Grant Letters for Louisiana
10,000 families will be able to rebuild their homes located in Louisiana that were destroyed due to the events of Hurricane Katrina. So far, this new grant has been put into effect for 50 families under the Road Home system, which has been the most important factor in rebuilding many of the homes in Louisiana. "The Road Home program is making progress and will not rest until 100 percent of our homeowners receive the money that we have made available to them, " said Ms. Blanco. The grants allotted to the homeowners are based on the value of their house before the storm. These values are reduced by the amount of homeowners insurance each party is collecting. However, any little bit that aids in the process is sure to serve as a big help, as homeowners received an average grant of $50,715.
This financial grant came at a crucial time when rebuilding efforts were finally starting to come around. This occurrence is similar to an event in the American Revolution in which Louis XVI gave a one million-dollar grant to America in May of 1776. Both these financial advances came at a time when both the foundations needed to be revitalized. Not to say that things weren’t progressing on their own, bu it is certain that this boost in the financial systems definitely helped to instigate and further the efforts. Louis XVI is similar to the Americans who donate to Katrina relief facilities every day, because they both were able to see the greater good that would arise from their generous contributions, even when the participation from the outside world seemed to be lacking.

Global Warming- An International Effort

Justices' First Brush With Global Warming

Recently, the issue of global warming has made its way to the Supreme Court. The concern was over the Clean Air Act and the impact of automobile emissions on the environment. Some Justices were doubtful that the emissions from vehicles is the key to slowing global warming, citing that only about 6% of carbon dioxide emissions come from automobiles. Assistant Attorney General of MA James Milkey argued, “Even small reductions can be significant.” The Supreme Court did not see that the danger was imminent and chose not to exercise any authority. Even if it could, it would most likely only encouraged the EPA to reconsider its position. The role of the Supreme Court as part of the federal government is highlighted in this article. It is made clear that the Supreme Court does not exist to impose regulations, but to rule on interpretation of existing regulations.

Environmental issues have been widely understood to be a global problem. Cooperation of many nations is required to bring about serious changes. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Roberts offered the observation, “That assumes everything else is going to remain constant, though, right? It assumes there isn’t going to be a greater contribution of greenhouse gases from economic development in China and other places that’s going to displace whatever marginal benefit you get here.” Acid rain was one environmental problem that was attacked on an international level in the 1960’s and 70’s. Agreements to reduce polluting emissions have resulted in a large decrease in acid rain damage. The Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution of 1979 was signed by 51 countries in an effort to reduce sulfur oxides and nitric oxides in the air. However, this only came over a hundred years after acid rain was discovered. With the rate of global warming, we cannot let too much time elapse before we address the issue on the international scale.

The Founding Fathers intended for the United States to gain its independence through warfare, and then continue to live in isolation and freedom. The U.S. is forever connected to the world’s environment and therefore must first work to improve the air quality at home and then lead the rest of the world in reducing emissions around the globe.

An Inconvenient Lie

The article that I chose deals with a subject that we are all well informed in. it is about global warming. We are all inundated with how humans are creating their own demise by the emission of CO2 gasses into the atmosphere. Well I am here to tell you the truth of the matter. The truth is that all of the respected scientists who have studied global warming have drawn one conclusion, that is that we have had a negative effect on the o-zone. However, the o-zone has broken down and regenerated itself naturally numerous times in history. The truth is that we are in a stage of global warming, however, is is not do to any pollution that we have cause, but rather the doing of a natural climate shift. In fact history can give us some perspective on the matter.

The truth of the matter is that just thirty years ago the scientific community was saying that we were doomed due to a climate shift. One would think that this was the precursor to the global warming debate. In fact it is quite the opposite. The scientists were saying that we faced global cooling that could result in an ice age. The fact remains that we live in an unstable world. Things can not always be explained in the black and white terms that we like to use. The fact remains that we are not in control of are planet. In fact we are at the mercy of it. So therefore we, as humans, must not make it seem as if we can change things that we obviously cannot.

Unjust Discrimination

Last Monday, six Muslim imams were detained at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota. Imam Omar Shahin, one of the detainees, defended his colleagues saying they had not done anything suspicious. The muslims were returning from a religious conference and were merely praying in the airport before the flight. Once on the flight, a passenger insisted he had overheard anti-U.S. statements while the men were moving about the plane, and reported it to a flight attendant. The men were then taken off the plane and were handcuffed and questioned, suspected of poessessing terroristic intents. The airline, US Airways, protests that they made the right call. However, the incident is still under scrutiny by groups such as the Transportation Department and Homeland Security.

