Concealed Carry!!

A court ruled yesterday that Illinois must catch up with the times and implement some form of concealed carry. Currently Illinois is the only state in the union to completely ban concealed carry of a firearm. The court gave law makers until June to implement a new law otherwise the court would step in and do it for them. The Pantagraph gave a good explanation of the issues and lawmakers positions on the topic. I am personally shocked of the precedent  that this decision sets, courts can instruct state on what to do even if they have already repeatedly voted against said legislating.

How does this make you feel?

Do you think that concealed carry is a good thing for this nation even with more gun violence in the news recently?

Which Plan To Use?

Last week President Barack Obama released his plan for averting the Fiscal Cliff. Needless to say it was not what the Republicans had in mind when they had the summit at the White House.

The Obama Administration  updated an info-graphic online to outline their plan  and set up a website that citizens can have direct contact with the administration. You can tweet at President Obama and ask questions that he will be answering over the coming days.

Today, Speaker Boehner released today a letter addressed to President Obama outlining the Republican's position on the Fiscal Cliff. They wish to implement the Bowles Plan. Calling for much needed spending cuts coupled with in depth tax reform to close corporate loop holes and encourage job growth here at home.

What do you think of this battle over preventing the Fiscal Cliff?

Which plan do you want to see implemented?

Turmoil in the Middle East!

With Israel and Gaza constantly trading rockets and mortars, the global community sits and watches hoping for no further escalation.

President Obama sent Sec. of State Hilary Clinton to the region to discuss the issues and push for a move to "deescalation and a broader calm". Secretary Clinton just met with the Prime Minister of Israel and will go on to Egypt and Palestine in the morning to meet with more leaders.

These actions in the middle east will effects the U.S. almost directly. Israel is our major ally in the area and if they go to war we will no doubt come to their aid. The last thing we want to see are Israel forces marching on Gaza and a full fledged war breaking out.

I think that the President needs to step up his involvement in the situation may need to take place if Israel doesn't back down and agree for a cease fire. Diplomacy needs to be used to develop a long term solution that will provide for more stability in the region.

I encourage you all to follow the news coverage on the situation in Gaza because it directly effects the stability in the region and the United States national security.

Social Media and Politics!

What role does Facebook play in politics?

Odds are that you have heard all about the ideas that social media is a means of political engagement. Well the Pew Research Center has been "studying on the social impact of the internet." They conducted research on the impact of Facebook on the spread of political information. Understanding how the public uses Facebook for political speech can help understand what the future of civic engagement will be. 


"Here are the key findings in a recent nationally representative survey: 

38% of those who use social networking sites (SNS) or Twitter use those social media to “like” or promote material related to politics or social issues that others have posted. Liberal Democrats who use social media are particularly likely to use the ‘like’ button—52% of them have done so and 42% of conservative Republicans have also done so.
35% of social media users have used the tools to encourage people to vote. Democrats who are social media users are more likely to have used social media to encourage voting—42% have done that compared with 36% of Republican social-media users and 31% of independents.
34% of social media users have used the tools to post their own thoughts or comments on political and social issues. Liberal Democrats who use social media (42%) and conservative Republicans (41%) are especially likely to use social media this way."

To see the entire survey and its findings follow this link.

Upon learning this i would like to know what your reactions are to the finding? 

Do you feel that Facebook and Twitter are the future of civic engagement? 

Do you pay attention to the political posts and groups?