Sending people to Mars won't help cut the deficit

by Suzia van Swol and Candyce Torres, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
After the President's Address to Congress, Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) says that he thinks it is possible to cut the deficit in half if, "you stop this cold war defense weapons spending, and you curtail very expensive sending people to Mars, you cut back on excessive agriculture spending as he said, and you let taxes on the wealthiest people go back to where they were under Bill Clinton when the economy prospered, that you can do this." (0:29)

China: "Hope to increase economic growth by 8%" in 2009

Minister Counsellor and Head of the Political Section for the Embassy of China, Weilin Kuang discussed "China's Development and its Role in the World," today at a Humanity Peace and Security meeting for the Korean Peninsula Issues in Washington D.C.

Weilin Kuang said in his opening remarks: "Over the last 30 years the economic progress China has made is truly remarkable…over 200 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty."

However, despite China's progress in the economic market, Kuang noted some challenges facing China: "Although we are the third largest economy in the world our GEP is behind the 100th largest economy in the world."

Talking about the current economic crisis, Kuang said: "China is faced with very serious economic difficulties and challenges."

Talking about China's relations with the world, Kuang said: “After 30 years of reform China's relations with the world has changed. China needs the world, and the world needs China."

Kuang stated that maintaining and building on external relations is vitally important to help China get through this economically demanding period.

Speaking of hope for China, Kuang said: “I am confident that a rising, confident and more prosperous China will make positive contributions to the world…China hopes to increase its economic growth by 8 per cent this year and I am very hopeful."

In regard to US-China relations, with the new Obama administration, he said: "We hope to see a continuation of these two dialogues…we have put our ideas to the US side, now its their turn, the ball is in their court…I am confident a formula can be formed to allow these two dialogues to continue…it is up to the United States to make a position."

"We have seen positive signs from President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton…I hope more can be done to move forward and expand talks…face-to-face talks could be very helpful to help express mutual understanding," he concluded.

Obama nominee, Clinton, outlines priorities for State Department

Barack Obama's Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton{D-N.Y.) appeared for a confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and outlined the priorities she plans on tackling in the position.

The Senator discussed Iraq, reiterating the Obama administration's plans for a practical withdrawal.

"Our men and women in uniform, our diplomats, and our aid workers are risking their lives in these countries. they have done everything we have asked of them and more," said Clinton.

" But Over time our larger interests will be best served by safely and responsibly withdrawing our troops from Iraq, supporting a transition to full Iraqi responsibility for their sovereign nation, rebuilding our overtaxed military, and reaching out to other nations to help stabilize the region and employ a broader arsenal of tools to fight terrorism."

Clinton also addressed other problems facing the Middle East, including Syria and Iran's troubled relationships in the region and the crisis facing Gaza.

"As intractable as the Middle East problems may seem, and many presidents including my husband have spent years trying to work out a resolution, we cannot give up on peace."

Clinton, who ran against Barack Obama during the Democratic primary, also discussed her commitment to combat terrorism through a number of avenues, including cutting off support for Al-Qaida, gathering up unaccounted for nuclear weapons, stopping the terrorist black market, and encouraging countries to reduce their nuclear stockpiles.

As first lady Clinton was a strong advocate for women's rights on the international stage.Senator Clinton stated that she would use her position to further the cause.

"A particular concern to me is the plight of women and girls. They comprise the majority of the world's unhealthy, unschooled, unfed, and unpaid," said Clinton.

"If half the world's population remains vulnerable to economic, political, legal, and social marginalization our hope of advancing democracy and prosperity is in serious jeopardy."

Obama announces national security team

President-elect Obama officially announced his nominees for important National Security positions.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) will serve as Secretary of State; Defense Secretary Robert Gates will continue to serve in his position; Eric Holder, former Deputy Attorney General, will serve as Attorney General; Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona, will serve as Secretary of Homeland Security; Dr. Susan Rice, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in the Clinton administration, will serve as Permanent UN Secretary; and retired General James Jones, Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, will serve as National Security advisor

“In their past service and plans for the future, these men and women represent all of those elements of American power, and the very best of the American example. They have served in uniform and as diplomats; they have worked as legislators, law enforcement officials, and executives. They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America’s role as a leader in the world,” said Obama during a news conference at the Chicago Hilton hotel.

The President-elect responded to concerns over past ideological differences with some of his nominees, including Hillary Clinton, against whom Obama ran a heated campaign during the Democratic primary.

“I think if you look at the statements that Hillary Clinton and I have made outside the heat of the campaign, we share the view that America needs to be safe and secure and in order to do that we need to use military power with strengthened diplomacy.”

Bill Clinton at Radio Row

Bill Clinton's speech and at the Talk Radio News Radio Row