Jimmy Kimmel On Censorship

I saw a hilarious clip on youtube about Jimmy Kimmel making fun of a politician that wanted to fine people for cussing. Censorship is going to far in the United States, the first amendment is one of the most important amendments. The countries conservatives are trying to abolish free speech and press. Some censorship in necessary but to some extent. The clip that Jimmy Kimmel did is so funny and shows that these conservative politicians need to back off.

The SLA In the Sudan

I have become extremely moved by the genocide in Darfur and Cannot believe that a genocide is happening in 2008. The innocent children of Darfur are being murdered, raped and killed everyday. The "lucky" ones join militia groups like the SLA, which is the Sudan Liberation Army. These children are almost always displaced from their villages that have been burned down by the Janjaweed and therefore turn the the SLA for guidance and protection. Their families have been killed and their homes have been torn away from them. I am reading "Darfur Diaries: Stories of Survival". There is an entire chapter on the SLA and many stories of children being affected by the genocide. Suleiman is a humanitarian coordinator for the SLA that was interviewed and he shared his story. Suleiman explained how since 1965, the government of Sudan has tried to marginalize the large african tribes that have residing in Sudan for years. He talks about how there is no education, no health care, and there is no development in many of these villages and areas. The government in Khartoum has lacked in almost every area to supply the people of the country with basic needs. He explains the reason that the Arab tribes are fighting this war is for land. Suleiman claims that the government wants to “cleanse” the area and replace it with arabs, therefore this is the reason the SLA is fighting. They believe that they have two options, either to fight and live or to wait and be killed. The SLA is not fighting the Arabs, but they are fighting the government that support the Janjaweed, Suleiman states. These children have nothing left in life therefore they turn to the SLA for guidance and help.

The Darfur Crisis

The crisis in Darfur has become one of the most horrific tragedies ever. The genocide, which Jimmy Carter refuses to deem it one has destroyed thousands of lives in the region. The janjaweed and the government of the Sudan have been destroying villages, tearing families apart, and murdering innocent civilians. All for what? for territory? The government of the Sudan needs to put in end to what is occurring in Darfur instead of intensifying it and adding fuel to the situation. The international community needs to put tremendous pressure on the Sudan. Thousands of Sudanese have been relocated to refugee camps where they have no idea where there other family members and loved ones are. The crisis in Darfur will go down as one of the worst events that have ever happened if the United States and other strong countries do not help end this! This crisis is very present and is devastating. Innocent children and woman are dying everyday. The tribal Africans of the region are being wiped out because the brutal government just wants to take over their land. This crisis should have been stopped a long time ago, but now that it has not been, people need to take stance and not allow for a genocide to be happening in this day and age in 2008.

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome Still Very Present

Cases of pot traumatic stress syndrome have sky rocketed up by a large 50%. Records show roughly 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with the illness, also known as PTSD, since 2003. Officials believe that many more are likely keeping their illness a secret. These numbers have not be available to the public previously. Army statistics showed there were nearly 14,000 newly diagnosed cases across the services in 2007 compared with more than 9,500 new cases the previous year and 1,632 in 2003. "We're trying very hard to encourage soldiers and families to seek care and to not have them feel in any way, shape or form that we're looking over their shoulder or that we're invading their privacy," Schoomaker that is suffering from post traumatic syndrome. This is a sad reality that will only continue to grow as long as the war goes on and more wars progress.

Child Obesity In America

Finally some good news: The rate of childhood obesity may be leveling off in the USA after years of skyrocketing growth, new government data show. About 32% of children and teens ages 2 to 19 — about 23 million — were either overweight or obese in 2003-2006 compared with 29% in 1999. The increase is not considered statistically significant. The foods that children in the U.S. are fed are causing diabetes, high cholesterol, and many heart complications. These children should not be suffering through these horrific ordeals. About 16% of kids ages 2 and older were obese in 2003-2006 compared with 14% in 1999-2000. But the percentage is still far higher than the 5% to 7% of children who were obese in 1980. "It looks like childhood obesity is leveling off after 20 years of growth," says lead researcher Cynthia Ogden, an epidemiologist with the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We can be cautiously optimistic that things are beginning to stabilize with kids, but these percentages are still higher than they should be." "No matter what, the current levels are unacceptably high. The health toll of childhood obesity will continue to mount unless there is a substantial decline in the number of obese children."

