The Hartwell Observer©

Iran Warns the European Union It Will Cut Off Oil

2012-02-15T13:11:00.000-10:00

(Taken from the New York Times)

Besieged by international sanctions over the Iranian nuclear program including a planned oil embargo by Europe, Iran warned six European buyers on Wednesday that it might strike first by immediately cutting them off from Iranian oil.

Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency said the threat was conveyed to the ambassadors of Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Greece and Portugal in separate meetings at the Foreign Ministry in Tehran. Officials said an earlier report by Press TV, Iran’s state-financed satellite broadcaster, that Iran had already cut supplies to the six countries was inaccurate — but not before word of the Press TV report sent a brief shudder through the global oil market, sending prices up slightly.

“Iran warns Europe it will find other customers for its oil,” the Islamic Republic News Agency said. “European people should know that if Iran changes destinations of the oil it gives to them, the responsibility will rest with the European governments themselves.”

Last month the European Union decided to impose an oil embargo on Iran as of July 1 as part of a coordinated campaign of Western sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran to halt its disputed uranium enrichment program, and the Europeans have been making arrangements since then to find other sources.

The European Union has been one of Iran’s biggest markets for oil, taking about 18 percent of total Iranian petroleum exports in 2011. Among the European Union members, the biggest buyers have been Italy, Spain and France.

Iran forecasted in December that a cutoff of Iranian oil could double the global price. But a combination of lower demand because of European economic weakness and ample sources of supply elsewhere have helped cushion the anticipated effects of both the planned embargo and Iran’s threat to stop exporting oil to Europe well before the embargo starts.

Saudi Arabia, the top producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has said it could compensate for much of the shortfall from Iran, which is OPEC’s second-largest producer. And resurgent production from Libya, long crippled by the conflict there last year, has further added to the total global supply.

The relatively mild effects of the Iranian threat on Wednesday were reflected on prices at the New York Mercantile Exchange, where the March-delivery price for oil closed up $1.06 a barrel on Wednesday to $101.80, a gain of 1 percent.

The impact of sanctions, including severe restraints on Iran’s ability to conduct routine banking and shipping operations, have caused severe disruptions to Iran’s economy as the nuclear program remains an increasingly acrimonious issue between Iran and the West.

The Iranian warning came on a day of mixed messages emanating from Iran’s hierarchy about its nuclear program, which Western nations and Israel have called a cover for Iranian attempts to become capable of making a weapon. Iran has said the program is peaceful.

At the same time Iran was warning its biggest European oil buyers, it also announced it was willing to reopen nuclear talks suspended a year ago in a letter to Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s top foreign policy official. The Iranians also announced new advances in their nuclear program, including escalation of Iran’s enrichment practices, which if accurate could serve to further aggravate tensions.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Ashton confirmed receipt of a letter from Dr. Saeed Jalili, who heads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, sent in response to a letter from Ms. Ashton in October of last year. The spokeswoman, Maja Kocijancic, did not disclose the contents but said “we are carefully studying the letter.”

The Iranian side also did not reveal the letter’s contents, but the Islamic Republic News agency paraphrased Mr. Jalili as saying in the letter that “returning to the negotiation table would be the best means to broaden cooperation between the two sides.”

In Tehran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presided over ceremonies to mark advances in Iran’s nuclear program, partly to project an image of Iranian defiance against the Western sanctions. The new advances include centrifuges that Iran said were capable of enriching uranium at a much faster rate, and the insertion of the first domestically produced nuclear fuel rod into a nuclear reactor in Tehran.

“The era of bullying nations has past,” Mr. Ahmadinejad said in a televised broadcast of the ceremony. “The arrogant powers cannot monopolize nuclear technology. They tried to prevent us by issuing sanctions and resolutions but failed.”

Iran’s nuclear announcements came as tensions have escalated in particular with Israel, which regards Iran as an existential threat and has hinted at the possibility of a pre-emptive military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities to forestall its suspected ambitions.

Iran has accused Israel, a nuclear weapons state, of responsibility for a clandestine campaign aimed at sabotaging Iran’s nuclear ambitions, including the assassinations of at least four Iranian scientists since 2010. Israel has counter accused Iran in recent days of retaliatory plots aimed at Israeli targets in Georgia, India and Thailand, which Iran has denied.

Cardinal- designate Timothy Dolan, "Obama's revised HHS mandate won't solve problems"

2012-02-14T06:17:00.008-10:00

Cardinal- designate Timothy Dolan said earlier this week that President Obama's revision to the contraceptive mandate did absolutely nothing to change the opposition to the mandate from the Conference of Catholic Bishops and what the Bishops regard as an unprecedented attack on religious liberty.

We bishops are pastors, we're not politicians, and you can't compromise on principle," said Cardinal-designate Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "And the goal posts haven't moved and I don't think there's a 50-yard line compromise here," he added.

