CEBs - Week of April 23rd - When the Bow Breaks!

Ready for another CEB toon from my friend, Miss Telnaes?

Remember to include in your discussion:

1. I agree or disagree with Miss Telnaes' (the cartoonist's) viewpoint.
2. Here's why...
3. Confirm you read the details.

You will still receive 3 points for the assignment [one point for viewing it, one for agreeing/disagreeing, one for your reason(s)]. The discussion ends Thursday night for credit!

EXTRA CREDIT for more comments you add...YOU GUYS DID GREAT LAST WEEK!!!

MICHAEL....this one's for you!!!!

Click the image to open the video 

or DOWNLOAD a copy (the file is a 236 KB video)

If you are still having problems go directly to the Washington Post archive site at

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/telnaes/telnaes11182009.html

This one speaks for itself.

Our government has bent over backward to our number one trade import partner (check this out and see the vast difference between what we export and what we import). 

You don't have to be a space shuttle designer to figure this one out - just go to the store....ANY store....and find the "Made in USA" stamp versus the "Made in China" emblem.

What is this doing to our economy?

What will it do for you and your children?

Who really "owns" America?

And what happens, I pray to God NO, if we ever go to war against our "good bowing buddy to the East"?

What happens when everything we obtain has to be provided by a foreign nation.....and I don't have anything against China, Michael....I just wonder what we are doing to our economy?

And how can we change it?

How can you?

Toss in your ideas?....

CEB - Week of April 16 - My good buddies......the TSA!

Ready for another CEB toon from Miss Telnaes?

Remember to include in your discussion:

1. I agree or disagree with Miss Telnaes' (the cartoonist's) viewpoint.
2. Here's why...
3. Confirms you read the details.

You will still receive 3 points for the assignment [one point for viewing it, one for agreeing/disagreeing, one for your reason(s)]. The discussion ends Thursday night for credit!

EXTRA CREDIT for more comments you add...

Here we go!!!!

Click the image to open the video 

or DOWNLOAD a copy (the file is a 418 KB video)

If you are still having problems go directly to the Washington Post archive site at

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/telnaes/telnaes03122010.html

I think I've made my objections clear on the TSA and their violation of our 4th amendment rights.

And yet there is one argument used often to disparage my position. If we do not have the TSA, we could have another attack - and NOT by the usual "suspects" but rather…..well….anyone!

Then a story came out about, Colleen Renee LaRose, a Michigan born girl who in 2004 moved to Philadelphia to live with her boyfriend. Raised in Texas, Colleen was just as American as you and me. Grieved by the recent deaths of her brother and father, she went through depression, even attempting suicide.

Sadly, Satan often takes advantage of people's pain - changing their heart to the most false notions, including Islam. She converted in 2007 and became what many call a "radical". In 2008 she posted herself as "Jihad Jane" saying that she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" the suffering Muslims being oppressed by the Western Great Satan. She shared her sympathies to terrorist groups in Palestine whom she believed were persecuted by Israel. All in all, she became a bona fide, Burka-wearing Muslim extremist (or, as I believe - she was just following the basic tenants of the Qur'an). 

She was arrested by the FBI on October 16, 2009 charged in a plot to kill the Swedish artist, Lars Viks, who offended Muslims worldwide with his cartoon of the false prophet, Muhammed (he drew Muhammed with the body of a dog, a high insult in the Arab world). Read more here.

The amazing, and frightening thing - Colleen looks as American as Sarah Palin. And her co-conspirator, Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, also know as "Jihad Jamie", who was accused of terrorism as well, could wander around our malls, stores and streets….and no one would know anything about her desire to violently force Islamic beliefs upon our society.

Check this story out and see what I mean.

Radio host Mike Gallagher made the comment in the cartoon - is he wrong?

Watch this video and see Mike Gallagher's alternative idea - PROFILING - http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=994_1262012824

So…..

….maybe the TSA has a purpose after all.

Right?

Or is there another way to identify terrorist threats….even those that look as red-blooded, Apple-pie eating, baseball loving American as you and me?

Should we profile instead?

What do you think?....

Weekly CEB (Due April 12th) ------------ Obama's Health Care Bill

Dudes (and Dudettes),


Remember for your weekly CEBs you need to join the conversation and include in your discussion:

1. I agree or disagree with Miss Telnaes' (the cartoonist's) viewpoint
2. Here's why...
3. Something that confirms you either read the details or watched the supporting videos (even a simple statement like "Yes, Mr. J, I watched the video" will work)

You will still receive 3 points for the assignment [one point for viewing it, one for agreeing/disagreeing, one for your reason(s)]. The discussion ends Thursday night for credit!