This derogatory and offensive move against a specific racial group is not the first one to occur in history. One of the most infamous slanders against a race is the Holocaust. More specifically, the Americans' attitude towards the Muslims is the same as the attitude of the Nazis towards the Jews. They were suspicious and believed that all Jews did wrong, no matter who they were or where they came from, much like we believe of the Muslims. This is, however, not true in all cases. What happened at the Minneapolis Airport and during the Holocaust were both cases involving racial stereotypes. Racial stereotyping is not only belittling towards the race, but morally incorrect. Not every person of a specific race is evil.

Britney Spears almost "impeached" from her record label!

Singer and song writer, Britney Spears, is stirring up much controversy with her record label. Britney, who was previously redeemed as "America's sweetheart", has taken a turn for the worst in recent news articles. Britney has just issued a divorce from her husband of two years, Kevin Federline, and is not acting as a good example for her fans. She has been recently seen partying with hotel heiress, Paris Hilton, and young actress, Lindsay Lohan, in Las Vegas this weekend. Her fake, blonde hair extensions and new attitude are not being responded to well by her fans. Young girls everywhere treat Britney as an example and a role model; and now she has let them down. "She's a beautiful girl and now that she's single and she's having fun, I think she's just trying to express herself," said New York-based celebrity image consultant Amanda Sanders. "Unfortunately, it's the wrong message that's coming across. And the shame is she was really such a role model." Further adding to her new "bad girl" image, is the fact that Britney has skipped out on some of her recording sessions with longtime producer Pharell. Pharell has stated that he is not happy about the situation and that adjustments may need to be made between Britney and her record company.
In 1998, Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the USA, was also reprimanded for his promiscuous actions. President Clinton lied during his grand jury testimony in which he stated that he did not have sexual relations with a young intern, Monica Lewinsky. As the President of the United States, he was not only a role model to young adults, like Britney Spears, but he was a role model to the American public and he let his citizens down. President Clinton was then impeached, but the Senate vote fell short of the 2/3 majority needed to convict him and he served the remainder of his term.

4) War in Iraq costly

The United States military effort in Iraq is extremely expensive, and will continue to be no matter what happens. Before the United States invaded Iraq, it was estimated that these combat operations would cost fifty billion dollars. This is nothing compared to what it actually costs. The cost of the war on terror is estimated to be five-hundred billion dollars. Without the activities in Afghanistan, it costs three-hundred bullion dollars for combat in Iraq. Each soldier costs around two-hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. Add in investments in equipment and facilities and the cost will rise to three-hundred and sixty thousand dollars. In 2007, the Pentagon will ask for anywhere between one-hundred and twenty billion to one-hundred and sixty billion dollars, making it the largest funding request for this global war. In October of this year, Congress permitted seventy billion dollars to pay for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq through the first six months of FY 2007. Thus far, the White House has shown little help to fund Iraq and Afghanistan with the regular budget. However Congress, which will soon be controlled by democrats, will attempt to increase pressure on the White House to desert the density of the emergency bill approach.

Besides World War II, the war on terror has been the most costly. However, every war has been expensive, and will be in the future. The Revolutionary War, fought in the 18th and 19th centuries cost little over two billion dollars. The costs per person averaged to almost five-hundred dollars. The War of 1812, which lasted from 1812 until 1815 cost over one billion dollars, and one-hundred and twenty-nine dollars per person. It had cost almost two billion dollars to fund the Mexican War, from 1846 until 1848. This cost seventy-three dollars for each person. The Civil War, lasting from 1861 to 1865 cost sixty-seven billion dollars, averaging one-thousand eight-hundred dollars per person. The Spanish-American War, which was fought in 1898, cost ten billion dollars in total, and over one-hundred dollars per person. World War I, which was fought during the years 1917 and 1918 cost two-hundred billion dollars, and almost three-thousand per person. However, World War I cost much less than World War II, which cost over three-trillion during the years 1941 until 1945. During this war, it cost twenty-two thousand dollars per person. From 1950 until 1953, the Korean War cost an estimate of three-hundred and sixty billion dollars, and two-thousand four-hundred dollars per person. The longest of these wars, the eight-year Vietnam War, cost five-hundred billion dollars, and two-thousand three-hundred dollars per person.

