This is a continuation of my Year End Review: 2010.. Part 3 of 5 - Politics
Politics
Politics was in the news most of the year. We had Immigration Law, Midterm Elections, Iraqi War, Nuclear Programs and of course, WikiLeaks
Pat Down Policy
TSA announce stricter screening requirement which got even stricter with the Pat-Down policy. Outrage was all over this new policies as passengers felt they are being grope or molested by the TSA agent. To top it all, the new body scan machine which suppose not to save any images do save them after some of body scan images were leak online. TSA has already announced that the Pat Down policy will stay.
War on Terror
The War on Terror gained ground in Feb when Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taliban's top military commander was captured in Pakisten by American and Pakistani intelligence forces. But on August 31, Pres Obama announces Iraq combat end.
Arizona' controversial Immigration Law
In April, Arizona's governor, Jan Brewer, signed into law the toughest immigration bill of the country which allows law enforcement officials to identify and deport illegal immigrants if they cannot show proof of citizenship or visa.
Plane Crash
In April 10, Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and top political and military leaders were killed when the plane carrying them to Russia crashed due to thick fog. A total of 96 people were killed in the crash including the deputy foreign minister, 12 Parliament members, Army Chief, Navy Chield, and President of the National Bank.
Political Turmoil
Kyrgyzstan's president Bakiyev fleas Bishkek due to deadly protests and demonstrations with government troops and demonstrators battling in the streets resulting to at least 70 people killed and 400 wounded. In June, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his resignation just nine months into his term. Representative Charles Rangel was found guilty of Ethics Violations and House has censured him becoming the 23rd member of the House to be censured.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repealed
In December, the Senate repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy allowing gay men and women to serve in the military. President Obama signed the repeal on December 22.
Its not for president but Britain elected its new Prime Minister this year. Britain elected David Cameron as its new Prime Minister in May. Cameron took over for Gordon Brown whose approval ratings had been slumping for months
Women in Power
Women gained grown in the political scene. In August, Elena Kagan became the second woman to be part of the US Supreme Court after Sonia Sotomayor was nominated in 2009. Nancy Pelosi remained leader of House Democrats. The Brazil and Costa Rica elected their first woman presidents.
Spy Scandal
The nation was rocked with a spy scandal when 10 Russian spies where captured by the US. US and Russia then agreed to swap captured spies. The most famous of them is Anna Chapman due to her beauty. The media dubbed her as "Femme Fatale"
Suicide Bombs - Hits and Misses
In March, two female suicide bomber detonated themselves in two Moscow subway stations killing 39 people.
In May, New York City's Times Square was evacuated with a smoking car parked revealed a bomb. The bomb was successfully contained and led to the arrest of Faisal Shazhad.
World War III?
In November, North Korea attacked the island of Yeonpyeong in South Korea killing four heightening the tension between the two countries still reeling from the sinking of a South Korean warship.
WikiLeaks Rise and Fall
In July, WikiLeaks released war documents dating from 2004-2009. The documents included classified information with on what the US knew about the Iraqi, and Pakistan's involvement in the insurgency. But this December, Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, was arrested in England in connection to accusations of sexual assault made by two women in Sweden. This led to numerous Internet attacks against businesses seen as "enemies" of WikiLeaks. Assange was released on $310,000 bail but remains in British custody.
Politicians we lost: John Murtha, Robert Byrd, Elizabeth Edwards, Alexandar Haig, Richard Holbrooke, Lech Kaczynski, Nestor Kirchner, Ted Stevens, Charlie Wilson
Sources: Yahoo! 2010 in Review, Wikipedia, Twitter, Infoplease, LA Times, CNN
Politics
Politics was in the news most of the year. We had Immigration Law, Midterm Elections, Iraqi War, Nuclear Programs and of course, WikiLeaks
Pat Down Policy
TSA announce stricter screening requirement which got even stricter with the Pat-Down policy. Outrage was all over this new policies as passengers felt they are being grope or molested by the TSA agent. To top it all, the new body scan machine which suppose not to save any images do save them after some of body scan images were leak online. TSA has already announced that the Pat Down policy will stay.
War on Terror
The War on Terror gained ground in Feb when Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taliban's top military commander was captured in Pakisten by American and Pakistani intelligence forces. But on August 31, Pres Obama announces Iraq combat end.
Arizona' controversial Immigration Law
In April, Arizona's governor, Jan Brewer, signed into law the toughest immigration bill of the country which allows law enforcement officials to identify and deport illegal immigrants if they cannot show proof of citizenship or visa.
Plane Crash
In April 10, Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and top political and military leaders were killed when the plane carrying them to Russia crashed due to thick fog. A total of 96 people were killed in the crash including the deputy foreign minister, 12 Parliament members, Army Chief, Navy Chield, and President of the National Bank.
