Racism still at large

This article talks about how an Ecuadorian man died a week later after a viscous beating by a group of New York city attackers. The immigrant was viciously beaten by a group of men yelling anti-Hispanic slurs and anti-gay slurs. The man was supposedly walking arm in arm with his brother when the attack occurred. Spokesman Francisco Moya said, "Jose Sucuzhanay died late Friday at Elmurst Hospital as his mother was en route from Ecuador to see him". Unfortunate is all that can be said for the Sucuzhanay family. The assault occurred early on December 7Th... my birthday by the way. The man was a 31 year old real estate broker and his brother Romel was or rather is 38. The police are trying to find 3 suspects but they are hard at task. Police said, "The attackers jumped out of the car and smashed a beer bottle over Jose Sucuzhanay's head, hit him in the head with an aluminum baseball bat and kicked him." The saddest part of the whole story is, "his mother, Julia Quintuna, obtained a humanitarian visa late this week to visit her injured son. She landed Saturday only to learn that he had died," Moya said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28215616/

People say that most people aren't racist or that America is changing for the better in that sense but yet this happens?.. but yet people that are everyday Americans working for a living or brutally beaten only to create a terrible death a week later? I have been to Mexico and I have seen their way of life... it is terrible they need a better one... they need a chance to survive. I have tried my best to help out orphanages in person and by charity. America maybe be getting better but it seems to me there will always be those ignorant, dumb and irrational people who do the inconceivable. I want the police to find these suspects and bring them to justice. As you can see I am very biased when it comes to cases like this but to avoid my biases I will try to use my cultural relativism. As I sit on my couch I try and I try to see what was going through the brains of these incompetent fools who viciously attacked this 31 year old real estate broker trying to make a living. I guess you could make the argument that they grew up in a racist family and knew nothing but to be racist but nonetheless I just can't defend racist ideas. To be racist is to not know the other person; to be racist is not know the term cultural relativism. I simply am at awe; how could someone do such a thing? I have great grievances for the family of the victim and sincerely hope justice is found for their sakes. This is Charlie Warnes, just a high school student out in Minnesota, I hope you can understand my view and I would love to learn of yours. Until next time...

~Charlie~

8 years old now adult?

This article is about how an 8 year old child shot his own dad and another man. He not only shot them but killed them each with several shots from a single-shot, bolt-action .22-caliber rifle. The kid shot his father, 29-year-old Vincent Romero, and 39-year-old Timothy Romans, who rented a room in the family's two-story home in the small eastern Arizona community of St. Johns. The boy had been keeping track of how many times he was spanked and when the thousandth one came he flipped a switch and pulled the trigger. The problem in court is... basically court wasn't made for an 8 year old charged with murder. It is obvious according to this article that the boy planned these murders and even his grandma said if an 8 year old is capable of doing something like this it is definitely her grandson. From what this article says the kid was a trouble maker and not really normal and nice like most 8 year olds. They are unsure of what is going to happen to the kid as of now but unfortunately for him the law allows prosecutions of juveniles age 8 and above as adults (But at the same time in Arizona, those convicted as juveniles can only be held until they turn 18.). Nonetheless the kid is in big trouble. In spirit of the holidays he was allowed a 48-hour furlough to spend Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday with his mother.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27971173/

I just don't get how anyone can shoot their own family not to mention an 8 year old charged with murder. I don't know whether to think the kid didn't know what he was doing or jeez this kid needs to be locked up from the get go. I just want to give the kid a second chance but part of me says heck no he shot his own dad and another guy just because he was spanked a lot. 1,000 spankings is a lot but no where near enough to make me kill my dad. The kid is messed up in the head and hopefully they can fix him so he doesn't need to spend the rest of his long life ahead of him in jail. That would be a pity. Whoever thought an 8 year old would be standing in court faced with murder. They say he knew what he was doing and that he planned it all... he even kept track of how many times he was spanked so when the 1,000Th one came he could put his plan into action. No one is really on the kids side or at least from what I read in this article, I mean even the kid's grandma was against him. With all the harshness being brought down upon the kid he was still allowed a 48-hour furlough to spend Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday with his mother. That at least gave the kid some kind of relief. He also might be relieved of one of his murder charges just because of this whole messed up thing is indeed messed up and confusing. I just don't know what to think and would love to find out what happens to the little fellow... I hope he is given a 2ND chance unless he truly doesn't deserve one which as of now I don't know if he does or doesn't. I guess in life there are always twists and turns that you need to be prepared for... as for this one I certainly wasn't ready and hope that I don't hear of any other cases similar to it. Until next time.