Polonium has Deadly Effects

Current Event - #4
London Riddle: A Russian Spy, A Lethal Dose


On Friday, authorities in London said that Alexander V. Litvinenko died from radiation poisoning. Litvinenko was a Russian K.G.B. officer and foe of the Kremlin. The police found traces of radiation at three places Litvinenko had visited: a sushi bar, a hotel room, and his North London home. While diplomats tried to prevent international incident, scientists were in awe at the use of polonium 210, a rare and hard to produce substance that has deadly effects when breathed, injected, or ingested.
On his deathbed, Litvinenko accused President Vladimir V. Putin of poisoning him. This accusation led the government to call a high level meeting rebuffing the allegation and trying to protect President Putin from the finger pointing, keeping his credibility in tact. Despite the multiple comments of the Litvinenko family towards President Putin, the police are still treating the case as an “unexplained death,” carefully avoiding the term murder.
Mr. Litvinenko had begun complaining of illness November 1. The authorities have been trying to track down those who helped treat him, in case they have been contaminated.
Mr. Litvinenko’s death due to exposure to polonium is reminiscent of the death of James Mackeroness Goode in 1960. Goode worked as a nuclear physicist in Mound Laboratories, Miamisburg Ohio, where polonium triggers were manufactured for nuclear weapons. While working in the plant, Goode was exposed to the radioactive elements and suffered serious health problems. He died as a result of these complications at the age of 36. Similarly, Litvinenko was a young man (age 43) with no predisposing health problems. Although, there is a link in both cases to the polonium, authorities in the Litvinenko’s case are steering away from any conspiracy theories of a murder. In the Goode case, the claims of the link to the death are being investigated under the Freedom of Information Act by his daughter in an attempt to obtain compensation. In both instances, the respective involved governments are denying any responsibility, which could cause serious repercussions. Both cases also show an exposure to polonium, which is not a substance which people are normally exposed to. In the case of Goode, he would have been exposed to this while working on Atomic elements for the Arms race. As part of the Cold War, the CIA also investigated the use of Polonium/Thallium as a poisoning agent. During the Cold War, the U.S. government considered using the substance to poison Fidel Castro, but later decided against it. In both cases, the unexplained deaths point to the exposure to polonium, which is known to be poisonous and consequentially lethal.

Corruption gone?

Democrats are back in action. After a few years of Republican majority, the Democrats have now taken over. An article in the Christian Science Monitor states that the new dominating party wants to make it clear that their message is understood by the people. They want to assure the population that they promise a different approach on leadership. They want it to be: open, bipartisan and above reproach – a program based on the needs of the average American household. However, critics believed that what the party lacked was a quick, clean anticorruption element. In response, Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic leader, promised last January to install an ethical package if Democrats took back the House. The package included a ban on all gifts from lobbyists, disclosure of earmarks, and a two-year wait before lawmakers leaving office can work as lobbyists. She, also, wrote a letter to Speaker J. Dennis Hastert telling him to operate quickly to deal with the Republican culture of corruption. In the letter, she states three steps she believes Hastert should take by the time the second session of the 109th Congress came around.
However, while Pelosi is promoting this “ethical package,” it seems as though “she has no real commitment to changing culture of corruption,” says Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Pelosi supports Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, "one of the most unethical members of Congress” as described by Sloan. Murtha has struggled with accusations that he possibly accepted favors from defense contractors. Also, he reportedly had a “less-than-decisive rejection” of an enticement in the 1980 Abscam FBI sting operation. Additionally, he greatly opposes reforms to ethics reform. With Pelosi assisting him, it appears that “she may have prioritized ethics reform merely to win votes, with no real commitment to changing the culture of corruption,” again, says Sloan.

Still, corruption is something that has been occurring from times even before the American Revolution. Some noticeable cases of corruption occurred during the colonial era. Most corporate and royal placemen believed they had the right to take as much as possible before returning home. For example, Governor Benjamin Fletcher of New York (1692-1698) took protection money from pirates, shook down Indian traders, deceived the customs, expanded military payrolls, and stole funds raised to pay the provincial debt. "To recount all his arts of squeezing money both out of the publick and private purses would make a volume instead of a letter," said one of Fletcher's contemporaries. Also, during 1988, gross sales of illegal drugs were higher than combined profits of large corporations. Let's hope that one day corruption will cease to exist.

Wineries in Iowa.

There are many wineries thriving in Iowa, which is surprising considering that the climate is not exactly conducive to grape growing. The reason that these crops are thriving is due to French-American grape hybrids made to thrive in cold climates. The popularity of this crop change is seen through the fact that seven hundred acres of land compared to fifteen in 2000 are for grape growing. Mr. Olson, owner of The Penoach Winery, will make more money selling grapes off his two acres than he did with 1,000 acres of corn and 3,000 head of hogs. States other than Iowa, such as South Dakota, Indiana, and Ohio are also producing grapes. South Dakota is doubling its number of wineries and Ohio is spending $900,000 to endorse its local wineries. These wineries serve as tourist attractions as well as a profitable business. Mr. Klodd, another winery owner, is astounded that thousands of tourists pay to stomp grapes. After the end of the prohibition, wineries began opening up and haven’t stopped since.