Also, Dolan added "What (Obama) offered was next to nothing. There's no change, for instance, in these terribly restrictive mandates and this grossly restrictive definition of what constitutes a religious entity," he said. "The principle wasn't touched at all."

Obama announced Feb. 10th, a revised version of the contraceptive mandate was left intact the restrictive definition of a religious entity and would shift the costs of contraceptives from the policyholders to the insurers, thus failing to ensure that Catholic individuals and institutions would not have to pay for services that they consider immoral, Cardinal-designate Dolan said.

For one thing, the cardinal-designate said, many dioceses and Catholic institutions are self-insuring. Moreover, Catholics with policies in the compliant insurance companies would be subsidizing others' contraception coverage. He also objected that individual Catholic employers would not enjoy exemption under Obama's proposal.

The violation of the Constitution is so obvious in this legislature, sometimes I wonder how Washington gets by with what it does.

Today the bottom line was given to the American people by President Obama it was simply; No More Compromise.

Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell said on Sunday that the mandate is a violation of the first amendment "They don't have the authority under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution to tell someone in this country or some organization in this country what their religious beliefs are," McConnell told "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer. McConnell vowed the Congress would not let the issue go away until the Obama administration backs down on the mandate.

2012 Iowa Caucus Live Blogging

2012-01-03T14:21:00.000-10:00

Tonight, your friends at The Hartwell Observer will be live blogging each major development as it occurs in Iowa. Stayed tuned for much more extensive coverage of reporting precincts.

The New Newt?

2011-12-07T05:53:00.010-10:00

Over the past weeks, Newt Gingrich has been soaring in the polls, he proclaims himself as the best alternative to the flip flopping Willard (Mitt) Romney the other Republican front-runner.

But former Speaker of the House has not always leaned completely right as well, Gingrich took a much more moderate view on issue's including health care, the environment, and medical marijuana.

These inconsistencies have raised the question, has Newt Gingrich always been true to his own belief's?
This gives his opponents target's to criticize.

For example, before Gingrich's 2012 Presidential run he agreed with President Obama on the issue of health care and supported a mandate that would penalize Americans if you did not by the government mandated health insurance. Now he denounces it as nothing short of unconstitutional.
Gingrich's stand on environment also has taken a turn to the right. Before his campaign Gingrich stood with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in a 2008 ad on a firm stance on global warming and how it is effecting America. Now he says "(It was) probably the dumbest thing I've done in recent years."

As a member of Congress in 1981, Gingrich co-sponsored a failed bill with liberal Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, that was aimed at legalizing medical marijuana nationwide. Gingrich now says medical marijuana is a "terrible idea" as well.

Taken together, Gingrich's policy switches have helped him attract the support of conservative Republicans. In national polls Gingrich now leads Romney, a former Massachusetts governor who is trying to win over conservatives who are skeptical of his own moves to the right on health care and other issues.
Romney and other presidential candidate Ron Paul are portraying Gingrich as the epitome of serial hypocrisy. Expert's say Gingrich's rebranding has served him well until this point but now as a front runner, could make is campaign implode.

Breaking News: Muammar Qaddafi Dead

2011-10-20T07:44:00.002-10:00

It was reported this morning Libya dictator was killed by rebel forces in his hometown, Sirte.

Ron Paul: "Obama should be impeached for al Qaeda killing"

2011-10-06T04:59:00.014-10:00


Republican Presidential Candidate, Ron Paul (R) TX

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, who has consistently opposed the war in Iraq said Tuesday that the Obama Administration's killing of the United States born man in Yemen deserves impeachment for the President, "we have crossed that barrier from republic to dictatorship." While speaking too the National Press club in Washington D.C. while he was there he criticized President Obama for his drone air strike that killed Anwar al-Awlaki

Herman Cain wins Florida straw poll with a stunning victory.

2011-09-30T06:39:00.010-10:00

2012 has been the land of the unexpected in the Republican presidential race. I mean who would have thought that America may fall for another gentleman from Texas?

One man who came out of the wood-work much like President Obama, is the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza and former Kansas City Federal Reserve Chairman; Herman Cain.

In the beginning of the race he was not given much attention. During the first Republican debate he was treated as such; a third tier candidate. Cain received less questions than Rick Santorum a candidate in almost dead last.

But, earlier this week something happened that was not expected. He won a deciding state, Florida. With a large lead over the normal front-runners Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.

Cain is not a career politician, he is very much involved with the private sector; owning a large amount of shares in the Godfather's Pizza chain.

During the Iowa Straw Poll, his funds dipped below $2000.

But victory came his way in the Florida Straw Poll, Cain’s landslide victory, with 37 percent of the vote, exceeded the combined total for Perry and Mitt Romney, who only garnered 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Cain’s centerpiece is his plan to scrap the tax code and replace it with a flat 9 percent tax on income, national sales and business profits. Saturday morning, in a speech before the vote, the crowd chanted “9-9-9!” and had an electric response to almost everything he said. "Let’s send a message to Washington,” he shouted. “We the people are still in charge of this country!"

