The Big Three Come Begging

Pre-Questions for class discussion.
What do you know about Ford, GM and Chrysler?
What have you heard in the news about these companies?
How important are the "Big Three" US car manufacturers?
Do you think that these companies, or their failure, directly affect you? Why, why not?
What are they asking for?

As you watch, consider what elements of the Legislative Process we discussed in class are reflected in these preceedings.

Latest Update - The House passed H.R. 7321, Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act. - Washington Post Link

The "Big Three" Come Begging



Public Reaction


Media Influence


The "Big Three" Get a Do-Over

C-Span Link to testimony.



Editorial Report Supporting Federal Intervention


Sen. Richard Shelby (R-TN), Critical of "Bailout"


The Role of Interest Groups



Should taxpayer dollars be spent to "bridge/bailout" GM, Ford and Chrysler? Use evidence from the video to support your answer.

The President Elect

The Hartford Courant
The New York Times
Interesting Response from Russia


How do you feel about Obama's election? Due Friday.

The Forgotten War

What do you know about the war in Afghanistan? Answer the following before watching the videos.

1) How long has the US been fighting in Afghanistan?
2) How many troops are deployed there?
3) Are more soldiers being killed in Afghanistan or Iraq?
4) What other countries are involved in this conflict?

What are three additional questions about Afghanistan you would want to know the answers for?

Now watch the videos and check your responses. Could you answer all of the questions?













Find the additional answers to your questions. How have the presidential candidates addressed the war in Afghanistan? What should the next president do to try to resolve this conflict?

Final Debate

You can watch the final debate by clicking below. Answer the questions that follow and submit your responses to Turnitin.com.

Debate Part 1
Debate Part 2
Joe the Plumber Reacts

Questions to answer:
1) Identify three specific issues discussed in the debate. You must also provide a time reference for each issue.
2) For each issue you identify, cite 1 specific difference between McCain and Obama.
3) Who is Joe Wurzelbacher? Why has he become the focal point of the final debate?
4) Locate and provide web addresses for two sites you could go to for comparing the candidates.
5) Who won and why. Give me at least three reasons for your opinion.

Campaign Finance

Essential Question: Is the way we fund elections a help or hindrance to the democratic process?

Responses due by Friday evening.

2nd Presidential Debate

Watch CBS Videos Online

VP Debate

Who is the winner and WHY?
Did this debate alter/influence your views on the Presidnetial race? Explain.

Meet Joe Biden

Watch CBS Videos Online


Watch CBS Videos Online

1st Presidential Debate

Respond to 1 of the following:

General Questions:

1. Did the debates alter or reinforce your view of the candidates? Explain.
2. Which candidate did the better job? Who was more convincing? WHY?

CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE DEBATE!

Student Rights

Do you feel that the majority opinion in your Supreme Court court case was correctly decided? Explain your answer refering to the constitution, using evidence from the case documents and examples from your personal experiences as a student.

Due Friday by Sunday midnight.

Interpreting the 2nd Amendment

COURT DAY
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/03/17/ST2008031702809.html?hpid=topnews

"It's precedent-setting. It's the first time the Supreme Court has commented on this in decades," said Sheri Anne MacNeil, 30, of the District, who is with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "It's monumental."

On the other side of the gun ban issue was Don Pollock, 67, a retired military special operations officer from Bowie. "This is the big one. The court finally gets to review the terrible [gun] laws of the last 70-something years."

2nd AMENDMENT
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."

Does the 2nd Amendment give all Americans the right to bear arms?

1. Can the government place limitations or restrictions on gun ownership? Under what circumstances?

2. What events in our recent past have fueled the gun debate? School shootings? Home invasions?

3. What are the arguments for and against limiting the right to bear arms?

D.C.'s Gun Ban Gets Day in Court
Justices' Decision May Set Precedent In Interpreting the 2nd Amendment

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/15/AR2008031502358.html

What do the statistics say? Below are educational, government and advocacy sites that list statistical information about firearms and related issues including crime.

http://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu/violence-in-schools/national-statistics.html

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/guns.htm

http://www.neahin.org/programs/schoolsafety/gunsafety/statistics.htm

http://www.vpc.org/

http://www.nra.org/home.aspx

MOVIES (on Google Video) THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF GUNS IN AMERICA - OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS
Bowling for Columbine (R)
Michael and Me (NR)

Assignment (Due date TBA)

You are one of the 9 Supreme Court Justices hearing the District of Columbia v. Heller. Based on your investigation of the facts, how are you going to rule and why? Are you going to take a narrow or strict constructionist view, or more broadly interpret the Constitution in stating your opinion? Draft an opinion, up to 2 pages, that clearly states your opinion based on your constitutional views, and including any other factors that influence your position.

THE RULING BY THE COURT

Election News 2/25-2/29.

Democratic Debate. Finish watching the debate (next link) and respond to one of the following questions. MAKE SURE that you make specific references to points raised in the debate to support your position and get full credit. Responses are due Monday. We will begin comparing the positions of Clinton/Obama to those of the republicn nominee, Sen. John McCain, beginning next week.

1) Was there a winner? Who/Why or why not?
2) Does either candidate develop clearer pictures of his/her policies?

Final? Clinton/Obama Primary Debate.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23361919#23361919

************************************************************
Additional Articles:
1. Finding Political Strength in the Power of Words
Oratory Has Helped Drive Obama's Career -- and Critics' Questions
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/02/25/ST2008022503216.html?hpid=topnews

2. Democratic Governors See McCain As Formidable
They Cite His Life Story, His Appeal to Independents
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/02/25/ST2008022502488.html?hpid=topnews

Primary News and Currents 2/8-2/15

Read, watch and then respond to one of the current events/primary questions. (Stories will be posted throuout the week).

Romney Out, McCain Looks Ahead
Apparent GOP Nominee Tries to Mend Fences With Conservatives
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020704239.html?hpid=topnews

Bush Signals Support for McCain
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020800964.html?hpid=topnews

Video
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/02/07/VI2008020703393.html?sid=ST2008020800120

Question #1: Do you think McCain will be able to win over conservatives? Why/Why not?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/12/AR2008021201901.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/12/AR2008021203196.html?hpid=topnews

Question #2: Who will win the democratic nomination? Why? (Remember, you must cite examples from the stories that support your position)