Without an election, the political discourse in the country seems to have calmed to a light simmer recently. That being said, there are always news topics to discuss.
The purpose of these forums is to have an open space for people to debate these topics and to share whatever is on their mind. Here are a few things that caught my eye; please feel free to comment and/or share your own:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-26/senate-passes-last-ditch-bill-to-end-controller-furloughs.html
- I actually agree that this is simply a "Band-Aid" and that it will simply open the door for more exemptions rending the spending cuts that actually kicked in worthless.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/28/army-says-no-to-more-tanks-but-congress-insists/
- UGH. I talk about this constantly on our radio show OpinioNation. It disgusts me that our elected leaders obtain and retain their positions by giving something to people, via the government, in exchange for votes. This is no different. The army has said they don't want these tanks, but our elected leaders don't want to be the voice of the party that says, "no" and threatens to close up shop in ever-so-important Ohio. Power and politics over reality and logic. Disgusting.
Showing posts with label Morning Headlines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morning Headlines. Show all posts
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum 4/22/13
After a tough, fear-filled, emotion-packed week, we take a step back and try to restore a sense of normalcy to everyday life. The Boston Marathon bombings sent us through a whirlwind of emotions from fear to shock to tension to a sense of victory (even in the smallest sense) as we watched last weeks events unfold.
As we move forward, new issues are sure to come up. While the tragedy in Boston won't be forgotten, other social, economic, and political issues remain.
As usual, please share any and all comments and opinions below.
As we move forward, new issues are sure to come up. While the tragedy in Boston won't be forgotten, other social, economic, and political issues remain.
As usual, please share any and all comments and opinions below.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum 4/8/13
First, a sendoff to the Iron Lady:
Margaret Thatcher, October 13 1925 - April 9 2013 - - - The first female Prime Minister of Great Britain... a trailblazer to many. Thank you.
What do YOU think of Margaret Thatcher? Her policies... her style... her portrayal in the media... her legacy? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
As usual, there is a whole gamut of news topics to discuss from the dismal employment numbers to North Korea's continued provocation to the death of another American diplomat. Whatever it is, share your opinions and engage others below.
source: wikipedia
Margaret Thatcher, October 13 1925 - April 9 2013 - - - The first female Prime Minister of Great Britain... a trailblazer to many. Thank you.
What do YOU think of Margaret Thatcher? Her policies... her style... her portrayal in the media... her legacy? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
As usual, there is a whole gamut of news topics to discuss from the dismal employment numbers to North Korea's continued provocation to the death of another American diplomat. Whatever it is, share your opinions and engage others below.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum 4/1/13
April Fool's!
Well, I really have nothing to fool anyone with, but I thought that it would be fun to center come of this week's discussion board on foolish things. For example:
"It's foolish that we send millions of dollars overseas while not being able to balance our budget."
You know... stuff like this.
What do you think? Share your thoughts on government/political foolishness, or anything of that matter, however you like, below.
Well, I really have nothing to fool anyone with, but I thought that it would be fun to center come of this week's discussion board on foolish things. For example:
"It's foolish that we send millions of dollars overseas while not being able to balance our budget."
You know... stuff like this.
What do you think? Share your thoughts on government/political foolishness, or anything of that matter, however you like, below.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum - 3/25/13
Another week down, and another one is beginning with new, relevant topics.
Out with the old:
- What do you make of Obama's trip to Israel? The media seems to be fawning over his trip while claiming it was a success. What do you think?
- Harry Reid shutters the assault weapons ban, and the liberal media's head explodes...
In with the new:
- The Supreme Court hears gay marriage arguments. Should this be maintained as a states' rights issue, or should it be a federally-protected right? Vote in our poll on the left side of the blog.
- Furlough notices are beginning to go out to federal employees. What impact will this have?
As always, share any and all relevant opinions, rants, positions, etc. below. Thank you!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum - 3/18/13
Another week down, another news cycle. What have we seen in the past week:
- Obama has reinstated a missile defense system that Bush supported and Obama scrapped.
- CPAC winds down, and all the media can say is that the GOP is tearing itself apart... of course. Why would they say anything else.
