http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/10/22/airliner.fly.by/index.html
Airliner crew flies 150 miles past airport
This article talks about a Northwest Airlines flight overshooting its destination by about 150 miles. Communication was lost between Air Traffic Control and the plane for more than an hour. After the plane continued to fly 150 past the destination, communication was finally established again. The pilots claimed to have been in a heated argument, making them lose their sense of time and space, but they are actually being accused of sleeping on thee job.
In some ways, I feel like too big of a deal is being made about this, because mistakes are made all the time, but in other ways I think it is unacceptable for things like this to happen, especially after 9/11. Apparently the agency is investigating the matter, which I am in agreement with. If communication was lost, it sounds to me like something fishy was going on, whether it be the pilots were sleeping or if they were in a heated discussion over airline policy like they actually said. Either way, neither should be tolerated because people need to be able to trust that airlines will take people to their destination safely. For instance, there has been very few cases of pilots falling asleep on the job, once of them being in February of 2008, when two pilots fell asleep and flew past their destination 26 miles. The pilots we are talking about here traveled over 150 miles past, which is a big difference. It just sounds like something is being convered up. People need to be able to trust having safe travel on planes, and if agencies need to set the precedent by making it clear with these two pilots that sleeping on the job, or engaging in heated discussions is strictly prohibited unnecessary accidents happen, then so be it.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Who Will Win Virginia's Governor's Race?
Even though I don't necessarily agree with all of his views, I think that Bob McDonnell will win the race for governor in Virginia. I think his more conservative views will appeal to Virginia more as a whole than Deeds's will. In the few polls I have seen recently, McDonnell has been predicted to win the race. Virginia has long been a Republican state (although maybe not in the past few elections), and I don't think this election will be much different. McDonnell was in fact hurt by the social conservative views he expressed a while back about women, but I still don't think this alone is enough to stop him from winning. Deeds however was honest and stated that taxes were going to be needed to be raised for transportation, which I think will be very damaging. The people in Virginia are probably generally going to be very unsupportive of any higher taxes during these economically hard times.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Current Event #4
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/16/AR2009101602613.html
Fairfax County Schools Facing Budget Shortfall, Drastic Cuts
This article talks about the projected $176 million budget shortfall next year in a system very close to home, the Farifax County School system. Even though Fairfax County is Virginia's largest school system, it gets much, much less of the budget allocated from Richmond than other school systems such as Prince William County and other areas in need. However, next year it seems that Fairfax County is going to be in need as well. A $176 million budget shortfall is too much money to even think about making up and continuing with the school year as if nothing has changed. As the article stated, for example, even if Fairfax County removed all foreign language instruction from all elementary schools, only $2 million would be saved. Removing full-day kindergarten from 67 schools would only save $13 million. Even if all the plans for saving were approved, Fairfax County would not even come close to filling in the $176 million gap. Clearly, all the cutting back on programs is really going to negatively impact Fairfax County. Not much else but cutting programs can be done to help the budget until the economy improves. I know last year when the high school swim program was considering being cut to help for the budget this year, I would not have minded paying an extra fee to still be a part of the team. However, students cannot pay for everything, and some things will have to be cut. Some people may protest all the cutting of staff and prgrams, but if there is no money, there is really no choice. Next year is going to be a harsh year. Oh well, at least it is my last year in FCPS. But as for my brother and sister...
Fairfax County Schools Facing Budget Shortfall, Drastic Cuts
This article talks about the projected $176 million budget shortfall next year in a system very close to home, the Farifax County School system. Even though Fairfax County is Virginia's largest school system, it gets much, much less of the budget allocated from Richmond than other school systems such as Prince William County and other areas in need. However, next year it seems that Fairfax County is going to be in need as well. A $176 million budget shortfall is too much money to even think about making up and continuing with the school year as if nothing has changed. As the article stated, for example, even if Fairfax County removed all foreign language instruction from all elementary schools, only $2 million would be saved. Removing full-day kindergarten from 67 schools would only save $13 million. Even if all the plans for saving were approved, Fairfax County would not even come close to filling in the $176 million gap. Clearly, all the cutting back on programs is really going to negatively impact Fairfax County. Not much else but cutting programs can be done to help the budget until the economy improves. I know last year when the high school swim program was considering being cut to help for the budget this year, I would not have minded paying an extra fee to still be a part of the team. However, students cannot pay for everything, and some things will have to be cut. Some people may protest all the cutting of staff and prgrams, but if there is no money, there is really no choice. Next year is going to be a harsh year. Oh well, at least it is my last year in FCPS. But as for my brother and sister...
