Today In The Nation

This week in the United States, we’ve seen the best and the worst of what the government has to offer. From the impacts and responses of President Obama’s executive orders, through the latest media coverage of Rod Blagojevich, to the recent developing, and hard hitting economic predictions and nation-wide layoffs. Wherever you are on the political spectrum, you can’t deny the magnitude of recent developments. Today in the nation, we’ll take a look at the first week of the Obama administration, and the events unfolding within the economy.

With his first week in office behind him, President Obama has taken action. His first official act as president was to sign the order closing the American prison at Guantanamo Bay. Since the earliest days of the War on Terror, images of hooded prisoners, stories of  human rights violations, among other unthinkable horrors have circulated the nation and abroad. However, where do you stand with this decision as an American citizen? The previous administration once called the prisoners detained at Guantanamo “The worst of the worst.” Since then, hundreds have been released, Al’qaeda has used the distrust and images created by the detention center as a means to recruit, and the treatment of some prisoners may serve to provide them lenience in their trials. We know now the statements of the Bush administration towards the prisoners detained within Guantanamo and other facilities similar to it are not the worst of the worst, however the harm and lack of civil liberties displayed among some prisoners may, may have been just what terrorist factions have needed to encourage potential enemies to harbor resentment towards our nation.

With the official act of closing the nicknamed “Gitmo” to complete in no more than a year, President Obama has done more for this nation’s reputation on the world stage than former president George W. Bush had done within his 8 years of office. However, some critics of the Obama administration may pose that this act of taking significant terms against one of the key results of the previous administration on the War on Terror may leave cause for concern. But is there really any cause for instilling fear into average Americans? We’ll leave that decision to the individuals who look for the facts, maybe you do feel threatened by the possibility of potentially criminal individuals to be freed. Or maybe you’re among the many who believe that this step is finally what our nation needs to improve our footing on the world stage, and increase our reputation abroad. By ending crimes against humanity, and finally processing and allowing these prisoners to see the justice they deserve, maybe our nation is finally on the right track for handling the terrorist threat, by taking the moral high ground and visiting the civil liberties we enjoy upon those within our custody.

Though, while some are relieved at this first major action by the new president, many within our nation now face the painful truth of the state of our economy. Within this past week, tens of thousands of layoffs were announced, adding to the millions of jobs already lost to the economic struggle our nation now faces. Big names like Boeing, Starbucks, Home Depot, as long as many others have made headlines for laying off thousands of employees this week, and many Americans are wondering about the security of their future. Some Americans out of work with the down economy may find their way performing odd jobs just to make ends meet this year, others may just be fortunate enough to pick up work somewhere else. Where do you fit in with the struggling masses of the employed? Maybe as an individual thankfully with work, you fear the threat of downsizing within your place of work, and face this very real situation for yourself. Or, perhaps you’re secure with a prospering place of business with yourself. Whatever your situation is, the facts remain that things may continue to get worse in the coming months before they get better.

Though, where do you fit in amongst the millions of layed-off workers? How does the state of the nation make you feel? Some, may find some relief in knowing that its a representation of the times we live in, knowing they are not alone in these dire situations. Others, may fear the future, loath the competition that’s rising for already hard-to-find employment opportunities. How does it present itself to you in your daily life? When you’re out and about, do you see others that are in similar straits, do you talk about the employment crisis with friends and family? These are questions Americans all over are asking with the recession, some may need comfort, some may just need work. In any case, this writer sincerely wishes you all out there the best of luck in your pursuits, but honestly admits there are some to see unemployment soon that will not be mourned…

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has seen ample media coverage in the past month, as his attempts at selling the now vacant Senate seat formerly belonging to Barrack Obama to the highest bidder. Now seeing the full probability of impeachment after a unanimous vote of 59-0 to convict the Governor of abuse of power, many Americans rejoice at the punishment of blatant political corruption. With the Governor being ousted from office and being barred from holding any public office in the State of Illinois, the proverb of Lord Acton of absolute power corrupting absolutely, is finding its roots in many peoples minds these days. With a new administration of a Democratic majority under way, the concerns of political corruption and abuse of powers grow, especially on the minds of the minority voters.

Even with Blagojevich being ousted, and the controversial senate seat being filled by Roland Burris, the fear of any taint or corruption surrounds the position. Howeverm whether influenced or not by Blagojevich, Burris marks for democrats the largest senate lead since 1981. A lead that may prove very satisfactory to the new administration with any plans for the future.