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Pew Research Center on Obama and Bush
As I was compiling a list of reports from the Pew Research Center for an undergraduate class, I came across two that I would like to share with you. The first one, America's Pre-Inauguration Mood: Strong Confidence in Obama, shows that Americans have great confidence in Obama’s capacity to deal with the economy, Iraq, and terrorism issues. They also believe that Democrats and Republicans will work together to resolve the country’s problems. According to the Pew Survey Report, 70% of those who were surveyed think that Obama has clearly explained his policies and plans for the future, and 66% endorse his choices for his cabinet. While Obama’s ratings have gone up, Bush’s have gone down. The Pew Research Center article reveals that 24% of Americans approve his performance as he exits the national stage. Only 11% think that history will look at Bush positively. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index sunk to 38% in 2008 from 128.6% in 2000. The article claimed that it is the “lowest level since the index was first tabulated in 1967.” Continue reading
Obama’s Inauguration Via Web 2.0
For detailed information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, take a look at this website. An Inaugural Events Calendar is also available. You can track the inauguration ceremony using Twitter and Facebook or watch the Inauguration's Channel on YouTube. The Presidential Inaugural Committee even has photostream for the event on Flickr. Continue reading
Newly Declassified Documents on the Iranian Nuclear Program, 1974-1978
The National Security Archive has released a new set of declassified documents that focus on the Iranian Nuclear Program from 1974-1978. These documents show that during the 1970s the Shah of Iran claimed that his country had a right to pursue nuclear technology and that both the Ford and Carter administrations were concerned that it might lead to the production of nuclear weapons. Continue reading
Children’s Health Care Bill Expanded
Yesterday, the House voted on the expansion of the Children’s Health Care Bill with the support of Barack Obama. This bill will increase the coverage of insurance to 4 million uninsured children. It is expected that Obama will sign it within a few days after taking office and then, the Senate might act on it soon. According to the news article, the bill has a provision that would permit states to reinstate the health insurance benefits of legal immigrants. At present, legal immigrants have a five-year waiting period (after their initial entry into the U.S.) before they can take advantage of Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Continue reading
Wiretapping Program – Soon to be Legalized by Intelligence Court
Today, New York Times reported that the Wiretapping Program will be legalized by a federal intelligence court. It will authorize both the president and Congress to monitor overseas phone calls and e-mail messages without a court order, although this may include Americans’ personal communications. The report states that “in validating the government’s wide authority to collect foreign intelligence, it may offer legal credence to the Bush administration’s repeated assertions that the president has constitutional authority to act without specific court approval in ordering national security eavesdropping.” Continue reading
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