A prohibition is a legal ban on the selling and making of alcohol. In the 1830s, American consumption of alcohol was ten gallons annually. Many groups of people believed this to be a national curse. Abraham Lincoln even said that alcohol was “used by everyone, repudiated by nobody.” Maine passed the first state prohibition law in 1851 and was followed by thirteen other states. This political predicament of alcohol consumption was forgotten with the onset of the American Civil War. The number of saloons rose to one for every four hundred people. National Prohibition began on January 16, 1920. Although the act initially caused more drinking, the annual consumption did fall. By December of 1933, the Prohibition was repealed.

Democrats fight over congressional ethics

With the recent election leaving democrats in control of the Senate and House, they are convening to tackle the corruption and scandal that previous Republicans have marred congress with. Democrats wish to make a law that would not allow politicians to accept meals, gifts, or travel from lobbyists and it would force all lobbyists to end all contracts with lawmakers. Some democrats argue that this will disrupt campaign finances and question who will be watching that these rules are being followed.
Ethical issues in politics often rely on people, and money. Knowing the right people with the right amount of money can almost elminate all other competition. In congress, it is very much who knows who, and who has close bonds. THese bonds are made through money and law.
Some Democrats argue , however, that lobbyists play a major role in campaign fund-raising for members of both parties. They say that this might disrupt the legislative process.
Current congress hopes to return to the strict ethical rules that were enforced post-watergate, looking to elminate bribery and scandal that could distract politicians from their true work for the country. Democrats are most concerned about the enforcement of the laws that are trying to be passed. Pingree notes that most of the scandals that were uncovered recently, had gone unnoticed for years. This movement in the democratic party will not have quick results, as it is apparent they have some brainstorming to do.

A New Citizenship Test for the US

“US to unveil new Citizenship Test” - Blog #3
A recent article in the Christian Science Monitor comments on the development of a new citizenship test. There has been quite a bit of commotion concerning illegal immigrants in the news lately. One article in the New York Times describes a situation where a number of workers went on strike after some employees had been fired for not having an explanation as to why their social security numbers did not match their names. The episode gives rise to the broader issue of illegal immigration, and what changes, if any are needed to amend the process. After an immigrant crosses the US border, there needs to be some legal way of assimilating them into United States society. One possible way to accomplish this is the development of a new citizenship test. John Fonte, a longtime member of the Hudson Institute, a think tank in Washington said “We’ve always had an Americanization policy of some type [but] we haven’t so much in the last 20, 30 years,” which points to the need for changes to the existing policy. The modifications that the test will undergo are meant to make it more equitable without increasing the difficulty. The revised test could possibly include some of the values and rights depicted in the Bill of Rights, as well as questions about the meaning of freedom and democracy. The “attachment” that an immigrant feels and their corresponding desire for citizenship are taken into account. The immigrants’ ethnic back round might be radically different from that of the United States. Cultural differences and nationality in a dissimilar society offer significant challenges to potential United States’ citizens. Additionally, the attachment that these hopeful candidates derive from taking part in the process of becoming a citizen is considered and compared to events such as communion or bar mitzvah. These elements are deemed important when making alterations to the test, in terms of relevance and ease of use. The changes in the test will be evaluated in ten cities, including Boston, to test the outcome and effectiveness. Those who take the new test will have a chance to take the old version if they fail. Purposefully, this amendment to the process of becoming a citizen will sustain the meaningfulness it has to immigrants and increase participation.
In 1952 the Immigration and Nationality Act, or INA, was created. Although there had been laws concerning this matter, it was the first time they had been organized in one place. This act has been amended many times but it is still the basic body of immigration law. Further changes, based on the evolving demographics will insure the effectiveness of the Act and an equal opportunity for immigrants to become legal immigrants, with the prospect of citizenship.

3) New citizenship test putting up walls for immigrants?

In order to gain American citizenship, immigrants must pass the citizenship test. This is an oral test that includes trivial questions, such as historical facts of America. The United States government believes that this test should be shunned, and is therefore conducting a new pilot test beginning this winter. The new test will also be an oral test. Immigrants will only need to answer six out of the ten questions to receive a passing grade. The content, however, will not include historical facts about America, but questions about American values, such as the principles of American democracy and freedom. The new test will be taken in ten cities in America, one of them being Boston. There will also be an increase in the application fees for immigrants taking the test, which immigrant advocacy groups are noticing. Many, including members of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition feel as if the administration is “putting up [another] wall to citizenship for immigrants…” Ali Noorani, a member of this group, believes that the administration is purposely raising the fees and making the test more difficult. However, the questions and answers to the test will be publicly available, and if those taking the test fail, they will be able to retake the regular test. The United States government believes that the new test will allow those who become citizens to have more of an attachment to America.