The vote and spectacle underscored that Cain, who polled in single digits this week, is the new tea party darling. And Michele Bachmann isn’t. She was the big loser, coming in last place. Once a top-tier candidate who won the Iowa straw poll, Bachmann had trouble breaking through in recent debates, failed to give specifics and didn’t reach out to the Presidency 5 grassroots voters.

Bachmann:“When I grew up here in Iowa, we owned our own health insurance. We didn’t necessarily have it from our employer”

2011-09-20T05:12:00.001-10:00

(Taken from the National Journal/All rights to Sarah Huisenga)

WATERLOO, Iowa – Back in her hometown Monday, Republican presidential contender Michele Bachmann waxed nostalgic for an era when people were responsible for purchasing their own insurance, rather than being tethered to an employer for coverage.
“When I grew up here in Iowa, we owned our own health insurance. We didn’t necessarily have it from our employer,” she said.
Asked in a round-table with workers at OMJC Signal, a family-owned public-safety equipment manufacturer, how small businesses can afford health care for their employees, the Minnesota congresswoman said they shouldn’t have to buy it.
“I think you should be able to own your plan, so your employer doesn’t own it – you get to own it, and you buy it with your own tax-free money,” Bachmann responded. She added, “You should be able to set aside whatever amount of your income you need to purchase the kind of health care you need for yourself, for your family.”
In the receptive crowd of about 30 on the plant floor was Wayne Natvig, who had a special reason for coming to see Bachmann. “She’s my cousin,” he said. “I’m all for her.” But Natvig added. “She’s got a tough road to hoe. . . She’s already taken a lot of abuse.”
The latest example came Monday, as her one-time top political adviser, Ed Rollins, suggested that Bachmann doesn’t have the financial resources to go the distance in the presidential campaign. Bachmann brushed off Rollins’ remarks in a question-and-answer session with reporters here. “Our campaign is alive and well and doing very, very well and we’re thrilled with how we’re doing,” she said.
Bachmann reiterated her position as the candidate “most committed to the full-scale repeal of Obamacare.” She warned that the plan would soon lead to “rationing” of health care services.
“What it will mean for a lot of us, is that when we need to see the doctor and we call up and say ‘Hey I want to get in,” rather than being able to get in this afternoon or tomorrow, we might have to wait two weeks,” Bachmann said.
The plant visit was the congresswoman’s second of the day, as part of a two-day swing through Iowa. She spent the morning touring another plant, Sukup Manufacturing in the small town of Sheffield, in north-central Iowa. It’s an itinerary that underscores the importance that the state, which will host the first contest of the 2012 presidential race early next year, has for Bachmann. “No other candidate has been in Iowa as much as I have,” she said.

The Hartwell Observer Name: Hijacked.

2011-08-31T06:26:00.006-10:00

Over the past week there has been a breach in security here at The Hartwell Observer. Recently, there have been a group of people who have decided to take our signature, name. However, this is just a hacker merely wishing to tarnish the good standing of our company.So if you do see any website that does involve The Hartwell Observer simply over look it.
Thank you,
R. Hartwell

Torture, Possible War Crimes, and Dick Cheney.

2011-08-31T04:49:00.008-10:00

This week as Former Vice President Dick Cheney has gone through all the motions of being a public figure and having a new book released, but he may have more of an issue on his hands. War crimes.
This week Col. Lawrence Wilkerson told ABC news "He's developed an angst and almost a protective cover, and now he fears being tried as a war criminal, because that's the way someone who's decided he's not going to be prosecuted acts: boldly, let's get out in front of everybody, let's act like we are not concerned and so forth when in fact they are covering up their own fear that somebody will Pinochet him." Former Chilean Dictator Augusto Pinochet was prosecuted years after his power was relinquished.
His charges would include his famous torture tactic; water boarding once of the most cruel unrealistic way to force information out of high risk inmates.

Also, Wilkerson adds Cheney is a "very vindictive person" and "I simply don't recognize Mr. Cheney anymore." Wilkerson has and is a critic of the former Bush Administration since he left with Colin Powell in 2004.
Also, as Dick Cheney said his new book "would make heads explode," former Secretary of State Colin Powell said this was something that sounded like a gossip columnist not the former vice president.

Rick Perry comes under fire once again

2011-08-18T04:39:00.010-10:00

This week the newest Republican candidate for President, Rick Perry, has had rocky week. Starting his campaign on the same day as the Iowa Straw Poll he pulled off 4% of the vote after being penciled in by voters. But once again his Texas pride interfered with his campaign today as most Texans pride seems to do. He threatened to show federal reserve chairman Ben Bernanke what he would do if he was in Texas.

