SAN’A, Yemen (AP) - A boat loaded with Somali and Ethiopian migrants capsized in the Gulf of Aden during a treacherous night crossing in which at least 112 people died, a Yemeni official said Friday.

The boat was among a group of four vessels carrying migrants from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, a U.N. official and a Yemeni human rights activist said. More than 280 were aboard the boats. Thousands of Somalis and Ethiopians try to escape to the Arabian peninsula each year, many hoping to eventually reach Europe.

Source: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070217/D8NB7AHG0.html

Needless to say this is a terrible disaster, as is any accident resulting in the loss of multiple human lives, and my heart goes out to the family and friends of the unfortunate victims, but at the same time, some real issues come to mind.

First of all, why are these people being ‘allowed’ to (well, why is more not being done to stop them from) sneak into the Middle East and then move on to Europe? I’m not familiar with the security measures in the region, but it seems to me that there should be better border controls to prevent random people from getting in. And specifically with refugees, it seems that there should be some sort of program so that these people don’t have to sneak out of the country via smugglers as it is.

More importantly, why is the United Nations not doing more to stop or reduce the violence in Somalia that these people find themselves fleeing? It seems to me that most of the problems could be solved with some simple international intervention, even if the United States was to take no part.

Finally, I want to know what is going to happen to the smugglers if they are ever caught. Personally, I’d love to see them tried for murder, and given the region in which they would likely be charged, I’m hoping that they get the death penalty. Yes, this is an extreme case, but I support very strong penalties for human smugglers in all cases. I don’t care what the circumstances are, but there is simply no justification for breaking immigration laws and putting human lives at such risk simply to make money. I find it reprehensible on multiple levels.

I guess the point is that things like this should never have to happen, should never be allowed to happen, and should be prevented whenever possible. The same goes for refugees from countries such as Cuba and Mexico trying to flee to the United States.

All right, as promised, the following is my interpretation of the State of the Union Address with a bit of commentary thrown in. I was typing this out as I was watching the Address on C-SPAN, so I do want to make it clear that I missed a few things. These, however, are what stuck out to me. I’ll be adding a video later.

Introduction
As usual, I find the entry of all the officials a bit strung out and tedious, all the applause gets a tad annoying, but at the same time it is kind of nice.

Introduction seems to have the usual positive tone, as would be expected, but I’ll hold of my own comments for the real meat and potatoes of the speech.

It seems that Bush is calling out to the Democrats (and possibly fellow Republicans) to try for bi-partisan cooperation to do their best for our nation.

Economy
Forty-one months of job growth, wow, over seven million new jobs - the economy seems fairly decent. Balancing the federal budget gets a good set of applause, as does the goal to do so without raising taxes. He wants to cut earmarks through budget reform and cut the number and cost in half by the end of the session. Nice - I hope it works.

We need to keep Social Security and Medicare in tact and doing well for the children (such as myself). Bush thinks they can be fixed and saved, but how?

Education
We need to build on the success of the No Child Behind Act, through the right to choose to leave failing schools and special help for those who struggle. We need to strengthen math and science education, but he offers no real ideas how.

Healthcare
We need to increase availability of health insurance and make it more available, via a standard tax deduction, this will make it possible for people to purchase their own healthcare and make insurance more affordable.

Federal funding for states that provide free or discounted healthcare to the citizens in need, grants for the states.

We need to expand health savings accounts, make small business insurance cheaper.

Price transparency, medical liability reforms (a very good idea), make sure patients and doctors retain the right to make decisions.

Immigration
We need fair laws and secure borders. We are doubling the border patrol and increasing technology on the border.

Increase enforcement at workplaces, make verification easier.

No animosity and no amnesty, but we need to handle those already here. This means a call for comprehensive immigration reform.

Energy Policy
We need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil to protect our economy and national interests and security. We need alternative energy (solar, wind, nuclear), hybrid and clean diesel vehicles, new ethanol production methods.

He wants to reduce gasoline usage by 20% in the next 10 years - we will be able to cut imports by 75% from the Middle East. We also need to increase targets for alternative fuels and domestic oil production.

We need to double the capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

We need to work to help reduce emissions.

Justice
Federal court nominees should be given fair hearings and prompt votes to get approved (great shot of only reps standing)

National Security, Terrorism, and Iraq
National Security and the debates on it are essential - to win the War on Terror, the fight must be taken to the enemy.

There is no way to know what the plots may hold, but the government has stopped a great many since September 11th.

Success against terror brings rejoice, but we must remember that this is a nation at war. The threat will not stop until we win the war. The enemy wants to overthrow government and cause our nation to retreat as a protector of democracy.

