Government 1st Daly

The State of the Union Address article response

2006-02-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

I agree with the writer of this article, that Bush did do a pretty good job overall on the state of the union address. Most of the article was just an overview of the address, so there wasn't much to agree or disagree with, just the stated obvious. However, there were a few paragraphs near the end of the article that were opinionated, such as how Bush should handle the oil and education crisis. The writer tells that Bush calls "for energy independence and trotted out the hydrogen car idea". The hydrogen car is a good, beneficial, and safe idea to put out to the public. However, the president also said that we need to stop relying on Middle East oil. The rest of our oil, coming from the Persian Gulf, makes up less than one-fifth of all oil imports; how are we supposed to manage off of that?

Ban on same-sex marriages

2006-01-21T13:41:00.000-08:00

"Polls show a solid majority of Americans are against legalizing same-sex marriages, although the gap narrows when it comes to amending the Constitution."- CNN News

It worries me that the majority of our nation is against same-sex marriages. It is fortunate that some do not dislike it to the extreme of amending the constitution over it, yet still upsetting. This nation is cultured and renown for exuding freedom. We take pride in our freedom, so why are we restraining this optimum form of it? Marriage is so wrongly used these days anyways-to get money, to join together wealthy families. I would say these two reasons are far worse than two people of the same sex, in love, getting married. I wish I could see the other side of this viewpoint more clearly, but I can't. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that people are trying to ban this. Afterall, we are already an overpopulated country; an overpopulated world, so same-sex marriages seem to look more safe for society in the long run. If we think to even consider this law being passed, why not just go all out and ban gays and lesbians from all society? Why not lock them in a chamber and burn them to death? This is what this world is coming to, and it is sickening me.
In an article from the Washington post in March, a California Judge says that the ban on same-sex marriages in california is unconstitutional. The judge claims that it is like a law that once blocked interracial marriage and is promoting segregation. This is a very true statement because banning marriage to soem individuals in our country is segregating them from the rest of the heterosexual's rights. Everyone has the same rights, and this is not being demonstrated at all in this fight to ban same-sex marriages.

Links:
1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34254-2005Mar14.html
2. http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/14/samesex.marriage/

President Bush's New Immigration Policy

2005-11-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

The immigration policy is being reformed in order to keep unknowns out of our country. We thrive on the work brought to us from foreign countries, yet, to insure our safety, Bush believes that we need to have every immigrant known and certified to enter the United States. It is unrealistic that this tightening of the law can make a definite impact. It would be impossible to restrict all immigrants to entering this country legally, seeing that there seem to be so many ways that are illegal and optional for entrance. Bush wants to allow some 8 million illegal immigrants to gain legal status as temporary workers. But what about the immigrants that cannot get this legal stance? Will Bush really deport all illegal workers back to their homelands? If so, this would leave us in a high demand for employment in many less favorable jobs that Americans may not be willing to work in. Immigrants come here to make a living and to stray from their familiar lands, we offer opportunity here, and Bush is taking that away. Though it may seem unfair that these millions of illegal workers in this country are living and working just as the rest of us, without proper certification, would it relaly be plausible to deport them all? The answer is no, and this adjustment to the immigration policy is sweet and, in a perfectg world, would make much sense. But, it is not going to happen. Nothing can be truly perfected to that amount. Bush is wasting time on unrealistic matter.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/bush.immigration/index.html

Election Response

2005-11-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty indifferent about the results of the election. My heart wasn't set fully on any candidate running, but i'm glad the election was at least competitive, if anything. The percentages were close between Kiane and Kilgore, yet Kaine overruled.

Harriet Miers articles response

2005-10-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Initally, Harriet Miers is ann all-around good semaritan. She is very involved with the church, has taught religious education at a church that friend Hect introduced her to, and she has a veryh impressiver resume. All of this and still she is getting bashed and scorned because of Bush's faults. Frankly, she seems underqualified, too much in the background of events, and a bit too meticulous. As quoted from staff while working as Chief of Staff, "her attention to detail got in the way of quick decision-making". Miers is a hard-working women with many credentials to envy, but she is not favored for the job that Bush has her nominated for.
Many think that Bush has taken "the path of least resistance" in nominating Miers to be a Supreme Court nominee. Bush is suffering from many mistakes such as approval ratings at an all-time low, support for his handling of the Iraq war eroding, and memories of the botched response to Hurrican Katrina still in the mist. He can't afford this much public abuse, as president he should have possibly found a cleaner route for nomination. "Some of the administration's strongest supporters are said to be privately angushed, others have stopped returning reporters' calls to avoid having to talk about the nominee, and at least one large donor has threatened to pull support from organizations dedicated to getting Bush nominees approved." Apparently, Bush does not need this type of publicity.

