Obama wins a Nobel Peace Prize…?
The news was announced that Barack Obama has been selected by the Norweigian Nobel Committee as a winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
My first reaction is congratulations as this is a nice honor for our Prez to win, on the other hand I am concerned. First let me declare that I am a fan of Obama and I voted for him. Funny coming from someone who has voted the Republican ticket since I was eligible to vote, but something was different this year.
I liked the message of change, I had hope in the messages of health care reform, improvement of foreign relations, and an overall changing of the guard per se. The stance on the wars seemed to be a stand still, troops dying in large numbers and seemingly no direction of our executive leadership to change the course.
I’m just at odds with him actually winning the award right now, almost as if the committee felt bad that his bid for the Chicago 2016 Summer games bombed. Granted, Obama is a true statesman of what is just and right, but so are a lot of other Presidents, the problem is convincing Washington lawmakers to get on board with your thinking.
Yes, he is an advocate of sweeping reform and change, but that is the stance of all politicians and only a few economically viable programs actually see the light of day.
Yes, he is making great strides to reach out to other nations and mend wounds that were seen caused by the last admin. However, the differences in cultures, values, and religion go back thousands of years and it’s not like other administrations weren’t trying to win over the Middle East.
I guess my issue is that I want to see Obama hit hard times and I want to see him tested. I don’t want purely the flash of fancy speeches, the well crafted delivery to world leaders, or the public view that words equate to action, they don’t.
The Peace prize is not only an accolade but now might become a burden. A burden to perform. The award places him in a position which requires even more expectation to lead but also to achieve. Not all goals in politics are reachable, there are accommodations, backdoors, and alternative approaches.
My fear is that too much God like treatment will tarnish the underlying truth, the truth being that Obama is at a very critical crossroads of his tenure and the moment of truth is starting to peak. The world will inevitably be watching now.
Clinton’s still working their magic!
Look into my eyes and tell me I am the greatest! Now let's go have sushi!
Bill Clinton is no longer charming interns but he still has a keen way of becoming a political pawn and ship himself to North Korea. Thankfully, there was a bigger calling and that was the release of two US journalists who have been imprisoned since March.
Still, I dont like to see our government bow to this man. Didnt we have a policy of never negotiate with terrorists? This country was considered an axis of evil, wasnt it?
Oh wait, that was the ole’ Texan’s administration…by the way 33% of Americans still trust GW as an ambassador to other countries. He isn’t doing it (and actually I am glad he isnt) but still…a pretty high rating considering Clinton is around 39% approval for his ambassadorism (a word?)
Kudos to you Bill and Hillary, you caved a bit (semi-admirable), said you were sorry, and best of all two young women are back home with their families.
Walter Kronkite…
Remembering him and probably one of his most difficult and most famous broadcast.
North Korea…are you kidding me?
I know this is serious and the prospect of any country making nuclear threats is dangerous. The UN and the US are not dealing easily with North Korea and they shouldn’t. I don’t care how imperialistic the US has become in it’s dealings with other countries, there is no room in our world for a country like North Korea. These statements are not going to make people happy who may be of North Korean origin, simply I don’t give a crap.
This is 2009 and the people of North Korea are trapped in a madman’s grip. Relinquish this country of its governments brainwashing and free these people into the modern world. They are one of the few entirely state run economic systems, which means they are very isolated and restrictive in how they deal with international trade. The country has numerous resources for agriculture, however, their economic growth is small and stagnant due to being a complete totalitarian, government controlled economy.
The Korean War ended in the late 50’s , however, North and South Korea have never officially “not” been at war. Tourism for South Korean and US residents is severely restricted as well. (pretty country but would you want to go now?) Tourists are accompanied by a state provided “chaperone” and there are few areas for tourist to roam free in the country.
A country that stifles its citizens and media the right to protected free speech, even though it’s stated in their constitution. Good news is the only news allowed when referring to the current regime. People starve in what is an ongoing famine, but this is never allowed to be discussed. China and Japan have been providing aid to the country for years.
Health care is free but grossly inadequate due to limitation of funds and outside influence. The mortality rate in this ocuntry is one of the highest in the world. They have been called the “most brutalized people in the world” because of strict government influence and punishment (work camps, capital punishment, etc).
