Polls How Legitimate are They?

Today in AP Gov, Mr. Gwaltney was discussing polls and what an influential role it plays for politicians from all spectrums. It even provides the oracle from the politician to what people want and what their beliefs are. I thought it was interesting how valuable these polls are, and so important that presidents in the past have funded people to establish polls for their personal benefit and gain. Do you think polls are always a good way to predict people's views and opinions, to especially someone as influential as presidential canidates? Not only are polls helpful to important issues and policies, the simple approval of president by the American people is one that has been updated quite frequently. My reaction to all of this change in politics of blogs, polls, and youtube speeches, is the fact that are we going to believe everything that is presented to us as legitimate, or are they not the best sources to fall back on. I checked out one of the common website for polls : pollster.com, this website shows a bunch of popular polls that feed into the website almost monthly. One interesting one that really caught my eye is whether truthfully we like or dislike the president. Do you approve? See if your opinion is well represented in the poll.http://www.pollster.com/presbushapproval.php

Iraq Interpreters, Our Secret Soldiers

Iraq interpreters go on patrol with U.S. troops without weapons and lead secret lives to defend against insurgents who could take their lives, or people are close to them. Their job plays triple what any Iraqi company would, but the risk they undergo is dangerous and life threatening at every second of the day. They don’t reveal their names, don’t allow photos to be taken of them, and basically “live like phantoms”. The situation is Iraq holds the truth and harsh reality, “ Every interpreter, if he stays in Iraq will get killed”.
This problem is unjust but the solution to escape is a long undependable process. They have a long process for citizenship, in this case to the United States. They must obtain a letter of recommendation from a general before they can submit visa applications. That alone can take months. According to Army Captain Chris Sanchez of Los Angeles, “ They want to be Americans. They’re doing more to fight the war on terror than most Americans.”
Imagine families dependant on an interpreter for their well being. Having a father everyday risk his life, to earn money to escape the country. After all this suffering, it may seem questionable why people would want to be put at such risks. It’s simply two answers, money and the idea of reform or renewal in Iraq. Interpreters are on our side, defending our nation, and should be aided and guided to citizenship. They’re at risk and should be able to receive the price they pay. Do you think United States should change the system? Should they help these people who are fighting for our country against terror?

Younger Voters, How Our Vote might Actually Influence Canidates

Canidates are trying to persuade younger audiences to be present at presidential caucuses. In the past two caucuses, “ 65% of participants were older than fifty”. Why the sudden concern for the younger audience of the electing citizens?..... even potential citizens as young as seventeen year olds? Campaigns are taking advantaged of an easily persuaded group of voters . For example according to an article fromMSNBC.com titled, "Democrats seek support from Iowa 17 year olds", Iowa is allowing seventeen year olds to vote if they’ll be eighteen by election day, November 4, 2008.
They are trying to find the leaders of the schools that easily influence students, such as student body president, the quarterback, and newspaper chief editor etc. It’s interesting how candidates are basing Iowa off a popularity contest that would originally take place in high school, but is now used to candidates' benefits.
Obama has drawn huge crowds at colleges in Iowa, according to Obama’s spokesperson, “ The key for us is building an organization that can harness that enthusiasm and turn it into support”. Since Iowa has a small percentage of voters, young and newcomers alike can swerve for any party’s favor.This article actually put out the point that younger audience can persuade a state to one party or the other; and even give a candidate a leading head start in the presidential race. Which states do you think can be easily manipulated if the youth are generation take charge and vote? With a good number of states that can go to either party, the younger voting party which includes the majority of high school seniors, have a brighter future ahead of them, as far as their vote and how much it can influence a canidate.

9/11 is over, We need a President for 9/12

I read an editorial called 9/11 is over by Thomas Friedman from the New York Times. He discussed the issue of American presidential canidates, focusing on 9/11 rather than the future or as he puts it 9/12. He states that our country has become “The United States of Fighting Terrorism” , not a country that represents what it used to be before. Did our country change its ideals and what it represented for its citizens after the terrorist attacks? I definatly think, canidates should focus on the future not how the past has been or how bad it really was. He mentioned a little excerpt from the satirical newspaper the Onion, that ran a fake newsletter potraying Guilliani, as a canidate, " If elected, Giuliani would inherit the duties of current 9/11 President George W. Bush, including making grim facial expressions, seeing the world’s conflicts in terms of good and evil, and carrying a bullhorn at all state functions.” Is it true that canidates are picking up where Bush left off, or are canidates making a distinction betweent the new presidential term in office. Is our country ready for a change, or are we guilty of looking back than looking forward. This article brought up the interesting point, of whether presidential canidates look more to the past or future when it comes to propaganding their beliefs on issues to the American people. Right now one main focus is healthcare an issue that has been not focused enough on, and now getting its time. Another point friedman, put out was how America had lost tourists and accoding to Dr. Dow from the TRavel Industry Association," Only the U.S. is losing traveler volume among major countries, which is unheard of in today’s world". We all can agree 9/11 has changed America, but did it change what we stand for, did it take our original focus from the people of the nation and their liberties for 9/12, into the past of 9/11.