Obama signs Hate Crime Bill

So, Yesterday President Obama signed a new hate crime bill into law. The bill states that it is now a federal offense to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was added to a defense authorization bill package. Some say this was an underhanded way to get this legislation signed into law. And I say really people??? Really??? However and whatever it took to get this legislation out there is fine by me. Because this is an important law, no one should be hurt or killed for any reason especially not because of personal choices they are making in their private lives. President Obama said, "Obama hailed the hate crimes measure in the bill as a step toward change to "help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray." This Bill is so important and I am grateful for it. And the media needs to leave their personal opinions out of it. Just report the news PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!

Here is a video of the signing if you are interested:

New Health Care Bill- Democrats

Today, the House Democrats have unveiled a $894 billion new health care bill. The bill is 2,000 pages, containing three different versions of the bill that has been passed by three House committees. The bill can be paid for over a course of 10 years and would not increase the federal deficit according to Speaker Pelosi. This bill will extend health care coverage to over 36 million people, giving 96% of Americans health care coverage. The bill does contain the health insurance option. According to CNN, "Republicans tore into the bill, characterizing it as a series of tax increases and new regulations that would destroy jobs while doing little to stop spiraling health care costs." One House member said the following about the bill,"This really is a government takeover of health care in America," Rep. Mike Pence, D-Indiana, said. "It appears for all of the world like a massive government-run insurance plan paid for with a freight train of mandates and taxes and bureaucracy." At the same time the Senate is looking at legislation that is completely different from this bill. But any bill that passes in the House will somehow have to br merged with the Sentate legislation ideas. So, that it can be sent to President Obama for his signature making it into law. So, it seems that there is some light emerging at the end of the tunnel of the Health care plan. If only the democrats and republicans can just find a way to agree. So with this announcement lets look at how the media is spinning this. CNN Gave the facts of the story and clearly stated that it is a democratic bill and will need to be approved by republicans. But, I just looked at the same story on Fox news. They also state the facts, but also they discusss how this bill will not pass by any republicans because it was done"behind closed doors" as they say. Why does Fox News slant to make it seem like the democrats are the bad guys??? And why does CNN slant to make it look like the democrats are the only ones with good ideas and the only ones trying to make things work??? Why can't we just get the objective story about the bill, what it contains and how much it costs instead of all this bias. Its a shame to have all this bias. Really, what are you supposed to believe, juat whatever you want to??? Are we all that selfish nowadays? Have we always been??? WHATS THE DEAL???

Here are two clips about the bill:

Civil Union vs. Civil Marriage??? - The Battle in Maine

Next week Voters in Maine will decide whether or not they want to over turn a certain piece of legislation. The legislation was signed six months ago by the Governor and allows same-sex couples to wed. The current Governor said that he supported the legislation because he got an understanding of equal protection and constitutional responsiblity. He also states that a civil union is not the same as a a civil marriage. I am very interested in this myself and so I looked up definitions of both.
The Encyclopedia describes a civil union like this:
the legal recognition of the committed, marriagelike partnership of two individuals. Typically, the civil registration of their commitment provides the couple with legal benefits that approach or are equivalent to those of marriage, such as rights of inheritance, hospital visitation, medical decision making, differential taxation, adoption and artificial insemination, and employee benefits for partners and dependents.

The dictionary describes marriage like this:
the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc. And what makes it civil is that it is legal.

So,my understanding is that a civil marriage is a legal joining of a man and a women as husband and wife. Meaning that they have full legal rights to each other. And my understanding of a civil union is that it is not a marriage but a commited relationship or partnership between two people. And because of the commitment that these two people have made to each other, they gain specific rights like inheritance, visitation, medical, taxation, insemenation, and employee benefits.

Some would say that thses are much of the same rights granted to a husband and wife union, and they are right. However, this is how I see it, if you whoever you are want to commit yourself and your life to another person shoould both you have specific rights? I do not agree that same sex couples should call their union marriage because I believe that the word marriage is specific for a man and a women, but I do believe that anyone who wants to be committed to another person does deserve some equal rights. So it is an issue about understanding equal protection and constitutional responsiblity.

I do aggree that this issue remain an state by state issue and not a federal issue. But rights are rights.

I call this a battle in Maine because after the legilation was passed on May 6th of this year, by September there were 55,000 signatures to get it on the ballot for a vote on November 3rd. This same occurance happened in California. The legiation was passed then there was a vote to rewrite the Califonia constitution to ban gay marriage, even after 18,ooo gay couples were wed. If the legislation holds,Maine will join Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as the states that allow same-sex marriage. Both groups for and agaainst this legislation have been battling in Maine with televison ads, pamphlets, door to door, phone banks, you name it anything to be the victor on November 3rd. The Governor says that whatever the outcome at least both sides will be educated on the issue. Please tell me what you think!!!

