Animal rehab centers still at work after BP spill

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/la_gulf_oil_spill_stragglers;_ylt=AvrwIXge4UjZE9WEduumHyewhrZ_;_ylu=X3oDMTNhNnU3MDd1BGFzc2V0Ay9zL2FwL2xhX2d1bGZfb2lsX3NwaWxsX3N0cmFnZ2xlcnMEY2NvZGUDbXBfZWNfOF8xMARjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNhbmltYWxyZWhhYmM


Dozens of animals are still being treated at Gulf Coast rescue centers five months after the capping of the Macondo oil well off the Louisiana coast. The animals include a baby sea turtle that escaped from a shark, only to get stuck in oil spilled from BP's well in the Gulf of Mexico, and a young dolphin that apparently was attacked by his mother and then swam into oil. The animals are among thousands rescued since more than 200 million gallons of oil began gushing from the well. Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, rescue officials say 2,079 birds, 456 sea turtles, some terrapins and two dolphins have been plucked from the oil.Another 2,263 birds, 18 turtles and four dolphins were found dead with oil on them. Workers are seeking to determine whether crude from the BP well killed them.

This relates to government because when the oil spill happened the efforts of the government to help stop it were almost nonexistant. They did not take it upon themselves to find a solution to plug it and now five months after the oil well was capped animals and other wild life are stuff suffering the effects.

I think that the government should have down more to help plug the oil well. Even though it wasn't their fault that is exploded it's had a huge impact on the animals and wildlife living in the gulf. Their are organizations still trying to clean up the mess that took so long to plug.

House Democrats are mad over Obama's handling of tax deal

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_democrats

The struggle over tax cuts is really straining President Obama's relationship with House Democrats, who have backed him on key issues even when it cost them politically. Democratic lawmakers say Obama ignored them at crucial negotiating moments, misled them about his intentions.The president has responded that he acted honorably and drove the best bargain he could. "Hardly anybody in the Democratic caucus here feels that the president tried hard enough to deliver on his campaign promises," said Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida,
Hurt feelings can mend over time and it's not clear how much political damage Obama will suffer because of disenchantment among House members. His allies note that House Democrats will be in the minority in the new Congress, and it's essential for the president to negotiate with the newly ascendant Republicans to get things done.

This relates to government because it's an issue that our government is dealing with. The tax cuts are causing a huge conflict between republicans and democrats. The President has lost a lot to "friends" over this issue.

I think that is was imporant for the tax cuts to be extended because Americans are already broke and cannot afford to pay their bills. If they were expected to pay even more money towards taxes they obviously couldn't afford it. I don't think it would do the government any good to raise the taxes because their aren't very many people that could actaully afford it so they probably wouldn't make much money.

Metrodome roof collapse

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101214/ap_on_sp_ot/us_winter_storm_metrodome_collapse


      On Monday crews began inspecting the Minnesota stadium's three decades-old roof after it collapsed under the weight of heavy snow and forced the Vikings to move their game to Detroit. Sunday's roof collapse was the fourth since the 29-year-old facility opened, and it has brought back up the debate about whether the broke state should build a new venue using taxpayer money. The Vikings have asked lawmakers for more than 10 years for a new stadium, arguing the Metrodome is outdated and doesn't generate enough revenue. The team's lease runs through the 2011 season and they have said they won't renew it. The stadium's Teflon roof gave out on Sunday after a  storm hit the region, dropping 17 inches of snow.

     This is related to government because it's just the start of the winter season and the snow is already causing millions of dollars worth of damage that our country cannot afford to pay for.

      I think they need to replace the Vikings stadium because it has already collapsed 4 times and the costs to repair it all 4 times will be a ton of money so they should just fix it right so it doesnt continually happen. I also think that the snow this year is going to cause a huge budget deficite for tons of states and our country in general.

Health Care

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul


           The health care law had its first setback Monday when a federal judge declared that the heart of the legislation is unconstitutional. The decision handed Republicans ammunition for their repeal effort next year.
The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who is a Republican appointee in Richmond, Virginia. It's been said that The a requirement for all Americans to carry insurance is unconstitutional and above congress' power. But administration officials and outside analysts agree that important provisions of the legislation could not go forward without the requirement for everyone to be insured. That's because insurers need to have large pools of healthy people, who are cheap to insure, or it is not financially tenable for them to extend coverage to those with pre-existing medical problems

           This relates to government because it's one of the current issues that we are dealing with. If this law is passed and everyone is required to buy health care it will have an impact on our generation. We will be the ones who test it.

           I think that having everyone have health care insurance is a good idea. Those of us who do have it now usually end up paying for the ones who don't anyways so we should just go ahead and provide them with care. and like they said the need healthy people to pay into the system so that insurance companies can afford to provide care for those who are unhealthy.

