If you are not aware of it, the upcoming Midterm Elections in November is very significant as it will dictate as to who will have greater control of the U.S. Congress. For the past couple of months, the Republican Party has been very vocal about their intentions in regaining power especially in the U.S. senate. On the other hand, Democrats have been worried about the dismal performance of the economy resulting in the massive dip of Democratic ratings. In an effort to prevent massive losses during election time, the Democratic Party has been focusing more in supporting candidates which they will surely count on.
The Wisconsin Senate Race
For a state that clearly supported Pres. Barack Obama during the last presidential elections, Democrats are quite confident that their candidate for senator, Russ Feingold, will have a smooth sailing with he faces Republican candidate Ron Johnson in the November polls. Feingold is a high-profile Democrat who has served numerous years as a member of the Wisconsin Senate. Despite the confidence shown by Democrat leaders on Feingold’s chances, recent surveys show otherwise. In a recent survey conducted by Public Policy Polling, Feingold is in fact trailing by a whopping 11 percentage points. Another poll by Rasmussen Polling showed Johnson up ahead by a smaller lead. The fact is Johnson is now seen as more favorable to win the Senate than Feingold.
The Senate Race in West Virginia
The state of West Virginia is known to be dominated by the Democratic Party. In fact, Democrats are currently holding the state’s governorship, both senate seats, two of three house seats and both houses of the state’s legislature. Democrats are very popular in the state especially in the coal fields of Southern West Virginia. But popular Governor and Pro-coal Democratic Candidate Joe Manchin is reportedly trailing Republican candidate John Raese by 3 percentage points. Despite a smaller lead by Raese, it is still interesting enough to notice the fighting chance that Republicans have in a state where Democrats are known to be very influential.
The Gubernatorial Race in New York
In the race for the governor of New York, Republican candidate Carl Paladino is trailing Democrat and current state attorney general Andrew Cuomo by only 6 percentage points according a survey by Quinnipiac University. For the past couple of months, there were talks that Republican candidate Carl Paladino wasn’t intending to mount a serious run. But the smaller lead by Cuomo is an indication that Democrats should be equally worried. An upset is still very possible especially if it happens in one of the most powerful states in the U.S., the State of New York.
Showing posts with label United states of america. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United states of america. Show all posts
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Suspicions Against Muslim Americans Runs High
Since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers which killed over 3,000 people (mostly Americans), numerous Americans have expressed and shown their dislike and hatred towards Muslims. The trauma and fear instilled during that faithful day has greatly influenced how Americans think about Islam today. In fact, various American groups have tagged Islam to be the primary enemy of the United States. Even the U.S. President himself has been hit by stereotyping. A lot of people now believe that Pres. Obama is a Muslim and as evident to the struggles of the economy and the nation, he is also trying to destroy America.
The massive uproar eventually started when news broke out about a planned construction of a Mosque just two blocks away from the Ground Zero site. Because the terrorist attack on 9/11 was initiated by Islamic extremists, people began strongly opposing the idea of putting an Islamic symbol near the memorable site. Most Americans have expressed their disgust over the planned Islamic center stating that it was indeed an act of disrespect to all the fallen victims of 9/11. Matters got worse when Obama supported the building of the Mosque stating the reason of religious freedom. That is when people become more inclined to believe that Obama is secretly a Muslim.
The problem with Islam will most probably become the heaviest threat to national security. Just weeks before the commemoration of 9/11, various groups have already initiated direct or indirect assaults to Islamic centers in the US. In recent months, mosques in Tennessee, California, New York and elsewhere have been shot at and vandalized. And just last week, a Florida Pastor has urged his followers to burn Qurans during the commemoration of 9/11 in order to express their anger and hatred towards Islam. The Muslim community quickly condemned the planned event stating that it is a direct attack to Islam and is a form of disrespect to the religion.
While we see the growing tensions between various American religious groups and Muslims, we often forget that there are also Muslims who perished during the 9/11 attacks. American Muslims now face the hardest task of living alongside a community who mistakenly tag them as a threat to society. Now, Muslims are asking why their efforts to be accepted in the United States have been so easily thwarted. Despite of the efforts by Muslim Americans to condemn terrorism and be one with the nation, they are still being bombarded by negative sentiments and are surrounded by suspicion.
Efforts by Muslim groups to persuade non-Muslim Americans to believe that their intention is simply to live in peace have continuously failed. These groups blame various organizations who launch well-funded initiatives to spread misinformation about Islam. There are now hundreds of websites that depict terror acts done by Muslims which in fact are unreal and are just hated claims. Muslim Americans are now struggling to regain back their freedom and respect. They wonder when will Non-Muslim Americans finally believe them.
The massive uproar eventually started when news broke out about a planned construction of a Mosque just two blocks away from the Ground Zero site. Because the terrorist attack on 9/11 was initiated by Islamic extremists, people began strongly opposing the idea of putting an Islamic symbol near the memorable site. Most Americans have expressed their disgust over the planned Islamic center stating that it was indeed an act of disrespect to all the fallen victims of 9/11. Matters got worse when Obama supported the building of the Mosque stating the reason of religious freedom. That is when people become more inclined to believe that Obama is secretly a Muslim.
