Election 2006: During November 7, 2006
Posted by theexpress in election, politics.add a comment
I know that I haven’t posted in ages, but i ran out of juice, so to speak, and if all goes well, I’ll post semi-regularly from hence forth. But the real reason I decided to post was because of the elections today, whose results are coming in as I write. I have good news from my home state of Pennsylvania, Santorum has been ousted and Rendell has held on. Its looking good for the Democrats to take Congress after the pathetic excuse for the one we have now. I’m pretty excited, but I’ll have to hold off my full post until all of the results have been tallied. This should be a very good night.
Objectivity on the Ropes? April 22, 2006
Posted by theexpress in media, politics.3 comments
A few weeks ago, I was watching CNN Sunday Morning when the topic of objective journalism came up in a round table discussion of topics. I believe that when reporting a story, a journalist should keep his/her opinion to himself, but there are times when we should feel some strong opinions coming from the news desk. Jeff Jarvis of Buzz Machine came on and strongly supported the side of subjective journalism. It was quite funny that he came on the typical, relaxed Sunday morning show with strong opinions while pushing for strong opinions on static-viewed shows.
Those who opposed him, and supported objectivity, had the good point that the reporter is meant to tell the facts of the story and let the people draw their own opinions. The media has enough sway as it is currently, and expressing even more opinions could have a major effect on the country. Since the media is typically seen as liberal (except for a certain channel), it could push the majority of the country to the left side of the aisle after these past few years of conservatism. Objectivity is something that was always looked at for the perfect newsman, but it is being questioned and now viewed as an old quality. With the internet and its eclectic group of billions, one doesnt have to search too far for an opinion, so should the mainstream media show opinion?
Being objective is still something I prize when I try to make a post, but it is not something I break my back to achieve. After all, this is my blog and I belive that the few people that do come on here dont just want to here me reporting the news. They come on different blogs to hear people comment on the news, not just deliver it. It is and will continue to be an issue in the newsroom and all over for a while, but I believe that the future of news lies in hearing everyones opinion, not just the facts.
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With the pressures of school, I had to take a rest from blogging for a few weeks. I hope eveyone forgives me as I re-adjust to my old, blogging habits.
DP World and the Six February 26, 2006
Posted by theexpress in politics, security, world.1 comment so far
The news has recently been bombarded with the issue of letting a UAE-run company handle cargo in six different U.S. ports. In my opinion, the issue has been blown out of proportion with people not giving the whole story to what will happen in this possible deal. In October, Dubai Ports World told the U.S. Treasury Dept. that they would most likely be purchasing cargo terminals in six U.S. ports from the British-run Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. The six ports involved (Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, New Orleans, Houston, and Newark) have a total of 43 terminals and only 11 would be trading hands to the United Arab Emirate Company. P&O only handles unloading and loading cargo, storage, and repairs, not security, so my question is: Where is the national security disaster in this?
Dissidents would argue back that UAE is the home country of 2 9/11 hijackers and has frequently been the hub of money transfers in the Al Qaeda terrorist organization, but basing the whole country’s security level on the acts of a few people is ridiculous. The UAE has been an ally to the U.S. in the current and previous war and has let U.S. Navy ships dock in the country. Why is such a big deal made of a country with only a few skeletons in their closet? DP World will control no measures of security; that will remain in the hands of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard. The prevously mentioned two have done a less-than-perfect job as it is managing security at the nation’s ports, so it is shocking that the public outcry is not focused around how so little cargo is checked.
Recent evidence shows that only 5 to 10 percent of cargo that enters the U.S. ports are checked as opposed to many other countries who have beefed security up to almost 100%. There have been customs agents sent abroad that check the U.S.-bound cargo, but not enough is being done do prevent attacks and the Department of Homeland Security still has not made enough reform. Now, I’m not saying that every single container of cargo should be checked, it would shut down global commerce everywhere, but more than such a small percent should be screened. I have a feeling, though, that there will be change in this system as the controversy has opened a “can of worms” for security organizations.
2008: The Looming Election February 24, 2006
Posted by theexpress in election, politics.1 comment so far
I know it is hard to think about, but the 2008 Presidential Election campaigns will be here before we know it. It will be the second election in 28 years that a Bush wont be on a ballot, either President or VP, and it will be the second in 20 years that doesn’t have a Bush going for the Prez. There have only been rumors so far about the possible nominees, but with this being the middle year, a lot of information will funnel in fast.
On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is the current front runner in more recent polls. These are very early polls though, so there is very little evidence that this will actually pan out. Just remember that Howard Dean was the frontrunner for most of the primary polls, but Kerry ended up with the nomination. It would be quite the change if Hillary ends up getting the Democratic bid, because she, as we all know, would be the first woman President in America. Behind her in the polls are Sen. John Edwards (ran for VP in 2004), Sen. John Kerry (I doubt he will get it because of the unlikliness of someone to run after he already lost), Sen. Joe Biden (my personal favorite of all the current runners), and Wesley Clark, who tried to get the bid in the last election.
I am most supportive of Joe Biden in this mainly because I like the platform he has developed. He is more focused on what we haven’t been told by in the Bush Administration and taking the necessary reforms. He is also well esteemed in Congress, so he could probably get a lot of things done unlike the past few presidents. I could easily see him being the president, but I would really like for Barack Obama to be his VP. Something in me says that they would make a great team and do a lot of good for our country in their years of office, but Obama shows no sign of pursuing executive office. He is also a very young senator, so he probably wants to wait for more experience unlike Biden, who has been in the Senate since the early seventies.
On the Republican end, they will be rising out of 8 years overseen by Bush and ruled by Cheney and Rove (we all know its true). The polls are currently as follows: Condoleezza Rice, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Newt Gingrich, and Mitt Romney. The first three are in a tie for the current polls though. I would just like to make note that if Condy Rice and Hillary Clinton both get party nominations, it would make certain that we’d have a woman president.
Personally though, I support McCain for the Republican side. He is one of the most moderate Republicans out there and even headed the Republican side in the Gang of 14 last year. He, like Biden, is a popular senator and can get some legislation pasts that will focus on helping the Americans. With Bush always focusing on situations abroad (and mucking half of them up), it feels like there isn’t much out there that has been done domestically.
If you cant tell, I am in great support of a centrist in the White House. I feel that the best for this country will come from someone who is not torn up by party politics and pressures. With two long-term, popular senators that are in the running, I think we could be in good hands come 2008. An ideal election would be John McCain versus Joe Biden in the presidential bid. A clear head is going to be the best asset to get the country safely through these hectic times.
