War Gear Flows to Police Departments (FC)

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/us/war-gear-flows-to-police-departments.html?hp&_r=0

                 
 The New York Times did a report on local police departments across the nation being armed with military style weapons; this is because of the whining down of the Afghanistan war and the ending of the Iraq war. I came up with two different views of my own, and how I really feel about  the situation. 


                


Point 1. No way is such heavy duty weaponry needed by a police department, unless the police across our nation are declaring war on its citizens. Furthermore, many small town police departments have either minimally-trained or untrained locals in a uniform who haven't a clue about the use of such weapons. Like so many other outmoded or disused weapons of war, they need to be safely destroyed by the military.

Point 2- I don't see the problem if police departments want to recycle unused military gear. Better that it has a second life than it gets turned into scrap metal. Taxpayers should remember that they paid for all this stuff. Plus, you can't expect the bad guys to follow the rules - you have to be prepared for anything. As the saying goes: better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Gear is in itself not evil, its just a tool bag. As long as police officers always keep the constitution front and center when they do their jobs, I don't see the harm.

Point 3- While I believe the current intentions of the vast majority of police departments in this country remains to be protect and serve the community, it is impossible not to be alarmed by the rapid armament. While I admit that what I have to say in the coming sentences is purely speculative, I also believe that skepticism now is something so desperately needed in many aspects of the way we are currently conducting ourselves as a society. The amount of special interest money flowing through Washington is incomprehensible. Election to office now goes to the highest bidder. The concentration of wealth to a select small percentage made them have tremendous legislative power. The media in this country is continuing to do a tremendous job of not only keeping the vast majority of the populace uninformed, but also the gross, delusional "political divide". All the while this country evolves into something which I fear will be completely unrecognizable. We need better education. We need the re-introduction of science. We need unity, common ground, rational debate and discussion. We need skepticism, questioning, and analyzing. Who is going to question those in power when faced with tanks, tear gas, and M-16s? MY VIEW

Free Choice- Carbon Pollution Regulations

       
    The Obama administration has created a monumental climate policy that will have a huge impact on future generations and even now. President Obama will speak and announce this blueprints on the propose regulations on Monday. These proposed regulations will apply to existing power plants, which produce nearly 40 percent of the United States carbon pollution, the primary cause of climate change.



   No single action the U.S has taken to address climate change is as important as this proposal. If we can dramatically decline  power plant emissions, we can start as a nation to make a big difference in the climate fight. The U.S is in the spotlight on green-efficiency and combating climate change. As long as the America lead in combating climate change, more countries will follow like China.


 
 The Obama administration had to act unilaterally, while the Republican control Congress was tied in knots on the issue. The administration proposal is legally under the "Clean Air Act (CAA)" The Clear Air Act was passed in 1970 and 1990 both  goal is to achieved dramatic reductions in air pollution and maintain a healthy society. The courts has already declared that the EPA has the legal basis to move forward with the proposal.  While the the courts are legalizing these proposals; it ensure positive results moving forward with other proposals.


 When the proposed regulations are released tomorrow it would be a historical, thanks to President Obama and the EPA. As a nation we must combat and find ways on improving green-efficiency and climate change.