Obama's Nuclear Challenge

This article talks about Obama's move to begin disarming nuclear weapons throughout the world. The basic idea is that the countries who already have nuclear weapons will begin moving towards getting rid of them, and the countries that do not have them will not make the effort to pursue them. Obama gave a speech detailing his idea, and bringing the nuclear weapons back into the eyes of the world. In his speech he says:

So today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.

There have only been two other attempts, by American presidents, to abolish nuclear weapons; first by Truman and later by Reagan. Neither was successful. Obama admitted that nuclear weapons may never be abolished in his lifetime; he is currently 47.

How long is it going to take before we realize that these weapons are not the answer to our problems? It is so scary to think about what these nuclear weapons are capable of producing. The only way we are ever going to have peace in the world is to rid ourselves of these fears.

Bush Torture on Trial?

This article, written by David Cole on April 2, discusses the calls claiming that the Bush Administration authorized torture on people suspected in being involved in the "war on terror". The article stated that Obama has continuously ignored the calls in his effort to "look forward not backward", even after Vice President Cheney admitted that "he authorized waterboarding, and Obama's attorney general, Eric Holder, has testified that waterboarding is torture."

Waterboarding has been around for centuries, and is used as a method of interrigation. Basically, a person is strapped to a board where they can not move, and someone repeatedly pours water over their face, giving the illusion that they are about to die from drowning.

"The investigation targets six lawyers responsible for devising the legal architecture that allowed torture to become official US policy: former Office of Legal Counsel lawyers John Yoo and Jay Bybee, who wrote the August 1, 2002, memorandum defining torture so narrowly that waterboarding and threats of death were deemed permissible; former White House lawyers Alberto Gonzales and David Addington, who headed the so-called War Council, argued that the Geneva Conventions were "quaint" and "obsolete" and requested the August torture memo; and Defense Department lawyers Douglas Feith and William Haynes, who helped sweep away the Geneva Conventions and authorize torture at Guantánamo."

These are people that are/were helping to run our country. How scary is that? Of course I don't agree with terrorists and the thought of terrorism, but if we are allowing torture in our country, arn't we coming down to their level? How are we any different from them? I have never before thought of the United States being a place where I would have to worry about these things, and the fact that President Obama wasn't more concerned, I think, is a concern for all Americans.

Make up blog -Clinton Speaks on Women's Rights and Foreign Policy

Clinton Speaks on Women's Rights and Foreign Policy

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, recently spoke about women's rights in foreign policy and security at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) national conference.

Clinton said "A society that denies and demeans women's rights and roles is a society that is more likely to engage in behavior that is negative, anti-democratic and leads to violence and extremism....As we integrate our military and civilian assets with a mission for disrupting and defeating al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, we cannot lose sight that assisting women's development in those countries is part of America's strategy to be successful."

At the conference she received the Planned Parenthood's Margaret Sanger Award. Her response to winning the award was, "It's part of a movement which is about economic and political progress for all women and girls. It's about making sure that every woman and girl everywhere has the opportunity she deserves to fulfill her potential, the potential as a mother, worker and human being."

I think it is great that we have a woman in office that is fighting for womens rights from within. I think that Hillary makes some very good points in her messages and makes me feel comfortable knowing she is in office, and that she cares about the women of the world.

US Plans to Run for UN Human Rights Council

US Plans to Run for UN Human Rights Council

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice announced this week that the United States is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. Working from within the council the United States can help to promote human rights not only for the United States, but within other countries as well.

Republicans, and the Bush administration, were opposed to being a part of the Human Rights Council, but Human Rights Council President Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi reacted to in a very well manner saying, "I am very encouraged by the news of the decision of the U.S. to run for a seat in the Human Rights Council. This is further evidence of their commitment to advancing human rights globally, thus building on the work of the Council to promote and protect all human rights universally without distinction of any kind."

The council election will take place on May 12. New Zealand withdrew their nomination making the odds greater for the United States to win the vote and be apart of the Council for the three year term.

I think that this is awesome. The United States should be apart of the Human Rights Council and I am not sure why the Republicans and the Bush Administration were opposed. Why wouldn't they want to promote human rights? It doesn't make sense to me. It makes me feel safe knowing that our country may have a say in Human Rights around the world.