Kaine talks about the death penalty response

2005-10-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

I think that Kaine's issues on the death penalty are courageous, I suppose, but not realistic. I truly understand his thoughts on it, that based off of religious belief he doesn't want to issue death upon anyone's life, but to just let God take the toll on the person himself. Kaine wants the criminal to live the rest of his horrible life, then be damned to hell for all eternity and to be punished maximally out of his hands. Though he is a strong Catholic believer, nobody is certain if there actaully is a hell or heaven. And without these certainties, how can one expect to be punished in the afterlife. Its almost mythical what we are believing, a fantasy maybe. Punishment may be harsh and cruel, but what if it were Kaine's child that was kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered? Would he not want this criminal dead on the spot? Though strongly standing on the point, Kaine is not putting himself out of his religion and in the shoes of a victim in the crisis.

LINK: http://www.richmondtimesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767488641

The Debate

2005-10-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

I thought the debate was very informative and helpful for me in understanding the candidates opposing veiws on important issues, such as abortion, education, transportation, and the death penalty. Two very important issues for me, the death penatly and abortion, were both discussed, and now I see that each candidate has good and bad. On the topic of abortion, Kilgore is for abortion in some cases, while Kaine isn't necessarily for it, given that he is a Catholic, but, will follow the laws of the land. On the death penalty, I thought that Kilgore handled the issue better. He believes that cruel criminals should have to face capital punishment, a life for a life. Kaine doesn't agree with the extremity of the death penalty as much as Kilgore does, and I think that with the harsh reality we live in, we need harsh punishment. We aren't faced with a merry happy world, and shouldn't punish according to fantasy. Kilgore also brought to attention Kaine's unsuccessful term as mayor of Richmond. Calling him a "mediocre mayor" and preaching of his dissapointing figures and statistics. Kaine rebuttled in pointing out all of the successes he has received during his term as mayor, and that Kilgore is falsifying data. It is hard to know which candidate was telling the whole truth, most likely, neither. I think, after watching the debate, it would furthermore be helpful to read real information, to gather true facts and study what the people who are following this election are saying. The commentary might show differing views and sway my decision on vote. Kaine seems to be a strong speaker, and stands tall and proud. When Kaine is nervous, he may direct attention to Kilgore's faults, or raise his eyebrow. Kilgore shows stress by a goofy grin, and a bit of studdering. Other than that, Kilgore is a passionate speaker, and, though he is cursed with an unforgettable twang to his voice, he is still likeable enough. I suppose, for now, i'm siding with Kilgore. Then again, he could be a fantastic liar, but in politics, thats what makes a good candidate. Kaine may be to liberal to be Virginia's governor, as Kilgore repetitively said during the debate.

Webquest Assignment

2005-09-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Gas Prices Webquest
Names Schuyler Arave and Rachel Moster
Mr. Daly
9/2/05

1. Research the impact of Hurricane Katrina on gasoline prices. Why did it cause an increase in gas prices? What are some problems that this increase may cause? What are some things that are being done to control costs?
Oil prices in Lousiana had to be shut off. Also Louisiana was one of the main oil ports in the U.S., so the result of them being shut down increases the oil demand in the nation, therefore raising prices of gas. Problems that this may cause are huge price increases and airline prices. A few ways to get around gas prices are car pooling, biking, or walking, general conservation.
2. Research current gasoline prices across the country. Write a summary on why some states or areas have higher gasoline prices than others. Think about the area's location and population, does that affect their gasoline prices? Include current prices in your explanation.
The reason that gas prices are higher in bigger cities is that there is more demand. In New York, the highest prices in the last 48 hours range in the 3.6-3.7 range. In California, however, the highest prices in the last 48 hours only reach the 3.4 range. Also, in New York, state taxes are higher. Near the Eastern coast gas from Louisiana is directly shipped to the states, such as Virginia and New York. This explains why California, though a large, popular state, has lower gas prices: they get their gas from another producer.

3. Describe the changes in gasoline prices in the last fifty years.
They were even and in the same range in 1918. They were in the same range in until 1980, where they hit a record high of 2.59. They slowly came back down until 2001 when they hit another upspring. Until today’s record of 3.5.

4. Compare gas prices around the world. Do certain regions have lower prices than others? Which countries have the highest prices and which have the lowest? How does the current prices in the United States compare to the rest of the world?
Seemingly, in Europe there is way more of a demand. Prices range from $3.62-$6.48, the highest being in Amsterdam. The poor or the more undeveloped countries have the least demand for gas because of the lack of nedding it as much as a totally developed and power-reigning country. The country that has the lowest is Venezuela at only .12. The U.S. in the average range compared to the rest of the world, but on the low side of the development and demand for our country.

