Hillary Clinton Talk

In an address on Wednesday at the U.S Agency for International Development, Hillary stated America’s role in aid efforts and a new procedure that works deeper in fewer areas, targeting those most in need and supporting countries as they become more self-sufficient (meaning the country can feed its people and build strong and fair governments that represent and care for their people).

The new protocol is called “high impact development” and it focuses on building a country’s economy while slowly ratcheting down the target country’s dependence on US. aid.

However, America’s own battle, surrounding the budget deficit and what funding goes where, is having a critical impact on such programs as USAID. Hillary said that such aid programs are having to do “more with less”. She urged in her speech that Congress members should realize the importance surrounding the work that aid programs and agencies provide developing countries and the ties it builds between the U.S. and those countries.

Hillary also targeted aid organizations by saying the more efficient and effective their work is, the more willing Congress will be to fund their programs.

Hillary also highlighted that some areas of aid will begin to decrease in order to focus on higher needs. For example, resources that once were directed at funding Kosovo, Serbia, and Ukraine will now be redistributed to farming and agriculture in Africa. Also, a major advocate for women’s rights and their contributions in society, Hilary stated that America will begin to focus on funding science and engineering efforts and implementing women’s roles in these science and tech industries.

It was made clear in her address that America’s acknowledgement of who needs aid and the limits in which they can support a country are critical in establishing and maintaining diplomatic relations with developing nations.

GQ just released its list of fifty most powerful figures in Washington DC and we’re happy to see Hillary Clinton representing women in 5th place. A lady in the top ten is nothing to scoff at, but where they heck are the rest of the women?

In a list comprised of mostly politicians, their cronies, lawmakers, lobbyists, journalists, restauranteurs and even sports figures, GQ apparently thinks that only eight women in DC are influential enough to secure a spot on the list. Of these eight women, two share their titles with their husbands; they can’t even been deemed important enough to hold it alone.

Along with Hillary, the next in line of powerful females is lobbyist Heather Podesta (at number 23). Other women that stand alone are Kathy Ruemmer of the White House Counsel, Director of Presidential Personnel Nancy Hogan, Washington State Senator Patty Murray, and Dick Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney. Jayne Sandman, Svetlana Legetic, and Barbara Martin all hold the same spot for their roles as “influential party planners”. 

I understand that in DC, women maintain only 17 percent of the leadership roles in Congress, but how are men like James Alefantis, restaurateur, and Washington National’s baseball player Stephen Strasburg beating out women like Nancy Pelosi (not even on the list!). 

And where are women like Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and President Obama’s good friend and advisor Valerie Jarrett?

It’s obvious the sway and power these women hold in the day to day decisions that fuel Washington politics . Is GQ just too scared to include their worth on a list dominated by men? Sad.

Is Hillary thinking about leaving office and politics all together in the near future? 

After a statement to her fellow State Department colleagues on Thursday, it sounds like it may be time for Hillary to get her long awaited R&R.

On Thursday, at a get together with State Department employees, Hillary announced that she wants to step off the “high wire of American politics”. This comment comes almost exactly 20 years after Hillary’s first appearance in the public eye; she sat down with 60 Minutes for an interview about the circulating rumors of her husband’s (and presidential candidate’s) infidelity.

Since that first appearance, Hillary has stopped speaking for her husband and has begun to work solely for herself (and of course her causes). Just a year after that interview, Hillary was first lady and before the end of Bill’s second term in office, Hillary had become a senator representing New York state. In 08, we watched as she campaigned against Obama, and then after losing became the nation’s top diplomat in his administration. 

However, after these 20 years of non stop running, Hillary stated that it may be time for her to step away from politics and take a rest. Although if Obama does win the 2012 election, Hillary stated she would continue her post as Secretary of State and over see a smooth transition if the President nominates a new candidate. Although she’s trying to play down speculation that she’ll be with the administration for another term, many believe Hillary won’t be able to stay away long.

I personally am hoping to be able to vote for the Obama/Rodham Clinton ticket in 2012. Hey, I can dream can’t I?

Hillary made a speech worthy of the history books before the United Nations last Tuesday, December 6th. In it she called for the United Nations and the world to ban together and accept LGBT rights as human rights.

She began her speech with a short history of how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created and how LGBT communities around the world must be recognized under this declaration.

Hillary then presented 4 major points, that for many who oppose homosexuality, drive straight to the reason for their opposition. However, Hilary remained calm and neutral while addressing each issue, demanding the attention and respect of her listeners.

Issue 1: Some think that gay rights are not human rights, and that they are separable. Clinton combated this argument, stating that human rights are meant to protect all people and not just agreed upon groups. LGBT communities deserve the same protection as all other people.

Issue 2: Homosexuality does not come from a particular part of the world. Many have come to think that the west’s growing tolerance for LGBT peoples is due to the fact that homosexuality is inherently a western invention. Hilary rejects this belief, saying that LGBT people (although we may not be aware of them) are living in every country in the world. Because being gay is a human reality, we must protect these groups and afford them the same rights as others. 

Issue 3: Probably the most controversial issue Hillary addressed was the belief that homosexuality is a violation because religions declare it to be so. She states that religion and cultural values are never truly malevolent in nature. It is in our religion that many of us find our compassion and acceptance so how can this be a plausible justification for hating and being violent towards LGBT people?

Issue 4: Hillary’s last issue addressed the beliefs that some harbor that LGBT people are diseased, pedophiles, and capable of being cured. However, she states that these beliefs are simple not true and they will not disappear if we allow ourselves and those around us to encourage such notions. 

She concluded her speech by pointing out some initiatives and actions taken by governments around the world who have embraced gay rights as human rights and hopes that more societies will begin their own course towards instituting gay rights. 

Watch Hillary’s speech here.