Ann Coulter the Shock Jock

Ann Coulter is a crazy Lunatic. Unfortunately she is an extremely educated and brilliant women who is the queen of spin. Her attitude and persona have turned her into a millionaire. Her conservative extremism has lead her to become the poster child for conservatives all around the United States. Her antics are rude and crude. She is so ignorant that is often seems as if she is a comedian. Her latest joke is that she is going to be supporting Hilary Clinton over Senator McCain. She goes on to say that Hillary "is her girl" because she is more conservative then John McCain and that John McCain is not keen on torture. She believes that Hillary Clinton will be more aggressive on the war on terror. She takes it as far as saying that she will campaign for Hillary Clinton. She states that McCain would be a disaster for republicanism and the country. Ann Coulter's shock value and use of words is what draws mass appeal to her image and gains her attention. This is just another one of her comedic skits.

Democratic Party

The Democratic party might have the most inefficient way of casting a presidential candidate. I am democrat myself but this war that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been going through is ridiculous. The republican winner take all system is so much faster and efficient. This long lasting battle that Senators Clinton and Obama have been going through is just fragmenting the democratic party more and more. The party is already weak and is just becoming more weak because of the bickering both democratic candidates are taking place in. They are weakening each other instead of going after the republican party. The winner take all system is what the democratic party should adopt. I would go as far as saying that the democratic way of electing a candidate in a way is like elitism. The system of superdelegates should be abolished and done away with. Throughout this whole battle between these two it has only made Hillary Clinton look stronger because of her persistence and strive. The democratic part itself has completely backed Barack Obama the whole way. Who knows who will make it out and become the next democratic presidential candidate. Whichever one, it is going to be a event.

Clean Air In China For The Olympics

Out of all the issues that have come up with the summer Olympics taking place in Beijing China, air pollution was one talked about today. I saw an article about China meeting the standard of clean air for the up coming summer Olympics. The city of Beijing is famous for their smog overcast. Some Olympians said they would skip some of their races because of the cities bad air pollution. Because of China mass economic growth it has had huge backlash on the environment of China. "After we have implemented all the measures, there is no problem for Beijing to meet the standards. We can deliver on our commitment," one of the leaders on this issue in China said.
The summer Olympics in China has been one of the most controversial in recent years. China's behavior has put it in a compromising position. With many human rights violations under its belt it does not seem like the best place to hold the Olympics. Air pollution is just another factor on why China might not be the best place to hold the Olympics. The countries economic growth is admirable, but at what cost have they done this in?

John McCain Is A Costco Shopper

John McCain is not extravagant. While his Democratic presidential rivals like a little flashy and colorful clothing, McCain is comfortable in Levi's and a sweat shirt stamped with an old family photo. And forget unique food like sushi. In fact, forget hired chefs. This is a guy with a family that likes to pick out chow and cook it on the deck. From Costco, no less. McCainiacs say that the GOP presidential candidate and wife Cindy regularly stop at a Phoenix Costco to load up en route to their Sedona, Ariz., retreat, Hidden Valley Ranch. McCain recently raved about Costco's baby back ribs, though he likes the consumer warehouse's chicken quarters and brats, too. He recently upgraded his outdoor cooking area with a new gas grill from the store.

Protests Against Olympics Being Held In China Intensify

The Bush administration and most western governments say they will not support any boycott of the Summer Olympic Games in China over that country's handling of unrest in Tibet and its human-rights record in general. But on the streets of Europe—and perhaps soon elsewhere—demonstrators are angrily challenging China's actions, seeking to disrupt the ceremonial route of the Olympic torch. If the protests gain force, governments in Washington and around the world will very likely face growing pressure, at minimum, to step up criticism of China over its crackdown in Tibet. And that could inject an emotional—and unpredictable—element into U.S.-Chinese relations at a time when Washington is counting on Beijing for diplomatic help on North Korea and Iran, improved military cooperation, and continuing its role as a key purchaser of U.S. public debt. China is using the games—and the long, globe-circling torch route—to highlight its arrival as a world power.

