Lifeline for GOP - the attempted bombing of NW Flight

I am so relieved that the attempted bombing of NW Flight (Amsterdam - Detroit) didnot materialize. I feel glad for the safety of travellers who had a ride of their life. There is no question that many pointers were missed which should have alerted the authorities. Still I feel the attacks on Obama are unfounded.

Just because Obama is focussing on issues like economy and healthcare, that doesnt mean that he is lax on security. The attacks are especially ridiculous in the light that the flight boarded from Amsterdam. I am surprised that democrats are not pointing out that it was a failure on Amsterdam's part. Yes, American bound flights are responsibility of US Govt too. But you cannot simply overtake control of airports all over the world.

One fact that absolutely needs to be addressed is that the suspect was on US terror watchlist! Still he was not subjected to special screening. This is a big loophole that can easily be fixed. You just need to run all the reservations against the terror watchlist. It is already happening in domestic flights. It needs to be implemented for US bound flights as well.

All this being said, I still think that Fox network and GOP establishment will do their best to milk this issue. Obama had a close call on this one. One only hopes that no other attack is successful in the future -- else I dont see how Obama can win a second term. And we do need Obama for full 8 years!!

Obama and bipartisanship - An idea

It was sad to see a key procedural vote on Health Bill being passed without a single republican vote. I was watching the live coverage on CNN. Both Democrats and Republicans had some very good points on the bill. In the meantime stats say one American dies every 10 minutes for lack of insurance. Why can't the senate form a consensus on such an urgent issue?

I remember Obama promising bipartisanship in his administration. He cited how he worked with republicans in Chicago to pass many bills. But those promises have taken a backseat since he became President. I am surprised on how naively he invited republicans to some dinners at White House, and expected them to become his fans! That's not how it works!! I totally agree that it is not an easy task to make your political opponents agree with you. But the lack of effort to win them over is what concerns me.

For example, we have not seen any overtures to Republican side to get their support. As per their interview even they admit health care system is broken. I would have loved to see Obama asking both Democrats and Republicans to table a bill on Health Care. Each with their take on how to fix the issue. This would have produced a common theme around which the bill could have been built. It would definitely had been more constructive way to go!

Barack Obama and Nobel Peace Prize

Well well well. Why am I not surprised?! This is something the Nobel Peace Prize awardees have excelled in doing. Awarding it to someone who clearly doesn't deserve it, atleast as of now. I am just glad that other prizes like for Chemistry and Literature etc are not given on the same basis.

Can you believe that Gandhi did not receive Nobel prize, but Yasser Arafat did?? This particular award is something thats totally political and lacks any rationale whatsoever. I am not discounting the efforts Obama is making for peace, but what has he achieved? How would you feel if award for literature was given based on speeches instead of actual books? What if prize for science were given based on just theories but no actual evidence and inventions?! Obama has NOT achieved anything related to PEACE as of now. Trying to change US perception by giving speeches and pulling out of Iraq that was already planned by Bush doesn't qualify him. The only achievement I can think of is pressurizing Israel to pull out of Palestine. But that too was not followed by concrete actions against Israel. US even refused to support UN in investigating Israel war crimes. How can then Obama be even nominated, far less winning the award?

It is high-time the Peace prize committee gets its act together. The award should be given not to soothe someone's ego or in hopes that person will achieve something. It should be given to someone who has something to show for the award. This actually puts Obama in an unwelcome position. I am sure he would be thinking - "Why did they give the award to me?! Now, I will have to face crticism for something that is not even my fault!". I sympathize with him :-)

But anyways, I do hope that he does achieve something concrete. He does have the right attitude. Given a second term, he might be able to bring some kind of peace in Israel and Afghanistan. I will welcome a second peace prize for him when that happens.

Barack Obama and George Lopez?!

Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that Obama is appearing in a commercial to promote Lopez's latenight show? I have been reading left's criticism of Obama - sometimes genuine and many times outright ridiculous. But no one seems to be talking about how inappropriate it seems when President of US is attempting to promote Lopez's show.

It's not that I don't like Lopez or Obama. I love 'George Lopez' show, and support Obama as well. Still, enough is enough. I have seen Obama appear on ads for Stephen Colbert, Conan O Brian, and now George Lopez. On top of that his dialogue is as lame as it can get - "George, you need to change to LateNight. That's the change I can believe in". I think a president needs to maintain a certain sanctity of the office, and needs to project an image of authority. With ads like these, no wonder many critics are treating him just like any celebrity. That is trashing his image whenever they get a chance.

It is time Obama puts his time into more pressing tasks at hand - stopping the divide that seems to be developing after his election, healthcare and ofcourse economic uncertainity.

Guantanamo Bay

I don't understand all this hoopla surrounding the closure of Guantanamo Bay. I say enough with the political posturing! GOP and even many democrats are against closing it down on the grounds that detainees pose security threat to US. While security is a legitimate concern, some of the concerns raised are pure ridiculous. I almost laugh anytime I read that senators don't want detainees to be held in US prisons. Since when is US afraid that it's current law enforcement and judicial system is sub standard?

Going by the same yardstick, suppose Osama Bin Laden is captured. Unarguably he is THE MOST dangerous terrorist, right? Would the same senators say that he should NOT be brought to US for justice?? Just think about it. They send soldiers to fight in foreign countries surrounded by terrorists. But they wont allow suspects to be held in high-security prisons in their state. How preposterous!

The issue is black and white. The detainees should be tried in US. If it is believed that a prisoner is dangerous, evidence should be provided! Else they should be released back to their home country. If the home country doesn't accept them, it is US responsibility to accept them. The allied countries should not even come into picture. On the other hand, prisoners found guilty should be held in US prisons.

In this Obama era, too many politicians are invoking our fear of danger to US. It is really pitiful that people who authorized wars against two COUNTRIES are now afraid of INDIVIDUALS.