I have more questions than answers!

In my last post: I stated Obama's administration claimed Libya is not a "war" it is however, "a limited humaniartian intervention" from our view point. But, according to New York's Channel 6 website their headline read, "Obama to address nation on Libyan civil War."

Regarding the President’s Address to the Nation on Libya:

Tonight Obama updated the U.S. citizens “on the international effort that we have led in Libya – what we have done, what we plan to do, and why this matters to us.”

I am glad that you are going to address this issue, because I have tons of questions.

“The United States of America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and advocate for human freedom… But when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act.”

But, Mr. President what are our interests and values? Does these issues change from the citizens to the government officals?

Obama referenced Tunisia and Egypt as being “two nations that inspired the world when their people rose up to take control of their own destiny” from a tyrant. Libya has been under Moammar Gaddafi’s (a known tyrant) control for more than four decades. If Tunisia and Egypt “rose up to take control of their own destiny” without any help from the United States, why can’t Libya do the same?

Moammar Gaddafi “denied his people freedom, exploited their wealth, murdered opponents at home and abroad, and terrorized innocent people around the world – including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents.”

Obama goes on to say, “innocent people were targeted for killing… Journalists were arrested, sexually assaulted, and killed.”

Lara Logan, a female reporter and Anderson Cooper were brutally attacked in Egypt during the uprising. They both are Americans and they were both attacked, so Americans have not only been attacked in Libya.

“At [Obama’s] direction, America led an effort with our allies at the United Nations Security Council to pass an historic Resolution that authorized a No Fly Zone to stop the regime's attacks from the air, and further authorized all necessary measures to protect the Libyan people.”

OK, so Obama lead in the inference in the Libyan Civil War.

“We knew that if we waited one more day, Benghazi – a city nearly the size of Charlotte – could suffer a massacre that would have reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the world.”
Question: Mr. President, how do you know what he was going to do; are you a mind reader?

“It was not in our national interest to let that happen. I refused to let that happen.”
Question: Is it ours, the citizens of the U.S. or is it your interest to involve us in this war?

“And so nine days ago, after consulting the bipartisan leadership of Congress, I authorized military action to stop the killing and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973.”
Did you really consult the bipartisan leadership of Congress because Rand Paul said you did not?
Rand Paul says Obama did consult with the UN and with the Libyans, but he “didn’t even consult Congress about this intervention.” Members from your own party is calling for your impeachment becasue you side stepped Congress.

“Last night, NATO decided to take on the additional responsibility of protecting Libyan civilians.”
What would happen if last night NATO decided they did not want to be a part of protecting Libya anymore? What would happen to the United States role?

“Because of this transition to a broader, NATO-based coalition, the risk and cost of this operation – to our military, and to American taxpayers – will be reduced significantly.”
I would think that you would have considered our military and taxpayers risk and the cost before you “led the effort” in helping Libya.

“In addition to our NATO responsibilities, we will work with the international community to provide assistance to the people of Libya, who need food for the hungry and medical care for the wounded.”
What about the homeless in the United States, they are in need of food and medical care? According to National Alliance of End Homelessness there are around “671,859 people  experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States.”
Question: Mr. President how can you help other countries when this countries citizens are needing help?

Secretary Clinton is going to London, “where she will meet with the Libyan opposition and consult with more than thirty nations. These discussions will focus on…supporting a transition to the future that the Libyan people deserve.”
What does the citizens of the United States deserved? I believe that the homeless of American deserve more than what they are given now. I believe the citizens of the U.S. need to have a say were our money is going.

“Because while our military mission is narrowly focused on saving lives.”
Do Libyan lives count more than the people that are in your own country, Mr. President?

“The transition to a legitimate government that is responsive to the Libyan people will be a difficult task. And while the United States will do our part to help, it will be a task for the international community, and – more importantly – a task for the Libyan people themselves.”
Didn’t Bush say something similar with our involvement in Iraq?

“As President, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action.”
So, with that said Mr. President are we going to Sudan and Tibet next?

Iraq’s “regime change there took eight years, thousands of American and Iraqi lives, and nearly a trillion dollars. That is not something we can afford to repeat in Libya.”
Mr. President how do you know that will not happen again? You must have some psychic ability we are not aware of.

Obama states, “we have ended our combat mission in Iraq and removed more than 100,000 troops from that country.”
Where is the 100,00 plus troops? I have not seen the proof, all I see is more being shipped off overseas.

 “The ability of our people to reach their potential, to make wise choices with our resources, to enlarge the prosperity that serves as a wellspring of our power, and to live the values that we hold so dear” must always be our “North Star.”

Mr. President, tonight your speech focused on the point to “protect our interests and values.” What about protecting our country?

Because, like you said, your role “As Commander-in-Chief, I have no greater responsibility than keeping this country safe.”

Is impeachment in the future for Obama?

U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Sec. 8 states that “Congress shall have the power…to declare war.”

Obama has taken sides in Libya’s civil war, which in turn the United States has taken sides as well.

Now many are asking if Obama declaration to help Libyan rebels overturn their government unconstitutional?

Does the President have the power to authorize a military attack?

In 2007, our Vice President now, Joe Biden went on record:

According to Obama and Biden, the president does not have the power to declare war; however, it is Congress’ job to declare war and only their right to do so.

To my surprise Republicans and Democrats are uniting together to say what Obama declared is unconstitutional.

“Somebody has to be here to try to get our troops back and stop these wars,” Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) said.

War Powers Resolution states the president can only send the armed forces into military action abroad if

                -Congress has authorized it

                                Or

                -U.S. is under attack or a serious threat of an attack to the U.S.

Libya was not attacking us nor were they threatening a serious attack to the United States. Congress did not declare war on Libya or any action for our military to take action to on Libya soil.

