englone.08-09

terrorism...

2008-10-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

Terrorism is not new, and even though it has been used since the beginning of recorded history it can be relatively hard to define. Terrorism has been described variously as both a tactic and strategy; a crime and a holy duty; a justified reaction to oppression and an inexcusable abomination. Obviously, a lot depends on whose point of view is being represented. Terrorism has often been an effective tactic for the weaker side in a conflict. That is why preemption is being considered to be so important. In some cases, terrorism has been a means to carry on a conflict without the adversary realizing the nature of the threat, mistaking terrorism for criminal activity. Because of these characteristics, terrorism has become increasingly common among those pursuing extreme goals throughout the world. But despite its popularity, terrorism can be a nebulous concept. Even within the U.S. Government, agencies responsible for different functions in the ongoing fight against terrorism use different definitions.
The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.” Within this definition, there are three key elements—violence, fear, and intimidation—and each element produces terror in its victims. The FBI uses this: "Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives." The U.S. Department of State defines "terrorism" to be "premeditated politically-motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience. Outside the United States Government, there are greater variations in what features of terrorism are emphasized in definitions. The United Nations produced this definition in 1992; "An anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action, employed by (semi-) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby - in contrast to assassination - the direct targets of violence are not the main targets." The most commonly accepted academic definition starts with the U.N. definition quoted above, and adds two sentences totaling another 77 words on the end; containing such verbose concepts as "message generators" and 'violence based communication processes." Less specific and considerably less verbose, the British Government definition of 1974 is"…the use of violence for political ends, and includes any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public, or any section of the public, in fear." Terrorism is a criminal act that influences an audience beyond the immediate victim. The strategy of terrorists is to commit acts of violence that .draws the attention of the local populace, the government, and the world to their cause. The terrorists plan their attack to obtain the greatest publicity, choosing targets that symbolize what they oppose. The effectiveness of the terrorist act lies not in the act itself, but in the public’s or government’s reaction to the act. There are three perspectives of terrorism: the terrorist’s, the victim’s, and the general public’s. The phrase “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” is a view terrorists themselves would accept. Terrorists do not see themselves as evil. They believe they are legitimate combatants, fighting for what they believe in, by whatever means possible. A victim of a terrorist act sees the terrorist as a criminal with no regard for human life. The general public’s view is the most unstable. The terrorists take great pains to foster a “Robin Hood” image in hope of swaying the general public’s point of view toward their cause. This sympathetic view of terrorism has become an integral part of their psychological warfare and needs to be countered vigorously.

US $700B bailout vs UK $87.5 bailout

2008-10-15T06:05:00.000-07:00

JIASHEEN PADEL
BS ECE

Bailout plan tends to inject high level trading activity into a failing company to keep it from foundering. It is undertaken when authorities believe that allowing a business to collapse could have catastrophic effects on their economy.

According to www.gmanews.net (2008), Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson had shocked congressional leaders into action by warning of pending economic collapse without immediate federal intervention. After the climatic House vote on Friday, he said aides already were working out details and lining up advisers from outside the government so the money could start flowing. The goal is to unfreeze credit markets.

According to business.timesonline.co.uk (2008), The Government is trying to limit the effects of the credit crisis on the UK economy. It hopes that by guaranteeing loans and securing the future of UK banks, through part-privatisation, it can stem the flow of cash out of the country to other countries, which have guaranteed the safety of deposits in their banks, such as Ireland. It also hopes that the banks will start lending to each other and, in turn, cut the cost of borrowing to Britons and UK businesses.

According to www.inman.com (2008), the short-term positive impacts are that lending can still be done because there is a Fannie or Freddie to securitize mortgages; mortgage rates will stay low; and some buyers will take advantage of this window of better rates. In the long run, however, the dollar will decline, inflation will increase, and home buyers will find it more costly to move and get new mortgages. Over time, Fannie and Freddie will cease to be anything like what they were, so the mortgage market will return to the tighter market that existed in the '80s and early '90s.

Sources :
1.http://www.wisegeek.com/in-economics-what-is-a-bailout.htm
2.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/125078/Getting-US-bailout-work-is-next-tough-task
3.http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4907530.ece
4.http://www.inman.com/news/2008/09/26/the-long-and-short-bailout-impacts

$700B US bailout plan Vs $87.5B UK bailout Plan

2008-10-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

With the bankruptcy of Lehman brothers and other major stock holders in September 2008, The US and the UK government made a plan to resolve and save other banking companies.

The 700 Billion dollar bailout is a rescue plan for the US Financial system. Its purpose is to use the 700 billion dollars for two years to buy their distressed bonds to stabilize their economy. However the US government would use taxpayer’s money. In result, According to www.timesonlines.com (2008), the bailout will cost every American taxpayer $5,354. But still, financiers fear that the plan will not be sufficient and it will only cause a financial meltdown.

Americans will have to suffer the rise in taxes. They fear that the plan will not work and would only cause more problems. But the government hopes that after their market recovers, it will return some of the money that was used in the bailout.

The 87.5 Billion dollar or 50 Billion pound UK Bailout serves a different purpose than the US bailout. Its purpose is to build the confidence in banking companies by injecting money in banks as indicated on www.cnn.com (2008). Some of the profit earned will be returned to the government. UK Government planned this to limit the effects of the financial crisis. They will have to borrow money but it is yet unclear whether they will take actions to raise taxes.

Their taxpayers are not likely to be affected by this plan because the government will use their own money to gain profit from it, unlike the US bailout where they use taxpayer’s money to pay up for the bad debts of struggling banks.

Sources:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4907530.ece
http://www.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/10/08/uk.bailout.questions/index.html?eref=rss_latest
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4907530.ece
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4821160.ece

- yuri

US Bailout vs UK Bailout

2008-10-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

Many banks in US and UK are getting tide up with problems regarding money and some of these banks are already bankrupt. That’s why the US and UK government sets out the bailout to stabilized the banks.

According to Times Online dated October 8, 2008, many banks in US are forced into distressed sales this year because of the billions of dollars of bonds that they have and the size of their investments are too large that it threatens to bankrupt them. Because of this Mr. Paulson, the Treasury secretary, wants to have the bailout to help these banks. This bailout contains $700 billion taxpayers’ money. Its purpose is to buy the distress bonds. Mr. Paulson also proposes to put them into federal-bucked fund, which will be controlled by the Treasury.

In UK according to BBC News Channel dated October 8, 2008, the UK bailout will initially make extra capital to the banks. The Prime Minister said that, it is also designed to put the British banking system on a sounder footing. It contains 400bn so that banks will have to increase their capital by at least 25bn.

According to CNN.com/world business dated October 8, 2008, not like the US $700 billion bailout it does not recapitalize the banks in return for a share holding on which taxpayers could see a return. Instead, its main aim is to purchase all the bad debt held by the banks and make money from that over time. The risks to U.S. taxpayers are perceived as being greater.

These bailouts have short and long term effects. In US, according to Times Online dated September 25, 2008, for now maybe once the market recover the fund can sell the bonds back into the market and claw back some of the $700 billion. According to Poltenson in Business Journal dated October 10, 2008, maybe after a long period of time the taxpayers will be angry. Tax rates will double and the government could eliminate every other federal program, including defense and education; or run massive budget deficits that, in time, will strangle the economy.
In UK, according to CNN.com/world business dated October 8, 2008, for now the banks are happy because they have been clamoring for extra cash to shore up their balance sheets following the runs on their share prices. But after a period of time if shares prices continue to slide the tax payer loses out. Moreover, if the banks take up all of the government's latest lending and can't pay it back the financial hangover could last for decades. If banks don't start lending again to each other and, just as importantly, customers, a deep recession is inevitable.

Sources:
1. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/
2. http://www.businessjournal.com/
3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/
4. http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/

John McCain vs Barack Obama as Likely US President

2008-10-14T08:05:00.001-07:00

Ever since the start of the presidential campaigns, the favorites to become president have been McCain and Obama. Even now, their battle for presidency is still quite close. All of the help from each of their supporters, all the ad campaigns, all their speeches, are very, very crucial in helping them achieve presidency. All of their works leave one question in mind, who will be the next US president?

First off, let’s look at their backgrounds. As stated in Wikipedia, Obama was born on August 4, 1981, in Honolulu, Hawaii. When he was in his second year in Harvard Law School, he was elected ‘president’ of the Harvard Law Review, which made him the first ‘black’ president of the Harvard Law Review. He was also elected into the Illinois Senate in 1996, succeeding Alice Palmer. McCain, on the other hand, was born in 1936 at Coco Solo Naval Air Station, Panama. He attended about 20 schools because of his fathers various naval postings. He became a Naval Aviator at Pensacola and flew several missions aboard various aircraft carriers. He became a POW in the Vietnam War, but fortunately, he was rescued. His 2008 presidential campaign is not his first, in fact, he also ran for president in 2000 against George Bush.

The two, Obama and McCain, have different views on different issues. On health care, Obama plans to make Health Insurance work for people and businesses, not just insurance and drug companies. McCain, on the other hand, believes that the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. He also plans to make health insurance innovative, portable and affordable. On their views on job security, McCain plans to give workplace flexibility, relief for families, government reform, better healthcare, simpler and fairer taxes, lower barriers to trade, and support to small businesses. Obama will invest in the Manufacturing Sector and the National Infrastructure, increase federal support for research, and support small businesses as well. On Terrorism, Obama wants to withdraw the soldiers in Iraq and focus on defeating the terrorists in Afghanistan, while McCain’s solution includes ensuring quality intelligence, being protected against attack and being able to respond to an attack quickly.

Sources:
www.barackobama.com
www.johnmccain.com
www.wikipedia.org
www.about.com

US $700B Bailout VS UK $87.5B Bailout

2008-10-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

US $700B bailout VS UK 87.5B bailout

The US $700B and the UK 87.5B bailout is a rescue plan to establish a toxic debt dumpster to purge the banks of bad depts or to help purge bad assets from the banking sector, that will cost the government hundreds of billion dollars.

The Philippines daily inquirer (September 22, 2008) speaks that the US $700B bailout is the largest rescue since 1928 crash. The Bush administration has asked Congress for authority to buy $700 billion in toxic assets clogging the US financial system and threatening the economy as negations began on the largest bailout since the great depression.

This kind of financial crisis has many effects, not only to one person but to all. One huge concern is that the Lehman bankruptcy will probably trigger even tighter credit’s making it more difficult for everyone from large companies to small businesses to American home buyers to borrow money. And Pres. Bush said that people are beginning to doubt in our system, people were losing confidence in our financial system, it is so hard to get back peoples trust in ones company that has been failed.
Distressed banks and financial institutions in the United States might decide to pull out their investments in emerging economies as a way to boost liquidity. The market’s mood has shifted from panic to euphoria as the financial froze up. There were also worries that Lehman’s problems would infect other financial companies and spread to global stock markets, further harming the US and global economies.

Sources:
- Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008/ 17 sections/vol.23/no.288)
- Philippine Daily Inquirer (Wednesday,Sept.17,2008/8 sections/vol.23/no.284)
- Philippine Daily Inquirer (Monday, Sept. 22,2008/13 sections/vol.23/no.289)

US $700 Billion Bailout VS UK 87.5 Billion Bailout

2008-10-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

Bailout is the injection of liquidity to failing companies for them to survive. Most of the time, bailouts are done if the company is too large, and having it bankrupt may affect other firms and the country as a whole. In short, it is a preventive measure done by the government to avoid a “ripple effect” that may cause chain reaction to other firms and establishments as well. Nowadays, economic crisis starts to be serious; US and UK are having to have bailouts. What are the differences of these two?

Guo (2008) in his article said that, US bailout plan is to take bad debts off the books of the banks, thus freeing up from credit markets. On the other hand, Boyle (2008), in her article, said that UK differs from US bailout plan because UK’s bailout only lends money to the banks in order to increase their confidence level because the “giant banks” such as the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and HBOS are being reluctant to lend money to each other due to the credit crunch happening today. With UK’s bailout, this banks will gain confidence and will result to cash flowing systems again. The big difference between the two is that US' plan is too risky because its only aim is to purchase all bad debts by the banks and make money overtime. Because of this, UK’s bailout will be most likely to be implemented compare to US’ bailout plan.

After all the news about the US and the Uk bailout, there have been some analysis about its effects on the future. Will it really help? Will the bailout benefit the people? Or will it be a cause of a larger economic crisis?

One of the short term effects of bailout is that banks and business establishments that gained from the bailout will have confidence boost and its employees and staff will remain; thus preventing them to be bankrupt for the next few years. It can solve the economic crisis or not. Another possible effect, especially if the bailout failed, would be money markets remain frozen and more problems will arise from it (ripple effect).

An example of a long term effect, on the other hand, is when banks share prices rebound; the result would be the government could sell the profit. Because of that the government will receive dividends on shares and income from the extra lending it is providing.

In conclusion, the US bailout plan will have less support because of the risks it have, in contrast, Uk bailout will have more support in it because taxpayers are more ensured and it only aims to boost confidence level among banks and not purchase its bad debts. Our country, the Philippines are most likely to be affected, likewise, companies cutting out its staff and employees and a decline to our economy is to be expected.

Sources:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/10/08/uk.bailout.questions/index.htm
Q&A: the UK bank bailout explained by:Catherine Boyle
Q&A: US $700bn bail-out plan Editor: Eve Guo
http://www.wisegeek.com/in-economics-what-is-a-bailout.htm
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/09/world.markets/index.html

John Mccain vs. Barrack Obama

2008-10-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

The two major party presidential candidates in the US, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Both Barack Obama and John McCain attract independents. Both have a candor that appeals to voters and media-types alike. Both ask their audiences to serve a cause greater than self-interest. Both offer a politics that is grand and inspiring. But they are very different men. Their policies obviously conflict, but their skills, world views and moral philosophies set them apart, too. One man celebrates communitarian virtues like unity, the other classical virtues like honor.(David Brooks:2008)

Brief historical background

John Sidney McCain III (born August 29, 1936) is the senior United States Senator from Arizona and presidential nominee of the Republican Party in the 2008 presidential election.McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers.

McCain lost his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush. He ran again for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, and gained enough delegates to become the party's presumptive nominee in March 2008. McCain was formally nominated at the 2008 Republican National Convention in September 2008, together with his chosen running mate from Alaska, Governor Sarah Palin.

On the other hand,Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2008 general election.Obama is the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.

After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.

Personal Attributes

Six months before the general election, public perceptions of the relative strengths and weaknesses of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and Democratic front-runner Barack Obama are relatively static, though recent shifts on leadership, empathy and personal ethics hint at the battles to come. The two months of campaigning in the time since we last checked in on perceptions of these two candidates have done little to change minds.

In comparing McCain and Obama on eight key candidate attributes in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll, McCain continues to be seen as the more experienced candidate and the one with better knowledge of world affairs, while Obama is broadly seen as the one who would do more to affect change, with the better personality for the job and with a clearer vision for the future.

McCain's progress on empathy comes largely from bringing Republicans back into the fold, in March, 55 percent of Republicans said he was the candidate who better understands their problems; now 66 percent do.And on personal and ethical standards, more than one in five partisans are "cross-overs," choosing the other party's standard bearer as the one with higher standards. Obama cedes more than a third of Clinton supporters on this question, while McCain surrenders a quarter of conservatives.

Health Care

John McCain Believes The Key To Health Care Reform Is To Restore Control To The Patients Themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.

To Make Health Insurance Innovative, Portable and Affordable, John McCain Will Reform Health Care Making It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance. He will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage.　He Proposed to make Insurance More Portable.

While Obama-Biden planned to provide affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan. Under the Obama-Biden plan, patients will be able to make health care decisions with their doctors, instead of being blocked by insurance company bureaucrats.
He wanted to make Health Insurance Work for People and Businesses - Not Just Insurance and Drug Companies.The Obama-Biden plan will promote public health. It will require coverage of preventive services, including cancer screenings, and increase state and local preparedness for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Security Jobs:

McCain calls for new reforms throughout the Federal Government. It is one of his many priorities. Thus, it is not strange for him to want to reform the Unemployment Insurance (UI) System. In his economic plan, McCain proposes the following reforms to bolster job security and assist displayed workers in America:

John McCain Believes We Should Have A Single, Seamless Approach To Job Transition Assistance. Workers will have access to a flexible training account that permits them to pay for training at a community college and use leftover funds to keep their health insurance.John McCain Will Provide Special, Targeted Assistance For Older Workers. Because training is often inefficient for older workers, those 55 years of age and older who have built up an LEB will be eligible for a Lost Earnings Supplement.

On the other hand,　Sen. Barack Obama delivered an unusual and inspiring campaign speech in which he outlined specific, outside-the-box plans to address the extreme financial challenges facing middle-class Americans.

Among the specific interesting points in Barack Obama's Agenda to Reclaim the American Dream were: Middle class tax cuts of up to $1,000 for working families. Guaranteed paid sick days for workers and expand the Family and Medical Leave Act. Help Americans buy and keep their homes. Reforming bankruptcy laws, predatory credit card policies, and abusive payday lending practices. Reduce health care costs by $2,500 for a typical family. Provide a $4,000 refundable tax credit for college tuition.

Terrorism

McCain primarily identifies terrorism with "violent Islamist extremism," especially as manifested in Al Qaeda. McCain believes Al Qaeda continues to represent a significant threat to U.S. security. His solution includes ensuring quality intelligence, being protected against attack and being able to respond to an attack quickly.　Our homeland security plans must also consider threats posed by major accidents, or nature itself. In each instance, John McCain’s strategy is to prevent those incidents we can, prepare for and respond to disasters of all kinds, and improve the recovery process for disaster victims.

On Obama’s part, He funneled many of his comments about the "war on terrorism" through his concerns with human and civil rights issues that it has raised. His campaign website establishes both small weapons proliferation and potential nuclear terrorism as significant U.S. priorities.
He joined critique of the bill's suspension of habeas corpus for potentially innocent detainees with the accusation that the government was not addressing the actual issues.

References:
http.//johnmccain.com
http.//www.nowpublic.com
http.//en.wikipedia.org/wiki.com
http.//barrackobama.com

John McCain vs. Barack Obama

2008-10-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

The two major party presidential candidates in US, Democrat Obama and Republican John McCain. Both Barack Obama and John McCain attract independents. Both have a candor that appeals to voters and media-types alike. Both ask their audiences to serve a cause greater than self-interest. Both offer a politics that is grand and inspiring. But they are very different men. Their policies obviously conflict, but their skills, world views and moral philosophies set them apart, too. One man celebrates communitarian virtues like unity, the other classical virtues like honor.(David Brooks:2008)

Brief historical background
John Sidney McCain III (born August 29, 1936) is the Senior United States senator from Arizona and presidential nominee of the Republican Party in the 2008 presidential election.McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. He was a prisoner of war until 1973, experiencing episodes of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer; his war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations.He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981, moved to Arizona, and entered politics. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, he served two terms, and was then elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, winning re-election easily in 1992, 1998, and 2004.
McCain lost his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush. He ran again for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, and gained enough delegates to become the party's presumptive nominee in March 2008. McCain was formally nominated at the 2008 Republican National Convention in September 2008, together with his chosen running mate from Alaska, Governor Sarah Palin.
On the other hand,Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2008 general election.Obama is the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.
As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.
Personal Attributes
Six months before the general election, public perceptions of the relative strengths and weaknesses of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and Democratic front-runner Barack Obama are relatively static, though recent shifts on leadership, empathy and personal ethics hint at the battles to come. The two months of campaigning in the time since we last checked in on perceptions of these two candidates have done little to change minds.

