Cell phones = Cancer??

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7368039n

After nearly 14 years of waffling on the dangers of cellphones, health officials concluded Tuesday the devices can cause cancer, putting them in the same category as coffee, gasoline engine exhaust and the pesticide DDT.

Although some experts say the ruling by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, shouldn’t change people’s cellphone habit, Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, said the evidence is enough to warrant concern.

While studies showing an association between exposure to non-thermal radio frequency energy and biological effects that may lead to adverse health outcomes are present in existing scientific literature, attempts to replicate and confirm these positive findings have failed, said Erica Jefferson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

She said that most studies investigating an association between radio-frequency exposure and adverse health outcomes have failed to show a positive association and that additional research is needed. That research is being conducted around the world to address knowledge gaps that have been identified from earlier studies.

Cellphone users concerned about possible health risks associated with radio frequency emitted by their phones can take these precautions:

• Reduce the amount of time you spend on cellphones by using it only for short conversations, or only when a conventional phone is not available.

• Purchase a phone with a low specific absorption rate (SAR). SAR is measured in watts per kilogram of RF. The maximum SAR allowed by the FCC is 1.6. In contrast, some "low-radiation" phones have SARs lower than 0.5. For information on the SAR level, check the FCC identification usually found under the battery pack, then log onto www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid.

• Use a hands-free device such as a corded or cordless earpiece, which can decrease the amount of RF waves that reach the head. Corded earpieces emit virtually n0 RF waves (although the phone itself still emits small amounts that can reach parts of the body if close enough). Bluetooth® earpieces have an SAR value of around 0.001 watts/kg less than one thousandth the SAR limit for cell phones as set by the FDA and FCC.

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Japanese Government under fire over Disaster Plan

A blueprint for ending radiation leaks and stabilizing reactors at Japan's crippled nuclear plant drew a lackluster response Monday, as polls showed diminishing public support for the government's handling of the country's recent disasters.

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The plan issued by Tokyo Electric Power Co. over the weekend, in response to a government order, is meant to be a first step toward letting some of the tens of thousands of evacuees from near the company's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant return to their homes.

Those forced to flee due to radiation leaks after a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on March 11 knocked out the plant's power and cooling systems are frustrated that their exile will not end soon. And officials acknowledge that unforeseen complications, or even another natural disaster, could set that timetable back even further.   Pressure has been building on the government and TEPCO to resolve Japan's worst-ever nuclear power accident, and Prime Minister Naoto Kan is facing calls for his resignation.
A majority of those surveyed in the polls by the Mainichi, Nihon Keizai and Asahi newspapers expressed support, though, for tax increases to pay for reconstruction of areas devastated by the tsunami.

Goshi Hosono, an adviser to the prime minister and member of his nuclear crisis management task force, said the government would closely monitor TEPCO's implementation of its crisis plan and hoped it could be carried out ahead of schedule.

The timetable's first step focuses on cooling the reactors and spent fuel pools, reducing radiation leaks and decontaminating water that has become radioactive, within three months. The second step, for within six to nine months, is to bring the release of radioactive materials fully under control, achieve a cold shutdown of the reactors and cover the buildings, possibly with a form of industrial cloth.

Nuclear safety officials described the plan as ''realistic,'' but acknowledged there could be setbacks.
The unveiling of the roadmap came two days after TEPCO – also under pressure from Kan's government – announced plans to give 1 million yen ($12,000) in initial compensation to each evacuated household, with much more expected later.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8375373/Japan-earthquake-live.html

Obama Attempts to Put An End to High Gas

http://www.cnn.com/video/


President Barack Obama used his weekly residence to a republic to echo his call on Congress to stop extenuation taxation subsidies to oil and gas companies.
“When oil companies are creation outrageous increase and you’re struggling during a pump, and we’re scouring a sovereign bill for spending we can means to do without, these taxation giveaways aren’t right,” Obama pronounced on Saturday. “They aren’t smart. And we need to finish them.” Despite new signs of mercantile recovery, families opposite a nation are experiencing “real pain” from mountainous gas prices, Obama said. He forked out that even as people were struggling to fill adult their tanks, some large oil companies reported some-more than $25 billion in gain in a initial few months of this year, distant leading increase from a same duration final year.
As most as he supports a business successes of appetite firms and lauds their entrepreneurialism, “I do have a problem with a uncalled-for taxpayer subsidies we’ve been handing out to oil and gas companies,” Obama said. Obama urged “immediate action” on a taxation subsidies, arguing that a income generated from a pierce should be invested in purify appetite programs to revoke America’s coherence on unfamiliar oil.
In a letter, Obama pronounced he was heartened by an openness  House Speak John Boehner to a thought of expelling taxation subsidies for appetite companies. “Our domestic complement has for too prolonged avoided and abandoned this critical step, and we wish we can come together in a bipartisan demeanour to get it done,” Obama wrote.
Later in a week, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said that sovereign oil subsidies should be eliminated. “We’re articulate about reforming a reserve net, a gratification system; we also wish to get absolved of corporate welfare,” Ryan pronounced during a city gymnasium in Waterford, Wis. “And corporate gratification goes to agribusiness companies, appetite companies, financial services companies, so we introduce to dissolution all that.”


