Syria Weapons Inspection Deadline Missed

The inspectors in Syria have missed a crucial deadline. They were supposed to go in and check on the schedule of destruction of chemical weapons that Syria was suppose to be compiling with. However, this deadline was missed by the international inspectors while going for a scheduled visit to Syria. They were unable to access the areas due to security concerns.

“The chief of the global chemical weapons watchdog disclosed for the first time in a report obtained by The Associated Press that Syria has declared 41 facilities at 23 chemical sites where it stored approximately 1,300 tons of precursors and agents, and over 1,200 unfilled munitions to deliver them.”

It is hard to really know what is going on in a country like Syria. It is in the middle of a civil war and people from both sides report things that everyone has to take with a grain of salt. There are vague reports and understandings of what really is happening. This is true for their count of chemical weapons which is why the international inspectors have to go into the country in the first place.

I think that it is interesting they announce their deadlines publicly- via media. I would suspect that this would have some implications to their security and to the stockpile of weapons Syria might have. There may be some that are hidden when these inspectors come in and people know when they will be in the country-causing targeting to become much easier.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/29/syria-weapons-inspectors-miss-deadline-for-visiting-declared-weapons-sites/

How does this effect the international community as a whole in a political way?

Maybe that is just me, but what do you think about this?

Website Issues

Kathleen Sebelius was under fire after the Affordable Healthcare Act website had some major issues involving signups and crashes. The website continues to have problems after its launch. It has crashed many times despite maintenance and many people have been unable to signup to obtain their healthcare.

Sebelius is head of the U.S. Health and Human Services and responsible for the creation of the website. 

There has been much debate about the process of the new healthcare and the changes it will cause. The website launch fail has not helped those who are doubtful of the new Obamacare health plan.

Many have responded to this launch failure directly on Sebelius and have called for her resignation. Even though this is happening, she still continues to promote Obamacare and insures the website will be working correctly soon-for her sake and those trying to receive insurance.

Many have also commented that the websites lack in technical stability is just foreshadowing how the Obamacare product will really be. There has also been backlash on Obama, and now his approval ratings are very low compared to his start of the second term in the oval office.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/24/kathleen-sebelius-health-law_n_4160222.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

What do you think about the website crash? Do you think this foreshadows problems with Obamacare itself?

What are your thoughts on the reprimand of Sebelius? Do you think it is deserved?

Malala Yousafzai

You may have heard of Malala. Back a few years ago she was shot by the Taliban for educating young girls under the Pakistani Taliban. This was illegal under Taliban rule. She was targeted and shot in the head/ face for refusing to stop teaching these women. Today she is only 16 and still living. After being shot, she was taken to England for surgery and recovery where she lives now.

Now the Taliban are after her again. She continues to stand up against the Taliban’s beliefs that girls/women should not be educated.  I can’t imagine the courage this teenager has. She was shot in the face before by the Taliban and knows how threatening they can be, but she still continues to stand up for what she believes in.

What do you think about Malala's stance? Do you think her efforts are going to be short-lived or do you think she will start a major social change in the Middle East?

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/07/malala-yousafzai-pakistani-girl-shot-by-taliban-under-new-threat/?cmpid=cmty_twitter_fn

Border Patrol

This article is very interesting. According to a report by Breitbart News, these reports state that the stand-downs are due to budgetary restrictions. The report also says they are paying thousands of dollars to other departments for coming up with ways to cut Border Patrol pay and save money. This could mean bad news for the states and their security against people who illegally smuggle drugs and humans.

Also this could mean some bad news for other types of illegal aliens. This article makes a really good point in addressing the existence of people who don’t just smuggle drugs and are illegal traffickers. There are also some people who illegally want to get into this country to commit acts of terrorism.

Citizenship and illegal aliens have been a big debate in recent history. There are lots of questions to the ethics of the Border Patrol and services.

What are your thoughts?

www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/10/02/exclusive-border-patrol-management-orders-agents-to-stand-down-while-tracking-smugglers