In comparing McCain and Obama on eight key candidate attributes in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll, McCain continues to be seen as the more experienced candidate and the one with better knowledge of world affairs, while Obama is broadly seen as the one who would do more to affect change, with the better personality for the job and with a clearer vision for the future.
But the two candidates have become more evenly matched on the question of who is the stronger leader and who has higher personal and ethical standards. Obama erased McCain's double-digit edge as the stronger leader (in the new poll, Obama also for the first time bests Hillary Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination, on this measure), while McCain closed a 12-point gap as the candidate with higher personal and ethical standards.
Obama maintains a wide advantage as the more empathetic candidate, but the margin between the two candidates narrowed slightly from 27 points to 19.To overtake McCain on the leadership front, Obama has some convincing to do among fellow Democrats. About a quarter of Democrats call McCain the stronger leader, compared with 12 percent of GOPers who choose Obama on this score.
McCain's progress on empathy comes largely from bringing Republicans back into the fold, in March, 55 percent of Republicans said he was the candidate who better understands their problems; now 66 percent do.And on personal and ethical standards, more than one in five partisans are "cross-overs," choosing the other party's standard bearer as the one with higher standards. Obama cedes more than a third of Clinton supporters on this question, while McCain surrenders a quarter of conservatives.
Health Care
John McCain Believes The Key To Health Care Reform Is To Restore Control To The Patients Themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.
To Make Health Insurance Innovative, Portable and Affordable, John McCain Will Reform Health Care Making It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance. He will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage.He Proposed to make Insurance More Portable.
John McCain encouraged to Expand The Benefits Of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) For Families by making a Specific Plan of Action: Ensuring Care for Higher Risk Patients, Specific Plan of Action: Lowering Health Care Costs,Setting the Record Straight: Covering Those With Pre-Existing Conditions and lastly Combating Autism in America
While Obama-Biden planned to provide affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan. Under the Obama-Biden plan, patients will be able to make health care decisions with their doctors, instead of being blocked by insurance company bureaucrats.
Under the plan, if you like your current health insurance, nothing changes, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year.If you don’t have health insurance, you will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance options.
He wanted to make Health Insurance Work for People and Businesses - Not Just Insurance and Drug Companies.The Obama-Biden plan will promote public health. It will require coverage of preventive services, including cancer screenings, and increase state and local preparedness for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.lastly, A Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility: Barack Obama will pay for his $50 - $65 billion health care reform effort by rolling back the Bush tax cuts for Americans earning more than $250,000 per year and retaining the estate tax at its 2009 level.
Security Jobs:
McCain calls for new reforms throughout the Federal Government. It is one of his many priorities. Thus, it is not strange for him to want to reform the Unemployment Insurance (UI) System. In his economic plan, McCain proposes the following reforms to bolster job security and assist displayed workers in America:
John McCain Believes We Should Have A Single, Seamless Approach To Job Transition Assistance. The UI system must be more effective in helping those who have lost a job.He will Reform Training Programs To Provide Quick Assistance To Workers Seeking New Skills. Workers will have access to a flexible training account that permits them to pay for training at a community college and use leftover funds to keep their health insurance.
John McCain Will Provide Special, Targeted Assistance For Older Workers. Because training is often inefficient for older workers, those 55 years of age and older who have built up an LEB will be eligible for a Lost Earnings Supplement. The supplement of up to 50 percent of their earnings loss (up to a maximum of $10,000) for two years will be rewarded for those who find work inside 26 weeks.
On the other hand,　Sen. Barack Obama delivered an unusual and inspiring campaign speech in which he outlined specific, outside-the-box plans to address the extreme financial challenges facing middle-class Americans.

Among the specific interesting points in Barack Obama's Agenda to Reclaim the American Dream were: Middle class tax cuts of up to $1,000 for working families. Guaranteed paid sick days for workers and expand the Family and Medical Leave Act. Help Americans buy and keep their homes. Reforming bankruptcy laws, predatory credit card policies, and abusive payday lending practices. Reduce health care costs by $2,500 for a typical family. Provide a $4,000 refundable tax credit for college tuition.

Terrorism
McCain primarily identifies terrorism with "violent Islamist extremism," especially as manifested in Al Qaeda. McCain believes Al Qaeda continues to represent a significant threat to U.S. security. His solution includes ensuring quality intelligence, being protected against attack and being able to respond to an attack quickly.　Our homeland security plans must also consider threats posed by major accidents, or nature itself. In each instance, John McCain’s strategy is to prevent those incidents we can, prepare for and respond to disasters of all kinds, and improve the recovery process for disaster victims.
To meet this challenge, John McCain will bring into his Administration strong management at the federal level experienced in combating terrorist risks and in disaster response and recovery; he will rely on existing relationships, and insist on forging stronger partnerships, with state and local officials; and he will work with the private sector and an informed citizenry to safeguard our security.
Public-private partnerships are an essential part of the entire homeland security effort – from planning to implementation and operations. He suggested International Cooperation,
Effective Intelligence Gathering, Cooperation Between Federal and Local Authorities, Responsibly Securing Our Borders, Catastrophic Event Preparedness and Response。
On Obama’s part, He funneled many of his comments about the "war on terrorism" through his concerns with human and civil rights issues that it has raised. His campaign website establishes both small weapons proliferation and potential nuclear terrorism as significant U.S. priorities.
Obama responded in strong terms to the passage of the Military Commissions Act in September 2006, which granted the Bush Administration wide latitude to define what would constitute the torture of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. He joined critique of the bill's suspension of habeas corpus for potentially innocent detainees with the accusation that the government was not addressing the actual issues.
Obama has staked out a number of homeland security areas of particular focus, in his work as Illinois senator. These include: Chemical plant security, Transit security, Disaster response, Terrorism risk insurance, Nuclear waste, He has introduced and had passed a number of related bills, which have been passed or incorporated into larger legislation. He also seeks greater homeland security grant funding for Chicago.
References:
http.//johnmccain.com
http.//www.nowpublic.com
http.//en.wikipedia.org/wiki.com
http.//barrackobama.com

McCain and Obama

2008-10-14T03:13:00.000-07:00

With the upcoming United States presidential elections, only two names stand out: John McCain, and Barack Obama. Both of which hails from qualifying political and legislative pasts. Their campaigns, ideas, and debates has shook the world.

John McCain is a political figure who spent early years of national service in the U.S. military. In his years of service, he flew ground concentrated aerial weaponry, and flew through several missions including Vietnam. He was shot down by Korean AA guns and suffered from injuries that gave him physical limitations until today. But that didn't stop him. McCain entered politics, served two terms in the house of representatives, and then entered the senate. His work is made up of diplomatic relations in the international network, all-out support for the War in Iraq, dissolving of the pork barrel, and dissolved a crisis in judicial nominations.

Barack Obama on the hand did not serve in the army, instead, he graduated from Harvard Law School, and spent became president of the law review in the same institution. He then became a community organizer and practiced law as a civil rights attorney. Obama didn't get elected as part of the house of representatives, but he still made it to the senate. His ideas and work comprises of the minimized used of conventional weaponry, more intelligent usage of funds, new sources of energy, and the promotion of universal health care.

Both candidates exhibit pretty much enough capabilities and experience to be potentially good presidents. But their difference in ideas foresee two different paths that the country will undergo. Mr.McCain is a military man, Obama is a legislative lawyer. Whoever reigns supreme over the other pretty much wraps it up.
The country will adapt and go through the presidents plans, and presented ideas.

Barack Obama vs. John McCain

2008-10-14T02:41:00.001-07:00

Barack Obama was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. They didn't have much money, but they taught him values from the Kansas heartland where they grew up. He took out loans to put himself through school. After college, he worked for Christian churches in Chicago, helping communities devastated when steel plants closed.

Obama turned down lucrative job oﬀers after law school to return to Chicago, leading a successful voter registration drive. He joined a small law ﬁrm, taught constitutional law and, guided by his Christian faith, stayed active in his community. Obama and his wife Michelle are proud parents of two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

On health care reform

The American people are too often offered two extremes - government-run health care with higher taxes or letting the insurance companies operate without rules. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe both of these extremes are wrong, and that’s why they’ve proposed a plan that strengthens employer coverage, makes insurance companies accountable and ensures patient choice of doctor and care without government interference. The Obama’s plan is to provide affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan. Under the Obama plan, patients will be able to make health care decisions with their doctors, instead of being blocked by insurance company bureaucrats.

On Security of Job tenure

He wants to provide $50 billion to jumpstart the economy and prevent 1 Million Americans from Losing Their Jobs: This relief would include a $25 billion State Growth Fund to prevent state and local cuts in health, education, housing, and heating assistance or counterproductive increases in property taxes, tolls or fees

The Obama-Biden relief plan will also include $25 billion in a Jobs and Growth Fund to prevent cutbacks in road and bridge maintenance and fund school repair - all to save more than 1 million jobs in danger of being cut.

On National Security and Terrorism

A 20th Century Structure for 21st Century Problems: We have inherited a national security structure that was developed and organized in the late 1940s to win the Cold War. It remains a rigid bureaucracy of government agencies, relying upon a restrictive and disconnected set of legal authorities.

New Leadership and Vision is Needed: America simply cannot afford more of the old approach to our national defense. Instead, it needs a Commander-in-Chief with the right combination of judgment, vision, and leadership for the 21st century.

A Military under Strain: Currently, our soldiers, seamen, airmen and Marines are deployed around the globe, working valiantly to defend our nation. Yet, these heroes are under-resourced and asked to do too much by a policy that has too often taken their sacrifice for granted. Due to their incredible courage and ingenuity, they persevere, but at incredible cost to themselves and their families.

Recruitment and Retention Problems: A country of 300 million strong should not struggle to find enough qualified citizens to serve. Recruiting and retention problems have been swept under the rug by an administration that does not understand the value of service to our nation.

A System Not Serving our Troops as Well as They Serve Us: As the shameful events at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the recent reports on growing numbers of homeless and unemployed veterans show, we simply are not taking proper care of our wounded warriors and veterans.

Besides Barack Obama there is another presidential candidate in the person of John McCain who likewise wants to serve the American people.

McCain was born on August 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone. He was one of three children born to John S. McCain Jr. and his wife, Roberta. McCain's father and grandfather were both admirals in the United States Navy, the first father and son serving at that rank in naval history. Quick to anger even as a toddler, McCain used to hold his breath until he passed out when thwarted. After bouncing from school to school in the tradition of a child of a military family, McCain was sent to high school at the elite Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. There, his temper remained short and repeated discipline appeared wasted on him. "I thank God every day there weren't drugs around when I was growing up," he told Jonathan Alter of Newsweek. Despite his best efforts, McCain graduated from Episcopal High in 1954.

John McCain believes we can and must provide access to health care for every American. He has proposed a comprehensive vision for achieving that. For too long, our nation's leaders have talked about reforming health care. Now is the time to act.

John McCain believes the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. He wants a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.

Another important part of his plan is to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people's needs, lower prices, and portability. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.

John McCain understands national security and the threats facing our nation. He recognizes the dangers posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, violent Islamist extremists and their terrorist tactics, and the ever present threat of regional conflict that can spill into broader wars that endanger allies and destabilize areas of the world vital to American security. He knows that to protect our homeland, our interests, and our values - and to keep the peace - America must have the best-manned, best-equipped, and best-supported military in the world.

John McCain has been a tireless advocate of our military and ensuring that our forces are properly postured, funded, and ready to meet the nation's obligations both at home and abroad. He has fought to modernize our forces, to ensure that America maintains and expands its technological edge against any potential adversary, and to see that our forces are capable and ready to undertake the variety of missions necessary to meet national security objectives.

It is my point of view that it is still the American people who are going to decide among the two candidates who will lead them in the next century. But somehow we in the third world country will be affected by the decision of the American people in choosing their leader.

Barack Obama vs. John McCain

2008-10-14T02:41:00.000-07:00

On health care reform

On Security of Job tenure

On National Security and Terrorism

Besides Barack Obama there is another presidential candidate in the person of John McCain who likewise wants to serve the American people.

John McCain vs. Barack Obama

2008-10-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

John Sidney McCain III

Born: 29 August 1936
Birthplace: Panama Canal Zone
Best Known As: The 2008 Republican candidate for president

McCain was born on August 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone. He was one of three children born to John S. McCain Jr. and his wife, Roberta. McCain's father and grandfather were both admirals in the United States Navy, the first father and son serving at that rank in naval history. After bouncing from school to school in the tradition of a child of a military family, McCain was sent to high school at the elite Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia and graduated in 1954.
After graduation McCain went off to follow the family trade at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. McCain graduate in the bottom five of his class in 1958. Even after being accepted to train as a naval aviator.

Barack Hussein Obama

Barack Obama (born August 4, 1961) is a U.S. Senator from Illinois. He is a member of the main Democratic Party.

When Obama was ten he returned to Hawaii under the care of his grandparents, and later his mother, for the better educational opportunities. He was enrolled in the fifth grade at Punahou School, a prestigious academy that once taught the Hawaiian royal family. He graduated with honors.

When Obama was ten he returned to Hawaii under the care of his grandparents, and later his mother, for the better educational opportunities. He was enrolled in the fifth grade at Punahou School, a prestigious academy that once taught the Hawaiian royal family. He graduated with honors.

McCain vs. Obama on Personal Attributes
Six months before the general election, public perceptions of the relative strengths and weaknesses of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and Democratic front-runner Barack Obama are relatively static, though recent shifts on leadership, empathy and personal ethics hint at the battles to come.

The two months of campaigning in the time since we last checked in on perceptions of these two candidates have done little to change minds. In comparing McCain and Obama on eight key candidate attributes in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll, McCain continues to be seen as the more experienced candidate and the one with better knowledge of world affairs, while Obama is broadly seen as the one who would do more to affect change, with the better personality for the job and with a clearer vision for the future.

But the two candidates have become more evenly matched on the question of who is the stronger leader and who has higher personal and ethical standards. Obama erased McCain's double-digit edge as the stronger leader (in the new poll, Obama also for the first time bests Hillary Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination, on this measure), while McCain closed a 12-point gap as the candidate with higher personal and ethical standards.

And on personal and ethical standards, more than one in five partisans are "cross-overs," choosing the other party's standard bearer as the one with higher standards. Obama cedes more than a third of Clinton supporters on this question, while McCain surrenders a quarter of conservatives.

Health Care

Barack Obama’s plan for better health care in America is to provide quality, affordable and portable coverage for all. He plans to make available a new national health plan to all U.S. citizens, which will include the self-employed and small businesses. Some of the features his plan include:
Guaranteed Eligibility. This will allow sick people (with recent and pre-existing conditions) to obtain health care.

Comprehensive Benefits. This is similar to the package offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. It will cover all necessary medical services, which include preventive, maternity and mental health care.

Affordability. There will be lower premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

Simpler paperwork and reined in health costs.
Public Plan with simple enrollment and ready access to coverage.

Portability and Choice. People enrolled in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange (another Obama plan) will be able to move from job to job without jeopardizing insurance coverage.

Quality and Efficiency. The health insurance companies participating in the new plan will be required to report data to ensure that standards for quality are met.

John McCain intends to increase the variety and affordability of health insurance to families in America by fostering innovation and competition. This is how he plans to do so:
By reforming tax code to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health coverage and providing everyone with a $2,500 tax credit; families will receive $5,000. This will increase incentives for health care coverage.

Allowing families to purchase health care insurance nationwide to maximize choices and heighten competition.

Providing multi-year coverage that moves with you from job to job and from home to home.

Requiring states with Medicaid to develop a financial risk adjustment bonus to high-cost and low income families that will supplement tax credits and funds for Medicaid.

Allowing people to purchase insurance through any organization or association of choice (i.e. churches, employers, individual purchases, and professional associations). The policy chosen will be available to small businesses and the self-employed; and will be portable across jobs. It will also automatically bridge the time between Medicare eligibility and retirement. Certification and rigorous standards would have to be met before plans are approved.

Terrorism

Obama

In the early part of his campaign, Obama funneled many of his comments about the "war on terrorism" through his concerns with human and civil rights issues that it has raised. His campaign website establishes both small weapons proliferation and potential nuclear terrorism as significant U.S. priorities.

Obama responded in strong terms to the passage of the Military Commissions Act in September 2006, which granted the Bush Administration wide latitude to define what would constitute the torture of detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

Once he all-but-gained the nomination in the early summer of 2008, Obama became much more specific about his objectives regarding the 'war on terror.' In July, Obama told audiences that the war in Afghanistan and the potential of a nuclear Iran were high on his list.

McCain

McCain primarily identifies terrorism with "violent Islamist extremism," especially as manifested in Al Qaeda. McCain believes Al Qaeda continues to represent a significant threat to U.S. security. His solution includes ensuring quality intelligence, being protected against attack and being able to respond to an attack quickly.

America faces a dedicated, focused, and intelligent foe in the war on terrorism. This enemy will probe tto find America's weaknesses and strike against them. The United States cannot afford to be complacent about the threat, naive about terrorist intentions, unrealistic about their capabilities, or ignorant to our national vulnerabilities.

McCain advocates high tech solutions to increase military capabilities, such as missile defense and other advanced weapons systems, an increase in the size of the U.S. armed forces, and doctrinal change to confront 21st century warfare. Many of his ideas for reform echo those of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and others in the defense establishment who advocate (as McCain does, on his website), "a new mix of military forces, including civil affairs, special operations, and highly mobile forces …"

Jobs

Democrat Barack Obama said Wednesday that as president he would spend $210 billion to create jobs in construction and environmental industries, as he tried to win over economically struggling voters.
Obama's investment would be over 10 years as part of two programs. The larger is $150 billion to create 5 million so-called "green collar" jobs to develop more environmentally friendly energy sources.
Sixty billion would go to a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to rebuild highways, bridges, airports and other public projects. Obama estimated that could generate nearly 2 million jobs, many of them in the construction industry that's been hit by the housing crisis.
"This agenda is paid for," Obama said as the Republican National Committee promoted an "Obama Spend-O-Meter" online to track his proposals and portray him as a tax-and-spend liberal. Obama explained that the money for his spending proposals will come from ending the Iraq war, cutting tax breaks for corporations, taxing carbon pollution and raising taxes on high income earners.

McCain Voted Against a Clean Minimum Wage Increase for Working Families. McCain voted with the Republicans in 2007 to stall a clean minimum wage increase for working families—before bowing to public pressure and voting to pass the final bill that included tax breaks for businesses. He even voted to completely repeal the minimum wage laws in 45 states and allow the other five states to opt out of any future minimum wage increases above $5.15 an hour.

McCain Voted Against Protections for Workers’ Overtime Rights. McCain voted against protecting workers’ overtime pay from Bush administration rules that threaten the overtime rights of 6 million workers.

John McCain vs Barack Obama as likely US President

2008-10-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Justine Rae M. Guinto

Barack Hussein Obama II is the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. he was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote.

