In congress, some of the senators are declaring it is time for offshore drilling. Many feel it will help break our dependency on foreign oil. They also feel that by buying foreign oil, it is giving money to countries that possible promote terrorism.

Last month, prices soared for gas. The US spends 2 billion dollars on oil every day and ¾ of a trillion dollars per year. Prices at the pumps went over 4 dollars in some areas of the country.

In the House of Representatives, the majority vote of 307-58 voted to lift the ban on drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. It now goes through the Senate where it is projected to pass also. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.

Barak Obama has been elected the 44th president of the United States. The campaigns to the Whitehouse were the best thing to watch on television. The current political scene with Obama appointing his cabinet and Whitehouse staff, the feeling of reconciliation expressed by all the pundits just doesn't cut it as entertainment. I miss the bloodletting, name calling and frequently stupid things done during the campaign.

True, conditions in the United States could not be worse. The stock market is down, unemployment is up, housing starts are down and foreclosures are up - and radical Muslims still want to destroy us, the big three automakers are on the verge of bankruptcy with congress reluctant to "bail them out". In other words, there is no new news.

What should have happened is that the day after the election the new president is sworn in and combines his policy making with cabinet appointments. GWB has been missing in action anyway, hidden away trying to rewrite the constitution through executive order.

So, this lack of news has forced the recycling of news. Why else would Sarah Palin make the news each night?Why are the republicans still talking about her affect on the election?

The republicans and the democrats are fighting about the automaker bailout. Paulsen has said that he is leaving about $350 billion bail out dollars to the next administration since he doesn't know what to with it. No new news here, partisan politics as usual.

In actuality, the American people have to hold on to their hope a little longer - till January 20th. With Obama's talent and intellect, there might be some new news. Maybe.

Or, not because of ineptitude, but because of complexity, the American way of life continues to decline? Are we setting Obama up to fail? Are the hopes of the American people beyond reach? Or, is Obama right. With a unified country, a willingness to make things work, this broken country will heal. My bet is that with faith in our leadership, we can do anything. Recovery is around the corner. But we must keep our expectations reasonable.

The first time that I really experienced a clear understanding that the world has changed was the day after the terrorists flew planes onto the World Trade Buildings on 9/11. National Security policies and rules were strengthened and personal privacy of the citizens of nations around the world, but especially in the United States of America were compromised in the guise of Homeland Security. Airports militarized their properties and passengers were (is) subjected to providing deeper personal identification before they could board the plane. Schools increased security and students were required to provide ID cards upon request or before entering a building or classroom.

The second time that the world was shaken and the world changed again, was the day that the housing market crashed and burned. Seriously, how the so-called financial experts and superstar economic gurus did not see this coming…should be a crime. Of course, the first blame and taking of responsibility should be the homeowners that knowingly knew they could not afford buying the house that they now are facing foreclosure on. Equally to blame are the mortgage brokers and the lending companies for rigging the market to ultimately benefit the corporate executives, shareholders and politicians over the homeowners that trusted that their mortgage brokers and real estate agents to lookout after their (the client) best interest. The government must owe up and take some responsibility the most, because by refusing to let companies fail and bailing them out with taxpayers' money (taxes) only will bankrupt the country.

The most recent change to the world was the declaration that Senator Barack Obama had won the President of the United States on November 03, 2008. The world on just about every level and profession and class has flipped out of their minds about the former-US State Senator of Illinois, Barack Obama. World leaders lining up to congratulate him before he has even been sworn into office and “citizens of the world” as Obama cited in a speech he gave in Berlin, from every race, religion, citizenry class, royalty, clergy and tongue have concreted their mutual support for him like nothing seen before in election history. Why?

What has he accomplished during his public service as either an Illinois State Senator or as the US State Senator of Illinois? There is less known about this future 44th President of the United States of America than any other former or current President or Presidential Candidate. His Harvard College records have been sealed and his birth certificate has been legally challenged recently and is being reviewed in the courts. Why would anyone feel so confident that Barack Obama has the abilities to solve America's problems (much less the world's problems) when there does not seem to be any supporting evidence that he has ever done anything of major importance during his elected public service record?

