Field Observation/ Interview

VIDEOS ON BARACK OBAMA:

" One of the failures of foreign policy over the last seven years has been a secretive type of foreign policy, that is not informing the American people of what's happening , what's at stake, how decisions are being made, what are the risks and benefits of any particular course of action."
" I would like to be open, make sure that people have access to my decision, advisers. I'm going to make sure that we are explaining our policies in a very clear manor, to makes sure that people can develop and restore a since of trust that my administration is making the best decision based on the best advice, the best information and based on the beliefs of the American people. "

"He is no longer talking about the war of terror, he is talking about a specific well defined enemy, Al Quaeda. He is not going to use terms such as Islamic facism. He is going to focus on Al-Quaeda withouth eliminating the rest of the Arab world.
“My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy,”

" No country will find it exceptable to finding missiles ranning down on the heads of their citizens."
" When you see civilians whether palestinian or Israeli harmed undergoing heardship, it's heartbreakin, and obvioulsy what it does, is make me more determined to break a deadline that has gone on for decades. "
" I think that if you look at what happened under the Clinton Administration and the Bush Admninistartion, you are seeing general outlines ofn an approach, and players of the region are understaning the comprimises that are going to need to be made."
"The reason for the United States to be involved and engaged emediately, not waiting until the end of their turn is because working through the politics of this requirs a third party, and the Obama Administration can create it."

For my Field Observation, I looked at several intervies of Barack Obama on youtube. The main theme through out all of them, is that Barack OBama is moving forward, finding a solution for the Middle East, going and talking to the Arab world, and assuring them that the U.S no longer wants to be their enemy. Barack Obama has great plans for the middle East. The main goals for Barack Obama's foreign policy are : to secure loose n uclear materials from "terrorists, to pursue tough, direct diplomacy without preconditions to end the threat from Iran, and to renwet the American Deplomacy. Watching vidoes on Barack Obama was timeconsuming, but extremely fun. He is a great public speaker, and I learned a lot. I am so happy to of done this project on him, and pleased that he is now the President of the United States.

Response #11 : Obama Steps Up and Expands War on Taliban

This article proved that the OBama administration has already taken action in the middle East. Obama has intentions on attacking the Taliban and the Al-Quaeda. But will that lead to a genocide? is sending military troops in, really the right thing to do? I do not know the answers to those questions. We are just going to see what happens.

Article #11 : Obama Steps Up and Expands War on Taliban

- The Barack Obama administration is planning to send troops against the Taliban and al-Qaida in Pakistan.

- Taliban militants are using the area to launch attacks on U.S.-NATO forces in southern Afghanistan.

- Obama has continued the policy of former U.S. President George W. Bush of launching strikes by unmanned CIA-operated Predator drones against the Taliban and al-Qaida hideouts.

- "A new energy is evident in President Barak Obama's prosecution of the war" against the Taliban, a U.S. official said.

- "I think we'll see a much more intense effort," said Middle East expert Tony Cordesman. "The war will be expanded in a comprehensive way, but just what resources that will entail isn't clear yet."

- A total of nine U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic militants has already been launched by the new administration as opposed to a total of 30 attacks dating from last September when Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadardi assumed power.

- On March 12, a Predator fired missiles at a Taliban training camp and weapons depot in Kurram killing 24 militants, U.S. officials said.

- "You could definitely say [the attacks] represent an expansion of the air war on the Taliban," an administration official said.

- However, expansion of the war could provoke opposition from some Democrats who fear a deepening U.S. entanglement in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said.

- Currently a policy review is underway and should shortly be presented to the president, they said.

- On March 15, a Predator targeted for the second time a Taliban weapons depot in the town of Jani Khal in the Bannu district of the jihadist stronghold of the Northwest Frontier province.

- Two al-Qaida and two Taliban operatives were killed, according to Pakistani news reports confirmed by U.S. officials. The dead were not identified but were not "high value" targets, these sources said.

- In any case, the Taliban were quick to retort. On March 16, a force of 50-60 fighters savaged the al-Faisal terminal.

Response to article #10 : The pluses of a regional grand bargain

This article helped me on the Iran field. I now know what Iran is likely to do and how it is vital to return to speaking conditions with them. Becoming allies with Iran will make the American withdrawal from Iraq easier, and cool down the conflict in Afghanistan. Personally, I agree completely with this article. I now need to find more articles like this concerning Iraq, Palestine, and all the other countries in the Middle East.

Article # 10: The pluses of a regional grand bargain

- The Obama administration has declared a peace process concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan and re-establishing communication with Syria and Iran.

-Obama is considering speaking with some of the Taliban in Afghanistan to wind down the war there.

- Washington and Tehran have not talked in a sustained way for 30 years.