I know there are “more visible” regions in Africa worse than North Korea when it comes to famine and lack of medicinal resources, but North Korea is a self containing government which has great potential to be a productive, thriving country in the modern era. The capacity for great economic, industrial growth, and a thriving agricultural foundation because of vast natural resources. However, military and regime come first.
So…why does this seem like old news and now suddenly it means something to me? Because, on the surface, the tactics of this country are laughable. They play manipulative games of “give me what I want or else” with the world. North Korea in the news didn’t interest me, it was just another reference to a country that meant nothing to me.
What used to be a cat and mouse game is now a regime who seems to have the balls (or foolishness) to bark with the big dogs. I once laugh now I worry. I hear nuclear come up in conversations I start to listen. I now know how bad these people have it and they truly don’t know it, because they know no other way of life.
I am sure someone is thinking “Hell, having Bush as President was just as bad and our country is the most crooked in the world” Well, you go ahead and think that as you sip your latte, browse your blog of the morning in the corner coffee shop, bagging on your chosen politican of the month. Meanwhile, there is a little country out east that wants to blow up the world and doesn’t feed its people.
Dunk that in your hot cocoa next time you think the US is a rotten place to be.
“You are a friend of Saudi Arabia”…
I give you this gold medallion as a token of my thanks for buying so much gas...you silly American!
Obama was greeted like a king today as he arrived for his visit to Saudi Arabia. Well, when you’re head of the free, gas guzzling world, you would be too!
Although, the premier of China and the leader of India also received box seats to the Lakers/Magic series. Hypothetically speaking if Saudis’ were basketball fans and if those leaders actually visited the country.
Rural Missouri town getting answers from a big name, Erin Brockovich
Since late 2007, there has been a problem in a small, rural Missouri town outside of Kansas City. Brain tumors, and a lot of them. In a seven month period over a dozen people were diagnosed with brain tumors and since that time some of them have died and others have endured lasting disability. Something was wrong in Cameron, MO.
Doctors are only required to report cancerous brain tumors to the Health Department. Most of the tumors in Cameron are large, but benign. So there is no official agency collecting the data however local residents demanded answers.
Initially, residents got State senators involved until finally the EPA came out and ran tests of the water and soil. To no surprise, nothing was found outside of normal levels. Epidemiologist testing revealed that the number of brain tumors was not “statistically higher than the state averages” They essentially told the residents that compared to national and state averages, the rate of brain tumors is in line. HA! That’s an interesting statement, so basically brain tumor rates are considered “normal” as long as everyone is evenly getting diagnosed. How f”ing comforting!
Enter Erin Brockovich. In October 2008, the story caught wind and the famous activist paid a visit to the small town of Cameron.
Since visiting Cameron and holding a series of town hall meetings and personal interviews, she launched her own investigation into the brain tumor issue. The findings of her investigation are just now coming to light and are beginning to make press in the Kansas City area.
Initial findings indicate a dangerous, chemical byproduct from a manufacturing plant had been used as a fertilizer in the region for over two decades.
The details of the lawsuit can be viewed on local Kansas City ABC affiliate, KMBC News. Currently, it appears as if two plaintiffs have filed suit but I can only imagine what will come of this if the allegations are found to be true and the lawsuit is awarded.
Makes you feel really safe and secure, don’t it?
Somali Pirates – Wake up world and see what is really happening
I am glad the ship captain and his crew are safe now, however if you do some basic research and educate yourself you will discover why there is an outbreak of vessels being pirated by Somalians and it’s simple. They want their piece of mind and waters back. The country fell into a lawless state in the 1990’s and little by little the Somalian waters have been teeming with foreign ships illegally fishing and destroying the aquatic environment.
Gangs have been formed to defend these waters since the government has no power to stop these international vessels from desecrating the waters off the coast.
The trawlers began to come closer to the coast – looking for lucrative fish species – triggering direct confrontation between the foreign vessels and Somali inshore fishermen,” Omar Abdulle Hayle, a Mogadishu based fishery expert says.
“Criticism of the illegal fishing came from the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), a United Nations body, but its words were not backed by deeds, ending up having no effect,” Mr. Hayle added.
