Political Blog for PS-102 at Westminster College

Cheney: Mistake for GOP to ‘moderate’

dneal12nd — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:13:15 +0000

In an interview with a North Dakota radio host, former Vice President Dick Cheney said that it would be a mistake for the Republican Party to shift toward a more moderate ideology. Cheney mentioned that the Republican party represents firm and fundamental ideas that express a commitment to the Constitution and its principles. This interview comes about a week after Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter made the decision to commit to the Deomocratic party because he felt the Republican party was moving too far to the right.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

It seems that Dick Cheney is persistent on not adjusting to the pressures of changing ideologies to gain more popularity within the party. He mentioned in his interview that acting like a Democrat is not what the Republican party should try to do, and that by sticking to its ideals the party can revive itself. I believe that while the Republican party should keep its concrete ideals, it is time for the party to re-evaluate the way its doing business, especially among younger people. Focusing on the “moral issues” is not going to get it done.

Obama, Russia looking past their differences

uhlerja — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:48:59 +0000

President Obama met with Russian foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to help settle differences between the two countries concerning nuclear weapons, the Middle East, and other issues. “We have an excellent opportunity to reset the relationship between the United States and Russia on a whole host of issues,” Obama told reporters after the meeting. Those issues, he said, include nuclear proliferation, the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, conflicts in Iraqand the Middle East, and the worldwide economy.” The Obama Administration and Russian officials want to re-situate the arms dilemma to maintain better control. Both Obama and Lavrov promised to cooperate their efforts between the two countries, something that the previous Bush Administration did not pursue. Hilary Clinton, Secretary of State, also met and talked with Lavrov on issues concerning peace and establishing better relations among Russia and the U.S.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_us_russia

I believe it is wise for the Obama Administration to keep strengthening relations with Russia. It is always a wise decision to maintain better control over nuclear capabilities. These two countries have been going back and forth between having good and bad relations. Obama and his advisers are trying to heal the past differences that were created by former president Bush. Keeping peace with others will only help strengthen our country and help maintain a safer world.

Pennsylvania to consider medicinal marijuana usage

croseto — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:50:18 +0000

A Pennsylvania legislator from Philadelphia is hoping to make Pennsylvania the 14th state to legalize small amounts of marijuana for strictly medicinal uses. Democratic Representative Mark Cohen is pushing for legalization in hopes that it will assist those with chronic ailments and also get rid of the decades old negative image that surrounds marijuana. Cohen introduced House Bill 1393, which would allow Pennsylvania residents to be perscribed medicinal marijuana by their physician. Also included in the bill would be a “registry card”, which would allow patients to grow no more than one ounce of marijuana at a time. Those with “registry cards” could also purchase marijuana, which would fall under the 6% sales tax in PA, for medicinal purposes at yet-to-be- created “compassion centers”, which would be legal under state law. Cohen is calling for a new image to be brought to marijuana in hopes that its legalization will assist many patients who are suffering. Despite having six-cosponsors for this bill, it has a long way to go. It will need 102 votes in the house to pass and with the House under Republican control, with many conservatives opposed to legalization, Rep. Cohen may have a difficult time getting his bill passed.

I believe that this could be a good move for Pennsylvania. With an older population taking over in many of the areas of the state, specifically Western PA, there may be many people suffering from various ailments who could really use medicinal marijuana to alleviate their pain. Legalization of medicinal marijuana could help those with different ailments, such as MS, cancer, Glaucoma, and other illnesses. With total control going to the physician, dosage can be adequately controlled, so the patient does not abuse the drug. Marijuana, in many ways, is like any other prescription drug: It can be prescribed by a physician, it must be regulated through dosages, it is used to treat a patient, and it must not be abused. Studies have shown that THC, the key ingredient in marijuana, is a relaxer and pain suppressant, which can help those who use it with their pain. I feel that if this is regulated it could ultimately help the state; however, it will meet great opposition from conservatives and others vehemently opposed to its legalization.

The rest of the story can be found at these two links

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09119/966345-100.stm

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Medical_marijuana_proposal_before_Pa__House_04-30-2009.html

hockey1920 — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:30:02 +0000

Shortly after Sarah Palin was named as the GOP Vice Presidential canidate, her daughter Bristol Palin’s teenage pregnancy became national news. Since the election, Bristol has had her baby, a son named Tripp, and has recently taken a role as spokesperson during Eight Annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. During that day, Bristol, son Tripp, and father Todd Palin took to the TODAY show to talk about their story. Bristol stated that being a mother was “hard work” and her father talked about the “fine line” families walk during and with a teen pregnancy. Bristol also announced that she has changed her position stating that abstinence is the only way to prevent teen pregnancies from one that promoted safe sex. She does say that if teens plan to have sex anyway, to always practice safe sex.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30597615/

