I feel that it is fairly obvious that I have been avoiding some of the hottest topics that have been on the lips of almost everyone. It is partly due to my (not ridiculously) busy schedule, laziness and my aversion to falling into the fad that everyone is talking about (not exactly the best attribute for a journalist, I know). But I think that that there is no respectful way to avoid discussing some very important events that has been happening in the world.
First, on a local note, I would like to hear your guys' thoughts on the proposals to eliminate collective bargaining rights for workers. Both Wisconsin and Ohio have made national news for their controversial proposals to do away with this ability. I would like to see what you guys have to say about this one. Does this scare you? Do you feel that the effort is too weak and that it is the least we can do? Could you not care less, and why?
Not to toot The News Record's horn but there is some great coverage on this topic done by some of our fellow journalists here at UC. Take a look, tell me what you think and DO NOT be afraid to speak your mind. Be open and you may teach us all something.
And now on to the story that has been in the spotlight for sometime now. The Middle Eastern protests.
There has been 'uprisings' in more than just Egypt. Tunisia has overthrown their ruler, President Zine
el-Abidine Ben Ali, Lebanon, Algeria, Iraq, and other nations have demonstrated in support of these countries in their times of trial.
Now we are seeing more of the same in Libya, where the civilians are seeing some very aggressive retaliation from the 'security' forces there. So my question is, What does all this revolution mean. And not only for those countries, but for us as well. Is this a long brewing sign that peoples of the Middle East are sick of patriarical, theocratic rule? What does this mean for the ridiculously high gas prices we've seen lately? Do you think that our constant presence in the Middle East has cause a ripple effect of instability? Do you think that any of these revolutions will take a turn for the worse, opening doors for organized groups to cease power and take countries into violent or tyranical directions? Do you feel that these are great strides for nonviolent protests and that real democray will be the fruit of these times? Do you feel that America has any hand in these revolutionary protests as we did in Iran with our propaganda campaign and establishing a figure head in the 1953 cout?
Now, I understand that these geopolitical hypotheticals can get complex, so feel free to speak on whatever aspect you feel like. Thanks people!
I think it is important for both an employee and an employer to have a mutual understanding and agreement on a job. By eliminating the collective bargaining rights, I think we are giving too much power to a company and silencing employees because they are not given the option to negotiate.
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to learn more about Bill 5 because it may affect me in the future if I stay where I'm at. But since my boss has not said much about it I guess athletic positions won't be hurt too much by it.
ReplyDeleteOf course as soon as I assume, well, you know the saying...
I'm still all fired up about the woman from Minnesota that wants the government to pull funding from the military for NASCAR. You don't mess with us NASCAR folks
Cout? Your questions here might be a bit vague to elicit many substantive comments. Good subject, though.
ReplyDeleteI think watching all the uprisings happening around the world is just astonishing. All of the sudden, it seems that everyone is rebelling, which is not a bad thing at all! We are living in an incredibly interesting time period. What's happening now in Libya is scary, just because I read today that our government is talking about invading. I think we need to let their country sort everything out... We're already in two wars that I personally don't agree with, and I feel as though we need to stop trying to control every other country. I'm honestly still not sure how I feel about Bill 5 (AKA Collective Bargaining). I still need to do some research on the topic. My dad is a union worker who went up to the state house today to protest the bill, which I thought was pretty cool. I mean, despite where I stand on the issue, I think it's great that people are protesting and voicing their opinions. It's important for people to speak up and exercise their right to free speech.
ReplyDeleteInstability because of us? I'm not sure. Added passion to the toppling of governments because we Americans support them? Absolutely.
ReplyDeleteIt's about remaining objective or at least being a little empathetic. We have stereotypes for basically everyone and anyone and I'm sure we're stereotyped in one way or another by anyone who doesn't live here.
Empire builders? Nosy people? Democracy-forcing country? Any and all probably apply in some parts of the world.
As for the "invasion" of Libya, that's another story. If we were to run up in there guns blazing in the name of Democracy, that's one thing, but taking into account all the horrible and, well, criminal going on in Libya, giving some advice might not be a bad idea. Committing combatants might be much, but, from what I'm hearing, Tripoli and places all over Libya need help.
As Secretary of State Clinton said, clouds of a civil war are gathering above the country and it's just not looking good. At all.
It's hard for me to be objective when it comes to Bill 5 because my mother and boyfriend are both teachers. They work harder and sacrifice more of their time than any other people I know for their jobs. And they surely don't do it for the money. Yet, recently some are questioning whether educators, among many other public workers, are entitled to their benefits. Recently, President Obama has stressed the importance of making the teaching career a desirable one as to attract bright and effective educators. But the truth of the matter is that our education system is and will continue to suffer because a career in teaching isn't financially desirable to America's best and brightest.
ReplyDeleteI am fully aware of the dire financial straights that both state and federal governments are in currently. Thus, I realize that cuts need to be made to get by. But SB5 isn't the answer. Perhaps it would be more fair to take from middle class public workers if millionaires were also paying their fair share (i.e. paying pre-Bush-era taxes).
Gosh, this is really a journalistic lapse.... revealing a bit of political bias. Oops.