For the first time since 2009, we have three budget proposals: one from the House of Representatives, one from the Senate, and most recently one from the President. Now we’ll find out if an agreement can be reached. Continue reading “Obama’s Budget”
Author: chrismtwo
Every day I try to learn and experience new things. The infinite wonder of the universe provides endless opportunity for adventures. My favorite thing is to enjoy these adventures with friends, and to share my stories with others.
At the very core, all people are storytellers. Whether it is a full length motion picture or a chat over a cup of coffee, most of what makes up the human experience is the communication of ideas. For this reason, I am always looking for opportunities to write. I would like to share what I've seen with as many people as possible.
Nuclear North Korea
North Korea confirmed on Tuesday that it had conducted its third nuclear test. This comes just two months after the small nation successfully launched a rocket into orbit, raising serious concerns of North Korea’s long range attack capabilities. Continue reading “Nuclear North Korea”
Nuclear Disarmament
In a speech in Berlin today, President Obama called for another nuclear-arms reduction. This follows the 2010 New START treaty in which the U.S. and Russia agreed to cut strategic nuclear arms to 1,550 warheads by February 5, 2018. Obama’s new proposal called to cut that number by a third, to between 1,000 and 1,000 warheads. Continue reading “Nuclear Disarmament”
N.S.A. Update
As more information is released about the N.S.A. spy apparatus, it has been revealed that the U.S. spies on at least 35 world leaders, including some U.S. allies. One of such leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had all of her cell phone calls tracked for the past 10 years. In response to the revelations, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said that she expects the White House would stop the program of spying on U.S. allies. Perhaps what is most troubling is that President Obama allegedly did not know about the spying. Continue reading “N.S.A. Update”
NSA Phone Data Mining
The Guardian published a leaked FISA court order that made Verizon give up phone information about all of their customers’ calls. The order said that Verizon must on an “ongoing, daily basis” give the NSA information on all telephone calls in its systems. This includes calls made entirely domestically, and is regardless of whether the callers are suspected of any crime. The document was top secret before it was illegally leaked to the Guardian. Verizon was not allowed to disclose the existence or content of the order, indicating that other phone companies might also be under such broad orders. Continue reading “NSA Phone Data Mining”
North Korean Tensions Escalate
Tensions on the Korean peninsula continue to escalate in the aftermath of the February nuclear tests by North Korea. North Korea has announced plans to restart a nuclear reactor that was shut down in 2007 as part of an international aid deal. In the past week, the U.S. has sent B-52s, B-2s, and F-22s over South Korea in recent annual military drills as a show of force. Additionally, the U.S. has positioned two guided missile destroyers in South Korean waters. Continue reading “North Korean Tensions Escalate”
Navy Yard Shooting
After Aaron Alexis killed 13 people in Washington D.C., questions began to fly about his possible mental illness. Defense Secretary Hagel said that “red flags” were missed which resulted in Alexis having security clearance to get into the navy yard. Alexis had complained that he was being followed by three individuals who were using “some sort of microwave machine” to send vibrations through his hotel room ceiling, causing him insomnia. Earlier this year he sought treatment from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for paranoia and other concerns. Continue reading “Navy Yard Shooting”
Millennial Generation is in for a Rough Road
The Millennial Generation, those born between 1980 and 2000, has had the privilege of starting their careers amidst the worst recession since the great depression. Likewise, they have the highest youth unemployment rate of any generation since then and diminished prospects for the future. Despite being the most highly educated generation, youth (age 19-29) unemployment was at 13.1% in January 2013. Only 47.6% of those in that age bracket worked full time. Continue reading “Millennial Generation is in for a Rough Road”
Should Sexual Orientation be a Protected Class?
There have been vocal requests for President Obama to sign an Executive Order which would ban employer discrimination based on sexual orientation for all Federal employees and contractors. Obama publicly supported such an action in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, but has yet to issue an order. The order would make, for the purposes of federal employees and contractors, sexual orientation a protected class, such as race, religion, sex, etc. Continue reading “Should Sexual Orientation be a Protected Class?”
Memories We Never Forget
Everyone has those moments in life that they replay over and over again in their heads. Sometimes it is the presentation we bumbled, and sometimes it’s the awkward date we went on. Sometimes it is missing the game winning field goal. Other times it’s darker and more lasting, a traumatic event that we carry around like a scar. It isn’t the memory that haunts us, but the feelings connected to it. Continue reading “Memories We Never Forget”
Ronin Pen 