5. Write down or copy/paste the URL of the websites you take information from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point. Keep a list of the websites you visited to hand in.

• http://www.money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gas prices/
• http://www.money.housestuffworks.com/gas-price1.htm
• http://www.gasmoney.com

Divided they Stand/My Private Idaho

2005-08-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Divided They Stand
"This constitution gives each group what it wants. It will create a very loose federation in which only things like fiscal and foreign policy are controlled in the center."
The Bush administration has given an Iraqi constitution that agrees with everyone, the Shiites, Sunnis, and the Kurds alike. "Galbraith's argument is that the constitution reflects the reality of the nation it is meant to serve." In this Galbraith illustrates that there is no real Iraqi identity, and that the new constitution will not divide the country, because the country is already divided, therefore, it fits perfectly.

My Private Idaho
Bush has demonstrated American laziness. He has taken off almost a year of his term to be relaxing at his ranch, and left the country with troubling tabloids of Iraq and gas prices shooting to the stars. While we scramble for extra change to pay for a tank, Bush is herding cattle and kicking his boots off to relax. Relax. That is what this antion needs to do. Perhaps Bush is modeling the role our society needs to be playing? Total and complete relaxation. Though we all need to relax, taking 339 days off is a bit excessive (especially if your job is considered the most important in the entire country). Possibly Bush is psychologically challenged with dealing with stress. Where to outlet all the tension and confusion? He needs to escape sometimes, escape to a far away confined area where worries are free and tension is taken. Or maybe he could just pop pills, stress hard, live through the everyday burning migraines of life, and suffer like the the majority of the society that lives in worry, led solely by himself. A democracy, we are all similar, yet our very own president is cheating life, modeling a fantasy lifestyle, and would be fired if ruled by a true employer. To be the top is to be the top, one has the ability to live freely and as they wish, Bush does just that.

