Blog+Reflection+2

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This past week has been both a controversial important time in U.S. politics. President Obama announced Tuesday a plan that will extend the Bush tax cuts for two more years. Republicans will continue unemployment benefits for 13 more months. Democrats are angry at the president for caving into Republican demands, Republicans have critics in their own problem as well. House Democrats who will control the house until the end of the year have rejected the structure of the bill. Obama believes that the billions of dollars will immediately rejuvenate the economy. Bill Clinton who is supporting Obama’s decision also believes that this is the “best economic stimulus.” He believes that it is an enormous relief that both parties can agree on something. Yes both sides aren’t completely happy but a compromise means having to give up something you like.======

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Republicans are going to take control in a few weeks, Obama is in a weak position and was forced to cave in. Republicans want to have tax reductions in this stimulus package the Republicans are getting just that. I believe that the stimulus will have immediate effects but then fade out in a year or so. The President’s all share a common attitude and that is that the can fix the nation by themselves but they can’t. He’s trying to reach out and build friendly bridges. Is not giving up his views rather moving on, that’s what politics is. Obama isn’t the stubborn unorthodox liberal Republicans thought he was; rather he’s willing to compromise on the behalf of the whole nation. During the presidential elections I had been rooting for Hilary Clinton and despite having dropped out I believe she would have been a better president that Barrack Obama. He no nonsense attitude would have whipped America back into shape, not taking in account whose feelings got hurt. Obama is too soft, he’s trying to please everyone at the same time. As his second year as president comes to an end I believe that he has realized that such a task cannot be accomplished. Obama is extremely frustrated, he is finding it difficult to not only save America but also keep everyone pleased. This can be seen in Tuesday’s press conference will Bill Clinton, during which he appears defeated and depressed.======

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Steve Martin was on Charlie Rose this week to promote his new book, “An Object Of Beauty.” A story that Steve Martin says has been burning in his mind to write for years now. The story is of a struggling woman fine art collector in New York City, he describes her as a masculine woman.======

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Steve Martin goes into depth about how he created his characters and how a well developed character is what makes a story come alive. Lacey Yeager and her boy friend, the main characters of his book he describes as unlikable. He talks about a scene between Lacey and her boy friend, she tells him that she hates him and will never love him. He boyfriend remains in love with her believing that she doesn’t mean it. This resembles a scene from Ayn Rand’s, “The Fountain Head.” In her book Dominique Francon, tells Peter Keating that she hates him, but despite Dominique’s confession he plays it off as a lie. The female characters created by both authors see sex as only recreational, they’re independent and don’t need the help of any man. Both characters you love to hate,======

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In the past five years Steve Martin has been rediscovering himself as an artist. The world knows him as the comedian, and actor but now he’s known for his banjo playing, his art collection and now his book. It’s weird to see Steve Martin serious, I’m use to the out of control lovable guy from SNL and “Cheaper by the Dozen.” Just watching him talk to Charlie Rose, he was very cold, cut Charlie off several times, seemed to be impatient. His new mood even reflects in his book, unlovable characters who have a passion for nothing other than the arts.======

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Steve Martin once had been considered a great comedian, but recently many of those reading his biography have realized he wasn’t funny at all and been attacking his work. Steve Martin admits that he would go on stage and perform jokes that had no punch lines, but because he acted so goofy the audience loved him. Possibly Steve Martin hasn’t given up trying to be funny and taken a new path. Personally I loved all of Steve Martins stand up performances and movies and wish that that Steve Martin will come back again.======

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Charlie Rose yesterday conversed with former National Secuirty advisor Zbigniew Brezezinski on America and China’s relationship. The president of China has made plans to fly to Washington D.C. and sit down with President Obama and discuss both countries concerns. This is considered to be the most important meeting between both nations in the past thirty years.======

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Presently both nations are concerned about the action of the other and how it effects them. Both America and China share the same feelings of fear believing that the other nation is attempting to take over the world. America is pressuring China, we are keeping a watchful eye as the Chinese increase are daily increasing the size and power of their military. It’s worried that China is trying to take the world by force but despite the massive military build-up China’s military is fifty years behind our own and poses no threat, now. China doesn’t agree that America is involved in Asian maters, and believes if America has a military and worldwide influence then why can’t they.======

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Zbigniew Brezezinski believes that it’s essential for the good of the whole world that Obama and China’s president are able to make some progress. Zbigniew explains how China has become increasingly cocky, recently discovering it’s influence in the world. The Vietnam press released a statement saying that they wish America would become more involved in Asia. The Chinese press (government controlled) responded to Vietnam’s statement saying that they were playing with fire. He describes how both politicians have to look at the long term results of their decisions in fear of replicating another Cold War.======

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Personally I believe that some of the Chinese demands are just. America has military naval ships stationed all across the World so why can’t China? America has a large amount of military stationed in Asia, how would American’s feel if there were Chinese war ships outside of San Francisco. No part of the world can be specifically labeled China’s or America’s. I am though concerned why China feels as if they need to build up their army, if all they want to do is expand economically and socially why need a military. America has solely been the world power for the past twenty years and we resent that another country is rising. The only way to solve this conflict is if both countries make an agreement to reduce their military and if America doesn’t like how they are being treated in China then get out.======

