Obama's decision to fund Science.

As of now, I believe the current administration is doing an excellent job at making decision that concern funding science projects.

The Bush administration put restrictions for funding on stem cell research, but in 2009 the Obama administration lifted those restrictions. The impact of this is scientists having only a few lines eligible for research before Obama lifts restrictions to having a few hundred eligible after. President Obama however, has strong opinions against human cloning and doesn’t foresee any progress on that aspect.  

The Obama administration shows its support of the advancement of science by donating three billion dollars to the NSF (National Science Foundation) in 2009. On the 29th it was announced that the US government would spend two millions dollars to fund what they’re calling the Big Data Research and Development Initiative. They are focusing on building are state-of the-art technologies to collect, store and large quantities of data. They hope to use this technology to accelerate discovery in science and engineering fields in efforts to improve national security and education. In order to instill this belief of science and technology more in the community, Northwestern’s University Engineering school will offer masters in analytics

Recently Obama announced that insurance companies are to pay for birth control and drugs that can cause abortions under the Obamacare government-run health care program. The purpose of course is to ensure that women have access to preventive health benefits. Naturally some companies are upset over this new requirement, in result HHS is allowing religious affiliated institutions that ensure employees to opt out of covering birth control.

When comparing the Bush and Obama administration, I believe that scientists might be more happy with the Obama administration because of their eager and willingness to fund and support them.

In my opinion having a careful balance of politics and science is beneficial to the advancement of our  country and the advancement of science. I also think that the Obama administration is absolutely correct for funding research project. A main reason being that through the research our scientist can conduct, it allows for cutting- edge treatment for illnesses. No matter what religion the U.S. may be, one common thing that brings us all together is the fact that none of us want to watch a loved one die from an illness that could be treated if the research was properly funded. I think that everyone deserves the right to live in a country where their government takes their health seriously, and is genuinely concerned. I also agree with Obama’s decision to have insurance carriers provide contraception for women because again, women are equal citizens and deserve the right to ensure the stability of their own health.

North Korean threat?

This article on “AmericaBlog” talks about the escalation in tension for a nuclear attack between North Korea and the U.S. The author gives more of a continued glimpsed towards the topic, than actual research other than a quote. A quote that the author states may or may not had been made with official sanction.

“Since the United states is about to ignite a nuclear war, we will be exercising our right to pre-emptive nuclear attack against the headquarters of the aggressor in order to protect our supreme interest,” the North’s foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

The author cleans up the article by the possible doubts that North Korea has the ability to launch such an attack. As well points out that this tension has been flowing around for about 4 years now between the North Korea , Iran and the U.S. At the end the author throws in a personal metaphor swapped in grade school from a teacher about the U.S being distracted in its domestic problems while foreign dangers stir.

Whether the quote is official or not, the tension for a nuclear attack is present. A nuclear threat should not be simply brushed off the shoulder without taking precautions


#blog4

Gun Focus Shifts

A couple weeks after the shooting in Connecticut, arguments for a gun-free America began. Since then there has been a non stop of accusations on gun control and attempts to compromise without affecting the second amendment, the right to bear arms.
8 weeks after the incident in Connecticut the gun-free America seemed out of reach, so next best thing is to attempt to restrict and reinforce gun control laws. President Obama is calling for an update on the Assault- Weapon Ban of 1994; however, there are many people and interest groups debating against new and improved gun-control laws.  Now there are bans on semi-automatic weapons, and President Obama is also attempting to expand the restrictions on firearms. These include magazine sizes, background checks on gun sales, and a stop to illegal gun trafficking.
This article also has statistics on surveys regarding gun control. Surveying Quinnipiac University, and some American households. It also states the many diverse views towards new laws in gun-control. The article is worth reading because it shows some-advancement to a compromise on gun control, after months of just being a huge debate between Americans.


Gun Focus shifts from ban to checks and trafficking.