes of "originalism", I always enjoy the commentary of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. He's got a new book out, so it's a great time to listen in, as he is making the media rounds promoting his book and his judicial philosophy.

From the Washington Post: Breyer on the Constitution

Unit 2 2010

Question on differences between Virginia and N.J. Plans

Congressional Republicans to Compromise on Tax Cuts?

John Boenher is the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives (head of Republicans). Here is the latest:

Court Dismisses a Case Asserting Torture by C.I.A.

Court Dismisses a Case Asserting Torture by C.I.A.: "A sharply divided appeals court dismissed a lawsuit involving the C.I.A.’s “extraordinary rendition” program.

Visiting Ground Zero, Asking Allah for Comfort

Visiting Ground Zero, Asking Allah for Comfort: "Hadidjatou Karamoko Traoré is a 9/11 widow who has had to balance an overnight job, three children and her Muslim faith.




"

Judge Rules That Military Policy Violates Rights of Gays

Judge Rules That Military Policy Violates Rights of Gays: "While the policy, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” will not change right away, the ruling reflects others taking aim at discrimination against homosexuals.




"

Florida Pastor Cancels Koran Burning?

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Pastor Wants to Burn Korans on 9/11

Sane Americans fear the damage this will do to our image abroad, and may encourage more extremist attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Story from PBS:



Also, a short print version of the story:
NewsHour Extra: Anniversary of Sept. 11 Attacks Highlights Different Attitudes Toward Islam | Sept. 10, 2010 | PBS:

Anti-Muslim Rhetoric on the Rise

From NBC:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rights Groups Sue U.S. on Effort to Kill Cleric

Can the U.S. legally order this American born man to be killed or captured?


Read about the controversy in the N.Y. Times.

ACLU opposes policy of schools seizing student phones in Oak Harbor

Does the right to privacy include a right to your cell phone in school? The ACLU says yes. What do you say?


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2012765244_aclu31m.html

Court Rules Police Can Put GPS in Car

without a warrant.
From CNN

I'm Shocked by this Intolerance

This story really bummed me out. I can't believe there are people in America that think this way.

Battles Around Nation Over Proposed Mosques - NYTimes.com:

Judge blocks key parts of Arizona immigration law | Seattle Times Newspaper

Most of the law has been put on hold - this is not a final ruling, but definately a legal set-back for those in favor of the Arizona law. One of the biggest problems the judge had with the law was based on the Constitution's Supremacy Clause (Article VI) saying that the law would interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

Rights of individuals stopped under this law were also a concern. This article has a summary of major points in the ruling.

Nation & World | Judge blocks key parts of Arizona immigration law | Seattle Times Newspaper

How much has the Court changed under John Roberts?

An article in the NY Times this morning argues that the Court has definately moved to the right, but that the biggest change wasn't a result of Roberts becoming Chief Justice, it was Samuel Alito replacing Sandra Day O'Conner's more moderate swing vote.
Court Under Roberts Is Most Conservative in Decades - NYTimes.com

Also on the NY Times website: A nice 360 degree panoramic photo of the Supreme Court, where arguments with a short (1 minute) narration.

Thurgood! One-Man Play Starring Morpheus

Well, Lawrence Fishbourne to be more correct. He is starring in a one-man play in Washington, D.C. as the man who successfully argued the Brown v. Board Case at the Supreme Court. This civil rights icon is one of my heroes from U.S. history. I wish I was in D.C. to check it out!

Matrix Star Takes On Civil Rights Leader | NewsHour Extra: Video ClipBoard | PBS

The Gulf Oil Spill

The Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico - the worst in U.S. History is an environmental disaster that isn't going to stop any time soon.

A good place to start if you haven't followed the story very closely is at PBS NewsHour for Students article from May 31 - Largest Oil Spill in U.S. History Continues Despite Efforts to Stop the Leak

ProPublica has an entire page of stories, graphics, and background info on the spill.

Some of the latest from MSNBC on providing for those whose jobs and livelihoods have been effected by this disaster: U.S.: BP must get better, quicker on spill claims

The New York Times is reporting this morning that the cleanup may take years - I'm not surprised. Did anyone really think this was going to be a quick little project?

BTW, the Times also has a page devoted to the Oil Spill where they have gathered all of their stories, graphics, and multi-media. Check it out.

BP, the company that owns the well that is spewing gas and oil into the ocean is making an effort to hire local workers to help in the cleanup effort. By law, they can't hire undocumented workers, and the government is helping to screen workers for proper immigration status. Latina Lista, a news blog from a Latina perspective has this report on how well the Latino workers that have been hired are being treated.

High Court Approves Internet Filters In Libraries

High Court Approves Internet Filters In Libraries: "The Washington Supreme Court has affirmed that public libraries in Washington now have permission to use Internet filters to keep patrons from looking at pornography and other objectionable sites. The justices ruled Thursday that a rural district that uses filters in its libraries is not violating the state constitution. KPLU's Doug Nadvornick reports."