He was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Obama and Ann Dunham, a white American from Kansas. His parents divorced when he was two years old. Ann Dunham then married Lolo Soetoro and for a time the family moved to Soetoro’s home country, Indonesia, before returning again to Hawaii where Obama lived with his maternal grandparents and graduated from high school. Obama admitted that during high school, he used marijuana, cocaine and alcohol, which he described as his greatest moral failure.

Obama’s positions on health care are such: he believed that it was wrong that forty-seven million Americans are uninsured. He therefore implemented the guaranteed eligibility for affordable health care for all Americans and that he would provide for mandatory health care insurance for children. Senator Obama also promised to “bring down premiums by $2,500 for the typical family” and proposed a National Health Insurance Exchange that would include both private insurance plans and a Medicare-like government run option. The African American opposed the Health Care Choice Act.

On terrorism, Obama funneled many of his comments about the “war on terrorism” through his concerns with the human and civil rights issues that it has raised.

A lot of people support Obama, and the numbers continually increase. Being the first African American also helps. But let us now introduce the other man running for position of President:

John Sidney McCain III graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator after training for two and a half years, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. He requested a combat assignment and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal flying A-4 Skyhawks. His combat duty began when he was 30 years old, in the summer of 1967. By then a lieutenant commander, McCain was almost killed on July 29, 1967, when he was near the center of the Forrestal fire. With the Forrestal out of commission, McCain volunteered for assignment with the USS Oriskany, another aircraft carrier employed in Operation Rolling Thunder.[31] Once there, he would be awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for missions flown over North Vietnam.

He was born in 1936 in Panama to naval officer John S. McCain, Jr and Roberta Wright. Both his father and paternal grandfather were four-star United States navy admirals. His family followed his father to various naval postings in the US and the Pacific, and he attended twenty school altogether. In 1951, they settled in Northen Virginia and he attended Episcopal High School, a boarding school in Alexandra. He excelled in wrestling and graduated in 1954.

McCain is against publicly funded health care, universal health care, or health coverage mandates His plan focuses on enhancing competition in the health care industry as a way to lower costs. McCain favors the Health Care Choice Act, which would allow citizens to purchase health insurance nationwide and to buy insurance through any organization or association they choose as well. On April 29, 2008, McCain detailed his health care plan in the context of his campaign for President which focused on open-market competition rather than government funding or control. McCain would pay for individual tax credits primarily by eliminating the tax break currently offered to employers for providing health insurance to employees.
McCain identified terrorism with “violent Islamist extremism,” especially as manifested in Al Qaeda. He believes Al Qaeda continues to represent a significant threat to the US security. His solution includes ensuring quality intelligence, being protected against attack and being able to respond to an attack quickly.

Sources:
o http://www.squidoo.com/why-vote-john-mccain-2008
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_John_McCain
o http://www.nowpublic.com/world/why-barack-obama-should-be-next-president-usa-vice-presidential-debate
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_obama

John McCain vs Barack Obama (draft)

2008-10-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Mendoza, Maria Racela R.

This coming November 2008, the American people will again decide on what their nation’s fate will be through the leaders they shall choose. The whole world is involved as we wait for the decision to be made, as we are all affected by what the outcomes will be.
John McCain and Barack Obama both have qualities that make them good leaders. Jennifer Agiesta, in her article published in Washington Post, reported that the people are having a hard time choosing who to vote for.

The Two Candidates' Brief Historical Background

John McCain has been a senator in the United States Senate from 1987. Barack Obama, on the other hand, has been a senator in the United States Senate only since 2005. Prior to that, Obama was a senator in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004.
John McCain graduated from Episcopal High School in 1954. He then followed through with his studies in the United States Naval Academy where he graduated 894th of 899 class in 1958. As a teen, he was a free spirit that did not do so well under the strict rules of the Academy. After graduating, John McCain moved on to National War College and graduated in 1973.
Barack Obama’s educational history is quite different from McCain’s, as Obama’s childhood was made up of a diverse culture. He studied in the Franciscus Assisi Roman Catholic Primary School in Jakarta, Indonesia, from kindergarten through the third grade. Obama was registered on January 1, 1968, under the name Barry Soetoro, an Indonesian citizen whose religion was listed as Islam.
Senator Obama's kindergarten teacher, remembers him as an exceptionally tall and curly haired child who quickly picked up the local language and had sharp math skills. He wrote an essay titled, 'I Want To Become President'.
His third grade teacher, Fermina Katarina Sinaga asked her class to write an essay titled 'My dream: What I want to be in the future.' Senator Obama wrote again, 'I Want to Be A President,' according to the teacher.
In the fourth grade, Obama went to the Basuki School, also located in Jakarta. Then he went back to Hawaii and studied in the Punahou School from the fifth grade to the twelfth grade. After which he went to Occidental College in L.A. for two years; then he went to Columbia University in New York, BA in political science, 1983. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991.

Their Positions on Sensitive Issues

HEALTH CARE

John McCain opposes universal health care; although on the other hand, he supports imporitng prescription drugs to lower costs. He would offer a refundable $2,500 tax credit and $5,000 for families. He would open health care markets by allowing providers to practice nationwide, rather than restricting them regionally, allowing the purchase of health insurance across state lines.
However, Barack Obama claims that medical bills and health-related issues are the number one cause for personal bankruptcy. This is why it is one of his definite priorities to promote affordable, accessible, and high-quality health care. Also, he would mandate thatall children have health care coverage. He would create a national public insurance program that would allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. He supports universal health care, and believes that the government should buy prescription drugs in bulk to reduce costs. His plan would require all employers to contribute toward health coverage for their employees or toward the cost of the public plan. He wants hospitals to be graded on performance and switch to more cost-effective, comupterized record-keeping systems. Obama would create a national health insurance exchange to reform the private insurance market.

MINIMUM WAGE

McCain has voted both for and against minimum wage bills.
Obama would raise the minimum wage,index it to inflation and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit. He has voted for increases in the minimum wage.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Senator Obama wants Homeland Security money targeted more towards high-risk areas such as nuclear facilities, chemical plants, and ports. Also, he wants more quality tracking of nuclear technology and spent nuclear fuel so that it doesn't end up in terrorist hands.
Senator McCain wants intelligence officials to have all the tools they need to fight terrorism. He opposes enemy combatants without giving them legal rights.

REFERENCES:
http://johnmccain.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_mccain
http://washingtonpost.com

Economic Crisis of 2008

2008-10-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

A week of wild gyrations on US stock markets, fueled by fears of an impending collapse of the Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers and the country’s largest savings and loan bank. It is the product of an economic system that has increasingly based itself on speculation and various forms of economic parasitism, while gutting the productive base of the country—at the cost of millions of jobs and the living standards of the American working class.

The world's financial markets are in deep trouble, after many banks invested heavily in the US mortgage market. Since the housing bubble burst, banks do not know how many of these loans will be paid back. Banks no longer know what their investments are worth, making them difficult to sell. Banks are reluctant to lend to each other as they worry their rivals might get into trouble.

The US government plans to borrow the money from world financial markets.
The legislation gives the Treasury the authority to issue an additional $700bn worth of Treasury securities. The hope is that eventually the Treasury can sell the distressed assets back into financial markets once the housing market has stabilized, hopefully making a profit.

The bill is aimed at taking the bad debts off the books of the banks, thus freeing up credit markets.

On the other hand, according to Bruce Meng (October 2008), the UK Government will spend at least 50 billion pounds ($87.8 billion) buying stakes in UK banks to improve their capital strength. Banks will be able to draw on 25 billion pounds in the form of preference shares or permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS) by the end of the year. The government will also assist in raising ordinary equity if asked to and is ready to provide a minimum of 25 billion pounds of further support. Until markets stabilize, the bank will continue to conduct auctions to lend sterling for three months, and also dollars for one week, against extended collateral.

The Bank of England will make at least 200 billion pounds ($351 billion) in loans available to banks via auctions in order to ensure sufficient liquidity and stability in the banking system. Until markets stabilize, the bank will continue to conduct auctions to lend sterling for three months, and also dollars for one week, against extended collateral.

So that banks can refinance and meet refunding obligations the government will, for an interim period, guarantee what it expects to be about 250 billion pounds ($439 billion) worth of new short and medium-term debt issuance by the banks.

Of course, such economic crisis has a big impact on each and every one of us. Like in the case of US, with higher unemployment, the government would have to pay more benefits and would see its tax revenues reduced at the same time. Also, anyone with an open mortgage with floating interest rates will see rates increase. New mortgages and loans will be at higher rates. In addition, fewer home loans would be granted to mainly to the rich and reliable customers and at higher rates. House prices would collapse significantly. Similarly, UK is expected to lose a great number of jobs if the bailout package fails.

References:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/sep2008/usec-s12.shtml
http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/finance/100010889-1-uk-bank-bailout%253A-what-it%252C.html
http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/finance/100011486-1-uk%2527s-brown-seeks-rally-support.html
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/23/business/23paulson.php

John McCain V.S Barack Obama - dhezz

2008-10-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

John McCain V.S Barack Obama as likely US President

The presidential election proceeding as planned, the United States is as polarized as ever and, once again, many conservative Christians are under the false impression that it matters who is elected in November. This report is an effort to demonstrate in practical terms that, at this point, it makes no difference who wins the presidential election. Fears about a Bush-Clinton dynasty which could rule the United States for 28 years, or more, become even more unsettling with the discovery that all of the presidential candidates belong to the same dynasty. It is called the Merovingian dynasty and it claims to have a long history, being nearly has ancient as the human race.

Barack Hussein Obama II is a Christian whose religious views have evolved in his adult life. In The Audacity of Hope, Obama writes that he "was not raised in a religious household." He describes his mother, raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists") to be detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He describes his Kenyan father as "raised a Muslim," but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his Indonesian stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." In the book, Obama explains how, through working with black churches as a community organizer while in his twenties, he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.”

Obama is the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in January 2003. After a primary victory in March 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel.

After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.

On February 10, 2007 Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois. The choice of the announcement site was symbolic since it was also where Abraham Lincoln in 1858 delivered his historic "House Divided" speech. Throughout the campaign Obama has emphasized the issues of ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence, and providing universal health care, at one point identifying these as his top three priorities.

Obama on stage with his wife and two daughters just before announcing his presidential campaign in Springfield, IllinoisObama's campaign raised $58 million during the first half of 2007, of which "small" donations of less than $200 accounted for $16.4 million. The $58 million set the record for fundraising by a presidential campaign in the first six months of the calendar year before the election. The magnitude of the small donation portion was outstanding from both the absolute and relative perspectives. In January 2008, his campaign set another fund raising record with $36.8 million, the most ever raised in one month by a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries.

On August 23, 2008, Obama selected Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate. At the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, Obama's former rival Hillary Clinton gave a speech in strong support of Obama's candidacy and later was the person that called for Obama to be nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate by acclamation. On August 28, Obama delivered a speech in front of 84,000 supporters in Denver and viewed by over 38 million on television. During the speech he accepted his party's nomination and presented details of his policy goals .

Obama met his wife, Michelle Robinson, in June 1989 when he was employed as a summer associate at the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin. Assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, Robinson joined him at group social functions, but declined his initial offers to date. They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992. The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998, followed by a second daughter, Natasha ("Sasha"), in 2001.

Applying the proceeds of a book deal, the family moved in 2005 from a Hyde Park, Chicago condominium to their current $1.6 million house in neighboring Kenwood. The purchase of an adjacent lot and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer and friend Tony Rezko attracted media attention because of Rezko's indictment and subsequent conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama.

In December 2007, Money magazine estimated the Obama family's net worth at $1.3 million. Their 2007 tax return showed a household income of $4.2 million—up from about $1 million in 2006 and $1.6 million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.

Obama plays basketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team. Before announcing his presidential candidacy, he began a well-publicized effort to quit smoking. Obama told the Chicago Tribune. "I've quit periodically over the last several years. I've got an ironclad demand from my wife that in the stresses of the campaign I do not succumb.”

Obama was an early opponent of the Bush administration's policies on Iraq. On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War, Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq War rally in Federal Plaza, speaking out against the war. On March 16, 2003, the day President Bush issued his 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Obama addressed an anti-Iraq War rally and told the crowd that "it's not too late" to stop the war.

Obama stated that if elected he would enact budget cuts in the range of tens of billions of dollars, stop investing in "unproven" missile defense systems, not "weaponize" space, "slow development of Future Combat Systems," and work towards eliminating all nuclear weapons. Obama favors ending development of new nuclear weapons, reducing the current U.S. nuclear stockpile, enacting a global ban on production of fissile material, and seeking negotiations with Russia in order to take ICBMs off high alert status.

In September 2007, he blamed special interests for distorting the U.S. tax code. His plan would eliminate taxes for senior citizens with incomes of less than $50,000 a year, repeal income tax cuts for those making over $250,000 as well as the capital gains and dividends tax cut, close corporate tax loopholes, lift the income cap on Social Security taxes, restrict offshore tax havens, and simplify filing of income tax returns by pre-filling wage and bank information already collected by the IRS. Announcing his presidential campaign's energy plan in October 2007, Obama proposed a cap and trade auction system to restrict carbon emissions and a ten year program of investments in new energy sources to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil. Obama proposed that all pollution credits must be auctioned, with no grandfathering of credits for oil and gas companies, and the spending of the revenue obtained on energy development and economic transition costs.

A method that political scientists use for gauging ideology is to compare the annual ratings by the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) with the ratings by the American Conservative Union (ACU). Based on his years in Congress, Obama has a lifetime average conservative rating of 7.67% from the ACU, and a lifetime average liberal rating of 90% from the ADA.

John Sidney McCain III McCain, having been born in the (Panama) Canal Zone, will if elected become the first president who was born outside the current 50 states. This raises a potential legal issue, since the United States Constitution requires the president to be a natural-born citizen of the United States. A bipartisan legal review and a unanimous Senate resolution both concluded that he is a natural-born citizen, but the matter is still a subject of some legal controversy. Also, if inaugurated in 2009 at age 72 years and 144 days, he would be the oldest U.S. president upon ascension to the presidency, and the second-oldest president to be inaugurated.

McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he nearly lost his life in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. In October 1967 while on a bombing mission over Hanoi, he was shot down, badly injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973, experiencing episodes of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer; his war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations.

He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981, moved to Arizona, and entered politics. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, he served two terms, and was then elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, winning re-election easily in 1992, 1998, and 2004. While generally adhering to conservative principles, McCain at times has had a media reputation as a "maverick" for having disagreed with his party. After being investigated and largely exonerated in a political influence scandal of the 1980s as a member of the "Keating Five," he made campaign finance reform one of his signature concerns, which eventually led to the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act in 2002. He is also known for his work towards restoring diplomatic relations with Vietnam in the 1990s, and for his belief that the war in Iraq should be fought to a successful conclusion in the 2000s. McCain has chaired the Senate Commerce Committee, has opposed pork barrel spending, and played a key role in alleviating a crisis over judicial nominations.

McCain lost his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush. He ran again for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, and gained enough delegates to become the party's presumptive nominee in March 2008. McCain was formally nominated at the 2008 Republican National Convention in September 2008, together with his chosen running mate from Alaska, Governor Sarah Palin.

John McCain formally announced his intention to run for President of the United States on April 25, 2007 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He stated that: "I'm not running for President to be somebody, but to do something; to do the hard but necessary things not the easy and needless things." He also said that the United States should never fight a war without fully committing the necessary resources, unlike what initially occurred in Iraq.

McCain's oft-cited strengths as a presidential candidate for 2008 included national name recognition, sponsorship of major lobbying and campaign finance reform initiatives, his well-known military service and experience as a POW, his experience from the 2000 presidential campaign, and an expectation that he would capture Bush's top fundraisers. During the 2006 election cycle, McCain had attended 346 events and helped raise more than $10.5 million on behalf of Republican candidates. McCain also became more willing to ask business and industry for campaign contributions, while maintaining that such contributions would not affect any official decisions he would make. Despite being considered the front-runner for the nomination by pundits as 2007 began, McCain was in second place behind former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani in national Republican polls as the year progressed.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was revealed as McCain's surprise choice for running mate on August 29, 2008. McCain was only the second U.S. major-party presidential nominee to select a woman for running mate and the first Republican to do so; Palin would become the first female Vice-President of the United States if elected. McCain and Palin became the Republican Party's Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees, respectively, at the 2008 Republican National Convention, on September 3, 2008 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. On September 24, McCain said he was suspending his campaign, called on Obama to join him, and proposed delaying the first of the general election debates with Obama, in order to work on the proposed U.S. financial system bailout before Congress, which was targeted at addressing the sub prime mortgage crisis and liquidity crisis.

Health
They discussed health care (Medicare), Social Security, Washington partisanship, taxes and education; drifting into other challenges and how to not leave problems for future generations.

McCain made the point that he knows who he has to work with and who he has got to work for in Washington. Underscores that he will be a President not for special interests, nor a President of a political party, but one for the people. Underscores that he has a record of bipartisan work to get things accomplished. Insists we have got to save Medicare, and Social Security by a bipartisan effort and not leave a broken system for another generation. On education parents need a choice to not have children in failing schools states parents will have a choice and children will have opportunity. While Obama made the point that he knows who he has to work with and who he has got to work for in Washington. Underscores that he will be a President not for special interests, nor a President of a political party, but one for the people. Underscores that he has a record of bipartisan work to get things accomplished. Insists we have got to save Medicare, and Social Security by a bipartisan effort and not leave a broken system for another generation. On education parents need a choice to not have children in failing schools states parents will have a choice and children will have opportunity.

Security

McCain acknowledges we are not going to privatize social security, suggests giving younger workers an option to put some of their money in an account they control. No present retiree Social Security will be affected. Explained how Ronald Reagan worked with people across the aisle 30 years ago to fix social security when it was going broke 30 years ago. McCain uses that example as his plan, and will reach out his hand across the aisle to fix it again today and Obama opposes If we secure Social Security, for people on fixed incomes, it is not enough to help people with rising prices. So we will eliminate taxes for retirees making less than $50,000, eliminating income taxes for 7 million senors. Obama will cut taxes for 95% of all working families in this country. Now is also the time to provide affordable health care for every American. If you like the health care you have, You will see lower premiums under the Obama plan. Now is the time to strengthen and preserve medicate, His reforms will do that. In addition the government will negotiate to get lower drug costs. Now is the time to help families with lower health costs. Now is the time to end CEOs cashing out while pensions disappear. encourage savings and wealth for younger workers. these are what he will pursue.

Terrorism

McCain advocates high tech solutions to increase military capabilities, such as missile defense and other advanced weapons systems, an increase in the size of the U.S. armed forces, and doctrinal change to confront 21st century warfare. Many of his ideas for reform echo those of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and others in the defense establishment who advocate a new mix of military forces, including civil affairs, special operations, and highly mobile forces."

In the early part of his campaign, Obama funneled many of his comments about the "war on terrorism" through his concerns with human and civil rights issues that it has raised. He also establishes both small weapons proliferation and potential nuclear terrorism as significant U.S. priorities.

TODAY's WORLD TWO BIGGEST BAILOUT (US $700B bailout vs UK $87,5B bailout)

2008-10-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

The New York Times (September 21, 2008) speaks of the $700 billion bailout proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson as “bold” action to meet the current financial crisis. There are some sectors that disagree and criticize the planned bailout. In lieu of the bailout they propose a radical "freeze” of all the speculative paper, for purposes of auditing. On the other hand, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called on the central bank in order to inject money into the financial system and provide 50billion-pouds in order to save a failing system. It is seen as an emergency action to stop the stock market fallout as the UK’s benchmark FTSE 100 Index closed 7.8% lower and follow the move of the US president with the US bailout to keep financial institution.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG and HBOS (to name a few) is a simple indicator of the nearing collapse of the western financial system that now threatens the whole world. The biggest consideration is a bailout of the financial system that seems to disintegrate before our very eyes. In contrast, UK bailout has three-part package also makes available £200bn (€254bn) in short-term loans and the Government will issue £250bn (€317bn) to guarantee loans between banks. The deal does not guarantee the deposits of the banks, but provides them with liquidity.

Each of today’s worldwide biggest bailout has their own purposes. As the US bailout purpose, the contingent shares will give taxpayers an equity stake in companies seeking help through the rescue program, potentially allowing the government not only to recoup much of the $700b it spends on bad debt, but also to profit should the financial firms prosper in years ahead. The legislation would require the value of the contingent shares to equal the value of the assets purchased by the government. While on the UK bailout, their banking system must stepped in and must act quickly as Edinburgh-based bank RBS had its credit rating cut by Standard and Poor’s for the first time in ten years. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling added these steps to partially nationalize the industry and will provide the basic grounding for the provision of cash and investment and joins other European governments who have taken out guarantees.

These two world’s major bailout which is related to financial crisis may have a short term and the worst is the long term bad effect of it. On the side of US, Interest rates on unsecured loans like credit cards would go up, and there may even be a seizing of goods bought in some cases for the banks to get some of their money back. Moreover, new mortgages and loans will be at higher rates. Also, Companies would have to pay higher interest rates to borrow and will have to cut spending elsewhere to stay profitable. In relation with that, much more layoffs resulting in higher unemployment, and the with higher unemployment, the government would have to pay more benefits and would see its tax revenues reduced at the same time. Likewise, UK had estimated that 12,000 jobs will be lost and that the financial industry will continue to be hit hard by the current economic climate.

In conclusion, Philippines will also be affected by this financial crisis. Not only the US and the UK could feel this serious worldwide issue. If we would come to think of it, hundred of thousands or even millions of our OFW will be jobless. Meaning, there would be less national dollar income in our country, and as a result, our economy will surely decline.

Sources:
> New York Times(September 28, 2008)
> http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/banks-in-uk-bailout-still-seek-cover-under-irish-guarantee-1493156.html
> http://www.tsechu.com/blog/?p=16

McCain vs Obama- Lady Reyes

2008-10-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

John McCain was born in 1936 at Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone, Panama. His parents are naval officer John S. McCain, Jr. and Roberta (Wright) McCain . In 1958 he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. His personal character has been a main feature of his public image. This image includes the military service of himself and his family, his one of a kind political persona, his temper, his admitted problem of occasional ill-considered comments, and his strong relationship to his children from both his marriages. He believes himself to be a up-front public servant, and sometimes being impatient. Other characters include a desire for lucky charms, hiking, and a sense of humor that once backfired hugely when he mentioned a joke in 1998 about the Clintons widely deemed not fit to print in newspapers: "Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly? - Because Janet Reno is her father." He subsequently made an apology generously, which the Clinton White House considered. He is also known for being spiky and hot-tempered with Senate colleagues, but his interactions with his own Senate staff has been more pleasant, and have stimulated loyalty to him

According to him, to remain the U.S wealthy, tough and improving they have to rethink reform and reinvent: the way they teach their children; guide their workers; bring health care services; support retirees; fuel their transportation network; stimulate research and development; and harness latest technologies.

On the other hand Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents are Barack Obama, Sr. and Ann Dunham, a White American from Wichita, Kansas. He is the first African American nominated by a major political party for president. He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review. When he was a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to manage conventional arms and to endorse greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He is an optimistic and lively person who generally has an energizing, inspiring, and stimulating effect on others. Boredom in old habits is not a problem for him because he has many interests. He can be exhausted by being involved in too many activities. He seems driven to be always in motion, as if he was afraid in missing anything. This 2008 election season, his experience has been a topic of argument. Both Democratic and Republican politicians were criticizing his experience whether he's ready to be President of the United States. Since his nomination the criticism was mostly from Republican politicians thus many Democratic politicians now believe that he is ready.

He, one of the leading Democratic candidates for the 2008 US Presidency, promises a new beginning to the American people. His platform rests upon tremendous change in the United States and upon the establishment of a new path for the American government.

Health

Both them want to provide affordable healthcare for all Americans. However, John McCain's plan aims to have this by shifting from employer based insurance coverage to open market system, by totally altering the tax treatment of healthcare benefits and making the private insurance market more reasonable and competitive. On the other hand, Barack Obama proposes to stay to an employer based system, but expand government involvement.

The main concern of John McCain's healthcare policy is to give affordable healthcare for every American. However, he believes that every individual must have the freedom to prefer their own healthcare. While his opponent, Barack Obama obliges everyone to obtain health insurance. McCain aims to provide $2,500 tax credits for individuals and $5,000 for families to purchase their own insurance. He believes that affordable and universal healthcare does not require increasing the taxes. However, under his plan, employers would not be able to take away healthcare costs from their taxes. McCain plans to offer federal assistance for states to create funds for high-risk consumers.
Meanwhile, Barack Obama aims for affordable and universal healthcare too. His policy entails that all children have health insurance and require employers to present health insurance or pay a percentage of their payrolls into federal fund. His proposal also provides financial support to individuals who cannot have enough money to purchase health insurance. To make healthcare affordable, he will rely mostly on the heavy hand of the government and will impose caps on health care premiums and price controls on drug corporations. He also wants the government to establish national training principles for health providers and doctors. He plans to start The National Health Insurance Exchange, to make shopping more convenient for Americans.

Terrorisms

This is John McCain’s proposal regarding terrorism. In a dangerous world, protecting America's national security requires an effective military. Today, America has the most proficient, best-trained and best-led military force in the world. But there are other things to be done to preserve the military leadership, retain our technological advantage, and make sure that America has a new, alert military force able to meet the various security challenges of the 21st century. As President, he will ensure that America has the excellent intelligence needed to discover plots before they take root, the resources for protection and borders against attack, and the ability to survive and get better from a terrorist incident quickly. Effective missile protections are also essential to allow American military forces to work overseas without being afraid by the danger of missile attack from an enemy. The most significant arms in the U.S. arsenal are the people behind the armed forces. He believes they must expand the size of the armed forces to experience new test to their security. Modernizing American armed forces entail obtaining highly developed weapons systems that will help hastily and determinedly overcome any foe. It also means adapting the policy, training, and strategies for the kind of conflicts they will encounter

Barack Obama’s view on the other hand regarding terrorism is first rebuild the military tasks. He believes that they must make up the special operations forces, civil affairs, information operations, and other units and capabilities that remain in constant short supply. Second, he also proposes to invest in foreign language training, cultural wakefulness and human intelligence. Same ad McCain, he also wants to increase the size of the military by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 marine troops. Fourth is to protect the U.S in cyberspace. He, together with his members will work in cooperation with their allies and the private division to protect against emerging cyber-threats. Fifth is he will provide the National Guard with the apparatus it needs for foreign and domestic tragedies. He will appoint the head of the National Guard a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to guarantee concerns of their citizen soldiers reach the level they authorize. He will also ensure that reservists and Guard members are treated equally when it comes to employment, health, and education benefits.

Jobs et al

John McCain believes that parents must be involved in the lives of their children. He is proud to support the Family Medical Leave Act in 1993 that ensured men and women are allowed leave their job to care for a newborn child, adopt a child or care for an immediate family member with a serious health situation and go back to their position that has an equal in pay, benefits, and responsibility. He is calling for National Commission on workplace flexibility and choice. The commission will make recommendations to the President on how modernizing their nation’s labor rules and training activities can help workers better balance the demands of their job with family life and to allow workers to more easily shift between jobs.

I believe that Barack Obama has better plans regarding job because as I was observing his and McCain’s plans, I see Obama’s plans clearer and more beneficial. First he will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that execute proven methods of helping low-income Americans do well in the workforce. He will also improve transportation access to jobs. He will work to ensure that low-income Americans have transportation access to their work. He will double funding for the federal Jobs Access and Reverse Commute program to ensure that additional federal public transportation dollars run to the most need areas. The next one that I will tell is my most favorite and it is the raise of the minimum wage to $9.50 an Hour by 2011. He also wants to have an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit to make sure that full-time laborers can earn a living wage that allows them to raise their families and pay for their basic needs.

On education, both of them have a No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy. From John McCain’s side, there should be focus on standards and accountability. However, their objective cannot be group averages. Instead, their motivation is to inspire every child to strive to reach his or her potential. From Barack Obama’s side, he believes that teachers must not be forced to use the academic year preparing students to fill in basic ideas. He will improve the evaluations used to pursue student progress to measure readiness for college and improve student education in a timely, individualized style.

Both of them have obvious stylistic, ideological, and generational differences; both are anti-politicians whose primary issue is that their system is shattered in ways that only they can fix. When they proclaim the need for "change" in the U.S, it is neither pointless expression nor a fancy way of saying eliminate the bums out. They are both focused on dealing with errors in the government—the power of own interests and fruitless hyper partisanship. These were just a glimpse of the concerns that each campaign used to label them. A visit to their websites will give much of information into each issue. In the end, the decision is up to the individual voter.

US $700B bailout vs UK 87.5B bailout

2008-10-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

United States President George W. Bush proposed a staggering $700 Billion bailout package to rescue distressed financial institutions in the U.S. after Lehman Brothers, Inc. declared bankruptcy early last month. Despite rejection of the members of the Lower House of the said financial aid, the Bush Administration still believes that the approval of bailout plan is crucial to save their drifting economy.

Heated arguments centered on the use of tax payer’s money only to save and absorb losses of private financial institutions and believed to be more beneficial to the Wall Street rather of the Main Street of America became the deciding point for the No vote of the majority. At a glance, the proposed plan seemed unfair and inappropriate. However, looking at the entirety of the whole economic situation not only in the United States but around the world, without the support of the financial institution, the world’s economy will come to a halt. Credits granted by these financial institutions funds businesses and private loans as well. It is the blood that runs through the veins of every country’s economy and the gauge that tempers the stock market. Fear and uncertainty dominates the air on the trading floor and it is the nod of approval of the US Senate that can redirect the economic flow back to the years of recession and depression.

A deeper consultation was made and finally an acceptable term settled the issue. Rather than to dole out funds, the government will take control of the financial institutions, fund them and keep it running. On the long run, it will not only keep the US economy alive and kicking but it will also sustain the struggling economy of the nations with business alliances with them.

John McCain vs. Barack Obama

2008-10-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

This coming USA presidential election, there are two hot nominees, one from the Democratic Party and one from the Republican Party, these two people that I’m talking about are Barack Obama and John McCain.

John McCain is a lot older than Barack Obama. McCain was born at a military installation in Panama Canal Zone where his mother and father, navy officers were stationed. On the other hand, Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Oabama finished his pre-law course in Columbia University and finished his law course in Harvard Law School Magna cum laude. Compared to Obama, McCain graduated 894^th of 899 students. Therefore Obama is a lot wiser than McCain. Obama served as president of the Harvard Law Review, also worked as a community organizer, and practiced as a civil rights attorney.

Barack Obama, who’s in the Democratic Party, would provide a “middle class tax cut” of $500 to $1000, while ending most of the Bush tax cuts, including the one on capital gains taxes. Obama opposes new free trade initiates in Latin America and promises to reopen negotiations on NAFTA. He promises a variety of new spending initiatives, including investments in technology, education, and basic science. Obama would provide relief for home owners caught in the housing credit crunch, crack down predatory credit card practices, and expand the family leave act. He would also like to withdraw forcer from Iraq and promised to increase foreign aid program, particularly for Africa.

John McCain, who’s in the Republican Party, proposes to retain the Bush tax cuts, repeal the Alternate Minimum Tax, double the personal exemption for dependents, cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%, and institute a new R&D tax credit. McCain would require raising taxes and bad taxes on the Internet and cell phones. He would institute an alternative flat tax that tax payers could decide to. He would also eliminate earmark spending, impose a one year freeze on domestic, discretionary spending, remove dysfunctional spending programs, and reform entitlement spending including Medicare and Social Security. McCain is in favor of personal accounts within Social Security. McCain supports free trade agreements and reforming the unemployment insurance system.

I think they both deserve to be the new president of the United States of America. Both have good proposals. But if I were to choose, I would choose Obama in terms of brains. You see that McCain is the 894^th student among 899 students if you read their biography. But in terms of experience though Obama has good experience too, McCain has more experience than Obama because McCain is already a pioneer in politics.

I salute them. May the best man wins.

Mc CAIN vs. Obama

2008-10-13T05:32:00.001-07:00

John McCain vs. Obama Barrack Hussein

A nations value and trust relies upon a leader, a combination of security, strategy and goodness in the importance of peoples lives. John Sydney mc Cain the third and Obama Hussein the second are the official candidates for this year’s election. McCain is a patriotic leader with integrity and leadership qualities while Barrack Obama is compassionate leader.

John Sydney Mc CAIN III as a nay pilot has a patriotic-strategic blind spot ,he was born on the 29th of August 1936.Johns religion a southern Baptist congregant Mc Cain is a 72 year old Fighting against the position of presidency. He studied at National War College, and Graduated fifth from the bottom of his class at the United States Naval Academy. After that had a 22-year military career as a pilot and officer in the Navy. During 1967 to 1973 Mc Cain spent his years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. 1981 he left the navy and he got elected to congress in 1982.

Barrack Hussein Obama II is a junior state Christian, senator from Illinois, an attorney and politician. A presidential nominee, born on august 4, 1961. He has come to be the first African-American to be nominated by a major political party for president. In the year 1992 to 2004 he taught constitutional law at the university of Chicago law school. He also helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability Obama was once a member of the democratic minority in the 109th congress

Healthcare issues are considered well alone important in a nations growth and well-being .Barrack Obama presents his plans on providing greater health insurance coverage levels, using a system of managed competition that offers access to a government sponsored health plan While for John McCain’s plan is to lower health care costs, using free market competition as the lever.

As for terrorism a legal matter for dispute ,these great leaders have presented us with their say with their political violence. Obama says “No torture, same standards for CIA and military “ .as for Mccain he replies with “ No torture, but let CIA use harsher techniques”.Obama says “Shut down Gitmo, try detainees in civilian courts “. While Mc Cain says ” Shut down Guantanamo, try detainees in military courts “. Obama implies that “Adding 7,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan by moving some out of Iraq is a must”. As for Mccain “NATO should send more troops to Afghanistan ”

These two candidates have a few similarities but both Mc Cain oppose terrorism. Since the United states alone spends about $5 billion dollars a year struggling with terrorists.

The Seven Sacraments - Hans Juan

2008-10-13T04:59:00.000-07:00

Sacraments are significant and holy events in which God is involved in a Catholic’s spiritual life. The word “Sacrament” was derived from the Latin world “Sacramentum” which means “a sign of the sacred” (The Seven Catholic Sacraments, http://www.americancatholic.org). Examples of Sacraments are the Holy Mass, the Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, the Sacrament of Matrimony and the Sacrament of Holy Order.

The Sacrament of Baptism is the act of cleansing a Catholic from the Original Sin, which was sought by the believed first people of the world, Adam and Eve, when they fell into the devil’s temptation and betrayed God. The Sacrament of Confirmation is an initiation of generally strengthening the relationship between man and God. It is supposed to unite Catholics more with Christ, by making one be unashamed of the Cross, to confess in the name of the Lord, and to spread His word. The Holy Eucharist is the reminder or reenactment of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples. With bread and wine, the blessing of God symbolizes these as the body and blood of Christ. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the act of confessing and repenting of one’s sins to God through a Priest or to one of a higher position. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is the healing of one who is sick through faith in Christ. The Sacrament of Matrimony is the life long union between man and woman ordained by God, for the purpose of love and the creation of new life. The Sacrament of Holy Order is the ordaining of people into the Apostolic Succession, most commonly into priesthood.

There are a few religions that harness the same sacraments, but are done in different manners, and sometimes for different purposes. For example, in Baptism, Catholics get baptized while they are infants, while Christians may be baptized as adults, just like Jesus was an adult when he was baptized by Saint John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The Sacrament of Confirmation is called the Sacrament of Chrismation in the Orthodox religion. The difference between Confirmation and Chrismation is that the Orthodox Sacrament uses different materials such as chrism and myrrh. In Catholic practice, Holy Communion is undergone in every mass, while some protestant religions (such as Iglesia ni Cristo) only take Holy Communion once a year with real unleavened bread. In The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Catholics must confess to a priest or to a bishop to be forgiven and cleansed. On the other hand, Born Again Christians need only to pray to God for forgiveness and penance.

US $700 Billion Bailout VS.UKL 87.5 Billion Bailout

2008-10-13T04:42:00.000-07:00

With all of the turmoil in the financial industry, one word that keeps making the rounds is “bailout”. A bailout is when the government extends a loan(or take over) a private company because it is deemed “too large to fail.” The government has to save them because these business are jobs providers and if these businesses failed, the country’s economy will definitely be in crisis.

AIG, the country’s largest insurer, recently received an estimated $85 billion bailout. And the bailout engineered for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could cost over $200 billions.

If you own stock in a company being bailed out by the government, your shares will be worth next to nothing. Selling is usually your best option but hold your bonds. Bondholders make out like bandits, since the bailout usually ensures that their interest payments are made on time.

The government will buy guarantee bonds and stocks. It is hoped that the bailout plans will help the companies to recover. The short time effect will be a partial and temporary lift to the stock exchange. The long term effect is that the government will have too much bonds that are unredeemable which at the present crisis amounts to $1.3 Trillion.

On the other hand, UKL87.5 Billion bailout plan is primarily intended, too, to save some companies in the UK that are in financial trouble or crisis like the Lloyds and other insurers. The bailout aims to provide enough cash to keep these businesses afloat. This bailout will eventually stabilize the financial crisis in the UK.

Similarly, both US and UK government will have the financial burden of accumulating too much stocks and bonds that will be very difficult to transform into liquid assets.

sources:
www.rediff.com/money/2008/sep/26bcrisis8.htm
www.ulinkx.com/playlist/bush_signs_historic_700_bailout_bill
3news.co.nz/BushsignsUS700billionbailoutbill/tabid/.../52/Default.aspx
economicshelp.org/2008/10/difference-between-uk-and-us-bailout.html
www.winterspeak.com/2008/04/uk-bailout.html

McCain and Obama : MAY THE BEST MAN WIN

2008-10-13T04:21:00.000-07:00

John McCain was born August 29, 1936, in Panama. He graduated from the United States Naval academy in 1958 and became a naval aviator. After 23 years, He retired from the navy as a captain. He them moved to Arizona and entered the world of politics. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1982 and was elected to the US Senate 4 years after. McCain was formally nominated at the 2008 Republican National Convention in September 2008, as candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

One of McCain's main passions in his national political career has been the topic of campaign finance reform. In spite of voting against such measures initially, since 1992, McCain has repeatedly tried to pass legislation regulating campaign financing, finally achieving a major victory in 2002. That year, Congress passed a key "campaign finance reform bill", the "Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002", co-sponsored by Senator Russ Feingold and hence also known as the McCain-Feingold bill. As a former POW, McCain has particular sensitivity to the issue of the detention and interrogation of detainees from the War on Terror. On October 3, 2005, Senator McCain introduced the McCain Detainee Amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill for 2005. On October 5, 2005, the United States Senate voted 90-9 to support the amendment.