- The list of things the US and the West do not know about Iran is long

- Iran will settle for a deal on its nuclear enrichment capabilities; whether it wants a nuclear bomb

- Iran has already achieved its important first goal, despite intense American-led threats, warnings and sanctions.

- It has established a spinning-centrifuge-based system for enriching uranium. Now confronted with the Obama approach of talking rather than only sanctioning, the Iranians now face many new possibilities.

-Iran (like Syria on a smaller scale) is strategically placed to both talk and work on many fronts. It has communications withI raq, Afghanistan, Syria, Hizbullah and Hamas. This provides opportunities for the US.

- Iranian leadership has fear of bargaining with the US, because of the tension between Washington and Tehran.

- Achieving a grand bargain is complex.

- A grand bargain on Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and Arab-Israeli peacemaking would require satisfying needs for all sides.

Final Focus: further research needed.

My final research is going to consist of two articles, and an interview or field experience. When writing my blog essay, I discovered that I need to know more about what Obama is planning on doing about the current situation in the Middle East. A question that occurred during my thinking process is: Is sending more troops in Afghanistan really necessary? I need to draw out more research on what has been done to stabalize the Middle East, and draw conclusions on what I think should be done as well as Obama. For further reaserach for my presentation, I need to find some photos, i will make a slideshow.

Response to Article #9

I believe there is no military solution to Afghanistan, there should be some kind of reconciliation with the Taliban. Pakistan should bring those involved with the attack on Mumbai to justice. This article is about what Obama is facing as a president. He has a huge crisis at home, in America, but also has to deal with the Middle East and other places. Barack Obama has alot on his plate and It will be interesting to see what he can resolve!

Article # 9 : Q+A - What can Obama do about Afghanistan, Pakistan?

-The emphasis Obama has placed on the peaceful Afghanistan and abolishing the al Qaeda threat in Pakistan has moved to being top priority in U.S. foreign policy challenges.


WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS IN AFGHANISTAN?
- The Taliban insurgency has gained strength
- The best business to be in is drug-running.
- The country could become a narco-state.
-Governance is poor

WHAT ARE WE DOING?
- Obama is boosting the number of troops in Afghanistan

AND PAKISTAN?
- Government is weak,
- Weak economy
- Islamist militancy and India are influencing the northwest.
- Distaset for the alliance with the United States,
- U.S missile attachs target Pakistani tribal areas.
- Hard to see stability in the region, because not only is it a nuclear weapons state, but it is a a hiding place for al Qaeda.

WHY INVOLVE INDIA?
- India isasking the same question.
-Biggest regional power.
- India has always resisted outside meddling in what it sees as an internal matter .
- Pakistani intelligence agents had ties with the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group it blames for carrying out the attack on Mumbai
- Pakistan should bring those involved, to justice before expecting India to revive a five-year-old peace process on "pause" after the attack on Mumbai.

Response to Article #8: House of Representatives Passes American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

This was a great article for finding out Obama's plan. The Recovery and Reinvestment Plan is such a great plan, it will open up job opportunities, create job opportunities, create several green jobs, improve schools and their green programs. This is a plan that needs to happen and happen fast, and will help America immensely!! I am so excited for this plan to happen, it will specifically he will put the working class.

Article #8:House of Representatives Passes American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

-By a vote of 244-188, the House of Representatives has just passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. The plan will now move to consideration by the Senate.
Following the vote, President Obama released the following statement:

-Last year, America lost 2.6 million jobs.
-Some of our biggest employers plan to cut another 55,000. which is a wakeup call to Washington that the American people are in need for action.
- There are many numbers in this plan.
- It will double our capacity to generate renewable energy.
-It will lower the cost of health care .
- It will modernize thousands of classrooms and send more kids to college.
-And it will put billions of dollars in immediate tax relief into the pockets of working families.
- But the one that matters most is :this recovery plan will save or create more than three million new jobs over the next few years.
- Once it is passed, every American will be able to go the website recovery.gov and see how and where their money is being spent.
-The plan now moves to the Senate
- This must move swiftly and boldly to put Americans back to work, and that is exactly what this plan begins to do.

response to : Article #7 Obama Plays to the Crowd at Inauguration Parade

The Inauguration was today, which i watched! This article gave a brief summary about what was going on behind scenes and what was going on in the crowds during the inauguration. There were a lot of illnesses behind scenes and thousands of supporters in the crowds who wanted to become a part of history.

