Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
QOD's- Livingston- Thu Oct 11
Who is Jennifer Livingston?
Why was she in the news?
Why was her statement used in some schools?
Student's Response...
QOD's- Debate- Fri Oct 12
What were the results of the debate?
Any effective statements?
Any gaffs?
What impact will it have?
Student's Response...
OOD's- Ryan & Biden- Wed Oct 10
What specifically has been Paul Ryan's job history- what political offices & for how long?
What district does he represent?
What would be he considered his most significant achievements or stances in politics?
What specifically has been Joe Biden's job history- what political offices & how long?
What state has he represented?
What would be he considered his most significant achievements or stances in politics?
Student's Response...
QOD- Carville & Matalin- Tue Oct 9
Who is James Carville?
What famous saying did he come up with in 1992 election?
Who is Mary Matalin?
What is unusual about these two??
Student's Response....
NY Times Budget Exercise
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html
Friday, October 5, 2012
Badger Basketball
If you are President of the United States, in the middle of tough campaign, and just had an even tougher debate-- what do you do to try to bounce back. Of course you try to associate yourself with things all of America love. So where did Obama go on Thursday- Madison, Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin. And while there, he met with the Badger basketball team. As many of you are aware-- the Wisconsin Badgers are America's team. It will be interesting to see how big of a bump this creates in the polls.
On a more serious note, this is a neat story about how two players on the team worked to make this happen. One player a Republican from Iowa, and the other a Democrat from Chicago.
On a more serious note, this is a neat story about how two players on the team worked to make this happen. One player a Republican from Iowa, and the other a Democrat from Chicago.
Badgers basketball team scores private audience with president
4 hours ago •
Thursday, October 4, 2012
CNN Analysis
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/04/politics/debate-5-things-learned/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
The First Debate
In my opinion, a plus for Romney in the debate is that voters expected Romney to come out with a boom in the first debate and prove himself to America that he is the best choice of candidate. With this on his conscience, I'm sure he prepared adequately and well enough to be ready for the debate, which I think he was by his confident poise he held throughout the entire debate.
A plus for Obama is that this was not his first Presidential debate. With the experience, he was able to execute the questions asked.
I don't think Obama or Romney made any critical mistakes.
I think Romney came out ahead. I started watching the debate 28 minutes in and I couldn't help but notice Obama's stressed, long face while Romney seemed alive and comfortable. A political science professor, Paul Sracic, at Youngstown State University said "Romney won. The real surprise is that he won so clearly." I think Romney had a crisp performance while Obama seemed to stray away from a direct fight.
- Allison
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Issue?
Students were asked to pick out 3 topics, and examine whether they felt these election topics were legitimate issues or not issues. These are the topics the students chose to address.
As the reader examines the students notes on these topics, please note some of the descriptions are not as detailed as I had hoped they would be.
As the reader examines the students notes on these topics, please note some of the descriptions are not as detailed as I had hoped they would be.
Issue? Bain Capital
Bain Capital
is the company Mitt Romney started. Bain Capital is a very profitable company
and Mitt made a lot of money with this investment company. The issue is Bain Capital has been accused of
outsourcing jobs to other countries. This would go against Romney’s policies of
being against outsourcing, especially to China. Also, Obama likes to show that
Romney was able to become successful because he borrowed money from his dad to
start Bain Capital.
I think that
if Romney has been outsourcing jobs, he would be somewhat of a hypocrite. However,
it does show that Romney knows how to run a successful business and could make
to tough decisions to be profitable.
- Paul, Jordan
Issue? Birth
1.
The Romney campaign has brought up
this criticism.
2.
To be the president of the United
States, one of the requirements is that one must be natural-born citizen of the
United States. Being born on US soil is one way to achieve natural-born
citizenship. Obama was born in Hawaii, which some people have yet to
figure out is our fiftieth state. It was a state at the time of his birth
(1961) and is still a state a today, making it US soil both in the past and
present. He has produced his Birth Certificate and it has already been
approved.
3.
In my opinion, this is a weak effort
by the Republicans to distract voters from the real issues of the
election. Obama has already served for one term as president; he has
obviously passed the basic requirements to hold office. When this issue
first came around it was a major issue for the first week or so, but now four
years later it is little more than a nuisance to the voters.
