Saving U.S. Water and Sewer Systems Would Be Costly

Everyday our country finds itself in another problem. In this article from the New York Times, Washington seems to have a water issue. The water pipes are very old and continue to break every day. When we have a huge rain fall, the water from the damaged sewer pipes seep into the city’s drinking supply. Studies show that the sewer pipe breaking is a reoccurring problem in the country that happens every 2 minutes each day. Mr. Hawkins, head of Washington Water Department, has now decided the only solution is to increase water rates to help replace the damaged pipes.

This would seem like a pretty reasonable solution, but the citizens of Washington don’t want to pay for the damages. The pipes were put in many years ago, and the question raised is why wasn’t this resolved earlier? When the city knows how old the pipes are and they are clearly too old to last any longer, why should they pay for damages that are irrelevant to their generation. I agree with them completely. Some of these pipes are so out of date they were put in during the Civil War according to the article. That seems like the city has been ignoring the age of these pipes and are not fixing it until one of them breaks. Now, their solution is to increase the water rates in the city on the citizens because they have ignored a problem.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/us/15water.html

Oil And Gasoline Prices Begin to Creep Up

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/09oil.html?ref=business

Gas prices in the U.S. are continually rising. The original price of gas went up about $10 last month in China. Last year we as country were paying $250 million less than we are now. Gas prices usually do rise in the coming spring season, but continuing to buy from outside countries is just putting a bigger price on oil. Our economy is facing some serious hard times, which is keeping
“For the oil industry, higher prices are naturally good news. Industry executives said they would encourage investment in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, and offset the impact of low natural gas prices.”
This is very good news to here. On my last research paper, I wrote about the oil deprivation in the United States. It looks like we are beginning to realize how expensive oil is getting from our outside sources. We are now looking into using our own resources and even giving more Americans a chance for new jobs.

Underemployment, State by State

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/underemployment-state-by-state/?scp=1&sq=UNEMPLOYMENT%20RATES&st=cse

The unemployment rate in the United States is a lot worse then we thought. The underemployed and the discouraged have now been thrown into the percentage to a 16.2%. The author has given a chart of the estimated unemployment rates state by state. Each state has a larger number than what we have been told. Things are not looking up.

With this being posted, what are the unemployed american people to do? This has raised a large problem today in our country and it is not being resolved. One way or another a solution needs to be made. People are losing their homes everyday and even though the press says things are looking up, these numbers are to show they are not. The United States government or unemployed citizens themselves, are going to have to find a way to resolve the problem. It is sad to see the United States going in this direction without any guidance.

Jackson’s Doctor Pleads Not Guilty

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09jackson.html?ref=us

In this article, the controversy goes on about the case of American superstar Michael Jackson's death. According to an autopsy report, Jackson was overdosed on propofol and narcotics normally used for surgeries. His personal doctor, Conrad Murray has been charged with involuntary man slaughter for prescribing Jackson as an ineligible patient for such strong drugs. Murray has pleaded not guilty through his lawyer.

So, here are the questions raised: Is Dr. Murray responsible for Jackson's death? Or was Jackson in real need for the prescriptions Murray was giving him? The only way I could choose a side in this topic is for more facts. It really needs to go to trial as so, because this raises a lot of questioning due to Michael Jackson's outstanding music career throughout his life and his sudden downfall months before his death.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09jackson.html?ref=us

EPA Issues Draft Permits for Exploratory Wells Off Alaska

After years of an ongoing controversy, the EPA has allowed Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. to begin drilling this summer in Alaska. The New York Times posts on January 8, 2010, that Shell is still awaiting final approval from the EPA before they begin drilling. The agreement follows that as long as Shell does their operations under The Clean Air Act standards, they will receive full permission to proceed.

“"The EPA's decision to approve an air-quality permit for Shell's Chukchi Sea exploration have been a long time coming," Murkowski said in a statement. "Today's decision represents progress. While several additional hurdles remain, the agency's action offers some reassurance that exploration for oil and gas resources off Alaska's coast will be allowed to proceed."”

However, questions begin to rise as the decisions are being made. Should we drill in other places of the world where the environment won’t be as effected or should we keep the costs of oil and drilling operations in our own country? In my opinion, I’m for the environment and keeping it clean. We though deal enough with other countries for other trades as it is. We should keep the drilling for oil in our own country. We don’t necessarily have to drill in Alaska. The cost of gas in our country has been an on going issue for years. It’s an important issue to the American people and should be recognized help gas prices and this economy.

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/01/08/08greenwire-epa-issues-draft-permit-for-exploratory-wells-26752.html?scp=1&sq=EPA%20Issues%20Draft%20Permit%20for%20Exploratory%20Wells%20Off%20Alaska&st=cse