Money isn't Clean: Swine Flu

Well here we are again.

We were all little once and we all had piggy banks, too. For those of us Jewish boys and girls that were unable to have pigs in the house due to religion, we used tootsie roll cartons. Regardless, I remember when I would come home and dump my change into the banks. Of course, when you're little, you run all over the house looking for loose change to put in the bank - not just your own money.

Then, when its heavy enough, you tell mom that you're going to count all of the money that you had collected. And mom knew where all that money came from - especially when you're seven and you have over twenty dollars after just an hour.

After we're all done counting our money - and before mom takes it to the bank - we are told right away to wash our hands because we don't know where the money has been.

So here's my thinking: has globalization made us more prone to illness? According to Andrew Marshall of Reuters - Yes.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/has-globalisation-made-us-more-catastropheprone-1674848.html

Mr. Marshall works with the concept of what globalization has done to world traveling and how the global economy is so entwined with everything else that its considered capable of withholding the effects or small ripples. But in actuality its a stand together or fall together system.

With airplanes flying out of every region of the world every minute it takes only hours or a day to spread a disease from one corner of the world to the next. In the past, it would have taken diseases weeks, months or even years to get across the globe.

I caught word of the Swine Flu a few days ago and watched as there were reports of it all across the globe. First was Mexico, then a few border states in the United States, then a school in NYC. Hours later it was popping up in Europe. This morning, I read that there was a suspected case in Israel - that's not kosher.

Perhaps it is true - globalization is a double edged sword and we are most definitely feeling the blade.

So where does this put Obama?

Rather, what can a President really do?

Diseases are the biggest enemy to the United States. Bigger then terrorists, rogue states, and pirates combined. Why? Because for all of our successes in mankind's history, we can't cure the common cold - let alone a rogue flu.

Rhetoric alone is not going to help President Obama. The government is going to have to fund drastic research into the CDC and other disease prevention institutions. I'm not a fan of big government, but its not like we're bailing out anything and placing it under government control.

If that doesn't work, President Obama could always follow in the footsteps of Bush-43: With a new type of enemy comes a new type of war.

"The War on Terror-ble Diseases"

Obama: Expanding Government by Preventing TARP Re-Payment

Wow. Just wow.

Words cannot describe the utter disappointment in the American people for not being able to see the blatant attempt at expanding government far beyond its necessary reach. While most of America blindly supports President Obama, I worry about how he is shaping the Presidency.

My biggest fear during any tough economic time is the ability of the masses to rally behind someone who makes promises to them. Why? Because it is the same way that Hitler, Stalin, Castro, and many other dictators came to power. No, I'm not saying Obama is going to mass-murder millions, I'm simply stating the point that the American people, when in times of uncertainty, will openly give up their rights for a sense of security (Remember the atrocity called The Patriot Act?).

When FDR and his government loaned billions of tax payer money to major industries to help them afford the conversion from civilian to military production, there was a plan in his notes to return the industries to their pre-war sovereignty.

So here I am reading about the Obama Administration not willing to accept re-payment of the TARP funds. Why? Because if a bank is being supported by tax-payer money, then that bank is no longer sovereign over itself. Instead, its controlled by the government - expanded government.

I see the point in the counter-argument made by the Administration: TARP money comes with a stipulation on limits of payments and bonuses to executives. In these trying times the American people do get frustrated and angry when we hear about executives and CEOs receiving the "Golden Parachute."

Its not the greatest of things but its really only noted now because the blue-collars are in tough economic times. It is the ugly side of capitalism - but you wouldn't move away from capitalism because of one bad thing.

It would be like the human population not having sex anymore because they couldn't guarantee that both parties would be sufficiently satisfied each time. We know thats not going to happen because despite the less joyful parts of sex, the pros far outweigh the cons.

As is the case with free capitalism...

Center for American Progress and Green Energy

As our country moves ahead with new technologies leading the way for a more profitable and habitat able place we ask our selves the question of whether or not we are ready to make such a transition. In an article titled, “ENERGY: The Green Energy Revolution May Already be Underway,” states that we have the possibilities and infrastructure to install such green energy plans that will profit the country.
Of course, many people cannot afford such new technologies because of the high cost and low demand but the (CAP) Center for American Progress assures that there will be a great influx of jobs that would power this market of solar and wind energy, as well many cash incentives for those who dive into the green revolution.
The CAP was founded in 2003 by former chief of staff to Bill Clinton, John D. Podesta. This website is dedicated to revolutionizing new policies and plans in convergence with media to provide a useful avenue of new information. Now back to the issue. This new energy plan would cost an initial 100 billion dollar input (1/7 of the financial bailout), but would create an upwards of 2 million jobs. The interesting thing about these 2 million jobs is the diversity. People would be providing weatherization of new homes and schools, construction of solar and wind power, and lastly water infrastructure.
In addition to the construction of new energies this potential plan would authorize a cash refund for old used cars so that we could reduce pollution. Similarly, the new push for “cap and trade” to reduce carbon admissions is on its way. This nationwide carbon reduction ideal would take some time as does anything being pushed with legislature but the benefits would be greatly appreciated for those with open minds and a will improve our economy and environment.

