McGovern calls for military options in Darfur

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

One week after thirteen international aid organizations were expelled from Darfur, and one day after President Obama named Former General J. Scott Gration as a special envoy to Sudan, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said that military options to stop the genocide should not be ruled out. These military options could come to fruition as a no-fly zone. McGovern hopes the Obama administration’s diplomacy can prevail, but went on to say that time is running out and that Obama should work with NATO, the African Union, and the Arab League to stop the violence immediately, since more people are dying each day.

The Congressman said, “What we have done up to this point has not worked.” He said that genocide, violence, and rape are continuing, and now the government is “going to starve people to death.” McGovern went on to say that the Sudanese government is “determined to kill the people of Darfur” and drew similarities between the situation and the Holocaust

The Save Darfur Coalition said that since the aid organizations were expelled by President Omar al-Bashir, approximately 1.1 million civilians have been left without food aid, 1.5 million without health care, and almost 1 million without drinking water. In the crisis at large, the United Nations states that since 2003 over 200,000 people have been killed, and over 2 million people have been displaced.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir expelled the aid organizations after being indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.) charged, “this expulsion of aid workers further confirms the legitimacy of the indictment,” and that the president is guilty as charged.

Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) continued that he thinks there is no “political will” right now to send more troops into harm’s way considering America’s presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and feels that African Union forces should be left to do the job. African Union troops have unsuccessfully tried to quell the violence in the past. Smith said he believes a renewed effort by the African Union forces will yield better results.

Obama: AIG used taxpayer funds inappropriately

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

On the South Lawn of the White House today President Barack Obama said that the government must establish a regulatory framework to prevent future irresponsible activities such as those seen recently by AIG. Obama said that AIG used taxpayer funds inappropriately. He went on that the government is considering a power authority similar to that of the FDIC, which could exercise power proactively while moving to protect creditors, depositors, and consumers alike. The President said he has been working with Congressional leaders to this end, specifically with House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.).

President Barack Obama said that although people in his administration did not cause AIG to inappropriately use taxpayers money, he himself was responsible for AIG’s overindulgences, because as president, “the buck stops with me”. Obama chagrined at having to “clean up after AIG’s mess”, and acknowledged that the American people are right to be upset with the situation. The president suggested that the country channel this anger to productive ends.

When questioned about recent calls for the resignation of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Obama said that Geithner has his complete confidence, and is “making all the right moves” after having been placed in a tough position.

Congressmen urge Obama to reconsider troop surge in Afghanistan

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

Today a league of congressmen sent a letter to President Obama asking him to reconsider his military policy in Afghanistan before committing 17,000 new troops in a surge. The letter said, “As the goals of our seven year military involvement remain troublingly unclear, we urge you to reconsider such a military escalation”. This letter came from a bipartisan group of 14 members of Congress.

Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) said that he is “perplexed” by the president’s troop increase, considering that his administration has stated it is presently reviewing its strategy in Afghanistan. Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said that America is getting deeper into a “war without end” and that we need an exit strategy in Afghanistan.

Both Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) expressed concern on waging an endless war in such a time of economic peril. Kucinich said what the country needs is a healthcare surge, a home ownership surge, and an employment surge.

Biden burns down the house with Fire Fighters Union

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

While speaking before an eager crowd at the International Association of Fire Fighters Union Conference, Vice President Joe Biden said that the Obama Administration is committed to helping public safety officials do their jobs more safely. Biden says that he understands that an inherently dangerous profession such as fire fighting can never be made completely safe, but we can make it “safer than it is today.” Biden quoted a study from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, saying “the lack of staffing is the key cause of fire fighter fatality” and that to help make the first responder’s jobs easier and safer, they must be provided with better equipment, more fire fighters, and better training.

The Vice President said to rousing applause that The Public Safety Employee Cooperation Act, which was “blocked” by former President George W. Bush, will be signed into law by President Obama, and will “institutionalize that respect” which the public holds for them. He said that it is in “our nation’s own naked self interest” to take care of those that defend us and that when the fire fighting community is stronger, the rest of the community is safer.

Lawmakers meet with Fire Fighters Union

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

Today Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) addressed the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Legislative Conference about the importance of collective bargaining. Pelosi awed at “what a difference an election makes” in addressing workers’ rights as well as their right to organize. Union representatives said that the Obama Administration is much friendlier to unions than the Bush Administration was, and is looking forward to the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Pelosi hammered home her commitment to that bill, and highlighted how the Economic Recovery Package provided billions of dollars to help prevent job loss in the public safety sector.

Also speaking at the event was Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), who showcased his support for the Fire Fighter Fatality Reduction Act. The proposed law would set national requirements at fire stations for staffing, training, and equipment, moves that Lieberman believes will save lives. Additionally, Lieberman said he supports a national credentialing program for fire fighters, to make sure those responding to emergencies are properly trained to meet the national requirements he hopes are created.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) talked to the crowd about the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act, which would create a “rebuttable presumption” that certain diseases contracted by fire fighters are "job related”, and thus subject to compensation programs. Collins said that this would apply to federal fire fighters, because it was "fundamentally unfair" that federal fire fighters would not be able to receive the same health protection as those on the state and local level.

Both Collins and Lieberman spoke in support the right of workers to bargain collectively.

Vice President Joseph Biden is scheduled to speaker later today at the event.