Government Shutdown 2011: Disaster Averted?

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) just before the House voted
(source: NPR)

I'd like to start off this post with apologizing for my inactivity this past week--last week, there was a lot of stuff going on (some personal things, including the play--my final production in high school :[ ) and I just wasn't able to post. But, sitting down to write this blog is somewhat nerve racking, considering all that has happened in the past week! So I'm going to start off talking about something that many people have been talking about, with either panic, confusion, or indifference. And that is the possibility of a government shutdown.

So lets start with the basics: what exactly is a government shutdown? When I first heard the term, I pictured all of the lights in the White House just going off, and a red panic button. The diction in that phrase is panic-inducing, and while it is a serious situation, it certainly isn't as though our government will literally "shut down."

So, here is the definition as provided by Wikipedia, and I think it's a pretty accurate one: "In U.S. politics, a government shutdown is when the government stops providing all but 'essential' services. Typically, services that continue despite a shutdown include police, fire fighting, postal service, armed forces, utilities, air traffic management, and corrections."

Not quite as scary as living in anarchy, but still far from an ideal situation. But, what pushed the United States to the brink of a government shutdown? It seemed to come almost out of nowhere.

The gist of the situation is this: the spending plan that the government has been operating under expired on Friday, and Democrats and Republicans have been fiercely battling over what the new spending plan would include. Mainly, the debate has been over public funding for Planned Parenthood and the EPA, which Republicans want to cut funding from and Democrats do not.

This seemingly never-ending battle between Democrats and Republicans is mainly the reason why the government was almost forced to shut down. After heated debate, a compromise wasn't even able to be reached until there was literally less than an hour left until midnight, which is when the bill expired and the government would have shut down.

Luckily, the government shutdown didn't happen on Friday, as a compromise of $38 billion in budget cuts were approved. Yet, many people admit that this won't be enough. In fact, just yesterday, the Republican-dominated House of Representatives passed a budget plan that would cut trillions off of the high U.S. deficit, without one vote from a Democrat. Whether the plan will pass in the Democrat-dominated Senate is extremely unlikely.

So, we're practically back at the beginning. The only thing that could get Republicans and Democrats to compromise on something was the imminent threat of a government shutdown. But is the disaster completely averted? In my opinion, no. I think the "disaster" in this situation, is more than the possibility of government shutdown--that was just a result. I think the real disaster is the unwillingness of Democrats and Republicans to work together to reach some sort of compromise. And this is what will happen in the future: Republicans will pass a bill in the House without any Democratic votes, and the Senate will shut it down. That process will just repeat and repeat, because no one feels the need to compromise until repercussions are knocking at the door.

While Republicans and Democrats remain stubborn and unwilling to compromise, our country has and will continue to suffer. In order to move forward and ensure that our country doesn't fall so great into debt that we can no longer function properly, Republicans and Democrats have to be willing to compromise. In a democracy, the mantra "My way or the Highway" will just be met with a lot of red lights.

The Future of Israel

source: NPR

Amidst all of the unrest happening in the Middle East (specifically in Libya),  a question has lingered on the minds of many American Jews: what does this mean for Israel?

I've seen people have this concern all around me, and most of the people I've spoken with seem to have the same concern: on one hand, they want to support the countries in breaking free from tyranny and establishing democracy. But, they fear what will happen to Israel if this is the case.

And it's easy to see why people are concerned. Israel's history with her neighboring countries has been messy and violent. The stability of Israel is brought into question nearly every day. And, in recent weeks, violence in Israel has been steadily increasing.

But what happened? Wasn't it just in September when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas began peace talks? Why the sudden outbreak of violence after what seemed to be steps towards improvement?

Some, such as University of Maryland professor Shibley Telhami, believe that the unrest in the Middle East has been a major setback for Israeli-Palestinian peace. He says: "There's a lot of pressure in the Arab world as a consequence of these revolutions, including from Egypt, on the Palestinian Hamas to make up, which has not been kind of the trend in the diplomacy. So all of that sets it back, for sure. But to assume that it's going to go away is almost laughable, almost laughable."

But the question still remains: will peace ever be attainable?

Especially now, with the relationship between Israel and Egypt's new government unknown, there is fear that Israel may be eradicated. In fact, a recent article from the Jerusalem Post  warns that if demographic trends in Israel continue, its statehood may cease to exist.

So, leave your thoughts in a comment below. Is Israeli-Palestinian peace achievable? Will Israel ever be accepted by neighboring Arab countries, or will the tension always exist?