~Charlie~

Teleconferencing and cash

This article is about how a prison decided to use teleconferencing instead of a court appearance for multiple murder suspect Joshua Komisarjevsky. It costs the state of Connecticut $1,600 every time this guy shows up in court according to this article. He is a high security inmate, facing charges of murder, rape and arson from a 2007 home invasion in which a woman and her two daughters were killed in Cheshire. It is expensive for this guy to go to court because at every appearance he has to have a special detail of corrections officers and two state troopers accompany him. This whole teleconferencing thing is being used in 10 other states as well: Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee. It supposedly saves on high fuel prices and accompaniment helping out the tight state budgets. It also improves on public safety which can never be a bad thing. The article quotes Connecticut Corrections Commissioner Theresa C. Lantz when she argues for teleconferencing with inmates by saying this, "It's vehicles, it's gasoline, it's maintenance of those vehicles, it's the driver plus another officer for security purposes, it's all the work that is involved in taking an inmate out of a facility, putting them in a secure vehicle, transporting them to another location." Opposing the argument are the inmates, some say they would rather plead their case in person and that it isn't as fair and doesn't give them their best or fairest chance.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27874874/

I think the whole teleconferencing idea is good although I kind of agree with the inmates in that if I was pleading innocence or pleading for my life I would rather it be in person. But i guess life is tough and especially tougher for those who make bad decisions. If it saves money and improves public safety I don't see why we shouldn't do it especially in a time of crisis like now. Money is becoming scarce and now we are going to spend it on someone who just killed little Betty Sue? Not according to the 10 states that are now using teleconferencing. I believe that it is good stuff to save money but we have to be careful to not take too many rights away from people in jail, for all we know they could be innocent. Let 9 guilty men go free before we jail one innocent man. We learned that in my social class in Alexandria, Minnesota which is saying that our government is based on the rights of the individual and we have a thing called rule of law that states no one is above or below the law. I am not saying I am against teleconferencing but we should just make sure we don't cross the line.Over and Out... this is Charlie Warnes.

~Charlie~

Cops gone wrong?

This article is all about how five sheriff's deputies will be disciplined after they used a taser on a man at a funeral to serve out a arrest warrant. Supposedly the man was going to surrender after the funeral but the funeral wasn't quite over when the deputies came for the arrest so the man "went wild". One officer kneed him in the back before using a taser and everything turned to chaos. The man was the pallbearer for his dad, who the funeral service was for. According to the article the mans name is Gladwyn Taft Russ III. One of the other pallbearers said this, "Everybody was so scared. We thought it was a drug deal gone bad, we almost dropped the casket." From pretty much every opinion I read in the article the deputies did the wrong thing and were stupid to even do it. They could have just waited until after the funeral when they were supposed to anyways to arrest him and all of this wouldn't have happened. New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey told The Star-News of Wilmington that "five of the officers involved would be disciplined, and I apologize to anyone that was there," Causey said. "Family, friends, relatives. ... That was a bad decision." He wouldn't say what or how they would be disciplined but just that they would be disciplined. The man being arrested was charged with assault on a government official, resisting an officer, disorderly conduct and felony malicious conduct by a prisoner.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27822770/