Impact of midterm elections? Most Americans bet on gridlock

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_exclusive/impact-of-midterm-elections-most-americans-bet-on-gridlock;_ylt=AlEbYXmvZb1k8rLiJkOO9i.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTU4cnVnYjhoBGFzc2V0A3libG9nX2V4Y2x1c2l2ZS8yMDEwMTEyMi9pbXBhY3Qtb2YtbWlkdGVybS1lbGVjdGlvbnMtbW9zdC1hbWVyaWNhbnMtYmV0LW9uLWdyaWRsb2NrBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDMwRwb3MDMTEEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA2ltcGFjdG9mbWlkdA

If there was one thing American voters made abundantly clear on Nov. 2, it's how unhappy they are with politicians and the way things work in Washington. Surveys have shown that the majority of voters want their elected representatives to do a much better job of coming together to solve the country's problems. News polls state that most say they have little expectation that things will get better as a result of the recent midterms. Respondents were asked if they thought the election was more likely to move the country in the right direction or the wrong direction. The largest chunk of respondents, some 40 percent, said they didn't expect the election to make a difference at all. Only one-third of those polled, 34 percent, thought the results would move the country in the right direction, while another 21 percent said they thought things were headed the wrong way.
 
Americans are not comfident with the government as it stands today. They were very hopeful when the democrats came into office and so far they haven't lived up to the expectations everyone had for them. I think that the government needs to really put some effort into focusing fully on the immediate problems in our country and leaving the minor issues and things that aren't a big deal for later.

North, South Korea exchange fire; 2 marines killed

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101123/ap_on_re_as/as_koreas_clash

North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire Tuesday after the North shot an island near their disputed sea border, killing at least two South Korean marines, setting dozens of buildings ablaze and sending civilians fleeing for shelter. The problem began when Pyongyang warned the South to halt military drills in the area, according to South Korean officials. When Seoul refused, the North bombarded the small South Korean-held island of Yeonpyeong, which houses military installations and a small civilian population.

South Korea returned fire and dispatched fighter jets in response. There are said to be a lot of North Korean casualties as troops unleashed a lot of gun fire.

Hopefully our government will not get involved in the dispute between North and South Korea. The last thing we need to do is get into another war. North and South Korea have had an ongoing dispute for many years and i hope the united states stays out of it.

William, Kate to wed April 29 at Westminster Abbey

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101123/ap_on_en_ot/eu_britain_royal_wedding

In London Prince William and Kate Middleton annonced they will be married on April 29 in Westminster Abbey. That is the historic church where Princess Diana's (Prince Williams mother's) funeral was held. Officials said that the couple chose the venue for its beauty, intimacy and historic royal connections, and the date because they wanted a spring wedding. The government said the day the day of their wedding would be a public holiday. William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II  and her mother were both married at the abbey.
William and Kate are playing "a very active role" in planning the day.

This relates to the government in London. They will we welcoming a new member to the royal family. Kate and William have been together for 8 years and i think its time they get married. the whole world will be watching and it is even being broadcasted and advertised all through out our news.

Obama acknowledges his message didn't get through

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101105/ap_on_bi_ge/us_obama_election_retrospective


The President is acknowledging that in this weeks previous election rout that he wasn't been able to promote his economic-rescue message successfully. Obama says in an that he "stopped paying attention" to the leadership style he displayed during his run for the presidency. Obama also said he recognizes now that "leadership is not just legislation," and that "it's a matter of persuading people. And giving them confidence and bringing them together. And setting a tone. And making an argument that people can understand."."
Obama's Democrats lost control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections, as Republicans picked up a net gain of at least 60 seats, setting up a more divided government.

This relates to government because the people who are currently running our government should be reconized and people should be aware of who they are. I'm glad that the Republicans took back some of the seats because now they will be able to balance out the drastic changes that the democrats try to make.

Fort Hood suspect's hearing

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fort_hood_shooting

In Fort Hood, Texas tons of soldiers came to the witness stand. They all pointed to an Army psychiatrist and identified him as the man who went on a deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood last year.29 witnesses testified last week, and more soldiers are expected on the stand Monday at the start of the second week of a military hearing to determine whether Major Nidal Hasan will stand trial. Hasan, 40, an American-born Muslim, is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the November 5 shootings. They will decide whether he should receive the death penalty. The final decision will be made by Col. Morgan Lamb, a Fort Hood brigade commander appointed to oversee judicial matters in Hasan's case.
I think that Major Nidal Hasan deserves the death penilty. He turned against his own men and that is unacceptable. and the fact that he's muslim makes the motives for doing it make more since.

myth busters

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_science

President Barack Obama appeared on an episode of "Mythbusters," which is a television show that uses science and experiments to determine the truth behind urban legend. The White House says that the episode will air on December 8 on the Discovery channel. The episode considers this question: Did Greek scientist Archimedes set fire to an invading Roman fleet using only mirrors and the reflected rays of the sun? The white house says this episode part of a push to promote math and science education. On Monday, Obama hosts a White House science fair celebrating students who have won science, technology, engineering and math competitions.

This is important for americans to see. it shows them that the president is becoming involved in smaller matters. he's not very popular right now so getting himself involved in education and stuff might help him become more popular with voters.