But what makes Rick Perry, so detrimental to America? Many things, first of all he is a high-def huckster (a term coined by author Will Bunch) meaning that he is very much a part of the media and prey's on it. Also, he is so anti-government, that he is willing to abolish the EPA and give corporations even more rights then they already do. Most of the time, in the name of God, the Republican party and most of all Texas. Along with so many changes, his economic plan has nothing to do with infrastructure a huge issue in America that is crumbling around our eyes each and every day. But why would he not support this? Why would he not support a bill that gets people back to work; President Barack Obama supports it and it may show some job growth under his presidency. His claim to the 40% of jobs made in the United States are true but however need some reading into. One huge reason is the oil business is expanding very rapidly in Texas and therefore, need more jobs. Thus he takes the credit for something that would have happened with or without Rick Perry.
However when you look at the Republican race this year you happen to see quite a bit of High-Def Hucksters, Rick is not the only one. There is Michelle Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul as well. (who in my opinion has the best, well oiled campaign keep in mind he has been at this quite a few times)

President Obama: Debt solutions must be bipartisan

2011-07-29T07:01:00.004-10:00

Today as debt ceiling deadline quickly approaches the american public the President called for a bipartisan solution. As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) Nevada put in perfect words, "Compromise is not a bad word." A lesson Republican leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor would do well to learn. As the Tea Party is continually applying pressure to these powerful leaders, the gridlock becomes yet even more tightened, and the idea of default is merely the liberal agenda to scare the American public and that we will not default on our debt on August 2nd and of course have our AAA bond rating possibly downgraded before the day of default. As House Republicans continue to try to set up the Democrat Senate by sending ridiculous bills that they know will not pass the senate such as the Cut Cap & Balance Bill. This makes the Senate look like they cannot show a product or compromise, and this is very much untrue.

There is nothing to dispute that the GOP is whipped by two very large groups that are both very extreme, these would be The Tea Party Patriots and American's for Tax Reform. Groups that could be the downfall to the Republican party. They have not only hindered American growth but may push us into a place that is worse than the Great Depression because of there simple non-compromise policy's the idea's of "our idea or the highway."

We must compromise or this will be our demise, I urge all people to call your state senators, and your districts representative and let them know you want revenue, and a debt ceiling increase.

Grover Norquist: "President Obama quit throwing your hissy fits"

2011-07-19T04:45:00.003-10:00

Last night as I watched Hardball with Chris Matthew's, they had an interview with the "man behind the curtain" Grover Norquist - American Tax fanatic.
In the least most could gather from Norquist is a rather pushy guy, and his stamina has payed off. For the past twenty four years, he was offered it to representatives, senators, governors and the President. The first President to sign and also break was, George H.W. Bush, the legendary Ronald Reagan's successor who pledged over and over to America to have no new taxes.
Basically, what Norquist has repetitively said is rather than new taxes/revenue to diminish the debt he says merely spending cuts will work. He must be forgetting your trillion dollar war and of course the Bush Tax Cuts that make companies like News Corporation 5.6 billion per year. Also, in his words he would rather America's AAA Bond rating come down than raise taxes. The ideology behind this is some of the most extreme in the country second to The Tea Party Patriots. To stay on the Reagan ideas of no new taxes has been taken to a level that Reagan himself would not even think of, the reason why I know this is Ronald Reagan loved the country and was not ready to let us default on our obligations. Unlike to modern day companies he gave his all into the country, and kept promises, he was worried about America and the path we were taking. The path he was worried about, is the path we are now. We are dealing with a party that is not the party of Ford and Reagan, this is the party of corporate America who just plays the part very well of the idolatry of the the real Grand Ol' Party.

Former First Lady Betty Ford Dies at age 93

2011-07-11T10:54:00.004-10:00

This week Former First Lady Betty Ford passed away at age 93 as a result of a stroke, at her home in Rancho Mirage, California. The death of Mrs. Ford was the end of a true era, she was an advocate for breast cancer, and all forms of an addiction along with proving herself time after time, you can see her success at The Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, California.
In 1974 the first year of her husbands presidency Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease that was well known with women but was never publicly spoken about, she made it comfortable and broke many barriers when she publicly told the country that she had a mastectomy, a procedure that was done mostly in secret and was not spoken of until this time. After this occurred, some of her best work and her compassion was evident. Susan G. Komen being a good friend of the first lady sparked the world famous Susan G. Komen "Race for a Cure" campaign which today is the single most dedicated charity in the world to breast cancer.

Shortly after her husband's presidency Betty announced that she had been struggling with a narcotic/alcohol addiction, and would be attending rehab. This was a move that truly shocked the country, to think that a figure that is so influential; The President and First Lady and the First Lady was addicted to narcotics and alcohol. Once again, Betty Ford redesigned the morals of the American public by showing women who battled addiction that you could truly seek help and not be looked down upon. As her passion grew so did her resources, in 1982 Betty Ford along with Ambassador Leonard Firestone opened the Betty Ford Center it was the first licensed addiction center in the world at the time. A huge accomplishment and a beacon of home for all who suffer with addiction.