But on top of all that, I wanted to highlight this article: http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/18/news/economy/europe-cyprus-bailout/index.html
In case you haven't heard, here is the quick rundown: The country of Cyprus, in an effort to save itself from a crippling debt crisis and secure new "bailout" financing from the EU, had proposed a tax on band deposits. If a deposit held in a Cypriot held more than 100,000 Euros, it would be subject to a one-time 9.9% tax. If a deposit held less than 100,000 Euros, it would be subject to a one time 6.75% tax. As expected, hundreds of Cypriots fled to ATMs to make withdrawals, and, as expected, this created bank runs.
- Obama has reinstated a missile defense system that Bush supported and Obama scrapped.
- CPAC winds down, and all the media can say is that the GOP is tearing itself apart... of course. Why would they say anything else.
But on top of all that, I wanted to highlight this article: http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/18/news/economy/europe-cyprus-bailout/index.html
In case you haven't heard, here is the quick rundown: The country of Cyprus, in an effort to save itself from a crippling debt crisis and secure new "bailout" financing from the EU, had proposed a tax on band deposits. If a deposit held in a Cypriot held more than 100,000 Euros, it would be subject to a one-time 9.9% tax. If a deposit held less than 100,000 Euros, it would be subject to a one time 6.75% tax. As expected, hundreds of Cypriots fled to ATMs to make withdrawals, and, as expected, this created bank runs.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum - 3/11/13
Well, the new jobs report is out, and many media pundits are claiming this is an Obama success: http://loudmouthelephant.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-february-2013-jobs-report.html
I don't see the report as a thing to leap about, but it does contain some positive news. Of course, that can fade if the numbers get revised next month.
But for me, here is the big topic of discussion: With all the doom and gloom painted by Team Obama regarding the sequester, how will this play out? If unemployment keeps falling, Obama looks like he severely over-exaggerated the sequester claims but is a "hero" for having the unemployment rate decline (this is subject to interpretation). If unemployment increases, Obama can claim he was right about the sequester, but is not the hero of decreasing unemployment.
Hmmmmm. The x-factor, of course, is the media. What do you think?
I don't see the report as a thing to leap about, but it does contain some positive news. Of course, that can fade if the numbers get revised next month.
But for me, here is the big topic of discussion: With all the doom and gloom painted by Team Obama regarding the sequester, how will this play out? If unemployment keeps falling, Obama looks like he severely over-exaggerated the sequester claims but is a "hero" for having the unemployment rate decline (this is subject to interpretation). If unemployment increases, Obama can claim he was right about the sequester, but is not the hero of decreasing unemployment.
Hmmmmm. The x-factor, of course, is the media. What do you think?
Monday, March 4, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum - 3/4/13
Well, congratulations! You survived the Sequester. Yippie!
Unfortunately for me, I haven't been around, and I even missed the Gang of 405 radio show on Saturday. I regret that because there was a TON to talk about.
But that's okay; I'm sure there is a lot to talk about this week. The Sequester fight has come and gone, but the effects haven't really kicked in. On top of that, we have the issue with Bob Woodward, and the continued press headlining of this mythical "shift" in republicans now accepting Obamacare. As always, this forum is open for any and all discussions.
Unfortunately for me, I haven't been around, and I even missed the Gang of 405 radio show on Saturday. I regret that because there was a TON to talk about.
But that's okay; I'm sure there is a lot to talk about this week. The Sequester fight has come and gone, but the effects haven't really kicked in. On top of that, we have the issue with Bob Woodward, and the continued press headlining of this mythical "shift" in republicans now accepting Obamacare. As always, this forum is open for any and all discussions.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum - 2/25/13
Ugh... sorry for getting this up so late. I'll work on making this better. I hope the blog doesn't turn in to this and a couple of radio shows...
Anyone want to be an admin? :)
Anyone want to be an admin? :)
Monday, February 18, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum - 2/18/13
I know last week's open news headline forum didn't get much traction, but hopefully with the Hagel confirmation hearings, Dr. Ben Carson talk, and the sequester, there will be more to talk about.
