See ya next year.

Will the surge be enough to win in its ninth year?

The president addressed the nation last Tuesday with his plan to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Will this be enough to win? How will we know? What do you think the definition of success is?

How will our government pay for the surge? Does it matter?

Do you think the Afghanistan government is doing all it can to make this a successful mission?



The first one to respond to this with the correct answer gets a star!

The Senate voted 60-39 to bring the measure to the floor!

The Senate voted to move ahead with a floor debate. And now the real fight begins.


Broken status quo benefitting rich insurance companies?

Will Americas be forced to prop insurance plans?

Who's taxes will go up?

Will the government ration health care?

Extend health insurance coverage to 31 million Americans?

Public Option?

"Free"

Afghanistan again? Surge? And Sarah's Comeback?

How many troops will the President send to Afghanistan? And for how long? For five years? Ten? Or should we focus on what the situation is like in a year or so?

What about the Karzai government? How dependable will it be?

Who are the Taliban anyway?


And what about Sarah Palin's book tour? Will this be the beginning of her comeback?

Obama, the Economy, and Cheney?

The Obama administration slashed executive pay at seven companies that received taxpayer bailouts, many are asking if it was the right decision. What do you think?

What repercussions will the decision to cut executive pay have on Wall Street? Do you think it will have any impact on the broader economy?

Dick Cheney is criticizing President Obama, saying his decision on whether to send more troops to Afghanistan is taking too long? When do you think Obama will make his decision?

The surge debate in Iraq took months to decide.

**** By 2007 the median S&P 500 CEO earned in three hours what a minimum-wage worker pulled down in a year! And Great Recession or no, 2009 looks like more of the same. - Time Magazine on Executive Pay

What will it take to form a coalition?

What will it take to form a large enough coalition to pass a health care reform bill? Will moderate Republicans or conservative Democrats join in? Republican Senator Olymbia Snowe from Maine approved the bill in senate finance committee. Will she continue to support it? She is not in favor of a pubic option.

What provisions will likely be included in the final bill?

"The Great Recession"

The Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and top business economist are declaring that the "great recession" is over but what about the jobs? Is the worst over?

Should the government have pass another stimulus?

The Nobel Peace Prize for Obama!

Are intangible achievements worthy of such an esteemed award? Or has the ligitimacy of this award gone down the drain?

The nobel committee said of Obama that "only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future."

What do you think?

For What?

The Conflict in Afghanistan Turns 8-Years Old!

The 8-year old conflict in Afghanistan that was overshadowed by the war in Iraq during much of George W Bush's presidency, has become a dominant challenge for Obama.

With declining public support, a resurgent Taliban, and the top commander requesting more troops, what should the President do?

Do you think a major conflict is brewing between the White House and Pentagon over strategy?

Remember John McCain's Tune to Iran?

How should the President respond to Iran's missile tests? The missiles are capable of reaching Israel and Europe?

Will Israel use military strikes on the nuclear sites? If so, when? How about in three months? How would Iran retaliate?

What are our options? I wonder what China and Russia are thinking.

Should Everyone be Required to Have Health Insurance?

A proposal going before the Senate Finance Committee this week includes the mandate for health care. Those unable to afford health insurance should get government help but others who can afford coverage but choose not to get it should face coverage requirement similar to those for auto insurance.

Consumers currently pay higher health insurance premiums due to the costs run up by hospitals and other facilities providing care to uninsured people.

According to President Obama "for us to say you have to take responsibility to get health insurance is absolutely not a tax increase."

What do you think?

"You lie!"

The House of Representatives formally sanctioned Congressman Joe Wilson for his disruption during the President's joint session. And former President Jimmy Carter commented that Wilson's outburst is based on racism.

What do you think?

Who's really telling the truth?

Try my new blog: orodsporthistory3.blogspot.com

Sonia Sotomayor

Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court is expected to begin making courtesy visits next week to Senate leaders and members of the Judiciary Committee who will conduct hearings on her nomination.