In 1917, it became a law for immigrants to take a literacy test to become citizens of America. Also, the Immigration Act increased entry tax to eight dollars. While now those who pass the test are allowed to be American citizens, in 1917, many were prohibited from becoming citizens. These included diseased persons, people mentally or physically defective, those who had committed previous crimes, polygamists, and anarchists. President Grover Cleveland vetoed the attempt to introduce such tests in 1891. In 1913, William Taft did the same, as did Woodrow Wilson in 1917. These men did not believe that citizenship should be restricted. One who believed that a literacy test was needed was Henry Cabot Lodge. Lodge believed that there was a demand for more limiting legislation. Despite the fact that many, even the current Presidents, argued against making it necessary for immigrants to take literacy tests, Congress passed the Immigration Act.

The article being discussed is World Watches for new sign of US approach abroad. What is argued is the way n which president Bush will deal with foreign policy now that the democrats are in control of the House and Senate. Well to be frank it is easy to see what will happen with American foreign policy when the democrats get control, try to make everyone happy by peaceful means. The article speaks of how the Russians will be allowed to join the World Trade Organization. Thank go the man behind the iron curtain, Vladimir Putin (not Stalin), will not be in power for much longer because Russia is one of Americas silent enemies. They are the biggest arms dealers in the world and have no morals. Also they wish, like most socialist European nations that Americans are just big bullies. On a even creepier level the Iraqi Survey Group is expected to say that the allies in the war on terror should consult the help of other nations in the region. One of the nations that we should ask for help is Iran, in this proposal. Yes, I can just see it now George Bush calling the president of Iran and asking for his help in Iraq. Were these people hibernating when the Iranian leaders say that we will not rest until an Islamic Flag is raised over the White House. I don’t know about you but I do not want help from this Islamic Fascist. The sad thing is this has happened before.

Imagine yourself in the mid to late 1930’s. A man with impressive oratory skills rises to power. Your “diplomats” all tell you the same thing this man is no threat to anybody. You then begin to hear that people are being taken away from their homes and relocated. Again your leaders say that he is nothing. As an offer of peace the man is given a country by the name of Czechoslovakia. Yet again your leaders say that he is not willing to go to war. Well you know what, I bet that Poland begs to differ. Our leaders said that he was not a threat and we believed them, why should we do the same today?

The truth is that we face an enemy that parallels only one that we have ever fought in our existence. The way we ended that was with the most powerful weapon known to man, nuclear bombs. From then on the Russians had a fear of the Americans. This was because whenever the confrontation can down to the wire they knew we were willing to go that extra step. Now, we are not feared, we are not even respected. So, I say go back to the foreign policy that works

Will the US ever decide to remove troops? Maybe not

General John Abizaid spoke earlier in the week concerning the proposed troop removal from Iraq. With the surge of the Democratic Party into the Senate and House resulting from the November election, many predict that the war in Iraq will begin to end. The first step in this procedure would be to remove significant numbers of troops from overseas. Abizaid instead calls for an increase in the number of troops. He feels that to remove the troops at this time would have a disastrous effect on the violence in Baghdad. He sees the benefit of strengthening the military force to cover the spots where they are thin rather than condensing the army as they move out.

Another controversial war also provoked similar thinking. U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War began in 1964. During Lyndon Johnson’s presidency in the mid-1960’s, the number of troops in Vietnam rose sharply. Johnson was intent on escalating the number of soldiers because he wanted to stop the spread of Communism. The American people saw that there was no way that they could win. As in Iraq, the Vietnam War was not accomplishing any good. It was considered a waste of human lives as well as resources. Still, Johnson implemented the draft, further creating opposition to the war. As a result of the intense controversy in America over the war, Johnson lost the support of the American people and the Democratic party. This, along with the assassination of the only other viable Democratic presidential candidate, led to a handy victory for the Republican party in the next election. When Nixon became president, he worked to try to hand over the fighting to the Vietnamese.

While those in favor of the war and those opposed to it continue to point out faults in the other, the fact of the matter is that Americans are dying daily.

Illgal Immigrants....Texas Buckles Down!!

On November 15 Texas finally decided to do something about dealing with illegal immigrants. Texas lawmakers delt with the issue by filing bill that would deny public assistance to children of illegal immigrants. In suburbs of Texas landlords have been fined for housing illegal immigrants. Some cities in Texas have declared English their official lanuguage even if the majority of their population is Hispanic. Most people think that the bills against the illegal immigrants won't pass but it is a step on cracking down on illegal immigration. In a report on Texas's population it is reported that a third of the population is Hispanic. Some people are making the argument if illegal immigrants have children those children are American and should be treated as Americans. Representatives of Texas seem to be disregarding this situation and i back them because they aren't really leagl citizens.

A Difficult Equation: Add or Subtract?