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53977.html
In his weekly address, Obama pronounced he is not against to domestic oil production. “I trust that if we’re critical about assembly a appetite challenge, we need to work on all cylinders, and that means posterior a extended operation of appetite policies, including protected and obliged oil prolongation here during home. In fact, final year, America’s oil prolongation reached a top turn given 2003,” he said.
It was highlighted for a need to continue investing in purify energy, that he pronounced is already formulating of new jobs and businesses in a United States. All opposite a country, he said, tiny businesses are starting to deposit in renewable appetite sources and energy-efficiency technologies, while large companies are commencement to furnish fuel-efficient vehicles.
Even yet it might be tempting for Washington to stop investing in purify appetite as a economy struggles to get behind on a feet, Obama confirmed that spending on this area will assistance a U.S. win a destiny by formulating jobs, creation a nation some-more secure and cleaning adult a environment. This relates to what we have discussed in class because at one point in time, we were talking about the powers of the president. The one power adressed here would be the power to make taxbreaks. That means he made a public address, or announcement, to Congress on how gas is too high. Too high is around $4.15 a gallon. Obama realized this was too much and had to discuss it, as presidents do.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53977.html


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The Judiciary Chpt. 16

1. The dual court system refers to the separate Federal and State court systems in the United States. Federal courts hear criminal and civil cases that involve constitutional and federal law, while State courts hear criminal and civil cases that involve state laws and state constitutional issues.

2. A writ of certiorari is an order a higher court issues in order to review the decision and proceedings in a lower court and determine whether there were any irregularities. The Supreme Court is likely to grant cert when there is a splitting among the Circuit courts.

3. Judicial review is review by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court.

4. The first is the living Constitution approach which is rooted in the belief that the Constitution has to keep up with the times that the text must be interpreted in light of society’s changing values.

6. District court is a category of courts which exists in several nations. 
-courts of appeals is a court whose jurisdiction is to review decisions of lower courts or agencies.
-Senatorial courtesy is the custom in the advice and consent process when the Senator from a nominee's     
 county must approve the nominee before the nomination will be considered by the Senate.
-blue slips two different legislative procedures in the united states congress.
-litmus tests a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would choose to proceed with the appointment or nomination.

7. Rules include creation and organization of the committee, functions of the committee, conflicts of interests, unfair election practices, ethics advisory committee, recommendation for revision, and immunity.

8. A class action suit is a lawsuit brought by a representative member of a large group of people on behalf of all members of the group.

9. Brief is an attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
-amicus curiae is an adviser to the court on some matter of law who is not a party to the case.
-solicitor general is a law officer appointed to assist an attorney general
-per curiam opinion is is a ruling issued by an appellate court of multiple judges in which the decision rendered is made by the court.
-concurring opinion is an opinion that agrees with the court's disposition of the case but is written to express a particular judge's reasoning.
-dissenting opinion is an opinion that disagrees with the court's disposition of the case.

13. The checks on judicial power are  judicial review and judicial interpretation. Judicial review is the power to review congressional laws to determine if they violate the Constitution. Judicial interpretation is the power to decide what congressional laws mean and how they apply in specific cases.

Defense of the Marriage Act

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The Marriage Act was put into place on September 21, 1996 by former president Bill Clinton which the federal government defined marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. Under the law, no state may be required to recognize as a marriage a same- sex relationship considered a marriage in another state. The law passed both houses of Congress by large majorities. Lawmakers in Maryland failed to gather enough votes to pass a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry, withdrawing it from consideration after hours of emotional debate and effectively killing the bill’s chances for passage this year.

