Wanting Democracy in Ukraine

From CNN NEWSROOM T.J Holmes has CNNs reporter Nadia Bilchik brings political stories from around the world, one that has been getting lots of attention are the female protestors in Ukraine. She reports a group of Ukrainian female activists that call themselves FEMEN. These FEMEN women protest topless to get attention to create awareness for causes they feel are important like anti-prostitution, womans rights, and wanting Democracy. In the Ukraine nudity is banned, toplessness in the other hand is okay. At first the group was not taken seriously, some of them however were arrested for protesting topless when the President of Ukraine was casting his ballot in the election.

The FEMEN believe that "... everything (females) have are their mind and bodies... look at Beyonce selling perfume with her body... sex sells perfumes and cars, why not political rights." Some might disagree that displaying themselves in that manner is vulgar for the public and a lack of decency for themselves, in todays modernization there are no limits anymore. Although the FEMEN may receive negative views they do have a very good point with their idea of using sex as a mechanism for political rights. Corporations  use sex as a tool and politicians work with them so why criticize these women and put them in jail when after all they are just trying to make a change and bring justice for the common good.

• • 
    

• • http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/11/20/nr.bilchik.topless.protests.cnn

CNN's Eliot Spitzer challenges Texas Congressman Jeb Hensarling, representative on Financial Service Commission,  to name his cuts to wipe out the deficit. Hensarling serves on bipartism deficit commission. Spitzer asks Hensarling to name his cuts and his solutions to slashing out the deficit. But first Spitzer gives statistics before discussing Hensarlings amendment. Spitzer shows that the current economy is at $14.5 trillion and 20 percent of that is $2.9 trillion. The current budget is $3.8 trillion and Hensarling needs to cut $900 billion out of the $3.8 trillion to come down about 24 percent where Hensarling thinks we should be. Spitzer asks Hensarling if hes willing to cut social security 25 percent this year. Hensarling answers "absolutely but you dont have to cut from social security." So then Spitzer asks him to answer the question "will or will [he] not cut social security." Hensarling says hes trying to "not harm childrens future by preventing taxes to be doubled,, living in smaller homes, and competing for fewer jobs and shrinking paychecks" when their older. He tries to use children as a use of an argument but its not really persuading and hes not answering the question. Hensarling then mentions that raising taxes "will cause for children to loose the American dream" by the time they reach the age to be considered adults." Hensarling goes on to extending the bush taxes and Spitzer agrees with him, but goes back to his question and asks Hensarling "where will [he] cut 1 trillion dollars out of this years budget." Hensarling responds that there doesnt have to be cuts. At this point there seems to be tension between them. Spitzer starts disagreeing with him on that Hensarling believes he doesnt need to cut on anything because in order for Hensarling to get 1 trillion dollars the cuts need to happen; and thats how Spitzer concludes the interview with Hensarling.

 http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/

Obama Honors Veterans in South Korea

President Obama gives a Veterans Day address to the men and women serving in South Korea. Obama starts with that he wants the veterans to know that when they come home their country is going to be their for them, that is a commitment he makes to the veterans. This commitment Obama has given the soldiers is gives them assurance that they will be okay. Obama brings up the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C., he says there is a plaque that lists the number of Americans who were killed, wounded, missing in action, and prisoners of war; and it says "Our nation honors those who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and people they never met." This is truly kind hearted of the soldiers who fought in South Korea. Obama says it was selflessness and generous for every man and women who ever wore the uniform of the United States. In the end he thanks the veterans for their service and blesses them and blesses the United States of America.  

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/10/congress.women/index.html

Are Women Making Gains in Congress?

