Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Marbury vs. Madison Case
Through this case, individual rights rose to the top. William Marbury sued James Madison, who was secretary at the time, as a way of forcing him into delivering his comission as a justice of the peace. According to The Madison Archives, Marbury also had the authority of declaring acts of the President as well as declare them unconstitutional. Because of his authority, the courts became the arbiter of the Constitution and the Supreme Court became the goverment's "right hand man", and has been that way ever since. However, from what I read, it seems clear to me that Marbury is using his power to get what his wants as a federalist.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Blogicon Reflection
What am I Most Proud of My Blog? Why?
The part about my blogs that I felt most proud of were the connections I made about history and my personal opinions. I felt like bringing my opinion into the blogs, gave readers a better sense of where I stood on various topics.
What Would I Like to Improve? How?
Next Time, I would like to improve on choosing topics that I'm more familiar with so that I could write more about that topic and readers get a clear picture of what I'm talking about so that they aren't struggling to figure out what my topics are. I plan to do this by simply thinking about a current topic that I understand and relates to our assigned blog somehow.
How Can We Better Connect Our Blogs?
As a class, I think that talking about our blogs and stating the types of things were going to incorporate could be helpful to students. This way, we can all get an idea of what everyone's doing.
The part about my blogs that I felt most proud of were the connections I made about history and my personal opinions. I felt like bringing my opinion into the blogs, gave readers a better sense of where I stood on various topics.
What Would I Like to Improve? How?
Next Time, I would like to improve on choosing topics that I'm more familiar with so that I could write more about that topic and readers get a clear picture of what I'm talking about so that they aren't struggling to figure out what my topics are. I plan to do this by simply thinking about a current topic that I understand and relates to our assigned blog somehow.
How Can We Better Connect Our Blogs?
As a class, I think that talking about our blogs and stating the types of things were going to incorporate could be helpful to students. This way, we can all get an idea of what everyone's doing.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What does McCain Say to Abortion?
Does McCain Want to Ban All Abortions?
Brooks Jackson
September 8, 2008
Thesis: McCain believes abortion is necessary in cases of the mother being raped, incest, or her life is at stake.
Class connection: In this article, it is clear that Senator John McCain supports abortion only partly. From an interview he had on January 30, 2000, he stated that all abortions should be banned. Two weeks after this interview, he says that he wants it to be in the law that abortion can only happen under certain circumstances. My question to this is, how do we know as people under him, that he will not change his mind again? Even though he wasn't running for office at this time, he already seemed to do what most people do when they run for office, which is to sugarcoat what they say to make it sound pleasing to their audience. But from my view, I think that that they should be telling the truth from the getgo, whether people like it or not. It's a better method because once they're in office, people don't have to question their word. I believe, it's better to loose with the knowledge that you told the truth, rather than loosing knowing that you lied just because you thought that the happiness of the people is better than their safety.
Brooks Jackson
September 8, 2008
Thesis: McCain believes abortion is necessary in cases of the mother being raped, incest, or her life is at stake.
Class connection: In this article, it is clear that Senator John McCain supports abortion only partly. From an interview he had on January 30, 2000, he stated that all abortions should be banned. Two weeks after this interview, he says that he wants it to be in the law that abortion can only happen under certain circumstances. My question to this is, how do we know as people under him, that he will not change his mind again? Even though he wasn't running for office at this time, he already seemed to do what most people do when they run for office, which is to sugarcoat what they say to make it sound pleasing to their audience. But from my view, I think that that they should be telling the truth from the getgo, whether people like it or not. It's a better method because once they're in office, people don't have to question their word. I believe, it's better to loose with the knowledge that you told the truth, rather than loosing knowing that you lied just because you thought that the happiness of the people is better than their safety.
Here's a copy of John McCain's interview from January 30, 2000:
Russert (Jan. 30, 2000): A constitutional amendment to ban all abortions?
McCain: Yes, sir.
Russert: You're for that?
McCain: Yes, sir.
Russert: If, in fact, all abortions were banned in America ...
McCain: I understand.
Russert: ...under President McCain ...
McCain: Understand.
Russert: ... let's look at our country. What would happen to a woman who had an abortion? McCain: Obviously, it would be illegal, but I would not prosecute a woman who did that. I would think that it would be such a terrible trauma that -- but I would not make those abortions available or easy as they are today in America
Here's a copy of his debate with Bush on February 15, 2000:
McCain: George, do you believe in the exemption in abortion, case of abortion, for rape, incest and life of the mother?
Bush: Yes, I do. I do.
McCain: Then, you know, it's interesting, you were talking about printed material that's mailed out. Here's one that says that George W. Bush supports the pro-life plank. The pro-life plank.
