Mike Pouraryan
OV Week-End II (3/28/2010): What A Week....
:
...Waiting for an Encore....
This past week was exciting and scary on the political scene. It all culminated with the passage of the Healthcare Legislation. The Obama Adminstration should right now feel pretty good about what they have been able to achieve so far.
It all began with Healthcare. The legislation passed . I was in awe as I saw Democracy in Action. The debate was vibrant and frankly hillarious at times. The Republicans committed to run on a slogan to "repeal and replace.' What I found especially ironic was a clip on This Past Sunday's Meet the Press from then-Minority Leader Gerald Ford:
It is interesting how history repeats itself. What everyone seems to continue to agree on is the fact that something had to be done. Some noted how the cost was the problem. The question that the Republicans did not answer is if not now, when? What was very troubling was the rise in threats and the rhetoric. Such acts have no place in political discourse. But, of course, the week saw politicans wanting to shift the blame and express "understanding" for the threats. The current conservative hero, Sarah Palin, talked about it when she joined John McCain and then as she helped to launch the Tea Party Express in Harry Reid's Hometown, Searchlight. Eric Cantor, the Republican Whip, had his fifteen minutes of fame when he said that his office was attacked--which turned out to be a random act of shooting.
There needs to be improvements and changes to the law. But, the fact that this law is apaprently to the right of what Richard Nixon proposed must mean something to Republicans. But, the problem is that Richard Nixon will not even recognize today's so-called Republicans of today.
It was a busy week on the foreign policy front, too. I reported on Mr. Obama's Afghan trip earlier. Mr. Obama reminded the world about the Four D's of objectives America has in Afghanistan. The problem is the Al Qaeda is in Pakistan. The bigger problem is the ineffectiveness of the Afghan Government which I have commented on throughout my daily write-ups. Hopefully, Mr. Obama made the useless Karzai understood the gravity of the situation. It is just frustruating to see all that the World is spending in Afghanistan for nothing in return. The Afghan National Police is just one indication of the problem. They are, as a recent story in Newsweek noted, The Gang that couldn't shoot straight. Basically, 6 billion dollars has been thrown away with nothing to show for it.
There is of courser Israel. I think Mr. Obama did the right thing by having the meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister behind closed doors so that hopefully Bibi understood that the realities on the ground had to change. It was heartening to see Amir Musa, the Arab League Secretary General, express the frustruation that is truly felt by all Arabs. I continue to be concerned whether the Obama Adminstration has the will to impose a solution that would restore America's role as the honest broker in Middle East Peace. This is the biggest challenge the Obama Adminstration has. Israel has a special relationship with the United States and its security is of paramount importance and should be guaranteed. But Israel's security will be enhanced ever more if peace is achieved. The Israeli right needs to understand this. I have to wonder if they really do or not.
The week culminated with the agreement to further reduce nuclear weapons. The US and Russia will sign it next month in Prague. This is another feather in the President's cap. The problem is the US Senate. When the President signs it, then the battle begins.
I noted when the year began not to under mine Barack Obama. The events of the past week has proven me right. It has been quite a week. I eagerly await what he will do for an encore. May we truly live in exciting times.......
It all began with Healthcare. The legislation passed . I was in awe as I saw Democracy in Action. The debate was vibrant and frankly hillarious at times. The Republicans committed to run on a slogan to "repeal and replace.' What I found especially ironic was a clip on This Past Sunday's Meet the Press from then-Minority Leader Gerald Ford:
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It is interesting how history repeats itself. What everyone seems to continue to agree on is the fact that something had to be done. Some noted how the cost was the problem. The question that the Republicans did not answer is if not now, when? What was very troubling was the rise in threats and the rhetoric. Such acts have no place in political discourse. But, of course, the week saw politicans wanting to shift the blame and express "understanding" for the threats. The current conservative hero, Sarah Palin, talked about it when she joined John McCain and then as she helped to launch the Tea Party Express in Harry Reid's Hometown, Searchlight. Eric Cantor, the Republican Whip, had his fifteen minutes of fame when he said that his office was attacked--which turned out to be a random act of shooting.
There needs to be improvements and changes to the law. But, the fact that this law is apaprently to the right of what Richard Nixon proposed must mean something to Republicans. But, the problem is that Richard Nixon will not even recognize today's so-called Republicans of today.
It was a busy week on the foreign policy front, too. I reported on Mr. Obama's Afghan trip earlier. Mr. Obama reminded the world about the Four D's of objectives America has in Afghanistan. The problem is the Al Qaeda is in Pakistan. The bigger problem is the ineffectiveness of the Afghan Government which I have commented on throughout my daily write-ups. Hopefully, Mr. Obama made the useless Karzai understood the gravity of the situation. It is just frustruating to see all that the World is spending in Afghanistan for nothing in return. The Afghan National Police is just one indication of the problem. They are, as a recent story in Newsweek noted, The Gang that couldn't shoot straight. Basically, 6 billion dollars has been thrown away with nothing to show for it.
There is of courser Israel. I think Mr. Obama did the right thing by having the meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister behind closed doors so that hopefully Bibi understood that the realities on the ground had to change. It was heartening to see Amir Musa, the Arab League Secretary General, express the frustruation that is truly felt by all Arabs. I continue to be concerned whether the Obama Adminstration has the will to impose a solution that would restore America's role as the honest broker in Middle East Peace. This is the biggest challenge the Obama Adminstration has. Israel has a special relationship with the United States and its security is of paramount importance and should be guaranteed. But Israel's security will be enhanced ever more if peace is achieved. The Israeli right needs to understand this. I have to wonder if they really do or not.
The week culminated with the agreement to further reduce nuclear weapons. The US and Russia will sign it next month in Prague. This is another feather in the President's cap. The problem is the US Senate. When the President signs it, then the battle begins.
I noted when the year began not to under mine Barack Obama. The events of the past week has proven me right. It has been quite a week. I eagerly await what he will do for an encore. May we truly live in exciting times.......
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