The vocal disagreements among Americans about the Ground Zero Mosque has heightened protests and anti-US chatter among Islamic radicals. One website threatened suicide bombings in revenge if there are any burnings of the Koran. The Obama administration says it is taking this situation seriously. There is a belief in the intelligence community that terrorists will use this issue as a recruiting tool. These postings are appearing not only on al-Queda sites, but on mainstream Muslim sites. Much of this is being fueled by more radical anti-Muslim views, such as a pastor in Gainesville, Florida swho plans to use September 11 as “burn a Koran day.”
I think Americans like this pastor in Florida are a major problem in this discussion, because they move the argument away from concern for the 9/11 families and making about the religion of Islam. We truly are a country that allows religious freedom, so burning Korans is not only wrong, it inflames people when there should be a calm discussion about differing points of view. The radical Islamists certainly don’t reflect the views of most of Islam any more that the attitude of the pastor reflects the views of most Americans about the mosque. Poll after poll shows that most Americans believe there is a legal right to build the mosque, but believe that it is too hurtful to those who lost loved ones to build it so close to Ground Zero. The discussion needs to be one of compassion on both sides.
Weisman, Jonathan. “Protests, Rhetoric Feed Jihadists’ Fire.” The Wall Street Journal. 23 Aug. 2010.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
August 23- International
The day after starting up its first nuclear power-plant, Iran announced that it now possesses an armed aerial drone. Iran is already facing pressure for its nuclear program and this adds to the concerns of the international community, who is fearful of a nuclear Iran. Analysts state publicly that this move is just noise and another attempt from Iran to rattle its sabers. While Iran’s nuclear program ahs not reached weapons’ grade, the US, Israel, and other countries continue to watch carefully. Iran has proven they cannot be trusted and their partnership with Russia in these matters is further reason for other countries to express concern. Right now, analysts believe the drone would be useless, as Iran does not have sufficient technological capabilities, especially necessary satellite links, to guide the missiles, making them a long-term issue.
This story is proof of how dangerous some of these nations can be and why they need to be carefully monitored by the international community. So far, Iran has continued to ignore United Nations’ rule and sanctions as they continue to build their nuclear program and threaten others in the region, our allies in particular. Iran needs be watched so they are not allowed to become a real threat.
Fassihi, Farnaz. “Iranians Roll Out Unmanned Bomber.” The Wall Street Journal. 23 Aug. 2010.
This story is proof of how dangerous some of these nations can be and why they need to be carefully monitored by the international community. So far, Iran has continued to ignore United Nations’ rule and sanctions as they continue to build their nuclear program and threaten others in the region, our allies in particular. Iran needs be watched so they are not allowed to become a real threat.
Fassihi, Farnaz. “Iranians Roll Out Unmanned Bomber.” The Wall Street Journal. 23 Aug. 2010.
August 23- Economic
Credit card interest rates continue to rise for consumers, even as loan rates to small businesses and mortgages fall. The rates affect 381 million consumers and are expected to continue to rise. This is due primarily to the new rules that limit banking fees, and rates are now the highest in nine years, reaching 14.7%. Banks are also trying to recover losses from delinquent borrowers.
The slow economy continues to be a huge burden on the American consumer. Before the financial crisis, banks would raise rates without warning, and use many other deceptive practices to make money. New federal regulations were supposed to make it fairer for consumers, but it looks like banks have just found another way to make money. Consumers need to have more confidence in the banking industry to help the economy. As long as they feel they are being charged unfairly, or whether they believe interest rates are too high, things will not likely improve.
Simon, Ruth. “Credit Card Rates Climb.” The Wall Street Journal. 23 Aug. 2010.
The slow economy continues to be a huge burden on the American consumer. Before the financial crisis, banks would raise rates without warning, and use many other deceptive practices to make money. New federal regulations were supposed to make it fairer for consumers, but it looks like banks have just found another way to make money. Consumers need to have more confidence in the banking industry to help the economy. As long as they feel they are being charged unfairly, or whether they believe interest rates are too high, things will not likely improve.
Simon, Ruth. “Credit Card Rates Climb.” The Wall Street Journal. 23 Aug. 2010.
August 17- Economic
The large banks have slightly eased up on lending rules for small businesses. This is the first time since 2006 that regulations have been eased. This move was prompted by competition from other banks and what are referred to in the industry as non-bank lenders. Small businesses are not responding to this move, primarily due to the slow economy showing few signs of coming back, further eroding the confidence that small businesses need to borrow funds. The trend towards loosening regulations has not affected the smaller banks who also lend money. Loan officers at some of the larger banks claim conditions are also improving for some consumer loans, but lending rules still remain much tougher than they were before the financial crisis. Consumer confidence remains low, as it has with small business.
This indicates that the US economy still has a long way to go. Even though some large banks are willing to lend money, borrowers in both the private and the small business sector and fearful of making the wrong move, as they remain unsure of what the future holds. This will not help growth and will continue to affect the job market as well as small businesses, who do the majority of the hiring in this country, are nervous about what the future holds.
