War is over (if you want it)

Its been ten years, 4,500 deaths and billions upon billions of dollars spent. By the end 2011, we will be pulled out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following the promises made during Bush’s presidency, Obama is following what our previous president wished. American troops had originally entered the Middle East in order to eliminate the al Qaeda safe haven, along with bringing justice to those responsible for the 9/11 disaster. Along the way, we gained a nation-building objective not critical to our national security, but which is consuming an enormous share of economic and military resources.

No matter your view on the war, be thankful to have our troops coming home, and for the brave work they have put in for our country.

Goodbye, Herman Cain!

What would an election season be without any sex scandals? We got our fair share from Herman Cain, who was accused by one women after another for sexual harassment. Suspending his campaign on Dec. 3, the Cain Train officially ended. He dropped out of the race after stating the rough toll it has taken on his family and himself. However, there is no lack of a possible Republican candidate, and perhaps we will see it taken by Bachmann or Gingrich... maybe. Cain has yet to release which candidate he will be endorsing, and for now Cain followers must find another candidate to support.

That crazy Bachmann

Each election, much media coverage is focused on outlandish statements from the presidential candidate’s almost as much as their actual campaign. GOP candidate Michele Bachmann has recently been feeding the media addiction. A November visit to Iowa invoked two blunders causing much attention. While addressing supporters about her plans for American diplomacy, she said that if she were president, we wouldn’t have a US embassy in Iran. However, US broke ties with Iran in 1980... and therefore there is no embassy there.

Later, when speaking with students at Waverly High School, the question came up from a student asking why can’t same-sex couples get married. Bachmann responded with “They abide by the same law as everyone else. They can marry a man if they’re a woman. Or they can marry a woman if they’re a man.” She reasoned this by saying that there is no special rights given to people based on their sex practices. While it may be true that Bachmann doesn’t stand gay marriage, it doesn’t seem like too much to ask for her to stop referring to love as a special right.