I just can't see what the heck the five deputies were thinking. I mean come on at a funeral? I understand that they guy did resist arrest but the fact that they didn't even acknowledge the fact that he said he would turn himself in after his father's funeral. Like I said before, I just don't get it. I think that what the deputies did was wrong but nonetheless the guy still was a criminal he assaulted his wife and was going to be under arrest no matter if it was 5 minutes before the funeral was over or if the funeral was over. Russ could have saved himself some pain and less prison time if he would have just went peacefully but unfortunately he didn't. He spat on the officers according to the article and no matter what the situation, you just can't do that. I feel sorry for him but at the same time despise his actions towards his wife. I can't imagine being at my father's funeral and while putting away his casket being arrested. I hope the deputies get what they deserved because Russ sure did. I understand why Russ cracked; Russ had tons of pressure, guilt, and sorrow building up inside of him and it all just came out at once it sounds like. As for the deputies... if that is how smart all of our cops are I am a little concerned for our country's safety. This is coming from the mind of a possible ignorant high school student I can only image what others think of this thing too. Until next time...

~Charlie~

Corruption once again

This article talked about a secret service officer being arrested during a prostitution sting. Brian Bray, a police investigator, said a marked Secret Service Uniformed Division patrol car pulled up to speak with an undercover female officer posing as a prostitute. This secret service sergeant supposedly asked the "prostitute" what sex acts she would perform and from there they agreed on a $20 dollar session. The sergeant then drove to meet her but before he could do so the D.C. police arrested and charged him with solicitation for the purpose of prostitution. Then the article states that a Secret Service spokesman, Darrin Blackford, said "the agency's internal affairs division is investigating the matter. The officer (whose name was not released) has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation." The article made it clear to not say who the person was because most likely they didn't know and to also show that this whole thing is still kind of up in the air.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,449169,00.html

I think that it is sad to say that a person most likely highly thought of by most people would do such a thing... you know the person who puts their life on the line to save the president or someone of equal importance. I just don't get it. But then again some people might not look down on prostitution but I'm not one of those people. I just don't agree with prostitution; sorry if you don't agree with me. Getting away from my opinion on prostitution, this Secret Service agent obviously did the wrong thing because he was arrested. It seems to me that a lot of people with power or people with responsibility have been getting in trouble with the law lately. To be quite frank, now isn't exactly the best time. I just don't get why our country is going through a huge crisis and could be affected by it for the rest of its existence and the people who are supposed to be fixing it are off with prostitutes or taking vacations form people they shouldn't be. Life in America is just a little off of its rocker right now but I am confident in saying that it will reestablish. I don't mean to disrespect the Secret Service agent who put down a $20 bill that bought him cuffed wrists but I just don't think he was thinking clearly at all. Of course I don't know what it is like to have all the power or responsibility that some of these people have but I still think that if I were to be placed in their shoes I wouldn't drive down the roads that they did. Take it or leave... that is the way the cookie crumbles in my world.
~Charlie~

North Korea back on "the list"?

This article talks about how the U.S. stopped a flight supposedly carrying parts to assemble WMD's (weapons of mass destruction) to Iran. The U.S. convinced India to not allow the Ilyushin-62 jet to fly through their air space. North Korea was just removed from the terror list that America has but it seems as though they shouldn't have. If the U.S. had reasons to stop them from "shipping" supplies to Iran then that could potentially be a huge argument for whether or not Iran is good. A senior U.S. official told the post this, "This was very, very important. It was frankly a success that we stopped North Korea from doing this." According to this article it is questionable if North Korea has kept its nose clean and been doing what the U.S. asked them to do in order for them to get off of the Black List. This whole ordeal happened on August 7th according to this article by the way. I am a little foggy as to when Iran was taken off of the black list... that would help me better understand this whole ordeal.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,446705,00.html