Despite that there are new female faces in congress women still lack in number of female roles in the government.   Susan Collins, Maine Republican Senator shares, "It does concern me that there are not more positions in leadership positions. ... it traditionally has been more difficult for women to break the executive glass ceiling than the legislative glass ceiling." This shows that women are concerned at the fact that there is a small number of female political roles. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida Democratic representative believes, "Its really important to groom women down the ladder. We've got to reach down all the way to young girls and make it accessible and a matter of natural progression that young girls would consider themselves future candidates." Schultz has a very good and important point, it is very typical for the youth to think automatically that men are more fitting for the job of a political person, which is absolutely debatable and disagreeable. Jennifer Lawless, Women and Politics Institute at American University, thinks "... not only do they have very few women, most of them are relatively new entrants into the chamber." Which is a big problem because they are unexperienced but a good effort in raising the number of female roles in the government. Debbie Walsh, Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politicas, states "We tend to go up a few every cycle, three or four, maybe five seats, but women dont seem to be making any serious strides in terms of numbers." Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Washington Republican representative, says " I'm hopeful that we will see other Republican women in leadership positions in our conference. It is an important voice that is heard at the table and its a little different perspective than the men bring. Its important that we are reflecting America." This is something that maybe most women want to happen soon in the future. Nan Hayworth, New York Republican representative-elect, says "[being a women and a mother] is one of the things that does strike a note and provides a bond with some folks in ways that did help me reach a good relationship with the voters here in New York." Like Hayworth being a women could be useful like in her position of getting closer to the people and hopefully her situation turn out inspires a female women to go after the challenge and have a leadership position.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/10/congress.women/index.html

Midterm Elections

On CNN NEWSROOM T.J. Holmes reports on the voter turnouts of the midterm elections. Jessica Yellin, National Political Correspondent, has new details from CNN's exit poll about who voted and who didn't and where the Democrats suffered most. Democrats are grieving at the number of the votes they got in the defeat of the midterm elections. The numbers behind te defeat arent good for the president or his party says T.J Holmes. Democrats lost against independennt voter, women, whites with no education, and seniors; making this really bad for the Democrats in their loss of lots of votes. On the show they showed some statistics of independent and women voter turnouts. In 2008, independent voters voted 52 percent for Obama and in 2010 they voted 37 percent for Democrats. Democrats lost independent voters by 25 percent. 

This year women voted 49 percent for Republicans and 48 percent for Democrats, which is not much of a difference but it is he first time since exit polling that women go for Republicans. And only 35 percent of voters who self identify as Democrats turned out thats the lowest since 1986. These numbers are a big change and bad for Democrats. Yellin says that taking into consideration that the midterm vote is always lower than the presidential vote, the voting turn out for midterm votes were still a big change in difference for this year. Yellin reports that Obama still has a chance for 2012 because he will have much more campaign enthusiasm or maybe he wont if economy stays where it is and will loose more votes. So you can't say for sure what will happen so theres a lot of excitement for the media to cover in the results. 

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/

Obama's Bad Trip

Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the news website The Huffington Post, and Chrystia Freeland, Global Editor-at Large of Reuters news, analyze President Obama's challenging week, including a rough overseas trip on the Parker Spitzer CNN show. The debt commission is being criticized and people are saying this is the opportunity for President Obama to step forward. The debt commission proposes spending cuts and social security reform. Huffington critiques that this could be possible but not without a jobs commission to happen at the same time. Freeland brings up that Obama created the deficit commission at the right time for the right reasons. She backs it up by saying that is a big issue so it was right for Obama to do something about it, and it was the right timing because Obama wanted to have as much distance from midterms and 2012, and to move the conversation on to what they thought was going to be their next issue. Spitzer agreed with Freeland about the timing and reasons for the debt commission. Obama faces criticism overseas making it a bad trip for him. Freeland says that Obama is facing the first big wake-up call, at G-20, that it no longer runs the world economy. "American Presidents have to figure out how do we operate in this environment" says Freeland. Spitzer agrees that this issue is a critical point. Freeland recognizes two important statements of the past weeks are, "The US economic system doesnt work and so we are down grading the US," says Freeland quoting the State Endorsed Ratings Agency of China. Another similar statement "I dont like the way the US economy works" says Freeland quoting the German Foreign Minister. These statements are shocking for the American people but it is a wake-up call for the White House to take action and start reforming the economy in the US.

