Ryan Evans

National:
http://www.msnbc.com/id/20375361/
The Pentagon has decided to pull the plug on one of its more controversial programs. The TALON program, which was initially created after the September 11 attacks, was supposed to maintain information on potential threats to military personnel. However, it was disclosed in 2005 that the TALON program also held information on anti-war activists. It gave subsequent information regarding those who would attend peace rallies. Army Colonel Gary Keck, stated that the analytical value of this information had begun to decline. This program will officially be disbanded on September 17. The information on the "potential threats" will not be erased from the mainframe, but will be transported to a high security FBI base known only as Guardian.

Opinion:
It seems as though the government is now playing the role of "big brother". Our intelligence is not taking any chances on potential threats to national security, at least in our own country. This seems a bit scary that the government is reacting quite hostily to those who may have a difference of opinion. However, the September 11 attacks, and the ensueing months, were a very chaotic time. The general population was frightened, and the government had to do something. The CIA may not have been adequately prepared for the attacks, or they may not have taken the leaks seriously. However, after what we now know what the al-quaida, and other terrorist cells are capable of, we are not going to take any chances. An invasion of privacy is a bit suspicious, but in this day and age it is much better to be safe than sorry.

International:
As the Middle East continues to swelter in turmoil, the Gaza Strip is still and extremely hostile and dangerous location. The Hamas who seized the West Bank in June continue the fight with the Israelis, and vice-versa. Anyway, on Tuesday, an Israeli missile strike killed three Palastinian militants who were operating near the Israeli border. This attack came just a single day after the Israelis killed six Hama militants. Witnesses reportadly heard a missile hitting a car, but others thought they heard the gunman on foot, and were not able to discern to whom which organization the fighters belonged to. Israeli spokespeople said that soldiers killed a few gunman as well.
http://www.msnbc.com/id/20369659/

Opinion:
The turmoil in the Middle East is extremely sad, but just as confusing. At times, it is difficult to discern which is the just cause, or what exactly each side is fighting for. The loss of life is tragic, but it almost seems inevitable. The clash of Judaism and Islam, is indeed the primary focus. These two religions were contrived to fight. One can only hope that the bloodshed will stop soon, before hundreds or thousands of lives are lost.