How can anyone place so much trust in a person that has no major accomplishments except for his winning the office of President of the United States?

Obama is not God or Jesus Christ or a god at all, because the Bible tells us so. Since he is not God or Jesus Christ and he has no major political accomplishments that supports his political promises and positions he claimed before winning the presidency, then really what do any of us know about Barack Obama and more importantly, his ultimate agenda?

It is foolish for a man to put his/her trust and faith in a mortal man, it is a wise for a man or woman to put their faith and trust in God (Jesus Christ - the Savior) who has created them and is all knowing in all things.

The United States is not without their submarine tragedies. In the 1960's the US suffered the loss of the USS Scorpion (most likely due to a hot run from a torpedo) and the Loss of the USS Thresher (due to condensation build up in the high pressure blow system). In the 1980s the US almost lost the USS Bonefish (an old Diesel boat that had a battery fire, very dangerous and I had friends on the boat). There was the USS Greenville that hit and sunk a Japanese training boat off of Hawaii. There was also the USS Ashville that hit an underwater sea mount and killed a young sailor. It was a miracle that the US didn't lose the USS Ashville, these submarine sailors kept the sub afloat even though the forward ballast tanks could not hold air.

The Russian navy has experienced their submarine tragedies. In the mid 1980s a Yankee class submarine had a missile explosion off the coast of North Carolina and sunk while being towed back to Russia. The Oscar II class submarine sunk in the Barents Sea while doing naval exercises, killing everyone onboard. And recently the Akula II class mishap in the Sea of Japan.

A submarine is a very dangerous place. This danger is not from the Nuclear reactor either. The danger is from the very nature of what a submarine does and what it has to accomplish in a combined space. For instance the number one cause of fires on a submarine is from the clothes dryer! This is due to the fact that a submarine has a closed ventilation system with no way to expel the lint from the dryer. Therefore if sailors do not continuously clean the dryer lint from the filters, it will heat up and catch fire. The refrigeration plants require Freon gas (just like your refrigerator) if Freon leaks, it displaces oxygen, if this is undetected, people can suffocate. The fuel required to run a torpedo must be self oxygenating, it if ignites (very rare) it produces hydrogen cyanide gas. If seawater gets in the battery compartment the battery will also produce hydrogen cyanide gas. Submariners are fully aware of these dangers and we train continuously on them.

In my opinion some of the troubles the Russian navy has experienced are due to the Cold War and not sharing technology or information on mishaps. For instance the missile explosion that occurred on the Yankee submarine was due to design of liquid rocket propellant mixing. When the two liquids are separated, it works fine, but as the missiles age and rust occurs, the two liquids might mix. NATO countries learned this and stopped using liquid rocket propellants in the 1960s. The Kursk explosion in the Barents is rumored to have occurred due to the Russians testing a hydrogen peroxide torpedo. The hydrogen peroxide exploded causing the submarine to sink. In the 1960s the British had an explosion like this causing a submarine to violently explode pier side. Due to this explosion NATO countries stop using hydrogen peroxide.

As for the Akula II fire extinguishing system, it is still unclear about what was contained in the automatic fire extinguishing system. This submarine's keel was laid down in 1991 meaning that the design occurred during the Cold War. Moreover Akula II submarines first appeared in the late 1980s. I do not want to believe that the Russian Navy would use Freon and not Halon to put out a fire. However, due to some systems like high pressure hydraulics, Freon and not Halon might have been the designed gas. It is more believable that there was a small fire in the machinery compartment that caused the seals on the refrigeration plant to leak Freon. It is time for us to share experiences and technologies.

Submariners have learned a long time ago to never trust any' automatic' system, nothing beats human reaction and human decision making to stop a fire and defend the ship.

Image Source

China has over 1.3 billion population. This number excludes other Chinese nationals who permanently migrated in other parts of the globe. In fact, you can see various versions of “China-town” communities sprouting from one country to another.  If all Chinese people around the world will jump simultaneously it will probably cause an earthquake. Kidding aside, China indeed invaded our global economy. You can see China-made products in every shelf of a supermarket and all aisle of a department store. In fact, China’s international trade activities (imports and exports) now accounts to 40% of their GDP. China’s foreign exchange revenues went as high as $ 1.4 trillion, the largest in the world.

