Obama's influence

Now that the excitement of president-elect Obama has died down some it's intersting to see what kind of impact his election has on the international community. As a Kenyan native I've seen the excitement and pride the Kenyan people have with the election of Obama. I was reading the Daily Nation (Kenyan newspaper) and was looking to see what kind of impact Obama's ties have with Kenya. Kenya usually brings in a lot of tourism (with the exception of the end of last year and beginning of this year due to the roits that occurred after the elections) but there have been talks of creating a route that would take tourists from Nirobi to Kogelo Village where Obama's father was born. Its interesting to see what kind of impact the Obama administration is having on the international community although it is still in the transitioning phase. I think that Obama will take a multilateral approach in dealing with the international community which will lead to more diplomacy and less military action. I think that approach is expected and welcomed by the international community.

A new age in America

When the framers of the constitution wrote the constitution they had in mind a government that was for the people and by the people. On Tuesday night such a government was revived with the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president. With Obama's win several factors arise that reveal what America is about the good and the bad. Obama's win is the ultimate example of the American dream that if you work hard enough and remain focused anything is possible. Who would have ever guessed that an individual from a single household with a mixed race could become an American president. About 2 years ago no one really knew about Barack Obama and now the whole world knows about him. I think that our national image has shifted into a more favorable one in the international community. The prestige that America once had seems to be coming back. Along with all the positive impact that the election of Obama has had on the American people some negative aspects arise. It saddens me to realize how closeminded people are. I would have imagined that several gaint steps have been taken to harmonize the American people to look beyond what's on the outside and consider what's on the inside. A disagreement with an individual's policy and stance on multiple topics is valid as long as that disagreement is based on the topic matter and not the individual's skin color. I think that a majority of our current generation is open (although not in agreement) to others that are different but there is still a percentage who base their ideas on an individual's outward characteristics. In Obama's acceptance speech he mentioned the events that have taken place over the last century and the change that has occurred in this country. The challenge to see what kind of changes can be made over the next century will not only impact America but also the international community. Entities are being linked closer and closer together internationally. The election of Obama was one that was witnessed not only by the American society but also by the international society.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin has generated attention to herself and the GOP since her nomination as VP. There have been ups and downs with her nomination. People were wondering who she was and what she was about. Everyone was looking for information about this hockey mom from Alaska. As people began to know more about her they either liked her more or less. She has garnered attention non the less. In the beginning it was positive, thunder from the Obama campaign was stolen with her nomination. Who would have imagined that the first female vice presidential candidate would come from the GOP. Hillary paved the way for female presidential candidates. After the initial shock factor wore off other things surfaced about governor Palin and her family. Her 17 year old daughter was pregnant and people claimed that her austic child was really her grandchild. Then stories evolved about the firing of her ex-brother in law and whether the firing was ethical or not. After that Tina Fey from SNL played governor Palin to the admiration of its viewers. Governor Palin's first several interviews with the media did not go so well and it caused some to shift their opinion about her. Recently Palin has been in the news about attacking the Obama campaign (which is normal during a presidential campaign) but also about the amount of money that was spent for her and her family on clothes for the GOP convention. A debate about whether the media is liberally biased took place in class with evidence from both sides of the argument presented. My only question is if Hillary was still in the presidential hunt would how much money was spent on her and her family for the DNC be an issue? Would her contacts be a fashion statement like Palin's glasses? Should be people really be concerned about how much people spend on clothes for a national convention? If it is deemed necessary to examine such an issue should not all candidates expenses on clothes be published and given equal time to discuss how much was spent and why?

Sports and the economy

Sports are an American past time. They help to alleviate the pain that today's society faces by allowing people to focus on other things than what's going on in the world. In fact the Olympics were created to rekindle the human spirit regardless of race, nationality, or economic status. I was reading through ESPN the Magazine and discovered a news portion that stated that the federal bailout plan gave NASCAR $100 million dollars in relief over the next 15 years. David Stern the commissioner of the NBA stated earlier that 9% of its players would be cut because of economic factors. I don't tend to think of the sports market as one that is losing money because of the economy but it does make sense. Sports is a business like any other in many aspects than not. The fact that the federal government is providing NASCAR with such large amount of money says something about the importance of sports to the American culture. Granted that NASCAR is not as popular as some other sports a statement is still made.

Global interest rates

Rates for interest were cut globally yesterday to avoid more damage to each sectors economy. Decades and decades ago it would have seemed infathomable to have such an occurance happen. It only goes to show how interdepent the global community has become. The U.S. is a major source of influence not only socially but also financially. The current financial crisis in the U.S. has caused other markets to respond. Reading this report reminded me that through this time America is not the only one suffering. Other nations use the dollar in determining their currency and if the dollar loses value then their currency also loses value. It would be interesting to see how citizens of other nations have responded or are responding to our current situation.

Gas shortage

So in case people haven't noticed we are experiencing a gas shortage here in Georgia. But the reason is why? EPA standards for fuel sulfur in Atlanta are higher because of poor air quality. All this time I thought that gas shortages were due to the hurricanes. It's interesting because I've heard people say that you haven't lived through a gas shortage unless you went through the one in the 70s where gas was rationed depending on whether your tag ended in an old or even number. At a time as this what should be done? Should regulations be loosened to allow more hazardous fuel in Atlanta while saving people time. This particular situation is one of opportunity cost. If the EPA doesn't loosen up the restrictions things could get ugly pretty quickly (actually they have but they could get worse.) Would more football games be considered for cancellation? It's already bad how much time people spend sitting in traffic everyday commuting to and from work or school. How much more time are they going to sacrifice to get gas. I've driven around and have seen lines that go as far was several miles. I went to fill up on Friday night and was informed that I had to turn around and do down the street to get in line for gas. I've also seen cop cars at gas stations there to make sure things don't get out of control. I was in Macon on Saturday and saw fewer lines but lines none the less meaning that the impact of those regulations is being felt else where in Georgia. However if the EPA does loosen up restrictions then what happens if the same situation or something worse occurs again? Do they repeat with the reduction of restrictions? The air quality in Atlanta would get worse than it is now causing other factors to come into play such as health hazards, quality of life in Atlanta etc... I was surprised to see that the news medium did address the issue with more coverage ( I googled the issue and saw only a handful of responses.) Either way the population of Atlanta and beyond are going to have to give something up to get something in return. More gas equals less air quality. Less gas equals more time in line waiting for gas. Who in the 70s would have imagined having to live through something similar (in context not extremity) again in their life time with gas shortages?

$19.8 million

$19.8 million dollars is a lot of money unless you are Bill Gates ( however a slight pinch might be felt if that money was lost.) That is the amount that ex-CEO of Freddie Mac Richard Syron made last year. I have no problem with someone making that kind of money (I sure won't mind making that much) but I do have a problem with someone making that kind of money and forcing individuals directly and indirectly involved in your company pay for decisions that you made. America is a capitalistic nation it's what makes America America. However that could be a double edged sword as we are observing during this current financial crisis. Decisions that were made by Mr. Syron are costing Americans millions of dollars now and in the future. If someone is placed in a position like that of Mr. Syron a lot of responsibiliy comes along with that title. Responsibility that must not be taken lightly. In a competitive environment decisions must be made quickly and efficiently. Mr. Syron made quick decisions but not efficient ones. In 2004 Syron was informed by his chief risk officer, David A. Andrukonis that the company was taking in bad loans. Syron refused to listen to Andrukonis and now look at where his former company is at. Mr. Andrukonis did his job in informing Syron about the risks associated with continual bestowment of bad loans. Syron however did not do his in listening to his risk officer instead he chose to ignore him. It is often said the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. Dealing with millions and millions of peoples financial security however is something that does not bring bigger rewards with bigger risks instead what it brings is turmoil. Turmoil that could've been prevented. That is just one example imagine if other CEO did the same thing risked communal financial security for personal financial security. The fact that both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are government backed may have contributed to the erronious decisions made by both CEOs of the company. Some how I think that the leaders of these two companies should be held liable and receive some sort punishment. I highly doubt a slap on the hand would be as effective as jail time or something similiar to that. A message needs to be sent out to the American people that if you mess with people's financial security you will pay.