Bush: I do.
McCain: Yes. So in other words ...
Bush: Yes ...
McCain: ... your position is that you believe there's an exemption for rape, incest and the life of the mother, but you want the platform that you're supposed to be leading to have no exemption.
Bush: Yes, but ...
McCain: Help me out there, will you? ...
Bush: The platform talks about – it doesn't talk about what specifically should be in the Constitutional amendment. ... The platform speaks about a Constitutional amendment. It doesn't refer to how that Constitutional amendment ought to be defined.
Sources:Republican National Committee, "2008 Republican Platform," Sep 2008; 51.
Transcript, NBC Meet the Press 30 Jan 2000.
Transcript, CNN's Larry King Live, South Carolina Republican Debate
15 Feb 2000.
Transcript, ABC This Week 19 Nov 2006.
Transcript, NBC Meet the Press 30 Jan 2000.
Transcript, CNN's Larry King Live, South Carolina Republican Debate
15 Feb 2000.
Transcript, ABC This Week 19 Nov 2006.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Blacks+Whites=Inequality
Amnesty International USA/ADA Law
Action for Human Rights. Hope for Humanity
Racial Profiling
Thesis: Discrimination against race, religion, ethnicity or nationality, makes human rights and each individual's freedom pointless because they're being broken anyways.
This topic connects to the Declaration of Independence in the way that the colonies wanted separation due to the violations of human rights and as we see in this topic, human rights seem to be broken everywhere. The Declaration of Independence states that "All men are created equal and that they are endowned by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." This should be a guide that we refer to before jumping to conclusions and judging someone because of either their race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or abilities. When the government makes laws, it is our duty as citizens or non-citizens to follow them because then what's the point of a rule that is not going to be followed. Life needs rules, without them this world would be chaotic and there would be no real order to anything. So when it comes to Human Rights, I believe we should think twice before we judge someone about their physical or spritual being. Everyone's different and unique in their own way, so who are we to judge them before we even know their capabilities? On the otherhand, ADA Watch is an example of the other side of this ongoing issue. It is an ammendment act that George Bush has made the first human rights law for people with disabilities. In my opinion, as Americans, it seems as though we're becoming more fair in terms of giving people chances to prove themselves in the workfield.
Action for Human Rights. Hope for Humanity
Racial Profiling
Thesis: Discrimination against race, religion, ethnicity or nationality, makes human rights and each individual's freedom pointless because they're being broken anyways.
This topic connects to the Declaration of Independence in the way that the colonies wanted separation due to the violations of human rights and as we see in this topic, human rights seem to be broken everywhere. The Declaration of Independence states that "All men are created equal and that they are endowned by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." This should be a guide that we refer to before jumping to conclusions and judging someone because of either their race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or abilities. When the government makes laws, it is our duty as citizens or non-citizens to follow them because then what's the point of a rule that is not going to be followed. Life needs rules, without them this world would be chaotic and there would be no real order to anything. So when it comes to Human Rights, I believe we should think twice before we judge someone about their physical or spritual being. Everyone's different and unique in their own way, so who are we to judge them before we even know their capabilities? On the otherhand, ADA Watch is an example of the other side of this ongoing issue. It is an ammendment act that George Bush has made the first human rights law for people with disabilities. In my opinion, as Americans, it seems as though we're becoming more fair in terms of giving people chances to prove themselves in the workfield.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Lawyer/President
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
John Adams
Sources: PFG, EA
The most interesting thing that I've studied so far in Humanities is about John Adams, specifically about his views on standing up for those who are innocent rather than guilty. I liked the fact that he stood up for what he thought was right rather than what other people would think of him. Adam said himself that, "No man in a free country should be denied the right to counsel and a fair trial, and convinced, on principle, that the case was of utmost importance." He felt as though it was his duty to take on a case because he was in fact a lawyer. But he also wanted to show Britain a new way of fighting for what he believed in, and a fair trial was his way of showing them that fighting with weapons solves less than fighting with words.
US History
John Adams
Sources: PFG, EA
The most interesting thing that I've studied so far in Humanities is about John Adams, specifically about his views on standing up for those who are innocent rather than guilty. I liked the fact that he stood up for what he thought was right rather than what other people would think of him. Adam said himself that, "No man in a free country should be denied the right to counsel and a fair trial, and convinced, on principle, that the case was of utmost importance." He felt as though it was his duty to take on a case because he was in fact a lawyer. But he also wanted to show Britain a new way of fighting for what he believed in, and a fair trial was his way of showing them that fighting with weapons solves less than fighting with words.
