Benefits of Twitter

Could it be that people twittering are searching for ideas to share? What kind of ramifications on our society will this stimulate for the next 10 years. Will we have found a way to get off the ground and travel to earthly destinations? Will we use only oxygen to do it? When will we translate oxygen to energy we can use to move our bodies? An earthcraft, small enough to house 3 people with a 270kg capacity limit would be a good starter.

Blog Stage 8: Commentary on "Race to the Top"

With the governments new approach in reforming education some minor successes have been achieved. Standardized tests remain to be a prominent feature in how schools will be measured but it won't be the only characteristic they will be rated on. There is a weighted scale for schools to be judged upon. The National Education Association is optimistic about the final revisions put forth by the government. NEA's current President says the programs will “put more emphasis on student growth, teacher practice and improving instruction".

Standardized tests can be both positive and negative. They give schools a general guideline to base a curriculum, allow students opportunities to deal with pressure, stress and critical thinking. They also create a baseline for measuring our nations education system. A few of the negative features of the test are that some schools are robbed of creating a rich learning environment because they find time to only teach elements the children will be tested on. Preparing for these tests also pressures teachers to eliminate recess time, which negatively impacts the well being of children. Lastly, without being revised some standardized tests are still inherently biased against handicaps, culture and gender.

With "Race to the top", schools are seeking new approaches in teaching to win national grants. One of the criteria for the awards are new standardized tests. President Obama wants to amend "No child left behind", but he has no plans to leave the tests behind, they too have merit in education.

http://www.thepenandthesworddrowsehtdnanepeht.blogspot.com/

Blog Stage 7: Commentary on US National Government

President Obama laid out a plan tonight to send 30,000 more
US military troops to Afghanistan in the hopes of securing the
country from a government overthrow by the Taliban. After reading
Michael Moore's letter to the President today,
I realized I needed to learn more about the troop surge.

It's surprising how divided Congress and the Presidential Cabinet are
on this issue. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says,
"Hamid Karzai is not a worthy partner". Mainstream media declared
his recent election tainted and corrupt against Abdullah Abdullah.
President Karzai's election granted him a 5 year term and he has pledged to end corruption in the government. Our government recognizes this dangerous ally but still has faith in the power of democracy. That's why were giving with conditions this time around. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton sees Afghanistan being more "positive" than we think. Mrs. Clinton met with President Karzai's government and found "most of the ministers very impressive".

President Obama's decision in my opinion may turn out to be
insightful. If Afghanistan wants to be liberated from their
tribal ancestry they must embrace literacy, technology and
agriculture. With the United States and NATO's support this
impoverished country is going to gain a strong army and an
increase of educated people. I'm hopeful that the percentage of
Afghans that do want corruption to end in their government will
flourish with our country's support. This troop surge will work
to reconstruct Afghanistan, allowing it to defend itself from
it's nearest neighbor in Pakistan, Al Qaeda.

Blog Stage 6: Class Commentary

After reading Behailu's post on the Health care reform bill I went on to research the sited articles in the post. That's the beauty of the internet and blogs-information really is right at your finger tips and sometimes you find an author like Behailu who has considered both sides of an argument before writing a synthesis. In the initial post, a past Newsweek article is sited that discusses bi-partisan views about the bill as well as recent poll numbers concerning public favor for health care reform. It's encouraging to read that Americans are ready to start spending on our country, our people again and with last weeks win in the House I'm sure Behailu is glad as well. To me the public option holds two important features: one it grants the US public a right to be treated when their not well and two it will change how doctors are paid. This class has encouraged me to delve into current health care news more deeply than I ever have and I was encouraged to read through Behailu's post that 70 percent of doctors are supporting the bill because they will be guaranteed payment by the government. Honestly, I never really thought about the doctors side of health care. On the surface business seems OK but apparently some are rejecting Medicare now, including some of Mayo clinics centers. Reform was inevitable and kudos to President Obama for being so patient and diligent in wading through the bureaucracy of Congress. One point I differ with from Behailu is how our government works I'm glad that we have so many checks and balances. The Health care reform bill needs to be deliberated on to get opinions from all walks of life, it's just a shame that so many pork barrel projects made it in to the passed House bill. To me those are the real problems Congress face-end the earmarks!

Blog Stage 5: The trouble with Pakistan

In Southern Waziristan a fight is being conducted by Pakistan to halt the influence of the Taliban. Some critics say that Pakistan has begun the fight half heartily by arming themselves with only 28,000 soldiers, half of them being infantrymen. With an armed Taliban resistance of 10,000 plus militants is Pakistan doing enough? This was the critique Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton made yesterday in Lahore, Pakistan.