The problem with Islam will most probably become the heaviest threat to national security. Just weeks before the commemoration of 9/11, various groups have already initiated direct or indirect assaults to Islamic centers in the US. In recent months, mosques in Tennessee, California, New York and elsewhere have been shot at and vandalized. And just last week, a Florida Pastor has urged his followers to burn Qurans during the commemoration of 9/11 in order to express their anger and hatred towards Islam. The Muslim community quickly condemned the planned event stating that it is a direct attack to Islam and is a form of disrespect to the religion.
While we see the growing tensions between various American religious groups and Muslims, we often forget that there are also Muslims who perished during the 9/11 attacks. American Muslims now face the hardest task of living alongside a community who mistakenly tag them as a threat to society. Now, Muslims are asking why their efforts to be accepted in the United States have been so easily thwarted. Despite of the efforts by Muslim Americans to condemn terrorism and be one with the nation, they are still being bombarded by negative sentiments and are surrounded by suspicion.
Efforts by Muslim groups to persuade non-Muslim Americans to believe that their intention is simply to live in peace have continuously failed. These groups blame various organizations who launch well-funded initiatives to spread misinformation about Islam. There are now hundreds of websites that depict terror acts done by Muslims which in fact are unreal and are just hated claims. Muslim Americans are now struggling to regain back their freedom and respect. They wonder when will Non-Muslim Americans finally believe them.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A Legal Battle Against California’s Climate Law
It is only until this century that we started thinking about the possibility of doomsday or the destruction of our planet. For thousands of years, Humans have inhabited and lived in this planet without acknowledging the consequences that are actions make which could harm the environment in the long run. We all know how important our environment is for our survival. The threat of Global Warming or Climate Change is not just an environmental concern but also involves the very survival of humans.
In this decade, we have already experienced some of nature’s destructive fury. The recent flashfloods in Pakistan that displaced over 7 million people and cut vital supply lines are a clear indication that climate change is already happening. Abnormal weather patterns, increasing temperatures and the rise of water levels have given us an idea of what to expect in the coming years. Scientists and researchers are worried on the frequent occurrences of natural calamities that endanger thousands or even millions of lives worldwide.
Global warming is caused by severe amounts of toxic Gas pollutants that are emitted to the Earth’s atmosphere. These toxic gases trap heat within the planet thus increasing the global average temperature. In turn, polar icecaps melt faster increasing water levels to record highs. It then creates a domino effect such as abnormal occurrences of natural calamities and abnormal weather. It is good to note that gas emissions coming from industrialized countries are now the ones being blamed for this environmental concern.
Today, several U.S. states such as California are strongly considering the implementation of certain regulations which will limit the carbon emissions of various companies. California's Global Warming Solutions Act, widely known as AB 32, imposes 80 percent carbon emission reductions by 2050 across all sectors of the economy. And because of its significant impact to businesses, various States have also strongly opposed such act stating that at a time of a recession, cutting carbon emissions would mean also cutting jobs.
The attorneys general of Alabama, Nebraska, Texas and North Dakota are now suing California and are submitting “Proposition 23” which is an initiative on the November ballot that would delay implementing the AB 32 act until California's unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or below. The state’s current unemployment rate now stands at 12%. The opposing states argue that the act is ruining interstate commerce which is proven to be vital especially at a time where jobs are scarce.
David Farnsworth, a senior associate with the Regulatory Assistance Project, stated that California has a stronger case to pursue especially at this time where the world has recognized the health risks that Climate change may impose to humans. On the other hand, North Dakota's Stenehjem argue that by imposing such regulations, there is a huge possibility that the United States will be experiencing power shortages in the future.
In this decade, we have already experienced some of nature’s destructive fury. The recent flashfloods in Pakistan that displaced over 7 million people and cut vital supply lines are a clear indication that climate change is already happening. Abnormal weather patterns, increasing temperatures and the rise of water levels have given us an idea of what to expect in the coming years. Scientists and researchers are worried on the frequent occurrences of natural calamities that endanger thousands or even millions of lives worldwide.
Global warming is caused by severe amounts of toxic Gas pollutants that are emitted to the Earth’s atmosphere. These toxic gases trap heat within the planet thus increasing the global average temperature. In turn, polar icecaps melt faster increasing water levels to record highs. It then creates a domino effect such as abnormal occurrences of natural calamities and abnormal weather. It is good to note that gas emissions coming from industrialized countries are now the ones being blamed for this environmental concern.
Today, several U.S. states such as California are strongly considering the implementation of certain regulations which will limit the carbon emissions of various companies. California's Global Warming Solutions Act, widely known as AB 32, imposes 80 percent carbon emission reductions by 2050 across all sectors of the economy. And because of its significant impact to businesses, various States have also strongly opposed such act stating that at a time of a recession, cutting carbon emissions would mean also cutting jobs.
The attorneys general of Alabama, Nebraska, Texas and North Dakota are now suing California and are submitting “Proposition 23” which is an initiative on the November ballot that would delay implementing the AB 32 act until California's unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or below. The state’s current unemployment rate now stands at 12%. The opposing states argue that the act is ruining interstate commerce which is proven to be vital especially at a time where jobs are scarce.
David Farnsworth, a senior associate with the Regulatory Assistance Project, stated that California has a stronger case to pursue especially at this time where the world has recognized the health risks that Climate change may impose to humans. On the other hand, North Dakota's Stenehjem argue that by imposing such regulations, there is a huge possibility that the United States will be experiencing power shortages in the future.
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