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This weak Obama has made the announcement that Bill Daily will be replacing Robert Mnaual as the White House’s Chief of Staff. This is the first of many personnel changes that are soon to come. This decision will have a huge impact on the rest of Obama’s presidential term. The chief of staff generally works behind the scenes to solve problems, mediate disputes, and deal with issues before they bubble up to the Chief Executive. He has a lot of politics, egos, and issues to deal with. Often times Chiefs of Staff act as a confidante and advisor to the Chief Executive, acting as a sounding board for ideas. Some have attacked Obama for his decision believing that Billy is an outsider, he isn’t well-rounded enough to help the country, but I believe it was an excellent decision on Obama’s part.======

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In my opinion there was no better person that Obama could have chosen. Bill Daily has an impressive resume that makes him over qualified for the job. He since 2004 he’s been a top executive at JP Morgan chase, he understand how America’s government is structured because he’s from one of the countries most influential families, and was the Chair-man of Al Gore’s campaign.======

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Obama is confident to have Bill Daily as the counselor to the president, he has stated that Mr. Daily “has a deep understanding of how jobs are created and how to grow our economy, he’s just the man we need.” Bill Daily isn’t an outsider, Daily was the first person Obama had went to see in 2006 when he was contemplating running for office. Daily convinced Obama to run for president and remained influential during Obama’s campaign.======

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John Heileman and Mark Jelperin, co authors to the book __Game Change__ about the 2008 elections voice their opinions regarding Obama’s chief of staff choice. They have the mutual belief that Daily is the most talented guys of the country, Obama wants to get things done that he promised to do, Daily is the best person to see that his promises are carried out.======

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Robert Manual was the last Chief of Staff, it is believed that Daily will be an immense improvement. Obama has lacked a strong economic spokesman in office, Daily will be that spokesman. He can negotiate at capital hill with both parties and make public announcements, both things Mr. Manual hasn’t attempted to do.He’ll be able to do a lot of different things, presently business community is Barrack’s biggest problem and through his connections and knowledge of the industry provide more of a structure for America’s business community.======

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Gabriel Giffords is currently in intensive care, she had suffered a bullet entering one side of her skull and exiting the other. The first five days following a shot to the head a patient is under observation to make sure there’s no swelling of the brain. So far luckily there has been no swelling, and she is able to respond to simple commands. Doctors remain, “cautiously optimistic.”======

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Obama and Michelle lead he nation in a moment of silence on Monday is morning for those whom lost their lives during the shooting and who are still recovering. Sure the country is sad now over what have happened, many politicians have made promises to make progress to stop any such events from happening again but I know no progress will be made. It’s the same story over and over, a classified EDP who teachers said, “We knew that this was going to happen,” and even his friends believed that this, “was going to be one of those people who you see on the news.” Buys a gun legally, and uses his weapon against those whom have agitated him. Columbine, Virginia Tech, it’s the same story over and over again but there has been no progress made in the past to prevent such events, and I don’t think that any progress will be made now. Especially now that Obama has lost his spin and the Pro-Gun Republicans have control over the house.======

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Many talk about how if an individual is early detected as being an Emotionally Disturbed Person, then counseling and a special learning environment will gradually make them a stable individual. This is true, and there are such programs in place in schools today but the kids who are disturbed are some how not getting into these programs. Take Jared Lee Lophner, he wrote death threats on tests and on his body, he openly spoke about how he believed the government had him under mind control, and teachers and friends all suspected that he was going to do something drastic but still no one did anything to get him help. If programs that that are suppose to help the mentally disturbed are failing than the only other solution is set up once more Bill Clinton’s anti-gun laws. In my opinion a psycho with a gun can do a lot more damage than the psycho without one.======

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Earlier this month in the Tunsia’s prime minister is replacing Preisdent Zine el Abidine ben Ali who has fled the country after weeks of massive protests against his corrupt regime that has caused widespread unemployment and corruption under his 23 year regime. This has been considered a triumphed success for the Tunsian people; the small country has proven that with enough persistence a president can fall. This message has inspired the Egyptians to fight against the regime they’re under which has caused them to suffer threw years of hardship.======

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After Wednesdays and Thursday’s protest the world is afraid knowing the fact that Egypt is not Tunisia. It's much bigger. Eighty million people, compared with 10 million. Geographically, politically, strategically, it's in a different league – the Arab world's natural leader and its most populous nation. But many of the grievances on the street are the same. Tunis and Cairo differ only in size. If Egypt explodes, the explosion will be much bigger.======

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I knew such an event was bound to happen; a story inspiring enough to reach the entire world was the spark that lit this revolution. But the Egyptian government has been asking for it, the people of Cairo have been peacefully negotiating for the past decade but the negotiations have resulted in no progress. The Egyptians have had an anger that they have managed to repress inside of them for decades but now that they’ve blown they are uncontrollable. The police force has proven that they are unable to control the large group of protestors; they were both out numbered and most of the police sympathized with the protesters.======

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The Egyptian Government reassured the world that the situation was under control, Friday afternoon after prayers a revolt had been planed. The government confident this time that they were prepared were again unable to control the crazed crowds. And I knew that both sides were soon to look for America’s help being the world peace keeper.======

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Today Mohammed ElBaradei the leader of the revolts asked President Obama to help support his cause. Cautious with his next move he released the following statement "To ask a dictator to implement democratic measures after 30 years in power is an oxymoron." I believe Obama was smart to be vague about his opinions regarding the situation. America is in it’s own crisis, a huge portion of the debt is a result of helping so many struggling countries around the world. It’s great that America is so generous but who’s coming to our rescue? I know it must pain Obama but in order to maintain peaceful relations with Egypt and not worsen America’s already decrepit economy, but he needs to bite his lip and stay out of it.======