Now if you want extra credit, debate with your classmates and provide alternative points. Each counterpoint will be awarded. 

Let the debates begin!!!!

Click the image to open the video 

or DOWNLOAD a copy (the file is a 246 KB video)

IF you are having problems getting to this site, try going directly to the video: http://www.agapegraphics.net/class/CEBs/Health.html. IF that doesn't work, go directly to the link at the Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/telnaes/telnaes01262010.html BUT THEN COME BACK HERE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS!

President Obama's Health Care plan is being discussed and debated in the Supreme Court as you read this. Last week while you were on Spring Break 27 states sued the President over his pushing through the ObamaCare bill in 2009. The Court will make its final decision in June.


This bill more than any other in recent history will radically change the way you live and the way your children will live. It will allow government to force you to purchase anything it deems necessary.


If you want to learn more about ObamaCare - check out this little YouTube video from John R. Graham, the  Director of Health Care Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. WARNING - it's not too flattering!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1lxwQ1XauE&feature=player_embedded
[CBS has a summary that kinda explains the entire bill - which only costs $940 Billion over ten years - cheap, huh!]


But this debate is not new and has been going on for several years.
The GOP ("Grand Old Party" - a nickname for the Republican party) has been fighting it from day one.
In January 2010, Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, was interviewed on NBC's Sunday TV show, Meet the Press. He was quoted in the cartoon that you just watched.  The cartoonist only showed you a small portion of the interview, implying that the OLD WAY of health care (Doctors and Hospitals making a profit off people being sick and paying to be healed and taken care of) is hurting us all.


But is that what Senator McConnell was really saying? What was said in the entire interview?
Watch it here. (it's only about 4 minutes, 40 seconds)
Or if you would rather read the transcript - it can be found here.


But what will ObamaCare cost you and the American taxpayer?
Check this out! (And add your VOTE to the poll at the bottom of the page)


So - will ObamaCare help us or hurt us?
Health care is SO EXPENSIVE in this country - do you think it needs to be changed? 
Isn't it terrible how the Republicans don't really care about citizens' health and want to keep it expensive to make more money for the big, rich health care industry?
And, what do you think of Obama's plan?

Join the darkside! DEBATE!....

CEB - Week of March 19

Hey gang,

Here's your second online discussion CEB option.

Remember your comments on this blogspot are  due Thursday by 6 PM.

You can still provide me three articles WITH YOUR COMMENTS in your book or via email...OR...you can join the online discussion here on the class blogspot with weekly animated political cartoons from my favorite (and often intriguing) liberal cartoonist, Ann Telnaes. 

Remember to provide in your discussion point two things:

1. "I agree or disagree with Miss Telnaes' viewpoint"
2. "Let me tell you why..."
3. I'M ADDING ONE MORE THING YOU MUST HAVE FOR CREDIT - let me know that you read or watched one of the links below (you just have to indicate something like, "Yes, Mr. J. I read the article on the New American" or "I watched Senator Paul on YouTube")

This week's episode:

Click the image to open the video 

or DOWNLOAD a copy (the file is a 282 KB)

IF you are having problems getting to this site, try going directly to the link at the Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obama-signs-national-defense-authorization-act/2012/01/03/gIQApgMFZP_video.html BUT THEN COME BACK HERE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS!

President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act...over the New Year while you were sleeping. The controversy is over a portion of the bill that essentially allows law enforcement officials detain and imprison American citizens - without a lawyer or habeas corpus (if the President believes the suspect is a threat to national security).


Read about in the January New American article. Or read what The Blaze says out the NDAA.
Conservative Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky tried to warn us this was about to happen on December 31 - see it on YouTube here.
Even liberals hate this - check out what Young Turks say on YouTube.


If you have a few weeks to kill and nothing better to do, you can download and read the massive thing here.

So - is Obama's NDAA bill Constitutional or not? Be specific in your discussion - why is it Constitutional or not.

Join the darkside!....

The NEW and IMPROVED Weekly CURRENT EVENTS BOOK Assignment!

Hey gang,


As promised I'm offering an alternative to the weekly CEB (Current Event Book) assignment due every Thursday.


You can still provide me three articles WITH YOUR COMMENTS in your book or via email...OR...you can join the online discussion here on the class blogspot with weekly animated political cartoons from my favorite (and sometimes aggravating) liberal cartoonist, Ann Telnaes. 


I will provide you a cartoon each Saturday from here until the end of the year with some supporting material that will help you understand the issue. You will need the Flash plugin to view these (oh...and turn up the sound). Then just join in on the discussion/debate.


