National Museum Natural History, Washington D.C.

Protests against the US Troops in Iraq continues in American Cities

There are many protests in American cities to withdraw the US troops from Iraq, especially at the time of the Presidential election. Some of them demand for the impeachment of Bush.

Report by: K.M.Sajad Ibrahim

Obama on his first Middle East visit

Obama's visit to Afghanistan and Iraq is gaining more attention. His visit was to overcome the criticism that he had no experience on Middle East affairs. At the same time his political campaigning has been progressing with more public support.

Views of New York City

Ground Zero New York (9/11 Site)

This is the site of the September 11 incident. The construction for the new buildings is in progress.

US Presidential Candidates on Some Vital Issues

Some of the responses of the Presidential candidates on Vital Issues are stated below.

Economic Stimulus

Obama: Would pump $75 billion into the economy via tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed. Would provide an immediate $250 tax cut for workers and their families and an immediate, temporary $250 bonus to seniors in their Social Security Checks.

McCain: Would lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent. Would allow first-year deduction of equipment and technology investments and establish a permanent research and development tax credit equal to 10 percent of wages spent on R&D.

Iraq

Obama: Opposed use of military force in Iraq. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supports phased redeployment of U.S. troops. Opposed Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq.

McCain: Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq.

Iran

Obama: Dd not vote on a September 2007 Senate resolution calling on the administration to declare Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization. Believes in using diplomatic efforts and would meet with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea during the first year of Presidency.

McCain: Did not vote on a September 2007 Senate resolution. Says military action is an option, but would consult with the congressional leaders before taking action.

Israel

Obama:Believes that Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state should never be challenged. Said that any agreement must preserve "Israel's identity as Jewish stateand "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided".

McCain: Has stated he is "proudly pro-Israel". Believes Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons poses an unacceptable risk to the United States and Israel. Says the U.S. must continue its long standing support for Israel.

Foreign Policy Debate in the Presidential Campaign: Iran's Missile Tests

Iran's missile programme quickly became a flash point in the presidential election on July 9 as McCain and Obama each seized on the tests to try to validate their differing policies on Iran. Each man spoke of the growing threat posed by Iran, and each called for pursuing what he called "direct and aggressive diplomacy with the Iranian regime", while McCain warned against that approach and said that the tests highlighted the need for a defense system in Europe.

The statement of the candidates:

John McCain: "Iran's most recent missile tests demonstrate again the dangers it poses to its neighbours and to the wider region, especially Israel. Ballistic missile testing coupled with Iran's continued refusal to cease its nuclear activities should unite the international community in efforts to counter Iran's dangers ambitions. Iran's missile tests also demonstrate the need for effective missile defense now and in the near future, and this includes missile defense in Europe as is planned with the Czech Republic and Poland. Working with our European and regional allies is the best way to meet the threat posed by Iran, not unilateral concessions that undermine multilateral diplomacy."

Barack Obama : "These missile tests demonstrate once again that we need to change our policy to deal aggressively with the threat posed by the Iranian regime. Through its nuclear programme, missile capability, meddling in Iraq, support for terrorism, and threats against Israel, Iran now poses the greatest strategic challenge to the united States in the region in a generation. Now is the time to work with our friends and allies, and to pursue direct and aggressive diplomacy with the Iranian regime backed by tougher unilateral and multilateral sanctions. It's time to offer the Iranians a clear choice between increased costs for continuing their troubling behaviour, and concrete incentives that would come if they change course. As these tests have reaffirmed, the threat from Iran's nuclear programme is real and it is grave. As President, I will do everything in my power to eliminate that threat, and that must begin with direct, aggressive, and sustained diplomacy."

Social Security Issue in the American Presidential Election

Barack Obama and John McCain are both proposing dramatic changes to social security, taking on the financially fragile "third rail of American politics" that Congress and recent Presidents have been unable to repair.

There is plenty of disagreement among the 2008 candidates on how to reform the social security system- or even if the system needs fixing in the first place.

Barack Obama : Strongly opposed to privatizing social security. Believes that the first place to look for ways to strengthen social security is the payroll tax system. currently, the social security payroll tax applies only the first $97,500 a worker earns; Obama supports increasing the maximum amount of earning covered by Social Security. Would work with Congress to choose a payroll tax reform package that will keep social security solvent for at least the next half century.

John McCain: When asked about Social Security during a GOP debate, he stated : "Every man woman and child in America needs to know it's going broke, and we have got to do te hard things. We have got to fix it for the future generations of Americans....Its got to be bipartisan. And you have to go to the American people and say we won't raise your taxes. We need personal savings accounts, but we (have) to fix this system".