Government

Nearly everyone I know has been to a bar at some point in time. Going out and having a few drinks is a part of American culture. The only problem with that for some is that the bars can be smoky from cigarettes. A new law in Virginia aims to change that as citizens are no longer allowed to smoke in bars or restaurants.

There has been much debate over the bill. Some applaud the law as they want to drink in a smoke free environment. Others say that the law is driving away business and violates a person’s right to smoke. Personally, I don’t approve of smoking, but I think the rights of citizens to do so is more important.

I have great plans to watch the fireworks tonight. I love to see the show every year and the kids enjoy it as well. One goal that I have is to take this opportunity top explain to the kids why our country is so great and how it came to be. Many people sacrificed themselves for the freedom we enjoy today and we should all be thankful for that.

Scientists are calling the blown-out well the worst spill in U.S. history. The well in the Gulf of Mexico has spilled an estimated 20 to 40 million gallons of oil into the gulf. So far, all attempts to stop the oil flow have failed, including the latest attempt called the top kill method. BP is planning another way to stop the leak.

Since the well is more than 5,000 feet under the sea, new technologies need to be tried. Undersea robots are difficult to work with and this has made matters difficult. The spill has been ongoing since April when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. I really hope they can find a way to stop the leak soon!

The pentagon recently released details about the amount of nuclear weapons it possesses. The U.S. currently holds 5,113 nuclear warheads. We have been steadily reducing our arsenal and have been working with other countries to do the same. We are a member of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and are working to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of other countries such as Iran.

President Obama believes that the announcement will help foster trust from other nations about our attempts to reduce warheads around the globe. We have scheduled additional thousands of warheads for destruction and feel that others should do the same. I think this is a good move on the part of the U.S. to build trust around the globe!

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could be a really large environmental disaster. Oil is spewing into the water at a rate even greater than was expected. The winds and tides will determine where the spill hits land, but no matter where it goes, the effects will be enormous. Animals, plants, and people will be hurt.

This problem is only part of a larger one. Our countries dependence on fossil fuels will only lead to more disasters of this magnitude. We must find ways to use the gas and oil we have in a more logical way. I hope our government will go further in their efforts to find a solution to the problem!!