Obama v. EPA, Round One

I only have so much time to comment before life has to bring on its next appointment, but I've made it a habit every morning to turn on my television between the 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. hours of news broadcasting. This newly developed habit isn't a desire to watch certain mid-morning newscasters, but a mentally noted trend of White House announcements or press secretary briefings occurring at a high rate during these hours.

The announcements from the Obama White House this morning began what I'll believe as the first strike in an ongoing vehicle emissions battle. Many college-age students such as myself can readily recall our first cars at the tender age of sixteen, and can also collectively commiserate at the related phrase, "hunk of junk." But beyond that humorous side of car ownership, there is a deeper and heatedly debated economic and environmental aspect that the presidential Obama-Rama has pushed into the spotlight.

To recount fact, the order signed by President Barack H. Obama this morning will give more power to the states to set individual state vehicle emission requirements, which all American car manufacturers must ardently follow. According to our newly-elected president, Washington D.C. will now support states in this endeavor, such as the environmentally-leading state of California, which allegedly had no support from Washington in previous years of emission-limiting legislation.

Although on one hand, some of these orders continue to reel over me like water waves, a younger, idealistic side of me continues to be intrigued. There is something still highly inspiring and uplifting about the man named Obama, but although it's nearly been a week, I still have troubles readily associating his name with the term, "the president." At least, not without a few more clarifying clauses attached, to assure both myself and readers that I'm writing of the newly-elected president, and not the one the United States recently saw depart.

Intoduction and Beginnings

My first entry to this blog will be both an introduction as well as brief explanation.

Foremost, I am a undergraduate student one semester away from walking to a decorated podium and receiving a just-as-decorated diploma. But prior to that, I still have more classes to take and first, and therein lies this project.

I am a first-time voter, once seasoned. With this past presidential election, I christened my voting thumb and forefinger by pushing the electronic voting poll buttons and picking my choice for next U.S. President. I will be forward: I voted for now-President Barack Hussein Obama.

One day, while I collected myself and my things for another day of class, I happened to turn on the television during the very first Obama administration White House press briefing. Riveted, I still attempted to both watch the television as well as tie up my shoes and pack the last of my pencils and books. But while watching, I realized something: in the first time in my 22-year-life-history, I'm watching a new administration unfold that is, in several ways, unequivocally mine. This is who and what I voted for, I as a U.S. citizen have a very vested interest - for more than before - in everything that the administration decides and tries to do.

This is my political blog, and my reactionary opinion. For years, it's been a normal part of my routine to keep updated on "the Washington" happenings, whether it's been by keeping up with press releases, news broadcasts or keeping versed on the op-ed pages. Here, I will reflect on the campaign that I followed, supported, and will now watch unfold as a formal administration in the office I elected them for.

I am a first-time voter. This is the president I voted for. For what I believe, I find myself in part responsible for the fates to befall the world next.