In Efforts to End Bullying, Some See Agenda

In the past three weeks there have been several GLBT teen suicides, due to harassment during public school, have been brought to the public attention. This has caused much debate among the school board and the public about what anti-harassment policies should be taught during school and what the public school system can do to prevent such tragedies. The federal Department of Education is responsible for preventing harassment of any student and are currently trying to come up with a new policy to help GLBT students. This is an example of how bureaucrats are used by the federal government to regulate policies such as public school anti-harassment policies. The Department of Education is able to do what the federal government can't, it can specialize and work with the street level bureaucrats to create a policy.\



Hannah Shearer

www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07bully.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us&src=me

U.S. Vote Could Derail Russia Ties

President Obama has begun to strengthen ties with Russia since his presidency, but since the recent election leading to the Republican party taking majority in the house of representatives continuing these ties seems even more challenging. "Obama needs Congress to sign off on three major policy changes: an arms control treaty to reduce nuclear arsenals and resume inspections; a civilian nuclear agreement to permit greater cooperation; and a repeal of cold war-era trade restrictions so Russia can join the World Trade Organization." It appears that an already challenging task before the Republicans had majority in the House will not be accomplished, leaving all of the progress President Obama made irrelevant.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/europe/07policy.html?ref=world

Posted by: Sam Livingston

In Efforts to End Bullying, Some See Agenda

The push to stop bullying of homosexuality within schools has caused somewhat of an uproar of religious critics. These critics believe that anti-harassment in schools is good but that it is just a piece of an entire liberal and gay rights hidden agenda being used to promote their other standpoints "for example, same sex marriage." This is somewhat of a ridiculous assumption of those who oppose the anti-bullying policy. The policy in itself is not specific to gay and lesbian bullying.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07bully.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

Posted by: Sam Livingston

Republicans in charge take aim at health overhaul

As the Republican party continues to gain control over the House, there is a growing opposition to the Obama White House and federal spending. Republicans have begun utilizing the Direct Government tool by laying the groundwork for their 2012 goal: a new president, a "better Senate" and ridding the country of that “demonized” health care law, which is an example of social and economic regulation. Republicans have said they are willing to work with President Barack Obama but it would be only on their terms. Democrats who controlled the House, Senate and White House for two years must now work with Republicans, who have not shied from pushing their own agenda. The results from this recent election only supports the rejection of American liberalism and the Obama and Pelosi agenda.


-Rebecca Jania

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_republicans_in_charge

Republicans oppose compromise with President Obama on tax cuts

Republicans gained control of the house in the last election and democrats fear that the transition of power will jeopardize their policies on the expiring Bush tax cuts. Democrats want tax cuts extended for all Americans except the wealthiest portion. Republicans on the other hand feel that it is important to extend tax cuts for every American during an economic downturn. This issue has further separated Republicans and Democrats. Congress will meet and debate these tax cuts as well as spending bills. The policy tool that is decided upon will undoubtedly have a great effect of the U.S. economy in the coming years.

Kate White

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-republicans-tax-cuts-20101108,0,1298102.story

Mapping Ecosystems, the Better to Conserve Them

The State Department of Fish and Game has just revealed its latest version of its online BioMap in order to ensure that largely private efforts to set aside land do the most public good. The map is providing a framework for protection and stewardship of those lands and waters that are most important for conserving biological diversity with the climate change and suburbanization that are built into the state’s biological future. Those who do the land conservation are those who are part of a town or a regional or state-level agency. The BioMap will suggest what lands you should acquire. This is an example of direct government because it is a direct provision of services by a government agency. Government has a direct relationship with consumers of its goods and services.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/mapping-ecosystems-the-better-to-conserve-them/?ref=science

Kilee Imlay

Direct Government in Airports

Recently new body imaging scanners have been added to many airports. These are used to completely scan travelers prior to flights. Even with this new technology, three national Sikh advocacy and civil rights organizations have said that turbans will still be searched and consider this "racial profiling." According to the T.S.A. (Transportation Security Administration) and the Department of Homeland Security, the scanners cannot see through the multiple layers of fabric in the turban. Thus, these organizations are using direct government to allow security officials the jurisdiction to conduct extra searches. While some may cry "racial profiling", I feel that a turban is the same as a small, unchecked bag. This is necessary and fair for everyone to be safe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07turban.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper