What's next?

With the State of the Union Address out of the way, hearings, debates and conferences are in full flow on what’s next. Passionate senators, mayors, congressmen, and even citizens at home are all fulfilling their democratic right and voicing their opinions on where they believe the money should be spent. We have mayors stating that the 3.0 city is the most fundamental development in 2015 and that it should get the attention it deserves. This includes policies and funding for safety, infrastructure and responding to people’s needs ASAP. The word diversity did not make an insignificant appearance in this hearing.  We also have the education department claiming that the nationalised testing is an illusion; that it does not ‘keep an eye’ on things, but rather keeps ignoring the fundamental issue of poverty, inequality and a lack of resources. A national standard is not compatible with diversity, as it falsely accuses teachers and schools of not doing their job right and leaves the weak behind.

There have been, and continue to be, numerous debates; one voice louder than the last. However, although Obama was able to proudly declare that he has got a grip on the economic crisis like he said he would in 2008; the money is not exactly flowing yet.

The main issue at this moment in time is that diversity is still working against America rather than in their favour. This being said particularly in light of Ferguson and other racial disputes. Although this issue has not been left the side in hearings; this is perhaps their biggest challenge of all because money simply cannot fix the problem.

As an aspiring teacher I am slightly biased and will always prioritise education. But with so many countless needs and still, relatively, so little money, this time is crucial. With Americans’ natural talent in speeches, though, I have become less certain on what their absolute priority should be. Any thoughts?

Pauline

(Matt introduced me to C-span. So blame him for this midnight blog)

We need a new Martin Luther King

What has been in the news recently about Ferguson is something that has been there since the very beginning but now lives under a new name; racial profiling. This issue, in line with affirmative action is proof that the words spoken by Martin Luther King more than 50 years ago have lost focus. Although segregation is no longer a legal issue, it is still a social issue, a gap that everyone sees but no one knows how to fill. King never believed that equality was going to be straightforward, but he provided America with a perspective, a common understanding and a (peaceful) plan of action. The violence comes from raw emotion and frustration, but if this keeps going, the violence will lose track of its purpose and only create a larger gap.

If there would be a movement, how would you think this would happen? Is a 21st century MLK possible? Has social media created too many voices, or could it make one voice heard, so that those people that share those same feelings can unite and get back on track?

And what would do you think could/should be achieved by a movement? Could anything (legislation, Supreme Court case) prevent these occurrences from happening on a short term basis?

Obama taking a leap

There are two interesting things that happened in Obama's presidency this week, which I found to be interesting to what we have been discussing in class.

Firstly, Obama seems to have put his foot down in the ongoing conflict he has found himself in with the 'gridlock' Congress. Whether his bold words to Congress saying 'pass a bill' were necessarily through his desperation to 'allow millions of undocumented immigrants to remain in the country and work legally without threat of deportation' (1) is questionable. Especially after the Republican take-over in the midterm elections it seems as though he is feeling the pressure to leave his footprint, but equally to stick to his promises, which he is so widely criticised for not doing. Such a bold move (finally) enforcing his executive power is well received in the Latino community, and I don't think this goes unnoticed with the polltakers. To put it simply: he has just bought himself a super size economy pack of fresh enthusiastic supporters in the sale. This also relates to this 'footprint' that our imperial presidents were so keen on making, is this move his way of turning the last two years of his presidency into a good and lasting memory, or is intended as a middle finger to his Republican counterparts meaning he will not let the Democratic party back down, not now and not in two years time?

Well, leaving his footprint was all great yesterday, but he sort of threw that out of the window with his proposal 'to authorize a more expansive mission for the military in Afghanistan in 2015'. (2) Of course, like any proposal to let a war go on 'for at least another year' (3), there are a lot of reasons as to why it is no one's fault in particular. A shaky relationship between the executive and the Pentagon has put pressure on Obama to make such a decision. As I cannot put myself in his shoes, I can't fully appreciate what this means. I can however see a recurring theme that we have discussed in class; what seems to be more important is finding a valid and acceptable reason as to why this is needed. Firstly, the rule that applies to pulling off a bandage, does not apply to wars, but to put it metaphorically, putting more bandages on a wound that is trying to heal won't be very beneficial either. Secondly, thankfully we can all take a deep breath because the war now has a different name: Operation Enduring Freedom. The mission has had a game change and it is now a set of 'appropriate measures to keep Americans safe' (4), that does sound a lot nicer I guess. What the real underlying reason is, we probably won't know, but sending more people out there to help and protect the people that are already out there for reasons that are already quite skewed, seems a little dubious, even if it does have a fresh new label.

For someone who got the Nobel peace prize, things don't seem to be going too peacefully.

(1) Michael D. Shear and Ashley Parker. (21.11.2014). Amid Attacks, Obama Presses Congress to Move on Immigration. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/22/us/in-school-visit-obama-urges-congress-to-act-on-immigration.html?ref=politics. [Accessed: 22/11/2014].

(2) Mark Mazzetti and Eric Schitt. (21.11.2014). In a Shift, Obama Extends U.S. Role in Afghan Combat. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/22/us/politics/in-secret-obama-extends-us-role-in-afghan-combat.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news. [Accessed: 22/11/2014].

(3) Ibid.

(4) Ibid.

Pauline