You must provide in your discussion point two things:

1. I agree or disagree with Miss Telnaes' viewpoint
2. Here's why...

You will still receive 3 points for the assignment [one point for viewing it, one for agreeing/disagreeing, one for your reason(s)]. The discussion ends Thursday night for credit!


Now if you want extra credit, debate with your classmates and provide alternative points. Each counterpoint will be awarded. 
Join the darkside of debate...and engage in the discussion!


Here we go:

Click the image to open the video 

or DOWNLOAD a copy (the file is a 282 KB)

IF you are having problems getting to this site, try going directly to the video: http://www.agapegraphics.net/class/CEBs/DanburyLetter.html. IF that doesn't work, go directly to the link at the Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/telnaes/telnaes04102009.html BUT THEN COME BACK HERE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS!

The Danbury Letter  of 1802 was Thomas Jefferson's answer to Danbury Baptist Association from Connecticut.  It was written to address their concern for minority religions, such as the Baptists, and how the state legislature would deal with them. It also provides us the famous "separation between church and state" phrase that was essentially already apart of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution - the Clause which provides us "Freedom of Religion". Read more details at this great Constitution website.

Read the Danbury Letter here.

So - are we secular or not? Is Gingrich right? What does the Danbury Letter have to do with the debate? Or does it?

Join the darkside!....

ONLINE QUIZ ASSIGNMENT - due this Friday, March 9th!

Hey gang,

For this Friday, March 9th, I need you to bring me the results from an online quiz (we actually took a portion of it last Friday but we ran out of time). It's only 40 simple questions - answer them by voting your conscience (0 = "agree less" ranging up to 10 = "agree more"). At the end you will receive a number score and "what it thinks you are politically".

I need to have you bring me all the results the quiz provides when you finish answering all 40 questions.
Oh, and if you are unsure or don't care on some of the questions - just put "5" - that's a neutral vote.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/03/progressive_quiz.html

Email me any questions you have.
Happy quizzying...ing....  :{)

Theodore Roosevelt's "New Nationalism"

You need to read Theodore Roosevelt's 1910 Progressive speech and answer just one question:

• What is RIGHT with this speech?

Here is the speech, in case you lost your copy.
If you also want an .mp3 file to listen to while you read, here's a copy from Librivox - it's 37 MB so be patient.


Come ready to discuss next Wednesday, March 7th with FIVE notions you feel are right about the speech.

Animal Farm Question Handouts - in case you lose yours...

SCENE from Halas & Batchelor's  

1954, full-feature animated version of Animal Farm

Here are the handouts for your reading in Orwell's Animal Farm:

• Questions 1 - chapters 1-3
• Questions 2 - chapters 4-6
• Questions 3 - chapters 7-10

Remember the open book/open notes quiz on Friday, March 2nd!

Happy reading!....

Animal Farm in a .PDF format...

If anyone's copy of Animal Farm is beginning to look like Tim's bedroom....uh....I mean, uh....well....hmmmmm...


....for those who's book is falling apart....(that's better).....here's a .pdf copy.


DOWNLOAD IT HERE


And remember...."FOUR LEGS GOOD...TWO LEGS BAAAAD!..."

GEORGE ORWELL - Why he wrote - in the author's own words...

Anyone up for some extra credit?

In 1946, George Orwell, the author of the books we are currently studying, 1984 and Animal Farm, wrote about his philosophy on writing. Our class is not a literary class - but it does help to understand the backgrounds and philosophies of the authors we read - to find out WHY they wrote what they wrote.

If anyone wants some extra credit, or if you are interested in writing yourself and want to learn from a world-renowned author, read his essay entitled "Why I Write".

If you email me back and tell me Orwell's Four Great Motives of Writing AND what Orwell wanted most to make into "art", I'll give you credit....

....and you'll have learned some more great stuff about an intriguing author.

And I KNOW you guys always want to learn more stuff!

Mayor Larkin is Coming!

Hey Gang,


Our very own Mayor of Post Falls, Clay Larkin, is coming to speak at our class on Thursday, March 8th!
So in preparation of his time with us, like other speakers, I require you to provide three (3) questions for the Mayor; two pertaining to his job, and one - well, whatever you'd like to ask.


Before writing your questions, please read his bio:  http://www.postfallsidaho.org/city_info/misc_docs/LarkinBio.pdf
I will bring printouts to tomorrow's class in case you can't get to the internet.


Your questions are due THIS FRIDAY, February 24th. 
Let's welcome our distinguished guest - we're so blessed to have such elected officials willing to spend time with us.


In Him,


Mr. J.

Coroners, Pathologists and Medical Examiners! Oh My!