Pay Gap Continues for Women

Will Obama's administration make changes? The following NPR story investigates the question:

Despite New Law, Gender Salary Gap Persists

Justice John Paul Stevens to Retire from Supreme Court

Considered one of the Court's more liberal justices, the 89 year old Stevens has decided it is time to hang up the robes. Congrats on a distinguished career.

Now the hard part for the nation - another battle over a Supreme Court nomination.

Politics | Obama promises quick court replacement for Stevens | Seattle Times Newspaper

Obama in Iowa to Promote Health Care Law

msnbc.com: In victory lap, Obama returns to Iowa

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Legal-Marijuana Advocates Focus on a New Green

Solution to California's budget problems???

Legal-Marijuana Advocates Focus on a New Green - NYTimes.com

Judge Rules on Same-Sex Couple Ban at School Prom in Mississippi

A quick vid from CBS News:


Watch CBS News Videos Online

WA State Attorney General to Join Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of Heath Care Reform

Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna has joined a lawsuit with 11 other states which seeks to strike down the new Health Care Reform Law just passed by Congress. All of the Governors or Attorney Generals that are a party to the suit are Republicans, and most are running for office in the fall.

A short clip from KOMO news:

Lost Children of Haiti

A CBS 60 Minutes report on abuse of children as slaves in Haiti.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

New Strategy to Pass Health Care Reform

I wish members of Congress would have the courage to just vote "yes" for this thing already. We all know they aren't going to do any better in this political environment, and it is simply immoral and unethical to vote no on an opportunity to provide health care insurance to 30 million uninsured Americans.

Lesbian teen sues to force school to hold prom

There are plenty of conservatives that don't like the ACLU, but they really do a lot of great work. One example is stopping the idiocy of the Mississippi school district involved in this story.

Lesbian teen sues to force school to hold prom

Supreme Court hears appeal of anti-gay protests

msnbc.com: Supreme Court hears appeal of anti-gay protests

Does speech this offensive and obnoxious deserve protection under the First Amendment?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Obama Gets Fired Up Over Health Care Reform

Can the President capture some of the old magic from the campaign to rally the American people and wavering members of Congress to support health care reform? I'm hoping so, and am encouraged by what I saw out of the President today.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Iraq Election, a New Beginning - CBS News Video

Much of the war in Iraq has been leading up to a moment such as this one - when the Iraqi people try to hold their own free and fair election. Despite violence early in the day that claimed numerous lives, the Iraqi people turned out in large numbers to select the new members to their parliament.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

What Haiti Needs More Than Charity: Trade

From NPR's Planet Money Broadcast
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124280498

Stop! Wait a Minute Mr. Postman!

No more Saturday mail? Changing technology and hard economic times are causing serious proposals being made to scale down the USPS.

From NBC Nightly News:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Supreme Court Still Divided on Guns

A very big case was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the extent to which states and cities may regulate and ban guns. In this case, a Chicago law, one of the most restrictive laws in the nation, is being challenged as a violation of the Second Amendment.

Supreme Court Still Divided on Guns - NYTimes.com

From the NBC Nightly News:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Why the Effects of the Earthquake in Haiti were Much Worse than those in Chile

Economic and political development make a huge difference.

The Lost Children of Haiti

From the New York Times:

Even before the earthquake, one option for Port-au-Prince's homeless children was Restavek, an underground system that some call foster care, and others call child slavery. Now their numbers swell.

A very sad, but compelling video report on Haitian Orphans:

White House Is Rethinking Nuclear Policy - NYTimes.com

White House Is Rethinking Nuclear Policy - NYTimes.com

A Portrait of the Millenial Generation

Millennial Generation - that is the term some are using for the generation of Americans now aged 18 - 29. Here is a report on a new study of this generation.



http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/video/blog/2010/02/what_is_the_millennial_generat.html

Highlights from the Health Care Summit

From Obama's Opening Remarks:

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Republican Senator Lamar Alexander's Opening Remarks:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Obama on areas of bipartisan agreement:

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NBC Evening News Report

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Does Obama's style of persuasion work on members of Congress?

An interesting piece in the NY Times this morning about the successes and failures Obama has had in convincing individual members of Congress to support his program. If he expects to win upcoming battles such as the one on health care, does he need to get tougher?

Gentle White House Nudges Test the Power of Persuasion - NYTimes.com

Obama's Health Care Pitch

From PBS

PA school using laptop webcams to spy on students?

From the USA Today:

A suburban Philadelphia school district used school-issued laptop webcams to
spy on students at home, potentially catching them and their families in
compromising situations, a family claims in a federal lawsuit.

What is up with the Tea Party?

The Tea Party, a loosely knit group of people who are fed up with big government, are trying to get more organized in hopes of influencing the 2010 election.

(Some affiliated with the group says their name stands for Taxed Enough Already, while others claim the name is a reference to the civil disobedience of the Boston Tea Party of 1773.)