In an effort to stir the pot, here is the podcast of our Saturday show of the Gang of 405: http://the405radio.podomatic.com/enclosure/2013-02-16T10_43_54-08_00.mp3
Please share your thoughts, opinions, gripes, and everything of the like below. Hopefully we can foster a great discussion!
In an effort to stir the pot, here is the podcast of our Saturday show of the Gang of 405: http://the405radio.podomatic.com/enclosure/2013-02-16T10_43_54-08_00.mp3
Please share your thoughts, opinions, gripes, and everything of the like below. Hopefully we can foster a great discussion!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum
As addressed in my letter here, unfortunately, due to a career change, The Elephant in the Room blog has undergone some changes as well. Most noticeably is the lack of daily updates and Morning Headlines posts. As time goes on, things do change, but my goal with the blog is to ensure it changes as little as possible with respect to the amount of civil debate and information passing that occurs.
In the letter linked above, I tossed around the idea of opening up weekly news headline and debate topic forums so that the debate about relevant issues continues. Because of the nature of my new job, I'm unable to post daily headlines posts as I arrive at work. These posts have served as a way of fostering spirited, civil debate relating to relevant current events, and I think those things are the "bread and butter" of the blog. I truly hope they can continue at a high level.
So here we are: the first round of the weekly open forum. I'll try my best to post this on Sunday night or Monday morning each week, and hopefully, if people feel so inclined, they will come here with whatever news subjects, links, headlines, stories, and other topics in general (it doesn't have to be solely what's going on in the news) they'd like to debate. After a few weeks of this, we can all look at how it has gone in addition to looking at what tweaks need to be made. Post whatever you wish in the comments section below, and reply to other people's posts as well. I hope this works out! Thank you for understanding :-).
In the letter linked above, I tossed around the idea of opening up weekly news headline and debate topic forums so that the debate about relevant issues continues. Because of the nature of my new job, I'm unable to post daily headlines posts as I arrive at work. These posts have served as a way of fostering spirited, civil debate relating to relevant current events, and I think those things are the "bread and butter" of the blog. I truly hope they can continue at a high level.
So here we are: the first round of the weekly open forum. I'll try my best to post this on Sunday night or Monday morning each week, and hopefully, if people feel so inclined, they will come here with whatever news subjects, links, headlines, stories, and other topics in general (it doesn't have to be solely what's going on in the news) they'd like to debate. After a few weeks of this, we can all look at how it has gone in addition to looking at what tweaks need to be made. Post whatever you wish in the comments section below, and reply to other people's posts as well. I hope this works out! Thank you for understanding :-).
Friday, January 25, 2013
January 25, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- Not long after threatening to go ahead with a nuclear weapons test that is aim at stirring the US, North Korea has begun making threats against South Korea (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/25/world/asia/north-korea-threat-south/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
- Vice President Joe Biden takes the White House's push for gun control to the road today beginning in Richmond, Virginia (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/biden-heading-virginia-push-gun-control-18310654
- Fans and readers alike are suing Lance Armstrong for false advertising and fraud after the disgraced US cycling star admitted he was "doping" in order to win the Tour de France seven consecutive times (NBC News): http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2013/01/24/16684796-readers-sue-armstrong-over-drug-use-denial-in-books?lite
- Vice President Joe Biden takes the White House's push for gun control to the road today beginning in Richmond, Virginia (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/biden-heading-virginia-push-gun-control-18310654
- Fans and readers alike are suing Lance Armstrong for false advertising and fraud after the disgraced US cycling star admitted he was "doping" in order to win the Tour de France seven consecutive times (NBC News): http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2013/01/24/16684796-readers-sue-armstrong-over-drug-use-denial-in-books?lite
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Thursday, January 24, 2013
January 24, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- In a set of bold moves and new, renewed threats against America, North Korea is planning a new nuclear weapons test (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/23/world/asia/north-korea-nuclear-test/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
- A day after Hillary Clinton's testimony in front of the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, soon-to-be Secretary of State nominee John Kerry will take questions from the same committee on a Secretary of State nomination meeting (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/24/sen-kerry-to-field-questions-from-panel-chairs-at-secretary-state-hearing/
- Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will lift a ban that prevented women from serving in combat positions in the military. The move could be implemented as soon as May (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/women-combat-defense-secretary-leon-panetta-lifts-pentagon/story?id=18295570