Some outside groups are sounding the alarm against her while most Senators are mostly silent.

What do you think? Will it get done by August and completed by September? Do you think she will be approved? How much damage can the Republican opposition inflict without harming their own party?

Twitter? Hey, what's going on?

If you tweet about what's going on in Afghanistan, is it possible that the Taliban is also using twitter?
"Any technology we're using, we can expect the enemy to be using too." - an Army public affairs officer at the Pentagon


Obama v. Cheney? What's going on here? We didn't hear from Cheney for years and now that he is out of office, he can't stop talking!
I can't recall any ex-vice president talking so much, so soon!


If anyone is still out there - Happy Memorial Day.

The Switch a "wake-up call?"

"One vote, the stimulus package vote, I was ostracized" - Arlen Specter

Veteran Pennsylvania Sen Arlen Specter said Sunday that he hopes his recent switch to the democratic party will serve as a "wake-up call" to an increasingly conservative GOP.

Do you think conservatives have been squeezing moderates out of the GOP? Does it even matter?

Should the United States Intercede in Pakistan?

The Taliban is 60 miles outside of the capital of Pakistan. Should we be concerned? General Petraeus credited about 300 of Pakistan's Frontier Corps with driving the Taliban militants out of the Buner area . But many of the locals claim many of the local Taliban are still in place.

How safe is their nuclear arsenal? Why does the Pakistani army continue to prepare to fight India?

Should we intercede?

Torture

Has there been a shift in the torture investigation?
Is the president now open to prosecution of Bush administration officials?

A select committee is investigating.
What did the "gang of 8" know about the interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration? Are they to blame too?

Cheney claims that the harsh tactics worked. What tactics? Let the public decide.
Wait, weren't all the tapes were destroyed?


Justice Department - Rule of Law -
Is the administration compelled to release the information? Is the president just obeying the law?

Should the White House fight the law suit? Do we really need to know?
Didn't President Obama say he just wanted to change the policy?

Is this what his administration means by transparnecy?

Tea, anyone?

Why did thousands of protesters across the country turn out on April 15 for a series of "tea party" rallies? The protests were organized on blogs and social-networking sites and backed by prominent Republicans.

Why were they really protesting? Taxes, too much government, guns, bailouts or just o' politics and 2010?

Pirates! It's not like the movies.

Another American ship, the Liberty Sun, a cargo ship carrying food aid to various African nations was attacked. The ship was damaged but not captured. Do you think the Obama Administration is doing enough to stop piracy on the high seas?

Should we continue as always and pay the ransom or should we just arm all the ships?

G 20 Summit

What grade would you give President Obama for how he handled the G 20 Summit?

Will more aid come from Europe to fight the war in Afghanistan?



Happy Easter.

I can't believe I actually miss our class, but not the work.

Audit the Fed?

I ran into an interesting YouTube video on auditing the federal reserve. Check it out. What do you think?

Korea's Missile Launch

Following North Korea's missile launch President Obama calls for nuclear disarmament. In a Prague speech he committed himself to reducing the United States nuclear arsenal and to seeking penalties for countries that break the rules on non-proliferation. Do you agree with Obama?

Read on before you comment...

"I would say we're not prepared to do anything about it." Robert Gates, U.S. Defense Secretary, on North Korea's plan to launch a missile by April 8th.


I picked State by 10 against UCONN.


- ---- State

The Afghan War, Now What?

Do you remember back in November of 2001 when the U.S. - led invasion ousted the Taliban government that sheltered al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the 9/11 terror attacks?

What do you think President Obama should do to improve the situation in Afghanistan?

What was that bombing in Iraq about? I thought the job was done?

Go Notre Dame!

The Catholic bishop of South Bend, Indiana will not attend graduation ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame because he disagrees with the stem-cell research and abortion views of the commencement speaker - President Obama.

Earlier this month Obama reversed a federal ban on embryonic stem-cell research that many scientists say the research could lead to advances in treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

What do you think?

Hey what's new?