Nancy Pelosi - "Democrats Have a Good Chance to Win the House in 2012"

2011-06-25T17:25:00.001-10:00

The past few weeks in The House have been treacherous for the Democrats in there fight on Medicare. But minority speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) CA says she is "confident" she the Democrats can win back the 24 seats in 2012 to regain the super majority that Democrats held until the November 2010 elections.
She believes "We just take it, as I say to the members, one day, one good day, one good week, one good month, one good quarter at a time." To me this sounds like a good party support system, it says "Lets not worry about the long term, lets focus on how we can win back our majority and defend the rites of Americans." She is taking on the hard issues and trying to show the Republicans it is not fair or right to take away Medicare from our seniors, and to continue giving tax breaks to corporate America.

Of course Republicans rebuttal to this is 'The more we give tax breaks to companies like Exxon Mobile, Halliburtion, Genentech Pharmaceuticals, News Corp Industries along with countless others will save jobs and increase the economy" Just last year Genentech convinced California voters to vote on Prop. 24 a law that would give three companies (including Genentech) major tax breaks to save jobs in "The Golden State" here is an idea for Genentech and companies like quit using your tax break money on large spending with employees. (Minority Leader Pelosi was not in support with this bill.)

Also, Pelosi says "The public is going to have to help us do that either before the election or at the time of the election." as true as this statement is, 2012 will be a very tough year for Democrats without the reelection of Barack Obama, so voters need to take into consideration not just the thoughts of FOX news anchors scream into your head each night as you absorb the television. The key to win the House and Presidency in 2012 is independent thought and you will make the right decision, and the right decision is with the Democrats.

Chris Christie - "President Obama, Show Up!"

2011-06-24T06:34:00.001-10:00

As the blunt speaking New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said this morning on The Today Show "President Obama needs to show up" so I guess he means to the long strenuous hours of debate that Congress has. He wants the President to come to all the debate, he almost acts like the President has not done this before. Did he forget that President Obama was Illionis state senator between 2005-2008 and however could not finish his term because he was elected to the presidency. Something that Gov. Christie could most likely not accomplish.

He says he does not want to deal with Vice President Biden, the man who runs the Senate. He wants the President to drop his complete schedule to talk budget, and then at the end of the day not get anything accomplished. Except the Democrats trying the commit to bipartisanship and the Republicans not making a single move, they are taking the attitude of Our way or the Highway.
Democrats lets not hit the highway.

Attached is the video of Gov. Chris Christie talking about his feelings on the budget his newest reform on education and his rude battle with a constituent because he did not agree with the question. New Jersey I hope you think better in 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cocpsc83gWY

Rick Santorum - "John McCain doesn't understand harsh interrogation techniques"

2011-05-19T16:18:00.003-10:00

It still amazes me each day, politicians still haven't learned the lesson that most kinder garden students understand "we think before we speak" apparently Rick Santorum does not get it.

While speaking to radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt Santorum says "“Everything I’ve read shows that we would not have gotten this information as to who this man was if it had not been gotten information from people who were subject to enhanced interrogation” during this time he was speaking about Khalid Sheikh Mohammed the man who he believes after being water boarded lead us to the capture and killing of Osama Bin - Laden.

He also say " I mean, you break somebody, and after they’re broken, they become cooperative.” So lets break them down, let them tell us what we want to know. John McCain already has said "In dire times you will tell them what they want to hear" a quite true statement from a man who has experienced five years of this torture in Vietnam. A man who know this better than any other member of Congress. He has shown his courage and then to be insulted by a presidential hopeful and a man who has never fought in the military a man like Rick Santorum. To be or not to be this is the question I ask Mr. Rick Santorum do you want to become the President or do you want to be the man who cannot take back his completely fake statement and give an apology to one of the most respected republican senator John McCain (R) Arizona

South Dakota "Stealing Women Rights since 2011"

2011-05-19T04:18:00.001-10:00

Last night Rachel Maddow said it perfectly, South Dakota is stealing women's rights and using them to better their party in the 2012 elections. Recently in the South Dakota capitol Pierre, there has been much controversy on the issue of abortion, this including, that the physicians will have to read a government written script to the young ladies, make them then wait for multiple days to then have the procedure, then read once again another script to them when they come back, then they can look at them. After this step they have to go to a crisis center to be lectured once again by Pro-Life radicals who want to tell them to most detrimental effects this can have on them. After they have listened to this for hours they have to then go back to the clinic to have the procedure, this all ends up taking roughly around two weeks time that most people do not have.

Personally I am a Pro-Choice Catholic male who does support the right to choose. I do not let my politics and religion intervene, after all this is the separation of church and state. However this does not seem to be the case with many Republicans who let their own thoughts and beliefs to be some of there parties largest platforms. This is one biggest milestone that Republicans have made in the abortion fight since Roe vs. Wade. Good job you finally kept a promise.

Claire McCaskill: We can no longer Afford Giveaways to Oil Company's

2011-05-11T02:41:00.000-10:00

Missouri Democrat Senator Claire McCaskill speaking to the press about the countries oil dependancy.