Current Event

2005-08-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Still-powerful Hurricane Katrina moves north
From staff and wire reports
Announcing itself with shrieking, 145-mph winds, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast just outside New Orleans on Monday, submerging entire neighborhoods up to their roofs, swamping Mississippi's beachfront casinos and blowing out windows in hospitals, hotels and high-rises.
A Red Cross truck sits flooded with other vehicles in front of a hotel just off Interstate 10 in Pascagoula, Miss., Monday.
By Michael Spooneybarger, Tampa Tribune via AP
For New Orleans — a dangerously vulnerable city because it sits mostly below sea level in a bowl-shaped depression — it was not the apocalyptic storm forecasters had feared.
But it was plenty bad, in New Orleans and elsewhere along the coast, where numerous people had to be rescued from rooftops and attics as the floodwaters rose. (Video: Katrina's aftermath)
At least five deaths were blamed on Katrina — three people killed by falling trees in Mississippi and two killed in a traffic accident in Alabama. And an untold number of other people were feared dead in flooded neighborhoods, many of which could not be reached by rescuers because of high water.
"Some of them, it was their last night on Earth," Terry Ebbert, chief of homeland security for New Orleans, said of people who ignored orders to evacuate the city of 480,000 over the weekend. "That's a hard way to learn a lesson."
"We pray that the loss of life is very limited, but we fear that is not the case," Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said. (Video: Hurricane tears through roof)
Katrina knocked out power to more than three-quarters of a million people from Louisiana to the Florida's Panhandle, and authorities said it could be two months before electricity is restored to everyone. Ten major hospitals in New Orleans were running on emergency backup power.
The federal government began rushing baby formula, communications equipment, generators, water and ice into hard-hit areas, along with doctors, nurses and first-aid supplies. The Pentagon sent experts to help with search-and-rescue operations.
As of Monday evening, Katrina was passing through southeast Mississippi, moving north at 18 mph. It had weakened into a mere Category 1 hurricane with winds near 75 mph. Related graphic: Track Katrina and learn about hurricanes)
But it was far from done: Forecasters said that as the storm moves north through the nation's midsection over the next few days, it may spawn tornadoes over the Southeast, swamp the Gulf Coast and the Tennessee Valley with as much as 15 inches of rain, and dump up to 8 inches in the drought-stricken Ohio Valley and eastern Great Lakes.
Oil refiners said damage to their equipment in the Gulf region appeared to be minimal, and oil prices dropped back from the day's highs above $70 a barrel. But the refiners were still assessing the damage, and the Bush administration said it would consider releasing oil from the nation's emergency stockpile if necessary. (Related: Oil surges to record)
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Damage to the membrane over the Superdome's roof is clearly visible.
Katrina had menaced the Gulf Coast over the weekend as a 175-mph, Category 5 monster, the most powerful ranking on the scale. But it weakened to a Category 4 and made a slight right-hand turn just become it came ashore around daybreak near the Louisiana bayou town of Buras, passing just east of New Orleans on a path that spared the Big Easy — and its fabled French Quarter — from its full fury.
In nearby coastal St. Bernard Parish, Katrina's storm surge swamped an estimated 40,000 homes. In a particularly low-lying neighborhood on the south shore of Lake Ponchartain, a levee along a canal gave way and forced dozens of residents to flee or scramble to the roofs when water rose to their gutters.
"I've never encountered anything like it in my life. It just kept rising and rising and rising," said Bryan Vernon, who spent three hours on his roof, screaming over howling winds for someone to save him and his fiancee.
Across a street that had turned into a river bobbing with garbage cans, trash and old tires, a woman leaned from the second-story window of a brick home and pleaded to be rescued.
"There are three kids in here," the woman said. "Can you help us?" (Video: Bush offers sympathy to storm victims)
Elsewhere along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi was subjected to both Katrina's harshest winds and highest recorded storm surges — 22 feet. The storm pushed water up to the second floor of homes, flooded floating casinos, uprooted hundreds of trees and flung sailboats across a highway.
"Let me tell you something, folks: I've been out there. It's complete devastation," said Gulfport, Miss., Fire Chief Pat Sullivan.
In Alabama, Katrina's arrival was marked by the flash and crackle of exploding transformers. The hurricane toppled huge oak branches on Mobile's waterfront and broke apart an oil-drilling platform, sending a piece slamming into a major bridge.
Muddy six-foot waves crashed into the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, flooding stately, antebellum mansions and littering them with oak branches.
"There are lots of homes through here worth a million dollars. At least they were yesterday," said a shirtless Fred Wright. "I've been here 25 years, and this is the worst I've ever seen the water."
NOAA, The Weather Channel
Satellite image of Katrina crashing into the Gulf Coast.
It was Katrina's second blow: The hurricane hit the southern tip of Florida as a much weaker storm Thursday and was blamed for 11 deaths. It was the sixth hurricane to hit Florida in just over a year.
Calling it a once-in-a-lifetime storm, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin had issued a mandatory evacuation order as Katrina drew near. But the doomsday vision of hurricane waters spilling over levees and swamping the city in a toxic soup of refinery chemicals, sewage and human bodies never materialized.
Forecasters said New Orleans — which has not been hit directly by a major storm since Category 3 Hurricane Betsy struck in 1965 — got lucky again.
"The real important issue here is that when it got to the metropolitan area, it was weaker," said National Hurricane Center deputy director Ed Rappaport, who estimated the highest winds in New Orleans were 100 mph. "They were fortunate in that they were on the west side and the winds may not have been quite strong enough to top the levees."
A 50-foot water main broke in New Orleans, making it unsafe to drink the city's water without first boiling it. And police made several arrests for looting.
At New Orleans' Superdome, home to 9,000 storm refugees, the wind ripped pieces of metal from the roof, leaving two holes that let water drip in. A power outage also knocked out the air conditioning, and the storm refugees sweltered in the heat.
Katrina also shattered scores of windows in high-rise office buildings and on five floors of the Charity Hospital, forcing patients to be moved to lower levels. White curtains that had been sucked out of the shattered windows of a hotel became tangled in treetops.
In the French Quarter, made up of Napoleonic-era buildings with wrought-iron balconies, the damage was relatively light.
On Jackson Square, two massive oak trees outside the 278-year-old St. Louis Cathedral came out by the roots, ripping out a 30-foot section of ornamental iron fence and straddling a marble statue of Jesus Christ, snapping off the thumb and forefinger of his outstretched hand.
At the hotel Le Richelieu, the winds blew open sets of balcony French doors shortly after dawn. Seventy-three-year-old Josephine Elow pressed her weight against the broken doors as a hotel employee tried to secure them.
"It's not life-threatening," she said as rainwater dripped from her face. "God's got our back."

Comments: I'm relieved that the hurricane did not hit New Orleans as hardly as was expected. However, considerable damage was done, and that is unfortunate. I'm confused on the fact that some people stayed in the town after being told to leave. What sort of conflict would hold someone back from escaping a life threatening experience? The description "swamping the city in a toxic soup of refinery chemicals, sewage and human bodies never materialized" is pretty grim. What will be the result of tons of toxic water soaking into a city do to the environment? Certainly much harm will be caused to New Orleans and a lot of clean up will be in order. How long will it take to pump all this water out of the town? Once the water is pumped, also, where will it go? This water is polluted, and cannot be dumped back into the ocean and what not.

testing

2005-08-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

hey mr daly