15 of 20 AIG executives are returning their bonuses?

With the Obama announcement the Dow shot up 497 points?
Wall Street or Main Street? Who should be celebrating?

With toxic assests weighing down the banks, will Obama's plan work?

What about Obama's style? Is he just too "cool?"

Gitmo Prisoners with "badges of honor"

Five Guantanamo prisoners accused in the 9/11 attacks on the United States defended their actions, calling the operation "blessed" and "great" and the accusations against them "badges of honor."

What do you think the government should do?

92 Videos, not 6!!!

The Justice Department says the CIA destroyed 92 videotapes from the agency's detainee interrogation program, a far larger number than previously know. How should the Obama administration pursue allegations of wrongdoing against officials in the Bush administration? CIA Director Leon Panetta said he opposed prosecuting CIA officers who followed legal advice in putting suspects through such tactics as water-boarding. Is water-boarding torture? If not, should we continue to use this tactic?


According to Time: 700 people applied for one janitorial job at an Ohio junior high school.

Obama's First 50 Days

Today marks the first 50 days into the Barack Obama presidency. He has moved at a lightning pace,
by announcing the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention center,
passing a $787 billion stimulus plan,
announcing financial rescue and housing plans,
disclosing a $3.55 trillion budget,
kick starting discussions on health care reform,
announcing a withdrawal plan from Iraq,
while increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan
and lifting some restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research.

What grade do you give President Obama after his first 50 days?

"Bobby"

Bobby Jindal is the youngest U.S. Governor and the GOP's great Indian-American hope. Do you think he will run for President in 2012 or will he run for a second term in Louisiana?

Who would you like to see lead the Republican Party? Do you think Michael Steele, the new GOP chairman, will make a big impact?

Photographing America's War Dead

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said it will now be up to families of the dead to decide whether media outlets can photograph the caskets.

Do you agree with the change of policy?

Do you think we should have a military draft? If so, should it include women?

Did you know that 7.3 million Americans are serving time in our correctional system? According to CNN, they are either in jail, prison, on probation or on parole!

Out of Iraq by 2010?

President Obama told congressional leaders Thursday he's planning to pull all combat troups out of Iraq by August 2010. The plan would keep 35,000 to 50,000 as support troops in Iraq after the combat troops are out.

Should the troops be reduced by 2010? What do you think will happen when the troops leave? How long do you think the support troops will be in Iraq?

Go Blue!

Gitmo Again?

A new defense department report concluded that the detention center at Guantanamo Bay has treated detainees humanely. Do you think the facility will be closed within a year? What should President Obama do?

Afghanistan , It's His War Now!

President Obama ordered two more U.S. combat brigades into Afghanistan, deploying 17,000 more troops to join the 36,000 already deployed there. The troops had been slated for Iraq. He said it was "necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan."

Afghanistan is getting worse and the sanctuaries across the border in Pakistan are becoming a bigger problem for the stability of Pakistani government

What should Obama do? Send more troops or increase talks with the Taliban?

The "American Dream"

Should our government help homeowners facing foreclosure or struggling to make their mortgage payments?

Have a great weekend.

Billions More for the Auto Industry?

The Obama Administration will rule on the fate of the struggling American automakers. Do you think the additional billions will make a difference? Or should we declare the American auto industry "dead" and move on?

What about home foreclosures? Stay tune!

Barbie turns 50! Wow! Why does this doll continue to be so popular? Why is she an American icon?

Congress Approves $787 Billion Stimulus Bill!

The House voted yesterday 246-183 and the Senate approved the bill last night 60-38. No Republicans voted for the bill in the House and only 3 Republicans voted for it in the Senate. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine were the high stakes deal makers along Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania to prevent a filibuster by the Republicans.

About 65% goes toward spending while about 35% will pay for tax cuts.

Figures reflect only discretionary spending and do not include mandatory spending.

120 Billion - Infrastructure and Science
14.2 Health
105.9 Education and Training
37.5 Energy
24.3 Helping Americans hit hardest by the economic crisis
7.8 Law enforcement, Oversight, Other Programs

What would you propose?

