Four Suspects Caught Red handed

May 21, 2009 – Four suspected terrorists wannabes were caught of planning to detonate Jewish targets of New York. According to a criminal complaint filed in the White Plains, they initially had planned to bombard two New York synagogues and launch surface-to-air missiles at US military air crafts. These men were caught in the act of planting bombs in front of two Jewish facilities, New York City police commissioner stated. These men’s information were leaked when an FBI informant had found out about their mission. The suspects, James Cromitie, David Williams and Onta Williams were United States citizens and were judged in the federal courthouse Thursday. The last suspect, Laguerre Payen is not at the courthouse but was experiencing “appropriate medical treatment” and will be prosecuted later, the FBI spokeswoman Monica McLean announced. The men were charged with “conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the United States” and to gain access and “use anti-aircraft missiles”.The punishments will be "carry(ing) a maximum sentence of life in prison." These suspects were caught while planting fake bombs. Now, all Jewish organizations intensify their security to prevent future threats like this, this event just showed that all Jewish groups are now in danger.

After reading this article, I fear that there might be a possibility of having another 9/11. Now, the United States should not be the only country to be alert, other countries should be as alert as well. If I am the government, I would be passing laws that the government would have the knowledge if any citizens are purchasing an excess amount of materials that could create explosives. They should also make registrations to licence people who are allowed to purchase explosive materials. Ones who do not have the registrations should be prosecuted and the government will keep an eye on people who do have the licence. Suspects should also be stopped and questioned in order to prevent the terrorist bombings. The citizens should also be cautious about terrorism, they could be stopped. If the citizens are not cautious, the terrorists had won already. I hope that everyone will be wary about this kind of activities and stop terrorism. Keep an eye around you, everybody!

hyperlink: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/21/ny.bomb.plot/index.html

U.S. tries to cover up Prisoner Abuse Photos

May 19, 2009 – Earlier in this week, President Obama said he would hold back the prisoner abuse photographs that he initially wanted to put to the public’s eyes. This change of heart was shocking and depressing. The ACLU wanted the public to know what happened to the prisoners for six years. In 2003, they want the prisoner photographs to be exposed because of the Freedom of Information Act for records, which also includes photographs. In 2005, the federal judge in recognized Bush’s action of hiding the photographs were negative. In 2008, the federal court generally supported the choice. Bush’s office continued to suppress the photos, Obama was doing the same. The photos were extremely important because for the historical record of showing that they had abused prisoners. This also showed that the Bush’s officials and the photos’ link of identifying what happened to the terrorists. The reason that Obama changed his mind about the photos were that they “would not add any additional benefit”. Another reason that the senior officials were trying to hide the truth from the public because they fear they will be prosecuted in war crimes with their way of interrogating terrorists.

After reading this article, I was upset about Obama’s action. This is basically just clouding the public from the truth. The public has the right to know what the government is doing with government transparency. This is already going against the basic freedom and rights of a human being. Also, with them hiding the truth, there will be more rumours about the United States torturing terrorists. As the rumour grows, this might even cause more terrorists attacks to avenge their comrades. The rumours might actually even worsen the situation of the terrorist prisoner’s abuse. They only want to hide the public from the truth because of high government officials facing war crimes. Those men are criminals and the government is defending them, where is the law? The photos should be exposed and these government officials should be prosecuted. What the United States is doing is equivalent to the Nazi concentration camps, where when Nazis lost the war, they tried to destroy these camps, denying their existence. US seemed to be walking down the same path of trying to cover up any evidence of government torturing prisoners. The United States better stop and continue liberation the world to freedom, or they will turn into the very thing they had sworn to destroy. U.S., turn back while you still can!

