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Forget the Hype
Rants and Raves is an opinion blog site dedicated to discussing current news and events. Issues addressed include politics, business and marketing, environmental issues, and other things that deserve a closer look, or are simply interesting. Enjoy your visit!
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Clean Energy Bill
Why it is that I had to find this on the BBC News, and don’t see any sign of this story from U.S. news sources is beyond me, but I believe that this proposed bill deserves some attention.
According to the BBC, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would require more use of clean energy, such as “biofuels, wind, solar, and geothermal resources.” The bill would cut tax incentives for oil companies and require U.S. utility companies to “generate 15% of their energy from renewable sources by the year 2020.” The bill still has to pass the Senate, and is opposed by many, including President Bush (Nettleship).
I am certain that there are ramifications to this bill that are not mentioned in the BBC News Article, but beyond that, this proposed bill is bound to increase both utility prices and gas prices (as if they aren’t high enough). I support environmental causes, and I do want changes to be made, but there has to be some sort of “happy medium” somewhere. The House and the Senate need to come together on this issue, and come up with some solutions that are in everyone’s best interest. It’s not just the environmental impact that you have to consider here, you also have to look at the financial and economical impact for it to be in the best interest of the country.
Spy Bill
The U.S. House and Senate has now passed a bill that will allow the government to tap into electronic communications to gather foreign intelligence. The bill will bring the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 up to date with current technology, and will allow the government to increase surveillance of possible foreign terrorists. The bill will allow surveillance of e-mails, phone calls, and other communications that originate in the U.S. and go overseas, and will not require a court order.
Opponents of the bill state that the bill violates the privacy of American citizens, but the supporters of the bill counter that by stating that the surveillance will only target messages that are going out to overseas targets. If an overseas target is communicating with U.S. citizens that aren’t relevant to a target, their names will be minimized, or taken off of the transcript. Officials state that the bill is aimed at thwarting terrorists attacks in the U.S., and does not have the intent of monitoring Americans in general.
Honestly, I am still a bit undecided about how I feel about this bill. The thing that I am certain about is that I don’t want anymore terrorists attacks on U.S. soil. I’ll have to think on this one for awhile....
Senate Bill to Regulate Tobacco
On Aug. 1, legislation was approved by a U.S. Senate panel that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the tobacco industry. In order for the bill to pass, 60 votes from the Senate is required, a number that the sponsor of the bill, Senator Edward Kennedy (D), says is doable.
Apparently, Kennedy has been trying to bring the bill to the table for some time, but has not been given the chance to present it until now. The proposed bill would give the FDA the power to further limit advertising, regulate nicotine levels, and more. It would also allow for a tobacco tax increase of 61-cents. The increased excise-tax would help to fund children’s health programs, and reduce the overall use of tobacco.
Supporters of the bill include various health agencies and believe it or not, tobacco giant Phillip Morris. The supporters claim that the bill would reduce the incidents of child and teen tobacco use, as well as nicotine addictions. However, those against the bill claim that it is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and that it would help Phillip Morris, as they have the upper-hand in the industry to implement the proposed industry changes.
One Senator who is against the bill, Senator Michael Enzi, has stated that he intends to challenge the proposed bill with one of his own. Furthermore, several amendments that are sponsored by the Republican party could undermine the proposed bills main intent.
According to jointogether.com, the FDA tobacco regulation bill will:
As I light another cigarette, I’m thinking that this bill may indeed reduce tobacco use. I already spend more than I can afford on cigarettes. Though I know all the risks involved, I continue to smoke because I am addicted to these stupid things. However, if continuing to smoke means more money coming out of my pocket to harm my overall health, then there is a greater chance that I’ll quit. If the FDA also requires tobacco manufacturers to reduce the level of nicotine and chemicals, it should help everyone who uses tobacco products to have a lessened addiction. (At least, it would seem so – right?).
Now, I am for smoker’s rights. In fact, I have been very annoyed at the fact that my state passed legislation last year that prohibits people from smoking in restaurants and bars. I figure that eventually they’ll have it to where you can’t smoke anywhere. But let’s face it, smoking is bad for human health! Tobacco use causes cancer and an array of other health problems. Therefore, I think that this bill would be good, and would be in the best interest of the public. The FDA can already regulate nicotine replacement products, and they regulate every other drug that there is, and I think it’s about time that they started regulating tobacco. It is, in fact – a drug.
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