- A day after Hillary Clinton's testimony in front of the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, soon-to-be Secretary of State nominee John Kerry will take questions from the same committee on a Secretary of State nomination meeting (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/24/sen-kerry-to-field-questions-from-panel-chairs-at-secretary-state-hearing/
- Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will lift a ban that prevented women from serving in combat positions in the military. The move could be implemented as soon as May (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/women-combat-defense-secretary-leon-panetta-lifts-pentagon/story?id=18295570
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
January 23, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify today before both the Senate and House foreign relations committees regarding the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya (CNN): http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/22/clinton-prepping-for-benghazi-grilling/?hpt=hp_t1
- Investigators have formally charged a 22 year old man in a shooting at a Houston, Texas community college (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-official-custody-houston-shootings-18287128
- The top US commander in Afghanistan, John Allen, has been cleared of professional misconduct in the general Patraeus email scandal (CBS News): http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57565289/u.s-afghan-commander-cleared-in-petraeus-email-case/
- Investigators have formally charged a 22 year old man in a shooting at a Houston, Texas community college (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-official-custody-houston-shootings-18287128
- The top US commander in Afghanistan, John Allen, has been cleared of professional misconduct in the general Patraeus email scandal (CBS News): http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57565289/u.s-afghan-commander-cleared-in-petraeus-email-case/
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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
January 22, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- In a shift in policy known as "no budget, no pay," House republicans are willing to raise the debt ceiling to allow the federal government to borrow money through May 18th in exchange for the Congress passing a budget. The bill stipulates that no members of the House or the Senate would be paid without passing a budget (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/22/us-house-to-vote-wednesday-on-raising-debt-limit/
- Prince Harry, in a highly talked about report, admits to killing Taliban insurgents while serving in Afghanistan (CBS News): http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57565029/prince-harry-says-he-killed-taliban-fighters/
- An "Alberta Clipper," a wind condition that pushes cold wind southward from Canada, is expected to bring one of the coldest weeks on record to the Midwest and Northeast (NBC News): http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/22/16637766-bitter-cold-high-winds-and-snow-to-hit-northeast-as-midwest-shivers?lite
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Monday, January 21, 2013
January 21, 2013 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Morning Headlines
- President Obama is scheduled to deliver his second inaugural address at noon on The Mall today (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/21/politics/obama-inauguration/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
- A US drone struck and killed two Al-Qaeda suspected terrorists east of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa yesterday (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/yemen-us-drone-strike-kills-al-qaida-militants-18269140
- It's brother versus brother in the Super Bowl as the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens both advanced (NFL.com): http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/story/0ap1000000129025/article/super-bowl-xlvii-rich-with-enticing-storylines-and-harbaughs
- A US drone struck and killed two Al-Qaeda suspected terrorists east of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa yesterday (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/yemen-us-drone-strike-kills-al-qaida-militants-18269140
- It's brother versus brother in the Super Bowl as the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens both advanced (NFL.com): http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/story/0ap1000000129025/article/super-bowl-xlvii-rich-with-enticing-storylines-and-harbaughs
*** GO RAVENS!!! ***
Friday, January 18, 2013
January 18, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- In a highly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong finally admitted he used performance enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/18/sport/armstrong-doping/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
- An Alaskan Airlines flight from Hawai'i to Seattle landed safely after being escorted to Sea-Tac airport by two F-15 fighter jets. The jets were scrambled because of a call made to the FBI claiming there was a hijacker on board. No hijacker existed, and authorities are now looking into the case to see if it was a hoax (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/17/military-jets-escort-alaska-air-flight-after-possible-hijacking-threat/?test=latestnews
- Hundreds of patrons streamed into Denver's Aurora Century theater which is now open for the first time since the Aurora massacre (USA Today): http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/16/aurora-theater-mass-shooting-reopens/1839313/