Yay or Nay on the Stimulus?

If you were a member of Congress, would you vote for it or against it?

Did President Obama's first-prime time news conference help you in your decision? How was the conference different from previous news conferences? What issue did you find most interesting?

President Obama Sets Executive Pay Limits

$500,000!!

How do you feel about President Obama's announcement that executives of companies receiving TARP funds will have their pay capped at $500,000 under a revised financial compensation plan.

You have to wonder how many bonuses were rewarded out of the first 350 billion dollars of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Can these executives on Wall Street live on $500,000? What happens if they decide to leave their company? Do you think the companies can survive without them?

So how's the "honeymoon" going for President Obama?

Tom Daschle has decided to withdraw his nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary. Isn't this what we were talking about in class today? As you recall the former senator had a major tax problem.

The big story coming out of the White House was to be about the nomination of another Republican for Obama's cabinet. What a story. Three Republicans in the cabinet?

Is This the New Bipartisanship?

President Barack Obama trekked over to Capitol Hill in an effort to win GOP support for his economic stimulus plan. Do you think we are in a new era of bipartisanship? If we are, how long do you think it will last?

Marketing the Firsts Daughters Sasha and Malia

Is this unfair exploitation of the young girls, aged 7 and 10? Or does this go with the territory? Michelle Obama says marketing a pair of dolls with her daughters' names is inappropriate. Do you agree with the First Lady?

No More Gitmo!

Guantanamo Bay Prison was established by the Bush administration after September 11 to hold and interrogate alleged terrorists. Do you agree with President Obama's executive order to close the military prison?

35 WORDS!

Chief Justice John Roberts misplaced the word "faithfully" while administering the oath on Tuesday. What do you think? Was a do-over really necessary?

Happy Inauguration Day!

National polls suggests that President-elect Barack Obama is more popular than ever. Do you think the expectations are too high for Obama?

The Bush Legacy

What do think will be President Bush's legacy? What will you remember most about his presidency?

Happy M L King Day! Did you do anything special to honor M L King?

Is Timothy Geithner the right person for Treasury Secretary?

Should a man who failed to pay some of his own taxes be disqualified from a job that includes overseeing our tax code? I heard it was an "honest mistake."

Who's in and who's not?

Roland Burris is expected to take Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat this week. Are you suprised? And what about Hillary Clinton's old seat? Make your prediction before the governor of New York makes his decision! What would you do if you were the governor of New York? (5 points for the right prediction and explain your selection.)

Go Sooners!

I hope Oklahoma wins tonight. I can't wait until our "emperor-in-waiting" is inaugurated and pushes for an eight-team post-season playoff. Go OU!

Why didn't Penn State win the "national championship" in 1969? Joe Paterno's team had just finished the season undefeated for the second straight year!!!!

Why was the winner of the Texas/Arkansas game to be the "National Champions?"
What did Richard Nixon have to do with it? We'll talk tomorrow!

Think electoral "swing states."



GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are You Experienced?

What do you say qualifies a politician? In the case of Caroline Kennedy, many say she is not qualified to be a New York Senator "just because she's a Kennedy..." So I'm wondering what qualifies a politician?

Burris is blocked from the Senate!

So how do you feel about our first full week of 2009? Has the political world changed any or does it feel about the same? Why was Roland Burris denied his Senate seat today? The 111th session of Congress sure is starting off in an interesting manner. I can't wait to find out who really won the seat in Minnesota. And what about the open Senate seat in New York?

How long will it take to pass a stimulus plan? Will it pass by Presidents' Day?

What do you hope for in 2009?

CHANGE! What will the word be for 2009?

You were asking, now you know. It was a tough choice with bailout and "Joe the Plumber", the "R" word (recession)and the longest presidential election ever! No I don't want to talk about 012! But change was used by both presidential candidates over and over during the campaign.

Great job Meagan!

My first word for 09 is Stimulus.