I just think this whole North Korea business is crazy. It just shows the true character of North Korea... they were given a second chance and failed at that! I guess this is where I really need to practice cultural relativism because according to my views as of now, I just don't get why they are doing this. Some research would help me out but as of now, without research, I think the fact that they were possibly sending supplies to make WMD's to Iran is outrageous. I think that North Korea is a threat and should be placed back on the terror list whether or not they disagree. Until they work to earn a 3rd chance...sorry North Korea back to the dog house. Sometimes old dogs just can't learn new tricks... it's too bad but I guess it is true. Part of me wants to give it another try and try to teach the dog a new trick but the other half says come on be realistic, he'll never learn. I don't really know if the plane was actually carrying sophisticated missile parts like the article said but if it was I truly want to know what North Korea was/is thinking. This has been another blog from Charlie Warnes, just another common high school student... take it or leave it.
~Charlie~

Afghanistan to be a challenge

According to this article the U.S. and staff are spending 32 billion dollars and counting on rebuilding Afghanistan. To top it off they said that it is going to take additional staff and more funding to successfully complete the job. This is all according to the new inspector general in charge of the audits. Arnold Fields, who is the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said this to congress, "rebuilding war-torn Afghanistan will be exceedingly difficult and complex, since the country has no substantial natural resources, a population devastated by decades of war and an ongoing insurgency." This report he gave to congress, according o this article, was obtained on Friday by The Associated Press ahead of its public release. U.S. has contributed $32 billion to Afghanistan's reconstruction since 2001 and other nations combined have only contributed $25.3 billion. Fields says that there will need to a minimum of 90 more employees on this whole Afghanistan effort. The initially authorized $20 million for the auditing effort but up to date has only appropriated around $16 million.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445908,00.html

I read some of "Matt Hemingway's blog" at http://obamarejectsbushiraqwithdrawlplan.blogspot.com/ which was about the Taliban and all they have done in Iraq. The specific blog of his that I read was titled Officials: Taliban fighters ambush, kill bus passengers which pretty much speaks for itself. When Arnold Fields said it wasn't going to be an easy task reconstructing Afghanistan he was right I mean look at what the Taliban did and/or are doing. In Matt's blog he talks about a time when the Taliban captured and killed 30 to 40 bus passengers and how the Taliban spokesperson told everyone they had killed 27 Afghan soldiers too. It is said that Afghanistan has to be overrun by the Taliban but the truth of the matter is that they are and the U.S. and company are trying to stop it. Unfortunately I think that this could possibly turn into another "Iraq". I don't really know what to think but what is certain in my mind is that the U.S. keeps continuously giving out even when it hurts the most... like in times of crisis. We have very big problems of our own at the moment but we still keep trying to help others... it makes me proud to be an American. Although my patriotism is at a high right now I sill think we should make sure we are doing the right thing and not letting our American soldiers or any soldiers for that mater, die for no reason. I am just a high school student that doesn't really like war, but with that said I believe it is necessary in some situations...who knows maybe our money can fix this problem...maybe it can't. Matt and I are on the same page I believe...the only difference would be is I don't know if we should be there with troops right now. What I mean is that I don't know why we have to have our people die for other people. I get the whole "If we get out now everything will have gone to waste" idea but why the heck did we go there in the first place? I am going to research this some more and get back to you next time. Until then keep it real.
~Charlie~

Corruption within corruption trial?

This article, a short one, stated that one of the jurors from Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' corruption trial was dismissed. The Female juror supposedly left town and flew to California after the death of her father. She hadn't been in contact with the court since Friday (A little fishy if you ask me). The U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said "the court had not heard from her since Friday when she left town." Due to the fact that the juror is dismissed the deliberations will resume on Monday but this time with an alternate juror. This is a pretty huge deal, the new juror could think completely different than the dismissed one. This could be bad or good for Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens is charged with lying for years on Senate financial disclosure documents to conceal $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts from a friend, millionaire oil contractor Bill Allen. I have a question that this article didn't cover... What is happening to Bill Allen, is he getting in trouble?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,444125,00.html

