President Obama’s State of The Union Speech

The nation was glued to their televisions and computers on January 25, 2012 6p.m. to hear what President Obama had to say about our State of the Union. President Obama talked about us working together as Americans not as republicans or democrats. He is right.  The republicans called his speech a class warfare.  No that is not true. President Obama wants everyone to get their fair share and play by the same rules. I agree because it is not fair for the rich to be taxed at 14 percent when the middle class are getting taxed at the 20 percent rate or higher that does not make any sense. When President said that people making 1,000,000 dollars a year or higher should be taxed at least 30 percent, the republicans sat there clinching their greedy teeth. What really moved me was when President Obama talked about how we can put people back to work if businesses would come back to America. It does not make any sense that American businesses get all the tax breaks just because they do business in other countries. President Obama wants to give American businesses the credit for coming back to America and for operating in areas where factories have been shut down for years. President Obama talked about the housing crisis that happened in 2008. I think that it was one the biggest conspiracy of greed that I have ever seen. President Obama wants an economy that is built to last with woman getting equal pay for equal work, supporting entrepreneur’s and expand tax relief for start up companies. President Obama kept saying to congress you all agree on these issues put it in a bill and I will sign it. I don’t know what in the world are they waiting for. Is it that the republicans won’t pass anything President Obama suggested, so they can blame him for being a bad president that is the way I see it. President Obama wants to combine six government agencies into one so it can be quicker in helping the American people. This is a good idea. I don’t think that will happen in my lifetime if the republicans have anything to say about it. President Obama put congress on notice, he told them that they should stop fighting among themselves and come together on common sense ideas. President Obama quoted Abraham Lincoln, “The government should do for people what they cannot do by themselves and no more.” Presidents Obama’s State of the Union speech was in my opinion one of the most powerful State of the Union speeches I have ever heard. I know a lot of people would agree. I just hope congress takes it to heart and stop all their foolishness and come together and get some of these bills passed so we as a nation can get back to being the most powerful and productive nation on earth. As for the republicans rebuttal on the President’s State of the Union speech it was the same old mess Obama has not done anything to improve the economy and he is moving to slow. Blah Blah Blah!

LM

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/01/25/2012-state-union-address-enhanced-version

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2091737/Obamas-State-Union-address-2012-Full-class-warfare-promises.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

US Airways Serious Case of Double Standards

This young generation fashion statements are really out there. Some of the males go around with sagging pants. The definition of sag: is to hang or droop instead of remaining firm or level. My son when he was growing up would try and walk around with his pants sagging and I would pull them all the way down every time I saw them sagging.  After awhile he stopped sagging around me. On June 15, 2011 US Airways flight attendant told 20 year old DeShon Marman a University of New Mexico football player pull up his pants. His boxer shorts were showing and she thought that was indecent. The flight attendant claimed that he was showing a body part, but the surveillance video showed no skin showing. A US Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder said the airline’s dress code forbids “indecent exposure or inappropriate” attire. 

On June 9, 2011 US Airways let a man wearing women under wear bra panties and thigh high stockings fly. Valerie Wunder contradicted herself she said “we don’t have a dress code policy”
Wunder said “Obviously, if their private parts are exposed, that’s not appropriate…so if they’re not exposing their private parts, they’re allowed to fly. This is outrageous! I think that this is a case of discrimination, how can you let a man wearing ladies under garments fly and make a big stink out of someone wearing sagging pants. I know if a lady tried to fly wearing her underwear she would be banned. I say shame on you US Airways for their double standard.


LM


 http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/travel/travel-news/student-kicked-off-flight-for-wearing-baggy-pants-20110617-1g6jh.html


http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/travel/travel-news/us-airways-lets-man-fly-wearing-womens-underwear-20110623-1gfzd.html

Airline Security

Image via Wikipedia

As we enter into a new decade, America and every other world target of Al-Qaida can't possibly be too careful when guarding against another major terrorist attack.

Look no further than what almost happened in Detroit on Christmas Day with that attempted terror bombing of  Northwest Airlines flight 253, who's safe landing was more a holiday miracle than the result of optimum, or, even adequate security.

Emerging details tell  just how close this miracle came to being our worst massacre since 911.  Nigerian student Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who has known terrorist ties, sneaks quietly into Amsterdam on Christmas Eve.  He buys one cash ticket to Detroit, checking no luggage and carrying no passport! 

He does, however, possess 80 grams of PETN explosive, a detonator and a vile of combustible liquid hidden in his underwear.  Upon approach to Detroit airport Mutallab, who somehow failed to set off several red flags before boarding, does try to set off a bomb. But, instead of exploding it only catches fire momentarily, while he is captured by passengers....and the plane lands safely.  Merry Christmas and a vigilant, fore-warned New Year!

Perhaps this failed attempt was a blessing in disguise.  President Obama has now ordered a full review of airport security measures.  The Transportation Security Administration is also speeding up the installation of new, full-body scanners that can detect plastic and other substances hidden on a person's body. 

This 30-second scan amounts to a revealing, virtual reality strip-search, which some groups including The American Civil Liberties Union call overly invasive.

Closer to home at San Francisco International Airport, arriving passengers are glad for increased security measures, even though travel time has been increased.  "Whatever needs to be done, needs to be done," said Dublin resident Konark Uppal who arrived Monday from Dubai, India.

SFO has also beefed up the numbers of San Francisco Police officers on site, and added more bag searches and pat-downs to the screening process.  Domestic and international passengers are also being asked to stow personal items, turn off electronic equipment and remain seated during certain portions of the flight including the final hour....when pillows and blankets may also be taken away.

Other changes such as having no access to carry-on luggage during the last hour, and additional passport checks and finger printing at arrival customs, may be inconvenient...but necessary.  One passenger from Vallejo, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the added security slowed things down but didn't cause serious problems.  "It isn't difficult, but it is different," the passenger said.

This point should be well taken, because to fully guard against terrorism takes being different, and it takes making changes....no matter how difficult!  We can't count on a lucky landing next time.  That next bomb... won't be a dud!

Happy Holidays and have a safe New Year!

PeteCam4

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