Archive for the ‘POLITICS’ Category
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
Faith has proven to be a major issue in the current Presidential campaign so its only fitting that the first time Senators McCain and Obama will appear on stage together will be at a church. On August 16th Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church will host both candidates in a non-debate style forum; questioning each one separately and giving them a chance to really speak from the heart without interuption.
Where debates usually focus on specific platforms and programs, this discussion will be geared more toward presenting each candidate’s overarching beliefs and values as well as their decision making process; with special attention being given to issues of poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate, and human rights.
The discussion will be broadcast live online on the Saddleback Civil Forum site at 5pm Pacific, so be sure to tune in to this historic event.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | 1 Comment » | 
SHARE
Monday, July 21st, 2008
Just a few weeks after several hostages, including former Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, were freed thanks to a secret Columbian Military operation; mass amounts of citizens took to the streets on the nation’s Independence Day to call for the release of the rest of the hostages and an end to the guerilla tactics of FARC.
The peaceful protest drew nearly 1 million participants in the capital city of Bogota alone. In addition, other demonstrations were held across Colombia as well as several other major cities around the globe including Paris, Sydney, New York, and Miami. Whether or not the demonstrations will convince FARC leaders to give up remains to be seen, but at the very least it is always good to see people unite together for justice; and the attention is sure to keep the pressure on all sides involved in negotiations.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | No Comments » | SHARE
Thursday, July 17th, 2008
Yesterday members of the Senate voted 80-16 to triple the amount of funding allocated for the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which was set to expire this year. This increase, which passed through the House back in April, will likely save millions of lives over the next five years, as well as improve relations with the new generation of leaders in Africa. Of the $50 billion ($10 per year for 5 years) approved, nearly $40 billion will go towards fighting AIDS with the rest being divided among malaria, turberculosis, and various health and water improvements for American Indians as well.
We applaud Congress for working together across party lines to pass this historic bill and we look forward to seeing more of it in the future.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | 1 Comment » | SHARE
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008
Independence Day came a little early for several hostages as they were rescued in a secret operation, yesteday, by the Colombian military. Among those freed were 11 Colombian soldiers, 3 Americans, and former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt; who had been kidnapped by the rebel group, FARC, while campainging in 2002.
Yesterday’s operation was so well planned out that not a single shot was fired and no one was harmed in any way. Apparently spies from the Colombian military had infiltrated the rebel ranks and were able to convince the local commander that they were supposed to take the hostages to FARC’s supreme leader, Alfonso Cano. Even as the prisoners were led onto a helicopter they still didn’t realize they were being rescued. Once they were finally airborne the pilot revealed that he was Colombian military and that they were free.
Along with the hostages being freed several key FARC leaders were arrested, dealing a strong blow to the power of the already weakening rebel force. The belief is that it won’t be long before those that are left will give up, and free their remaining prisoners.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | 2 Comments » | SHARE
Monday, June 30th, 2008
This past weekend North Korea presented documents listing at least some of the details of their nuclear development plans, and in addition, they destroyed a reactor tower that was essential to the development of nuclear weapons. The moves are small, but important steps toward an end to the nations secret nuclear activities.
In return President Bush agreed to lift some sanctions, and take North Korea’s name off the list of country’s that support terrorism. The U.S., along with the other five countries involved in the negotiations have representatives in Youngbon observing as the plant continues to be torn down. Although they admit this is just a first step and there is still a lot that needs to change, this is definitely a step in the right direction.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | No Comments » | SHARE
Friday, June 13th, 2008
A while back we told you about Austrailian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Aboriginal people and hoped that other nations who had committed injustices against various groups in the past would follow his lead. We are happy to report that this week the Canadian government did just that; using the Parliament floor to issue a formal apology to Native Canadians for forcing thousands of native children into government-run schools where many were physically or even sexually abused. The schools, which were finally shut down in the late 1970’s, also contributed to the destruction of much of the culture and traditions of various native groups.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in his speech, “Today we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, it has caused great harm and has no place in our country. In addition, the government also agreed to pay $1.9 billion to surviving students and set up a truth and reconciliation commission to document the experiences of students and help make sure they never happen again.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | No Comments » | SHARE
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
It was history in the making last night as Barack Obama secured the final delegates needed to become the Democratic Presidential Nominee, making him the first African-American candidate of a major party. This selection is another important step in our nations journey to overcome racial prejudice. We at MajorityMag congratulate Sen. Obama on this momentous achievement, and wish both him and Sen. John McCain the best in the upcoming general election.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | 1 Comment » | SHARE
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
GenerationEngage is a nonpartisan organization that aims to educate and empower young people in the areas of politics and civic involvement. The main goal is to provide access to political dialogue to young people who normally don’t have the opportunity to hear it. Various GenGage sites across the country put on local GetEngaged Forums in community centers, pool halls, libraries and other easily accessible public venues. These forums are also available to view live online. Past forums have featured several of this year’s Presidential candidates, former President Bill Clinton, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, civil rights leader Corretta Scott King, and many other members of Congress as well as local government officials.
In addition to the GetEngaged Forums the organization has recently launched an online VideoCast Center that allows viewers to watch and download various speeches and interviews as well as engage in online discussions about them with other viewers. Regardless of your age or political views, this type of education and dialogue is key to developing an informed society, so we encourage you to log on to the site and see how you can get engaged.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | No Comments » | SHARE
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
In one of his first speeches last year as newly elected Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd made the unprecented step of apologizing to the nations Aboriginal people. For several decades Australian governments had enacted laws that were prejudice against the indigenous people and even went as far as making official policies of separating children from their families in an effort to eliminate the population.
In front of Parliament, and hundreds of Aboriginals in attendance, Rudd bodly declared an apology for the past wrongs and pleged to lead all Australian people toward racial reconcilliation (watch video of the speech here). In addition to this first step toward unification, Rudd showed his commitment to the future of the environment as well ratifying the Kyoto Protocol which is a promise to reduce the nations greenhouse gas emmisions to levels agreed upon by a UN Summit.
In just a short time in leadership Rudd has laid the foundation for a bright future for The Land Down Under.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | 2 Comments » | SHARE
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
In a gesture of apology Pope Benedict XVI met with several victims of sexual abuse by clergy, today in Washington D.C. While many expected the Pope to just symbollically address the issue he has made it a priority. While here on his first visit to the U.S., he has addressed the issue several times calling it a ”deep shame” and apologizing for the pain it caused, as well as encouraging present bishops and priests to ”bind up the wounds” of this breech of trust. Additionally, his visit with victims today was more than just a photo-op, he actually sat down with them away from the press and took time to listen to their stories.
Its clear he desires to seek restoration between the Catholic church and these mistreated members, and while he will never be able to erase what happened this was a positive step in the right direction and an excellent example of humility and accountability.
-JH
Posted in POLITICS | No Comments » | SHARE