First of all I think that it is pretty fishy for a member of the jury to just disappear from a pretty dang important case. I mean there are coincidences of course, and I am not taking away at all from her father and his death. What I am saying is that there could possibly be corruption within Senator Stevens corruption trial. What if he was paying this juror? What if they were going to get caught so she left town? You know got cold feet. I am just saying that, it is weird that she left town at such a crucial time.
Second of all I think that Mr. Stevens is guilty and is a pretty dirty man to do such things. I just think that corruption by itself is horrible but when you are a powerful person in politics/in our government it is even worse. I don't get why someone would do such a thing, but then again I am just a high school student who hasn't really been put in that situation. He also tried to cover up his wrongs with dirty and secret paper work and all that politics stuff that I unfortunately, don't really have a grasp on yet. My mom always told me to just come clean with a lie or a wrong I committed for 2 reasons: one being that in the long run it will be less consequential (although in the short run it might be just the opposite) and the other being your conscience will be guilt free and you won't have to worry about getting caught like, Senator Stevens, always happens. Too bad for Senator Ted Stevens in my opinion it doesn't look to good for him.
As I stated in the summary of the article I read I have a question... Did Bill Allen receive any consequences in this whole ordeal? If anyone could answer my question please leave a comment... otherwise I am going to research it myself. Thanks for your time and keep it real.
~Charlie~

Troubles with Iran's Nuclear Program

This article talks about how senior diplomats from 6 world powers (Britain, China, France, Russia, United States, and Germany) talked on Monday and tried to come up with a plan about Iran's nuclear program. Unfortunately they failed and couldn't come to a consensus. China who is a large part of the world powers had blocked the discussion of this topic for almost two weeks... apparently in retaliation to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The U.S. had been trying to organize the conference call since the beginning of the month and when they did this is what the diplomats said according to spokesman Robert Wood, "they remain committed to the dual-track strategy and will remain in close contact on developments over the coming days and weeks." The idea is/was to give Iran incentives to give up objectionable parts of its nuclear program but if they don't to apply sanctions. Basically what the dual-track strategy is, is the main element of a slow-moving pressure campaign to persuade Iran to give up objectionable parts of its nuclear program. They haven't quite got it all figured out yet or rather haven't all quite agreed on the same idea according to this article.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,441542,00.html

I think that Iran is acting like a baby or maybe a stubborn toddler at best. What they are doing is wrong and everyone else thinks so too. Basically the only thing that is allowing Iran to continue with its objectionable nuclear programs, is the world powers against them can't decide how to put an end to it's objectionable nuclear programs. I mean I understand the fact that they don't want to give up their programs but the powers aren't asking them to give up their programs completely just objectionable parts. Plus they just got taken off of the black list of terrorist nations why would they push the buttons and argue to keep questionable parts of their nuclear programs? The fact that we might be giving Iran incentives to go along with the plan just doesn't make much sense to me... either they do it or don't. Their incentive should be that they already got taken off the of the black list we shouldn't have to give them more. I don't know much of the whole Iran situation other than what I read in this article but from what I know so far I think Iran should just cooperate. Of course I am just a U.S. high school student and not an Iran diplomat but that is what I think...Take it or leave it.

~Charlie~

IMF and possible scandal

This article talks about a possible scandal with a chief and his female employee (now ex-employee).IMF, which stands for International Monetary Fund, is involved in a possible scandal. The question is whether or not its chief had an improper relationship with a female employee. This article says that the IMF has hired the law firm Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius to investigate this whole thing. IMF is a key institution in the global financial crisis, so these allegations are important. According to this article the woman's name is Piroska Nagy and now works for the European bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. The chief of IMF is Strauss-Kahn and he said this to reporters "With my full support the IMF is examining an incident which occurred in my private life in January 2008. I have cooperated and am continuing to cooperate with outside counsel to the fund concerning the matter." The article left very little hints as to whether or not all this is true or not.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,440502,00.html