Barack Obama was born August 4, 1961; he graduated from Harvard Law School, Columbia University and Occidental College. He was the first African American to be nominated by a major political party. He worked as a community organizer and also practiced civil rights and he also taught Constitutional Law at the University Of Chicago Law School (1992-2004).

Obama majored in political science, with a specialization in international relations. He worked for a year at newsletter publisher Business International (now part of The Economist Group), and then moved to Chicago, where he took up community organizing in the Altgeld Gardens housing project on the city's South Side. It was during his time spent here that Obama became a Christian and joined the Trinity United Church of Christ. In addition, Obama decided to run for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. He won over 50% of the vote in the March primary, more than the combined support for the other six candidates. Obama soon became a national Democratic star, receiving international media coverage for his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

McCain and Obama has their own insights on different sensitive issues. First is Health care. According to John McCain, “I think it’s a responsibility”.

McCain supports the following principles regarding health issues:
Support legislation to define and enforce the rights of insured patients
Classify nicotine as a drug and cigarettes as drug delivery devices regulated by the FDA.
Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org Jul 2, 1998

While Obama said, “I think it should be a right, in a country as wealthy as us.”
Senator Obama is pursuing legislative initiatives to help improve health care quality. He helped draft and introduce the National MEDiC Act, which promotes patient safety initiatives, including early disclosure and compensation to patients injured by medical errors. He also introduced the Hospital Quality Report Card Act, which will use federal hospital quality reporting requirements to inform and assist patients and other consumers in making their health care decisions. Senator Obama strongly believes that greater use of health information technology can contain costs and improve the efficiency of our health care system. He introduced the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Efficiency Act, which would leverage the federal government's purchasing power to encourage increased adoption of technology by participating health plans. In 2005, Senator Obama spoke at the commencement of the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine about the importance of health information technology

When it comes to National Security and Leadership, McCain and Obama has their own thoughts.

“I am going to act responsibly, as I did throughout my
Military career and throughout my career in the United State Senate” –John McCain

On Barack Obama's leadership:

"We have fundamental disagreements about the use of
military power, if and how you do it."- John McCain

"In his short career, he does not understand our national
security challenges. We don't have time for on-the-job training, my friend." – John McCain

Barack Obama : "It's true, there's some things I don't understand. I don't understand how we ended up invading a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 while Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda are setting up base camps and safe havens to train terrorists to attack us."

When it comes to terrorism, Obama and McCain also shared their insights. In the early part of his campaign, Obama mentioned about “war on terrorism” through his concerns with human and civil rights issues that it has risen. Obama also included homeland security areas of particular focus, in his work as Illinois Senator. These include: Chemical plant security , Transit security, Disaster response, Terrorism risk insurance, Nuclear waste and Drinking water safety.

McCain identifies terrorism with "violent Islamist extremism," especially as manifested in Al Qaeda. McCain believes Al Qaeda continues to represent a significant threat to U.S. security. His solution includes ensuring quality intelligence, being protected against attack and being able to respond to an attack quickly.

McCain advocates high tech solutions to increase military capabilities, such as missile defense and other advanced weapons systems, an increase in the size of the U.S. armed forces, and doctrinal change to confront 21st century warfare. Many of his ideas for reform echo those of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and others in the defense establishment who advocate (as McCain does, on his website), "a new mix of military forces, including civil affairs, special operations, and highly mobile forces …"

Whoever wins the election should prove to everyone that they are worthy for the trust that the people will give. And must do all the things they have promised. May the best man win !

Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org Jul 2, 1998
www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/candidates
www.wikipedia.com

John McCain VS Barack Obama as likely US President

2008-10-13T04:10:00.000-07:00

John McCain VS Barack Obama as likely US President

Brack Obama is the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois senate from 1997 to 2004. He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in January 2003. After a primary victory in March 2004. Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote.

John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senate from Arizona and presidential nominee of the Republican Party in the 2008 presidential election. He graduated from the Us naval Academy in 1985. He became a naval aviator, flying ground attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he nearly lost his life in USS Forrestal fire. While on a bombing mission over Hanoi, he was shot down, badly injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973, experiencing episodes of toture, his war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations.

The Obama family’s net worth at $1.3 million. Their 2007 tax return showed a household income of $4.2 million-up from about $1 million in 2006 and $1.6 million in 2005 mostly from sales of his books. Obama is a Christian whose religious views have evolved in his adult life. In The Audacity of Hope, Obama writes that he “was not raised in a religious household.”
John McCain’s personal character has been a dominant feature of his public image. This image includes the military service of both himself and his family, his maverick political personal his temper his admitted problem of occasional ill-considered remarks and his close ties to his children from both his marriages. McCain’s political appeal has been more nonpartisan and less ideological compared to many other national politicians. His stature and reputation stem partly from his service inn the Vietnam War. He also carries physical vestiges of his war wounds, as well as his melanoma surgery. When campaigning, he quips: “I am older that dirt and have more scars than Frankenstein.”

Throughout the campaign Obama has emphasized the issues of ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence and providing universal health care, at one point identifying these as his top three priorities.
John McCain’s position on health care is to provide a federally funded health services to all Americans. Unfortunately, this will only benefit those in the upper level of the society and will jeopardized the health care of the common people. His views on terrorism is to fight them to protect the safety of American democracy. He is not in a position to immediately withdraw American soldiers in Iraq.

Both nominees were providing sensible and general health care for everybody in America. Although, they differ in the execution. Both candidates have provisions for security of jobs for Americans but, they differ in the formulation of how hobs will be provided. Both presidential nominees were in agreement to fight terrorism whether in America or from its source.

MacCain v.s. Obama

2008-10-13T00:19:00.000-07:00

McCain and Obama's fight will depend on their supporters even though they both have great plans for their country. The outcome of their fight will have a big effect in their country and that"s why it's important to know the two candidates.

McCain belonged to a family of soldiers while Obama had a broken family. They both made marks in their early lives as talented persons. McCain is more patriotic since he was a former navy and Obama was more on being a religous and a political man. The big difference on them was John believes to run the America in a Republican way and Barack is a democrat.

McCain wants to improve the economy of the United States of America with the implementation of "Pro-Growth, Pro-Jobs". With health care, he intends to lower the bills that people has to pay in hospitals. His main objective is to protect the American citizen and their resources, primarily because a soldier's blood still run on him.

Obama also promises to help the economy of the America by proposing an agenda that would help the America compete in the global economy in a better way. He would also build infrastructures that would make the America independent and he would help boost the education of the country by providing more support to schools. Obama also wants to help prevent terrorism by improving the disaster preparedness of the people.

The two candidates have very promising plans for their country. They are both talented persons, but the winner would still depend on the number of votes and the people should ask themselves first, who would make the real change.

Obama Versus McCain - Hans Juan

2008-10-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

Both candidates for the position of President of the United States show a promising future. Although they both have similar projects and goals for their homeland, they have their differences in terms of technique and manner. As they grew up in a completely different manner, they may see the world in two different ways.

Born on August 29, 1936, John McCain III had witnessed and had been a part of the Cold War after graduating from the United States National Academy in 1958 as a Naval Aviator. After which, he was married on July 3, 1965. Still being involved in the military, McCain was shot down on a bombing mission, and was held war prisoner from 1967-1973.

McCain is an American citizen as a Southern Baptist. He believes that the way to run America is in a Republican way of politics, similar to the way U.S. President, George W. Bush runs the country. Although he has a strong military background, McCain does not believe in war.

Regarding issues of the U.S., McCain focuses on answering the problems of Economy, Health Care, and most especially, Security. McCain wants to implement a “pro-growth, pro-jobs” strategy to improve America’s economy. In terms of health care, he primarily focuses on the costs of treatment to be under control. Lastly, McCain believes that defending American citizens and their resources is the number one priority of a president.

On the other hand, Barack Obama II is almost completely different from John McCain. Born on August 4, 1961, Obama had also witnessed moving events of his life. Being born in Hawaii with a Kenyan bloodline, his parents divorced after two years, his mother marrying an Indonesian, changing his name to Barry Soetoro for awhile, growing up in his stepfather’s homeland, then finally growing up in the United States Obama had seen a wide variety of cultures.

Obama is an American Christian. His manner of running the country is the Democratic way. Obama is extremely political, graduating from Harvard Law School and being in the Illinois Senate shortly after for 8 years, being state legislator afterwards, then lastly being a part of the U.S. senate.

Obama also focuses on the same issues McCain focuses on, but in different ways. In terms of Economy, Obama wants to implement a 21st century economic agenda that should make America compete in the global economy in a better way. He also wants to invest in infrastructure, energy dependence, research and development, and education. When it comes to health care, Obama primarily focuses on citizens with disabilities, giving them further attention and care in society. Lastly, Obama focuses on anti-terrorism in terms of homeland security by generally improving disaster preparedness.

John McCain vs Barack Obama

2008-10-12T20:31:00.002-07:00

John McCain or John Sidney McCain III is part of the Republican Party. He was elected U.S. Senator from Arizona in 1986 and reelected in the year reelected 1992, 1998, 2004 and also became a U.S. Representative from Arizona 1983-1987. He also served for the military and became a Pilot, U.S. Navy 1958-1981, and retiring as captain; P.O.W. in Vietnam, 1967-1973. He was born in Panama Canal Zone on August 29, 1936. If McCain will be the next president, he would be the oldest in history at the age of 72. he studies his B.S. in United States Naval Academy, 1958 and graduated in the National War College, 1974. McCain is married in her second wife Cindy Hensley. McCain has two sons and 1 daughter in his first wife, Carol Shepp and two daughters and a son in her second wife Cindy Hensley. McCain’s religion is Episcopalian. He is advocating church government by bishops.
While on the other hand Barack Obama or Barack Hussein Obama, II is McCain’s rival for presidency. Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He is part of the Democratic Party running for Presidency. He served as a freshman Democratic Senator from Illinois since 2004. on August 23 he chose Senator Joseph Biden as his running mate. In 2007, Obama was rated the most liberal Senator by the National Journal. If Obama is elected a s president, he may became the first Muslim president of the United States.
In terms of personal attributes of McCain and Obama. McCain continues to be viewed as the more experienced candidate and one with better knowledge of world affairs according to the Washington Post-ABC new poll. While Obama is broadly seen as the one who would do more to affect change, with the better personality with the job and with the clearer version for the future.
When it comes to sensitive issues like health care, both candidates contradicted with each other. McCain is pro-life. He believes that we should not commit abortion because he believes that it should only be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered. McCain wants to prohibit late-term abortion procedure. He said “I would do everything in my power to ban that horrible procedure of partial-birth abortion.”
While on the other hand Obama is against McCain’s pro-life. He strong support a woman’s right to have an abortion protected by the constitution and stated in May 2007 “A woman’s ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the fundamental rights we posses.” It is not just a freedom of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women.
In terms of Security of jobs McCain will act to make American workers competitive by preparing the next generation of workers an American education worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves. A nation must be committed to competitiveness and opportunities. He would also reform the Unemployment Insurance System by depositing a portion of each workers unemployment insurance tax into a lost Earning Buffer Account (LEB). McCain also believe that LEB will help people who lost there jobs.
On the other hand Obama has a different view about this issue. He believes that workers should have there freedom of choice, whether to join a union without harassment or intimidation with their employees. He supports the right of workers to bargain collectively and strike if necessary. He would work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers.
In the terrorism issue, McCain voted to support a joint resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Force against Iraq. He supports bush’s policy but criticizes the management of war. On the other hand, Obama is opposing to war. As an Senator and campaign against the war in his 2004 senate bid, he had said, “I am not opposed to all wars, I am opposed to dumb wars.

Sources:
• http://www.conservapedia.com/John_McCain
• http://blog.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2008/05 /six_months_before_the_general.html
• http://www.obama-mccain.info/index-obama-mccain.php
• http://www.conservapedia.com/Barack_Obama

2008-10-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

John McCain vs Barack Obama

2008-10-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

John McCain or Barack Obama: who is more suitable to be the next US president? These two have been competing and doing their best out of themselves to get the trust of the people. Of course, they have a very different personality from each other. They have different views for a better world for the future.

McCain has an attitude of a captain. Being experienced at war, he has become a trustworthy leader. He’s always alert and ready for all of the problems that he must face for that has been always the flow of his life. After he retired from the Navy as a captain, he entered politics. McCain at times has had a media reputation as a "maverick" for having disagreed with his party.

Barack put law school and corporate life on hold after college and moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment. The group had some success, but Barack had come to realize that in order to truly improve the lives of people in that community and other communities, it would take not just a change at the local level, but a change in our laws and in our politics.

Health care is one of the priorities of these two candidates. Well, basically, it’s one of the greatest poblems in the whole world.

“...Government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid should lead the way in health care reforms that improve quality and lower costs. Medicare reimbursement now rewards institutions and clinicians who provide more and more complex services. We need to change the way providers are paid to focus their attention more on chronic disease and managing their treatment. …” John McCain said concerning health care problems.

These are some plans of Obama for the Health problems:
• Making available a new national health program that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy
affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. No one will be turned away or
charged more due to illness, and everyone who needs it will receive a subsidy for their premiums.
• Making available a National Health Insurance Exchange to reform the private insurance market. Any
American could enroll in participating private plans, which would have to provide comprehensive
benefits, issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums.
• Ensuring all of the 9 million currently uninsured children have affordable, high-quality health coverage

Concerning security jobs, they also have different views on how to solve it.

John McCain Believes We Should Have A Single, Seamless Approach To Job Transition Assistance. The UI system must be more effective in helping those who have lost a job. John McCain will modernize and transform our current programs by consolidating redundant federal programs, strengthening community colleges and technical training and giving displaced workers more choices to find their way back to productive and prosperous lives.

Strengthen workers' rights -- Barack Obama believes that the right of workers to join together in unions is a fundamental human right. As President, he would support workers' rights by banning the permanent replacement of striking workers, increasing funding for the protection of workers' health and safety on the job, punishing corporations who violate workers' rights, and ensuring workers' freedom to organize by passing the Employee Free Choice Act.

And last but not the least, they’ve also taken part on how to solve terrorism.

McCain advocates high tech solutions to increase military capabilities, such as missile defense and other advanced weapons systems, an increase in the size of the U.S. armed forces, and doctrinal change to confront 21st century warfare. "A new mix of military forces, including civil affairs, special operations, and highly mobile forces …"

This is what Obama thinks:
By refusing to end the war in Iraq, President Bush is giving the terrorists what they really want, and what the Congress voted to give them in 2002: a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences...
When I am President, we will wage the war that has to be won, with a comprehensive strategy with five elements: getting out of Iraq and on to the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing the capabilities and partnerships we need to take out the terrorists and the world's most deadly weapons; engaging the world to dry up support for terror and extremism; restoring our values; and securing a more resilient homeland.

Plan Questioned

2008-10-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

In response to the economic crisis in the United States of America, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was introduced. The details of the plan is as follows: “the government could get $250 billion immediately, $100 billion more if President George W. Bush certified it was necessary, and the last $350 billion with a separate certification and subject to a congressional resolution of disapproval” (manilatimes.net).

The problem all started when the American banking industry became “clogged up” with bad assets (timesonline.co.uk). After the first few casualties, namely Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman Brothers, the problem starts to spread outside the banking industry, affecting most American households and even stock markets worldwide. The plan is to buy these assets and hope the market recovers.

The plan drew several negative criticisms; one even came from Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. The problem they say is that it may not be enough. Earlier this week, the American market was able to rebound, but was not able to sustain that rise. In fact, things started to get worse and if things continue this way a global recession seems inevitable (cnn.com).

Europe is also in talks on how to keep their countries secure from this global crisis through their own bailout plan, with the same method as the United States.’ However, representatives are divided on the details, with Germany opposing a common European rescue fund (presstv.ir). However, every nation agrees on buying from banks to restore confidence in the markets. Germany has already put out a fund to save German banks, which the Irish and Greeks have already started (narbosa.com).

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4821160.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7631321.stm

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/10/16/world.markets/index.html

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/30/yehey/top_stories/20080930top1.html

http://www.narbosa.com/2008/10/eu-bailout-plains-in-ruins-as-germany.html

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/eu-leaders-thrash-out-2-7-trillion-bailout-plan

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=71531§ionid=3510213

Obama vs McCain

2008-10-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Obama vs McCain

2008-10-12T19:48:00.001-07:00

As the US elections draw near, let's take a look at the candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Both possesses hefty credentials and and different ideas on their political views which could greatly affect the country and the world.

Barack Hussein Obama II represents the Democrats and is the first African American to be nominated for Presidency. He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law school where he was the president of the Harvard Law review. He crafted legislation such as a control for conventional weapons, lobbying, electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. John Sidney McCain III on the other hand, is a decorated war veteran who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and a bomber during the Vietnam War and was taken as a POW for along duration of time. He is known for his campaign finance reform, restoring diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and opposed Pork Barrel spending.

Both candidates believe that healthcare is an important matter. Mr. Obama gave the following promises when he is elected:

Middle class tax cuts of up to $1,000 for working families.
Guaranteed paid sick days for workers and expand the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Help Americans buy and keep their homes.
Reforming bankruptcy laws, predatory credit card policies, and abusive payday lending practices.
Reduce health care costs by $2,500 for a typical family.
Provide a $4,000 refundable tax credit for college tuition

On the other hand, Mr. McCain is the following:

John McCain Believes The Key To Health Care Reform Is To Restore Control To The Patients Themselves
John McCain Will Reform Health Care Making It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance
John McCain Will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage

The very similar thing when you put the two together is that they strive to make healthcare the topmost priority with job security also in mind for both candidates which is good thing for evryone concerned.

On terrorism, the two candidates have different ideas. Obama believes that Iraq should not be the focus on US forces but instead on Afghanistan and Pakistan, stating that:

“When I am president, we will wage the war that has to be won, with a comprehensive strategy with five elements: getting out of Iraq and on to the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing the capabilities and partnerships we need to take out the terrorists and the world’s most deadly weapons; engaging the world to dry up support for terror and extremism; restoring our values; and securing a more resilient homeland.”

McCain, however believes that Al Qaeda is the leading force to be reckoned with. He proposes high tech solutions such as missile defense and advanced weapons systems which Obama is against. McCain states that:

"America faces a dedicated, focused, and intelligent foe in the war on terrorism. This enemy will probe tto find America's weaknesses and strike against them. The United States cannot afford to be complacent about the threat, naive about terrorist intentions, unrealistic about their capabilities, or ignorant to our national vulnerabilities."

Both candidates takes terrorism deadly serious although their actions and methods are different. It is clear that they hyave good intentions in mind, but it is up to the American people on who they will choose for the Presidency.