Somali fishermen complained that their nets and other fishing equipment were repeatedly destroyed. There were reports of small boats being crushed by larger vessels and nets and their catches being taken by the foreign fishermen. “We have been lucky that foreigners have not landed on our beaches to take over our villages and mud huts,” observed Ally Bakari, a fisherman in Brava district, 210 kilometers south of Mogadishu.The first foreign fishing boats, which discovered that Somali waters were not guarded, encouraged many others to venture into the illegal fishing,” Mr. Hayle said. “Attempts to stop the foreign trawlers produced armed gangs that are now more interested in hijacking defenseless commercial ships, which possibly give them better rewards in terms of ransom payment.”
Is hijacking ships internationally acceptable? No! The gangs are so determined to stop the boats that innocent relief aid shipments are being compromised by the hijackings. The Somalian government realizes this and cannot stop it! Many of these same ships are trying to deliver aid to Somali which is even more disturbing. It’s a battle of two factions, one being the companies/countries that send these vessels out and the other being local Somalian fisherman and villagers looking out for themselves. They have no where else to sail the ships. The Gulf of Aden, which links the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, is the shortest route from Asia to Europe. More than 20,000 ships cross the vital sea lane every year.
The International Maritime Board and the International Maritime Organizations have done nothing to stop outsider vessels from intruding on Somali waters and robbing it of resources. The Somalian government has condemned these acts but are virtually powerless against them.
If the international community wants to see an end to these gangs overtaking vessels, then they need to address the root cause but sadly, I think the economic repercussion is too great to keep these boats out. The IMB is a multi national sea crimes watchdog group which operates under a long and ambiguous set of maritime or “admiralty” laws which govern all ships in open waters. They are good at stopping illegal piracy activity but they have no authority to squelch the issues that NATO and the United Nations should be handling.
By sea law, or the way it’s written right now, the Somalis have a right to fight for this environment according to Article 56(1)(b)(iii) of the Law of the Sea Convention.
It reads: In the exclusive economic zone, the coastal State has jurisdiction as provided for in the relevant provisions of this Convention with regard to the protection and preservation of the marine environment”.
Article 57 of the Convention in turn outlines the limit of that jurisdiction:
“The exclusive economic zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured”.[
Someone in the Navy know what that means and could you please speak up? I read this as a country has a right to defend it’s borders in a so called “zone of economic interest”, however anything beyond 200 miles is not protected by that article’s statements. Somali gangs are controlling roughly 1.1 million nautical miles of coastline, their coastline. So of course the IMB sees these vessel hijackings as acts of pure piracy rather then protecting their economic interest in the waters.
I see no end to this as long as once again, the laws are vague and the interest of international commerce and shipping is at stake. Again, we have business meets humanity…a no win situation.
Ponzi scheme victims get to write off 95% of losses – Welcome to the American Ponzi scheme
This is a sad sad day for the American taxpayer. Apparently, the United States tax system is officially only in place to take money from stupid Americans and make every possible exception for those tax payers who have the power to manipulate our representatives.
I sympathize with people who were swindled by criminals, I hate that people in this world try to skate through life by stealing from others. The world would be a much happier place, if these types of people would simply vanish. However, none of the investors who were victims of criminals has earned even $1 dollar of my money or yours.
Am I missing something or has the U.S. tax system somehow morphed into a nanny state system? I for the life of me cannot figure out how or why U.S. taxpayers deserve to become victims of these Ponzi scheme criminals, but that is exactly what is happening if we us non-victim money to bail them out.
Over the last 100 years there have been numerous scammers and thiefs who stole countless dollars from millions of Americans, but I do not recall a single instance where their grief and suffering somehow became all of American’s problem. But you take one high flying Wall Street banker, and an elaborate scheme to steal from his influential clients, and all of the sudden we all have to bail them out.
Again, I have sympathy for those who lost money by the heartless acts of criminals, but our congress is no better than Bernard Madoff when it comes to robbing Peter to pay Paul, with absolutely no regard for the little tax payer who keeps their engine of greed running.
Here is an article that discusses the tax break, if you want to read the facts, instead of my rant.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced unprecedented tax relief for victims of Ponzi schemes, saying many of those affected could deduct up to 95% of their losses immediately.