General Warns of Risks in Iraq if G.I.'s Are Cut


Nov. 15 – In his first testimony since the Democratic Party won the elections last week, Gen. John P. Abizaid declared before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees his opposition with regards to troop withdrawal from Iraq. Gen. Abizaid affirmed that an increase in sectarian killings would result if there was to be a considerable troop withdrawal within the next six months. The action would also obstruct efforts in convincing the Iraqi government to make convoluted decisions; decisions that would be necessary in securing the country. For the first time, the commander has also accused the Bush administration of destabilizing the American position in Iraq by choosing not to deploy a more superior force within the country in 2003.

Since the beginning of 2006, assaults on allied troops have risen to an average of 180 per day as opposed to 70 per day in January. In 2003, Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, the Army chief of staff at the time, advised Congress to send in at least several hundred thousand troops. Gen. Shinseki was shunned by the other officers and retired shortly after. This Wednesday, Gen. Abizaid was commending Shinseki for his analysis of the numbers required. Although he recognized that the American military was spread too thin, Gen. Abizaid suggested a small increase in troops to advance the training of the Iraqi Army. The General told the Committee, “We need to put more American capacity into Iraqi units to make them more capable in their ability to confront the sectarian problem.” Gen. Abizaid’s assessment was supported by Gen. Michael V. Hayden, director of the CIA, and Lt. Gen. Michael D. Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. The two officers testified that American forces were the only factors in holding off the violence in Iraq. Unless the violence in Baghdad was brought down within six months, Gen. Abizaid said, the situation would be beyond the control of the Iraqi government.

This can easily be paralleled to the Vietnam War. American troops were deployed into South Korea along the 38th Parallel in attempt to eradicate communism in North Korea. As the war progressed, the American citizens and many political figures were calling for the withdrawal of the forces; however, the officers and advisors in Vietnam were requesting more troops. Much like today, the issue during Vietnam held opinions from both sides. The officers called for more men while the citizens back home protested the war.

Not to say that the war in Iraq is becoming another Vietnam, but similar to Vietnam, America is seeing a split between the views of the nation. There are those that clamor for the immediate withdrawal of troops and there are those few that insist on increasing the amount of troops.

Priests: JUST SAY NO!

Priests: JUST SAY NO!
by Kevin Mahoney

The Vatican Council was a-buzz on Thursday, with the news of an African archbishop who was married. Pope Benedict XVI and the rest of the council came to the decision that the archbishop should be excommunicated from the Catholic Church. The meeting did not change any of the Catholic Church’s rules on celibacy, but rather reinforced it. The idea of a married priest, although unseemly to some, is in fact, not extremely uncommon. There are estimated to be at least 100,000 married priests world wide and over 25,000 in the United States. While the Vatican Council strongly feels that the rules on celibacy should remain the same, there are other figures in the Catholic Church who feel a change is in order. “Proponents of easing the celibacy requirement for priests in the Latin rite church say such a move could help ease the shortage of clergy in many parts of the world.” (1).
It is ironic how the Catholic Church in some ways has become more conservative than liberal throughout the last twenty centuries. With the birth of the Catholic Church in the first century, many of the first apostles and priests were married men. Even Peter, the first Pope was married. As the Catholic Church grew as time progressed, the rules on priests’ marital life became stricter. The fourth century became the official turning point for the Catholic Church’s views on married leaders. At The Council of Elvira in 306, the council decided that a priest who sleeps with his wife the night before a mass shall be excommunicated. At the Council of Nicea in 325, a decision was made that after a priest was ordained, he could no longer marry. Throughout the centuries, the rules on marriage in the church became increasingly stringent until the option of a leader in the Church marrying became non-existent. With this decision, some priests accepted the views on celibacy, while other priests rebelled. Pope Boniface IX, resigned in order to marry, as did many other priests, archbishops, etc. While some men decided to leave the Church, others found that they could become accomidated to it's policy.
The Catohlic Church has gone through many stages and changes throughout the ages, but the proposal of our leaders also being husbands and family men, does not appear to be anywhere on the horizon.

(1) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/16/world/16cnd-pope.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
(2) http://www.futurechurch.org/fpm/history.htm

Playing with Fire
Two former Secton Hall University students charged with arson and murder received there sentenced yesterday regarding a dormitory fire in 2000. Joseph Leopore of Floram Park and Sean Ryan of Livingston were both accused of setting fire to a dormitory lounge on January 19th,2000, killing three students and injuring dozens more. Prosecutors report that a paper banner was ignited, in Boland Hall, a building not equipped with sprinklers. Mr. Ryan pleas that it was, "a prank that got out of hand," as if calling it a mistake would compensate for the lives of the three students lost in the fire.
This devastating fire can be paralleled to the Ohio Penitentiary Fire in Ohio. It occurred on April, 21, 1930, and like the fire in Secton Hall University, it was an accident. Speculations and theories as to the cause of the fire are that a candle ignited a few oily rags on the roof of the West Block. Prison officials claimed that three inmates were hoping to create a small diversion, giving them time to escape intentionally started the fire. This is similar to the University fire, in that the perpetrators were not intending for their fires to get out of control. For one party it was a mere prank, while the other party needed a small diversion, not a widespread devastation. However, they were both unable to control their tasks which leads one to believe that the old adage about not playing with fire was created for a plausible reason.

