Bronwen Vogel

National:
"Well, obviously, I'm disappointed, more importantly, my children and I not only trust my husband, but know that he would never do anything to not only disappoint our family, but disappoint the people of America. He's a man of great character." Senator McCain denied all rumors. Cindy McCain said in response to rumors of her husband having an affair with a lobbyist. Reacting to Mrs. Obama's comment about being proud of her country for the first time, Cindy McCain said she was very proud of her country.

I believe the first lady needs to be strong- not someone who will be president through her husband, but definitely a woman who can roll with the punches and hit back when necessary and decent. I don't think Bill Clinton will be strong or capable of rolling with the punches. More like first ladies man! haha. These rumors about McCain are poorly designed. Come up with something a little more exciting and plausible if you are going to play dirty at all.

International:
On Thursday David Miliband, Foreign Secretary, expressed extreme amounts of displeasure with the riots in Belgrade. "While the Kosovo issue raises strong feelings in Serbia, no cause can justify such displays of violence, we have made clear to the Serbian government that we expect them to fully uphold their obligations to protect our embassy and other diplomatic premises in Belgrade." Miliband said. One person was killed when rioters set fire to the United States Embassy. Embassies of other countries who also recognised Kosovo's independence from Serbia were targeted as well.

The United States ought to take seriously the crimes against it by this mob. Those who do what is right ought to expect harsh treatment; that's a Biblical fact. Serbia is tiny, they better watch what they do, not that Kosovo has much power to wield, but when you make big nations mad by burning their embassies it does not bode well for you. I don't understand how or why Europe is broken down into so many small, relatively powerless countries.

National:
The Change to Win labor federation with it's gave its endorsement to Obama. "We think we can make a difference, we think it's time to bring this nomination to a close." chair Anna Burger said. This will help Obama in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island in the March 4 elections and in Pennsylvania on April 22nd. Change to Win has 175,000 members in Ohio, 60,000 in Texas and 25,000 in Rhode Island who will be strongly advertising Obama. Clinton has been endorsed by 12 AFL-CIO unions, as well as the United Farm Workers. Obama has been endorsed by three AFL-CIO unions and the National Weather Service Employees Organization.

International:
Pascal Couchepin, the Swiss President, will travel to Germany for four days to discuss matters of bilateral as well European issues. "Thirty- three percent of all Swiss imports, worth 35 billion euros, came from Germany, while some twenty percent of all Swiss exports, valued at 22 billion were sent to neighboring Germany in 2006." German investments in Switzerland were about 24 billion euros in 2004, compared to 16 billion euros Swiss investments in Germany. There are about 100 more Swiss companies in Germany than German companies in Switzerland. Out of all foreign investors, Switzerland is the sixth largest in Germany.

I do not particularly care for President Couchepin. I do not think he focuses enough on the bigger issues, although I am happy Swiss troops were sent to Kosovo. I do not believe he is up for another term in the next election, but if he is I am going to have to research it and find a more conservative man to vote for. Switzerland should take every opportunity to be self reliant while exporting in large amounts.