Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) says that while it isn’t fair for the taxpayers to bare the cost of corportations’ mishaps, it’s the only way out of our hole. (1:12)
Democratic candidate for president Barack Obama joined Republican candidate John McCain at Columbia University during a non-partisan discussion on post-9/11 America and the importance of national service.
Here are Senator Obama’s remarks:
Obama on National Service: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadRepublican candidate for president John McCain spoke at a non-partisan forum sponsored by ServiceNation at Columbia University in New York City on the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The discussion focused on what each candidate would have done in the wake of the attacks, as well as how each candidate proposes to increase levels of national service.
These are excerpts from Senator McCain’s remarks:
McCain on National Service: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadNew York Governor David Paterson spoke at Service Nation’s September 11th commemorative event at Columbia University. Governor Paterson, a Columbia alum, welcomed Senators John McCain and Barack Obama to Columbia, and thanked Service Nation for organizing the non-partisan discussion on national service. Governor Paterson also applauded the efforts and hours of time donated by America’s volunteers, yet called for a rededication to national service, stating that 3/4 of Americans believe the country is going in the wrong direction. (8:04)
On Thrusday, September 11th, New York City commemorated the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Here are a few pictures from Ground Zero.
More pictures from Talk Radio News on our Flickr.
On the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, presidential nominees Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), spoke at the ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum in New York. This event was held to open the two-day ServiceNation Summit, which aims to promote a culture of service in the United States. The two candidates spoke about their views on what service and civic engagement are.
The event was held at Columbia University, in New York. According to the Columbia Spectator, the student newspaper, only 100 seats were allocated for students. The rest were reserved for donors and dignitaries. Several students told Talk Radio News that the seats were dolled out in a lottery system. Columbia accommodated student overflow seating outside the Low library (picture above). University officials had no comment.
The Governor of New York, David Paterson, introduced the event, speaking on the importance of service. He mentioned how fortunate the United States is that both presidential candidates know the great importance of civic engagement.
The moderators, Richard Stengel of Time and Judy Woodruff of ‘the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer’, asked Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama similar questions on the issue of service and their views on it. The two candidates largely agreed on all issues, differing mainly on the role of government in promoting service.
Both Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama expressed what 9/11 meant for them and the rest of the United States: they stressed the unity that the terrorist attacks brought, with Obama commenting that 9/11 demonstrated America’s ability to “come together.” The candidates also agreed that 9/11 had been a perfect time to lead change in government and encourage a greater culture of service, by tapping into the spirit of volunteerism that was created.
Both candidates stressed the need to reform Washington. Obama remarked that “we are not on the right track”, and McCain drew attention to the fact that 84% of Americans believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction; he declared that his long career in Washington made him especially able to “fix it.”
The importance of military service to the two candidates was clear throughout the discussions, though both stressed the importance of civilian service also. Obama stressed the need for a foreign service, for example, to help in war-torn regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan by improving health and infrastructure.
The difference between McCain and Obama, however, was clear in their opinions on the role of government in encouraging service. McCain emphasised the strength of faith based organisations and private companies in the response to Hurricane Katrina, referring to his own theory of government that the government should not do what the private sector is capable of doing already. Obama, on the other hand said that “government should expand,”, for example by creating a Clean Energy Corps to mobilise civilians in the bid to make energy cleaner.
Still, both candidates insisted that the issue of service was non-partisan and of vital importance: Obama said that one of his primary objectives, and one of the main reasons why he is running for president, is that he wants to lift up opportunities for service in the United States.
Thanks to a program aimed at reducing violent crime in New York, more than 600 guns are off the streets of New York. This past Saturday, citizens were asked to bring both legal and illegal guns to various locations in Brooklyn. The New York gun buy-back program ran in conjunction with community leaders, as well as the Kings County District Attorney and New York Police Commissioner. Gun owners were issued a $200 bank card for each weapon turned in. The city allocated close to a half-million dollars for the program.
The program was administered through six locations in Brooklyn, all churches.
The program is not without controversy, however. In their book Freakonomics, authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner argue that although the program does reduce the total amount of guns in the city, it only compels traditionally non-violent persons to hand over their weapons.
Regardless, the number of homocides in Brooklyn is down from 111 in 2007 to 95 this year.
In the West, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dali Lama, is generally regarded as a religious symbol of peace. Last Thursday, however, His Holiness was subject to a large, non-violent demonstration organized by the Western Shugden Society. As the Dali Lama spoke at Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall, the Western Shugden Society organized several hundred monks to protest His Holiness’ support of a particular document. The Dali Lama has encouraged Tibetan monks to sign a document that disavows a daily prayer to the deity Dorje Shugden. The prayer is an affirmation of health and peace, according to the Western Shugden Society. Many within the Society believe that the document could be used as an identity card to track dissidents.
Though the event was largely non-violent, many protesters began spitting and throwing bottles. Between 35 and 40 police officers, including six on horseback, were called in to quell the crowed. Western Shugden Society media representative Shelly Tanner stated that the Dali Lama does not have the right to speak for the Buddhist community. Tanner also claimed that the controversy has split the Buddhist community, and that Tibetans are “quite confused” about supporting the Dali Lama. Previous rallys, said Tanner, had low attendance because many Tibetans ‘were scared” of persecution.
The Western Shugden Society has protested the Dali Lama’s appearances in Great Britain, Germany, Philadelphia, and Madison.
Listen to Audio Report (3:51)
Deputy commissioner of the New York City Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis Angela Licata says that New York can expect dramatic climate shifts by 2050. She gives details as to how the city and its water supply will be affected. (:32)
At a hearing on “Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection of Tenants” Shaun Donovan, commissioner of the City of New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development, says that too much public funding is being wasted on hiring lawyers and consultants just to ensure programs work. Donovan says that, in New York City, mixed income housing is successful and vouchers should be used more creatively and effectively. (1:12)