Obama Pursuing Climate Accord in Lieu of Treaty

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It's time to move forward with reductions in carbon emissions. How ridiculous is it that the legislative branch of the government, the part who's responsibility it is to pass laws, can come to some compromise. The Constitution was written in 1787 and included numerous compromises, yet in modern American politics, working with members of the other political party is dangerous to staying in power. I for one am in agreement that President Obama uses his power as head of the executive branch to use his limited executive power to pursue an international agreement. Although the agreement will not carry the weight of being law, it is the best solution in the current context. What do you think? Is President Obama being smart and realistic to pursue climate change policy in this way, without Congress's approval? Or is he acting wrongly not working harder to push compromise among Democrats and Republicans on this issue of climate change?

Health Organizations Call For A Ban On E-Cigarettes Indoors

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I believe that laws should be passed to regulate this product before testing can determine the effects. Even though a law is limiting someone's decision to engage in an activity, it's in the interest of the user and the people around the user. And we need to especially deter young people from addicting tobacco due to the obvious health side effects. This is a no-brainer to me. You?

Beheading Video Stirs Debate On Social Media Censorship

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At first, I was totally in agreement with Twitter and Youtube taking down the video of James Foley (I for one will never watch this out of respect for Ms. Foley's family.) However, after listening to Mr. Hernandez, I agree that allowing private corporations to censure certain news is dangerous. People should be able to make the determination whether or not they should view or hear someone else's free speech. And if enough people and government representatives believe a certain type of free speech should be blocked, then a law should be passed. For instance, the child pornography example is an appropriate one; yes, by all means, censure that unethical "free speech." What's your take on this free speech issue? Should we allow private companies determine what news and information we can and cannot know about?

The big flaws in the federal job training program

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The problem here is not in the federal law to encourage and subsidize (help pay) unemployed people to go back to school for new job skills. The problem lies in the unregulated for-profit schools. I absolutely agree that these schools, but also not-for-profit ones need to be investigated and regulated so unsuspecting people don't incur large debt without continued help. However, these schools could be helped by better conditions in the law to insure applicants are helped beyond their time in the school. Job counseling and continued career help is essential to make this process of turning millions of unemployed people into millions of employed people. What do you think? Is this law a mistake? Good idea but bad implementation?

These children have crossed the U.S. border, but their journeys are far from over

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It's super easy to hear the number of illegal immigrants coming into the U.S. and react indifferent. "We can't accept everyone, right?" "What about providing services to American citizens in need before illegal immigrants?" However, after reading these individual stories of kids, some as young as my three year old son, and some as old as you, I know this is not a simple issue of arrest and deport. This is a humanitarian crisis. These are refugees. And the U.S. needs to investigate each immigrant's circumstance to determine the right course of action. Blanket actions of full deportations or full amnesty is not the answer. One might say these people's problems are not ours. But, I would disagree. Their on own doorstep. They came here. And if we are a beacon of hope in the world, then we need to act like in good times and bad. I know the solution is a hard one that will take years to put in place, but the price of inaction is too severe. This reminds of the U.S. not doing enough to accept Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany during the 1930s. In hindsight, people criticize the U.S. government then for not doing enough to help. How do you think the U.S. government should deal with the 60,000 unaccompanied children?

How Ferguson Is Playing in the Rest of the World

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As we study American history, we must remember that it did not occur in a vacuum. Internal events in American's past were influenced by other countries, and our internal events influenced other countries' events. I think it's fine for leaders around the world to comment on internal American events, but that of course means we get to comment on theirs. But if a criticism by Russian President Putin on internal American events smacks of hypocrisy, then we'll call him out on it. I think another key issue is what is being compared to what? apples to apples? or apples to oranges? For instance, racial tension in Ferguson, Missouri exposed a continuing theme of American history, but modern day inequalities in the U.S. are not as severe as they are in Iran or Russia. One must put comparisons in context to see if they are appropriate comparisons, or ridiculous ones. What do you think? Should foreign countries be allowed to comment, and possibly influence, internal U.S. events? Or should they keep out of our business?

U.S. Mobilizes Allies to Widen Assault on ISIS

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The threat from ISIS in Iraq and the surrounding nations, including Syria and Turkey, is real and legitimate. And even though the U.S. is war-weary after a decade long war in the region, working with allies, especially Arab nations close by, is vital to the success of this operation. The attempt by the Obama administration to obtain allies in this fight is different from how the U.S. fought the Vietnam War. In that case, we largely went it alone (unilaterally), without a coalition of like-minded countries. Maybe the Vietnam War was a failure due to our go-it-alone mentality then? Either way, I for one, am in agreement with military cooperation with allies before moving more militarily against ISIS. Without the help leaves the U.S. vulnerable to all sorts of negative consequences that we don't want to repeat. What do you think? Should we willing to lead this charge even if other countries don't ally with the U.S.? Or is international cooperation a necessary component?