"Tell your stupid Ranch tooth to shut up!"

In Nevada, family ranches are disappearing at a rapid rate to try and accommodate the fast-growing population. Nevada is not only home to some of the oldest ranches, but now to some of the newest mansions. Throughout the West, not just Nevada, cities and suburbs have crept onto farmland, looking to expand housing. Most ranchers are cash poor but land rich, have sold mot if not all of their land. A group like the Nature Conservancy has made a valiant effort to conserve the ranches by attempting to persuade the ranchers not to sell, and by buying development rights. However, ranching families don't want to give up that easily. For most, their ranch is a way of life; it's all they know. These ranches carry much more value than the developers assume it to have and the ranchers are finding it difficult to lose it all and start over in an unfamiliar setting.

The situation of vanishing ranches in Nevada is much like the situation the Indians were in years ago. They were perfectly content living free on their land until America started to become commercialized and overcrowded. Like what's happening in Nevada, the cities and suburbs began to expand. Soon, the Indians' land was taken from them without their say in the matter. However, the United States Government did cut the Indians some slack. They set aside small parcels of land for the Indians to reside upon, called reservations. The Indians had their land sniped from right under them. This is the fear that is ever-present in the hearts of Nevadians.


** & For those of you who are hatin'... I will always post my Current Events in color. =] Great thanks.

US Plan to Control Immigration Causes Controversy

The United States plan to handle the immigration problem has stirred up controversy with the Vatican. The US has planned to build a border fence on the Mexican border to prevent illegal immigrants from sneaking in to the country. President Bush had signed legislation which would enable a 700 mile border fence to be constructed. The Vatican strongly opposes this plan and believes that the wall is a mistake. It was discussed in a speech at Rome on November 14. The cardinal representing the pope at the conference, Cardinal Martino, displayed his disapproval and praised the Mexican and American bishops who opposed this plan. He went on trying to relate the Berlin Wall to the new supposed wall to be built. The United States’ plan to diminish the immigrants is a very probable solution in the future.

Immigration has always been a problem in the history of the United States. Between the 1890s and the early 1920s, there was a drastic increase in immigration. Immigrants of several countries came to the United States in hope of a better future. This caused the country to become over populated. In 1924, the Immigration Act of 1924 was passed to help control the situation. This act restricted the number of immigrants coming to the United States from countries all over the world including Southern and Eastern European countries and East Indian and Asian Indian countries. However, this act did not include any countries from Latin America. This exclusion possibly could have contributed to the Mexican immigration problem today. Boundaries were necessary in the early 20th century and they are still needed today to control
the population of immigrants.
3

Urinetown Scandal!

Five members behind the creative team of the 2002 Broadway production of Urinetown: The Musical are charging Chicago and Akron, Ohio based shows with copying their work without permission. Although both theatres had legal rights for the music and the script, the letters from the creative members of Urientown state that both theatres had replicated the design and directorial aspects of the show without permission. The theatres also did not ask for permission to copy the choreography and design of the original Broadway production. "[The producers'] arguments concern a controversial area of intellectual property: creative input into a production beyond the script and music. While choreography is specifically protected by law, the situation for stage direction is not as clear. "
The Broadway creative team asks for detailed revenue reports from both theatres so that they can deduct the "damages" that have been done. The letters also state that if these demands are not met, they will see both theatres in court.
Illegal copyrighting and scandals filled with lies are not new to American history. From 1972 to 1974, the Watergate Scandal caused much chaos in the White House. President Nixon was accused of knowing and assisting burglaries from the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee stationed at the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. On November 17, 1973 ,when asked of his position on the Watergate scandal, President Nixon replied, "I am not a crook" in front of 400 Associative Press managing editors at Disney World in Florida.
Nixon offered his resignation so that he could avoid impeachment, but criminal prosecution was still a possibility. Gerald Ford, the next president, issued a pardon for Nixon, immunizing him from prosecution for any crimes he may have committed as President. Nixon proclaimed his innocence until his death, although his acceptance of the pardon was construed by many as an admission of guilt. By stating that he was not a crook, President Nixon lied to the American people, a true scandal.

Still kickin' up dust.