US History
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Federalist's Action Towards Environment
The Truth about Obama and McCain on Energy
July 28, 2008
The Democratic Party
[ABC News , 6/26/08]
Thesis: Senator McCain believes that even though offshore drilling might not help those who are struggling, it'll help boost his campaign through donations.
Class Connection: This connects to our class because as a federalist, he cares about a strong central government under the U.S. as a whole, rather than a non-federalist who believes more in state's rights than the governments'. Dealing with the issue of offshore drilling, McCain seems a bit absorbed in himself. I don't see how he thinks a move like that will make people want to support him:especially, if they're the struggling ones. In the second paragraph, Governor Schwarzenegger states that, "Anyone Who Tells You That Ending The Ban On Offshore Drilling Will Lower Gas Prices "Anytime Soon Is Blowing Smoke."
My Response: Personally, I don't think McCain is going about this topic the right way because offshore drilling will only continue to raise gas prices, which the majority of people aren't happy about and from what I read, who wants a president who only cares for himself, and no one else. How far will that take America? I think it topics like these that should raise a red flag in our minds and cause us to question America's future.
Democrats.Org
July 28, 2008
The Democratic Party
[ABC News , 6/26/08]
Thesis: Senator McCain believes that even though offshore drilling might not help those who are struggling, it'll help boost his campaign through donations.
Class Connection: This connects to our class because as a federalist, he cares about a strong central government under the U.S. as a whole, rather than a non-federalist who believes more in state's rights than the governments'. Dealing with the issue of offshore drilling, McCain seems a bit absorbed in himself. I don't see how he thinks a move like that will make people want to support him:especially, if they're the struggling ones. In the second paragraph, Governor Schwarzenegger states that, "Anyone Who Tells You That Ending The Ban On Offshore Drilling Will Lower Gas Prices "Anytime Soon Is Blowing Smoke."
My Response: Personally, I don't think McCain is going about this topic the right way because offshore drilling will only continue to raise gas prices, which the majority of people aren't happy about and from what I read, who wants a president who only cares for himself, and no one else. How far will that take America? I think it topics like these that should raise a red flag in our minds and cause us to question America's future.
Democrats.Org
Friday, September 5, 2008
A Struggling Economy
Obama attacks Republicans over convention
By Andrew Ward in St Paul
Financial Times, September 5th, 2008
Thesis: Last Friday, Obama brought it to the people's attention that America's economy is struggling. During his campaign, he accused his opponent John McCain that the policies that he has made will fail because they've failed these last 8 years George Bush has been in office.
Connection: Although it is a bias statement Obama made, I think he has a good reason backing it up. It is true that the policies Bush said he would take care concerning the economy have not been taken care of and since McCain is promising so many things, I don't get a clear picture of exactly how he's going to stop the economy from struggling. I feel this connects to the Enlightenment because Obama made a statement and had reason backing it up.
www.ft.com
By Andrew Ward in St Paul
Financial Times, September 5th, 2008
Thesis: Last Friday, Obama brought it to the people's attention that America's economy is struggling. During his campaign, he accused his opponent John McCain that the policies that he has made will fail because they've failed these last 8 years George Bush has been in office.
Connection: Although it is a bias statement Obama made, I think he has a good reason backing it up. It is true that the policies Bush said he would take care concerning the economy have not been taken care of and since McCain is promising so many things, I don't get a clear picture of exactly how he's going to stop the economy from struggling. I feel this connects to the Enlightenment because Obama made a statement and had reason backing it up.
www.ft.com
A Maverick Who Now Must Lead
Roger Simon
Friday September 5th, 2008, Yahoo News
Thesis:Our purpose as republicans is to make a change somehow. Once we give into corruption then we loose the trust of American citizens.
Class Connection: I believe that this article represents life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness because John McCain is making an effort to gain America's trust and doesn't want a bad reputation-especially since he wants to be in office. He also quotes that "Nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."
My Response: I believe that John McCain's statement is smart because he seems to be looking out for what the people want rather than just the government. On the other hand, he also seems to be wishy washy on important topics such as abortion and gay marriages.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080905/pl_politico/13182
Roger Simon
Friday September 5th, 2008, Yahoo News
Thesis:Our purpose as republicans is to make a change somehow. Once we give into corruption then we loose the trust of American citizens.
Class Connection: I believe that this article represents life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness because John McCain is making an effort to gain America's trust and doesn't want a bad reputation-especially since he wants to be in office. He also quotes that "Nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."
My Response: I believe that John McCain's statement is smart because he seems to be looking out for what the people want rather than just the government. On the other hand, he also seems to be wishy washy on important topics such as abortion and gay marriages.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080905/pl_politico/13182
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