Pray for Japan

I am sure that many of you reading this are already aware of the grave situation going on in Japan right now. On Friday March 11th, a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Eastern coast of Japan. This resulted in a tsunami on the shores of Japan, one which destroyed buildings, homes, and many lives. 

"Fujitsuka in Sendai, Japan, in 2008, and again after the tsunami in 2011." - CNN

As you can see from the pictures, the damage is astonishing. Unfortunately, the damage reaches beyond property. The current death toll is dismal: over 8,000 people dead and over 12,000 people still missing. This is one of the most fatal natural disasters in history, leaving portions of Japan completely in ruins. And, fear surged across the country as the possibility of the Tsunami reaching Hawaii and California surfaced.

On top of all of this heartbreak and devastation, another terrifying layer of disaster was added to this entire tragedy--two of Japan's nuclear powerplants were put in states of emergency, and multiple explosions have occurred within some of these plants. Now, thousands of brave men and women are working to figure out ways in which they can cool the nuclear reactors, to save Japan from nuclear catastrophe.

Luckily, there seems to be some progress made in cooling the reactors over the past few days, although the danger is not abated. Traces of radioactive materials have already been found in food there, and while for now, experts claim that this radioactivity is not harmful, larger amounts certainly will be.

So, there are two things I would like to stress in this post. The first is, that those who would like to donate money can do so at this link. But, if not, keep the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers, and continue to spread awareness so that others can reach out and donate as well. Also, this entire situation has made me think of the way that nuclear energy is regulated. I understand its necessity within the modern energy scene, but when crises such as this arise, it makes me wonder if there shouldn't be more regulations on nuclear powerplants? I'm not sure what exactly, but it seems as though something needs to change. Leave your thoughts/opinions in a comment.

Back in Action!

Hello everyone! I'm back from my trip to France, and will be posting my weekly post later today. I'm glad to be back! I was just going to say this in my next post, but the subject matter is a bit more serious, so I wanted to make this a separate post. But, if you'd like, here are some pictures I took while traveling around Paris and the South of France:

My friends and I in front of the Eiffel Tower

The Pont Saint-Bénezet in Avignon

My friends and I in Marseilles

Stay tuned for a post coming later today!

Fighting for Women's Rights: Standing with Planned Parenthood

source

These past few weeks have been major weeks for Women's Rights. To some, it may seem like we're on the brink of facing some decisions which, collectively, could make the same impact on Women's Health as 1973's Roe v. Wade -- only not in a good way, unfortunately.

It all began in early February, when Republicans attempted to change the definition of rape in legislation which provides funds to people who were raped, to receive abortions, saying that only "forcible rape" should be covered.

Rape: (noun) any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person.


Call me crazy, but I don't see where in that definition there is any room for "non-forcible rape." However, the while the definition of "forcible rape" remains fuzzy, it appears preclude statutory rape and incest.


However, realizing that attempting to redefine rape not only is nonsensical, but offensive, the GOP backed down on this controversial effort.


So, that means everything is fixed, right? Unfortunately not.


Because while the GOP backed down on qualifying rape, a new target has been chosen for anti-choicers -- Planned Parenthood.

source

Planned Parenthood is an organization designed specifically to provide health services for women. They provide services such as Birth Control, information about pregnancy, the Morning After pill, prenatal care information, testing for HIV/AIDS and other STDs and STIs, vaccinations, and, yes, some of them do provide abortion services.


However, the realm of Planned Parenthood goes so far beyond abortion. Many clinics (such as the one nearest to my home, as I just found out while researching) don't even offer abortions at their clinic.


I can understand why people are against abortion clinics. I'm not, but I can comprehend it. If someone truly believes that abortion is murder--that's their prerogative and their belief. I do take issue when someone tries to force that belief upon me, but I can understand why people are passionate about it. I would be, too, I suppose.


But Planned Parenthood goes so far beyond abortion. Planned Parenthood helps so many teenaged, young, and fully grown women every single day. Planned Parenthood helps people learn how to provide for their baby, if they so choose. They provide birth control to young women who may be too afraid to ask their parents, and protect them from unwanted pregnancies. They provide STD screening to people.


In my opinion, this goes far beyond abortion. Abortion is only a small facet of Women's Health, and a small proportion of Planned Parenthood. I believe that people need to learn to look at the bigger picture--look at all of the public service Planned Parenthood provides to women in this nation every single day. Because without Planned Parenthood, many women won't have anywhere else to go.

