The New Year

Tonight, the Jewish Community celebrates Rosh Hashanah, the New Year. Additionally, tonight we also begin the 10 days of awe, in anticipation of Yom Kippur, the day when this upcoming year's book of life is sealed. We use the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a time for reflection on the past year. What mistakes have we made? Maybe we havee argued to frequently with our siblings, or we lied or worse. Nevertheless, now is the time for reflection on these sins, now is the time to ask for forgiveness. Also, we look forward to this upcoming year with anticipation for the opportunity it provides us to start anew. The year ahead will be quite important for me and I can only hope that its fruits are as sweet as the year past.

The upcoming year also presents a number of challenges for a number of communities that I belong to. At the University of Michigan, we must face a new year of state appropriations cuts in funding. We must do all in power to continue to ensure that the University is accessible to all because I am a firm believer that the University represents one of the best instruments of social mobility we have.

As a nation, we must figure a way to win the war in Iraq with as little human suffering as possible. We also must continue to rebuild the gulf coast and find a solution to our energy crisis, all big challenges.

As a world community, we must once and for all end the genocide in Darfur. It is my hope that by this time next year, one can look towards Darfur and see a community beginning the process of healing.

The new year presents both challenges and opportunities. May it be one of peace, health, success and happiness. L'shana Tova!

D.C. Gun Ban

The District of Columbia has petitioned the United States Supreme Court to hear their case regarding their ban on all hand guns within the district. Recently, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the District's ban was in violation of the Second Amendment. The district claims that the 2nd amendment applies to rifles and other large weapons, but handguns which can be easily concealed should be able to be regulated. I am inclined to side with the District, which can claim ownership to consistently one of the highest murder rates per capita in the entire nation. Why shouldn't civic leaders be able to take measures to protect the public from weapons that easily and quickly fall into the hands of violent criminals. The 2nd amendment has long served as a road block to common sense legislation to protect people. Don't get me wrong, I understand that the 2nd amendment establishes the right to bear arms; however, I don't believe that the framers intended it to serve as a barrier to action that is in the best interests of the populace. Common sense gun control is vital. Hopefully the supreme court will grant certiorari and hear this important case.

Whats with the Tigers?

After another disappointing loss to the Oakland A's, one must begin to wonder just what exactly is going on with the Tigers. This loss was especially painful, considering we were up for most of the game and only needed Todd Jones to come up with a save. If the Tigers are serious about making the playoffs, they better start to get their act together.... because the Indians, Yankees, and Mariners are not all going to continue to lose. Detroit wants to see another playoff run, so lets see it happen.

Keep it up Mr. Sarkozy!

In his first foreign policy speech as the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed that Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon is the most dangerous situation facing world peace. In an extremely blunt set of remarks, Mr. Sarkozy explicitly left a military solution on the table. However, he was careful to reiterate that the best solution for the entire international community was a diplomatic solution. Nevertheless, what is important about these remarks, is the fact that the world finally has a French President who understands the threat that Iran poses. Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, at last, France's president realizes this. Maybe now, we can rely on France to support our initiatives in the security council and not threaten to use their veto power as much. President Sarkozy is definitely a breath of fresh air!

This is America?

The New York Times covered a housing development known as the colonias, in the southern Texas. I was extremely startled to read that just as short as 15 years ago the development of over 400,000 people had just a small minority with running water and indoor plumping. The government had failed to provide these people, hard working legal immigrants with the basic necessities of civilized life. This doesn't sound like America... not at all.

As bad as the situation was, improvement is finally being seen. Presently, over 2/3 of the residents have running water. Nevertheless, a third still lacks this most basic infrastructure that we all take for granted. Through the hard work of community advocacy groups and others progress has been made. Many families are utilizing incrimental building strategies similar to the process used by Un Techo Para Uruguay, the non-profit I worked with in Uruguay to build houses in the barrio. What is scary is the fact that the situation in South Texas seems to be quite similar to the situation in South America.

Congress is not well liked....

According to a new Gallup Poll, just 18% of American's approve of the Democratic led congress. Maybe America has finally started to realize that this "do nothing" congress has continued to seek political victories at the expensive of real improvements for the people of this great nation. While Congress has pursued witch hunt after witch hunt and visited with leaders of nations sworn to the destruction of our allies, people are being killed in Darfur, a record number of federal judgeships are vacant, and our nation is still addicted to oil amongst others. Hopefully, the democratic leaders of congress will take the hint and start working on the people's business, not just issues that they think will score them some political points.

Uh Oh.

Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's fanatic president, has announced that he plans to seek a constitutional amendment to increase his term by a year and to remove the ban on re-election. This is scary for a number of reasons. First, Latin American history is filled with instances of leaders using extra-constitutional means to extend their hold on power. Second, Hugo Chavez has made it his goal to align himself against the United States and our allies. He has repeatedly met with and pronounced his support for Iran's president. Even the left-leaning, former union leader, President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, has distanced himself from this mad man. Third, Chavez's efforts seem scarily similar to Hitler's ascension to power. This is a very scary thought.

Much work needs to be done to prop up the other countries throughout South America, which are hoping to finally fully recover from the economic and political turmoil of recent history. Accordingly, congress needs to get its act together and begin to pass the free trade agreements the President has proposed with these countries. Free trade will help to isolate Chavez and others who aim to threaten the American way of life.