The move, which corresponded with a congressional hearing on the issue Tuesday, represents a significant relaxation of longstanding limits on tax relief for victims of investment scams. It reflects the pressure officials are feeling to help individuals who have been hurt in the current financial crisis, particularly at a time when public resentment is growing over the billions of dollars the government is directing into troubled banks and other big corporations.
The IRS action drew praise from lawmakers, who have been pondering legislation to help victims of swindlers such as Bernard Madoff, who has pleaded guilty to securities fraud and other charges, after confessing to running a $65 billion Ponzi scheme. “It’s a rare day when someone can be happy with the IRS,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) at the hearing held by the Senate Finance Committee.
The IRS guidance is more favorable to victims than prior positions the agency has taken, said Robert Willens, a New York tax adviser.
In broad terms, the IRS said Ponzi scheme victims who aren’t suing to recover their losses can generally deduct up to 95% of their qualified losses — minus any potential recoveries from insurance or the Securities Investor Protection Corp. — in the year the fraud is discovered. Those pursuing third-party recoveries can deduct 75% of relevant investments, after potential recoveries. The Securities Investor Protection Corp., or SIPC, is an organization designed to help investors at failed brokerage firms.
The IRS said victims wouldn’t be subject to limits that apply to personal casualty or theft losses and could carry back net operating losses five years to offset taxes paid, or forward 20 years. Under prior rules, many investors had to subtract $100 and 10% of their adjusted gross income from their loss deductions, and could carry back losses only three years, or forward 20 years.
In another change, the IRS said investors can include their principal, as well as any so-called phantom income they have received over the years, in their theft-loss deductions. Previously, the IRS allowed some Ponzi scheme victims to deduct only their principal as a theft loss, not phantom income.
The changes left open a number of questions, including how to help people who had invested in Ponzi schemes through nontaxable accounts such as Individual Retirement Accounts. People who invested indirectly through feeder funds potentially face a more complex situation in getting relief under the changes.
Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said he was concerned that the guidance would “encourage tax cheats to take abusive deductions.”
IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said any taxpayers who seek the new relief must file special forms identifying themselves as Ponzi victims. That will make it easier for the IRS to monitor claims and “look behind these, so we don’t have a lot of fraud,” he said.
The government has also limited tax-loss claims by individual investors that apply to normal losses from trading, due to concerns that it could result in a large loss of government revenue. But Sen. Maria Cantwell (D., Wash.) Tuesday said Congress should consider liberalizing those rules to help more consumers.
Now listen kids, there are “good touches” and “bad touches”
The G20 summit is under way in London this week and already The Obama’s have been accused of groping her majesty. Michelle Obama gently placed her hand on the Queen’s back during their initial greeting and whaaaaaaatever you do….dooooooo not lay your grubby paws on the Queen unless she does so before you!!
Silly Americans can never get this right. Let me get this straight, so the Queen bends over, no wait, if the Queen slaps you a high-five you have to, no..if the Queen does the churn the butter dance then you can join in, no that’s not it. Oh brother, all this monarchy etiquette is just soooo hard to remember.
Once again, it’s stupid, yeah she’s the Queen of England and there are centuries of tradition, history, and regal etiquette but enough already. Americans and anyone not ruled by the British monarchy will simply not understand and will, from time to time, accidentally slip up. Even our own Prez’ and first lady are subject to it. All heads of state are briefed on how to approach the Queen but they’re only human. Americans are handsy, we like to pat, rub, grope, squeeze, nudge, and it becomes an instinctual motion when we greet others. The Queen is a pretty hip lady and she’ll get over it, trust me.
Thanks to TIME writer Simon Robinson, here is a quick history lesson about the whole not putting your hands on the Queen thing.
“The sovereigns of England and France at some point in their nations’ long histories claimed a divine right to rule, a right often amplified by titles bestowed by the Pope in Rome. (The Queen, in fact, still has the title Defender of the Faith, an honor given to Henry VIII before he broke with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England.) That touch of holiness once gave the occupant of the throne the supposed ability to cure certain diseases – most famously, scrofula, a terrible skin ailment that was called “the king’s evil.” Thus, the miraculous contact had to be conserved. And so, whether a touch or a nod or a gaze, royal favor, like that of God, is not a subject’s on demand; it is dispensed by kingly prerogative.”