Sources:

http://terrorism.about.com
en.wikipedia.org
thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com

US $700B bailout vs UK 87.5B bailout

2008-10-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

According to the Business Mirror (October 7, 2008) after the United States congress passed the law last week creating the $700-billion economic package, the US stock market fell significantly. The $700 bailout is characterized as an economic rescue packaged for the falling banking/credit sector.

The bailout bill would allow the Federal government to purchase, insure, and sell troubled assets from financial institutions to stabilize and prevent disruption in the economy and financial system.

The purpose of this rescue package is to clean up the balance sheets of many banks. The banks will have an infusion of cash to carry on their business as best they can. Its purpose is also to restore stability to the United States financial system.

Its short term positive impact to keep the credit and housing market from sinking any deeper. It will put a short term $250 billion into the banking sector for them to be able to continue to stay in business.

In UK’s $87.5B bailout, according to the Business Mirror (October 8, 2008), half hour before markets opened Wednesday, the Treasury said it would be investing up to 50 billion euros ($87.5 billion) in exchange for preferences shares in eight of the country’s largest banks and building societies.

The rescue plan comes a day after British bank’s stock prices a plummeted on investor fears that they wouldn’t be able to get through the global financial turmoil without help. That is why if the government wouldn’t do it, they will run the risk that those banks will stop lending to each other and if they don’t lend to each other, then they won’t lend to the people. The rescue plan marks the British proud banking sector, which until this week seemed to be more immune to the global financial crisis than America’s financial problem.

Its short term is to facilitate borrowing and help to free up credit markets. Under the expansion, it will make at least 200 billion euros ($350 billion) worth of three-month loans available to the country’s banks. This will make prices stabilize and recover in early trading.

Sources:
Philippine Daily Inquirer. A14. Talk of the Town. A14. Sunday Oct. 5, 08
Business Mirror. VOL 3. NO. 263. B8. Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Business Mirror. VOL 3. NO. 262. B8. Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Business Mirror. VOL 3. NO. 202. October 7, 2008
http://www.associatedcontent.com

RESEARCH!

2008-10-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Definition of Research

Research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the investigation of matter. The primary aim for applied research is discovering, interpreting, and the developing methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe. Research can use the scientific method, but need not do so.

Scientific research relies on the application of the scientific method, a harnessing of curiosity. This research provide scientific information and theories for the explanation of the nature and the properties of the world around us. It makes practical applications possible. Scientific research is funded by public authorities, by charitable organizations and by private groups, including many companies. Scientific research can be subdivided into different classifications according to their academic and application disciplines.

Historical research is embodied in the historical method.

The historical method comprises the techniques and guidelines by which historians use primary sources and others evidence to research and then to write history. The question of the nature, and indeed the possibility, of sound historical method is raised in the philosophy of history, as a question of epistemology. The following summarizes the history guidelines commonly used by historians in their work, under the headings of external criticism, internal criticism, and synthesis.

Basic research (also called fundamental or dumb research) has as its primary objective the advancement of knowledge and the theoretical understanding of the relations among variables. It is exploratory and often driven by the researcher's curiosity, interest, and intuition. It is conducted without any practical end in mind, although it may have unexpected results pointing to practical applications. The terms "basic" or "fundamental" indicate that, through theory generation, basic research provides the foundation for further, sometimes applied research. As there is no guarantee of short-term practical gain, researchers may find it difficult to obtain funding for basic research.

Definition : Sociology

2008-10-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

Sociology is the study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society. It studies individuals, but not in isolation, instead, the impact of social forces on the behavior of the individual.

Sociology also has its theories of its own. These theories are essential tools used by scholars in the analysis of society. Through the use of theoretical frameworks social structures and phenomena are analyzed and placed in context within a particular school of thought. There are three theories of sociology, and these are: Functionalism, Conflict and Symbolic interaction.
Functionalism interprets all social groups of whatever size, from a family to a whole society, as systems whose parts are interdependent so that a change in one element necessarily leads to change in every element. Conflict views society as an arena in which different individuals and groups struggle with each other in order to obtain scarce and valued resources, especially property, prestige, power. And lastly Symbolic interaction studies specific cases of how individual people behave in particular face to face settings.

Sociology also has ten investigative steps or guidelines in conducting your sociological investigations. The first is what is your topic? You should start your investigative approach with topic. The second step is what have others already learned? This is connected to the first step which is your topic. This is to know who already investigated your topic. The third step is what exactly are your questions? Because, these questions will help you find the answers about your topic. The fourth step is what will you need to carry out your research? The fifth step is, are there any ethical concerns involve? i asks are there any values, culture or lifestyle involve in the investigation? The next step is how will you record your data? The eighth step is what do the data tell you? The next step is what are your conclusions? What have you learned about your investigation? The last step is how can you share what have you learned?

Energy Crisis: Excess oil consumption

2008-10-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Economy consists of natural resources or any supply for the people.energy crisis is as an important matter,
and having energy crisis is a problem for those affected.Oil crisis are arising recently.As population increases oil consumption goes up,local diesels starts to increase .Due to the ever-growing population ,resources starts becoming scarce. energy resources go beyond to peoples needs.Every person requires a specific source for their daily needs.

Effects of excess oil consumption

• waste of money and time
• transportation produces pollution at high levels
• diesel prices measures at a higher price than the normal rate

There are actual solutions for fuel shortages

• switch to renewable resources like electric powered vehicles, electric cars.
• substitute driving for public transportations such as a bicycle or own two feet
• high price for oil: it will cause people to switch between substitutes or just drop out from the market all together.
• there's a possibility for scientists coming out with recycle oil
• starting to grow alternative oil sources such as jatrosel fruits

In the short run would be to hike the prices which will have 2 effects:

a.) only people who really require fuel will continue to pay a premium to use fuel.

b.)people with elastic demand would drop out of the market and be forced to seek transportation substitutes such as public transportation and cycling

In the long run it would be more effective to invert into renewable resources of energy to reduce the
dependency on fuel. Alternatives such as bio-diesel,LPG powered, fully electric powered vehicles etc. Also the
government can improve public transportation to make the services better and cheaper while leaving higher
taxes on private consumption of fuel.

Sacraments

2008-10-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

History tells us Catholics convey feeling and thought through Jesus Christ by communicating in various ways to improve and become better. Sacraments are basically part of the body of church and the people that holds it together. In life today sacraments are important to represent individuals. According to St.Augustine sacraments are defined as “outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace”. In other words these sacraments make us experience the power of God.

Examples of sacraments through early times performed and acted upon are the seven official sacraments by the Italian theologian Peter Lombard these include baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, and marriage, extreme unction or anointing of the sick, lastly holy orders. In baptism it is said that beginning of life is when one is sprinkled with holy water by the priest. Confirmation happens when one is finished taking classes about Jesus Christ in order to apply his teachings and ways to everyday life. The Third sacrament is the Holy Communion when one shares bread and wine with everyone in order to remember Christ love and sacrifice for us. The wine represents his blood while the bread represents his holy body. The fourth one is sacrament of Marriage wherein the vows and promises of a couple are done under the eyes of God; it is the union of man and woman who shares love and faith. The fifth sacrament is Penance where one confesses his/hers sins to a priest then he will give absolution to those said and will ask for them to do penance, which can include actions and prayers. The sixth sacrament is Holy Orders wherein a person serving, or minister must be ordained or to make a religious appointment. If that has been done that ordained priest can celebrate, give communion and forgive sins. Lastly is the Anointing of the Sick wherein a Christian priest cares for the sick by placing his hands on the sick person to bring physical and spiritual healing. After that has done the sick patient feels the comfort inside knowing Jesus is always alive in their hearts and soul.

Energy Crisis: New Coal Power Plants in the Philippines

2008-10-09T05:02:00.001-07:00

Power plants are some problems that we also face, we have a lot of problems if we lack them.The country is giving help to our country but they try everything just to save money. The problem that Subic would face is that two coal plants will soon rise there, "they will give the people untolerable and unacceptable levels of pollution" just to provide electricity. The people might benefit at first from the electricity that they would get but they will soon feel the bad effects of the pollution that the plant would generate. The health of the residents affected by the power plants would deteriorate in the future.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has issued an environmental compliance to a company that was also a part of a joint venture which has proposed to build the two coal-fired power plants to ensure that the power plants would'nt harm that much the environment and the people nearby.

These two power plants would'nt only affect the Philippines, but it could also affect the whole world. It will add to global warming which is a major problem right now. These could also affect the economy of the Philippines for they might make the tourists go away. The government needs to think about others before themselves, if only they would stop corruption, the problems of the people would be dealt in a more efficient way.

There are a lot of solutions that can be done to solve the problems of the people regarding electricity, the country just won't spend the right amount of money for the greater solution. Windmills must be created because they are nature friendly and there are a lot of places in the Philippines where it is windy. A geothermal power plant would also work well in providing energy without harming the environment that much. Using biomass in fuels would also help a lot because it reduces carbon it is accepted as a carbon-neutral fuel, it's just like recycling. One good alternative would be the the user of solar cells because you can get energy from the sun without harming anything from the environment and it would make the sun really useful. Some rivers that are somehow forgotten are also helpful in terms of providing energy with hydroelectric plants. Some beaches in the philippines that has no occupants should have wave farms, it would generate a lot of power because the winds also help the waves in generating power. Hydro powerplants also help in giving energy, Philippines has a lot of places where there is always a high tide. The people should start caring for the environment and think of better solutions to lessen the problems in the future.

Newton's Law

2008-10-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Newton's laws of motion describe the acceleration of massive particles. The laws may be stated as: the first law otherwise known as the law of inertia which states that "a particle will stay at rest or continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net force", the second law commonly known as the law of resultant force which is stated as "the net force on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration", lastly is the third law which is known as the law of reciprocal actions which simply states that every action has an equal reaction.

Newton, who was born in the year that Galileo died, produced a nearly perfect (for the time) response to Galileo's suggestion. Newton's laws provided relationships between the forces acting on a body and the motion of the body. They were first compiled by Sir Isaac Newton in his work Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Newton was inspired by the works of Galileo, so he continued to expound on his studies and even explaining the law of gravity.

Research

2008-10-09T03:41:00.000-07:00

Research is a systematic method of finding / investigating in order to find facts to a particular topic. In some dictionaries, its definition is “to search and search again". Its aim is to find information necessary for the development of the human knowledge to apply it in wide variety of subjects. It also includes any gathering of data and facts for the advancement of knowledge. That is why reading newspapers; surfing the net and watching television are also types of research.

In science, research is more of a methodical study to prove a hypothesis. The research is systematic, undergoes planning, organized, and includes definite methods such as experimentation in order to evaluate facts to answer questions or to acquire new knowledge. It provides us information of how nature works and is important in any field of study. Many math and science theories have been proven through extensive research.

There are many methods in conducting a research. Experimenting is a common method in a scientific research. Its objective is to test a hypothesis and observe its outcome. Another example of a research method is an interview. It is used to get information through questioning another person. Simulation, an imitation of a real event/thing is also a method of research. It can be used to show the eventual real effects of alternative conditions and courses of action. Classification is another method where-in object and ideas can be differentiated into smaller groups or categories and it shows the relationship between them.

- Leslie Uri Acuesta

Sociology

2008-10-08T21:22:00.001-07:00

Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of society, including patterns of social relations, social stratification, social interaction, and culture. Areas studied in sociology range from the analysis of brief contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social interaction. Numerous fields within the discipline concentrate on how and why people are organized in society, either as individuals or as members of associations, groups, and institutions. Sociology is considered a branch of the social sciences.

Sociology, including economic, political, and cultural systems, has origins in the common stock of human knowledge and philosophy. Social analysis has been carried out by scholars and philosophers at least as early as the time of Plato.There is evidence of early Greek and Muslim sociological contributions, especially by Ibn Khaldun, whose Muqaddimah is viewed by many as the earliest work on sociology as a social science. Several other forerunners of sociology, from Giambattista Vico up to Karl Marx, are nowadays considered classical sociologists.
Sociology later emerged as a scientific discipline in the early 19th century as an academic response to the challenges of modernity and modernization, such as industrialization and urbanization. Sociologists hope not only to understand what holds social groups together, but also to develop responses to social disintegration and exploitation.

The term "sociologie" was first used in 1780 by the French essayist Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836) in an unpublished manuscript. The term was used agin and popularized by the French thinker Auguste Comte in 1838. Comte had earlier used term ‘social physics’, but that term had been appropriated by others, notably Adolphe Quetelet. Comte hoped to unify all studies of humankind – including history, psychology and economics. His own sociological scheme was typical of the 19th century; he believed all human life had passed through the same distinct historical stages (theology, metaphysics, positive science) and that, if one could grasp this progress, one could prescribe the remedies for social ills. Sociology was the ‘queen of positive sciences’. Thus, Comte has come to be viewed as the “Father of Sociology”.

“Classical” theorists of sociology from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include Ferdinand Tönnies, Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Vilfredo Pareto, Ludwig Gumplowicz, Georg Simmel and Max Weber. Like comte these figures did not consider themselves only “sociologists”. Their works addressed religion, education, economics, law, psychology, ethics, philosophy and theology, and their theories have been applied in a variety of academic disciplines. Their influence on sociology was foundational.

2008-10-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sociology

2008-10-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of society, including patterns of social relations, social stratification, social interaction, and culture. Areas studied in sociology range from the analysis of brief contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social interaction. Numerous fields within the discipline concentrate on how and why people are organized in society, either as individuals or as members of associations, groups, and institutions. Sociology is considered a branch of the social sciences.

Sociology, including economic, political, and cultural systems, has origins in the common stock of human knowledge and philosophy. Social analysis has been carried out by scholars and philosophers at least as early as the time of Plato.There is evidence of early Greek and Muslim sociological contributions, especially by Ibn Khaldun, whose Muqaddimah is viewed by many as the earliest work on sociology as a social science. Several other forerunners of sociology, from Giambattista Vico up to Karl Marx, are nowadays considered classical sociologists.
Sociology later emerged as a scientific discipline in the early 19th century as an academic response to the challenges of modernity and modernization, such as industrialization and urbanization. Sociologists hope not only to understand what holds social groups together, but also to develop responses to social disintegration and exploitation.
The term "sociologie" was first used in 1780 by the French essayist Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836) in an unpublished manuscript. The term was used agin and popularized by the French thinker Auguste Comte in 1838. Comte had earlier used term ‘social physics’, but that term had been appropriated by others, notably Adolphe Quetelet. Comte hoped to unify all studies of humankind – including history, psychology and economics. His own sociological scheme was typical of the 19th century; he believed all human life had passed through the same distinct historical stages (theology, metaphysics, positive science) and that, if one could grasp this progress, one could prescribe the remedies for social ills. Sociology was the ‘queen of positive sciences’. Thus, Comte has come to be viewed as the “Father of Sociology”.
“Classical” theorists of sociology from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include Ferdinand Tönnies, Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Vilfredo Pareto, Ludwig Gumplowicz, Georg Simmel and Max Weber. Like comte these figures did not consider themselves only “sociologists”. Their works addressed religion, education, economics, law, psychology, ethics, philosophy and theology, and their theories have been applied in a variety of academic disciplines. Their influence on sociology was foundational.

2008-10-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of society, including patterns of social relations, social stratification, social interaction, and culture. Areas studied in sociology range from the analysis of brief contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social interaction. Numerous fields within the discipline concentrate on how and why people are organized in society, either as individuals or as members of associations, groups, and institutions. Sociology is considered a branch of the social sciences.

Sociology, including economic, political, and cultural systems, has origins in the common stock of human knowledge and philosophy. Social analysis has been carried out by scholars and philosophers at least as early as the time of Plato.There is evidence of early Greek and Muslim sociological contributions, especially by Ibn Khaldun, whose Muqaddimah is viewed by many as the earliest work on sociology as a social science. Several other forerunners of sociology, from Giambattista Vico up to Karl Marx, are nowadays considered classical sociologists.
Sociology later emerged as a scientific discipline in the early 19th century as an academic response to the challenges of modernity and modernization, such as industrialization and urbanization. Sociologists hope not only to understand what holds social groups together, but also to develop responses to social disintegration and exploitation.
The term "sociologie" was first used in 1780 by the French essayist Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836) in an unpublished manuscript. The term was used agin and popularized by the French thinker Auguste Comte in 1838. Comte had earlier used term ‘social physics’, but that term had been appropriated by others, notably Adolphe Quetelet. Comte hoped to unify all studies of humankind – including history, psychology and economics. His own sociological scheme was typical of the 19th century; he believed all human life had passed through the same distinct historical stages (theology, metaphysics, positive science) and that, if one could grasp this progress, one could prescribe the remedies for social ills. Sociology was the ‘queen of positive sciences’. Thus, Comte has come to be viewed as the “Father of Sociology”.
“Classical” theorists of sociology from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include Ferdinand Tönnies, Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Vilfredo Pareto, Ludwig Gumplowicz, Georg Simmel and Max Weber. Like comte these figures did not consider themselves only “sociologists”. Their works addressed religion, education, economics, law, psychology, ethics, philosophy and theology, and their theories have been applied in a variety of academic disciplines. Their influence on sociology was foundational.

Sociology

2008-10-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sociology, including economic, political, and cultural systems, has origins in the common stock of human knowledge and philosophy. Social analysis has been carried out by scholars and philosophers at least as early as the time of Plato.There is evidence of early Greek and Muslim sociological contributions, especially by Ibn Khaldun, whose Muqaddimah is viewed by many as the earliest work on sociology as a social science. Several other forerunners of sociology, from Giambattista Vico up to Karl Marx, are nowadays considered classical sociologists.

Sociology later emerged as a scientific discipline in the early 19th century as an academic response to the challenges of modernity and modernization, such as industrialization and urbanization. Sociologists hope not only to understand what holds social groups together, but also to develop responses to social disintegration and exploitation.

The term "sociologie" was first used in 1780 by the French essayist Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836) in an unpublished manuscript. The term was used agin and popularized by the French thinker Auguste Comte in 1838. Comte had earlier used term ‘social physics’, but that term had been appropriated by others, notably Adolphe Quetelet. Comte hoped to unify all studies of humankind – including history, psychology and economics. His own sociological scheme was typical of the 19^th century; he believed all human life had passed through the same distinct historical stages (theology, metaphysics, positive science) and that, if one could grasp this progress, one could prescribe the remedies for social ills. Sociology was the ‘queen of positive sciences’. Thus, Comte has come to be viewed as the “Father of Sociology”.

“Classical” theorists of sociology from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries include Ferdinand Tönnies, Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Vilfredo Pareto, Ludwig Gumplowicz, Georg Simmel and Max Weber. Like comte these figures did not consider themselves only “sociologists”. Their works addressed religion, education, economics, law, psychology, ethics, philosophy and theology, and their theories have been applied in a variety of academic disciplines. Their influence on sociology was foundational.

Ballroom Dancing...