More Protests, Now in Libya

The above image is one which has been circulating around the popular social blogging site, Tumblr. The site, like many other blogging and social networking sites, has erupted over the past few weeks over the turmoil all over the world, specifically in the Middle East and Northern Africa. And while my thoughts and prayers are with all of these places (and also the people of Christchurch, New Zealand, who are suffering the repercussions of a series of terrible earthquakes), I want to focus this post on what's been going on in Libya.

Taking the lead of Egypt and Tunisia, the people of Libya have been fighting for release from the dictatorship of Moammar Gaddafi, who has not hesitated in showing that he is willing to kill as many of those who are protesting against him as necessary to squash the rebellion. Gaddafi is silencing them through brutal murder. Right now, I believe the death count is well over 300, and the numbers continue to rise.

Many people and news stations alike have named the conflicts going on in Libya as pure genocide.

And yet, despite everything: despite the outrage across the world, despite the condemnation of Gaddafi's actions, and despite the flood of support for the people of Libya, Gaddafi refuses to step down, and continues to kill hundreds of his citizens.

Gaddafi is also trying to take legitimacy away from the protesters, claiming they are influenced by various, absurd activities: from involvement in al Quaeda to illegal drugs.

But the rest of the world won't be fooled. While we wait to hear about the decisions of the United Nations regarding this matter, our hearts and souls have been with the people of Libya, who are fighting daily for basic rights, and liberation from a dictator who seems completely unconcerned about whether they live or die.

And while the people of Libya suffer--while they watch their loved ones die and feel their bodies pierced with bullets--it makes me contemplate the question: when is something worth dying for? It's easy to sit from my home in a rural area of the United States of America, and sympathize with the plight of the Libyan people. But the fact is: above my sadness for their lost loved ones, above my anger at the mistreatment for their suffering, above my frustration with the people who are only concerned with the rising oil prices, is my absolute admiration for the courage of these people. Their strength, bravery, and determination to fight for their rights and for what they believe in is absolutely inspiring.

They are risking everything, just to have what we take for granted here in America: freedom.

So, if these protests in Libya and in other places under the reign of speech-silencing dictators make you think of nothing else--think of the privileges we have just for being American citizens. In my AP government class, we just finished a unit on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Our rights: from religious freedom, to freedom of the press, to the right to peacefully protest, are essentially what defines our freedom here. And, personally, I know that researching these uprisings, and the unfairness to which so many people are still subjected, has made me appreciate my civil liberties much more.

Let's Talk About Egypt

picture source: NPR

With all that’s been going on in the past few weeks regarding Egypt, I only felt it appropriate to begin my blog with a post discussing the state of Egypt. As many of you hopefully already know, the past few weeks have been an incredibly tumultuous time in Egypt. After 18 days of intense riots protesting the dictator-like behavior of Egyptian President Mubarak, the president finally stepped down, and the Egyptian people are currently being governed by the military on an interim basis.

But does that mean the battle has been won? Is Egypt heading down the path of democracy, or is that even something the people want? And what does this have to do with Egypt’s alliance with Israel, and the United States?

As of now, the turmoil in Egypt has all but subsided, although most of the protests have ended, and it seems Mubarak’s resignation has provided a new sense of hope for the Egyptian people. But the big question now is—what’s going to happen next? The answer is complicated.

The fact that the interim government is ruled by the military has raised some concerns. After all, isn’t that the type of government which many nations fear, ruled solely by the military? However, the Egyptian military has already gotten a jumpstart on moving forward, and has promptly disbanded Parliament, suspended the Constitution, and set up elections to take place in six months.

However, history has shown that elections does not always equal democracy (as seen through the allegedly corrupt elections of countries such as Afghanistan and Iran.) If Egypt truly becomes a democracy or republic, an entirely new Constitution and system of government needs to be instated, which will undoubtedly mean a long road is ahead. It’s hard to imagine where to start. It makes me appreciate the daunting task the Framers of the Constitution had—how hard must it be, to create an entirely new system of government from scratch?

But for now, it is unsure what direction the new government will choose to go in. As for Egypt’s relationship with the United States and Israel—that, too, is uncertain. At least for now, it appears as though the long treaty Mubarak instated with Israel will remain in effect under the interim government, and the relationship with the United States appears equally intact. But, it is uncertain about whether or not that friendly relationship will be maintained under Egypt’s new government, which is a point of concern which must be addressed in the upcoming months.

Ultimately, the people and interim government of Egypt is working towards rebuilding their country, without the suppression they found under Mubarak. Whether or not that rebuilding will involve a democracy is left to be seen.