- SergioIssue? Redistribution
This is a tactic that Romney can use against Obama.
There is a clip of Obama that was recorded in 1998 at Loyola University,
according to Romney's campaign and fellow Republicans who are trying to promote
it. It features the president discussing what he calls a "propaganda
campaign" against government funded entities, and suggesting better ways
to make government more effective. Obama says: "I think the trick is
figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and
hence facilitate some redistribution – because I actually believe in some
redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody's got a
shot." The words; "I actually believe in some redistribution" –
that Republicans are using against Obama, characterizing them as an endorsement
of redistributing wealth, rather than making sure government agencies were well
supported. Many conservatives argue redistributing wealth is the same as
socialism.
My opinion on this is that while Obama does believe in
everyone having the same opportunities, the conservatives are blowing this way
out of proportion. I think while socialism kind of resembles Obamas image,
overall his dream is a democracy.
- Troy, KatieIssue? No Afghanistan
In
Romney’s speech, he did not address the war in Afghanistan. He left out all the
talk about war and everything related to the subject. Well, critics didn’t like
that too much. In Obama’s speech, he addressed all of the issues pertaining to
the wars in the east, as critics blew up in Romney’s newsfeed about not
addressing the issue. "In an almost 45-minute speech, Mitt Romney didn't find
a moment to mention Afghanistan," Obama’s campaign manager, Jim Messina
said in a statement sent to reporters just after midnight. "With no new
plans and evasion about his real plans, Mitt Romney leaves this convention no
stronger than he came."
I think
that Romney should have addressed the issue upon the wars. It’s a big topic
among the people and critics and I think that they would have liked the speech
more. Lots of families have one or more member in some war in the east. I think
more people paid more attention to Obama because of him making a deal out of
the war.
- Lexi, Karisa
Issue? Mormonism
Mormanism is just 182 years old and is
considered a racist, sexist and homophobe religion, but that's just by
stereotype. Lawrence O'Donnell, a democrat, attack Mormanism saying that is was
a recist faith and was directing it straight at Romney. Many people are
considering this not to be an issue because a person's faith shouldn't effect
how others see him. As long as Romney does not use his religion to get him
votes, no one should use it against him. Romney doesn't go around advertising his
faith claiming it makes him different, so people are going to label him as
different. Most democrats believed that Obama would use Romeny's religion as a
ways to attack Romney, but to supprise he decided not to. But on the other
hand, it is believed that if it wasn't for Romney's faith the democrats would
not have put faith and religions into a part of their campaign.
In my opinion this issue is outragous. This shouldn't even be considered as an issue. Just because Romney believes in certian things does not mean that he is going to make everyone else belive the same things. So what if he attends a different church, it doesn't mean he is the devil, GET OVER IT! His religion has never done anything to harm the United States, so why act like it could be the end of the world if we have a Morman for president.
In my opinion this issue is outragous. This shouldn't even be considered as an issue. Just because Romney believes in certian things does not mean that he is going to make everyone else belive the same things. So what if he attends a different church, it doesn't mean he is the devil, GET OVER IT! His religion has never done anything to harm the United States, so why act like it could be the end of the world if we have a Morman for president.
- Tori
Issue? Removing Work Component
The Republicans are accusing
the Obama administration of gutting welfare reform after Human Services and the
Department of Health notified the states saying that they might seek a waiver
for the programs strict work requirements. A Republican called the move a
"blatant violation of the law." Mitt Romney
said “the linkage of work and welfare is essential to prevent welfare from
becoming a way of life.”
I think that welfare is significant as well
because so many average Americans are and also rely on it, which they
shouldn’t.
- Anye
Issue? You Didn't Build It Yourself
In a speech
Obama made, he was talking about small businesses. He stated that if you had
made s successful business, that you didn't do it alone. This is important, not
because it shows What Obama thinks of the entrepreneurs that make this country
but because of the way it was taken way out of context and misconstrued in a
way that makes Obama look like he thinks that small business owners didn't
build anything. What he meant was that smart hardworking people made
enterprises not all by themselves but with the help of say a teacher in a
public school or roads that the government provided or even help from someone else. He wasn't
saying that they didn't build it, he was saying that we all work together to
make these things and that the government along with the helping hand of other
people made it possible.
