Quick Fire News

Quick Fire News

To Kill an Ant
On financial regulatory reform, John Boehner said "[it is] killing an ant with a nuclear weapon." This, stated to the Pittsburg Tribune-Review was following his criticism of the compromise reached on the financial reform bill as serious overreacting to the financial crisis in 2008 that created the volatile economic situation today. This must be taken much more seriously by Congress. They have been handed the immense task of protecting our nation from risky financial practices that threaten it and protecting consumers from banks who sell them short.

Confirmed
Today, the Senate confirmed General David Petraeus to take Gen. McChrystal's former position as top commander in Afganistan. It is likely that Petraeus will continue the counter-insurgency strategy set by McChrystal. Although this was a key opportunity for President Obama to edit his policy, it seems that Afghan policy will stay the same; still, some good has come of McChrystal's comments. For the first time in what seems like months, the media is paying attention to international issues like Afganistan and, although less so, Iraq. It is imperative that the national conversation takes a focus on Afganistan so that the public remains educated and continues to act as a responsive force to extended stay there.

Having to wait for AID[S]
Due to America's still flattened economy, assistance for those with AIDS- assistance that maintains the life of many, is is incredibly limited supply. Additionally, HIV-positive Americans may more quickly develop AIDS without the needed- and very expensive- support. Many depend of government assistance to pay for this medical necessity, but, with the economy, the federal AIDS assistance programs have taken a severe hit.