Obama apparently gave her an IPod as a gift when he arrived. Hmmm…what would have been on Henry the VIII’s play list. “Cuts Like a Knife”?…”Head over Heels”?…
Hope you had a great birthday Abe!
“Major McLernand?”
“Yes Mr. Pinkerton?”
“Did you remember the candles for President Lincoln’s birthday cake”
“Um, I might have stuck them in my inside coat pocket – let me check.”
“Well, Mr. Pinkerton, I don’t seem to have them- would you mind checking your coat pocket?”
“I’ve seem to have forgotten them too, damn it to hell man!”
“Gentlemen: As I stand here between you, I can honestly say you are both a couple of nimcompoops. Thank you for the birthday wishes”
Heard It In A Bar RSS Feed- Brittany Murphy’s death is troubling March 14, 2010Not that it’s another tragic celebrity death, not that it’s another young life taken so early…these are all troubling and sad in their own right. It’s another tragic case of someone getting caught up in the web of drugs…the legal type! It truly saddens me that so many of these stars seek out more and more prescription [...] […]kansasview
- Internet fun for the weekend… March 14, 2010By far one of my favorite websites of late is called GraphJam.com. Essentially, the website attempts to break down the world and how we interact with it in a series of graphs. It is hilarious when you see how the world around us can be so easily summed up in a pie or bar chart. [...] […]kansasview
- So why are more companies not yet hiring? March 14, 2010U.S. Workers are still filing a large amount of unemployment claims and this is after five weeks of declines in this area. Where are the culprits and which industries are still hurting? It’s apparent as we have seen over the last year is that a gradual stabilization of the economy does not naturally translate to a increase [...] […]kansasview
- Facebook is down…Facebook is down…5:42 (cst) March 14, 2010This website is not a help desk for Facebook but it’s a civic duty to keep the American public aware of all possible natural disasters!! Facebook is down! Facebook is down! Don’t toss your Iphone in the river or hurl it at your wife and complain that it doesn’t work worth a s***. Here is the current [...] […]kansasview
- Hot new golfer to challenge Tiger’s limelight March 14, 2010It’s tough not to hear Tiger Woods’ name in the media of late with all this marital infedelity hoopla and now text messages coming out from his brood of women across the country. Frankly, it’s getting old and let’s focus our attention on those athletes who don’t get all the attention. Especially those golfers who shy away [... […]kansasview
- Eight years of success turns into one year of demise for Kansas coach Mark Mangino March 14, 2010The story and the jokes can finally come to an end. Sports fans throughout the midwest have been following the fate of KU head football coach Mark Mangino and allegations that he verbally and physically abused his players. Well fans, now that he has resigned and the weeks of rumors and headlines about his coaching future [...] […]kansasview
- Tiger’s “cat” is almost out of the bag March 14, 2010Of course we couldn’t wait too long before throwing in our own two cents about the Woods story, it wouldn’t be American! I’m getting to the point where I’m getting angry because this is now a public issue. It’s private until Tiger hopped behind the wheel and crashed his vehicle. It’s private until the police are called a […]kansasview
- Come on ABC…Lambert only kissed another guy, big deal March 14, 2010What’s wrong ABC? You can’t allow a very flamboyant and talented singer on GMA? However, you have prime time shows that openly display homosexual men/women and sometimes they kiss! Brothers and Sisters, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, they all have gay characters who quite frequently engaged in PDA. Granted, these are actors but there is […]kansasview
- Wow! Those facebook pics sure got some attention! March 14, 2010Interesting story out of Quebec, if you haven’t read the article, do so. Once again, a story comes along that just sends my editorial neurons out of whack. So, you go to the doctor and are diagnosed with severe depression…so severe that she is forced to go on short term disability for a year from her [...] […]kansasview
- Palin…go away! March 14, 2010Seriously, I don’t care that you have a new book….I don’t care that you have a tattered relationship with your daughter’s “baby daddy“…and I find absolutely nothing of this fascinating in the least. It’s all over TV, she’s been on every talk show on earth….all for what? To increase exposure for a […]kansasview
- Brittany Murphy’s death is troubling March 14, 2010