This week in New York City at the Young People's Literature Awards ceremony Timothy Eagan was awarded first prize in the nonfiction category for his latest work, "The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of the Survivors of the Great American Dust Bowl." Eagan was quoted, "We are of a story telling nation...and this story was nearly dead." His book focuses upon the first hand accounts of many survivors who are still alive today and in their eighties.
The American Dust Bowl certainly was an event that no one in America should ever forget. The Dust Bowl was an agricultural disaster that stretched from 1931 to 1939. What occured during that time was the poorly cultivated land was so barren and infertile from over production during World War I that it began be picked up by the violent wind storms rolling across the land that for eight years it ravaged Texas, Arkansas, North & South Dakota, Oklahoma. At times the dust clouds were so dark that they blackened the sky. This disaster called for an exodus from the suffering states and an overflow of homeless families into major cities with hope of finding work. Unfortunately due to an economic disaster known as the Great Depression already under way, work was scarce in cities. Later in 1940 when the totals were added up it was known that 2.5 million Americans were displaced from their homes in the mid-west portion of the country. Even still today the mid west still feels the population effects of this terrible mark on history. Just for this reason alone it is tremendously important that the young people of America keep an interest in it's history much like Timothy Eagan has.

1) New York Times,
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-et-nba16nov16,0,1874400.story?coll=la-home-nation

2) Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_Bowl

3) About the Dust Bowl
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/depression/dustbowl.htm

Justice in Iraq

Justice in Iraq


Over three years after being captured, Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death by hanging for his crimes against humanity. His long trial finally concluded with grim sentence which will be carried out pending an automatic appeal of the verdict. After the reading of the verdict, Hussein defiantly raised his forefinger shouting to the judge, “Long live the people. Long live the nation. Down with the occupiers. Down with the spies.” continuing his spirit of rebelliousness he has held for the entire trial. With few exceptions, a cry of joy was let out by the country of Iraq, with celebratory small arms fire being heard in areas of Shiite majority. President Bush described the conclusion of the trial as “a milestone in the Iraqi people’s efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law.” Only several Arab nations expressed distress at the verdict along with a few “Western legal monitoring and rights groups.” These groups criticizing the proceedings as being “in favor of ‘victor’s justice’” and calling for an international court.
Hussein’s trial mirrors the international trial in 1945 of the criminals of World War II. The Nuremburg trials took place between 1945 and 1946 and were meant to prosecute the war criminals of Nazi Germany during World War II. Dozens of Nazi leaders and officials were prosecuted during the Nuremburg trials and almost all hanged for their crimes. Much like Hussein, many of the men were defiantly spirited during their trials, either denying the crimes, or maintaining that their actions were acceptable and justified.

1) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/world/middleeast/06saddam.html?pagewanted=1

Out of Work in Michigan? Wyoming wants you.

A day before Halloween, the Christian Science Monitor published an article about the lack of jobs in Michigan. Apparently, Wyoming has many jobs open to blue-collar workers and is aiming propaganda toward the residents of Michigan. In Michigan, there is a 7.1 percent of unemployment compared to the 3.6 percent in Wyoming.

Many families are moving to Wyoming to attempt to get better jobs with higher salaries. Once they have done so, they try to recruit more people to leave Michigan for Wyoming. The difference when they move, though, is that in Michigan it is a bit more city-like and has more scenery than in Wyoming. In the latter state, when they wake up and look out, all they see is plains and animals. The downpart to the fact that so many people are migrating to Wyoming is that it is sometimes hard for them to find a place to live with housing prices up and an increasing population. As a result, some jobs offer a place for the people to live for a while until they find a home.

This event is similar to the Great Depression because people migrated to places where they thought there was more opportunity. During Depression, the people nomadized by way of the famous Route 66 to find food, jobs, etc. If the people were unsatisfied at their arrival to their destination, then they would move again. Some of the families would move time and time again until they were content.

Across Nation, Housing Costs Rise as Burden

The New York Times said, on October third, that according to the Census Bureau, housing and renting prices have risen significantly from 2000 to 2005. Middle class people in the Midwest and suburbs all across the nation are the ones suffering the most. The people are paying much higher rents than usually. Tenets have to pay about thirty percent of their total income on rent. In Olathe, Kansas some people even pay fifty percent of their wages minimum for their housing. However, the main problem is that even though housing prices have risen, incomes have not. People are still getting paid the same no matter how much higher their rent is. Some try moving out of the state, but it is difficult to leave everything back home and try to start over in a different place.

During the Great Depression, something similar occurred, except it was the other way around. During the 1930s, incomes lowered while housing prices stayed the same. Families struggled to pay their homes and rents just like the people in the Midwest today. They, unfortunately, had less of an opportunity moving out of state. If these people went to a different part of the country, a higher wage would not be a guarantee. They would have to risk everything.