Hey Gang,

After our visit from Deb Wilkey, Kootenai County's Coroner, I thought I'd send you the link to the PBS, Frontline episode she spoke about - it's very interesting.

Check it out if you have an hour (yes...it is an hour)...TO KILL.....sorry. Couldn't resist!
This is not an assignment - just something you may want to take a glance at.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/post-mortem/

Isn't it great to know that while the body remains, the soul lives on in Christ
(I Corinthians 15:20ff)! And I pray for each of you daily that you are in Christ or remain in Him.

In His love,

Mr. J.

COMMUNISM - and the disabled...

Michael had a wonderful question yesterday - how does communism view the elderly, the disabled, the in-firmed - those who some view as insignificant to society.


We all know how Hitler treated those "undesirables" (EUGENICS!) - but what about Marx, Lenin or even Stalin?


For extra credit I offered you guys the chance to answer the question. And Michael took it up!


Michael found this website, http://libcom.org written by self proclaimed "Liberal communists" (see their about page which states: "The name libcom is an abbreviation of "libertarian communism", the political idea we identify with.") On this website it states this about the disabled:

It is easy to see how the phrase ‘to each according to their needs’ will abolish an aspect of disability. If we produce for need rather than profit there is no reason why we should not chose to produce buildings, equipment, technologies and so on that are designed on the assumption that physical and psychological variation of all sorts is a normal part of human society and that it is right to take this fully into account when producing things for people to use.

So from a MODERN communist viewpoint it appears that the disabled will be taken care of and not treated as Hitler's Naziism did in the 1930s-40s.


BUT what about early communism under a dictator such as Stalin? Here's what I found on another site for you to consider:

Soviet society officially appeared to provide well for the welfare needs of citizens. Full employment was guaranteed and a universal social security system was administered through places of work. Health care, education and leisure activities were provided free of charge, and vast amounts of affordable public housing were available in purpose-built apartment blocks.

In his paper to the First International Conference of Social Work in Paris in 1928, Semachko stated that relief of the needy was the responsibility of the State.

“Any worker in need has the right to be assisted by the State in all cases: sickness, infirmity, old age, unemployment, or distress due to any cause whatsoever” (p. 533).

While vigorously opposing ‘parasitism and begging’, the principle duty of the State was to provide rehabilitation for all those who have found themselves, by chance, ‘eliminated from a life of normal work’. For those identified as entitled to assistance this, should be provided in the forms of pensions, institutional care and ‘special, vocational re-education’ to resume work.

So there's two sources that say the disabled under communism were treated with respect and consideration. I'll keep researching it and let you know of anything else I find.


And while I praise those communists (either today or in the past) who treated the disabled, the elderly or any other in-firmed person with kindness...the question is still - do we want to live in a godless, communistic society or one of free market and free enterprise?


I'll leave that one open for you to ponder.


GREAT JOB MICHAEL!

Can Anyone Use 50 Bucks?

Check this out!

The Judicial Council of California, the Constitutional Rights Foundation and the California Parent, Teachers Associaiton offer a $50 prize for the student winner of their nationwide 3rd Annual First Amendment Cartoon Contest
[INSERT applause and screams of delight here].


Learn more and obtain rules and giudelines at their website
http://www.courtsed.org/cartoon_contest.htm

• THEME: First Amendment Principles - specifically on the "Right to Peaceably Assemble & Right to Petition for a Redress of Grievances"

• DEADLINE: March 16, 2012

Since I have THE most talented class ever - I think someone among us will win!


Be creative - be informative - be artistic.
And give me a loan when you win, will ya'?

GUEST SPEAKER: Deb Wilkey - Kootenai County Coroner

Hey gang,


Does anyone watch NCIS? Or are you into zombie movies?


Personally, I don't get it....but...well...there's actually a very real aspect in our society about dealing with,....well....the deceased...


We have a visitor coming a week from Thursday, February 2nd - our County Coroner, 
Deb Wilkey.
I want you to provide her with some solid, informative questions, like we did with the Lt. Governor - so I need you to first read the following two website entries and come with THREE (that's right 3) questions for Mrs. Wilkey.

• http://www.kcgov.us/departments/coroner/

• http://www.orato.com/health-science/dr-g-medical-examiner - you'll REALLY love this one!

Read these website entries FIRST then come with your three questions - due on Tuesday!

And let's not be grave about this. I want you to dig into this subject, and be lively about it.

OK enough of that. Sorry.

So....do we still need a MILITIA?

MILITIAS...according to that pesky document the Bill of Rights, "We the people..." may maintain a MILITIA (Second Amendment).

