This week in the world

General McChrystal resigns because he criticized the Obama Administration in an interview with rolling stone magazine.

Everyone should have easy access to broadband internet

From FCC Eyes Broadband For Indian Reservations 

Only 63 percent of all Americans have high-speed Internet connections. That's low compared with other countries. But when it comes to American Indians, the Federal Communications Commission estimates that fewer than 10 percent are connected. On Tuesday, the FCC announced the appointment of a special liaison to the American Indian community to oversee efforts to get broadband to reservations. (read more) 

Humboldt County, Calif. is home to the Karuk tribe. Many of the tribe's
members and others who live in the area have had to leave because of
the lack of, which often hinders business growth.

I use the Internet for several hours almost every single day. I have integrated into a lifestyle that commits a great number of hours of using the Internet to sustain. My job utilizes it many times over, every single minute of the workday. And after work, I use the Internet for many different reasons. I've never calculated it, but my best estimate would be about 10-12 hours per day is used on the Internet.

I love the Internet and all the opportunities and possibilities it continually grants to every individual who uses it. And to engage in these opportunities, I believe every child in the United States should have available broadband access to the Internet.

My Response to John Sigler, NRA

"Definitively Absurd"
A family member of mine forwarded an article to me earlier this week, but her email had no commentary on the content. The article, recently published in American Rifleman magazine, was titled "A True Threat to Freedom" and written by John C. Sigler, the successor to the late Charlton Heston as president of the NRA.

In the article, Sigler berates Barack Obama and his stance on , among other things, the ownership and possession of assault weapons. Sigler claims that if Obama's policies are translated into successful legislation if he is elected president, it would be a violation against alleged rights that Sigler believes are granted by the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

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The Intratec TEC DC-9 semi-automatic handgun. It was one of the two assault weapons used by Eric Harris to slay several of his fellow students before killing himself at Columbine High School in 1999.	The .22 caliber Walther 22 semi-automatic handgun. It was one of the two assault weapons used by Seung-Hui Cho to kill 32 of his fellow students, and then himself, at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2007. It was the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

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Reply to All
Here is my response to the article and its subject, which I sent via email back to my dear cousin:

Thanks for sharing this article with me. I wanted to follow up with my thoughts on the subject.

The topic, of course, is the Second Amendment. The issue is some conflicting interpretations of that amendment. The concern – as expressed by John Sigler – is a perceived threat to some alleged rights, which are based on his interpretation.

It is appropriate that we are clear on the topic, so I'll start at point 'A'.

The Second Amendment to the Constitution: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

That's it. There are no additional statements, inclusions, exclusions, or clauses. When I read that sentence, its meaning cannot be more clear to me. No "interpretation" is necessary – it is written in comprehensive English.

But there are many who claim that this sentence grants virtually limitless rights with respect to the possession of firearms.

Let me quickly address two statements made in the article. Sigler claims that Barack Obama represents a "true threat to freedom," and that the Second Amendment is the "most fundamental civil right." Both of these statements are definitively absurd – that is, utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false.

With regard to Barack Obama's voting record on various aspects of firearm laws, I'm afraid I'm unable to go down Sigler's list to confirm the information or that he is presenting it in the correct context.

What I can tell you is that, if I were a lawmaker, the votes I would cast would likely be nearly identical to those of Barack Obama. As Obama is a Senator of Illinois, where I currently live, I am very happy with the votes he has cast on behalf of my state.

I won't go into a lengthy discussion on statistics, such as the most recent data showing that more than 30,000 people are slain by firearms every year in the United States. Only a tiny fraction of those are the result of self-defense.

Nor will I go on and on about alternative means of defending ones family, such as baseball bats (both metal and wooden are equally effective), one or two ferocious dogs (or even a "Beware of Dog" sign), home security systems, and prayer!

Here's what Barack, myself, and countless other Americans believe:We believe possession of firearms should be "well regulated," just as the Second Amendment states. We believe that game hunters should be able to live long happy lives filling their bellies with venison in all its delicious forms, and adorning their walls with antlers as evidence to their wild hunting tales. And we believe that making it illegal for anyone to own or possess assault weapons is preferable to every American home becoming its own militia.

All the best,

Jason

Another "Mission Accomplished"?

Yesterday’s missile launch by the U.S. in northwest Pakistan is the most recent of “at least four” attempts to kill al-Qa’ida operatives there. The missile was launched from an unmanned Predator, which provides U.S. intelligence services with real-time imagery of ground targets. The missiles were likely fired by intelligence officials thousands of miles away using the imagery from the plane's camera to pinpoint al-Qa’ida targets.

Has the Bush Administration been planning this final assault against Osama bin Ladin in the final months of Bush’s presidency? This definitely seems plausible. Killing Osama bin Ladin at some point within the next five months would not only rebound Bush’s already tarnished legacy by overshadowing his Iraq blunders, but it would also give John McCain his only fighting chance in the November elections.

Just as Bush did on the USS Abraham Lincoln in October 2003, which marked the pinnacle of his re-election campaign, he will be able to once again claim “Mission Accomplished” – this time, perhaps, a little more truthfully – and do the same for John McCain’s.

I hate to say it, but I must admit that this is the only time since September 11, 2001, that I hope Osama bin Ladin manages to stay alive – at least until after the presidential elections. Nevertheless, even if Bin Ladin manages to do so, I predict that sometime around the end of summer rumors and “unconfirmed reports” will begin to surface claiming he has been captured or killed. At long last, I doubt Bush & Co. would hesitate to use more lies, if necessary, to serve its purposes.

Bush: "I Was...Not a Man of Peace"

Now that George W. Bush’s presidential tenure is wrapping up, he is finally realizing the major blunders he made while in office and "regrets" how they will plague his legacy throughout history. Bush had long seemed confident that the kinks – particularly his botched war in Iraq – would work themselves out before leaving the White House. He was wrong.

The Iraq War, which Bush and his cohorts commenced with the shameless use of continuous deception, will forever remain the “crown jewel” of the Bush presidency. It was the Bush Administration’s war of choice in which the death toll continues to grow into the tens, if not hundreds of thousands, including more than 4,000 slain American troops. All this while Osama bin Ladin, the kingpin of international terrorism, sleeps with a smile because those who should be pursuing him are bogged down in the wrong country.

More Discussion on Solar Energy is Needed

The topics of climate change and the environment, I believe, have become more eminent in the last decade than at any other time in history. They have become such prominent issues that even many corporations are gladly jumping on the bandwagon -- albeit more so for purposes of polishing their brands as opposed to genuine concerns for the environment.

By extension, much discussion and debate continues regarding sources of "alternative energy" to replace oil, which is presently the dominant global source, that could fuel the future of civilization. Wind, water, and the sun are proven sources of energy that are being increasingly utilized in various places around the world. Of these three energy sources, however, only solar power seems to be the most practical and affordable for individuals and small organizations to utilize to generate a sufficient amount of energy for homes and other facilities.

Solar energy also seems to be gaining more consideration as a solution to large scale energy needs as well. In Africa, for instance, officials have realized the potential that can be found in the constant sunlight of the vast Sahara desert.