- Stephan, Lindsay, Logan
Issue? Cancer Ad
The pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA ran an ad which states
that Bain Capital closed down a plant which led to the death of one steel
worker's wife. When the plant closed the steel worker lost his insurance which
was paying for his wife's cancer treatments. They even interviewed that steel
worker in the ad.
I don't think this important because that information is not
accurate. After the plant closed, the wife had her own insurance for 5 years
and then died.
- Savannah
Issue? 47%
The Obama campaign claims Romney said 47% of the population
will not vote for him because they don't pay taxes and they expect the
government to pay their food, shelter, and health care. And are dependent on
the government so he doesn't care about them.
I feel this is an issue because some people in the 47% can't
pay taxes because: some are too poor, some have disabilities, or are social
security recipients. I think Romney shouldn't say he doesn't care about a group
of people just because they don't vote for him.
- Savannah
Issue? Tax Returns
Obama surrogates uses this as an issue because Romney has not
released his tax returns from any year before 2 years ago. Also, when Romney
did release his tax returns he only paid 14%, which is less than the average
middle class worker. His father released 10 years of tax returns and set a
political standard. Romney has millions in his IRA which should not be
possible.
I feel this an important issue because my mom pays more taxes
than 14% with deductions. So why does Romney who is rich, pay less taxes? Also,
since Romney's father released 10 years of tax returns Romney should do the
same.
- Savannah
Sunday, September 30, 2012
QOD- Debate- Fri Oct 5
What is the Democratic spin on the outcome of the debate?
What is the Republican spin on the outcome of the debate?
What seems to be the general consensus among journalists about the debate?
Student's Response...
QOD- Debate- Thu Oct 4
What was a plus for Romney in the debate?
What was a plus for Obama in the debate?
Either of them make any critical mistakes?
Best line of the night?
Who do you think came out ahead?
QOD-The Economy- Wed Oct 3
Economically, how is a "stimulus" package supposed to work?
Economically, how is reducing taxes supposed to work to benefit the economy?
QOD- Polls Accurate?- Tue Oct 1
Who is claiming the present polls are wrong?
What is their arguement for the polls being wrong?
Student's Response....
QOD- Polls- Mon Oct 1
What do present polls show for the overall, national vote for President?
What do present polls show for the "battleground states?"
Student Response's....
Monday, September 24, 2012
Register-Mail Look at Our Class
 |
| Local historian, Owen Muelder talks to our class on our visit to Knox Collge. |
GHS poli sci students sharing views on election through blog
By JOHN PULLIAM
GALESBURG —
If you’ve heard that younger voters — or soon-to-be voters — are apathetic, you haven’t had a chance to talk with the students in Evan Massey’s poli sci 368 class at Galesburg High School.
However, everyone can read what class members are writing about politics, elections and the upcoming presidential race in particular as they blog about the elections of 2012 at http://ghspolisci368.blogspot.com/.
However, everyone can read what class members are writing about politics, elections and the upcoming presidential race in particular as they blog about the elections of 2012 at http://ghspolisci368.blogspot.com/.
Issues or Non-Issues?
Issues or Non-Issues?
Candidates
bring up a variety of topics during the campaign. It is often difficult to tell
what the meaning of some of these topics:
·
Real issues?
·
Minor issues?
·
Ways of examining character of the candidates?
·
Revealing a candidate’s values?
·
Clever
sound bites?
·
Distractions from the real issues?
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephan Douglas were held
in 1858, for the campaign for the US senate. The debates were held at seven
sites in Illinois, one of them include at Knox College in Galesburg. Lincoln
wasn’t as popular as Douglas was, but during that arguments Lincoln stated that
the United States wouldn’t survive as a half slave, half non-slave county. The
debate at Knox College was on the east side of South Street between Cedar and
South Cherry streets and was the site of the original debate. It is the only
remaining; original building that is still stating that the debates took place
at. Douglas beat Lincoln for the seat at Senate, but in 1960 Lincoln ruled over
Douglas for the Presidency.