I think that there is more to the Palin story than we know and I think that Bristol often sends mixed messages as have other recent, highly-publicized, teen pregancies. Bristol often talks about how hard being a teen mother is, yet she talks about the joys that being a mother brings her. In the Jamie Lynn Spears case, Jamie Lynn posed on a magazine cover talking about how happy she was. In Bristol’s case, she does speak out and now advocates abstinence only, which I don’t always agree with. However, the message that most teens recieve is a mixed message: being a teen mother is often hard but it has it’s positives.

hockey1920 — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:15:11 +0000

With the closing of Guantanamo Bay, some of the prisoners could be moved onto U.S. soil. This is causing controversy with some Democrats because the prisoners would be moved into their “backyards.” Upset citizens are voicing their opinions and some lawmakers are saying that they would never allow for such a thing to happen. For example, in Stafford County Virginia, a resolution was passed that opposed the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prisoners to the Quantico base. Missouri has also passed a similar resolution that urges the government to not place Guantanamo prisoners anywhere in the state.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gitmo-politics7-2009may07,0,3870315.story

I can understand why no politician or citizen would want a Guantanamo Bay prisoner in their state, but with the prisons closing, they have to go somewhere. It should’ve been obvious that these prisoners were going to end up in the United States and no matter who was elected, Obama or McCain, both had plans to close the base. This may be a situation where America just has to take what’s given to them regardless how they feel.

hockey1920 — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:03:11 +0000

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the Presidents of the United States, Afghanistan, and Pakistan met to discuss Al-Qaeda and how to defeat it. This is an interesting turn because Afghanistan and Pakistan are not usually seen as allies. All three countries say they are committed to finding a way to disarm and dismantle Al-Qaeda.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/world/asia/07prexy.html?ref=politics

I find this fascinating. I think that the United States, Afghanistan, and Pakistan sitting down and talking about how to defeat a terrorist organization is a wonderful step in the right direction. The fact that all three countries are also share the same goal makes the situation even more amazing.

hockey1920 — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:52:00 +0000

A 47-year-old trade embargo has been in place between the United States and Cuba. With that embargo in place, Americans have been subjected to watching Cuba from afar. While many other countries such as Canada and China enjoy the vacation spots and off-shore oil drilling the travel ban on Americans leaves more to be wanted. Some of Washington is in support of reopening talks with Cuba in attempt for better realations while others warn against forming a more friendly relationship with the country.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/04/cuba.embargo/index.html

I think that allowing American tourists to travle to Cuba would be a diaster. No offense to the United States but some tourists don’t exactly give America a good name. At the same time, I think that attempting to talk with Cuba could be a good thing. There are some parts of the American-Cuban history that still needs to be patched up and now might be a time to start.

hockey1920 — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:39:17 +0000

When Iowa’s state Supreme Court overturned the ruling on same-sex marriage, President Obama was relatively silent. Even though he opposes same-sex marriage as a Christian he is a supporter of equality. Many people are beginning to question what Obama’s stance on same-sex marriage is now that he is in office. In support of his commitment to equality two of his Supreme Court nominations are openly gay however, there have been times where Obama has been solidly backed by those who are openly against same-sex marriage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/politics/07obama.html?_r=3

I feel like Obama has gotten himself in an interesting situation. As a Christian he is against same-sex marriage and as a politician he is in support of equality. I believe what Obama said on the campaign trail may have backed him into a corner. Since his strong support of same-sex marriage those in support of it as well expect more out of him and they aren’t getting the results they want. I think people also need to remember he is barely 100 days into his first term and has already attempted to tackle many different issues.

shannonszymanski — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:41:59 +0000

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith made the decision to make public the names of sixteen people banned from entering the UK today; this includes American shock jock Michael Savage. “It’s a privilege to come to this country,” Smith said. “There are certain behaviors that mean you forfeit that privilege.” Savage, for example, referred to the Koran as a “book of hate” and has said that autistic children are, in most cases, “a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out.” He also called Jacqui Smith a lunatic, feels that he is merely advocating “traditional values” and will be suing for defamation.

Also included on the list are Westboro Baptist Church’s Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roeper, and the ex-Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard Stephen Black (among others).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8035114.stm

While I do think that this may be a little extreme just for a guy who’s on the radio, she’s right in saying that it’s a privilege to visit the UK; it’s a privilege to visit any country in which you are not a citizen. And, either way, it’s Savage’s job to be “offensive,” so I’m not sure why this is is so shocking to him and why he feels it’s necessary to sue.

shannonszymanski — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:25:52 +0000

North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue forced Douglas A. Fox, Alcoholic Beverage Commission Chairman, to resign on Tuesday after he was found to have sent a derogatory e-mail. Included was an altered picture of the White House with a watermelon patch out front; the phrase “there goes the neighborhood” was printed above the picture. The subject line of the e-mail was “how true.”

Perdue stated that things of this nature “are offensive and unacceptable.” Fox offered to stay on in his current capacity until a replacement was found, but this was declined.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/06/doug-fox-north-carolina-o_n_197632.html

I would have assumed that some people would know better than to do something like this, but apparently not. Whether or not he’s actually racist is kind of irrelevant; it was a bad move.