Political Turmoil
Kyrgyzstan's president Bakiyev fleas Bishkek due to deadly protests and demonstrations with government troops and demonstrators battling in the streets resulting to at least 70 people killed and 400 wounded. In June, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his resignation just nine months into his term. Representative Charles Rangel was found guilty of Ethics Violations and House has censured him becoming the 23rd member of the House to be censured.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repealed
In December, the Senate repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy allowing gay men and women to serve in the military. President Obama signed the repeal on December 22.
New President - new beginnings
There were a couple of new presidents this year. In Jan, Porfino "Pepe" Lobo Sosa was sworned in as the president of Honduras.He was elected in November during a political crisis and a coup against ex-President Jose Zelaya. His first decree was to grant political amnesty to those involve in the crisis.
In Feb, Sebastian Pinera became the first right-wing president of Chile after winning the runoff against Eduardo Ruiz-Tagle with 51.6% of the votes. Pinera, a billionaire businessman, took office on March 11 and was thrust in the spotlight this year with Chilean earthquake in Feb and the Chilean Miners during the month of August.
In June The people of the Philippines elected Benigno Aquino III has the 15th president of the Philippines this year and the 3rd youngest. The son of the late Senator Benigno Aguino Jr and former president Corazon Aquino, "Noynoy" was proclaimed the winner after garnering 15 million votes. His presidency has already been tested with his ongoing investigation of past administration, his plans to reform the education system and a hostage crisis to which 8 hostages were killed.
Costa Rica and Brazil have their first female presidents. Costa Ricans elected Laura Chinchilla in Febuary while Brazilians elected Dilma Rousseff in October and will succeed Luiz "Lula" da Silva in overseeing Brazil's rapid economic growth.
Other countries who have a new president are Iraq (Jalal Talabani), Nigeria (Goodluck Jonathan), Poland (Bronislav Komorowski) and Colombia (Juan Manuel Santos)
Its not for president but Britain elected its new Prime Minister this year. Britain elected David Cameron as its new Prime Minister in May. Cameron took over for Gordon Brown whose approval ratings had been slumping for months
Women in Power
Women gained grown in the political scene. In August, Elena Kagan became the second woman to be part of the US Supreme Court after Sonia Sotomayor was nominated in 2009. Nancy Pelosi remained leader of House Democrats. The Brazil and Costa Rica elected their first woman presidents.
Spy Scandal
The nation was rocked with a spy scandal when 10 Russian spies where captured by the US. US and Russia then agreed to swap captured spies. The most famous of them is Anna Chapman due to her beauty. The media dubbed her as "Femme Fatale"
Suicide Bombs - Hits and Misses
In March, two female suicide bomber detonated themselves in two Moscow subway stations killing 39 people.
In May, New York City's Times Square was evacuated with a smoking car parked revealed a bomb. The bomb was successfully contained and led to the arrest of Faisal Shazhad.
The Prince is taken
Prince William announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton in November. William gave Middleton the ring that Princess Diana, his mother, wore during her engagement. The wedding date will be in April at Westminster Abbey.
North Korea's new leader
Kim John-Un, the youngest son of Kim Jong-Il, appeared during an event in North Korea and will eventually succeed Kim Jong-Il as the leader of North Korea.
World War III?
In November, North Korea attacked the island of Yeonpyeong in South Korea killing four heightening the tension between the two countries still reeling from the sinking of a South Korean warship.
Prop 8
Prop 8 was struck down by US Districk Judge Vaughn R. Walker citing it violated the federal constitutional rights of gays and lesbians to marry on August 4. However, the US Circuit Court of Appeals imposed an stay on Prop 8 a month later...
WikiLeaks Rise and Fall
In July, WikiLeaks released war documents dating from 2004-2009. The documents included classified information with on what the US knew about the Iraqi, and Pakistan's involvement in the insurgency. But this December, Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, was arrested in England in connection to accusations of sexual assault made by two women in Sweden. This led to numerous Internet attacks against businesses seen as "enemies" of WikiLeaks. Assange was released on $310,000 bail but remains in British custody.
US Politics saw its ups and downs.
A couple of reforms were signed into law this year. In March, Pres. Obama signed the health care law ensuring medical coverage for almost all Americans but the bill will not go into effect until 2014. The in July, he signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which promises that Americans would no longer have to pay for Wall Street's mistakes.
One of the memorable moments of the mid-term election was when GOP Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell released an ad claiming "I'm not a witch.".....
She is not in politics but 89 year old Helen Thomas, a White House reporter who has covered all presidents retired days after her controversial comments she made about the Jews.
Politicians we lost: John Murtha, Robert Byrd, Elizabeth Edwards, Alexandar Haig, Richard Holbrooke, Lech Kaczynski, Nestor Kirchner, Ted Stevens, Charlie Wilson
Sources: Yahoo! 2010 in Review, Wikipedia, Twitter, Infoplease, LA Times, CNN
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