I believe that this whole thing just happened to come out at the wrong time. I do not know if it is true and to tell you the truth do not really care that much. I mean don't get me wrong it is still a big deal but there are bigger fish to fry than mister Strauss-Kahn and Piroska Nagy at the moment. I believe if he is guilty we should deal with i appropriately but move on and try to figure out our global financial crisis. The only reason that this whole thing even came up was because the guy was Chief of IMF a key institution of our global financial crisis. We should give the man a break or at least post-pone all the hubala about him until problems that are of more importance are actually solved. The facts point to this guy being guilty because she left and went to work somewhere else while he made some statements that would lean me towards believing he is guilty. With this said I truly believe that we should focus on the people as a whole and not so much individuals having bad relationships with employees. Sometimes I feel like America loses its way, and little examples like this show that we need to better focus on the actual problems. This has been Charlie Warnes speaking and until next time...Keep it cool.
~Charlie~

Nuclear Disablement by North Korea

North Korea, a communist courntry, was taken off the black list of terrorism by the United States and because of this it has continued its disablement of its nuclear facilities. North Korea agreed to all of the inspections and allowed experts of the U.S. to take atomic samples and conduct forensic tests. North Korea was angry with America because it felt as though we (as in the U.S.) were delaying taking it off of the terror list. Due to North Korea being angry for a while it halted its disablement of nuclear activities. With all that said North Korea is now back on track with its disablement of nuclear facilities and has cooperated with the U.S. very well lately and according to this article and to U.S. officials doesn't deserve to be on the terror list anymore. It seems as though North Korea has taken a couple steps forward and hopefully will keep its momentum going.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,436542,00.html

I read some of "Kinzies Bloggin" at http://kinziehauer.blogspot.com/ and she wrote about the same article and said that she didn't think that North Korea should have been taken off of the terror list and I sort of agree with her. Although they may not be the cleanest or nicest nation they still have been abiding by the rules as of late. What I am saying is that as of right now they may not deserve to be on the terror list but should know that they can always be put right back on it. Kenzie also said that she felt as though North Korea deserved to be taken off of the list too because they began disabling their nuclear facilities once again. We both are mixed on this decision but, I don't know about Kenzie, I feel that so far it was the right one. I mean they even continued to disable their nuclear facilities after they were, in a way, cleared. North Korea has a bad past but hopefully is on its way to correcting it. I believe everyone deserves a second chance and as for North Korea I am not sure if this is its second or more but maybe they deserve another one. This has been the opinion of Charlie and until next time...keep it cool.
~Charlie~

China Cancels some of its Military contacts

Due to the fact that the U.S. planned an arms sale to Taiwan, China canceled some of its senior visits and cooperative military-to-military plans with the U.S. The article I read said that this news was a Pentagon official as of Monday. The article talked about how the U.S. is selling a huge package of arms to Taiwan of which includes guided missiles and attack helicopters. Beijing is angry over the U.S. decision and therefore has canceled or maybe postponed some of its military connections with America. Marine Major Stewart Upton, a Defense Department spokesman, said this in response to the whole dilemma,"China's continued politicization of our military relationship results in missed opportunities."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,433501,00.html

I believe that just because China wants Taiwan to be a part of them, that when we (as in the U.S.) sell Taiwan weapons that China shouldn't freak out. They didn't necessarily freak out, but when the article I read told me that they pulled back some cooperative military-to-military plans and some senior visits due to this arms sale plan I thought it was pretty selfish. Every nation does what is best for itself and that is just the way it is. With that said China is angry that we are selling Taiwan supplies which will help it defend itself from falling back under the communist China again. I am not quite sure but I believe that Taiwan is democratic and that we are a very big reason that it hasn't already fallen under to China. China must also understand that we aren't necessarily military allies but simply economic allies, so with that said we can do what we want. In my opinion China has over reacted but then again I am just a high school senior. What do you think? Until next time I'm Charlie and have a good one.

