Guantanamo Bay

Barack Obama has promised that he will close down the prison camps at Guantanamo Bay however it is unclear so far as to what measures will be taken concerning the prisoners currently being held. Not until Obama's legal and national security teams are assembled will there be a definite decision on the prisoners' fates. However, there has been talk of Obama's possible ideas. There has been discussion of trying the prisoners in already existing federal courts or creating a federal court specialized for this case. Worry has been expressed about bringing these dangerous prisoners to the mainland because of the institutions needed to detain them. Before any decision is made though, Obama has said that he needs to review all the existing cases which he has not yet had the chance to do. 

xoxo Hen

Prospects

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/us/series/the_new_team/index.html

Please Visit this page to peruse the prospect leaders of our new country.

xoxo hEn

Hit the Ground Running, But in Which Direction?

Barack wants nothing but reform, change and progress in a deteriorating country, but his hands are tied with the sharp and nasty rope of economy. The crisis has but a damper on the gung-ho attitude of the campaign. What big change will come first, health care, education, clean coal improvements? The boulder in the path to those colossal reforms is money.

Some advisors say that President Obama will have to begin with a potpourri  of smaller changes, starting with passing many of Bush's vetoed bills, just to show that change is happening. Others worry if Barack doesn't feed off the election energy in the first few months, then the opportunity for huge modifications  in America will pass. 

Obama is young, and he has before him a country that desperately needs change, but will he try to do to much? History shows that some men the likes of Roosevelt and L.B.J. can do an awful lot, the tricky task is to determine when its too risky.  Days before the election Obama clearly ranked his priorities #1 economy, #2 energy, #3 health care, #4 tax reconstruction, #5 education. 

But, times will change between now and January 20th when our 44th President will take office. Who knows what he will be capable of doing by then.

xoxo hEn

Obama's Online Office

www.change.gov

Check it out! This is one of the most interesting and informative sites I've ever been to! There is political news, an opportunity to post stories about the election, "the adgenda" of the new government (with subheadings of Revitalizing the Economy, Ending the War in Iraq, Providing health Care for All, Protecting America, and Renewing American Global Leadership), and much more. Best of all, there is a place at the bottom of the page where you can weigh in on who should be considered for the new offices of government! This is a fresh idea of government, reminiscent of the Jacksonian era of a "people's government" but taken to a whole new level! How incredible is it that you can actually go and "talk" to Obama, letting him know what he can do for America! One heading reads, "It's Your America", and under this new leader it truly is. And in Obama's case, I actually have faith that he reads and considers each and every idea from each and every person. This faith springs partly from an email that he sent to my mother less than a day after being elected, thanking her for her contribution to his campaign. This email was sent en-mass to all of his supporters, I am aware, but what made it so lovely was that it began "Friend-" and was signed, simply, "Barack". The gentle caring that eminated from the email was so calming and inspired such support from the reader... this man leads like no one else. He leads from the heart. And he also leads from the mind, mainly through the internet, as was shown by his great success in his campaign web page, and now change.gov. It just goes to show how savvy and in-touch our new President is!

So answer his call! Drop him a note, an idea, a story. It wouldn't be asked of you if it wasn't desired. Now's your chance to make a difference in America on an unprecedented scale!

xoxo heN

The Youth is Where It's At

It seems that for every presidential election, the youth is entrusted to make the change that the nation is in need of at that time. In the 2004 election, the media was soaked in youth-aimed ads that shouted "VOTE OR DIE" at them wherever a television or store was available. However a sense of failure was associated with the results of the election. It was the year Bush won his second term, how can anyone forget. The notoriously liberal media was all but pleased with dismal turn out of this- so- called boom of new voters that was expected. However there is no denying the youth's impact on the most recent election of Barack Obama. In elections past, the percent of young white voters won by a Democratic nominee was no greater than 45% This year Obama gained 54% In total 66% of young voters under 30 supported Obama whereas only 32% of their support. The numbers speak for themselves and it is apparent that we, the youth, are capable of assuming the responsibility to do what is right for our country.

xoxo Hen

Feelin' the stress yet, Obama?

Can you even begin to imagine the amount of pressure that has just been placed on Barack Obama's shoulders? To be the President is stressful enough, to be the first mixed-race President in the of the United States is worse, to take this world-shattering position in a time of unparalleled economic, social, and environmental distress... well, let's just say he's probably feeling the expectations pretty accutely. I have no doubt that he's up to the challenge. Already, other countries in the world are rejoicing for what they see as a new age for America, democracy, and the planet, simply because of the election of this one man. But, as he readily aknowledges, he has much to learn, and more to do. After an exhausting, extensive campaign, he gets no respite. I wish I could give him a hug!

It is incredible to hear him referred to in the news as "The President Elect" and "Mr. Obama", no longer "Presidential Hopeful" or "Senitor Obama". Every once in a while I will see a picture of him and realize anew: That's our President! Our future looks so bright it hurts. But his personal future has a lot of stress in it, sadly. No wonder John McCain's concession speech was so gracious... he probably is grateful to have lost!

May I just reiterate how excited I am? I'm not sure how to get it across, but it fills me with a kind of hope and security that I have not felt since I was very, very young. I think I'm becoming a strong patriot!

xoxo heN

Christmas in November?

I must say, I'm a little sad that the election is over. It was kind of like Christmas. Yeah, Christmas day is fantastic however those holiday spirits in anticipation of the big day are even better. In this case, I'm going to miss the catty debates, the endless poll results, and even the "pittbull with lipstick" jokes. Of course, I'm elated with Obama's victory, but deep down I'm going to miss the inevitable competitive edge to my day.

xoxo Hen