Less Oil for Libya

Paul Schemm and Maggie Michael report some of the latest news about the uprising in Libya. After some fighting between rebels and loyalists to Gadhafi, two oil installations were set fire which only further increased the country's energy problems. 
The report also describes Gadhafi's claim in recapturing the city, Zawiya.

"The fall of Zawiya to anti-Gadhafi residents early on in the uprising that began Feb. 15 illustrated the initial, blazing progress of the opposition. But Gadhafi has seized the momentum, battering the rebels with airstrikes and artillery fire and repulsing their westward march toward the capital, Tripoli.

Gadhafi's successes have left Western powers struggling to come up with a plan to support the rebels without becoming ensnared in the complex and fast-moving conflict. On Wednesday, a high-ranking member of the Libyan military flew to Cairo with a message for Egyptian army officials from Gadhafi, but no further details were known."

Obama and his team are working on ways to get Gadhafi out of power and also keep the rebels under control. This will not be an easy task to accomplish and it may take a great deal of time for things to calm down. Hopefully in the mean time the US can try to prevent as much violence and death occurring as possible. 

Siding With Stem Cells

Stem Cell research has been a huge struggle for the biotech industry ever since the technology was discovered. Republicans have strong feelings about the treatment of embryos. One could simply assume that since republicans are pro-life (against abortion), they are also against the use of embryos for stem cell research. I side with the democrats on this issue because I see stem cell research as an opportunity to save lives. Some also argue that the tiny blastocysts that are being used have no human features. Republicans make their rebuttal claiming that anything that has the potential to have a life should be considered an individual with the same rights as us all. One of the toughest aspects of this debate is that it is hard to tell where the line is drawn between life and nonexistence. This matter doesn't seem to be addressed in the constitution. In an article discussing the pros and cons of stem cell research, it is stated that:

"Advocates of embryonic stem cell research claim new human lives will not be created for the sole purpose of experimentation."

Besides tampering with potential human life, opposers are concerned for the animals being tested on.

"Others argue against such research on medical grounds. Mice treated for Parkinson's with embryonic stem cells have died from brain tumors in as much as 20% of cases."

I understand that it is unfair to the animals, but we must accept that this is a part of scientific research. In order to make any advancements scientists have to take risks and make sacrifices.
Depending on which party has the majority, scientists have either been denied money for research or have been given more. This article explains that:

"In the summer of 2006 President Bush stood his ground on the issue of stem cell research and vetoed a bill passed by the Senate that would have expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Currently, American federal funding can only go to research on stem cells from existing (already destroyed) embryos."

This article explains that after Obama was elected, his democratic qualities caused him to do the exact opposite.

"President Barack Obama said Monday he is allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund significantly broader research on embryonic stem cells because "medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," and promised his administration would make up for the ground lost under his predecessor."

I think that stem cell research is a key area of science that deserves an adequate amount of federal funding.

 

 

Palin for President?

In an interview with Barbara Walters, Sarah Palin talks about her possible plan to run for president against Obama in 2012. This has been talked about for some time now and she made it clear that it hasn't been set in stone yet but she is seriously considering the idea. Besides explaining the possible run for presidency, Palin also said she feels confident about beating Obama. She recognizes that she will face much difficulty, though, because of the public's view of her record. She addresses that,

"It's been much more perplexing to me than where the lamestream media has wanted to go about my personal life. And other candidates haven't faced these criticisms the way I have. I'm on television nearly every single day with reporters. ... Now granted, that's mainly through my job at Fox News, and I'm very proud to be associated with them, but I'm not avoiding anything or anybody.
I'm on Facebook and Twitter. I'm out there. I want to talk about my record, though."

Google Finances Building of 'Superhighway' for Wind Power

The article written by, Juliet Eilperin, discusses Google's involvement in the building of an underwater tunnel that funnels energy from off-shore wind farms to 1.9 million homes. This project would eliminate the need for off-shore wind developers to build transmission lines that reach peoples' homes. The 350-mile network of cables will reach from northern New Jersey to Virginia. Wondering what Obama thinks? Eilperin reports that:

"The Obama administration has identified offshore wind development as top energy policy priority, and administration officials have vowed to ease the way for wind farms off the East Coast.
"By identifying high-priority areas offshore for potential wind projects, we can explore the development of a transmission backbone in the Atlantic Ocean to serve those areas," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said last month. "Rather than develop transmission infrastructure plans on a piecemeal basis, we should - in close coordination with the private sector, states and tribes - lay out a smart transmission system up front."

This project will be quite a feat and the predicted construction start is not till 2013. The estimated finish of the tunnel wouldn't be until 2020. Although the project will take awhile Google officials explain that,

"We believe in investing in projects that make good business sense and further the development of renewable energy."

How Does Obama Feel About Losing his Top Economic Advisor?

Obama's top economic advisor, Larry Summers, is leaving the White House soon to return back to being a Professor at Harvard University. Not everyone seems to agree if this is a good thing or a bad thing. In an article from the CNN Wire Staff, Obama claims that,

"Over the past two years, he has helped guide us from the depths of the worst recession since the 1930s to renewed growth, and while we have much work ahead to repair the damage done by the recession, we are on a better path thanks in no small measure to Larry's wise counsel."

To Obama, Summers has contributed a great deal of his knowledge, and he is sad to see him go. A White House official explained that Summers agreed to a one-year policy. Obama, however, invited him to stay for one more year. Unfortunately, Harvard has a strict two-year leave policy and Summers had already committed to returning for the Spring semester of 2011.
Although Obama seems rather adamant that Summers' knowledge has been of great benefit, there are others who are happy to see him leave. 

"He was criticized by conservatives for his role in the Obama administration's economic stimulus package and its bailout of automakers General Motors and Chrysler, while some of the administration's liberal supporters accused him of watering down needed reforms in the wake of the financial crisis that erupted in 2008."

Regardless of everyone's opinion of Summers, his time to leave has arrived and he is staying loyal to his job at Harvard.