Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

Why Alex is happy!

Another High Court Issue Looms over 2012: Immigration


As Obamacare's race towards the Supreme court creates a possible stormcloud over Obama's 2012 election prospects, another contentious issue heads towards the high court with similar possible implications. The hot issue of immigration came into play after Arizona's new immigration law was enacted and challenged.

"Unlike health care, the Obama administration had asked the court to hold off on a big immigration case, saying lower courts should be given more time to consider an array of new state laws seeking to target illegal immigrants."

The outcomes of both cases, Healthcare and Immigration (both expected in June), could be major game-changers late in the Election process.

SCOTUS to hear dissenters of AZ immigration law


Similar to healthcare debate, this is another dispute between a GOP-dominated state & a Democrat administration the Supreme Court will hear.

Among Gingrich’s Passions, a Doomsday Vision


Gingrich is ready to ring the alarm bells about the electromagnetic pulse phenomenon. Under this theory, if a nuclear weapon were detonated in outer space high above the American continent, it would set off a huge and crippling shockwave of electricity. This would destroy electrical circuits from coast to coast knocking out every functioning piece of technology that we have, throwing the US Into the dark ages. Scientists call this "far fetched" and the pentagon call "pretty theoretical." Is Gingrich a doomsdayer?

Sunday, December 11, 2011

U.S. presence in Iraq


Interesting story related to our recent briefing at State Department. Picture of fortress-like U.S. embassy

Friday, December 9, 2011

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Blago at His Best

Never been prouder to from Illinois. Watch him do karaoke with Fabio.

I miss Paul Wellstone

With the discussions we've been having with Reckless Endangerment and the OWS movement I can't help but wonder what the late Paul Wellstone, former senator from MN, would say if he were here to witness today's America. Strangely enough, while surfing the web in a state of nostalgia, I came across a clip of him speaking on the  Senate Floor in which he eerily predicts many of the economic risks and dangers that would come to pass just a decade or so later.

If more members of congress recognized his creed that "politics is not about big money or power games; it's about the improvement of people's lives" perhaps we'd be in a different place right now.

Belgium's government to be sworn in after 541 days


This news is a few days old but for those of you that don't know, Belgium finally has a government after 541 days. Belgium set the record for the longest any country has gone without a federal government last February after 249 days of political deadlock. The 249 day record was previously set by Iraq last December. In addition, this will be the first time in over 40 years that Belgium will have a french speaking prime minister Elio di Rupo (pictured above). Hopefully he will be able to bridge the linguistic gaps between the francophones and the flemings, which was at the root of the breakdown of the Belgian government. Only time will tell.

Interesting day at State Department


including daily press briefing and discussion with the head of Iraq Desk.

Blagojevich Sentenced!!!! WOW.

Blagojevich Sentenced to 14 years

Don't worry, I'm sure the corruption stops there...

FYI: Pakistan's President in Dubai for medical treatment.

Aging and the Presidency: Just Cosmetic?

"Least Productive Session" of Congress?

Syria on the brink of Civil War?

Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad
"There seems to be no common ground between what the government suggests will restore calm versus what the protestors demand."

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The last of my pictures with political "celebs" this semester =(

Till next time D.C...



The Muppets are Communists (?)



The new Muppets movie has Fox Buniess Network saying so.

Conan O'Brien even seems to concur.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/muppets-are-communist-her_n_1131408.html

Hoover must be rolling in his grave...

The End or an Era? No More Next Day Delivery for First Class Mail

Will the postal service eventually be eliminated?

Blagojevich’s Day of Reckoning Arrives


Today, Blagojevich is supposed to testify at the hearing that will decide his fate. As a resident of Illinois, this will be especially interesting after 3 years of waiting, since his arrest in 2008. If Blago is jailed, he will be the fourth Illinois governor to serve jail time and the seventh to be arrested or indicted. In addition, he will be the second governor in a row to be indicted for a federal crime after previous governor George Ryan. I have to love my home state. Can't wait for the decision.

Occupy Camelot!

More on the good news about energy

Good news on the energy front

The Washington DC Song



My entire semester in song form.

A star is born!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Fox News Field Trip

This afternoon I had the chance to visit the Fox News offices. One of the senior editors at my internship was interviewed by FBN, discussing the apparent underground tunnels beneath the White House.









Interesting stats on FBN viewers....

I'm no Megyn Kelly.

Ron Paul's New Video Ad



You are gonna want to see this! Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, you have to admire Paul's boldness and passion!

Obamacare among many regulations standing in the way of job creation


Interesting piece by George Will that looks at CKE Restaurants as a case study

The reality of taxes in the U.S.

Our office circulated this piece that appeared in our local paper that tries to explain the fact and fiction behind the politically contentious parts of our tax code. It was written for the Washington Post so it may be a little partisan but it's still an interesting perspective, especially regarding corporate tax rates.

Yet Another SNL Satire Sketch

White House makes its case to black voters



Due to recent allegations that Obama is neglecting black voters, the White House prepares a 44 page report summarizing the president's agenda for black America. Will this have an impact?

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Some thoughts

Heaven is where the GOP nominee has Romney's hair, Santorum's chin, Cain's voice, Bachmann's feminine wiles, Perry's laugh, Gingrich's oratory, Paul's conviction, and Huntsman's eyebrows.

Hell is where the GOP nominee has Romney's conviction, Santorum's hair, Cain's laugh, Bachmann's voice, Perry's oratory, Gingrich's chin, Paul's feminine wiles, and Huntsman's eyebrows.

Key Iowa Poll Reveals Top 3 GOP Contenders for 2012






Here is the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/03/newt-gingrich-ron-paul_n_1127371.html?icid=maing-grid7|maing9|dl3|sec1_lnk2|117557#es_share_ended

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Cain quotes Pokemon movie...


Guess there's hope for me to run for president on a Sailor Moon-inspired platform!

Call me a pessimist but...

Panel on the Future of Iraq


Please watch this video prior to our visit to State Dept. One of the panelists is John Desrocher, who will be speaking with you. Very exciting opportunity!

Cain drops out