Claire McCaskill: "I adore my mother"

2011-05-08T06:31:00.001-10:00

The Turner Report: A Mother's Day tribute from Claire McCaskill

Once again the great words of Senator Claire McCaskill, in my opinion one of the best senators Missouri has seen in awhile!

Billy Long's Advice to Children

2011-05-04T02:27:00.000-10:00

Congressman Billy Long

As a parent, nothing has made me happier than watching my daughters develop as they pursued and attained their College degrees.

As Thomas Jefferson said, education is the foundation of a democratic society. It creates a level playing field and gives everyone an opportunity to succeed.

Do you have any advise for students to be successful in school?

Find an area that you're passionate about and pursue it with gusto. Research everything you can about your chosen subject. Study hard, explore new ideas, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.

How has education changed since you were young?

I don't believe stone tablets and chisels are as prevalent today as when I was in school.

My Recent Interview with Senator Claire McCaskill

2011-04-29T18:38:00.005-10:00

Question 2 – What do you think the goal set for 2014 and the law No Child Left Behind for every child to be Proficient or Advanced?

‘No Child Left Behind’ is certainly not a perfect piece of legislation. I appreciate some of the ideas behind it but I don’t think it included the appropriate framework for the goals that it set, making those goals unattainable. The proficiency goals set out in the law were particularly unrealistic and unattainable.

I certainly understand and agree with the idea that all children should be expected to achieve a standard level of knowledge in the classroom, but I fear that the current demands for everyone to reach proficiency can lead to a harmful focus on test scores rather than providing a solid education. Teachers everywhere discuss the pressure to “teach to the test.” I think we should instead be focused on making sure that all children are on the path to be successful in college or in their chosen career, and that we are teaching not just reading and math, but other subjects, as well.

Question 3 – (Switching gears) How is education important to you?

As a young person, I was extremely fortunate to have a family that valued education. I got a great education through Missouri’s public schools and at the University of Missouri. I want to make sure that all children are able to receive the great education that I did.

With the rise of technology, Missouri’s children are not only competing with children in neighboring communities for opportunities, but also with smart, talented children throughout the world. Making sure our kids get a good education is not only important for their life-long success, but for the success of our economy and our country.

Question 4 – As a senator what is your advice to students to be successful in school?

My parents always taught me and I tried to teach my children that success is never handed to you. Putting in the effort to work hard now will serve you well in school and throughout your life. Always wake up in the morning striving and hoping to make a difference—in your family, your school or your community.

Question 5 – Has education changed since you were a student?

The technology and resources available to students today are far beyond anything that we had when I was in school. I remember using the card catalog at our school library to find the books I needed. Today the entire contents of the library, and much more, are available at students’ fingertips through in the internet.

Question 6 – Do you have any closing remarks?

I recently completed a series of roundtables to discuss this and many other issues that affect our public education system. I visited 15 communities across the state, both large and small, to hear from teachers, school administrators, parents, and students like yourself about the changes they’d like to see made to No Child Left Behind. Many of the issues that you addressed in your questions were discussed during my tour.

The biggest lesson that I will take away from my tour was the respect and admiration that myself, school administrators, and parents all feel for teachers. In the last few months, we have heard a lot of negative, disrespectful comments about teachers, that they somehow choose the profession because it pays well or is easy. This talk has been upsetting and very disappointing, because nothing can be further from the truth. We should always acknowledge their hard work and sacrifice by treating them with respect and deference.

I would also like to say that I really enjoyed taking part in this interview. You asked good questions, and it says a lot about you that you are concerned about these issues at such a young age. I wish you and your classmates all the best in the future.

Birther Orly Taitz, are you Crazy? Yes!

2011-04-27T18:24:00.001-10:00

First to answer my question is Orly Taitz crazy? Yes she is, tonight she went onto The Lawrence O'Donnell Show and said she would address her insanity that President Obama's birth certificate is not genuine and fake. She then proceeded to come onto the show and pulls out not a speech or an apology, but pulls out the file of his "social security number fraud." She then decides to get into an argument with the host of the show and tell him to act like an adult. So I guess now that we know that President Obama is a natural born citizen who has lied to the American public the most? The self proclaimed Donald Trump advisor/dentist/lawyer Orly Taitz who has now fed the media lies for years, has not got her 15 minutes of fame and it is coming to a fierce end. Your time is up Miss. Taitz, you have used your fame, and unless you find a new conspiracy to bother the country with. Other than your lies and madness about Mr. Obama's birth certificate.