In the time since September 11 the dangers have not ended, we must use all lawful means to find the enemies and stop the attacks. This is an ideological struggle and a fine balance. We must remove the source of the terrorism - we need to continue to help moderates and reformers in the Middle East and around the world. We must for the sake of our own security.

Recent developments in Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq are examples of what can happen when people are given a choice through free elections. In Lebanon terrorists took the life of the Lebanese Prime Minister and have tried to overturn the government.

Extremists are also destroying places of worship, causing waves of sectarian violence and placing world security at risk - it would not be like us to abandon it.

We need to find our resolve and become victory in Iraq. We need to work with the Iraqi government and reinforce our troops over there - we need to help the Iraqi government secure the national and end the extremist and sectarian violence. More troops will allow this to happen and we will be victorious as will the free Iraq.

The Iraqi leaders need to begin using their own troops and bring security to the nation - to do this; we must help them secure Baghdad. If the US pulls out too soon, Iraq will be overpowered by fighting and could pull the entire region into chaos - this is extremist goal and our nightmare. We cannot allow this to happen; we must remember the lessons of September 11th and not let this happen.

The nation is perusing a new strategy Iraq and we must support them and give them time to end the fighting in Iraq.

Both parties and both houses of Congress should work together - there should be a taskforce to help make Iraq truly work.

Increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 in five years. We should also form a Civilian Reserve Corps - giving a chance for more people to help.

We have to send a message to the world that we cannot and will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. We need to continue work with other nations to establish a Palestinian state.

We are working and need to continue to do so to prevent North Korea from doing anything with nuclear weapons and we need to stop tyranny around the world and the genocide in Darfur.

Foreign Affairs
We need to provide food and medical assistance around the world - including helping with HIV/AIDS in Africa. In three years the people getting drugs has gone from 50,000 to 800,000.

Two and a half billion dollars to help fight malaria.

Trade and debt relief to help lives and eliminate poverty.

These show the strength and generosity and reflect the spirit of our country.

Personal Honors
We are proud of those who come here and become citizens of the United States to make their lives better.

We are proud of our entrepreneurs and those who work to help protect our children.

We are proud of the heroes (even if they refuse the title) who save the lives of their fellow Americans even at the risk of their own.

We are proud of our troops who make sacrifices every day and who put our country ahead of their own lives. They have earned the gratitude and respect of our entire country.

We see the character and spirit of America in there people and others everyday - we must honor and respect them and thank them for their sacrifices.

Closing
The usual thank yous, fanfare, and handshaking as the President left the room.

News:
In yet another move with seemingly anti-Israeli undertones, the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip last weekend. The resolution passed with an overwhelming 156 to 7 majority with six other countries sitting out of the vote.

The resolution, which carries no enforceable provisions, comes on the heels of an attack that may have killed as many as 82 Palestinian civilians. It is important to note, however, that the attacks were not deliberate and have been blamed by Israeli officials as technical issues with an artillery battery.

Both the United States and Israel voted against the resolution and have since condemned it. John Bolton also offered his take, saying “We believe that the United Nations is ill-served when its members seek to transform the organization into a forum that is little more than a self-serving and polemical attack against Israel or the United States”.http://news.lycos.com/dynamic/stories/U/UN_ISRAEL_PALESTINIANS

Views:
First off, I’m glad that this resolution came through the General Assembly, not the Security Council, and thus carries no real weight.

I’ve never been a big fan of the United Nations. It seems that everything they due is either in defiance of the wishes of the United States or somehow condemning of Israel. I know that I’m exaggerating, but they really do seem to focus on the wrong things.

Many people seem to think that Israel has been overstepping it’s bounds for months, certainly since the July invasion of Lebanon and well before. I wholeheartedly disagree with such a view. It is Israel’s right, even her duty, as a free and sovereign nation to defend herself from foreign armies and terrorists, both at home and abroad. Had Israel invaded with no reason whatsoever, I’d have to wonder, but as it is I support them.

As far as I’m concerned, any attacks from the Palestinians on Israel, whether acts of terrorism or of war, should be taken very seriously and be made examples of. If they ever want to stop them, I think the government really needs to crack down. But then again, what do I know, such actions would probably only inflame them even more.

The other major question revolves around the incident last weekend. Unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, I am more than inclined to believe Israel’s version of events than any of the trash that comes from the Palestinian or Hamas sides. As such, I do believe that Israel is telling the truth when they claim it was a mistake - I think they have more to loose by lying than they could ever hope to gain. It is an unfortunate reality, but innocent people are going to get killed in just about any conflict.

Common Sense:
For heaven’s sake, if you’re a tourist or other person not on official business, stay as far away from the Gaza Strip (and the entire Middle East for that matter) as you possibly can.