Democrats

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_prolific_congress

are struggling now to retain majorities in the House and Senate. They must deal with a public that blames Washington for the economic downfall, and that resents the bank bailouts. Voters are trying to get the democrats out of the house and senate because they are angry that they haven't done a very good job so far and they regret their decisions to make them the majority party in the house and senate.
i think that america needs some kind of changes. if people think that this change will happen by gettin some republicans in the house and the senate then that might be what needs to happen.

Typhoon

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_asia_typhoon

In Cauayan, Philippines the strongest cyclone in years knocked out communications and power as residents took shelter on Monday. The flooding in Vietnam swept away a bus and 20 of its passengers.The Super Typhoon Megi, crossed the northern Philippines and was expected to add to the already heavy rains that have covered Asia. In China they evacuated 140,000 people from a coastal province before the typhoon hit. Megi could possibly hit Vietnam, where flooding has already caused 30 deaths in recent days, in addition to those missing are thought to be dead after their bus was washed off a road by the currents on monday. Megi had winds of 140 mph and gusts of 162 mph as it made landfall midday Monday at Palanan Bay in Isabela province it caused  trees to fall and utility poles cutting off power, phone and Internet services in many areas.
American should be concerned about this because they can help the people in the philippines that have had to deal with the crazy weather conditions. they can provide some sort of aid to assist in their recovery.

And they're out! Congress flees DC to campaign

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100930/ap_on_go_co/us_campaigning_congress


Instead of finishing the bills that congress had already started they are more worried about their re-election they more eager to campaign before angry voters than compromise in Washington on tax cuts, child nutrition or a federal budget. The majority of  democrats are facing tough re-elecction fights. In both chambers Wednesday against their leaders' decisions to call off controversial votes, pass a temporary bill to keep the government running and head home. The measure to adjourn passed both chambers despite the protests. In the House, it passed by one vote — 39 Democrats joined Republicans in voting no.

Voters should be concerned with this because they need to be able to make an educated decision about who they want to put into office when it comes to election time.

I think the Senate should be more concerned about doing what's right for the country and less concerned about campaign season. They way they should try to become re elected is to make the right decisions for the country and show the voters who should be in office instead of them trying to prove to the voters they are the right ones when they haven't even finished what they've started.

Obama aide's exit could be prelude to more changes

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_economic_adviser

President Barack Obama's top economic adviser. Lawrence Summers, is planning to leave at the end of this year. This could give the White House and it's officails an opportunity to redo its economic team after elections this November, voters are expected to take out their anger on democrats. Summers was the chief architect of some of the policies that played a role in the massive stimulus and the government bailout of the auto industry. He also was an advocate for the financial regulatory legislation Obama signed into law earlier this year. Summer's played a huge role in helping to improve our ecomony in desprate times and it really sucks that he's leaving.

i think people need to be concerned with the economy especailly people my age because when we grow up we are the ones that will be most effected by the economic changes and polices that they make now.

I think this could be an opportunity to make things happen if we find the right person to take over Summer's job. He did a good job so far so if we find someone who undos what he already did we will be in a mess. But if we find someone who can bring new ideas to add to the ones that govenment already has then it could benefit our economy.

Budget deficit on pace to hit $1.3 trillion

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Budget-deficit-on-pace-to-hit-apf-1718166886.html?x=0


The federal government is on track to record the second-highest deficit of all time with one month left in the budget year. With one month to go, this years deficit racks up to 1.26 trillion. When it's all over it's said to end up being 1.3 trillion. The budget year ends on September 30, and is predicted to be slightly below last year's record which came out to be a $1.4 trillion deficit. All this money spending has voters doubting the democrats with this years midterm elections coming up we might see a few more republicans in the house. Americans need to be aware of the crazy amounts of their money the government is spending. People these days don't have enough money for themselves. The govenment needs to spend a little less and save a little more. America really needs to get out of this enormous debt. Most of which was created by the Obama administation.

Quran

 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100909/ap_on_go_pr_wh/quran_burning_obama

First the Americans were angry that there might be a muslim Mosque built near ground zero. Now the anger has turned towards a church in Flordia who plan to burn copies of the Quran. President Obama speaks out that this act will endanger our soilders because the muslims will feel like they are being treated unfairly. This church is trying to prove a point but much to drastically if they do this it will be sending the wrong signals. America is all about freedom of religion and religious tolerance.

I think people should be interested in this article because if copies of the Quran are burned like planned it could cause major problems between us and people of the muslim religion.

I agree that this should not be done i think the point they are trying to prove will be offensive to many. The churchs actions are way to extreme and i think it will come back with a bad outcome.

Obama says Iraq war is ending.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_obama_iraq/print


After more than seven years of war, the United States Of America will end it's combat mission in Iraq and take an important step forward in responsibly ending the war in Iraq. At the Beginning of Presedent Obama's term he promised to end the war in Iraq and he's finaly fulfulling his promise. Although 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq they will not be concidered combat troops. They will just be teaching the Iraq troops how to fend for themselves.


I think this story is important to all Americans. Everyone who cares even a little about our nation would be concerned about a 7 1/2 year long war finally coming to an end.

In my opinion if we leave now the entire war was pointless because nothing got finished or solved but on the other hand I'm really glad to see the troops come home they have done a lot and deserve to be with their familes.