Indonesian Muslims Protest Obama's Visit

President Obama is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday in Indonesia as part of a 10-day visit to India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan. Muslims in Indonesia are  pessimistic about the thought of Obamas visit. Ismail Yusanto is a spokesman for the Muslim group in Indonesia. "Obama can talk all he wants in Cairo and in Jakarta, the fact is that he still has his troops in war with Muslims, It's all lip service" Yusanto said. The protests was organized by Muslim group Hizbut Tahrir. About 20,000 people attended the rallies which included men, women and children. "Muslims staged rallies across Indonesia on Sunday to protest U.S. President Barack Obama's planned visit to the southeast Asian nation this week." -CNN World News Protesters were out chanting "No Obama" and held up posters saying "Stop Oppressor." Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country, More than one in 10 of the world's Muslims live in there. It must be difficult for Obama to go to a country and talk about how he wants to be-friend muslims so that they can join together and look for the true enemy al Queda, when almost 20,000 muslims 

don't even want Obama in their presence. "We don't see the differences between Obama and Bush, they both oppress Muslims, they both have blood on their hands," said Yusanto. "That's why we reject Obama and we don't believe that he's reaching out to Muslims." 

Obama Lauds Indonesia

On President Obamas visit to Indonesia he learned to admire Indonesia as a model of religious tolerance. He saw Indonesia as a great nation seeking independence in their struggle for freedom. Obama recognizes how ancient traditions endure through Islams flourishing. Obama spent four years of his childhood in southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is the nation with the largest Muslim population in the world and Obama wants "for a new beginning between the US and muslims around the world -- one that creates a path for us to move beyond our differences." In Obamas speech he says, " no country is perfect but [in indonesia] you can find the ability to abridge divides of race, of region, and religion." He also states that, " History of America and Indonesia should make us feel optimistic" because they signal human progress " may our two nations working together with faith and determination share these truth with all man kind" that unity is more power than division. Indonesia and US share principles of unity and tolerance and both can benefit from strengthened ties that will aid trade and combat terrorism. Indonesia has been attacked by bombings and for the sake of both nations progress they have to "root out terrorists and combating violent extremism." America "is not, and never will be, at war with Islam... Instead, all of us must defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates, who have no claim to be leaders of any religion -- certainly not a great world religion like Islam." Indonesias development is strengthen by an emerging democracy, he says. 

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/09/video-obama-touts-importance-of-indonesia/?iref=allsearch

The Media and Palin

Dan Abrams founder of Medialite.com shares his view on the media bringing down Sarah Palin on the Parker | Spitzer CNN show. He talks about how the medias relationship was good in the beginning and both Eliot Spitzer and Kathleen Parker agree that the media brought out Palin as a good speaker that was also attractive. Dan points out that after a while the media started looking for the negative things about her. Now the media has brought out Palins ignorance. Dan belives that shes proud of the things she doesn’t know which makes her look bad. Dan also brings out the point that Republicans have been bothered by the fact that Palins become the voice of the Republican Party. Spitzer disagrees with Dans point of view because he believes that Palin is where she is because of the media. This could be true but Palin has done a lot to bring herself down unconsciously, its not just the medias fault that shes where shes at. Dan brought up that she gets a lot more attention than some politicians. Some of the attention is due to the fact that Palin is saying the media is the villain and that’s how she gets more support. Parker the adds that she thinks that media went after her in away that they didn’t go after other candidates and believes that the media was very cruel to her. Dan responds that the media has come to see Palin as not very smart and he thinks that that’s truly reflective on her. 

He says the reason they go against Palin is because of her politics. He thinks the media is not bias for saying things they don’t like about her, the media just wants her facts to be straight. Spitzer agrees with Dan on that but he shares that every reporter is bias; he thinks bias is just the way the media covers politics and believes the public should just understand that. He says the more media the better. Dan then brings out an example of the media being bias. He says the media fell in love with Obama in the running of Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. Dan ends with that the media is bias towards something different and more exciting. He points out that the media likes conflict, something new; their bias towards news and Hilary Clinton wasn’t news.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2010/11/09/am.bush.book.cnn

Brown vs. Whitman Ads

The battle in the race for governor has already started. For the November elections Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman released new advertisement targeting independent voters. Jerry Brown, a democrat, spoke about no new taxes without voter approval, and returning control to the local level. Whitman unveiled her seventh attack advertisement against Brown, this time enlisting the words of former President Clinton during their contentious 1992 Democratic presidential primary battle. – latimes.com Both candidates Brown and Whitman did not mention their political party during the advertisement. "Whitman, a billionaire whose effort has no money worries, never stopped campaigning after she won a hard-fought primary in June. Brown did not have a competitive primary, and remained off the air until this week to conserve his far smaller bank balance. " – latimes.com Brown seems to know how to manage on a short budget. 