Because of their huge population and cheap labor, international companies are flooding their country with imported raw materials which are being used by China-based manufacturers in the production of consumer products. No wonder consumption is also high in China. They are now the world’s top consumer of steel, copper and jewelry. In terms of oil consumption, they are now second next to the United States.

In terms of internet population, they already surpassed the United States; there are more than 240 million internet users in China. They are also the largest mobile phone users with 600 million subscriptions next to India.

Aside from its economic miracle, China also made history when they successfully hosted the 2008 Olympics. Mega-structures were built as early as 2004 in preparation of this historic event. As a result, Beijing now includes The Nest (Olympic Stadium), The Water Cube (National Swimming Center), The National Grand Theater and The Beijing International Airport as part of their list of man-made wonders next to the Great Wall of China.

Image Source

Image Source

Despite these wonderful achievements, China also made some unforgettable booboos that changed global consumers’ perception on China-made products particularly milk and toy products. Their export products are continuously being criticized by neighboring countries and are being tagged as “cheap quality” products.  

China is indeed bursting with explosive energy. But the big question is: Can they sustain their extra ordinary economic performance? Will China overtake the United States as the next super power? We will see in the coming years ahead…

Obama’s victory has given us the feeling that we can make a difference and our opinions do count. Our economy needs a change and I’m sure Obama will do a great job in representing our country. Although at first I had my doubts but now I’m glad the election turned out the way it did and that Obama will be running our country.

Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States and unlike me; he seems to have a fondness for the word change. His campaign speeches always contained some form of a promise of change. The question is, are the people ready for change? Will the hourglass be turned over as soon as Obama takes office?

Change is rarely easy, or quick. This country finds itself in a critical state and this didn't happen overnight, nor will the solutions to fix it. Come February will people already be looking for signs of change? Change will not occur overnight, in a month, or even in a year. Will patience be shown, while the new president elect tries to right this ship?

The end of the Iraq war, stabilizing the economy, fixing the housing market, alternatives to aid the energy crisis, these are but some of the issues facing the new administration. Barack Obama has made elegant speeches, motivated people, and created excitement and hope. He is on top of the world right now, a scary place to be. It's lonely at the top and there are always those waiting and eager for you to fall.

The American people are ready for change. Will we be patient enough to wait for it?

Another video was released which critics say is intended to help John McCain to win the 44th presidential election against his opponent, Barack Obama. This video has deserved many controversial comments.

Obama is claimed to attend a radical Muslim school and he was taught Wahhabism (a fundamentalist form of Islam). In reality, Obama attended a Muslim elementary school, as according to him, he was unable to bear the expensive cost in an American school. This statement was clearly written in his second book entitled “The Audacity of Hope”. On page 274, he wrote that:

Without the money to go to the international school that most expatriate children attended, I went to local Indonesian schools and ran the streets with the children of farmers, servants, tailors, and clerks.

Some unknown e-mails claimed that Barack Obama attended a Muslim school for as long as 4 years. How true is this statement? In fact, Barack Obama only attended a Muslim school for 2 years, and later he attended a Roman Catholic school. He explained that he was neither taught Wahhabism nor any Islam related materials. In his autobiography entitled “Dreams from My Father” which was published in 1995, on page 142, Barack Obama wrote that:

In Indonesia, I'd spent 2 years at a Muslim school, 2 years at a Roman Catholic school. In the Muslim school, the teacher wrote to tell mother I made faces during Koranic studies. In the Catholic school, when it came time to pray, I'd pretend to close my eyes, then peek around the room. Nothing happened. No angels descended.

It is said that Obama's father raised Barack Obama as a radical Muslim. How true is this fact again? With regards to this issue, Barack Obama described in his autobiography which was written in 1995 about both his biological father Barack Hussein Obama Sr. and his stepfather, Lolo Soetoro (a non-practicing Muslim) as both Muslim. Whether it is an agnostic or atheist is by choice. Though Barack Obama was raised as a Muslim, there're no firm evidences to support that he is a radical Muslim. Also, by the time his father married the younger Obama's mother, he was an atheist or agnostic, meaning that he was no longer practicing a Muslim practice in his life. Barack Obama once wrote:

For my mother, organized religion too often dressed up closed-mindedness in the grab of piety, cruelty and oppression in the cloak of righteousness.

This isn't to say that she provided me with no religious instruction. In her mind, a working knowledge of the world's great religions was a necessary part of any well-rounded education. In our household the Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad Gita sat on the shelf alongside books of Greek and Norse and African mythology. On Easter or Christmas Day, my mother might drag me to church, just as she dragged me to the Buddhist temple, the Chinese New Year celebration, the Shinto shrine, and ancient Hawaiian burial sites. But I was made to understand that such religious samplings required no sustained commitment on my part. Religion was an expression of human culture, she would explain, not its wellspring, just one of the many ways - and not necessary the best way - that man attempted to control the unknowable and understand the deeper truths about our lives.

In sum, my mother reviewed religion through the eyes of the anthropologist she would become; it was a phenomenon to be treated with a suitable respect, but with a suitable detachment as well.

A wicked e-mailed claimed Barack Obama as a Muslim. In fact, Barack Obama has been associated with the United Church of Christ since the mid-1980s. Barack Obama says that he attends the 11a.m. Sunday service at Trinity in the Brainerd neighborhood every week and his pastor, Wright, has become a close confidant. He is a Christian and he is rooted in the Christian tradition.

Some say Barack Obama converted himself to Christian to seek for a post of public office. But, this statement is not true. Barack Obama has become a member of the United Church of Christ since 1988, before he sought public office. That means his intention to be in Christ Jesus is not wholly aimed for seeking public office.

It is said that Barack Obama has benevolence towards radical Islam. However, this is not true again. Barack Obama once said: “You want a fight, President Bush? Let's finish the fight with Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, through effective, coordinated intelligence, and a shutting down of the financial networks that support terrorism, and a homeland security program that involves more than color-coded warnings”. This statement further remarked that he won't tolerate with radical Islam, and he's more likely to give Osama bin Laden a kick. Therefore, there's no connection of the Obama's name with a terrorist leader, Osama bin Laden.

Barack Obama is said to have a middle name of “Hussein” and this is proved by many sources. But, even so, do you know how absurd and funky if people judge on other person's middle name. Do you know that George .W. Bush has a middle name of “Walker”? The “Walker” here refers to a devastatingly powerful armored combat vehicle, AT-AT Walker which Bush piloted while he was in the Galactic Empire's campaign in the Galactic Imperial Reserves on Endor. While piloting his AT-AT Walker, Bush fired on Endor civilians, which are called Ewoks. Up to now, Bush's involvement in the tragedy on Endor is sealed with mystery. Even a deceased victim came to Bush to seek for a justice. Press secretary Tony Snow asserted "The incident on the planet Endor is outside of United States jurisdiction. The Ewoks are not from the planet Earth and are therefore exempt from the Geneva Conventions." Bill Kristol came to the Bush's aid and said, "Look, I think that at the time, no one knew the Ewoks weren't a grave and gathering threat to national security."Kristol added, "I think in the end, history will show that George Bush did the right thing." And Bush was further defended by Bill O'Reilly, "Who are these Ewoks anyway? And can we trust them? They don't wear pants. Is that really the kind of example we want to set for our kids? The president was just protecting America, and your children."

Another claim hit Barack Obama is that he was willing to choose to study radical Islam as an adult in Indonesia. In fact, Barack Obama did attend a Muslim school in Jakarta in his age of 6 to 8. I think at these ages, he was under dilemma to have no choice to select which school he has to attend. Furthermore, Barack Obama emphasized that the school he attended did not teach radical Islam or Wahabbism. I know the Indonesian education system well. The school that Barack Obama attended in Indonesia is not really a religion-based school but just a government school with secular curriculum. Here, kids from different religions are mixed in one class and there is no obvious separation of male and female. And this is not a case in the radical Islamic school. The CNN in Jakarta, Indonesia and Washington, D.C. reported that the allegations that Barack Obama has attended a Madrassa to be baseless and untrue. The deputy headmaster of the Basuki school (in which Obama attended from 1969 to 1971), Hardi Priyono said, “This is a public school. We don't focus on religion. In our daily lives, we try to respect religion, but we don't give preferential treatment.” He further remarked, “It's not an Islamic school. There's a lot of Christians, Buddhists, also Confucian….So, that's a mixed school.”