To this I say to you, Orly Taitz is a disrespectful woman who now has moved on from her three year battle agains't the birth certificate and is saying that "Harvard doesn't put out human beings" I believe I speak for many when I say the President is correct in saying we have larger issues than to worry about, not his birth certificate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVoR9jGn78&feature=player_embedded

Taxing the Wealthy? What would Jesus take? and Rush Limbaugh

2011-04-26T04:19:00.003-10:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKJe4EuPWeg&feature=player_embedded

Last night as I watched one of my favorite television shows The Lawrence O'Donnell Show he had his nightly Rewrite time and one of the most irritable people on as the rewrite; Rush Limbaugh. He made it clear to that Jesus would not want us to tax America's top wealthiest people. My guess is he does not want any taxes either? After all he makes 50 million each year. Jesus said "Give your life to me and give alms" where are Rush's alms other than his contributions to the GOP Party. How are they directly helping people, how are any people in parties helping people?

Rush Limbaugh is the epitome of what many other people believe and practice in their voting - to vote only on sole issues of abortion because the Republican's have done so much with abortion in the past 30 years, guess what it is still here today!
Also, it always brings me to a laugh to think Republican's do not want the government to interfere in there lives, but they on the other hand they want to interfere with EVERY woman in the countries life by taking away there personal rites to personal health? Rush and the Tea Party who are the socialist's now?

P.S. Stop in some day and drink some tea because I may just throw your tea idea's right into your face.

Socialism? Not the Democrats!

2011-04-15T19:26:00.001-10:00

Lately I have been hearing from a vast majority of people that the Democrat party and liberal's in general are socialist's, because they are "taking away" the rites of the American people. Lately this moronic behavior has been falling into our representatives as Mo Brooks (R) Alabama says "Folks we are at risk because of the insolvency and because the socialist members of this body"

As he was forced to retract his statement, Mo Brooks then tries to say the word socialism but is very much unsuccessful. But why are we leading our people to believe that Democrats are socialist's? Last time I checked out the economy we are in one of the largest downturn's since the Great Depression and we want the free market economy to take place when there is no free market and large corporations are running the country? Where are all these small business's and where are the tax cuts you are giving them? The most lobbyist's for the country are part of the fine GOP. Remember next time you show me the elephant make sure it doesn't stomp the economy and make the "socialist's" come out!

House Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Reid have reached a decision

2011-04-08T16:54:00.001-10:00

Breaking News: The two parties have now reached an agreement, avoiding the government shut down.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker/Prosser vs. Kloppenburg

2011-04-07T02:48:00.000-10:00

As most of us know of the huge problem in Wisconsin with there current Governor Scott Walker pushing to strip the state of all unions. The state is losing republican votes as fast as wild fire, the previously red county of Milwaukee county has now in the April 5 election turned predominately blue. The turn around of 19 counties becoming Democratic in the Prosser vs. Kloppenburg extremely close run resulting in JoAnne Kloppenburg being the final winner.

Ultimately I believe that the Kloppenburg win will end up in the high court because of the less than 300 votes she won by. But here is the catch, the judge on the high court of Wisconsin who would be appointing the judge to get the final say in the results is a lady chief justice. Who Prosser called a b**** in a heated rage and said he would "Stomp" her. Next time the corporate shark can keep his mouth shut.

But what is in it for the Republican's? To dismantle the Democrat party by getting rid of one of the largest formats in the party, unions and once that is done, Democrats won't have much to stand on. Most likely this will back fire on the Republican party and it will look like all their other poorly planned ideas.

In the attatched video you will see the voices of the Green Bay area and how they are dealing with Scott Walker

Republicans Once Again Threatening to Shut Down Government

2011-04-06T03:07:00.002-10:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908//vp/42443813#42443813

Recently I have watching the Rachel Maddow Show more often what can I say I like her. Last night I was watching and her opening topic Republican's hating (yes I said hating) the Post Office. Why do they hate the Post Office? It is a public service that over 80% of American's say is there favorite government subsidiary. Why is it that when America likes it the Republican party likes to through sand in it and weigh down the government even more than it already is? Click the link, listen, and tell me what you think about the Post Office Hearing and the government shut down, which is so heavily supported by Republicans.

Michael Moore Speaks With Roseanne Barr on HLN, Part 2 -- March 29th, 2011

2011-04-02T06:20:00.001-10:00

Roseanne Barr and Michael Moore tell the public the truth about the new Republican party.

Kennedy: A Beacon of Hope

2011-04-01T16:48:00.001-10:00

Kennedy: A Beacon of Hope

“Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” As the quote reads, I tell myself how right President John F. Kennedy was when he spoke these same words some 50 years ago. All people inhabit this very small earth, of all races, religions and ethnicities. Over the years the American society as we know it has not cherished all of the above, when equality was a problem not a solution, this time as we now as the “The American Civil Rights Movement.”

Elected to President in the year 1961 President John F Kennedy has now gone down in history as one of our most influential and most approved of presidents of all time. Right after election one big ticket issue “civil rights” as the long reign of President Dwight Eisenhower came to an end so did the American Government’s disregard to American civil rights. As John F. Kennedy stepped into office he had to face the alarming facts that 57% of African Americans’ homes were unfit to live in, that African Americans’ lived seven years less than the Caucasian community, when young women delivered their children they had twice as much rate of infant mortality, when young educated African American men went to buy a home it was virtually impossible to get mortgages, and when moving into an area that was not a ghetto property prices nearly dropped or was cut 50%.

