BP's well finally sealed.

        The federal government has finally declared BP's oil well dead. Finally. I have to admit, sometimes it felt like they would never plug it. Like it would keep gushing oil forever. I mean, at first, BP made it sound like they could plug the spill in a few weeks, as opposed to the several months it actually took. The government said that oversight for the well would now pass from the National Incident Command, which is headed by Admiral Allen, to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. The main well, as well as the two relief wells will be abandoned.
    Overall, I think the federal government handled the disaster fairly well. Unlike Hurricane Katrina, there did not seem to be as much squabbling among the state and national agencies over who was supposed to handle what (that's federalism at work for you, right?). The only thing that really annoyed me was the blame game played by the three companies involved in the defect of the well's shut off valve. During the hearings, it just kept going around in a triangle. In my opinion, they were all responsible, and all of them should have taken some sort of responsibility for the situation. Anyway, now that the well is officially sealed, the Gulf will just need to start healing from the after affects.

Tea and conservatism, anyone?

With great trepidation, I take on the challenge of discussing the Tea Party in this blog. Now I do this with hesitation due to the fact that I can;t say I really understand, it's all quite complicated. I know it is a right-wing conservative group. I have really only been marginally paying attention to them, but it seems they merit more attention, now that they seem to be winning more and more primaries.
     Despite their recent gains, I am skeptical of this faction's ability to really take a permanant hold on the country because the whims of the American people shift so rapidly. Part of the reason Obama got elected was because he seemed to offer something different. After eight years of the Bush administration, most people seemed ready for some "change" and so a democratic president was elected with a democratic majority in Congress. Now that Obama is not changing things as fast as people expected, they are once again shifting sides, listening to the side proclaiming they will bring in new blood and finally be the ones to change things. This I think, is part of the reason the movement is gaining so much speed.
          Another aspect of this faction is a seeming lack of organization. Many groups claim to be part of this movement, groups like: FreedomWorks, Tea Party Express, and Tea Party Patriots and the whole Tea Party group itself considers itself a part of the Republican Party. If this group really wishes to keep power, not just gain it, they will have to reconcile with the moderates in their political party. A very split republican party would only be a good thing for Democrats, which could take advantage of this weakness by attracting moderate republicans worried by the radical views in the Tea Party movement. Over all, the elections on November 2nd will be a true indicator about the real strength of the Tea Party movement.

Terrorism, and it's influence in today's culture.

       A sure fire way to get people to let you do what you want? Say you've discovered a terrorism plot, apparently. Or at least that seems to be the case when the FBI decided to keep its eye on an anti-war rally in Pittsburgh. According to the inspector general Glenn Fine, they had no reason to suspect possible terrorism links in the rally. Nonetheless, this was their documented reason for doing so. The FBI it seems, has also been filing some non-violent civil disobedience probes under the classification "Acts of Terrorism." This begs the question of what exactly is classified as terrorisim?
      Since 9/11 the term terrorism seems to have evolved into a sort of buzz word. Politicians and seem to sense the fear it inspires in Americans, and tell us they will protect us from these terrorists. Government agencies justify their activties by saying they're helping uncover terrorist plots, which makes us feel all warm and fuzzy and safe. In my opinion, this word has spun wildly out of control. No doubt terrorism is a devastatingly evil thing. On the other hand, at this point, I am more likely to die in a car crash on my way to school than be the victim of a terrorist attack. I mean, I know that 9/11 was terrible, but we do not live in a country filled with constant suicide bombings, which makes us luckier than some. While I do want my government to keep me safe from terrorist plots and such, I just feel this word has become increasingly misused. Bottom line, the FBI should just admit when it's a slow day, instead of using vague reasons like "terrorism probes" to stake out a protest rally.

Aren't you excited to read another blog about the Islamic center and the Quran burning?

     So, in this lovely country of ours, we have the right to express our own opinions and ideas, at least with in the limits of law. People it seems, can never agree, and maybe this is the reason we all get so royally pissed off at eachother and up in arms about everything. This I feel, applies to the situation of the Islamic center (with a space for prayer) near ground zero, which everyone is all in a tizzy about. This is mostly based on the seeming ignorance of most Americans, who automatically assume that Muslims are terrorists. Just because the terrorists in 9/11 were Muslims does not mean Muslims should not build Mosques in America. Ted Bundy was Mormon but no one brings that up when The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints try to build places of worship. I really think there should be some sort of book all Americans would be required to read called Muslims, Terrorists, and Muslims who also just so happen to be terrorists: How to tell the difference. The people behind this Islamic center of course have every right to build it, and in my opinion should do so. However, there is another side to the coin, I think. Mayor Rudy Guilani said (and I am paraphrasing here) that he believes they have every right to build the center, however, if part of their intent is to create peace, harmony, and show support is that really what their accomplishing when all this strife is happening as a result? I am not quite sure.
      This whole situation now relates to Minister Jones over in Florida, pretending as if he actually knows what is going on. All he wanted to do, I think, was call attention to himself, and he knew this whole burning a book that's deeply sacred to many people was a sufficient way to do it. It reminds me of when all those trashy young stars like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton were getting out of cars by splaying apart their legs and letting everyone see their lack of underwear. Was it a good type of attention? No, of course not. But they still took the cheap shot at bad press, as did Mr. Jones. When he saw the chaos he was causing and the reprovals from democrats and republicans a like (including the president), he conveniently decided to call the whole thing off, claiming he got the Imam in New York to stop building the Islamic center. This it seems, is a completely fake claim. Hopefully this man will realize he is a laughing stock, and just lay low for the rest of his life. That however, would be the sensible thing to do and Terry Jones is far from sensible.

Glenn Beck rallies America. Or attempts to, at least.

      I discovered Glenn Beck  even existed when I sat down outside of a dressing room in Macy's and decided to watch whatever news program was on their tv. On it, some white guy started ranting about how the country was going to hell and how all media, (except for his show, presumably,) was in league with the national government and they were both keeping vital information from all of us. Only he, Glenn Beck insisted, was the messenger of truth in our country. Then he babbled on about virtues and God for a while and encouraged all his viewers to attend some sort of rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr,'s I have a dream speech. Wow, I thought, this guys crazy. Little did I know, he has a large following, and this rally actually happened last week.
      It attracted many followers (mostly white and middle-aged) and Glenn Beck shouted about how our country is heading the wrong direction and how we must turn back to God and how his rally was really making a difference. I do not believe this for a second. What Glenn Beck was doing was taking the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s march and I have a dream speech, an event that truly made a difference for a worthy cause, and using it to promote his own right-wing ultra coservative agenda. He was not truly honoring Dr. King but distracting from the anniversary of his acheivement. Besides, I get very tired of people painting bleak portraits of the future and shouting about how the country is going to hell. These demagogues appeal to and attract followers by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people. Their claims are not based on logic and sound reasoning, but people are unable to see this because they get caught up and make decisions based on the fleeting feelings produced by these passionate orators. Basically, whether democratic or republican, there will always be some sort of Glenn Beck attracting followers with wild claims. One day Mr. Beck will simply fade away, and another one like him will rise. Besides, if the counrty really is going to hell, I would rather have it happen peacfully, without people like Glenn Beck shouting about it all the time.