Obama's First 100 Days

President Obama’s first 100 days are over, and according to Gallup he maintains a healthy 63% approval rating. Pundits and journalists alike have been conversing on these first 100 days and what some of his biggest accomplishments were, and while I think this whole 100 days thing is just a ploy created by journalists (who, as I learned this semester, love to cover something with an end date), I figured I would give my opinion on the matter as well. However, I’m not going to limit myself solely to acts made by Obama and those closest to him. I’m going to name the things that occurred in the past 100 days that people are really going to remember, and that they’re really going to be talking about a long time from now. And there isn’t going to be any mention of a dog.

Stimulus Package Passed– For better or for worse, Congress passed – and Obama signed into law – a gigantic and extensive stimulus package very early on in the new administration. The passage of this package stirred debate between Republicans and Democrats – and some Conservadems – over fundamental economics, and how best the government can help bring the economy out of this recession. This is the type of bill we will certainly be talking about in the future – particularly with regards to whether or not the stimulus, stimulated.

EPA Declares CO2 Dangerous – Personally, I say about time. The EPA declaring CO2 dangerous to public health is a gigantic step forward for those of us who believe – correctly – that carbon dioxide emissions are responsible for climate change (via the greenhouse effect). Where things go from here isn’t perfectly clear yet: Congress is trying to pass an environmental bill that will, among other things, put into place a cap-and-trade program that will help greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but whatever happens, it’s probably going to affect us all.

Torture Memos Released – Many in Congress (although there is certainly no consensus) are pushing for an investigation on members of the Bush administration involved in the torture memos, which the Obama administration has been making increasingly public in the past few months. These memos bring to the limelight the acts of torture condoned by Bush’s Department of Justice, and their rationale for such acts (it was the Nixon, “If the President does it, it’s legal” defense). Torturing our prisoners – even if they are suspected terrorists and thus do not at all deserve our sympathy – is hypocritical, given we scold China and other nations for their human rights abuses and expect that our prisoners overseas (such as the two journalists being held prisoner in North Korea) will be treated fairly. These torture memos provide insight into an administration that truly believed it was above the law – international law, no less – and I have a feeling we’re going to be discussing these memos – and seeing more of them – in the future.

Gay Marriage in Two (Three?) New States, 42% Approval – This is one of those things that’s going to be remembered from the first 100 days that has absolutely nothing to do with the Obama administration itself. But two new states – Iowa and Vermont, within one week of one another – joined Connecticut and Massachusetts as the only states currently offering same-sex marriage. Importantly, Vermont is the first state to allow such a thing by legislative action, as opposed to a Court decision. On the 100th Day, the New Hampshire state congress passed a bill (very narrowly) allowing same-sex marriage, but as I write this it is unclear as to whether Governor Lynch will veto the bill. Whether these are isolated occurrences or the start of a long trend is yet to be seen. But given the fact that public support for gay marriage is at an all-time high – 42%, 9 points up from just last month – it’s likely that the momentum will continue. The gay marriage issue isn’t going away anytime soon.

Order to Shut Down Guantanamo Bay – Obama signed an order to begin the process of shutting down Guantanamo Bay very early on in his administration, sparking fierce debate about whether this was a safe decision, and what we should do with the prisoners currently being held there. Attorney General Eric Holder just announced that 30 of them are going to be released. Long deemed a stain on America’s international reputation, the shutting-down of Guantanamo Bay – and its legacy – will definitely be remembered.

Swine Flu Outbreak – Like the Avian Flu but worse, the Swine Flu has the capability of transmitting itself from one human to another, making it much more dangerous than its avian counterpart. Many cases have been reported in New York City, and it has already left Mexico City in virtual lockdown. In the coming weeks, we’ll see just how deadly this disease will get, but the outbreak of yet another potential pandemic is something that will be on our minds for a long time to come.

Arlen Specter Switches Parties – Specter’s leaving the Republican party, regardless of the reason, highlights the fact that the Republican party, in searching for relevancy in the minority, has turned away from moderation and has become more and more conservative and unwelcoming to independents and moderates. On the brink of becoming a regional fringe group, the Republican party has an important choice to make, and it’s going to have to make it before the next election cycle. We may not remember his decision specifically, but what caused it and its implications will play an important role in future politics.

Those are the things I believe are truly going to be remembered from Obama’s first 100 days in office. Did I leave out anything really important? Let me know!

-A^LASKA