President Obama not releasing Bin Laden's photos

I was glad to hear that President Obama is not going to release the photos of Bin Laden.  I know that there are many out there that want the photos released, but I have to disagree.  The death of Bin Laden is still new and fresh to those people who followed and believed in him.  There is still a lot of rage for the American people from this group.  I feel that if we release these photos, it will endanger the lives of our troops that are out there now fighting for freedom and the end of terrorism. 

Senator Carl Levine was quoted as saying, "I'd let a little time pass so that we don't play into the hands of people who want to retaliate with what obviously will be a sensational picture. I would not want to feed that sensation, so I'd wait days or weeks".

Another White House official said that he had seen the photos and described them as gruesome and not appropriate for front page newspapers.  He said that it clearly shows Bin Laden with an open wound across his face. 

Also, I really don't care for all of the critics and conspiracy theorists who want the photos released.  I feel that they are selfish people, who will not be happy even if the photos were released in "long form".  I hope President Obama sticks to his decision on not releasing the photos.  Though in this day and age of Wikileaks, I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

President Obama's agenda

It's amazing to me how President Obama had conducted himself after he had given the order to initiate the operation for the capture or killing of bin Laden.  I truely believe that this will probably be the defining moment (and health care) of his Presidential career.  There have been so many reports about his schedule after he had given the order to initiate the operation. 

On Friday morning after he gave the consent, he and his wife and daughters left the White House to travel to Alabama for a tour of the hardest hit towns and neighborhoods after a tornado ripped through them a few days before.  He met with state politians and families who had lost everything in these storms.  After visiting Alabama, they boarded a plane to Florida to meet with the Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords and her astronaut husband Mark Kelly, who will be the shuttle commander in Endeavor's next launch.  Later that evening he delivered a commencement speech at Miami Dade College before heading back to the White House.

On Saturday, he attended the annual White House Correspondence dinner, without showing any anxieties and enjoying the evening.  He even played nine holes of golf on Sunday morning before heading back to the situation room at the White House where he would see the raid unfold live.

Below is a photo of the President and his cabinet as they watch the raid on bin Laden's compound.  I think his reaction shows what he had been hiding all weekend. 

 

I applaud President Obama for the way that he conducted himself.  I believe he acted very "presidential" and never took his focus off the citizens of the United States.  After all, isn't that why he sent out the consent for the raid? To protect and defend the American people?  

Mexican Americans

      I have to say that I was touched when I saw the picture in our textbook of Mexican-American children at a protest to legalize their parents.  Though, that was not something that I worried about growing up as a child, but I could see myself in them.  I was actually born in Mexico to a mother who is a United States citizen and a father who was a Mexican citizen.    When my sister and I got to be at the age of starting school, my mother decided that she wanted us to start in the United States.  She found that there was not much regulation in the Mexican Public school system, and saw a lot of children dropping out at a startling young age.  She wanted a better education for her children.

      Since my mother is a United States citizen that gave my sister and I, United States citizenship by Naturalization.  My sister and I have dual citizenship.  My father in the other hand, had to get a Work VISA right away.  He worked hard, paid his taxes, and was in the United States legally with his Work Visa.  He was also starting on the process of getting his United States citizenship.  The process was long and expensive, but six years later he stood in a court house and was proclaimed a United States citizen.

      I believe that most Mexican families are like our family.  They want a better life for their family, and a better education for their children.  Some families are not as fortunate as my father was in getting his citizenship, so they are here undocumented.  I can't image having to live, constantly looking over my shoulder, just so I can put food on the table for my family or for my children to get a better education.

      I don't really have an opinion on amnesty for these undocumented families, but this blog has really got me thinking about it.  I will continue to read articles on these issues and try to see both sides when an open mind.

Save The Chimps

       After doing some research on the ideas that Professor Nash listed for us, this is one of the subjects that have always seemed to fascinate me.  I've read some horrific stories of how some of these animals have turned on their owners and some have unfortunately killed  their owners.  One of the stories that really struck me was the story of Travis, the chimpanzee, who had attacked his owner's friend for trying to coax him back into his living quarters after escaping.  Apparently, earlier in the day, Travis was given a does of Xanax, the anti-anxiety drug, because his owner claimed he was acting agitated.  When Travis escaped his living quarters, that is when the friend of the owner came to help.  Travis was so agitated that he charged the friend and left her badly mauled and in critical condition. 

      Although is it tragic after following the condition that Travis left the woman that he attacked, Travis should never have been a domesticated pet living in a house.  Chimpanzees are exotic animals who grow quickly and have special needs.  My opinion is, if there are chimpanzees who are pets, they should be kept in sanctuaries, when they can be cared for properly, and in an environment that they are naturally at peace with.  There is a large sanctuary located in Florida who cares for abandoned and abused chimpanzees.  Their mission is "provide sanctuary for chimpanzees rescued from research labs, entertainment and the pet trade".

      I truly feel that when humans house these exotic pets, they are setting themselves for tragedy.  Even if the owner is never attacked, an innocent animal is being neglected.

Works Cited

Save the Chimps. Save the Chimps Mission, n.d., Web. 6 Apr. 2011.