Hillary Clinton's 3 A.M Wake Up Call

Hillary Clinton's new ad has brought much attention to her experience. The ad shows her being prepared to receive a late night phone call in the white house. It portrays her being prepared to take down any situation thrown her way. The ad was designed to show how much more experience she has compared to Senator Obama that has only been on senate for two years. The ad has brought a lot of negative and positive attention to the Clinton campaign. There have been many parody videos on youtube that have been making fun of her ad. Some of them are hilarious. Overall her ad helped her bring in more votes and gain confidence in some voters.

Tax Free Shopping On The Internet Might Be Coming To An End

If tax-hungry politicians get their way, the days of ordering items over the Internet and not paying sales tax may become just a fond memory. Right now, if a California resident orders something from Seattle-based Amazon.com, for instance, he or she won't be charged sales tax at the time of purchase. That's because Amazon doesn't have offices in the state of California. Pro-tax politicians want to change this by allowing California to force Amazon to collect and submit sales taxes--and they may have found an ally in a U.S. Congress that's controlled by Democrats. Two bills are pending in Congress that would allow tax collectors to target out-of-state Internet and mail-order retailers, and their supporters are optimistic about their political prospects. "I certainly would love to see a floor vote," said Neal Osten, federal affairs counsel for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a lobby group for state politicians. "We've heard encouraging words from the Democratic leadership in the House."

Google Taking Over China

Google is speculating that within the next five years they would like to take over Badui.com's power over the internet in China. "We would like to aspire to be a market leader in five years," Kai-Fu Lee, president of the Google's Greater China operation, told the Wall Street Journal. Google also is examining possible investments in social networking and mobile Internet services, he said. Google's mass power over the internet world keeps progressively growing.

Huckabee and Romney Back McCain

If it looks as if they're campaigning for the GOP vice presidency, so be it, but Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee reveal that they're getting back into 2008 politics to beat back Democrats and get Sen. John McCain elected president. First Romney. He's still trying to figure out his avenue of influence but "wants to direct his efforts and the energies of his staff and supporters toward rebuilding the party and helping Senator McCain beat the Democrat nominee in November," says an insider. "It's hard to do that and not come away looking like you're interested in the VP slot, but his desire is to do whatever will help unite the party."

2008 Democratic Presidential Candidates Are The Most Unique Ever

Democratic Presidential Candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have broken the mold of every former presidential candidate in the U.S. ever. In 2008 to have a Female and an African American representing the Democratic party is an extreme honor. The two bring such diversity and charisma to the race. Both of them represent mass populations of American society. Both candidates are immensely knowledgeable and capable candidates. “The teenagers and college students who left their homes to march in the streets of Birmingham and Montgomery; the mothers who walked instead of taking the bus after a long day of doing somebody else's laundry and cleaning somebody else's kitchen — they didn't brave fire hoses and Billy clubs so that their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren would still wonder at the beginning of the 21st century whether their vote would be counted; whether their civil rights would be protected by their government; whether justice would be equal and opportunity would be theirs. . . . We have more work to do.” Barack Obama at this speech at Harvard.

Bobble Heads

I saw the most unique question posed the the three presidential candidates, "Which Presidential candidate do you think shops at the big box discount store just to sample the free eats, like this falafel ball?" I thought this question was hilarious. They asked this question at a costco in Leesburg Va.

Hillary Clinton Is Fighting For More Donations

A day after Bill and Hillary Clinton urged supporters in E-mails to pony up $3 million by the end of the donation reporting quarter, the New York senator, strapped for cash, is continuing her appeals for money. In E-mails and letters just landing in mailboxes around the nation, Clinton is imploring supporters to show that she still has enough money and backing to continue her delegate fight against Sen. Barack Obama to the convention in Denver in August."We need to match the Obama campaign's effort in Pennsylvania," she writes. The letter is the latest signal that Clinton is in deep financial trouble in Pennsylvania, where she is being outspent by Obama. "The speed and energy with which we take advantage of our regained momentum is up to you. Thank you for being there for me. When I'm in the White House, I promise to be there for you every day," she closes.

Hillary Clinton's Battle Might Be Coming To An End

Here's more proof that Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign is dead in the water. The daily Ann Hand jewelry poll of $45 rhinestone pins with the names of Sen. Barack Obama, Clinton, and Sen. John McCain has the two guys crushing her anemic sales. Hand's Georgetown store had sold 80 McCain pins, 144 Clinton pins, and 286 Obama pins for supporters to wear. The latest count, as of Wednesday morning: McCain 310, Obama 759, Clinton 193.