(http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/john_kennedy_and_civil_rights.htm)

Time was of the essence John F. Kennedy had to work fast, efficiently and on top of it all please the American Negro community along with the Caucasian community who also supported the civil rights for all. Some of the very earliest steps the people saw- being able to hold positions in middle to upper management positions in the workforce, between the pay ranges of $4,500 to $10,000 increased by 20% annually in the year 1961 also in jobs ranging in $9,500 to $20,000. By 1961 ending there were an extra 1,400 African American’s that filled these positions, and this in itself was huge. Including the President’s Secret Service detail, or the First Family Detail, this gained the President two things, popularity and equality.

(http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Ready-Reference/JFK-Miscellaneous-Information/Civil-Rights-accomplishments.aspx)

(Sorenson, Theodore C. Kennedy. New York: Harper & Row 1965 Print)

(Sorenson,Theodore C. Pg. 478)

During the civil rights John F. Kennedy worked alongside with members and peaceful leaders in the civil rights movement such as Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, and multiple Freedom Riders. One of the most familiar was Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy communicated quite frequently via telegram and letter formats. Here is one as said by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the president on the issue of Judges Thurgood Marshall and William Hastie on filling the presently vacant Supreme Court seat “This is a superb opportunity for the administration to reveal to the world its serious determination to make the negro a full participant in every phase of American life” – March 30 1962. Later Judge Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court he was elected October 2, 1967 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the president who succeeded President Kennedy.

(http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Students/Leaders-in-the-Struggle-for-Civil-Rights/MLK-Jr.aspx)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurgood_Marshall)

We know that John F. Kennedy was not any only child along with nine others, one other Kennedy also played a very intricate part in the civil rights movement; Robert Kennedy was the seventh child of the family. (http://www.nps.gov/jofi/faqs.htm) Robert served as attorney general under his brother Jack and as attorney general the changes were coming; once again very large one’s that most African Americans’ would see. I first start when Robert was fresh into the attorney general seat, he had started to put pressure on the Greyhound bus companies to let the African American community ride wherever they would like to throughout the bus, and segregation was outlawed in 1961 by the Supreme Court. With deep involvement in the Freedom Riders movement they called on the attorney general when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. flew to Montgomery accompanied by federal marshals to hold a mass meeting with the freedom riders, after this meeting and as the nighttime fell so did the freedom riders hope, several thousand white’s surrounded the church, the freedom riders could not leave safely, at around 3 A.M. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. placed a call to Kennedy about the mob, soon after Kennedy spoke with the Alabama governor John Malcolm Patterson who then declared martial law and state police along with National Guard, the freedom riders left Montgomery safe.

(http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/civilrights-55-65/freeride.html)

Robert Kennedy became yet even more involved as he became New York senator in 1964 becoming heavily involved in the “Voting Rights Bill” (http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/nhhs/project/rfk.htm)

August 11, 1965 a police officer in the Watts area of Los Angeles pulled over a black driver, for drunk driving. From the mere stop the man in the vehicle along with his brother and mother, became quite angry at the officer and after the officer beat the family with their baton’s rage and fury hit the Watts section fury and terror struck for six days straight and by the time it had ended. Left six people dead and over one-thousand injured. This issue was not just a southern hate but it was an epidemic spreading throughout the country. Soon after this incident over one hundred and twenty seven cities had racial outbreaks; hate on both sides of the argument was growing heated. Young black men were fighting and stirring in the country burning down stores, looting as well. Bobby had a sense of feeling towards the African American boys, he says “I got in trouble when I was that age” “I see them as kids in trouble”

(Aronson,Marc. Upclose: Robert F. Kennedy New York, New York, Viking, 2007, Print)

(Aronson 159-161)

As I finish with a lighter note on the one Kennedy sister who was for civil rights, for the disabled or of your color. All were accepted into the Special Olympics the first Olympics was held July of 1968 (http://www.specialolympics.org/history.aspx) This was yet again another showing of the Kennedy family generosity, to the people of America, to people who may not have had the opportunity if it was not for family’s like the Kennedy’s. To show the American public the corporal acts of mercy as the Kennedy family has and continue to show. There marks on history are inevitable from showing mercy on African American families who had gotten and education but could not get a position. To let the civil rights groups protest peacefully, and are there when needed to aide. To show the people that they are the people of the United States, your friends and neighbors, to show works of mercy that if we all could show these same acts. The United States would be a much better place. Liberty and Justice for all!

Welcome to the Hartwell Observer

2011-04-01T14:38:00.000-10:00

Over the past year and a half I have been in the news business. I work as the Editor of a newspaper and publish it monthly, I love it. It seems to be that the news follows me, any where and every where I go. So now I have started bringing the news to viewers, with my own personal view that are ever changing.
Your Friend,
R. Hartwell