The Taliban found refuge in the NW Pakistan region after the attacks made on New York city in 2001. This region is notably "the most dangerous place on earth", says the CIA. Historically old tribal wars have divided Waziristan into Northern and Southern territories the Taliban has gained strong holds in South Waziristan. The Taliban has been practicing sharia law in Waziristan and has successfully murdered 200 of the opposing Maliks or tribal elders in the past 8 years.

The United States has pledged an aid package to Pakistan in the amount of $7.5 billion dollars over the next 5 years. Some say this measure will encourage support for America. It appears from Secretary Clinton's candid remarks that the United States is expecting to see some results from our efforts there. Pakistan has been conducting an assault on the Taliban since their arrival and has been unsuccessful in disarming the militants or in slowing their growth. Recent opposition has been growing in Pakistan towards the United States for it's unmanned predator drone attacks. These attacks have had success in Waziristan but committing them within Quetta is drawing intense criticism. Pakistan feels that attacking Quetta diminishes Pakistani sovereignty and could possibly add fuel to anti-American sentiment. Intelligence sources for the US advise swift action before senior leaders of the Taliban move to secure locations.

Acting on our intelligence might make the battle to stop the Taliban even harder. It seems as if the only way to win this war on terrorism is to collectively have the world's support, but should we have to pay them for their support?

Blog Stage 4: Ariannas' shocking headline draws the masses

The Huffington Post co-created by independent-progressive, Arianna Huffington takes a liberal approach in its reporting. Ms. Huffington was recently recognized by Forbes as one of the 12 most influential women in media. Since it's inception in 2005, the Huffington Post has maintained a vast audience as well as a diverse reporting network. I was surprised after reading her recent post regarding Vice President Joe Biden. In her post, Ms. Huffington asks for VP Biden to resign, she sights his recent cover story in Newsweek as problematic to President Obama's war strategy in Afghanistan. The blow back of her editorial drew instant acclaim on the internet and news networks. That same day she was interviewed by Wolf Blitzer asserting that if VP Biden was to resign now he would be putting "principle above power". In VP Biden's interview he dissents from General Mcchrystal's idea of sending in more troops to Afghanistan when Al Qaida has rooted themselves in Pakistan. While agreeing with VP Biden's views Ms. Huffigton goes on to voice her seething disgust for the politician who confesses an opposing view in a personal memoir after the fact when it's to late to matter. She feels that when a political decision concerns war and peace an opposing view should be acted upon and that the VP's loyalty should reside with the American public not only with the President and staff. I find this post to be troubling in that it speaks volumes of her character as a quitter. President Obama chose VP Biden because of his foreign policy expertise and asking him to step aside would be asking for a key player to sit out when the game got tough. I want VP Biden speaking in our President's ear and I want him to bravely contribute his concerns regarding the war. His opinions are helping to craft policies that will hopefully be smarter and more successful for all involved countries. Her short sided off hand comment seems to me to be a ploy at gaining coveted media attention.

Blog Stage 3: Karl Rove's opinion on the war in Afghanistan

Karl Rove, former senior adviser to President George W. Bush, contributes a regular opinion column to the Wall Street Journal. The paper has a conservative ideological philosophy so it's intended audience would be for republicans or moderate conservatives. In this article, Mr. Rove claims that President Obama is neglecting the war in Afghanistan by not speaking to our top commanders on the frontline. He makes the claim that former President Bush spoke to commanders "every week or two" and that active communication assisted in forming a working strategy to fight insurgency on the ground. He views President Obama's actions to be "hands off" and foresees failure in this war. He asserts that up to this point President Obama has "treated the conflict as a distraction" from nationalizing the US health care system. Mr. Rove goes on in the article to criticize President Obama's current strategy of using surgical attacks or drone planes to fight insurgency. Citing the loss of foot soldiers and "actionable intelligence" as the determent to democratic efforts in Afghanistan. Mr. Rove places further criticism upon the shoulders of Vice President Joe Biden's war voting record, noting that he has consistently voted passively on war related legislation since the 1970's. Mr. Rove fears that Vice President Biden's presence weakens our military and country.

Karl Rove supports having the military act as strategists in Afghanistan and Pakistan instead of the President. This method proved fatal in the past, so I'm glad that President Obama is trying to rally support in Congress for new ideas. President Obama recognizes the delicate balance between the tribal people of Afghanistan and the Taliban/aL Qaeda, he understands that you need to have the natives support to save Afghanistan from a future of oppression. And I'm glad that he's calling on the UN to assist in these efforts. However, I do agree with Mr. Rove in that active lines of communication whether it be with General Petraeus or Commander McChristal need to be visited often to understand our military's efforts on the ground.