Political History Reports
1948 Election
In 1948 the
presidential election between Dewey and Truman was held. Everyone across
America was sure that Dewey would win, its said only Truman believed he would
win and be re-elected. All the polls predicted Dewey was far ahead in the lead,
including George Gallup's organization. Roper was so sure that he ceased
polling in September. Even a poll asking how good of a job Truman had been
doing said only 36% of people thought he was doing good as president. However,
the polls proved wrong and president Truman was re-elected for another term. He
beat Dewey 49.6% to 45.1%. Most likely the polls were wrong since their main
source was the telephone, like it is today, and then it was still rare to be
able to afford a phone. Therefore, only the rich mostly answered polls.
Because of the error many papers and magazines published with headlines of Dewey winning. A famous picture shows Truman holding the Chicago tribune with the title "Dewey defeats Truman". This just added to the embarrassment of being wrong.
The 1948 polling error is the main example used that polls aren't always right. This massive error in election history has taught America that only the election day really matters. Polls should be used more generally as a guideline.
It showed to not give up hope even if the polls say there is none, and to not take it easy if your the one winning. Dewey had a low-key campaign due to overconfidence. So Truman took advantage of that and ran his campaign the best he could despite the overwhelming polls.
the 1948 polling error showed to not completely trust polls. Polls can easily be miscalculated or subjected to just one group. Polling organizations have also tended to be more careful at how they go about it.
- KarisaBecause of the error many papers and magazines published with headlines of Dewey winning. A famous picture shows Truman holding the Chicago tribune with the title "Dewey defeats Truman". This just added to the embarrassment of being wrong.
The 1948 polling error is the main example used that polls aren't always right. This massive error in election history has taught America that only the election day really matters. Polls should be used more generally as a guideline.
It showed to not give up hope even if the polls say there is none, and to not take it easy if your the one winning. Dewey had a low-key campaign due to overconfidence. So Truman took advantage of that and ran his campaign the best he could despite the overwhelming polls.
the 1948 polling error showed to not completely trust polls. Polls can easily be miscalculated or subjected to just one group. Polling organizations have also tended to be more careful at how they go about it.
QOD- Good & Bad- Fri Sept 28
Based on Mr.Hawes look at the history of government programs....
What would be three examples of effective government programs in your mind & why do you consider them effective?
What would be three examples of ineffective government programs in your mind & why do you consider them ineffective?
What is your verdict- government too big or government help needed?
Student's Response....
QOD- Government- Thur Sept 27
Many criticize government for having gotten too big. Government spends a lot of money.
What are the top ten items in terms of government spending in it's yearly budget? And how much does it spend on each item?
Student's Response....
QOD- AARP- Wed Sept 26
What is AARP?
What are the issues of most concern to them?
Why was Ryan not warmly received at their convention?
Student's Response....
AARP stands for the American Association of Retired
Persons. AARP members are the most concerned about Social Security
and Medicare. Ryan wasn't well liked at the AARP convention because Ryan wants
to change Medicare to voucher system.
- SavannahQOD- Senate Election- Tues Sept 25
How many Senators are up for election?
How many Democrat incumbents?
How many Republican incumbents?
Where are the most heated elections?
What projections do they have about the outcome?
Student's Response....
QOD- Senate & House- Mon Sept 24
What is the present makeup of the US Senate in terms of Republicans & Democrats?
What is the significance of getting 51 or getting 60 Senators?
How many Senators are up for election?
What is the present makeup of the House in terms of Republicans & Democrats?
What does a simple majority mean more in the House?
Student's Response....
Our Experts- What Are the Issues?
1- From your perspective, as you vote, what do you see as the major issues in this election?
2- What are issues that either candidate are bringing up which you do not feel are important issues, that are more just campaign ploys?
3- What are issues the candidates do not seem to be dealing with which you feel should be issues of the campaign?
Here are their responses....
RR says....
