Spring Break
A Letter from the Editor
Aaron Abelson '11
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Opinion
In the first Princeton Progressive Nation (PPN) issue of the year, before the presidential election, former publisher James Coan expressed how exciting a time it was to be a progressive. The excitement over Obama's nomination and likely election win was palpable and campus was abuzz with election fever. While the elation may have now died down and the reality about the state of the economy may have set in, the excitement over a new progressive era should not disappear. Obama's commitment to openness, his willingness to question existing policies, and his ability to communicate with the American people are much needed and encouraging. Despite these hopeful signs, there have been and will continue to be setbacks for Obama's policies and progressive goals more generally. For me, many discussions with friends, both conservative and liberal, have recently focused on the difficulties that will face the implementation of the stimulus package and the process of repairing the view of the United States abroad. However, we should all remember the elation we felt on November 4th and try to remind ourselves of the new attitudes and possibilities under the Obama administration. These feelings reemerged for me while in Chicago for a Breakout trip over spring break. I was inspired by the direct connection the people there feel with their hometown president and the high aspirations they have for the country under his watch. If people in poor inner-city neighborhoods can be so optimistic and confident, why can't we?
This issue of PPN addresses issues and regions that deserve the attention of the Obama administration. Several articles explore relationships with foreign countries that should be reexamined after failed policies of the last eight years. Francisco Unger calls for cooperation between Mexico and the United States to address the violence that continues to emerge from the drug trade and to create policies that are mutually beneficial. In his article about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Yoel Bitran strongly advocates for a tougher United States stance towards Israel in which continued support is contingent on eased Israeli policies that will open up the path to peace. While concerns about the proliferation of radical Islam have been discussed for years, Ahsan Barkatullah explains why it will not take hold in his home country of Bangladesh, a nation rarely mentioned in the discourse about the spread of extremism.
This issue of PPN addresses issues and regions that deserve the attention of the Obama administration. Several articles explore relationships with foreign countries that should be reexamined after failed policies of the last eight years. Francisco Unger calls for cooperation between Mexico and the United States to address the violence that continues to emerge from the drug trade and to create policies that are mutually beneficial. In his article about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Yoel Bitran strongly advocates for a tougher United States stance towards Israel in which continued support is contingent on eased Israeli policies that will open up the path to peace. While concerns about the proliferation of radical Islam have been discussed for years, Ahsan Barkatullah explains why it will not take hold in his home country of Bangladesh, a nation rarely mentioned in the discourse about the spread of extremism.
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