2008-10-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

The term “Ballroom Dance” is used very loosely in the non-ballroom community. You must experience watching or going to ballrooms and even dancing it to have a definition in ballroom dancing. “Ballroom dance is any of various social dances in which couples perform set moves.” (Brittanica.net, 2007) Ballroom dance is also known as social dances because it encourages social interaction between dance partners. While it is a beautiful form of art, it has also at times been an integral part of people’s daily lives for hundreds of years, providing an atmosphere for men and women to gather together develop friendship and have a good time. According to Wikipedia, ballroom dance originated in Germany and is now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe.
There are two types of Ballroom dancing, American style and International Standard style. The dance technique of both of these styles of ballroom dancing is identical, but International Standard allows only closed dance positions, whereas American Smooth allows closed, open and separated dance movements. International Style includes Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep, Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. While under the American Style are Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Cha-Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo. Waltz, Polka, Schottische, Tango, One-Step, Foxtrot were the first ballroom dances. Other dances placed under the umbrella “ballroom dance were Night Club, Latin nightclub, Brazillian Dances, Country/ Western Cajun dances, Argentine tango, Peabody and Cabaret. According to a site named IDance2, principles learned in ballroom dancing can be applied to any type of music. Ballroom dancing follows strict tempo. The two main types of music you will be dancing to will either be in ¾ or 4/4. But what is commonly used type was the later type.
In comparison to modern dance, ballroom dance also is used competitively. Dancing is one way of expressing ones feelings, but these two dances have different kind of feeling being expressed in. Modern dancers may express love, anger etc. while in ballroom dance you can only express sensuality and love between partners. In ballroom dancing it shows love, passion of two different individual’s sensuality may be there and two bodies moving as one. In ballroom dancing there’s the unity and we can learn to have faith on their partners. It also teaches not only the movements but how you’ll trust you’re partner and how you’ll be trusted according to the movie Step up 1.

Algorithms

2008-10-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

Algorithm is a set of instructions that is undertaken when solving a problem. In writing algorithms, you don’t need to follow any format or any type of language, you can write which way you want and you don’t need to conform to any language.

There are two ways of writing an algorithm. First is Pseudo code writing where you just have to write the process step by step or number by number. The other one is Flow chart writing where you write keywords inside symbols that are connected via flow lines.

In Flow chart writing, you first need to know the symbols and what that symbol does. The Terminal symbol, which is an oblong shape, denotes the beginning and the end of the flowchart. Always remember that in writing Flow chart, you can just have one beginning terminal symbol but you can have two or more ending terminal symbol. The Input/output symbol, which is a parallelogram, is used when you need interaction with user. The processing symbol, which is a rectangle shape, is used when you don’t need interaction with the user and when you need to write equations. The decision symbol, which is a diamond, has the question that is answerable by yes or no. The preparation symbol, which is a hexagon, is where you place initialization/when you assign starting values on a variable. Flow direction lines, which are arrow heads, guides the flow of the flow chart. On-page connector, which is a circle, connects symbols that are far from each other but within the same page. It also help to eliminate cross lines in a flow chart. Off-page connector are used to connect symbols that are in different pages. Last symbol is the Flow lines, which is a straight line. Flow lines are used to connect all symbols and is used to know the sequence of the flow chart.

Arithmetic

2008-10-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

Arithmetic is a branch of mathematics in which numbers, relations among numbers, and observations on numbers are studied and used to solve problems. Arithmetic (a term derived from the Greek word arithmos, “number”) refers generally to the elementary aspects of the theory of numbers, arts of mensuration (measurement), and numerical computation (that is, the processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to powers, and extraction of roots). Its meaning, however, has not been uniform in mathematical usage.

The prehistory of arithmetic is limited to a very small number of small artifacts indicating a clear conception of addition and subtraction, the best-known being the Ishango bone from central Africa, dating from somewhere between 18,000 and 20,000 BC. It is clear that the Babylonians had solid knowledge of almost all aspects of elementary arithmetic by 1800 BC, although historians can only guess at the methods utilized to generate the arithmetical results - as shown, for instance, in the clay tablet Plimpton 322, which appears to be a list of Pythagorean triples, but with no workings to show how the list was originally produced. Likewise, the Egyptian Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (dating from c. 1650 BC, though evidently a copy of an older text from c. 1850 BC) shows evidence of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division being used within a unit fraction system. (Britannica,2008)

The traditional arithmetic operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Addition is the basic operation of arithmetic. In its simplest form, addition combines two numbers, the addends or terms, into a single number, the sum of the page. Subtraction is essentially the opposite of addition. Subtraction finds the difference between two numbers, the minuend minus the subtrahend. If the minuend is larger than the subtrahend, the difference will be positive; if the minuend is smaller than the subtrahend, the difference will be negative; and if they are equal, the difference will be zero. Multiplication is in essence repeated addition, or the sum of a list of identical numbers. Multiplication finds the product of two numbers, the multiplier and the multiplicand, sometimes both simply called factors. Division is essentially the opposite of multiplication. Division finds the quotient of two numbers, the dividend divided by the divisor. Any dividend divided by zero is undefined. For positive numbers, if the dividend is larger than the divisor, the quotient will be greater than one, otherwise it will be less than one (a similar rule applies for negative numbers). The quotient multiplied by the divisor always yields the dividend.

Since the introduction of the electronic calculator, which can perform the algorithms far more efficiently than humans, an influential school of educators has argued that mechanical mastery of the standard arithmetic algorithms is no longer necessary. In their view, the first years of school mathematics could be more profitably spent on understanding higher-level ideas about what numbers are used for and relationships among number, quantity, measurement, and so on. However, most research mathematicians still consider mastery of the manual algorithms to be a necessary foundation for the study of algebra and computer science. This controversy was central to the "Math Wars" over California's primary school curriculum in the 1990s, and continues today.

Research

2008-10-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

Research is a method of gathering information about a certain topic. The word originates from the obsolete French word “recercher”, which means “to look closely”, and the Old French word “recherchier”, which means “to search”. Though the meaning of research varies, it generally means “to enhance knowledge and theoretical understanding”.

There are two methods that may be required to do research. One is the “Scientific method”. It It comprises of techniques which are used for investigating certain happenings, for getting new knowledge, or even correcting previously acquired knowledge. The steps of this method follow a certain order, although it may vary, depending on the field of inquiry. The steps are usually part of most formal researches, both basic and applied.

The other process is the “Historical method”. It comprises of techniques and guidelines by which historians use historical sources and other evidences to research and then to write history. The question of the nature, and indeed the possibility, of sound historical method is raised in the philosophy of history, as a question of epistemology. Three guidelines comprise this method: “External Criticism”, “Internal Criticism”, and “Synthesis.”

Research

2008-10-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

DEFINITION OF BALLROOM DANCING(through description and comparison)

2008-10-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

Ballroom Dancing refers to a classical and social dance usually performed by a set of couples or partners in the dance hall or at social gatherings. The term “ballroom dancing” is derived from the word “ball”, which in turn originates from the Latin word “ballare” which means to dance. Ballroom dancing originated in Germany and is now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in films and on televisions.

For its dancing costumes, men typically wear shirt with a vest or even full suit or tuxedo if he wants to look dapper as they turn their ladies on the floor. Women often wear very elaborate costume, matching the attitude of the dance. They usually wear a sweeping ball gown that flows to the floor or even a short skirt covered with sequins. The colors of men's and women's outfits for dancing usually coordinate in some ways. Picking the perfect costume is all a matter of attitude – your own as well as the mood of the music you are dancing to and the style of the dance.

Like other dances, socially or not, it is important for ballroom dancing to follow rhythmic pattern present in the music to produce organized and synchronized performance. With regards to the musical mood, ballroom dance music accompaniment differs from break dancing. Unlike break dancing, ballroom dancing used formal dress and break dancing usually a hip-hop dresses. As of now, Britain leads the world in ballroom dancing in the annual Open British Championship which is the most prestigious ballroom dancing competition. However, as the modern technology improves, ballroom dancing has been quite ignored as the continuation of the popularization of break dancing.

Research

2008-10-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

Research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the investigation of matter. The primary aim for applied research is discovering, interpreting, and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe. Research can use the scientific method, but need not do so.

Scientific research
First in the Scientific research or scientific method is the Formation of the topic. It’s like having a question: “What do you want to learn more about?” Next is the Hypothesis. It’s an “educated” guess of an answer to the question. Then there is the Conceptual definition. It is an element of the scientific research process, in which a specific concept is defined as a measurable occurrence. It basically gives you the meaning of the concept. Next is the Operational definition. An operational definition is a demonstration of a process — such as a variable, term, or object — relative in terms of the specific process or set of validation tests used to determine its presence and quantity. Next is the Gathering of data. In this step, you gather all of the data that is related to your topic so that it’ll help you afterwards. Next is the Analysis of data. In this step, you analyze the data gathered and pick the specific data that’ll be a guide for you. Test, revising of hypothesis is when you’ve revised your hypothesis t have a new and precise guess for the conclusion. Then lastly is the Conclusion. With all the data gathered. Check if your hypothesis is right and wrong. A useful hypothesis allows prediction and within the accuracy of observation of the time, the prediction will be verified. As the accuracy of observation improves with time, the hypothesis may no longer provide an accurate prediction. In this case a new hypothesis will arise to challenge the old, and to the extent that the new hypothesis makes more accurate predictions than the old, the new will supplant it.

Classification and division
Types of Research
· Action research is a methodology that combines action and research to examine specific questions, issues or phenomena through observation and reflection, and deliberate intervention to improve practice.

· Applied research is research undertaken to solve practical problems rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge sake.

· Basic research is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge without looking for long-term benefits other than the advancement of knowledge.

· Clinical trials are research studies undertaken to determine better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose or treat diseases.

· Epidemiological research is concerned with the description of health and welfare in populations through the collection of data related to health and the frequency, distribution and determinants of disease in populations, with the aim of improving health.

· Evaluation research is research conducted to measure the effectiveness or performance of a program, concept or campaign in achieving its objectives.

Sacrament

2008-10-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

A Sacrament is a ritual common in the Catholic Faith. By definition of Hexam's Concise Dictionary of Religion, it is a rite in which God is uniquely active. Other definitions includes “a visible sign of an invisible reality”, “an outward and visible sign of an inward and visible grace”. Basically, a sacrament involves a priest or any layman in a higher position who will lead the proceedings and of course the people who will be receiving the sacrament.

The known sacraments today are the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, holy Eucharist, reconciliation, anointing of the sick, matrimony, and the Holy Order. They can be explained as 1) Baptism is the act of welcoming a person into the catholic faith. 2) Confirmation is the sacrament of bestowing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 3) Reconciliation is the same as confession. 4) Anointing of the sick is when a priest blesses a sick person so he can cope with his suffering. 5) Holy Eucharist is the commemoration of the Last Supper. 6) Matrimony is of course marriage. 7) Holy Order is the sacrament to enter priesthood.

In short, all sacraments have a certain purpose that it must serve in order to bring together the followers of the Catholic faith. It is all important to the foundation of the Church and its teachings.

Ballroom dancing

2008-10-07T06:39:00.001-07:00

Ballroom dancing

The term "ballroom dancing" come from the word ball, which come from the Latin word Ballare which means "to dance". Ballroom dancing was "social dancing" for the rich, leaving "folk dancing" for the poor. Ballroom dance refers to "a set of partner dancers who enjoyed both socially and competitively. Its performance and entertainment parts are also enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television. The ballroom dance may refer to any form of formal social dancing as recreation" , according to Will Adams in Wikipedia, 2006.

The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the area. Today, the term applies to any one of the several dances on which two individuals, a "leader" and "follower", dance with physical contact through their upper or lower bodies, or simply their arms depending on the particular variety of dance. Since most social dancing is immediately done, this contact is necessary for the leader to communicate the next dance move to follower, and the follower to follow to this suggestions. Some knowledge of known step patterns is essential for both the leader as well as the follower for ballroom dancers are judged by different parts as connection , frame, posture, speed, timing, proper body alignment, proper usage of weight/ankles/feet, and grooming.

"Ballroom dance" refers to the ten dances of International Standard and International Latin. International Standard are used primarily in competitions and are standardized because they are danced just about everywhere else in the world. However, International Latin dancers are commonly danced to contemporary Latin American music, where the dancers usually have the look of two straight legs which comes from the faster change of weight on the step. There are of course differences in the moves/steps/figures allowed as well as other things. The dance technique used for both International and American style is identical, but International Standard allows only closed positions, whereas American system allows closed, open and seperated dance movements. International Stnadard is danced alomost exclusively in closed dance opsitions while American Smooth allows more open work where the partners can separate from each other and dance in open positions. The International Latin and Rhythm dances tend to be a bit harder to tell apart. The dancers' leg action is probably the best clue as to which style they're dancing here. In American Rhythem, the dancers will use a bent leg action allowing them to delay their change of weight on the step, so you will frequently see them with bent legs.

Sociology

2008-10-07T06:21:00.001-07:00

SOCIOLOGY

The two main branches of sociology are Microsociology and Macrosociology. Microsociology concerns itself with the nature of everyday human social interactions on a small scale. Social status and social roles are the most important components of social structure at Microsociology. Microsociology is governed by four forces of social control than Macrosociology. The four forces are socialization, sanctioning, rituals, and social interactions. Socialization is the development of shared symbols, cultural beliefs, and norms. Sanctioning is the process of reading gestures and facial expressions to determine the proper social norms in a given situation. Rituals are behaviors that frame typical social interactions. Social interactions are controlled by the segregation of activities. On the other hand, Macrosociology is a sociological approach that analyzes societies, social systems or populations on a large scale or at a high level of abstraction. Macrosociology is concerned with individuals, families, classes, social problems, and all of the other part and features of a society. Macrosociology can also be the analysis of large collectivities. Microsociology focuses on the individual social activities, while Macrosociology studies society as a whole.

Sociology has five social institutions, and those social institutions are education, government, family, economy, and religion. These institutions help individuals to be a complete individual. All these five are important in people’s lives. Experts officially recognize these five major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history.

Ballroom Dancing . . .

2008-10-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

Dancing is an art. An art that refers to the movement of body that is rhythmic and coordinates with music. There are many classification and genre of dancing. Every dance, no matter what style, has something in common. It not only involves flexibility and body movement, but also physics. If the proper physics is not taken into consideration, injuries can and are likely to occur.

Ballroom dance refers collectively to a set of partner dances, which originated in Germany and are now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the glove. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television. Historically, ballroom dance refer to any form of formal social dancing as recreation, with the eminence of dance sport in modern times the term has become much narrower in scope, usually referring specifically to the International Standard and International Latin style dances.

Ballroom dance competitions are held to recognize the great dancers and to challenge their skills to its fullest. In one common usage "ballroom dance" refers to the ten dances of International Standard and International Latin, though the term is also often used interchangeably with the five International Standard dances. The International Style is divided into two: International Standard which consists of: Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep and International Latin which consists of Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive. In American Style it is also divided into two: American Smooth which consists of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz and American Rhythm which consists of Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo. In Historical or Vintage Dance Style: Waltz, Polka, Schottische, Tango, One-Step, Foxtrot. Other dances occasionally categorized as ballroom dancing are Nightclub, Latin nightclub, Brazilian Dances, Country or Western, and Cajun dances.

We can say dancing is used as a past time or talent that must be revealed and even a way to color our lives. But most say they dance because they express their feelings and to knock out weary and uncomforted feeling. It can be recreational or for our health. But what is best is we enjoy our life and be meaningful and serve as an inspiration to others. We don't know we might be historical for others and we might change their way of perspective on life.

Ballroom Dancing

2008-10-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

Ballroom Dancing is a collective set of partner dances. It originated in Germany and is now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Ballroom dancing also refers to any form of social dancing as a recreation and a dance sport. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television.

In the 20th century, the on-screen dance pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers greatly influenced ballroom dancing in the USA. They had separate projects and careers, but they were once associated and were filmed dance sequence together, which included portrayals of early 20th century dancers Vernon and Irene Castle and have reached high status. Much of Astaire and Rogers’ work portrayed social dancing that were choreographed, and meticulously staged and rehearsed.

The common usage of the word “:ballroom dancing” refers to the International Standard and International Latin. In the United States, the American Style (American Smooth and American Rhythm) also exists. The dance technique used for both International and American styles is identical, but closed dance positions were only allowed by the International Standard. Other dances under the umbrella of “ballroom dancing” include Nightclub dances, such as nightclub two steps, hustle and salsa. In Europe, Latin swing dances include argentine tango, mambo, lindy hop, swing boogie, and disco fox. The Standard/Smooth dances are normally danced to Western music. Latin/Rhythm dances are commonly danced to contemporary Latin American music, and with dances like samba and Paso Doble. Today, ballroom Dancing still catches peoples’ eyes, even the young ones are attached to ballroom dancing and started to have competitions for the youth. I hope that ballroom dancing will always remain inside peoples’ hearts forever.

Ballroom Dancing

2008-10-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Ballroom dancing is any of various social dances (such as the fox trot, tango, or waltz) in which couples follow a conventional pattern of steps. The five ballroom dances are the Modern Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep. These are danced the world over both socially and in DanceSport competitions.

The term "ballroom dancing" is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare, meaning "to dance". In the past times, ballroom dancing was for the privileged, leaving the lower class to "folk dancing." The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era. Balls have featured Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Pas de Gras, Mazurka, and other popular dances of the day, which are considered to be historical dances. Today, the term applies to any one of the several dances in which two individuals, a "leader" and a "follower," dance with physical contact through their upper or lower bodies, or simply their arms depending on the particular variety of dance. Since most social dancing is not choreographed, this contact is necessary for the leader to communicate the next dance move to the follower, and for the follower to respond to this insinuation.

Lately, ballroom dancing is making an extraordinary comeback. Social dance classes are taught on most college campuses and draw a lot of students each semester. Ballroom dancing continues to be a main social event for seniors and is growing as a fashionable pastime for middle-aged and younger men and women as well.

Ballroom Dancing

2008-10-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ballroom Dancing according to Merriam-Webster is defined as any of various usually social dances in which couples perform set moves. The word ballroom dancing came from the word ball, in Latin “ballare” which means “to dance”.

Ballroom dancing is a set of partner dances that originated in Germany. In the 18th and 19th century, ballroom dancing was defined as a mere “social dancing” for the privileged people, leaving “folk dancing” for the lower class. Today, ballroom dancing is defined as any one of the several in which two people, a “leader” and a “follower” dance with physical contact through their upper and lower bodies. The leader communicates the next dance move to the follower, and the follower responds to this insinuation.

Ballroom dancing can also refer to the 10 dances of International Standard and International Latin. These are the five International Standard dances. First is the Waltz, it is a smooth dance, travelling around the line of dance. Second is the Viennese Waltz, this waltz was first danced in Paris in 1178, not under the name waltz but as the Volta from the Provence. Third is the Tango, it is an exotic dance, a sensuous creation of the Southern nations. Fourth is the Slow Foxtrot, it consists of walks, three-steps, a slow walk and a sort of a spin turn. Last is the Quickstep, it was developed during World War I in suburbian New York, initially performed by Caribbean and African dancers. Next are the five Standard Latin dances. First is the Samba, this dance has a gay, flirtatious and exuberant interpretation. Second is Rumba, this dance shows "tease and run"; the man being lured and then rejected. Third is the Cha-cha, it is easily distinguished from other dances by its addictive "Step, Step, Cha Cha Cha" timing. Fourth is the Paso Doble, in this dance the man (matador) is in focus more than in any other dance and the lady is left with playing a role of a cape ("cappa"), the red canvas of the torreador or a bull, depending on circumstances. Last is the Jive, initially developed from a dance called "Jitterbug" by eliminating all its acrobatic elements and polishing the technique.