#1. The economy and the deficit. Whenever times are tough, the economy dominates everything else, as evidenced by 1980, 1992, and 2008. Economic growth is tied to deficit reduction, as the Greeks and Spaniards are finding out. An underlying issue is just how much a national government can (and should) do to influence economic policy. This will be subtext of the Romney campaign—government efforts to improve the economy are inefficient and inherently corrupt, as the government will assist its political allies, regardless of their contribution to economic recovery.
#2. Each side is making noises about reducing the deficit, but neither side is being honest about what it will take to accomplish that. Obama’s class warfare campaign calling for a “fair share” tax increase on the “rich” will raise no more than $70 billion, according to a study in the Wall Street Journal. Romney’s statements about cutting funds for PBS and the Endowment of the Arts, etc. (with which I happen to agree) will not even save $1 billion a year. With a deficit of $16 plus trillion, none of these suggestions will make even a small dent in the deficit. The best hope of deficit reduction was the Simpson Bowles task force report (which the fanatics on both sides ignored) because it recommended the perfectly sensible approach of both raising revenue and limiting government expenditures.
Unless Congress acts before the end of the year, the Bush-era tax cuts will expire and the mandated cuts in spending agreed to last year will kick in. The combined effect of which will take about a trillion dollars out of the US economy, which is more than enough to trigger another huge recession.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Election History Reports
The report should:
1- Be submitted via email by the deadline.
2- Be 300-400 words or 1 to 1.5 pages in length.
3- Give the basic details of this event.
4- Explain what the "legacy" of this event has been in either American history or in better understanding elections. What significance has it had in changing American history?
5- All papers will be checked for Wikepedia paraphraphing!!
6- All papers should have a minimum of 3 articles listed at the end of the paper, with the internet address of those articles.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Knox Trip Assignment
By Monday, Sept 24 at 7:45am, I would like you to submit via email to emassey@galesburg205.org a report on one of the following:
Option #1- Galesburg & Knox in the 1800's.
What were the values of the early founders of Knox and Galesburg?
How did these values impact life in Galesburg and Knox?
Option #2- Knox & the Debates
Describe how the social and political values of Knox influenced what Lincoln had to say?
Describe the level of "activism" in Galesburg in regards to abolitionism?
How did Galesburg's "activism" play a role in the debates?
What did Lincoln have to say?
Option #3- Debates- Then & Now
What were the Lincoln- Douglas debates like?
What will this year's debates be like?
How will they be different than this year's debates?
Your reports should be 300-400 words or about 1 to 1.5 pages in length.
QOD- Benjamin Netanyahu - Fri Sept 21
Who is he?
Why is he in the news?
What does he expect of US?
What is meant by "red line"?
Student's Response....
QOD- Simpson-Bowles- Thur Sept 20
What is it?
What did it recommend?
Why didn't it work?
Student's Response...
QOD- Lincoln- Wed Sept 19
Tell me three things about the Lincoln Douglas debates, you don't think I already know?
Student Response's....
1. more than 20,000 people were in
attendance
2. Lincoln stressed the moral wrong-doing of slavery in his speech.
3. last standing site of the 1958 Lincoln-Douglas debates.
- Emily2. Lincoln stressed the moral wrong-doing of slavery in his speech.
3. last standing site of the 1958 Lincoln-Douglas debates.
The famous Lincoln and
Douglas debates occured in 1858. One fact about the debates is the first
speaker spoke 60 minutes, the the next 90 minutes while the first man had a
chance to speak another 30 minutes and since Douglas was the incumbant he spoke
first of the 4 debates. The next little fact was major papers from
Chicago sent stenographs to create complete texts of each debate, which
newspapers across the United States reprinted in full, with some partisan edits
which was a big deal at the time. And the last fact didnt occur during
the time but in 1994 CNN had a reanactment of the speeches on its channel which
is very cool.
- Nate
The debates were held at 7 different sites, one in each of
the congressional districts. Over 15,000 people attended the original debate in
Freeport, which was then only a town of 5,000 residents. One result of the
debate, the Freeport Doctrine, allowed states people to have the right to
choose whether or not to exclude slavery from their limits. One fact about Mary
Todd Lincoln I thought was interesting was, Stephen A. Douglas proposed to Mary
and told her if she accepted she would become the wife of the president; she
declined saying "Mr Douglas, I will be the wife of the president, but
not as Mrs. Douglas."
- Savannah
QOD- Super Pacs- Tues, Sept 18
How much are Super PAC's spending?
http://projects.wsj.com/super-pacs/
Who are the major contributing groups to Republicans?
Who are the major contributing groups to Democrats?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/super-pac-contributions_n_1822290.html
Student's Response....
QOD- Sequestration- Mon Sept 17
What is sequestration? (Actually have an article on it on the blog!)
What were Republicans and Democrats pressuring each other to get done?
What did each side hold over the other?
Has it worked?
How has it entered the campaigns?
Student's Response...
Friday, September 14, 2012
Current Events Reports
If you scroll down the blog, you will see a listing of the topics with questions the students were asked to address in their reports.
The students were graded on both a presentation to the class and a written report. A copy of each written report is posted. The students were evaluated on several factors, included were:
- How thorough was their report? Does it reflect thoughtful research? Does it add to the knowledge of the class?
- When appropriate to the topic, do they give both a conservative and liberal perspective on the issue or problem?
- Does their information have a high level of accuracy? Would "fact checkers" say the information is accurate and adequately explained?
As you read the reports, you will see some do a better job than others of enlightening us on the perspective of liberals and conservatives on their issue.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Current Events- Campaign Funding
Sami, Emily and Danielle
Campaign
Finance Reform
Without money involved in political elections, the
candidates might as well throw the towel in and not even run. Funding for the elections has increased throughout
the years and it has affected the way candidates run for political offices
Current Events- Polls
By Paul,
Riley, Mike, Jordan, Nate
Polls are
defined as a sampling or collection of opinions on a subject. Polls are an American tradition, they have
helped form America to the remarkable country it is today. They continue to help us predict our future
and gather information. Polls are a
necessity in politics, without them the wonderful world of politics would be
lost forever.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Current Events- Voting Issues
In a Democracy, the basic element
to participate in government is a vote. This “right” to vote in America America
Current Events- Negative Ads
Negative
Campaign Ads
The
history of negative campaigning goes back to over one hundred years ago. The most effective would be advertisements
attacking an opponent's personality, record, or opinion. There are two types of ads used in negative
campaigning: attack and contrast.
Attack, identifies risks associated with the opponent, often exploiting
people’s fears to manipulate and lower the impression voters have of the
opponent. Contrast, contains information
about both the candidate and the opponent.
The information about the candidate is positive while the information
about the opponent is negative.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Washington Post on Sequestration
The Sunday public affairs shows sometimes leave ordinary American lost in a blizzard of Washington gobbledygook, especially when it comes to the federal budget. A lengthy exchange between Norah O’Donnell and GOP vice president nominee Paul Ryan on CBS’s “Face The Nation” on Sunday is a good example of that, in which two people are simply talking past each other.
We are fairly convinced that 99.99 percent of the people watching this exchange had little clue what they were arguing about. In an effort to promote understanding, we will annotate it. Both Democrats and Republicans have their own narratives of what happened in the debt ceiling debate so we will not try to adjudicate that dispute.
Current Events- Third Parties
James S, Erin S., Cheyenne S.
Third Parties
Most people have heard of Democrats
and Republicans. Very few, however, have ever heard of smaller third parties.
Two of the major third parties are the Libertarian and Green parties. The Green
Party was formed in 2001 with 10 set key values that they follow. The key
values are Grassroots Democracy, social justice and equal opportunity,
ecological wisdom, non-violence, decentralization, community based economics
and economic justice, feminism and gender equality, respect for diversity,
personal and global responsibility, and finally future focus and
sustainability. Grassroots democracy is basically letting the people have more
say in the government and directly involving them in the decision making process.
Social justice and equal opportunity is everyone has the right to benefit from
the environment and our society, also to confront barriers that separate us.
Ecological wisdom is helping protect the environment and learning new ways to
replenish what we take. Non-violence is basically what it means, to get rid of
violence like eliminating weapons of mass destruction and demilitarize
everywhere. Decentralization is to eliminate a system which is controlled by
and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system.
Community based economics and economic justice is to create a system that’ll
create jobs and pay people based on what they actually earn, also to enhance
our quality of life. Feminism and gender equality is just to make everyone
equal without any boundaries. Respect for diversity speaks for itself, to treat
every race the same with no exception. Personal and global responsibilities are
to help create a better world. Future focus and sustainability are thinking
about what we are doing now and how it’ll affect our future, also to help
create a way to make things last longer. They haven’t been successful in
getting elected in to major offices but have made it in to smaller roles.
Current Events- Shootings
By- Victoria
Worsfold, Katie Schofield, & Troy Schisler
Country
Wide Shooting
In just the past four years the U.S.
homicide rate has almost doubled. In Chicago alone, the number of homicides out
numbers U.S. troop killings in Afghanistan. Between July and August of 2012 the
U.S. has suffered through three major shootings, including one of the largest
mass shootings in U.S. history. These three shootings consist of the Colorado
Theater, Wisconsin Temple and New York Empire State Building shootings.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
QOD- Labor Stats- Fri Sept 14
Last Friday, job growth and unemployment numbers came out. What were they and what was their significance?
Student's Response....
Saturday, September 8, 2012
QOD- Virgil Goode- Thu Sept 13
Who is Virgil Goode?
What party is a member of?
Could he influence the outcome of the election? How?
Who wants him off the ballot? Who will decide if he stays on the ballot?
Student's Response....
QOD- Karl Rove- Wed Sept 12
Who is Karl Rove?
What role has he played in government?
What role is he playing in the 2012 Election?
Student Response....
QOD- Kerry Quote- (Tue, Sept 11)
In his speech at the Democratic Convention, he used a quote that was used against him when he ran for President?
What was the quote?
Who originally made the quote & how were they attacking Kerry?
Who was Kerry attacking & what was he attacking them about?
Student Response....
QOD- Debates (Mon Sept 10)
What are the dates of the Vice-Presidential & Presidential debates?
What are the topics, formats, and moderators of each?
Student Response....
Student Response....
NY Times- Guide on 5 Factors to Watch
The following is a guide from the NY Times of 5 Factors to watch before the election....
WASHINGTON — Two months before the election, President Obamaand Mitt Romney agree on one thing: the collection of states where the race will be decided.
Jim Wilson/The New York Times
Mitt and Ann Romney paid a brief visit to campaign headquarters in Boston on Saturday before heading to Virginia. President Obama is spending the weekend in Florida, traveling by bus.More Photos »
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Political Memo: Conventions Draw Crowds but Sway Few Voters(September 8, 2012)
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As Mr. Obama opened a two-day bus tour of Florida on Saturday and Mr. Romney set his sights on trying to put Virginia back in the Republican column, television ads from both sides were filling the airwaves in those two vital states and six others from Nevada to New Hampshire, while outside groups supporting the candidates tested for traction elsewhere.
With the political conventions over, the battle to determine whether Mr. Obama will win re-election or Mr. Romney will become the 45th president of the United States is fully engaged. The race has been deadlocked according to many measures, and each side was predicting that it would see no lift from its convention. That seems to have been true in Mr. Romney’s case, and Mr. Obama’s aides were hopeful that new polls due out this week would prove them wrong.
But for now Mr. Obama may hold a slight edge because the race remains essentially tied, which means voter disappointment has not turned into a resounding call for his defeat despite the challenging economic climate.
Presidential races take place on many levels, some easily visible, others more shrouded. As the clock runs down, both sides make tough decisions about which states to compete in and which to abandon. Advertising messages get tested and changed as strategists hunt frantically for the right appeals, and get-out-the-vote teams wavering voters with tailored messages.
Behind closed doors, the candidates are preparing for the most crucial remaining events, the debates. And in courtrooms, lawyers battle over who is on the ballot and who can vote.
The race could also still be influenced by unforeseen events, domestic or foreign, that could shape perceptions of the incumbent president and his challenger. Here are a few things to watch in the 58 days ahead, beginning with the electoral map.
The roster of battleground states has not changed much, but one that Republicans had dearly hoped to put in play appears to have broken decisively: Pennsylvania. Mr. Romney spent time and money in the state, which went Democratic in the last five presidential elections, but Republican strategists now say it seems out of reach.
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