Article # 7: Obama Plays to the Crowd at Inauguration Parade

-President Barack Obama was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd at his inauguration parade .
- As the Obama family participated in this historic moment, they watched the end of the inaugural parade outside the White House, hours after Obama had addressed his fellow Americans as president of the United States.
- About 15 minutes into the parade, Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, stepped out of the limousine with a USA 1 license plate.
- A couple of moments later, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, joined them on the walk to the loud cheers of hundreds of people .
-Earlier in the day, there had been some unexpected drama on Capitol Hill. Sen. Ted Kennedy, was taken to the hospital after suffering a seizure brought caused by a "simple fatigue."
- He went into convulsions during Obama's celebratory inaugural luncheon, and was taken out on a wheelchair.
- People peered from the windows of every building near by.
"He's the people's president," Patricia Correia, 68, of Lancaster, Calif., said. "He would not be the type to sit here in the car. He knows that we waited out here this long."
-At 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, most people cleared the bleachers right after Obama walked past, not waiting for the Bidens.
- At points along the route, spectators bundled in parkas and blankets and at one spot people danced in place to the "Electric Slide" to keep warm in .
- "I came because it's about us making history," said Latori Brown, a 21-year-old black woman who'd been waiting since dawn and shivered under a blanket. "I'm not worried about the cold. It's worth it."

Liam's Third Response

Aimee, I knew Barrack Obama played basketball but I didn't know he played golf until his recent vacation in Hawaii. It must be annoying having hundreds of cameras taking you picture when you are trying to play golf, particularly if you are not very good. I think it is good that you included an anti-Obama article from a less than impartial news source. It is useful to hear opposing viewpoints to know how other people see him.

By the way, I think it is a very good thing for the country that George Bush now has plenty of time to play golf.

Jeanette's 3rd Response

Hi Aimee! I like that you are finding information about different aspects of Obama's life. It is good to know that the president has a life like other people. A few things I think you might find helpful are if you researched the population that supports him and his family. It might be interesting to find out what group of people, (race, gender, age, etc...) really supports him and voted for him. His family would be interesting to research because it would make him more of a normal American. Lastly, you don't have a response for your 4th article...:o But good job otherwise!

Response to Obama takes his golf swing to oval office

This article was fun! It gave information about Obama's leisure time and how he plays basketball and golf. It also showed that Golf is a popular sport to practice among the presidents. I did not write it on my blog report, but it said that Bush would have plenty of time to improve his golfing skills now that he is not President! It was a bit of a surprise to hear that Obama was "fit". It was an interesting article, different from the other articles I have written about.

#6. Article: Obama takes his golf swing to oval office

- It was publicized that during his presidential campaign, Barack Obama enjoyed playing basketball.
-Now, it has come out that he also enjoys playing golf.
- According to the Golf Digest magazine, Obama took up the game 12 years ago,
- During his recent vacation in Hawaii, he found enough time for three roundsa t a private golf course.
- Obama will become the 15th of the last 18 presidents to play golf.
-John F. Kennedy, whose average score was 80 despite chronic back pain, ranked No. 1, and Calvin Coolidge, who is said to have left his clubs at the White House after he left office, was No. 15. George W. Bush, who may have time to work on his game after Obama is sworn in as president on Jan. 20, is No. 6.
-“He’d be better if he could play more,” Marvin Nicholson,
-“He wants to play all the best courses: St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black. When he becomes an ex-president, he’d like to try to become a single-digit handicapper.”
Nicholson said Obama doesn’t curse on the course or cheat to make his score look better.
-“When he’d shoot an 11 on a hole,” Nicholson said, “I’d say, ‘Boss, what did you shoot?’ and he’d say, ‘I had an 11.’ And that’s what he’d write on his scorecard. I always respected that.”
-Nick Smith, now in the Marine Corps and stationed in Hawaii, got to play basketball with Obama on Christmas Eve at a gym near Obama’s vacation home.
-“He’s really fit, and a great outside shooter,” Smith told The Morning Sun of Pittsburg. “You can tell he’s played some basketball before.”
Big New Year’s Eve

Response to Military Poll Finds Troops Wary About Obama

This article helped because it let me know that there are people who do not support Barack Obama, people who in theory should. It let me know that a lot of the troops do not want Barack Obama in charge because of his lack in military experience. Then again, this article came from a republican channel. Fox news is generally against Barack Obama and is not completely liable. However it made me more conscious about the fact that there are a lot of people who are against him. I have been using a lot of articles from the Google news site, so I will broaden my research places.

#5. Article: Military Poll Finds Troops Wary About Obama

-More than half of U.S. service members ( troops) feel uncertain about Obama as the President of the United States.
-Six out of 10 Americans in uniform are concerned about Obama's lack of military experience
-The uncertainty has to do with Obama's time for pulling the troops out of the war. It conflicts with the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the Army Times reported.
- "Being that the Marine Corps can be sent anywhere in the world with the snap of his fingers, nobody has confidence in this guy as commander in chief," a lance corporal who asked not to be identified responded to the Times survey.
-The findings are results of the sixth annual Military Times survey of subscribers to Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times newspapers. Conducted Dec. 1 through Dec. 8, the survey had more than 1,900 active-duty respondents.
Nearly half of the respondents described their political views as conservative or very conservative, the Army Times reported.