Global Update

In response to the anti-missiles put into Poland last year, Russia has invaded Georgia, a close US ally.  After the Cold War had ended finally in the 1990s, the world was beginning to see present Russia in a new way.  However, now they seem to be falling back into their old ways, into their old political way of handling things.  According to the US Department of Defense, U.S. and Russia relations went on hold and was described as, "Business as Usual," (US Dept. of Defense).  What will come from this dispute between one major world player and one wannabe major world player?

First, one first must delve into why Russia was insulted in the first place.  To introduce my reasoning would to explain past relations with Poland.  Poland was the second country in the world to draft a Constitution.  However, being surrounded by repressing political societies Poland had to give up this dream.  Poland in turn invaded Moscow and stripped them of their identity, which left Russia is dismantle.  Second, there are past relations between Russia and the U.S.  Russia seemingly will always be perpetually tied to their past.  After the end result of the Cuban Missile Crisis and now the retaliation of putting anti-missiles in Russia, it's easy to see why Russia would be insulted.  Russia seemingly cannot change the view that the world has attached to them.  Russia's ultimate goal is to try to become a major world player and even more so to join the EU but with transaction, they were forced into retaliation and now with NATO being disconnected on the next step, could Russia being even further now from reaching these goals?  

What are other global networks saying?  According to ABC News, "it could be about oil."  This would make sense, however, it would not align itself with the political agenda of Russia.  Russia wants to expand energy conservation and development, which is a huge part of their public policies in their national interest.  Although, the evidence could be moving towards that direction, I do think it would be out of character.

Ceellleeebratee good Obama come on!! (South Park, 2008)

Obama and His Bracket:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney09/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3991859

Time to get away from all that political stuff and take it easy. First off, screw the republicans who had nothing else better to do than to b-t-h about the President filling out brackets on ESPN for the March Madness Tourny. Maybe they are a little jealous because they weren't invited to fill out their own bracket on Sportscenter....maybe ESPN was afraid that the republicans would ruin them like they did to our country for 8 years.

Anyways, enough of my rant. I was pumped that I had the same teams in the final 4 as the President. Mine was out of luck though since I know nothing of college basketball. Both the expert and the rookie (me) did awful with our brackets this year though. So I am down 10 bucks to my friends because of it, I wonder if he put money down?

We did agree on the winner as well. We predicted UNC taking it all. I say this like I know the guy and we're friends, but I am not trying to sound like that...just saying that we have the same picks thats all.

One political aspect other than my rant earlier that I would like to mention. I think it is a great thing that Obama went and did this. I say this because when was the last time we had a president who tried and succeeded to reach out and get the attention of a different source of people? Like me for example. Yeah I saw Bush at a few games over the years...but doing what? sitting there looking stupid right? of course, might as well of stuck a duck-billed platypus up there. Obama took 10 minutes of his time to show the younger crowd that he is human, that he likes sports and likes to partake in things that normal guys who like sports do. Like the Bracket for example. Now this isnt the only reason why I like the guy, but it is definitely a big one. Not that he did the bracket, but the fact that he's reaching out to a younger crowd without being fake about it.

Bill to protect land

This article has to do with Obama signing a bill protecting wilderness acreage with 2 million acres protected in nine states. The President feels that this is one of the most important laws in decades. He says "to protect, preserve and pass down our nation's most treasured landscapes to future generations." In society today and the rate of pollution that is created by man setting aside land I think is a great idea. This law will guarantee that Americans "will not take our forests, rivers, oceans, national parts, monuments, and wilderness areas for granted, but rather we will set them aside and guard their sanctity for everyone to share. That's something all Americans can support." Says President Obama. This law is composed of 170 separate measures in tact within it. This land ranges from California's Sierra Nevada and Oregon's Mount Hood to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and parts of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. The law expands wilderness designation — which blocks nearly all development — into areas that previously were not protected. Because of this law I think that it will help to improve the national park system and also help in restoring forests and preserving wild life. It is a large amount of land but with a growing country it seems to be a well needed thing to keep special places of this country protected.

http://http//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29961853/