Haiti

News from Haiti

60 Minutes Report from 1/17.

Washington Post Coverage

Also Google CNN, Fox or other networks for news and video reports.

Optional Response for Periods 5 & 6

Possible topics to discuss:
What were your thoughts as you viewed the death and destruction in Haiti?
How do you view America's response during this first week?
What should our long term commitments be?
Should the US allow increased Haitian immigration?
You may comment on these, or any other aspect of this disaster you wish.

The New Age of Walmart

What are your thoughts on the Walmart debate?

Due Wednesday 1/6/10

Macro-Economics Video from class. You need the United Streaming login info from the library.

Immigration

Immigration will again be an issue debated next year in Congress, and President Obama announced plans to address the issue in an upcoming speech. How would YOU advise the President? I would like you to address at least one of the following prompts, using information from class discussion and resources:

Legal Immigration: Where do we draw the line and why?
Border Control: How do we secure our borders?
Illegal Immigration: How do we address the 11-20 million people currently residing in the US without legal status?

Due Tuesday a.m. for all sections.

Interpreting the 2nd Amendment

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? ** The Supreme Court will again be looking at the 2nd Amendment this spring.

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?

* Lawsuit Seeks Right to Carry Concealed Weapons in the District

"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."

* D.C.'s Gun Ban Gets Day in Court

* District of Columbia v. Heller

Sites to get you started. You should also search for additional data.

* US Department of Justice Firearms and Crime Statistics

* National Rifle Association

* Violence Policy Center

Assignment

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.

President Obama's Afghan War Address

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Some commentary on the speech:

William Kristol "A War President"
Washington Post Editorial "A Courageous Decision"
Reactions From Europe
Afghanistan and Pakistan Rattled by Plan for Drawdown


Democratic Divisions - Pres. Obama will not draw much support from the left of the Democratic Party, as viewed here.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Angry Ed!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

From Across the Aisle

Kissinger Responds




McCain Responds on The Hannity Show





The response question is pretty straight forward. Are we on the right track in Afghanistan?
I will be checking Monday am.

Do as I say....

Rather humorous article in the London Times on the upcomming UN conference on global warming in Coppenhagen.

"Taking the Private Jet to Coppenhagen"

Civil Liberties in an Age of Global Terrorism

Required Readings:

"Travesty in New York"

By Charles Krauthammer

Friday, November 20, 2009

"A Battlefield in the Courtroom."

By Eugene Robinson

Friday, November 20, 2009


Respond to one or more of the following prompts:

• Are you willing to give up a degree of individual liberty for security? Why, Why Not?
• Should foreign nationals accused of terrorism and held in places like Guantanamo Bay have the same rights as Americans? Should they be tried in civilian courts? In the US? Explain your answer.
  
• Are the provisions of the PATRIOT ACT needed to protect us or do they undermine our freedom?
• You may also contribute any other related thoughts or observations from the video, articles or class discussions.

Responses are due Wednesday morning 11/25. I will be checking before we leave for Thanksgiving Break.