Biggest Political Issue Facing Virginia
I believe the biggest political issue currently facing Virginia is the lack of funding for adequete transportation.The funding of transpotation needs to be a much higher priority for Virginia's political leaders. With the congestion in Virginia's traffic as bad as it is, there is clearly a need for improvement. The traffic here is terrible. However, the question is, where is the money going to come from for that improvement to happen? For new roads to be built, taxes would need to be raised. However, no one wants to pay higher taxes with the state of the current recession. This is why it is such a problem.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Current Event #3
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33251876/ns/politics-washington_post/
Nobel-winner Obama stirs passions yet again
Deluge of response includes all the divisiveness of presidential campaign
This article talks about the nobel peace prize which Obama recently won. Obama became the third sitting president in history to get the award and was just as surprised himself to recieve it as was the public. There has been two reactions to Obama being awarded this--one, a positive, celebratory attitude in which supporters view Obama as deserving of the award, and another attitude in which critics view Obama as undeserving. Those who are in support of Obama recieving the award believe Obama is bringing the world together- bringing hope for progress, and has made history by becoming the first African American president which opens up equality to all. Critics view Obama is only being awarded it because of his charismatic ways, and his ability to talk a great game. They say he has not actually accomplished anything, and is therefore undeserving.
As for me I think Obama was absolutely deserving of this award. It will remind him of what he initially set out to accomplish and promised to accomplish and it will bring hope to the public for progress. Obama has changed the perceptions of many abot racial equality, and has made America's image to the rest of the world much better. Obama now needs to carry out his plan for progress in America and like Obama said, "I will accept this award as a call to action."
Nobel-winner Obama stirs passions yet again
Deluge of response includes all the divisiveness of presidential campaign
This article talks about the nobel peace prize which Obama recently won. Obama became the third sitting president in history to get the award and was just as surprised himself to recieve it as was the public. There has been two reactions to Obama being awarded this--one, a positive, celebratory attitude in which supporters view Obama as deserving of the award, and another attitude in which critics view Obama as undeserving. Those who are in support of Obama recieving the award believe Obama is bringing the world together- bringing hope for progress, and has made history by becoming the first African American president which opens up equality to all. Critics view Obama is only being awarded it because of his charismatic ways, and his ability to talk a great game. They say he has not actually accomplished anything, and is therefore undeserving.
As for me I think Obama was absolutely deserving of this award. It will remind him of what he initially set out to accomplish and promised to accomplish and it will bring hope to the public for progress. Obama has changed the perceptions of many abot racial equality, and has made America's image to the rest of the world much better. Obama now needs to carry out his plan for progress in America and like Obama said, "I will accept this award as a call to action."
Grade Obama
Overall I would give Obama a C+ (the war on terror really brought his average down), but here is how I would break it down for each section:
Economic Downturn - B: First of all it is fair to mention that it is not Obama's fault that he now has to sort through the mess of the eight years from George Bush, where capitalism was running strong. He can't be expected to turn around the economy in such a short period of time. Therefore, I give him a good grade because of his effort for trying. I like that things are beginning to improve on the whole and that he is introducuing accountability which is the responsible thing to do. However, he shouldn't have allowed the millions of dollars of bonuses to the CEO's to pass through when workers were being cut from their jobs right and left.
Health Care- B: I am giving Obama a B on this too because I agree with him that the health care system absolutely needs to be reformed. Everyone should be entitled to health care regardless of income because it is not humane to exclude people based on their ability to pay. He is trying to reform it despite the opposition from those who have probably never had to deal with not being able to afford proper health care for their families, therefore he gets a good grade from me.
War on Terror- D+: I believe Obama was naive in his election speeches- he promised to bring troops home but so far little has been done concerning that matter. Since his election, reality has kind of set in about the war, and the fact that he is not just going to be able to send troops home like he had promised. What he has done is just switched the focus to Afghanistan, and is now sending troops there. Afghanistan is a much worse place to fight. There will undoubtedly be more deaths from Afghanistan because of the rugged terrain which is going to be almost impossible to fight in. There is generational hatred in Afghanistan, where every generation exhibits hatred towards America becuase they have lost their grandparents, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, you name it from killings by America. It would be better to just cut the losses nowand just get out rather than dealing with many unnecessary deaths of Americans. However, it should be mentioned that Obama did come into this in a tough position.