But...what does that mean in present day contexts?

FIRST - what is a MILITIA? (Here's one definition that may help)

The discussion of maintaining MILITIAs usually revolves around citizen gun ownership, in general.

May we still carry around weapons haphazardly without any protection from gun-toating criminals who may be using the Second Amendment right to harm society? Or should we all just be able to have weapons without ANY government involvement?

In 1939, the question was taken to the Supreme Court. Jack Miller and Frank Layton were arrested in 1938 for carrying an unregistered sawed-off shotgun across state lines. In 1934, Congress, in an effort to crack down on the machine guns and sawed-off shotguns commonly used by notorious gangsters like Al Capone, had passed the National Firearms Act, which imposed a prohibitively high tax on weapons' sale. Miller and Layton were arrested for carrying a gun that did not bear a stamp certifying that the tax had been paid. The case made its way to the Supreme Court when a lower court accepted the defendants' argument that the National Firearms Act violated their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Here's the case, if you want to read it.

There are laws which channel and restrict gun ownership now to help protect citizens from dangerous, violent criminals. See http://www.gpoaccess.gov/constitution/html/amdt2.html.

Do you want to have anyone wielding guns in department stores, restaurants or the post office without ANY supervision? Or do we need any supervision?

Oh, by the way - it may help you to know that according to current military law, according to the United States Law Code (the "rules of common law" that the Seventh Amendment speaks about), militias, now, are considered members of the NATIONAL GUARD. See Cornwell's University of Law website entry.

So what do we do with MILITIAS today?

Here's an article where the author thinks the Second Amendment is obsolete and needs to be thrown out entirely - http://sundial.csun.edu/2010/12/do-we-still-need-the-second-amendment/

Should we rewrite the Second Amendment? 

Is the portion of the Second Amendment (maintain a militia) obsolete and out of touch with modern-day military service and National Guards?

Should we just rewrite that portion dealing with the obsolete militia system? 

Or toss it out entirely?

Is it "time for the second amendment to go?" 

What do you think?

Send me an email after you have read this entry - tell me what you think - yes, for extra credit.

FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDES!!!

Hey gang,


In case you lost your study guide for Thursday's FINAL (yes....that's right it's THIS THURSDAY, January 19th...AAAAAUAUGH!!!), I'm providing the Study Guide here - FINAL STUDY GUIDE.


MAKE SURE YOU KNOW how our Founding Fathers used all the information we have studied (from Hamurrabi to Aristotle to John Locke to Thomas Paine, etc.)...how our Founding Fathers used all of these influential people's ideas and writings to provide us the fantastic documents of liberty we have in America (the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights).


ALSO you may want to review the first 22 Presidents of the country (including their dates of administration and their political affiliation).


OH...and it may help to go over your VOCABULARY (I'm linking a LIST of all the terms you should know for this semester).


As always....PRAY...STUDY...then get some rest...
...you'll do fine.


I have no doubt with you guys. God has blessed me with the BEST class of all!


Mr. J.

Bill of Rights Rap - these guys ROCK! Literally!

Hey gang,

Click the image to open the video 

or DOWNLOAD a copy (the file is a 25.7 MB .mp4 - give it time to download)

Always on the lookout for tools to help you learn this stuff, I found a couple of rappers that (I think) are EXCELLENT! They are two guys, Jeff and Scott, who graduated from Providence College, Rhode Island, and wanted to help young minds (like yours) learn about our great country and original documents of liberty.


Here's a rap they put together on the Bill of Rights  that may help you remember them. You can download it here or from directly from their website - BILL OF RIGHTS.


If you want to learn more about these two guys, check them out at Smart Songs!


I hope this helps you learn....oh, and you can tell your parents you really ARE studying when you have this rockin' on your iPods!

EXCELLENT ARTICLE - and another way for more EXTRA CREDIT!

Hillsdale College puts out a free newsletter, Imprimis, with articles that are "my-jaw-drops-into-my-lap-I'm-so-amazed-that-there-are-still-people-who-have-such-reverence-for-the-Founding-Fathers'-principles-it-makes-me-drool" kind of articles!

Some of them are a bit technical - but often there are some that just literally blow my stinkin' mind!

Here's one I really, REALLY recommend you read - http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=2011&month=12 (or if you prefer a .pdf copy, download it here - http://www.hillsdale.edu/hctools/ImprimisTool/archives/2011_12_Imprimis.pdf)

AND if you read it, I'll give you more extra credit!

Email me if you read the article and answer this one question for credit - who considered the doctrines of "limited government" in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution "obsolete"?

God bless your day, my friends.

Mr. J.