 

"Whitman's 30-second ad consists of video from a 1992 debate in which Clinton said Brown's statements about his tax record in California were "just plain wrong." – latimes.com "He doesn't tell the people the truth," Clinton concluded. – latimes.com Whitman hit Brown hard, it made him look bad in this advertisement. "Brown's new 60-second radio ad attempts to tap into voter frustration with Sacramento by touting his acts while in office: vetoing pay raises and cutting taxes while creating jobs. Along with his similar television ad, the radio commercial is meant to reassure Californians who fear he's a big-government, tax-and-spend liberal. " – latimes.com Brown is just promoting himself not much taking down Whitman with negative talk about her; he’s trying to reach out to Californians to vote for him but its hard to trust politicians because some of them promote lies and bring downfalls to lives of the citizens.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/la-me-0910-governor-20100910,0,1417593.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed

Poll: Most Americans Say Iraq War Was a Mistake

Just by looking at the chart you can ask yourself: what was the importance of Iraq? were there strong points to even going to war? what has America done? “The percentage of Americans who say America did the right thing in going to war in Iraq now stands at 37 percent. Fifty-nine percent say the war was a mistake, up from 55 percent in March of last year. While most Democrats and independents say the United States should not have gone to war, 63 percent of Republicans say it was the right thing to do.” – cbsnews.com Who’s right who’s wrong?, everyone thinks differently politicians cant even agree, how can the rest of America decide. In my opinion it was an error to go to war with Iraq. Why I think this is the same reason as shown on this cbs news report: “Only one in five say the war was worth the loss of life and other costs that came with it. Seventy-two percent say the war was not worth it. The opinions of households with Iraq veterans mirror the opinions of all Americans on this question.” – cbsnews.com I believe the war was not worth the lives of those many soldiers who’s deaths have caused misery and pain to there families who had been worrying about them every second they were gone.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20014856-503544.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Presidential Address: Most Urgent Task to Restore the Economy

        In his Oval Office speech Tuesday evening, President Obama marked the end of the combat mission in Iraq, and a renewed mission. –cbsnews.com President Obama gave an address to the nation from the Oval Office making it clear that his priority which is his most urgent task is to restore the economy. Obama says that Americans have to face their challenges like how our soldiers did overseas. Obama says to take responsibility and come together to secure the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it. –cbsnews.com Based on what the opposition party and even some of his own party are saying, there is no agreement as to how to "secure the dream" and kickstart the U.S. economy. –cbsnews.com If the government: politicians, economist, and voters have yet not come to an agreement as to how to jumpstart the economy I think that’s a really bad start. Everybody should buckle down discuss and come to an agreement quick because this situation is taking to long and time is very important because the economy is getting worse by the day.

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20015261-503544.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Ground Zero Mosque

            Recently New Yorkers have been protesting about wanting Ground Zero Mosque moved. The New Yorkers believe Ground Zero should be built somewhere else according to new polls. – cbsnews.com Voters in the New York state who have taken polls agree "that because of the opposition of Ground Zero relatives, the Muslim group should voluntarily build the mosque somewhere else" Muslim groups and advocates for religious tolerance are responding by showing series of advertisements on television showing Americans that they suffered too. They also lost loved ones. The community center "would be a powerful symbol of U.S. tolerance and freedom that will stand in direct contradiction to al Qaeda's narrative that Americans hate Muslims," Matthew Alexander, a former military interrogator in Iraq. - cbsnews.com In my opinion Matthew is defiantly correct if they do let the Ground Zero Mosque stay in place it would be a fierce symbol in tolerance, but if Muslims aren’t given the right then Americans are going to be seen as scared and ignorant. I think it is truly wrong that Americans are judging all Muslims and their religion for one act of terrorism which is not what their religion is about. The Koran has nothing to do with terrorism and that’s how these New Yorkers are thinking; which is very disrespectful and absurd for them to think in such a way.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20015351-503544.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody