Total Pageviews

Friday, August 31, 2012

QOD- Pinocchio- (Tue, Sept 4)

QOD- Pinocchio- (Tue, Sept 4)...

What is this Washington Post pinocchio thing?

What are examples of things in the Presidential race they have rated?

Student's Response....

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Field Trip to Galesburg

Our class in front of the George Washington Gale House.
Today we took a tour of Galesburg. We started at the Gale House on the corner of Cherry St. and North St. On our tour we talked about the search for a utopia and the values the leaders of Galesburg wanted to form our community around. Our discussion centered around the following topics---

1- The strength of the values of our founders, and the sacrifices they were willing to make in the name of their values. Which led to the question- do our leaders in America have core beliefs and values at the foundation of their decisions?

2- We discussed how diversity can lead to conflict. Do our politicians in America today have the ability to compromise to make things work? Are there issues on which they should not compromise?

3- Money can sometimes interfere with values. How does money and the economy impact our decisions today?


QOD- Speeches (Fri Aug 31)

What was the theme of Mitt Romey's convention speech?

What did critics and supporters have to say about his speech?

What do you think?

Student's Response....

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Longest Convention in History

The 1924 Democratic Convention went 14 days and a total of 103 ballots. Today both parties have everything planned out as a massive TV show. In 1924 it was all spontaneous. This is a story about the 1924 Democratic Convention by the Washington Post....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/03/AR2008030303277.html

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Current Issues Projects



THE TASK

Each group has been assigned a topic which they will be asked to:
Research and gather information about the topic.
Put together a written report on the topic which will be published on our site.
Give a presentation to the class about the topic.

Due Dates- They will be between September 10 thru September 14. Each groups date is listed with their topic. They will be expected to give their presentation on this date and to turn in their written report.

Written Report- The written report will be typed and will be emailed to Mr.Massey at emassey@galesburg205.org. The report should:
Be submitted to Mr.Massey by 7:30am on the assigned date.
Be between 2-4 pages long.
Address the following:
Address the questions on the topic outline.
If it fits your topic, you are expected to provide an accurate description of both liberal-conservative or Democratic-Republican perspectives on this particular issue, topic or event.
At the end of your article- give the address of 5-8 articles on your topic.

Presentation- Your presentation is supposed to be 10-20 minutes in length. Longer does not mean better! Your presentation should include the following-
Powerpoint presentation
Short video clip or clips from the mass media which gives insight into the topic- probably not more than 5 minutes.

ASSIGNED TOPICS

(Katie, Tori, Troy)- Monday, Sept 10
Shootings
Shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin, and New York.
What are the details?
How are they similar, different?
What are the statistics about killings in Chicago?
Any pattern in victims or shooters?
Why do they think the numbers are up?
What is the history of gun control in America?
How is the Constitution used or misused by people in regards to gun control?
Do advocates feel specific changes in gun control could have prevented shootings?
What organization opposes gun control?
Does this organization carry any political power?
What do polls show about gun control?


(Jimmy, Erin, Cheyenne)-Monday, Sept 10

Who are some of the "Third Parties" today?
Green Party
What are their issues? Major purposes?
Have they ever been successful electing candidates?
Who are the major voices in this party?
In the Democratic and Republican parties- are their some particular people who would be considered "friends" of the Green Party?
If Green Party ran a Third Party candidate, who would most likely be hurt-Republicans or Democrats?
What would the Green Party point to as their major successes?

Libertarian Party
What are their issues? Major purposes?
Have they ever been successful electing candidates?
Who are the major voices in this party?
In the Democratic and Republican parties- are their some particular people who would be considered "friends" of the Libertarian Party?
If Libertarian Party ran a Third Party candidate, who would most likely be hurt-Republicans or Democrats?
What would the Libertarian Party point to as their major successes?


(Seth, Stephan, Logan, Lindsay)- Tuesday, Sept 11

Selection of Paul Ryan as VP candidate
What is his record and his stance on issues?
Some argue his voting pattern was different during Bush presidency, and now has taken a different direction- what are they taking about?
It is said his selection made both conservatives and liberals happy- how is this possible?
Some have said his selection will make the campaign more about issues now- why would this be true?
Is there any particular strategy by Romney in making this pick?
What may this selection mean for the election?


(Any, Zach, Jesse)- Tuesday, Sept 11

Scott Walker wins recall election in Wisconsin?
Who is Scott Walker?
What is a "recall" election?
Why was there a recall in Wisconsin?
What had Walker done to make some people so upset in Wisconsin?
What do the results of this election mean to America?
Does this who thing show a national trend?


(Savannah, Allison, Kelsie)-Wednesday, Sept 12

What going on with all this negative advertising?
What is the history of negative campaigning?
What went on with Jefferson and Adams?
What are other examples?
What are famous examples of negative TV ads?
Do negative ads really work?
What are examples of negative ads by Romney and Obama?
What are examples of lies or certainly misleading information in their ads?


(Sergio, Lexie, Lila, Karisa)- Wednesday, Sept 12

Issues of Voting
What is the history of major voting restrictions in America?
What are the present issues in Ohio?
What are the present issues in Pennsylvannia?
What is being argued by opposing sides in both of these states?
How do either side benefit from a decision one way or the other?
How will the conflict be resolved?


(Emily, Dani, Sami)- Thursday, Sept 13

Campaign Finance reform is an issue often brought up?
How much money have each of the candidates raised to date?
What are laws which restict amount of money a candidate can raise?
What is the argument for restricting the amount a candidate can raise?
What is the argument for allowing freedom to raise large amounts of money?
What is the history of how much candidates have raised in the past?
What are these PAC’s?
What is the argument for them and against them?
How do they get around some of the campaign finance laws?


(Riley, Paul, Nathan, Mike, Jordan)- Thursday, Sept 13

What do polls show right now?
According to national polls, how does the popular vote stand now?
What is the breakdown of who seems to support Obama and Romney?
Why do some groups support certain candidates?
What groups are each candidate seeming to target?
In terms of the electoral vote-
What seems to best case scenerio for Romney? For Obama?
What seem to be the key states- the toss ups?
What strategies will candidates use in these key states?
How do polls seem to vary?
Identify key issues in America today—
What seem to be listed as key issues by-
Faculty
Our surveys
America
Women
Others
What do polling numbers show on these key issues?

Thursday, August 23, 2012

QOD- Voting- (Thu Aug 30)

QOD- Thursday, August 30.....

What is all the controversy about voting in Ohio and Pennsylvania?

What is the disagreement about?

Do either Romney or Obama really think it matters in either state? Why?

Is this going on in any other states?

Student's Response....

QOD- Beloit College (Wed Aug 29)

QOD- Wednesday, August 29....

Why has Beloit College been in the news?

What are things on their list this year?

Student's response....

QOD- Platform (Tues Aug 28)

QOD- Tuesday, August 28....

What in the world is a platform?

What is a plank?

Any controversy with any planks in the Republican platform?

Will Romney have to agree with the platform?

Student Responses....

QOD- Tampa Bay (Mon Aug 27)

QOD- Monday, August 27....


We are going to be hearing a lot about Tampa Bay this week- why?

Why was Tampa Bay selected?

What may be an unexpected problem with selection of Tampa Bay?

What are plans in case things get bad at Tampa Bay?

Student Response....

Monday, August 20, 2012

QOD- Todd Akin

QOD- Monday, August 20....

Who is Todd Akin?

Why is he in the national news this week?

Are people over reacting?

What do you predict is going to happen?

Student Response....

PS368- Who Are We?

We are a class of 28 high school students, who attend Galesburg High School- Galesburg, IL.

On the first day of class, students were asked some basic questions to get a better understanding of who we are. Students were asked about the following:

In terms of how knowledgeable they are compared to other teens, students were asked to rate themselves on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). Students rated themselves at 5.6. So the students are claiming they are a little more involved and knowledgeable than the average teen.

With the same scale, the students rated their parents as 6.8. So they see their parents are more educated in the area of politics than they are.

As far as this election, in August this is how the students responded to their particular feelings about the election--
35%   I favor Obama.
27%   I am not sure who I would vote for yet. (Classic undecided's)
23%   I favor Romney.
15%   I don't care and I would not plan to vote.

QOD- Melkey Cabrera

QOD- Friday, August 24....

Who is Melkey Cabrera?

Why is he in the news?

Should MLB do anything to punish the Giants?

Should MLB look back at the All-Star game?

Student Response...

QOD- Joe Lieberman

QOD for Thursday, August 23....

Who is Joe Lieberman?

What is unique about his party affiliation?

What role did he play in the 2000 & 2008 Presidential elections?

Why is he in the news this year?

Student comments.....

QOD- Paul Ryan's Guest

QOD for Tuesday, August 21....

Who was Paul Ryan's special guest when he was speaking over the weekend in Florida?

Why did he choose to take this person with him?

Why did he choose to be in Florida?


Student Response....

QOD- Grover Norquist

Questions for Wednesday, August 22.....

Who is Grover Norquist?

Why is he in the news?

What do George H.W. Bush & Grover Norquist think about each other?

How does Grover feel about Paul Ryan?

How does Jackie Cilley feel about Grover?

Student Response....

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Where Do You Turn for Information?

I asked about ten people who I greatly respect for their willingness to read and learn about the United States and politics in the United States. Some of them are very liberal, some are very conservative, and some are moderate in their beliefs. So they have come to different conclusions about politics in the United States, but they all have extremely "educated" opinions. I don't agree with all of their views but I really respect their intellectual pursuit of knowledge.

In response to questions about where they turn for info, I got 6 of them to repond. Great insights, enjoy....

Here is what I asked each of the people--
1- Are there 4-5 websites you use to "educate" yourself on politics and current issues?

2- Are there 2-3 commentators or writers who you make sure you always read?

3- Are there 2-3 tv shows you feel best present the issues and the news?

4- On tv, are there any programs you like which provide poliitcal humor or satire?

5- When you hear politicians make claims you are not sure about, where do you turn to check them out?

6- Are there any newspapers, internet sites or television programing you avoid because you feel their information is either inaccurate or biased?

Current Events & Issues

Some events seem to have the ability to help us understand our culture. Some events seem to bring out our need to discuss bigger issues and values. Some key events over the last year--

Shooting in Colorado & Wisconsin
* What happened in these two shootings?
* How are they different?
* Advocates of stronger gun control would argue that what changes would have perhaps prevented these incidents? What changes do they recommend?
* Opponents of gun control would argue stricter gun control would not matter- what is the rationale of their arguement?
* How do Americans feel about gun control?
* What organization is strongly opposed to gun control? What impact do they have politically?

Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare
* What is Obamacare?
* What was being argued in the Supreme Court?
* What did the Court decide?
* Is this a surprising ruling?
* Does it tell us something about the Court?
* What impact will this ruling have?

Penn State scandal
* What is the timeline of this case?
* Who was involved in the coverup?
* How did they cover this up?
* Does this tell us something about sports in America?
* Does this tell us something about child abuse in America?
* How was the case of a Syracuse basketball coach related to this?
* What actions have been taken?
* What potential future actions are there?

Scott Walker wins recall election in Wisconson?
* Who is Scott Walker?
* What is a recall?
* Why was there a recall?
* What were the issues?
* What does the result of this election mean to America?

Supreme Court rules against Arizona immigration bill.
* What was the Arizona immigration bill?
* What was being argued in the Supreme Court?
* Why did the Court rule against it?
* What does this mean?

Campaign Trail

Selection of Paul Ryan as VP candidate
* What is his record and stances?
* Why was he picked?
* It is said he is a pick that made both conservatives and liberals happy- how is this possible?
* What does it mean for the election?
* Is there a particular strategy with this pick?

What do polls show right now?
* What states are viewed by most as toss up states?
* Where does it stand in terms of electoral vote if you eliminate you count the pretty sure states?
* What are the strategies to get these toss up states?
* What groups of people seem to support each candidate?
* Where do women seem to stand?
* Is there a particular strategy to win over certain groups?

I hear about the Democrats and Republicans, what is this Green Party?
* What are some of their issues?
* Who is most similar to the Green Party in beliefs- Democrats or Republicans?
* Generally third parties tend to hurt one part more than the other- do they have the ability to influence the outcome?
* Who are leaders and/or candidates for the Green Party?

Last couple years have heard a lot about the Tea Party, what are they doing in this election?
* What things do they stand for?
* What candidates do they identify with?
* Will they have a significant impact on the election?


What going on with all this negative advertising?
* Is this worse than usual?
* What is the history of negative campaigning?
* What are examples of the worst ads both sides are putting out?


Campaign Finance reform is an issue often brought up?
* How much have each of the candidates raised to date?
* How does this compare to past elections?
* What did the Supreme Court rule about these groups supporting candidates?
* What is the argument for them? Against them?

Issues of Voting
* What is the history of voting restrictions?
* What are the issues with voting in Ohio?
* What are the issues with voting in Pennsylvannia?
* What is being argued by opposing sides in both of these states?
* How do either side benefit from a decision one way or the other?


Romney's Secret


What unusual things did Romney and Ryan do to keep his selection a secret?
Why would they want to keep it a secret?
What do you keep of the whole thing?

The following is from ABC news, written by Jonathon Karl, Emily Friedman, and Arlette Saenz on Aug. 12, 2012.....

By (@jonkarl) , (@EmilyABC) and (@ArletteSaenz)
Aug. 12, 2012
Clandestine flights. A slight disguise. Long drives to out-of-the-way airports by an aide's 19-year-old son. An afternoon dash through the wooded ravine behind Paul Ryan's house in Janesville, Wis.
These were just some of the things the Mitt Romney campaign did to keep the world from knowing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee had decided to pick Ryan as his running mate.

For the story- http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/romney-paul-ryans-pick-vp-secret/story?id=16987693