Reddy, Sudeep and Robin Sidel. “Big Banks Loosen Lending Standards.” The Wall Street Journal. 17 Aug. 2010.
This indicates that the US economy still has a long way to go. Even though some large banks are willing to lend money, borrowers in both the private and the small business sector and fearful of making the wrong move, as they remain unsure of what the future holds. This will not help growth and will continue to affect the job market as well as small businesses, who do the majority of the hiring in this country, are nervous about what the future holds.
Reddy, Sudeep and Robin Sidel. “Big Banks Loosen Lending Standards.” The Wall Street Journal. 17 Aug. 2010.
August 17- National
The April 20 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted the Obama administration to require more routine environmental studies before approving deep-water drilling. Until now, the Department of the Interior frequently granted categorical exclusions, based mostly on rules set up when most drilling was done near-shore. This new ruling will require that each new application for drilling will be scrutinized on an individual basis. The administration had ordered a moratorium on new drilling after the latest disaster, and that is due to expire on November 30, 2010. While that ruling is being challenged in the courts, there is concern that off-shore drilling will simply move to other countries, impacting the economy and jobs in the Gulf even further. There are fears that this newest decision will further delay new drilling contracts, forcing jobs out of the region at an even greater rate.
It seems obvious that steps need to be taken to prevent another disaster like the gulf oil spill.
Many of the problems associated with deep-water drilling were not an issue when most drilling was off-shore, in shallow waters. The new set of challenges that deep-water drilling brings needs to be assessed carefully. The question will be how to reduce the impact of these activities on human life, and the environment while still meeting the burden put on communities that depend on the oil industry for their economic life.
King Jr., Neil and Keith Johnson. “Tightened Security for Offshore Drilling Projects.” The Wall Street Journal. 17 Aug. 2010.
It seems obvious that steps need to be taken to prevent another disaster like the gulf oil spill.
Many of the problems associated with deep-water drilling were not an issue when most drilling was off-shore, in shallow waters. The new set of challenges that deep-water drilling brings needs to be assessed carefully. The question will be how to reduce the impact of these activities on human life, and the environment while still meeting the burden put on communities that depend on the oil industry for their economic life.
King Jr., Neil and Keith Johnson. “Tightened Security for Offshore Drilling Projects.” The Wall Street Journal. 17 Aug. 2010.
August 17- International
The massive flooding that hit Pakistan over 2 weeks ago is putting 3.5 million children at risk of major illnesses such as cholera and other water-borne diseases. Survivors have been forced to drink contaminated water because only about one-quarter of the aid needed has reached Pakistan. Over 6 million people, adults and children, are at risk. A fifth of the country is under water and thousands of towns and villages have been destroyed, along with infrastructure and crops. $459 million is needed to meet current problems. The US has brought in aid, in the form of food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies, utilizing US Marine Corps helicopters and aircraft. The United States has pledged more than any other country, offering over $75 million in monetary assistance in addition to food and other supplies.
This disaster is the worst in Pakistan’s history. The United States has stepped up and is helping with the largest donation of any country in the world. There are many other rich nations and it is time for them to come forward and assist the poor, suffering people of Pakistan. This is truly a humanitarian disaster and an opportunity for others to follow the lead of the United States in helping the world’s needy.
Hussain, Zahid. “UN Warns Disease is Risk in Flood-Ravaged Country.” The Wall Street Journal. 17 Aug. 2010.
This disaster is the worst in Pakistan’s history. The United States has stepped up and is helping with the largest donation of any country in the world. There are many other rich nations and it is time for them to come forward and assist the poor, suffering people of Pakistan. This is truly a humanitarian disaster and an opportunity for others to follow the lead of the United States in helping the world’s needy.
Hussain, Zahid. “UN Warns Disease is Risk in Flood-Ravaged Country.” The Wall Street Journal. 17 Aug. 2010.
August 11- Economic
The Federal Reserve plans to reinvest the proceeds of maturing mortgages. This is a reaction to the slow recovery. This move is unlikely to stimulate the economy, and the Fed says the “pace of economic recovery is likely to be more modest in the near term than had been anticipated.” High unemployment, modest income growth, lower household wealth and tight credit are all working against a rapid recovery. Consumers remain reluctant to spend and are instead paying off debt and increasing savings. Some economists believe that this move by the Federal Reserve is mostly for show and will have little, if any, real effect on the economy.
As the economy continues a slow pace of recovery, problems will arise. The government seems to act as though things are improving, but that does not seem to be what actual consumers are feeling. Hopefully, things will improve and/or the government will come up with better ways to stimulate the economy and help bring confidence back to Americans.
Reddy, Sudeep. “Fed Sees Recovery Slowing.” The Wall Street Journal. 11 Aug. 2010.
As the economy continues a slow pace of recovery, problems will arise. The government seems to act as though things are improving, but that does not seem to be what actual consumers are feeling. Hopefully, things will improve and/or the government will come up with better ways to stimulate the economy and help bring confidence back to Americans.
Reddy, Sudeep. “Fed Sees Recovery Slowing.” The Wall Street Journal. 11 Aug. 2010.
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