When dealing with recent e-mails falsely claimed that Barack Obama is a Muslim, he said, “I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” while interviewing by Ted Olsen and Sarah Pulliam. Barack Obama has been constantly mentioning about the role of faith in politics in June 2006. Barack Obama emphasized his strong Jesus Christ beliefs to the media. During his election campaign, it was obvious that he has his head bowed in prayers and he insists that he will be guided by prayer when he's in his office. Barack Obama made clear of his position as a Christian by repeatedly said that he is a Christian who attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Barack Obama denied the three rumors on him that are circulated widely on the internet. The rumors claimed that he is a Muslim, he was sworn in to Congress on the Quran, and that he rejects to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Watch the video to know the explanation from Barack Obama.

Remark:

I personally think that people should never have narrow mind towards the elected 44th US President, Barack Obama. Is that a shame for people not a “Christian” (not on Obama case) to run the country? Religion doesn't have any close-relation to run a country, does it? Who's capable to rule the country, he or she will be selected for this IMPORTANT task. The Christians are not necessary be in white, it can be of any colors. These days, due to the influx of different cultures, “the White Christian” has been a past, no more fact emphases that the Christian must be white.

Regardless of who is elected for a president, it's a time for most Americans to demand for a change as 8 years Bush's administrations have brought more frustrations to Americans. Why do people still want to question about the eligibility of Barack Obama as the next president of the United States? It's time for a new government under Barack Obama to address people's needs and desires that have long been dreamed of on the land of America.

Personally, I don't matter Barack Obama's past, but the foremost thing is whether he's capable to bring a progress to America and at the same time, he is justice to every American, including those who're not of his races.

Any discussions on Barack Obama's past, background and school he attended during his childhood are pointless. As I think he's a Christian for many years, people shouldn't attack him with his previous background upon his victory in the recent election. I think his task, choice of career and his patriotism towards America matter much rather than anything else. I am sure that he's a right person to fill the vacancy of 44th president of America. Let us pray whole-heartedly for a unity, economic growth, political stable of the America, and no more controversy circulated around Barack Obama who I think is better than George W. Bush and John McCain. Place your belief and confidence towards your new elected president, Barack Obama but please don't be stirred by the wicked and unintentionally planned messages with the aims to see America in collapse.

Upon exciting about Obama's victory, I'm concerned about Barack Obama's personal security. He might become a focus for a radical Islam group to attack as he tried to convert from Islam to Christian. For them, any conversion to other religion is DEATH. So, America should have a strict protection towards this newly elected president while preparing to attack from any unexpected bombings and planned attacks. At this moment, CIA, and other security arm forces should be careful enough to protect America so that 911 event won't repeat in the United States.

It did not matter if the people standing in line with me were black or brown or white. We were all American's. I live in an area of town where I am the minority. Occasionally I am treated with great distain. Twice I have stood in line at a fast food restraunt and the cashier waited on the person that came in after me and totally ignored the fact that I was even there. My point is racism is alive and well in our society.

It breaks my heart to know that so many men and women have died for the freedoms we enjoy and we can not even treat one another with respect. I believe that untill we stop trying to classify everyone by race it will never change. Why is it that we have to know the demographics of every race in America.

I believe that change will not come untill we stop the classifications. Why is it on every form we fill out the question of race is even on it? We will never get past racism untill we stop the need to know everyone's race. Shouldn't the question be 'Are you an American'? Not are you Native American, Caucaian, African American or Hispanic, but 'Are you an American?' What a fabulous shift in consciousness that would be.

I think that from now on every time I see the question of race on a form I will check other and write in 'American'. For us to truley be a united people we have to break our own barriers before we can break the barriers that outsiders place on us. Let's truley be a United People living in the greatest nation of the United States of America.