Hyperlink: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/19/jaffer.detainee.photos/index.html

Pentagon release Prisoner Abuse Photos

May 13, 2009 – The Defense Apartment of the United States had announced to release the photos of abused detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Freedom of Information Act was the cause of releasing these photos, as President Obama wanted to show the U.S. that some methods of punishing the prisoners are considered torture by the American Civil Liberties Union. The photographs are to be released in 2006, showing the Abu Ghraib military prison in Iraq had abused the prisoners. The ACLU indicated the Pentagon will be releasing a number of photographs by the end of may. The Pentagon Officials also stated that photographs from the 60 criminal investigations from 2001 – 2006. They will also expose militants abusing the inmates. The reason why the ACLU wanted the photos were to proof that the U.S. personnels had abused the prisoners in the camp. However, the Pentagon objected ACLU claiming that the photos will pictured that there is a pattern of abuse by the military. The Pentagon spokesman stated that they were drastic about inspect “credible allegations of abuse”. He said, “The policy of the Department of Defense is to treat all prisoners humanely, and those who have violated that policy have been investigated and disciplined.” The Pentagon does not want the images to be exposed to the public, however, they lost in two court cases and were forced to release them. The Defense Secretary Robert Gates rejected the idea of putting the photos into public because with these photos, it give the al Qaeda a chance to employing more terrorists and a reason spread more violence.
After reading this article, I was traumatized and upset. The article just showed the entire world that the country, the one states that they are the supporters of human rights, full of democracy and liberty was actually the opposite of what they state. Everyone deserves punishment in jail, but torture? This is just inhuman and ironically, it violates the U.S. human rights, their own country who set up these rules. I thought the U.S. army was to liberate the countries under dictators. However, I was wrong, they are just as parsimonious as the invaded country’s previous leaders. If they are liberating the country, they should share the human rights. This is a wrongful act done by the Untied States of America. I think that the government of the United States should be more cautious about what the militants will do to the prisoners. The ones who are prosecuted should face the punishment of breaking the human rights. These photos are enough to show the evidence of torturing and abusing the detainees. I hope the district attorneys will be capable of putting the inhuman militants into jail, so these monstrous beings could learn from their wrongful acts and reform. Where’s your decency, U.S. militants?

Hyperlink: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/12/prisoner.photos/index.html

Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan Replaced

May 11, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert Gates will announce that he is swapping General David McKiernan with Lt. General Stanley McChrystal to be the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan. The change was actually motivated by Obama who wanted to fight and end the Taliban militants in Afghanistan. Before Gates left the trip, Gates indicated that the Taliban in Afghanistan are thorny to negotiate with because of so many cultural barriers and differences. He also noted that there are two kinds of soldiers there, there are the younger ones, working only to feed their families and others who are there because they are religiously committed. Gates is trying to sway some of the Taliban who were only in battles for pays from fighting. Gates had visited Afghanistan last week. McChrystal is currently in the position as the director of the Join Staff in Washington, D.C. and previously the leader of the Joint Special Operations Command in Fort bragg, North Carolina.
I was interested in this article because I want to know how was the fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now, the U.S. is about to replace one of their important commanders with new blood. I am worried with their choice because they have to be cautious with their candidates, if this chosen candidate is not as competent as they thought he may be might result huge casualties. Also, this newly chosen commander did not have experience in conducting battles in Afghanistan, it might be an error of choosing him. I hope that their choice is worthy of leading their troops in Afghanistan. Also, I believe that Robert Gates is making a good point on trying to lure out some of the less committed Taliban who are fighting only to feed their families. By seeking those Taliban out, the U.S. could negotiate with them to join their side and move to the U.S., giving them a better payroll in the military service. This could allow the Taliban fighters to decrease while increasing the U.S. army at the same time. If I am the government, I would not choose a commander who did not even fight in Afghanistan. First, I will send the selected candidate to Afghanistan to fight as a high ranking lieutenant to fight with the commander. The commander will teach the lieutenant the territories and fighting tactics against the Taliban. I will also ask the commander to write reports about the lieutenant’s actions and see if he’s competent enough to become the ground zero’s commander. When the lieutenant is well taught by the commander and his actions were remarkable, then I would promote the lieutenant to be the commander. Good luck in Afghanistan, General McChrytsal.

hyperlink: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/11/afghanistan.replacement/index.html

Obama Plans to save 17 billion dollars

May 6, 2009, New York – A senior administration official announced that the White House proposed to save $17 billion in the following year by cutting down 121 federal programs. There was an estimation of approximately $11.5 billion of the savings would be from programs’ funds that are voluntary and they will be from non-defence programs. The proposed of cutting down programs, eliminating and reducing them will be released soon for the following year’s budget request. However, it was uncertain if the savings in 2010 would be used on other federal programs or for decreasing the country’s growing shortage. However, these actions might push long-term deficits significantly higher. Some experts suggests the government to stop spending funding while the economy is in catastrophe. The Government Accountability Office predicts that all federal revenue will be paid into the costs of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and public debs interest in 2025.

