The Midterm Elections and Obama's Foreign Policy's

The midterm elections resulted in a diminished democratic presence within the house and senate. This is unfortunate for President Obama with regards to passing specific bills that will now be challenged by the republican party. The article references the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia as an issue that could be second guessed by "hard-line" republicans such as Rand Paul. Obama claims he intends to try to get the treaty approved during the lame duck session of Congress that begin Nov. 15. Obama believes that, "This is not a traditionally Democratic or Republican issue, but rather an issue of American national security".  This is a prime example of the house of representatives and congress, using their overriding privileges to challenge the legitimacy of Obama's agenda.  Although having a stronger republican presence within the government may slow down specific processes that Obama is trying to carry out, I believe that the legitimacy of his policies will be evaluated more closely, which is beneficial for America.

Robbie Nichols

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/world/americas/05prexy.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=policy&st=cse

Regulators, Banks Grapple With Volcker Rule's Reach

New financial reform has ushered in an age of dissent. The cornerstone of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board, the Volcker Rule prevents banks from making speculative investments if they are not on behalf of their customers. Upset with certain provisions of the plans, Wall Street and D.C. are up in arms. Banks are fighting tooth and nail with regulators to ensure more lenient restrictions on their investment policies. As issues are captured by regulated interests, the fatal flaw of the iron triangle construct (interest, agency, congressional sway) becomes apparent: corruption within regulatory forces. Charged with the recent majority in the House, Republicans have begun pressing a personally beneficial interpretation of the new legislation, causing a breakdown in ability to implement precise fiscal regulation.

27.5 Million for 9/11 Workers

Workers who helped move debree from the 9/11 site say to have received health problems as a result. Released on Friday, they will receive 27.5 million dollars in settlement. There are over ten thousand workers asking for the money, and they will decide weather to accept it or ask for more. Their have been multiple other cases where settlements have been in the millions. Judges have said the results have been fair and reasonable.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/nyregion/07suit.html?ref=us

- Matthew Abelman

Jesus in Polish Town

In Swiebodzin, Poland the alleged "largest statue of Jesus" recieved its list pieces to complete the 108+ feet tall statue. A local preist was the master mind behind this beautiful statue that sits in the center of the city. Even though many of the 22,000 residents love the idea of this statue, there are a significant amount of unsatisfied citizens. The 78 year old preist said he felt as if his life duty was fulfilled when the project was complete. The preist told reports that he purposely made the statue itsself 33 meters tall which represents the 33 years that Jesus lived. However, including the Gold Crown and mount that it stands on, it stands over 167 tall. The government of Poland seemed to be happy with the placement of this statue because they feel like it will bring more tourism to the small town.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101106/ap_on_re_eu/eu_poland_giant_jesus

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