Ballroom Dancing: its Types and Definition

2008-10-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

Ballroom dancing has been enjoyed by people through the years. It has been a form of entertainment on stage, film and on television; but what is ballroom dancing?

The term “ballroom dancing” is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare which means “to dance.” In the past, ballroom dancing was a “social dance” and performed only by the privileged, and “folk dancing” for the lower classes. However, through time, differences between folk dances and ballroom dances shrank and the prototype of ballroom dances being only for the privileged diminished too. Ballroom dancing’s definition depends on the era. Today, it can be defined as a dance between a “leader” and a “follower.” The two must have a physical contact.

Ballroom dancing, like any other dances have different styles of its own. These are divided into two categories: the Latin and the Standard/International dances.

Under Latin dances are Samba, Rumba, Cha Cha, Paso Doble, and Jive. Samba is a dance characterized by having gay, flirtatious and exuberant interpretations. Having the same characteristics with Samba, Cha Cha on the other hand, differs with its “unique,” addicting movements and tempo that offen involves the famous “step, step, Cha Cha Cha” beat. Rumba and Paso Doble have its similarities because they both represent or symbolize something and use it to form steps. The former represents “tease and run” between a man and a woman; the man being lured and rejected. Paso Doble on the other hand, represents a bull fight where the man acts as the matador and the woman being the cape. Lastly, Jive is an energy consuming dance often performed last in competitions.

International dances involve Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. Waltz and Viennese Waltz have many similarities, except that they differ in tempo and Viennese Waltz being danced by the royalties. Foxtrot and Quickstep have a common origin; but in the twenties, many bands played the slow-Foxtrot too fast, which gave rise to many complaints and give birth to Quickstep. Lastly, Tango is a unique dance because of its tempo with 36 bars per minute. It was 1st danced in Europe before World War 1 and gained popularity through the years.

Newton’s law of Motion

2008-10-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

Newton’s law of Motion

Newton’s law of motion is the three physical laws which provide relationships between the forces acting on a body and the motion of the body. We all know that Newton’s law consists of three laws, the law of Inertia, acceleration, and the law of action reaction.

The Newton’s first law is concerned with bodies at rest or those moving with constant velocity and assumes that no forces are acting to change their state. It is called inertia. Inertia is the property of a body to resists a change in its current state.
“Every body continues in its states of rest, or of motion in a straight line at constant speed, unless it is compelled to change that state by forces exerted upon it” p, 235(Santos, 2003) The Newton’s second law is called law of acceleration. “The acceleration produced by a net force on a body is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the body.” P.238 (Santos, 2003) The Newton’s third law deals with the action-reaction principle, like when you give a certain amount; you will also receive the same amount. What does Newton’s third law state? “Whenever one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.” P.242 (Santos, 2003)

An example of the first law of motion is pulling the tablecloth out from under the dishes depends upon the inertia of the dishes, which keeps them from moving in the same direction as the tablecloth. This results from the force of friction between the tablecloth and the dishes. The dishes tend to stay at rest and fall straight down onto the table. Example of the second law of motion is like kicking a ball in a soccer game, because if you kick a soccer ball, it will speed up in the direction of the kick. If you kick it harder, more force is applied to the ball, making its speed faster in the same direction. In conclusion, the change in speed is directly related to the amount of force applied unto it. More force gives more acceleration and less force gives less acceleration. Example of the third law of motion is walking. As you walk across the floor, you exert force on the floor and the floor exerts an equal and opposite force on your foot pushing you forward. Another example would be rocket propulsion. As hot gasses are pushed out the bottom of the rocket, the gasses push upward on the rocket with the same force, accelerating the rocket so that it can escape the earth’s gravitational field.

Sociology, defined..

2008-10-07T04:20:00.000-07:00

Humanity’s success throughout time has defined its very nature. The progress of man is not a positive accident or a coincidence, but a result of combined actions done by a civilization as a whole. Regardless of race or geographical factors, man will adapt and perform its usual hobby, to develop and progress through time. This idea presented is not derived from mere opinions made through random thoughts or “light bulb” ideas. But instead, it is an example of a result from a scientific study pertaining to how humans interact, not as individuals, but as a group, as a network, as a society. The scientific or systematic study of human interactions as a society is a man-developed science called sociology.

Sociology tackles not just progress or results from actions done by a group of people. It is a complex study of understanding why these societies act as such. Sociology tells us how and why humans coexist in a certain way. This scientific study has practically the same concept as psychology, except that it does not study human methods as an individual, but studies it as a group. Sociology explains to us how our history came to be, and why it didn’t go in a different way. Like all sciences, sociology is not yet perfected, but it can exhibit a vast amount of data, that it has accumulated since the dawn of intellectual man, until today.

Sociology includes even the slightest signals made by humans to one another. A sound, a blink, a wave, can send a message, and receive an immediate reaction, and it all falls under that branch of science. Sociology is a major factor in producing individuals beneficial to a civilization today. It also studies economy, politics, and the main game, culture. A man enlightened with sociological knowledge inherits the science, and can derive meaning and also foresee possible results of his actions. That is why sociology’s contribution has made man’s foundations in certain aspects of life quite strong. Some examples are business, education, law, military planning, religion, etc.

Sociology may not be the science most people are taking interest in, but the men and women who have contributed, and who continue to contribute to it, is surely taking interest in the people. Early official studies made in relation to sociology were made by famous people known in the world of early science. Such as Auguste Comte, Max Webber, Emile Durkheim, etc. All of which were considered intellects, and they contributed a lot to the science. But since sociology is a continuous science, many more people will contribute to its data, and sociology will contribute to the people of a civilization, for as long as the wise roam free and the men of this earth continue to be on the path of being civilized, sociology will be there for its usual means of study and contribution to man.

nEwton's laws of mOtion

2008-10-07T04:17:00.000-07:00

Newton’s laws of motion are physical laws which render involvement between the force acting on a body and the movement of the body.

Isaac Newton, a greatly honored professor at Cambridge University, wrote a treatise entitled De motu corporum, or On the Motion of Bodies in Orbit. It then became the basis of his first compilation, the Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica. There, Newton mentioned the three laws of motion—the law of inertia, acceleration and interaction. These laws are practical observations of the way matter behaves when subjected to forces. The first law of motion, or law of inertia, states that : “A body at rest remains at rest, and a body already in motion remains in motion with a constant velocity, in the absence of an unbalanced applied force.” Meaning, the object will maintain a constant velocity until a force acts on the object. The second law, or law of acceleration, states that : “The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the next external force acting on the object inversely proportional to the mass of the object.” This indicates that for an applied force, the change in velocity of the object depends on the mass of the object. The third law, or law of interaction, states that : “When an object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts on the first a force of the same magnitude but in the opposite direction.” This registers that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Here are some examples that illustrate Newton’s laws of motion :
First Law
Assume that you are sitting at the back of the car—then it suddenly came to a halt. Your body has inertia, and so a force is needed to change its velocity. The cars floor decelerates your feet but your body moves forward. The force exerted by the car through the chair in front of you gives your body a backward velocity.
Second Law
Suppose your car ran out of gas and stopped. You need to push to the nearest gasoline station. The car will move faster when you and your friends push together. This shows that the greater force you apply, the faster will the car accelerate.
Third Law
Imagine you slapped you ex-best friend in the face. Your hand exerts a force on her face that causes it to move. At the same time that your hand exerts force to her face, her face is also exerting an opposite force on your hand.

Sociological Perspective

2008-10-07T04:00:00.001-07:00

To be able to understand sociology more, we must know its sociological perspective. Sociological perspective is a form of interaction where an individual becomes involved in group, then that group become involved in different interactive groups, lastly that interactive group becomes involved in society.

Sociological perspective has sub classes. To name some there are: (1) Functionalist perspective, it is the way that the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability. (2) Conflict perspective, it is identifying the conflict that is unfolding and if that is leading to equality/solution or if they will just use it. (3) Lastly is the Interactionist perspective, it is the understanding of the society where society is always in a process of being created and this occurs through communication and negotiation.

Understanding these perspectives creates a strong foundation for social interaction because by studying it, we’ll know that different people think in different angles in the way they interact with society. With the help of these perspectives we create a social change, make society more stable and learn to deal properly with social structure.

Definition of research

2008-10-07T02:55:00.000-07:00

JUNG, HWAN HI (Hanie)
BSBA-E

Research is defined as “human activity based on intellectual use in the study or any topic or problem. The primary aim for a research is discovering, interpreting, and the developing of and means for the increase of human knowledge on selection of scientific matters of our world and universe”, as defined by Trochim in the book, A Structure of Research, 2006.

The aim of the research process if to produce new knowledge, which is done by the following methods: Firstly exploratory research, which structures and identifies new problems, secondly constructive research, which develops solutions to a problem, and thirdly empirical research, which tests the feasibility of a solution using empirical evidence.

Research can use the scientific method which means that it uses exact and systematic process. Scientific research uses on the use of the scientific method. This research gives scientific information for the explanation of the things around it. It makes things possible. Scientific research can be subdivided into different types according to their use. Historical research is within the historical method. The historical method is made up of the ways and means by which researchers use historical sources and other evidence to research and them to write history. These are guides used by researchers in their work, like external criticism, internal criticism, and conclusion.

2008-10-07T01:52:00.000-07:00

miss i couldn't correct the indention and the spacing. i tried lots of times but it didn't work. sorry.

Origin of the Filipino Language-Lady

2008-10-07T01:20:00.000-07:00

Filipino is an Austronesian language that is the standardized version of Tagalog and it is the national and an official language of the Philippines as designated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Filipino is the official verbal communication in the Philippines however; there are still other sub groups which are involved in it. First is the Northern Philippine language such as Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Sambal languages which are concentrated in northern and central Luzon. Second is Meso Philippine language which is the group with the most speakers and is the most geographically widespread, covering Central Luzon, the Visayas and many parts of Mindanao. The third one is the Southern Philippine language such as Maranao, Maguindanao, Manobo languages, and Subanun languages are concentrated in Mindanao but more than 80% use Visayan or cebuano language. The first three are related geographically: The languages they contain may be not related to each other than they are to languages in further groups. Meanwhile, the smaller, southern groups are more distinct. The fourth one is Southern Mindanao language, which is composed with Tboli and Blaan and these are spoken in southern Mindanao. The fifth one is Sama-Bajaw language, mainly centered in the Sulu Archipelago as well as parts of Borneo. One language, Abaknon, is spoken on Capul Island near Samar, which is far from other Sama languages. The last one is Sulawesi language which has only two representatives in the Philippines, the Sangil and the Sangir languages. The last three groups are thought to be more distantly related to the earlier three.

The Institute of National Language (INL) group was to make a descriptive and comparative survey of one of the major dialects namely, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Waray, Ilokano, Bikolano, Hiligaynon and Pangasinan. From these, one would be chosen, to become the basis of the national language. After ten months of study, the members decided to propose Tagalog as the basis of the national language. However, many opposed the decision especially the non-Tagalog speakers. The Cebuanos, under the leadership of Paulino Gullas, came to recommend Cebuano as substitute to Tagalog. The opposition against Tagalog arose during the 1960's when INL refused the orthography of Geruncio Lacuesta, a lawyer and editor of a magazine called KATAS. He questioned the 20-letter alphabet, the orthography and the vocabulary. He served as the spokesman of the non-Tagalog’s who felt inferior because of Tagalog’s dominance. On December 23, 1971, the committee on National Language adopted the proposal of the University of the Philippines that proposed the adoption and development of a national lingua franca used all over the country as the National Language. The non-Tagalog delegates finally adopted this proposal. It was in the 1987 Constitution when the search for a National Language made the following declaration in A1ticle XIV, Section 6: "The National language of the Philippines is Filipino."

Definition of Sociology

2008-10-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

Sociology is the study of human society which investigates the structures and cultures of different societies throughout the world and throughout history. The term sociology was derived from the Latin word, “socius”, which means “companion” and the suffix, “-ology”, which means “the study of”. It ranges from the analysis of brief contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social interaction.

Sociology asks about the sources and consequences of change in social arrangements and institutions, and about the stratifications and difficulties of planning, accomplishing and adapting to such change. It enables us to understand the structure and dynamics of society, and their intricate connections to patterns of human behavior and individual life changes. It examines the ways in which the forms of social structure and various social institutions affect human attitudes, actions and opportunities.

Sociology has two major classifications namely, microsociology and macrosociology. Microsociology is one of the main branches of which concerns itself with the nature of everyday human social interactions on a small scale. It is based on the philosophy of phenomenology and includes symbolic interactions and ethnomethodology. It focuses more on individual interaction and thinking within groups, rather than just large social group/societal behavior. On the other hand, macrosociology refers to the study of large-scale social phenomena. This covers a very broad range of topics that includes groups and collectivities of varying sizes, the major organizations and institutions of one or more societies, cross-sectional or historical studies of a single society, and both comparative and historical analyses of multiple societies. At the grandest level it may cover all human society and history.

Ballroom Dancing

2008-10-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

Ballroom dancing refers collectively to a set of partner dances, which originated in Germany and are now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. It also refers to any form of formal social dancing used as recreation. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television.

Ballroom Dancing consists of several different partner dances and is divided into two categories. The first category is called the standard group; partners dance in a closed position, where both body-contact and co-ordination of movement are to be maintained. This includes the foxtrot, waltz, tango, quickstep and Viennese waltz. The second category is called the Latin group; These are generally faster-paced, more sensual, and have more rhythmic expression. Time is 4/4 straight rhythm or related. Couples in the basic position stand face-to-face. Music may be Latin American or contemporary popular music. This includes the rumba, cha cha, mambo, samba, and various types of swing.

To get a good dance position, the man should place his right hand against the lower part of the woman's left shoulder blade. The man should put some pressure with his right hand against her shoulder blade and the woman should rest her shoulder blade into the man's hand. This will create a good connection. The lady should rest her left arm on the man's right arm with her left hand on the man's right upper arm. The lady's left arm and the man's right arm should remain connected and in contact throughout the dance. The palm of the man's left hand and the palm of the woman's right hand will connect with slight pressure towards each other and be held approximately at eye level. The woman will stand slightly to the man's right side and should remain there throughout the dance. The man can help this by making sure his right hand, even though its on the lady's back, stays directly in front of the right side of his chest.Shekainah Jean Sabańa-BS IE

Energy Crisis - Kara Kajiro (FINAL)

2008-10-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Energy provides the necessary power to do work. We obtain energy by eating food. We use energy to carry and push things from one place to another. We use energy to perform all daily activities. We use energy to maintain our biological function inside our body. Without any energy in our body, we would be literally dead. Energy stores inside our body allow us to carry out work.

Energies are of many forms. It can be in us and in our surroundings. Like the human body, if there is no energy present inside it we literally die, like our major problem today about energy crisis. Energy crisis is any price increase in the supply of energy resources in the economy. An energy crisis may be referred to as an oil crisis, petroleum crisis, energy shortage, electricity shortage or electricity crisis. Here are some of the problems why this kind of crisis occurs in our world today:

§ Too much consumption of the different kinds of energy resources.

§ Wars against another country.

We have different kinds of energy resources and one of these is petroleum, coal and oil. Petroleum is produced in oil refineries were crude oil is processed and refined and produces gasoline. Coal is a fossil fuel found formed by our ecosystem where plant remains were preserved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation, thus sequestering atmospheric carbon. Oil burns in air and generates heat, which can be used directly, or converted into other forms of fuels by various means. These energy resources are the most important of all because they produce the most consumed energy worldwide with oil which is the highest that is consumed worldwide with over 37% and next is coal with 25% and lastly gas with 23%, which is a close percentage with coal. These energy resources are readily available for us to use but if lost it is hard to produce and find another resource of it.

One example of these is the Argentina energy crisis in 2004 where the country of Argentina experienced a natural gas shortage. According to estimates, 50% of the electricity generated in Argentina depends on gas-powered plants. The national energy matrix has no emergency reserves and by 2004 it was functioning at the top of its capacity. The people, not only in Argentina, is also experiencing these kind of problem because they are over consuming there energy resources and not thinking of what will happen to the future, like what happen in the country of Argentina.

Wars are the causes of energy crisis most of the time. One of these examples of war is the 1979 oil crisis when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC, consisting of the Arab members of OPEC plus Egypt and Syria) announced, as a result of the ongoing Yom Kippur War, that they would no longer ship oil to nations that had supported Israel in its conflict with Syria, Egypt, and Iraq (the United States, its allies in Western Europe, and Japan). This is a good example of war causing a major oil crisis. When people are involved into a war especially if there is a alliance with one of the countries, there will be a 99% chance that you will be one of the countries that will be affected by it.

This crisis is a major problem worldwide. The fundamental energy crisis isn't the cutting of redwood forests, the dumping of toxic waste, and the burning up of fossil fuels. The global crisis isn't the ozone hole, the extinction of hundreds more species each year, the melting of glaciers and the threat of another world war. The real crisis is the continuous laziness and weakness in human brains. Humans just haven’t yet learned to develop and master their own brain activity, because no one ever taught them how.

When an energy market fails the result is an energy shortage. The macroeconomic implications of a supply shock-induced energy crisis are large, because energy is the resource used to exploit all other resources. That is the economic effect of energy crisis. When this happens, the society is now involved in the problem. Electric consumers may experience internationally-engineered rolling blackouts which are released during periods of insufficient supply or unexpected power outages, regardless of the cause.

Terrorism ... [final]

2008-09-30T03:34:00.000-07:00

Terrorism is a problem that the world is dealing right now. This problem is spreading too fast that even the most powerful countries are affected. Ever since the famous 9/11 terrorist attack, the world has been aware of what the terrorists are really capable of. Terrorist are capable of attacking even in the most crowded place. They can sneak through the securities and set off an explosive that can harm a lot of people. They often target the innocent ones to get the attention of the government.

Many countries nowadays are making moves to solve this crisis. They tend to make an army to oppose the terrorists. Yet there efforts are still in vain. The terrorists are still able to do harmful acts in many countries. Even after studying how the terrorists attacks we are still unable to figure out what they're planning to do next. They are like a nightmare just waiting to happen. They also sent threats to a country like when they are going to strike and how they will do it. This causes many people to panic and sometimes made them think if they are safe in where they are standing now. This is a reason why many countries' economies are falling. Small countries are having less opportunities because the investors on their businesses are scared because of the spread of terrorism in a particular country.

Fighting against the terrorists isn't working out well for the government. They are wasting the lives of the person that they are sending to fight the terrorist. We must think of a new way to deal with them. I think that we should try to negotiate with the terrorists. There must be something that they are fighting for that we must understand to solve this problem. We must do the first action to solve the problem of terrorism.

On the other hand, the government is still doing their best in solving the problem of terrorist in whatever way they can think of. We as citizens should help in any way we can as well. We should know more about the terrorism that is happening in our country. Ignorance is not an excuse. We should always be aware of what is happening in our community. We don't want more lives to be wasted in this useless fighting.

Other countries like the United States of America have resorted to fight with the terrorists as well. This solution appears to be the easiest but I think that is not. Some people will agree that war is the only answer. But there are some people that would prefer less bloodshed.

After saying all this, Terrorism is really hard to solve. I suggest to use diplomacy with this guys. We want to save as much life as we can. If this method isn't working with this guys and that's the time when we should go with our last option and that is to fight with them.