Kaylen May Gerkey

Michigan, Florida Votes Could be Crucial for Democrats
SUMMARY
A close primary race between Obama and Clinton could be a real hair puller. The ultimate winner could be chosen on the convention floor by Michigan and Florida delegates. The Democratic National Committee stripped both states of their delegates after the state parties moved up primary elections in an effort to be competitive, while the Republicans stripped them of only half. There’s a concern among the party strategists that neither Clinton nor Obama could win the magic number of delegates to clinch the nomination. Michigan has 156 delegates and Florida 210 which could set either one of them especially Clinton over the top.

OPINION
Personally what’s so wrong with moving up the primaries? Everyone else had their primaries earlier, except for a couple, but why not find out early who the two nominees are. It’s obvious one is McCain so why not found out early who the democratic nominee is going to be and they can begin to compete against McCain. Wouldn’t finding out earlier give you more time to figure out your campaign and who you’re going to pick for your VP? Just my opinion and I know primaries are normally later, but what’s wrong with making primaries earlier? At least the Republicans still gave them some delegates.

Raising Money Higher Priority for McCain than Picking Running Mate
SUMMARY
McCain’s team will move to a campaign focused more on democrats and the general election. But the fundraising is being treated with considerably more urgency. Sources say that the effort McCain is reaching out to some major Republican fundraisers many of whom were supporting other GOP presidential candidates. Top Bush fundraiser Reynolds endorsed McCain this past week. His goal is to raise millions, tens of millions, by tapping these fundraising networks and finding donors who may have given the maximum amount of their first choice in the GOP but have yet to give to McCain.

OPINION
McCain’s got to keep up with Hillary’s big spending and he’s now in the run for the Presidency and that is definitely not inexpensive. I think he is going to need the money and big people supporting his campaign to have a chance at winning the presidency. He has had many people endorse him already and now this Reynolds guy. Apparently he is well-liked outside Arizona. Also I don’t just think he is totally focused on fundraising, he can’t be. There are bigger issues at hand including keeping his party happy while running for president.

Serbia: Kosovo Breakaway ‘Illegal’
SUMMARY
Serbian government officials said an independent Kosovo would be an illegal “false state” that will never be recognized by Serbia. The statements from Serbia’s Prime Minister came ahead of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence which is widely expected to happen in the next few days. For Serbia, any form of the declaration of the province’s independence is illegal; therefore any such decision would be null and void. The US and EU are expected to recognize Kosovo’s independence but Serbia will never recognize because Kosovo remains a Serbian province. “The greatest humiliation for Serbia would be to give even indirect consent to the existence of this puppet creation on its territory.” Kostunica (Prime Minister) said.

OPINION
It’s evident that the Serbian government does not want Serbia to be anything but theirs. With Kosovo being an independent province they could do whatever they ant. They’ve been under UN Control since the NATO bombings and apparently letting them declare their independence is a bad idea.

Israeli Boy Loses Leg in Rocket Attack
SUMMARY
Israeli troops carried out four aerial attacks against Hamas targets in Gaza after an 8 year old boy lost his leg in a rocket attack into Israel from the territory. One of the boy’s legs was amputated and the doctors said they were unsure whether they could saver his other leg. The boy’s 19 year old brother was also hurt by shrapnel from the Qassam rocket which landed in the southern Israeli town, Sderot. He was in moderate condition in the Hospital. Militants have fired more than 40 Qassam rockets into southern Israel from Gaza over the weekend. The homemade missiles are fired form Palestinian territories into Israel communities on almost a daily basis.

OPINION
Stories like this break my heart. I feel bad for such people because it’s not their fault they live in horrible places where bombings occur all the time and are afraid all the time. Here we just don’t know what it’s like to really be scared. I can remember being scared after 9/11 afraid that more bad things were going to happen, but everyday, how would you get by? I just wish there was more that could be done. I know the US helps protect Israel but they’re all the way over there and we’re all the way over here and apparently everyone just wants to gang up on them, but it’s just sad to see the aftermath hurting little children and ruining their future.