After reading this article, I trust that Obama chose and committed a wise decision. This might actually help and save the United State’s economy growth by cutting down funding from certain programs. However, the government must debate and be cautious about what they are cutting down. If they cut down funding in medical and education, this will be a foolish choice, as they are extremely important to develop the young minds of the nation and medical care is as significant because of the swine flu cases in the States. However, if the programs were already poor and unsuccessful, I agree that they should be reduced or even cut, there is no time for a second chance in this situation. The Senate and the House of Commons should use the year 2009 wisely and debate carefully on cutting down which programs are necessary and which are not. If one important program is removed, it might endanger the entire US economy or even the world's. Choose wisely, US!

Hyperlink: http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/06/news/economy/obama_budget_cuts/index.htm?cnn=yes

Officials Encourages Schools remain Open

May 5, 2009 – Health and human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of American Federal officials advised schools to re-open when swine flu even though there was a confirmed case at a school. With the terrified effects of the flu, 530 schools were shutdown nationwide because of it. St. Francis Preparatory School of New York, the first confirmed United States of swine flu, was now opened again, stating that it is “completely sanitized” for students. The swine flu had affected the world wide, people who went to Mexico were quarantined and confirmed cases on Mexicans who were on foreign countries were quarantined as well. The CDC said, there were more than 400 cases of U.S. swine flu cases. four new swine flu deaths confirmed, according to WHO. However, Mexico City will close public venues and schools across the nation.
After reading this article, I was relieved that the Mexican government was taking measures with the swine flu. The officials were not letting their guard down, which is a correct action, or if they did, the virus will spread and might even result more deaths. However, their acts could be improved, if I am the government of Mexico, I will keep public places closed and whichever place have a reported sight of the flu, including suspected ones, should be quarantined. I would also cease the airlines from entering Mexico, until the statistics of the flu cases descends. I hope that the Mexican officials will remain cautious. It is better to be safe than sorry. Even though, it might cause some inconvenience, life is more important than that. I hope the Mexican Officials will not change their minds and prevent the flu from spreading. Other countries should start more quarantine and be as cautious as Mexico. Keep it up, Officials!

hyperlink: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/05/swine.flu.main/index.html

Swine Flu Spreads

May 2, 2009, Geneva, Switzerland – The WHO, World Health Organization, said there are is an increase of swine flu patients to 658 and they are now arranging pandemics. Dr. M. J. Ryan, director of WHO noted that there are more disease spreading to other countries, which is extremely dangerous. Now, there are confirmed cases of swine flu in sixteen countries, including Mexico. In some countries, such as Hong Kong, China, some hotel residence were under quarantine to stop the spread of the virus. The CDC, Connecticut, Florida and Missouri, hopes that they will be able to find the vaccine soon.

This is some depressing news, this news reminded me of the dreaded SARS. Back in Hong Kong, I remember back then, SARS was extremely dangerous and everyone is alert. There are news of deaths almost everyday. I hope this swine flu is not as powerful as SARS. I think the flu were spread because of Mexicans travelling around the world. They should start setting up quarantines around the nation and prevent certain people from leaving the country. If the Mexican Officials do not act soon, the world might be contaminated. I hope that the vaccine will be created soon with limited amount of side effects. I trust that the CDC will be able to find a vaccine soon and cure contaminated patients. However, I fear that when the vaccine is created, the company selling the vaccine should be government owned, so that business men will not squeeze the prices up. Good luck, CDC!
Hyperlink: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/02/swine.flu/index.html