H1N1 Emergency!!!!

On late Friday night, President Obama issued an national H1N1 Emergency. The pandemic cases are rising in a number of communities across the U.S. It is really becoming taxing for many health care professionals in certain communities. So what does this emergency mean??? It means that the government will have more control in helping treat paitents and aid in the process of controlling this pandemic. So, here are some stats to make this a little more real. According to a CNN News report, 20,000 people in the U.S. have been infected and 1000 have died since the pandemic hit the U.S. in April. In recent weeks the rise in the illness has increased. Officals from the CDC say, that flu season this time of year is very unusual. I have to admit that I have greatly underestimated the effects and the importance of this health issue. I always thought that the media was exaggerating with their pictures and there so called scare tactics that they all use so well. And maybe there were exaggerating at the time. But their exaggeration is now becoming a reality. And thats pretty scare that in a sense the media has foeshadowed an rise and emergency of this outbreak. Maybe this was a time for once that the media was telling the truth. Wow!!! Go figure. For any of you who want a clearer understanding of what this declaration of an emrgency means here you go:

President Obama- Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Today, Obama is the Nobel Prize Winner. There is a suprised reaction around the world and especially among online users. There are many different opinions on whether he deserves it or not. Many believe that it was too soon, Some say it wasn't deserved at all because he hasnt done anything. And others believe that his vision of hope and peace that he has spread around the world is more than enough of a reason to recieve this award. Online there is a variety of different opinions. Here I will include a clip of what Online users have been saying and also I will include Obamas acceptance speech. I believe that because of his vision, he does deserve it. But I do understand everyone's shock. Because I am suprised myself. And I understand that people feel that he hasnt done anything yet. But he is taking this honor as a call to action for himself and the world. His speech is amazing, humble and true. What do you think? Does he deserve it??? P.S. here is the definition of the Nobel Peace Prize : According to the will of Alfred Nobel the prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and PROMOTION of peace congresses".

Online Reaction



Obama's Acceptance Speech

David Letterman's Blackmail and Apology

So, last Thursday Letteman talked about different affairs he has had over the years. He highlighte one that took place with a person on his staff. This particular staff member blackmailed letterman, telling him that they would tell alot about the 62 year olds private life if he didnt give her some money. So, Letterman paid her 2 million dollars. He has now publically appologized to his wife about his behavior. But what I dont understand is why he brought it up in the first place. And are these the things that people are really interested in. I mean this is a top story in the media right now. Really is this infotainment what we are reduced too. Why are the media not reporting on things that make sense, that are important. I could care less What Letterman has done in his personal life!! For real!!! What about health care, education, the war, our economy, unemployment!!! PLEASE start reporting on things that really matter. For those that are interested here is his apology:

Arne Duncan and Stephen Colbert

Arne Duncan is the current Secretary of Education. Yesterday he did an Interview with Stephen Colbert. He wanted to discuss her vision for education in America!!! Education is very important to me, so I found this interview very interesting!!! Check it out!!!
Tell me what you think!!!

Arne Duncan

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Obama meets with Doctors from 50 states

Yesterday, the President met with Doctors from all 50 states to talk to them about the Health care plan. He wanted to show that Doctors that deal with real people and real plans everday have a vested interest in this plan!!! This video is interiews with doctors about this event!!! Check it out!!!

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Obama's address to Congress!!!

I have to say that I was very impressed with President Obama's speech to the Joint session of Congress on September 9th. He higlighted three main things that I felt were very important. the first was that he said that if you like your insurance, you should keep it!!! This is such an important idea because there are many that really like the health care that they already have. These people were very concerned that because of this plan that would be taken away. Not, to mention the press played upon this fear in the weeks leading up to this speech to scare americans about this possible change to our healthcare system. The second point was that there will be no more denial coverage of pre-existing conditions. This is HUGE!!!! So HUGE!!! So many people are turned away from coverage because of this excuse that insurance companies like to use. And it has to stop!!! The third point he made was that their would be no dropped coverage if you get sick!!! So many are just dropped by their insurance after they get sick. Its completely unfair!!! The President is working dilligently to make this work for everyone!!! Listening to his speech really helped me to separate the fact from the fiction, on this plan. And the fiction I was hearing was coming from the mass media of course. Why do they feel that it is necessary to hide information, or twist information. Why are they trying to use scare tactics to get a reaction form the American people. Is that all they want is just a reaction. Why can't they promote good citizenship and just report what they know and leave the fiction and the other stuff out. Isn't that what they are their for, to inform us. Some say that the media will never be able to present information with out some bias. And I guess that is true., but it gets so fustrating!! So fustratiing. I do appreciate the hardwork that the President is trying to do to work with everyone for this daunting task, in February he said the following, " I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."
– President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

We all need to set our differences aside and come together and back the President in his efforts. And to the press, I say this: GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!!