~Charlie~

McCain Linked to Bush

McCain is linked to Bush and it is hurting him in the polls. McCain is seen by the voters as a less likely person to change Bush's mistakes. McCain wants to and is trying to distance himself from Bush and his party but is it working? In order for McCain to win he has to. His link with Bush is McCain's downfall but McCain also has an up on Obama because of his war experience and Palin certainly helps McCain's run for president. Even with Palin's help McCain's boost of voters from Palin are mainly only coming from within the republican party (says this article...mainly talking about white women). For example: white women voters are pretty evenly split between Obama and McCain. Another thing about Palin is that the voters aren't necessarily enthused at the fact that if McCain can't finish his term she must become president. They are scared that she might not be qualified enough. Contrasting Senator Biden who is more than qualified. With the up's come the down's. The article pretty much says that voters are thinking either "change" with Obama or "stay" with McCain. As to contrast Palin who in my opinion is a big change and Biden is more like the norm.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26763744/

I think that voters have opinions and they fluctuate greatly before their final desicion. So all of this poll stuff doesn't really matter. Well actually maybe it does a little bit but the truth is that a win is a win no matter if it was from behind or not. So to say that Obama might win because he is leading in the polls with this "kind of person" or McCain is leading in the polls with this "white women" so he might win is bogus. With the facts out on the line (according to this article) Palin is a help but also hurts McCain. I agree with the fact that she is new and something fresh which is good. But I also agree with the fact that she might not be qualified enough. I guess it might just come down to which one is more important to you. I don't really agree with the idea of McCain being the same as Bush because Bush in my opinion was just really dumb and McCain has his wits about him. But McCain is for some stuff that I don't agree with as is Obama. To tell the truth I don't know who I am for as of now. I was for Obama but I am startign to think that all the articles I have read are simply liberal. With the facts out there I am slowly learning about both candidates and will make my decision as to who when I know all the facts. Until then have a good one... that is all for me.

~Charlie~

Obama's tactics and Governer Palin

Due to the fact that Alaskan governor Sarah Palin becoming McCain's running mate for president the momentum in the polls has shifted in McCain's favor. To get the tide going his way again Democrat Barack Obama has rejected President Bush's Iraq withdrawal plan which McCain is for. Obama has also called out McCain on issues like School funding and the whole going down in troops in Iraq while putting more troops in Afghanistan. Palin has made a huge impact in the polls but Obama is doing everything he can to get the momentum back as this article showed. Palin is obviously popular among the republicans' core constituency but will she be among the swing voters is the question. What looked to be a blow out in the beginning, shows to be a race till the end for president. Obama has been giving a lot of effort to show that Palin shouldn't be the only reason for McCain to be president by showing his flaws but is that enough? What is your opinion?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26621558/



I think that the vice president nomination of Sarah Palin although important still shouldn't make such an impact because she may be cool but is McCain? Whether he is or not that is for you to decide. Obama has commented on quite a few of his flaws according to this article I am not sure which ones of Obama's flaws McCain has pointed out as of now. To me although everyone isn't perfect the flaws Obama has pointed out about McCain are important ones and should be taken into consideration when voting. For example: I believe that Bush's Iraq withdrawal plan isn't the way he should have done it but McCain does. Obama agrees with me. I believe more troops should be taken out of Iraq. With even me being an in-experienced high school student my opinion matters as does the young vote. McCain may have the white female vote due to Palin but will he win the young vote? It could all come down to that, in my opinion, Obama will win the young vote very possibly giving him the boost needed to win the election. As I said before I personally would like to see less troops in Iraq and think most younger people would, that is why I believe Obama will win the younger vote because he is opposed to the way Bush and McCain want it. Another huge factor is improving schooling. If as Obama says McCain has improving schooling on the lower half of his "to-do-list". (pretty much stated in the article) There is another reason as to why Obama will win the young vote. Obama has vowed to improve schooling including charter schools. McCain hasn't. Sure our economy maybe shaky at the moment but nonetheless the future (my generation) must still be thought of. Especially when it comes to getting votes, appeal to the younger voters and I believe whoever does that will win. After researching a little so far I believe I am leaning towards Obama but with that said most of the articles I have read have been biased for Obama. I will continue to read and learn about both these candidates and keep my blog current with my opinions. Until then... that's they way the cookie crumbles.

P.S. ( All of this is coming from the view of a high school student...take it or leave it)