Middle-Eastern Conflict Could Lead to World-Wide Unrest

Israeli forces are continuing air strikes on the Hamas controlled Gaza City, in response to the continued firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza. With the situation escalating by the minute, governments across the world are calling for a cease-fire. Protesters are taking to the streets in nearby countries calling for an end to the Israeli air strikes, and government leaders are condemning the actions of the Israeli government.
Israel and Palestine have long been at odds, but this new wave of violence between them could lead to global unrest and undermine the security of the Middle-east. Neighboring countries of Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Turkey, and Iran have called for a cease fire. Lebanon, which suffered greatly after the 2005 violence between their Hezbollah regime and Israel, has played host to numerous protest against the Israeli air-strikes. Egypt which brokered the last cease-fire agreement has called on the two factions to resume their truce.
If the other governments get involved, this situation could unravel into a global crisis. Iran, under the watch of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has openly called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.” If his government gets involved, it could potentially lead to conflict with the US which already has strained relations with Iran. In addition, Turkey, which is a mostly Muslim country, actually has relations with Israel. Continued air strikes by the Israelis could lead to dissolution of those relations with Turkey. France, Russia, and the UK have condemned the actions of both sides. The US has essentially defended Israel and have blamed the attacks on Hamas for their continual assault on Israel with rockets and mortars. The US has already seen a strain on their relations with France and Russia due to the failed foreign policy of the Bush Administration. Any type of conflict between the US and Russia could ultimately lead to a contemporary “cold-war.”
Rather than take sides, the international community must call upon both the Israelis and the Hamas militants to stop the violence and to work together towards achieving a peaceful existence between them. The world cannot afford another conflict. Global economies are in shambles, there is a war in Afghanistan, an occupation of Iraq, escalating pressures between Pakistan and India, and genocide in Darfur and Zimbabwe. We need to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. The United Nations need to act quickly to prevent individual countries from getting involved. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon of South Korea has been nearly invisible since taking the reigns from his predecessor Kofi Annan, who was much more outspoken. This conflict must come to a quick conclusion; prolonged violence between Israel and Palestine could seriously impact the rest of the world.

Bailout???

With the economic structure of this country hanging by mere threads and a worsening Recession looming around the corner, the Big 3, are meeting with lawmakers on Capital Hill to push for a bailout of the failing auto industry. Free enterprise and Capitalism have made this country. We did not become a world power by flaunting socialist ideals or communist policies. These continued bailouts by the government, funded by the tax-payers, are looking more like socialist principles as each day passes and more money is thrown at the problem. However, I believe the problem is temporary, and can be fixed. Though we have never been a pure capitalist society, we have got to have smaller government running our lives and involving itself in our personal affairs. There are only a handful of private sectors that the government should have its hands in; the most important being healthcare. With the $700 billion approved in October for a federal bailout of the failing banking industry, it is understandable that the people are weary of giving more money that may not “trickle down.”
Senators are holding a hearing in Washington with the heads of the Big 3: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. These three companies represent the American Automotive Industry, a long-time staple of the American Economy. Normally, I would support letting a business fail. Short-term failure is normally followed by long-time growth. When an industry fails, it usually leads to newer industry, newer technology, and a log-term increase in employment. It also forces workers to keep up their skills and learn new ones in order to compete in the growing markets of the newer industries. While I believe these principles to be true; however, the automotive industry is too large and supports too many people. If we allow the auto companies to fail, unemployment will hit record highs. Jobs will be cut across the board. This will affect not only the companies directly, but also the companies who supply parts, and materials. If the auto companies fail, we will be completely dependent on foreign vehicles, and if our relations with those countries ever get strained, we could be in for the fight of our lives.
The resiliency of the American people is astounding, we can bounce back from anything; we have done it time and time again. If we allot $25 billion to each of the Big 3, and make sure they know that it is a one-time bailout; we will bounce back from this as well. The companies will have to start making more efficient vehicles; abandon their fetishes for SUVs and other compensatory automobiles, and manufacture cars and trucks that rival their foreign competitors. When you consider that we have allotted $700 Billion for bailout, $75 Billion for the auto-industry seems like a drop in the bucket. We could take the $75 Billion from the original $700 Billion and attempt to save the long-time symbol of American pride and entrepreneurship. In consideration, the US government, at the behest of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, gave $80 billion to the insurance magnate AIG. In return for the money of the American people, AIG took their upper level management for an all expenses paid retreat. In addition to AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac received bailouts, and gave billions of dollars in severance packages to their CEOs and CFOs. So long as the bailout of the automotive industry is done cautiously and with pre-conditions to the companies; it should be supported. Let’s support those workers, stifle unemployment, and rebuild our country. It’s time we set aside the nightmares and once again concentrate on the American Dream.

Prop 8

We will officially begin this blog with a post about the highly controversial California measure banning same-sex marriage and redefining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

To those of you who voted against proposition 8:
I commend you for your support and for bravery in taking a stand against discrimination. Thank you for believing in a world where people can accept one another and be tolerant of each other's differences. One day, we will prevail and live in a truly equal society; where nobody is treated differently from his/her neighbor. Please continue the fight for equality and keep the faith and hope alive.

To those of you who voted for proposition 8:
Congratulations on setting the Civil Rights Movement back by about 20 years.
For what reasons, exactly, do you feel that you are any better than someone else.
Bigotry has no place in our society; passing a law of this sort opens the door for a whole slew of other discriminatory notions. How would you feel if in 2010 we voted for:
Prop 11 - A ban on Mormons and Catholics having more than 3 children, because it leads to overpopulation and is straining our already troubled economy?
The notion is completely ridiculous, how can a law affecting a minority be put to a majority vote?

If you voted Yes on 8 on moral convictions, tell me:
-How moral is it to discriminate against others, and keep them from enjoying the same rights and privileges as every other citizen?

If you voted Yes on 8 to preserve the sanctity of marriage, tell me:
-Why do 1 in 3 heterosexual marriages end in divorce?

If you voted Yes on 8 to protect our children, tell me:
-How are you helping a child, by telling them that their family is different than yours? Don't all children deserve the right to grow up in a loving family with committed parents to take care of them and raise them?

If you voted Yes on 8, because you believe that Civil Unions are the same thing, please:
-Dissolve your marriage and recommit to your partner under a civil union; then tell me, is it the same?

One day we will live in a country where all men and women are truly created equal. Discrimination has no place in our society and we should all be offended by prejudices against anyone. Nobody citizen deserves to be treated differently from any other. As one of the nations leading the world towards a better tomorrow, we need to set a better example.
Let us work together on ending discrimination and injustice.