While members of the group don't agree on everything, they held their first ever convention in Nashville recently with Sarah Palin as the headline speaker.

Take a good look at the picture: Is the look of American democracy in the new decade? I'll refrain from making any snarky jokes here, but you may be able to imagine some of my thoughts.

Some info on this group and the impact they are having on politics:

Tea Party Lights Fuse for Rebellion on Right - NYTimes.com

Big Military Offensive in Afghanistan

What has been a Taliban stronghold, the city of Marjah,in the southern province of Helmand, is the target of a joint U.S./Afghan military offensive. While success might mean a major region of the country will be more open to Afghan government services (hopefully winning "hearts and minds" away from the extremists) there are always big risks when the guns and bombs start going off.

Sadly, one such tragedy occurred only three days into this operation as a U.S. missile destroyed a house killing at least 9 civilians.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Psychiatrists Propose Revisions to Diagnosis Manual

The Safety Net - Once Stigmatized, Food Stamps Find New Acceptance - Series - NYTimes.com

The Safety Net - Once Stigmatized, Food Stamps Find New Acceptance - Series - NYTimes.com

A Health-Care Summit?

President Obama has called for a televised, bi-partisan, half-day health care summit. Clearly, Obama is trying to move the momentum back toward passage of health care reform after its chances were diminished by Republican Scott Brown becoming the 41st Republican Senator, and making it possible for Republicans to filibuster any health care bill they don't approve of in the Senate.

My first take is that this is a smart move on the part of the Obama Administration. He came off looking very good in his exchange with House Republicans during an hour-long televised Q & A session a week and a half ago. I think the chances of Obama winning over more public support by engaging with Republicans in an open, televised, give-and-take are very good.

We need health care reform to pass, we can't do nothing. It is costing us too much in money and in the quality of life for too many Americans. If Obama can pull of this summit (how can the Republicans really say no?) he will greatly increase the prospects of passage of health care reform legislation.

The President made his invitation in a pre-Super Bowl interview with Katie Couric of CBS News:


Watch CBS News Videos Online

New Economic Numbers & the Tea Party Movement

A report from CNN Student News:

Obama wants more civil tone in Washington D.C.

At a National Prayer Breakfast, Obama gave a speech in which he called for a more civil tone in the debates and discussions going on in Washington D.C.

An MSNBC report here.

Beginning of the End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

From the Washington Post:
'Don't ask, don't tell' policy on gays in military to change - washingtonpost.com

From a Congressional Hearing yesterday:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And comments from Former Lt. Daniel Choi, an outspoken and courageous advocate of ending the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

An update - Powell changes his position on DADT

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

An Argument that the Obama Administration is Making a Difference

I found this to be an interesting commentary on a less flashy, but very important aspect of a presidential administration: a reliance on scientific driven regulatory policy instead of ideologically driven policy.

The Quiet Revolution | The New Republic

...the old-time progressives who fashioned the regulatory state rested their hopes on what could be called “scientific administration.” Louis Brandeis and Herbert Croly--to name two of the foremost turn-of-the-century progressives--believed that the agencies, staffed by experts schooled in social and natural science and employing the scientific method in their decision-making, could rise above partisanship and interest-group pressure....

Many of the last century’s presidents--from Theodore Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton--subscribed to this progressive ideal of regulation based on expertise. But, beginning in the 1980s and culminating in the presidency of George W. Bush, the notion of scientific administration came under attack from Republicans and their allies. They began to subvert the agencies by bringing in business executives, corporate lawyers, and lobbyists--the very opposite of the impartial experts envisioned by Brandeis and Croly.

...Obama’s regulatory appointments could not be more different--no surprise given that he is the son of two social scientists (one of whom attempted to introduce scientific administration to Kenya) and that he once worked in academia himself. Indeed, the flow of expertise into the federal bureaucracy over the past year has been reminiscent of what took place at the start of the New Deal.

Taking apart the federal budget

Probably you have heard that our nation has a big national debt. Yes, we do. If you click on this link, you will see how much money we owe.

The debt is the total of all the money the governnment owes because of all the years in which our government had a deficit - we spent more than was collected in taxes.

Why do we do this? basically because Americans demand a lot from the government but don't want to pay more taxes. There are only two ways to reduce budget deficits, reduce spending or raise taxes. Neither are popular.

So, now that the economy is having lots of trouble and people are hurting, it makes it especially hard to cut government programs or raise taxes.

SO, let's look at the budget that Barack Obama has proposed to Congress for 2011. Look at the following links, and see what you can learn about our federal budget.

First an NBC news report on Obama's budget announcement:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

What is in the new federal budget proposed by the Obama Administration?

Taking apart the federal budget (washingtonpost.com)

Will it pass? Congress has to pass the budget each year, and it is a complicated process. Here is an interactive look at the budget process also from the Washington Post.

The New York Times has another way of looking at this in the following interactive graph. It give more info about what each category is all about.