Economic Downturn - B: First of all it is fair to mention that it is not Obama's fault that he now has to sort through the mess of the eight years from George Bush, where capitalism was running strong. He can't be expected to turn around the economy in such a short period of time. Therefore, I give him a good grade because of his effort for trying. I like that things are beginning to improve on the whole and that he is introducuing accountability which is the responsible thing to do. However, he shouldn't have allowed the millions of dollars of bonuses to the CEO's to pass through when workers were being cut from their jobs right and left.
Health Care- B: I am giving Obama a B on this too because I agree with him that the health care system absolutely needs to be reformed. Everyone should be entitled to health care regardless of income because it is not humane to exclude people based on their ability to pay. He is trying to reform it despite the opposition from those who have probably never had to deal with not being able to afford proper health care for their families, therefore he gets a good grade from me.
War on Terror- D+: I believe Obama was naive in his election speeches- he promised to bring troops home but so far little has been done concerning that matter. Since his election, reality has kind of set in about the war, and the fact that he is not just going to be able to send troops home like he had promised. What he has done is just switched the focus to Afghanistan, and is now sending troops there. Afghanistan is a much worse place to fight. There will undoubtedly be more deaths from Afghanistan because of the rugged terrain which is going to be almost impossible to fight in. There is generational hatred in Afghanistan, where every generation exhibits hatred towards America becuase they have lost their grandparents, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, you name it from killings by America. It would be better to just cut the losses nowand just get out rather than dealing with many unnecessary deaths of Americans. However, it should be mentioned that Obama did come into this in a tough position.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Current Event #2
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33161911/ns/politics-health_care_reform//
Health care bills could mean hardship for many
Middle-class Americans would still struggle to pay insurance
This article covers the current issue of affordable health care insurance for all. Currently Obama is trying to change health insurance so that all Americans would be required to get insurance, whether it be through work, government programs, or paying for it themselves. With the proposed plans, a big empasis of government subsides is being given to those families who are classified as poor- families of four averaging a total family income of $22,000 or less a year. Wealthy Americans would also have no problem paying for health insurance. The problem, however, is that the middle class Americans seem to being getting forgotten. As a family's total income increases, the amount that the government would give for breaks in health insurance in subsides greatly decreases. Middle class families with solid incomes would not be given nearly enough help to cover the cost of insurance. For a lot of families, this would be fine since most big employers generally pay for health care through work. However, this would be a major problem for those middle class families who are self-employed or work through a small buisness. Clearly, this plan needs to be looked at again. If Obama's goal is to be sure all Americans have coverage, all social groups need to be taken care of. I feel like this is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to make sure that middle class Americans aren't paying a huge chunk of their salary towards health care while others are only paying a small fraction. No groups should be left behind.
Health care bills could mean hardship for many
Middle-class Americans would still struggle to pay insurance
This article covers the current issue of affordable health care insurance for all. Currently Obama is trying to change health insurance so that all Americans would be required to get insurance, whether it be through work, government programs, or paying for it themselves. With the proposed plans, a big empasis of government subsides is being given to those families who are classified as poor- families of four averaging a total family income of $22,000 or less a year. Wealthy Americans would also have no problem paying for health insurance. The problem, however, is that the middle class Americans seem to being getting forgotten. As a family's total income increases, the amount that the government would give for breaks in health insurance in subsides greatly decreases. Middle class families with solid incomes would not be given nearly enough help to cover the cost of insurance. For a lot of families, this would be fine since most big employers generally pay for health care through work. However, this would be a major problem for those middle class families who are self-employed or work through a small buisness. Clearly, this plan needs to be looked at again. If Obama's goal is to be sure all Americans have coverage, all social groups need to be taken care of. I feel like this is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to make sure that middle class Americans aren't paying a huge chunk of their salary towards health care while others are only paying a small fraction. No groups should be left behind.
Discuss one political issue you are personally interested in
One political issue I am particularly interested in is that of health care. No one should be denied adequete health care because of his or her inability to pay. Approximately 60% of Americans have private health care insurance, while 15% of Americans have no health care insurance. With about 15 out of every 100 Americans with no health insurace, clearly there is a need to reform. Heath care should be affordable to everyone. No one should be denied something as basic as his or her own health and well-being. America is definitely behind the game, with almost all other industrialized countries offering universal health care. I am not saying that universal health care is necessarily the best option for America because it does have it's drawbacks, but it is clear that the current way the health care works in America does not work. I think this is an important issue because it is something that affects all Americans, whether they have health insurance or not. No one wants to see someone close to them fall very sick because he or she is unable to pay for treatment.
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