Rounds for Senate

In the article "GOP Pulling Cash form South Dakota Senate Race" (Link to Article), Manu Raju discusses how confident Republicans in Washington are withdrawing funds from the senate campaign in South Dakota.  Rounds has been the leader of the campaign ever since he "blasted Pressler and Weiland with hard-hitting ads."  Rounds initially resisted airing the ads, but resorted to them recently, and they took a tremendous effect on the largely conservative state.  The article does mention Weiland's concern of the attack on him and Pressler.  Weiland states the negativity of the ads are not good for anyone including Rounds.

This article shows the current campaigning methods candidates are using.  The republicans obviously feel that Rounds will win Senate for SD, and that is the reason behind their withdrawal of funds.  I agree with Weiland that the ad hominem against other candidates is honestly a bad representation of what he or she believes is okay.  Yes, I understand that in a close race, this may be one of the only options left, but the votes should not be based on a person's attack on another person just for the sake of it.  I am glad that Rounds did not take that option right away, and I am excited to see the outcome of this race!  Go Rounds!

Independent is in my Nature

This man could flip the Senate - CNN.com

In an article published today, a low-key man by the name of Sen. Angus King from Maine could decide who will control the Senate next year.  As an Independent, he is urging his fellow Independent senators not to side with either Republicans or Democrats before the election.  King states if one was to announce who he or she was siding with, they might as well register as that party.  King has advised many Independent candidates, including South Dakota's Larry Pressler who is running this year.  Since there is a narrow division between the Republicans and Democrats, the group of Independents may tip the balance.  King states he will decide when the time comes, "making the best decision for Maine."

This article is extremely interesting because the fate of the whole Upper House of Congress is possibly dependent on a few people representing a small number of states.  Depending on the outcome of the polls, if there are many Independents elected, the ruling party may be different than everyone expected.  I feel that for the Independents' cause, they are doing the right thing.  Senator King has the right mindset in doing what is best for his state, just as any Congressman should do.  Though I am not eligible to vote yet, I will be following this as it proceeds to the elections because I find the possible shift in power to be mind-blowing.

Virus under fire

 President Barack Obama decided to stay in Washington, D.C., after a last minute choice, to discuss a national response to the growing Ebola epidemic in the United States rather than continuing his campaign (Link to article).  He stated that there must be a faster and more efficient monitoring of the infected patients, something that must be attacked aggressively.  Obama stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would "deploy SWAT teams within 24 hours to any hospital with an infected patient".  He calmed nervous tensions, stating that the lethal disease is not airborne. 

This article really made me glad that the President is actually taking some steps toward the protection of the nation from this new deadly epidemic.  I do think it was good on his part to put his campaigning aside to deal with this issue, but I don't really agree with the SWAT teams being assigned to the hospitals with infected patients.  I don't see why we should be doing that because it will only most likely add to the high tensions in those areas.  For the good of the people, I personally feel SWAT teams should stay out of this completely, but I'm not in the position to make that decision.  I do think that we should close our borders to those who have symptoms of Ebola, for the sake of the nation.

Ready or not, You're now done

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is giving its high ranking executive officers a final chance to retire before being fired.  The article "Skepticism from Congress on VA firings" explains how the VA is giving a final opportunity to those who are failing a chance to retire or find another job without consequence. Though Congress initially wanted to fire those in charge without notice, but the VA interpreted the idea differently, then offered a final chance.  Congress gave the VA secretary the authority to fire the failing executives directly, not just propose removing them.  The corruption in some of the departments in certain cities was the cause of this movement.

This new ordinance affects the VA directly, along with any veterans who use this resource.  It impacts Congress as well, because they made the decision, almost unanimously, to give the authority to the Secretary of the VA to fire certain officials they have pointed out.  I think that this will lead to a huge debate over how the certain governmental issues should be mandated and run, but I believe that Congress is doing the right thing by trying to preserve the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tunneling New Ideas

The article, "Is North Korea still digging tunnels to the South?" (Link to article), discusses the finding of another tunnel underneath Seoul, South Korea.  This tunnel was created by the North Koreans as a possible route for invasion, or so Gen. Hahn Sung-Chu thinks.  There were reports of vibrations from residents in Seoul, yet no subway was underneath.

A total of four tunnels have been found coming from the North into the South, yet the last one discovered was in 1990.  A former resident from the North said the operations peaked in the 1980s.  They would dig down 100-150m, then dig upwards towards the South.

This finding affects national security of South Korea, and the United States as we are helping South Korea defend themselves.  This new tunnel has increased security in South Korea, which is vital for the preservation of the South.  I feel that if there is continued tunnel creations, there will be a major conflict in the near future.