The withdrawal capped a tumultuous few weeks, which began with the bill’s sponsors saying that its passage was all but assured and that Maryland would soon become the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage.
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Two national groups that oppose same-sex marriage, the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council, both highlighted African-American and religious opponents of the bill as central to its defeat. Democrats hold 98 of the House’s 141 seats, more than enough to overcome near-total Republican opposition, but ultimately about a third of all Democrats opposed it. The National Organization for Marriage said that it would spend part of the $1 million it had pledged to spend in Maryland to support Democrats who went against the bill, and to oppose the lone Republican who voted for it. The bill’s supporters would settle for no less than full marriage rights, as are legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia. A Democrat’s proposal to make the bill about civil unions instead of marriage failed. This somehow connects to class because we were discussing certain powers that the president has while in office. We discussed how he can veto bills, call on treaties, start war, etc. This is a great example of the president vetoing bills.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/us/24marriage.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act


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AT&T-mobile???

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AT&T inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $39 billion. The agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.

AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile USA provides an optimal combination of network assets to add capacity sooner than any alternative, and it provides an opportunity to improve network quality in the near term for both companies’ customer. In addition, it provides a fast, efficient and certain solution to the impending exhaustion of wireless spectrum in some markets, which limits both companies’ ability to meet the ongoing explosive demand for mobile broadband.

With this transaction, AT&T commits to a significant expansion of robust 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) deployment to 95 percent of the U.S. population to reach an additional 46.5 million Americans beyond current plans – including rural communities and small towns. This helps achieve the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and President Obama’s goals to connect every part of America to the digital age. T-Mobile USA does not have a clear path to delivering LTE.

“This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and CEO. It will improve network quality, and it will bring advanced LTE capabilities to more than 294 million people. Mobile broadband networks drive economic opportunity everywhere, and they enable the expanding high-tech ecosystem that includes device makers, cloud and content providers, app developers, customers, and more. During the past few years, America’s high-tech industry has delivered innovation at unprecedented speed, and this combination will accelerate its continued growth.

 This transaction delivers significant customer, shareowner and public benefits that are available at this level only from the combination of these two companies with complementary network technologies, spectrum positions and operations.Deutsche Telekom Chairman and CEO Rene Obermann said, After evaluating strategic options for T-Mobile USA, they are confident that AT&T is the best partner for their customers, shareholders and the mobile broadband ecosystem. Their common network technology makes this a logical combination and provides an efficient path to gaining the spectrum and network assets needed to provide T-Mobile customers with 4G LTE and the best devices. Also, the transaction returns significant value to Deutsche Telekom shareholders and allows us to retain exposure to the U.S. market.

As part of the transaction, Deutsche Telekom will receive an equity stake in AT&T that, based on the terms of the agreement, would give Deutsche Telekom an ownership interest in AT&T of approximately 8 percent. A Deutsche Telekom representative will join the AT&T Board of Directors.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/at-t-buys-t-mobile-to-create-the-new-top-dog-in-us-wireless/46262

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Obama- Commander in Chief

Obama’s evolution as commander-in-chief during his first year in office largely involved proving that he was up to the job that a 48-year-old former law professor and one-term U.S. senator who campaigned on ending the Iraq war had the resolve to lead the military through some of its toughest years in recent history.

Obama recently came under fire for his initial handling of the Christmas day Terror Plot but his approval ratings on terrorism and foreign policy issues actually outpace his rankings on the domestic policy at the heart of his presidency, the economy and health care, according to the latest USA Today/Gallup poll. A war-weary public did not welcome his decision to add 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, even though it won him praise from Republicans, but he's received good marks for announcing a draw-down in Iraq.

From keeping on  as Defensrepublican Robert Gate Secretary to bringing the fist bump to the Naval Academy graduation, Obama has spent considerable time courting the trust of service members from the lowest to highest levels of command and assimilating into his role as head of the military, an institution that is historically skeptical of Democrats.

Obama’s challenge coming into the job was not that he didn’t have experience in the military in terms of making decisions, said Henry William Brands, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

“The problem, to some extent, is selling those decisions,” Brands said. “Because he doesn’t have that military background, he’s seen as less credible on military issues.”

The most visible appearances of Obama as commander in chief are the speeches he’s given at military bases, the visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day and the image of him saluting a flag-draped coffin at Dover Air Force Base.

But much more goes on behind closed doors. When Obama visits a military hospital, aides said, he sits quietly as mothers cry on his shoulder, or he puts on surgical scrubs to pray at the bedside of an unconscious Marine whose injuries are so severe it appears he won’t make it through the week. In class, we have discussed the particular roles of the president. In this blog, it tells of how Barack Obama has evolved as a president.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/19/politics/washingtonpost/main6115856.shtml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052003029.html





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