This is something that everyone has heard about. An ongoing issue that is being beaten to the ground. But is it still worth discussing?
As of right now U.S. intelligence knows...almost nothing about Iran's nuclear capabilities. This means that the World know almost nothing. How much Uranium have they actually enriched? Are they capable of a nuclear bomb? Do they have the technology? Are negotiations going well, or is Iran using them to stall and gain more time? Many, many questions are arising.
As of what we know, Iran has enriched certain amounts of Uranium (the amounts are unknown to us) up to 20%. What is know to the World is that for a well-running nuclear power plant Uranium only needs to be enriched to around 3 or 4%. Does 20% seem a little excessive? Iran's claim is that this is only for "peaceful", experimental purposes.
Recently Iran shut off access completely to one of its nuclear sites. Now they are saying sorry and will allow inspections. Why was access closed off in the first place?
In the United Nations (U.N.) it was considered a "small success" that Iran agreed to begin negotiations again. Some people ask, how long have these negotiations been going on? Well Iran has been suspected of striving for a nuclear bomb for many years. Negotiations and monitoring (what little has been done that is) has lasted for over 10 years now! Why is it taking so long?!
So, what could the outcomes be?
In my opinion, there are 3 possible outcomes:
1) The U.N. decides to crack down and actually tell Iran that it will be inspecting their facilities FULLY and do a thorough scan. There are already rules in place for nuclear programs and inspections, and the U.N. should enforce them. Otherwise they are worthless (other nations would seize that opportunity in a heart beat). Iran either lets that happen because it truly has nothing to hide, or
2) Iran does not allow full inspections and tries to keep having secrets and restricted areas. This leads to war. Either the U.S. takes charge and decides to threaten Iran into submission or actually attacks. If that does not happen, then we all know that Israel will do a preemptive strike.
3) "Negotiations" or time-delay as I think they should be called, works for Iran and they finish their nuclear production and nuclear war is a real and deadly possibility. With many times more casualties than that of a preemptive strike started war.
There are some that say that a preemptive strike is not the answer because we have had too many wars. They express the hope that "peaceful negotiations are the key". Well, how long again have negotiations been going on for this exact topic? 10 years? Yes it seems like negotiations are going very well.
To clarify, I am not a fan of war. I don't want every disagreement to degrade into killing, fighting and death. However, I do believe that some wars must be fought. That the loss of some for the greater good can be a necessary thing. Yes, I would be and am willing to give my life for that. Especially if it means that a nuclear and much more destructive war is stopped. The small battle would save millions of lives.
Again, right now we know almost nothing as to what Iran is actually doing. We know that they want to "wipe Israel off the map" and we know that Israel would be glad to fight back. We also know that something needs to change...and soon. Predictions state that Iran could have a nuclear bomb within 6 months (some claim it would only be a crude nuclear bomb...I say that it is still a nuclear bomb, no matter how crude and that is something to worry about). Well, those 6 months could have begun 6 months ago...or 9 years ago. Time is important. Life is important. Action and MAKING decisions (not discussing them) is what will decide our future.
Read more:
BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17410037
Ploughshares:
http://www.ploughshares.org/blog/topic/iran?gclid=CIKgm-WLha8CFW-Ctgod0WHL1A
New York Times link:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/iran/nuclear_program/index.html
CNN link:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/08/opinion/ghitis-iran-conflict/index.html
Los Angeles Times link:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/03/how-close-is-iran-to-getting-a-nuclear-weapon-.html
Monday, March 26, 2012
Obamacare and Health care Arguments, Supreme Court
"Anyone who lives in the United States is, or will be, affected by this case. "
Starting today, the Supreme Court is taking on the case (or cases) of what has come to be known as "Obamacare". What is being called the longest Supreme Court arguments in 40 years has Washington D.C. crowded once again with concerned citizens.
There are many interesting factors present in this case, including the use of technology, or the lack thereof. The Supreme Court announced that no filming, tweets, blogging, facebooking, or any other form of technology will be allowed or used in the courtroom. Only note taking materials such as pen, pencil and paper. Keeping America on the edge of their seats until each set of the arguments concludes.
Of course the big bang in these cases will be the court's decision. Is Obamacare Constitutional or not? With pages numbering in the thousands this healthcare reformation plan has a wide range of effects on businesses, insurance companies and private citizens. Anyone who lives in the United States is, or will be, affected by this case.
Another fun fact is that it has become mostly a bi-partisan debate, as it seems most things do. Republicans are claiming "Unconstitutional" while the Democrats claim "constitutional". In this case there are 26 states represented that are in oppostion to Obamacare (claiming it to be unconstitutional). The Supreme Court has also appointed some "extra" attorneys to represent different aspects of the case. The arguments have been broken into 3 different areas.
Monday will be to decide if that case is even worth hearing (which we all know that it will be...seems like a waste in my opinion). The three seperated issues include: Individual Mandate; Expansion of Medicade acceptance; and severability or whether or not if Obamacare is discarded if there are parts that should or could be kept. Tuesday if for the Individual Mandate, and Wednesday will have a double-session with the severability of Obamacare first, and then the expansion of Medicade will conclude.
In my opinion, being a small business owner, I am opposed to many of the facets included in Obamacare. Forcing me to pay large amounts of extra money in terms of healthcare for my employees. I give my employees every oppurtunity to purchase healthcare and have allowed several insurance companies to send representatives to talk to my employee in a meeting, and also on an individual basis during work hours. Those that want it have it and those that don't, don't. It is their right to choose. Obamacare will force me to provide healthcare for these employees, meaning that I match dollar for dollar what the employee pays. Where will I make the extra money to pay for this? The economy and market are already extremely competitive and profite margins are very low. This kind of "fee imposing" is what will put small businesses like mine OUT OF BUSINESS. Volume of production being the deciding factor in profits. This means that Obamacare will not only take away large amounts of money, but will result in the loss of thousands of jobs as businesses are forced to pay-up or close their doors.
This will be an interesting and very important event...one I will be watching very closely.
Find out more:
Rochester Tea Party Patriots:
http://rochesterteapartypatriots.com/the-supreme-court-hears-obamacare-case/
New York Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/supreme-court-hears-obamacare-arguments-article-1.1050898
Real Clear Politics:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/03/22/the_supreme_court_weighs_obamacare_275971.html
New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/us/in-supreme-court-health-care-case-training-for-a-legal-marathon.html?_r=1&hp
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