Obama’s administration has stated what is happening in Libya is not a “war” it is however “a limited humanitarian intervention”.

One campaign promise Obama made back in 2007 was to bring our troops back from overseas. He has yet to bring them back; in fact he is sending more troops over there.

Obama stated this “intervention” will only take 90 days, but how can Obama make that deadline when he doesn’t know what will happen?

I believe Libya will become a major issue in the coming up election; this issue has made many Americans asking themselves has Obama abused his power?

Nuclear Power Crisis

Nuclear power has always raised question marks. What is nuclear power, and is it safe? Will this help solve the global warming crisis? What are the long term effects from nuclear power?

Japan has recently suffered a disastrous earthquake followed by a tsunami; thousands of Japanese lost their lives and their homes from this natural disaster. On top of that, the country is now facing a threat from the nuclear power plants that suffered critical damage from both disasters.

The nuclear power plants in Japan are giving off radiation which could be contaminating their food, water and themselves.

The Vancouver Sun is reporting the “radiation levels in the sea off of Fukushima Daiichi plant have soared to 1,250 times normal just over two weeks.”

The Japanese government has told at least 10,000 people living in 20 miles radius from the nuclear power plants to leave for their safety.

Japanese are living in fear; they had to leave their homes for the rest of their lives because of this harmful radiation.

What does this mean to us living in the United States?

MSNBC’s Last Word host Lawrence O’Donnell claims, “Most Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant.”

Houston is in a 90-mile radius from a power plant in College Station; also another on in Matagorda County.

A Texas utility company wants to expand their business by building a new power plants near Bay City, Texas. Although, no new power plant has won approval from the federal government many want this expanison to happen.

Many residents believe that the power plants would create new jobs and help create clean power to save the environment.

With the recent events the plan of building new plants has been put on the back burner. The company addresses they have “multiple, unique safety features designed to prevent similar disasters here in Texas.” They also go on to say “the safety systems are located in water-tight, concrete buildings designed to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, storm surges and flooding.”

Could these nuclear power plants cause a threat to us?

Radiation poisoning is a true possibility that could affect thousands who live near a nuclear power plant exposing themselves to radiation.

Did you know that radiation is emitted from x-ray machines, microwaves, infrared lights, and in radio waves. The mostly commonly used treatment to treat cancer is chemotherapy (a form a radiation).

Americans are constantly exposed to forms of radiation every day; due to the media and this event, many have suddenly became aware of the effects from radiation.

Nuclear power has always been a political issue; candidates need to stand up strongly if they are for it or against it.

I believe this issue will be relevant in the future election, the media will be constantly updating the situation in Japan following up how much progress they have made. Whether the nuclear power plants have shut down over there or if there has been any long term effects coming from this disaster.

Biased?

A cardinal rule to being a journalist is to avoid being biased. The reporter is telling a story of what is going on at that time. Each viewer as a different view point on what is happening at that time. If you cast yourself to being biased about a particular case and the viewer does not like your opinion you are giving rather than the facts, they could turn against you. Why would a reporter or a news channel want to drive away viewers because they present biased reports.

For example: The Wisconsin protest media coverage is extremely biased. The media is portraying Governor Walker to be viewed as someone who is wrong and evil. While the Democratic Senators are being praised for throwing up their hands and leaving the state because they did not agree with what Walker is presenting.

Everyone disagrees with someone at some point but are you suppose to just give up and run away from the issue or are you suppose to discuss the issue and problem solve?

What is the media message is this sending the children?

Fox news supports my view the coverage being biased.

When a reporter is called biased it could hurt their reputation or even end their career. FOX News has been said to be biased, leaning towards the right. CNN is biased as well, with them reporting more to the left. Where is a news station that reports with a unbiased opinion? The answer is NO WHERE. In my opinion everyone is biased in some way or another. I believe it is the viewers job to look at both sides of the story to find the facts of the story and find a middle ground.

I am sorry! I can't hear you!

The Bill of Rights 1st Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Last week the Supreme Court ruled in favor for the Westboro Baptist Church on the stand it was their Constitutional right to protest at a military funeral.  Westboro Church is spewing out the idea that "GOD HATES AMERICA" because the military will soon allow for gays to be open about their sexuality.


Reports claim that Westboro is on the move to 'quadruple' military protests.


This particular case started to make people analysis: What is freedom of speech?

Sarah Palin recently commented on the courts decision: "We are told we can't say 'God bless you' in graduation speeches or pray before a local football game but these wackos can invoke God's name in their hate speech while picketing our military funerals, it shows ridiculous inconsistency."


I, personally think the action Westboro Church took is disgusting, protesting at a Marine's funeral, putting the soldier's picture on their propaganda is disrespectful and trashy.

Recently, three celebrities John Galliano, Charlie Sheen, and Julian Assange made racist comments against Jews. What is happing to them? Are they just invoking their freedom of speech or is it wrong?


Grant these hateful remarks are morally wrong, but it is in the constitution. So, what can we the 'sane' people do to show these foul we don't agree?


I am all for the freedom of speech so they can say what the want only if I can have my say in the matter. I have choices: I can either let them know how I feel verbally or physically. My way would be to hit them where it really hurts, in their pocket books.


For example: John Galliano a famous fashion designer was caught on camera making anti- Semitic insults. The house of Dior first suspended when Galliano comments first came to light. After, the remarks were confirmed house of Dior fired Galliano on March 4. They say they do not believe in the comments made by Galliano and don't want Galliano's image to be associated with house of Dior.


Hate words, anti-Semitic comments, etc. are all protected by the 1st Amendment but so are our words and actions to speak out against them. We just have to be louder!