Both U.S. And Afghanistan Must Take Ownership Of Missteps, Says Liberal Analyst

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

There have been recent reports regarding U.S military involvement in the deaths of three Afghan women in February following an American Special Operations attack. The nighttime raid is now being called a cover-up with signs of evidence tampering at the scene by Special Operation Forces, who dug out bullets from the bodies of the women in order to hide the true nature of their deaths.

Matthew Duss, National Security Editor at the Center for American Progress, said the U.S. had dealt with the situation in an incorrect manner by choosing to cover-up the true outcome of the assault.

“When there are civilian casualties and other collateral damage to operations like this, I would think that the best thing to do is to own up to it, and recognize it, and deal with the problem. In general, it seems to me that the U.S. has been better at doing that.” said Duss. “General McChrystal himself has been personally involved in dealing with the families of certain civilians in the past who have been killed by air raids or other raids carried out by special forces. It seems it was just not done this time.”

Despite Afghan President Hamid Karzai accusing Western troops of weakening his government, said Duss, Karzai himself is truly to blame for the fact that his government is still dysfunctional.

“What the U.S. and its partners are trying to do is to help stand up an effective and legitimate Afghan central government, and the ongoing corruption of that government really handicaps that effort. We had President Obama in Afghanistan just last weekend making a very public plea to Karzai to deal with the problem,” said Duss.

According to Duss, it is unclear what the United States can really do in Afghanistan if the culture of corruption is not effectively managed by Karzai and his government.

Texas Republican Accuses Obama Of Missing Important Stimulus Benchmark

By Justine Rellosa- Talk Radio News Service

On the eve of the release of new unemployment data, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), who serves as the senior House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, criticized President Barack Obama Thursday for failing to adequately revive the employment situation in the private sector through the Recovery Act.

"9% of ... job loss has been in the private sectors," said Brady during a telephone conference with reporters. "The only jobs that have [been] gained have been in the government sector."

Brady noted nearly 4 million private sectore jobs have been lost since the passage of the Recovery Act.

Obama's Decision To Explore More Offshore Drilling Receiving Mixed Reviews

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama's decision to open up areas in the Gulf of Mexico, parts of Alaska, and the Atlantic coastline for possible oil exploration has sparked swarms of reaction from both supporters and opponents of domestic offshore drilling.

In an interview with Talk Radio News Service, Christina Larson with the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C. said it is too soon to completely grasp the President's new policy, but said it reflects the administration's attempt to shift the debate from health reform to energy.

"This is sort of the opening bell of the discussion. It's not the end of the discussion by any means so it's really hard to say what it means, [or] who's going to be happy [and] who's not going to be happy," said Larson. "The one thing we do know is that the discussion in Washington is shifting from health care towards an environment that focuses on energy and climate issues."

Although Mr. Obama is already taking heat from Republicans who argue that his new initiative doesn't go far enough, he is receiving some bipartisan support. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) told Talk Radio News Service on Thursday that he fully embraces the President's decision, calling it a good start toward making the U.S. completely energy independent.

"I think it is a very encouraging first step, I think that we could still do more," said Haridopolos."This should be part of an all-energy solution meaning not just oil, not just natural gas, but a combination of alternative fuels as well, meaning developing solar and bio-diesel and other things. But, I think this is a great first step it will help each of the states with royalties and it should also make sure that we are not dependent on foreign oil."

On Wednesday, two prominent Republicans, House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) both released statements saying they were wary of Mr. Obama's announcement.

"I'm skeptical," said Brady. "Looking closely at the president's proposal, it will delay more than drill by pushing back leases and delegating drilling decisions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to a Congress more obsessed with global warming than affordable American-made energy."

However, Haridopolos isn't on an island by himself when it comes to supporting the new initiative. Issac Hayes, a youth Minister from Chicago who is running this fall for the House seat currently occupied by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), released a statement on Wednesday echoing Haridopolos's sentiments.

"The President’s announcement to allow drilling along America’s coastline is long welcomed news. The off shore drilling ban has been an unwanted and unneeded moratorium on energy exploration...I am cautiously optimistic that this is not a smoke screen for a soon to come cap-and-trade bill jammed down our throats."

U.S. Surgeon General Outlines Commitment To Preventative Care

By Justine Rellosa- Talk Radio News Service

U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin stated that preventative care and practices will be her main focus while serving as Surgeon General during remarks at a Tuesday morning meeting with the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC).

"The basis of my priorities is wellness and prevention," said Benjamin. "I think that the preventative care is where we really are going to change this health care system from a sick system to a wellness system."

Benjamin emphasized the importance of creating an atmosphere in which patients are able to feel comfortable and safe while building a long-term, trust-based relationship within their primary care settings. The patient centered medical home (PCMH) initiative is meant to foster these relations by improving the quality and efficiency of health care through transforming the way primary care is practiced and reimbursed.

"Patients are ultimately the decision maker, and they really should be. We should be there to help them and be there to give them information to help them make their decisions. We shouldn't make their decisions for them," said Benjamin.

Health Insurance Mandates Unconstitutional, Says Republican Poe

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) fully supports Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s decision to legally challenge recently passed healthcare reform.

“The federal government has overreached its authority and Texans, like the majority of Americans, have had enough. Attorney General Abbott has my full support and I will continue to fight to uphold the Constitution for the people of the great state of Texas,” said Poe in a statement released on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Poe introduced HR. 4904, a bill that would prohibit Congress from using federal funding to fund mandates requiring Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a fine. In December 2009, Poe filed a similiar piece of legislation challenging the constitutionality of any bill requiring citizens to purchase goods or services as a condition of citizenship.

“Nowhere in our Constitution does it give the federal government the authority to force us to buy anything,” said Poe.

Poe said he wants his constituents to know that he will fight to repeal the new law vigorously, and will ensure that Congress follows the laws of the country.