- An Alaskan Airlines flight from Hawai'i to Seattle landed safely after being escorted to Sea-Tac airport by two F-15 fighter jets. The jets were scrambled because of a call made to the FBI claiming there was a hijacker on board. No hijacker existed, and authorities are now looking into the case to see if it was a hoax (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/17/military-jets-escort-alaska-air-flight-after-possible-hijacking-threat/?test=latestnews
- Hundreds of patrons streamed into Denver's Aurora Century theater which is now open for the first time since the Aurora massacre (USA Today): http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/16/aurora-theater-mass-shooting-reopens/1839313/
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
January 17, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- As Obama signed 23 executive orders meant to be steps to curb gun violence, there is little chance any substantial laws will pass the House of Representatives (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/16/politics/guns-congress/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
- US officials have said that between 15 and 40 hostages, including some Americans, have been captured by an Islamic militant on joint venture BP natural gas field. The attack and kidnapping are apparently in retaliation for the French military's attack on Islamic insurgents in Mali (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/americans-held-hostage-al-qaeda-algeria/story?id=18229633
- The US has warned and even sent protective suits and materials to Syria's neighbors such as Jordan and Turkey in the event that the civil war in Syria grows and chemical weapons are utilized (NBC News): http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/17/16549397-us-asks-turkey-jordan-to-secure-chem-weapons-if-syria-crisis-worsens?lite
- US officials have said that between 15 and 40 hostages, including some Americans, have been captured by an Islamic militant on joint venture BP natural gas field. The attack and kidnapping are apparently in retaliation for the French military's attack on Islamic insurgents in Mali (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/americans-held-hostage-al-qaeda-algeria/story?id=18229633
- The US has warned and even sent protective suits and materials to Syria's neighbors such as Jordan and Turkey in the event that the civil war in Syria grows and chemical weapons are utilized (NBC News): http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/17/16549397-us-asks-turkey-jordan-to-secure-chem-weapons-if-syria-crisis-worsens?lite
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013
January 16, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- President Obama and Vice President Biden will be announcing a package of gun control proposals today. They will be backdropped by children that wrote letters to the President after the Sandy Hook school shooting (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/16/politics/gun-laws-battle/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
- Adding to the quickly expanding list of growing pains, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took another hit as an emergency landing because of battery issues brought down a 787 in Japan yesterday (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/japan-787-makes-emergency-landing-due-battery-18225081
- Two people are dead and 9 others are injured after a helicopter flew into a construction crane and crashed to the ground in central London earlier today. No connection to terrorism is suspected (USA Today): http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/01/16/london-helicopter-crash/1838619/
- Adding to the quickly expanding list of growing pains, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took another hit as an emergency landing because of battery issues brought down a 787 in Japan yesterday (ABC News): http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/japan-787-makes-emergency-landing-due-battery-18225081
- Two people are dead and 9 others are injured after a helicopter flew into a construction crane and crashed to the ground in central London earlier today. No connection to terrorism is suspected (USA Today): http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/01/16/london-helicopter-crash/1838619/
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013
January 15, 2013 - Morning Headlines
- Not long after his heated speech on gun control, New York governor Andrew Cuomo is prepared to sign a bill fostering in the strictest set of gun control laws in the nation (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/15/bill-called-toughest-gun-control-package-in-nation-passed-by-new-york-state/
- After a republican outcry against Speaker of the House John Boehner for his failure to bring up a Hurricane Sandy relief bill for vote, the House of Representatives is set to vote on a $51 billion relief bill (CBS News): http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57563930-10391739/house-to-vote-on-superstorm-sandy-aid/
- After years of denial, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong finally admits he was "doping" in order to win the Tour de France a record seven times (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/15/us/lance-armstrong-public-opinion/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
- After a republican outcry against Speaker of the House John Boehner for his failure to bring up a Hurricane Sandy relief bill for vote, the House of Representatives is set to vote on a $51 billion relief bill (CBS News): http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57563930-10391739/house-to-vote-on-superstorm-sandy-aid/
- After years of denial, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong finally admits he was "doping" in order to win the Tour de France a record seven times (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/15/us/lance-armstrong-public-opinion/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
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