(REAL TIMES MEDIA)—It’s a good thing that the Democrats passed health care reform last week. While it will still take some time for the bill to wind its way through the government, this passage will allow the president to finally “pivot” to addressing other issues facing the nation. Most pundits suggest he focus on the economy, but I have a better idea. He should focus on terrorism, it worked wonders for Bush. Every time he mentioned terrorism his approval numbers went up. If Obama really wants to rile up the public with a strong anti-terrorism stand he can start by looking in our own backyard at the growing militancy and violence associated with the Tea Party Patriots movement.

The three police officers that were involved in the Jordan Miles situation used excessive force in my conviction, but all received awards for their police activities.

I heard complaints galore about the gall, nerve, insensitivity, and bigoted attitude of those involved in the awards. However, I need to remind everyone that awards are not only trophies, plaques and commendations. Our communities have rewarded and awarded those who did not deserve any positive recognition with one of our most precious tools, and that is our vote since 1936.

According to the New York Times, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing that oil and gas facilities that inject carbon dioxide into the ground’s greenhouse gas sources report their annual emissions to the government. Of course, the industries are not happy about this—few sectors welcome government monitoring. The public, however, should be in support of the proposal. Greenhouse gases have a direct impact on the planet’s environment. If we do not understand how they are affected, we cannot begin to implement changes that can keep them under control.

Health care reform.

It wasn’t pretty, but the battle for health care reform has been won.

When congressional Democrats sent the final piece of landmark health care legislation to President Barack Obama on March 26 before heading home to face a skeptical—and sometimes threatening—public, it was a historic victory for America.