Tuition aid still not reaching veterans in time to avoid panic

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/23/tuition-aid-still-not-reaching-veterans-in-time-to/

Colleges and universities haven't received their money from thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' who attended school under the GI bill from last fall which worries the veterans' about going back to school in January.  Veterans affairs offices promise that they will get back to school, the VA has said that the number of veterans' has lowered from ten thousand to five thousand. 

I think that the VA needs to hurry up and get it together with the money for the veterans to get their education. Thats not cool that they don't have the money because they are risking their lives everyday and they can't even make sure that they are well taken care of. Thats crazy!!  

DawnTeo:McCain senate re-election

in PHOENIX, AZ the talk-radio host, Tea Partier and former House member J.D. Hayworth haven't even filed to run against Sen. John McCain in the Republican senate primary both sides have already gone on the offensive. while in the hypothetical stage the race has already escalated into push polls, name-calling, and legal complaint filings. McCain's former chief of staff and former Arizona Attorney General, Grant Woods, filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission stating that Hayworth was illegally using his radio-talk show to promote his potential candidacy for McCain's senate seat. Woods, responed that Hayworth has utilized the equivalent of more than half a million dollars of Clear Channel time to promote and "test the waters" of his candidacy, filed the complaint after McCain.

Former speaker gets pricey perks

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30846.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30846.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30846.html


The problem is that tax payers are spending more than 40,000 dollars per month. well to me that's alot. i mean it can't be too much right? taxspenders are spending there money on cell phones, office space and some even lease an svu, for laptops,tv and other money exspences.the federal government spending is totally legal.

Mexico City, Gay Marriage and a Latin American First

http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/mexico_city_gay_marriage_and_a_latin_american_first\

Mexico was the first Latin American city to pass legislation recognizing same sex marriage. 39 votes in the favor of gay marriage. The local assembly also voted to allow adoption by same-sex couples, delivering two big doses of civil rights. The mayor Marcelo Ebrard, is widely expected to sign the bill. When this get written in the history books people think its going to hang in shame. "For centuries unjust laws banned marriage between blacks and whites or Indians and Europeans,"Victor Romo said. "Today all barriers have disappeared."

Will one senator stand up for woman

Will one senator stand up for woman by Wendy Button
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendy-button/will-one-senator-stand-up_b_399557.html

Ms. Wendy Button sspeaks on the fact in the senate was two bills- "one with reproductive health and abortion coverage and another without. If a woman chooses a plan that covers abortion, every month she will have to write two checks: one to the abortion coverage part of the plan and another check for everything else. And states will also have the right to opt-out of offering any kind of plan that covers abortion which could leave millions of women on their own." She goes on to say that the privarcy of woamn is bwing vilated. She causion that if woman have an option to opt out of paying for abortions then this would live many woman having to "fend forself'

My opion is this woamn have to right to get a abortrion thank to "Roe" therefore anything that would make the task harder for woamn to get an abortion than a nother is unconstiustional. Thus the very idea of this being a clause in a huge plan such as health care reform is very dishearting. Woman have to go threw enough as is. This is another unneeded bourden.

beyond fluoride: Pharmaceuticals, Drinking Water and the Public Health

beyond fluoride: Pharmaceuticals, Drinking Water and the Public Health BY Jacob M. Appel
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-m-appel/beyond-fluoride-pharmaceu_b_398874.html

This article is a respondence to "The British Journal of Psychiatry that has been the talk of bioethical circles since May, when researchers at Japan's Oita University reported that communities with increased levels of lithium in their drinking water suffered a significantly lower incidence of suicide" so basicly the link between lithium in drinking water and suicide. he sites Mr. Peter Kramer whom was the reason why we have flouride in our drinkinf water now. The just of the post is just stating/ adovcating for lithium so be added to our drinking water. TTowards the end he just states that if it is proven beifical why do we keep blocking it from being added to our water.


My opion is that we need to be carfful how much stuff we are adding to our watewr supply. For the most part we do not know the long term effects of these minreals/ Just like some of the treatment for cancer are now showing that that on a long term scale they mgiht not be the be best fit for everyone.

top 10 reason to kill the health care bill by jane hamsh

Jane hamsh write her top ten reason for the murder of the health care bill
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-hamsher/top-10-reasons-to-kill-th_b_399245.html

Ms. jane list is nothing more than a list of fictional opions. She also use usae rectoric that can be seen on the daily bashing of Obama on FOX. She sites no sources. Provides no outlet for the read to make their on choices. She simply just boast a slandering post. She also states that the middle class poeple will be the man payers of said reform.

My opion is this: Healthcare reform is needed. We have for too long aloud the "free market" of if a can sell you a cheaper drug that does nothing VS a more exspenive drug you can't afford- has gone on for too long. The fact is the impovished live with out health care. Who are we and can we even tell a sickly mother that if she can't afford a life saving opperation then she can't have it? Who are we to warrent the poilices makers cation if the poeple doing the warrenting are those not living threw the day to day horrors of living uninsured.

Thou Obama plan for health care needs major twiking to ensure every american citizen will beinift. We not allow for it to be scraped. It is almost 2010. Will it be another decade or millium before the injustice that is the current medical system that is america is ratified. I say when will we the pacitens stop being so paticent and stand and demand. I say that day needs to be today.

Patriot act good or bad?

Scotland Yard has warned businesses in London to expect a Mumbai-style attack on the capital. by David Leppard In a briefing in the City of London 12 days ago. To me this does not make any type of sence at all. Okay warn the people, but the government seems to be helpless like they are just awaiting for it to happen. So after hearing about things like this in other countries how does a United States citizen fell about the Patriot act and how long it took to get passeed? and do you feel like it is helpful?

First Blog.. Omg!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchell/health-bill-limits-aborti_b_398084.html
This blog talks about the comparison of abortions in the "red states" and the "blue states". It talks about the number of teenage mothers and why the number of abortions keep increasing.

press conference in Copenhagen

President Obama just held a press conference in Copenhagen, calling the agreement “an important milestone” and laying out the framework that will guide the steps toward a binding climate treaty.
The deal centered on “transparency, mitigation and finance,” he said. “We worked to establish a consensus around these three points.” The accord followed a meeting with leaders from China, South Africa and India, he said.
But Obama stressed that this agreement is merely “the beginning” of the process. “This progress did not come easily, and we know that this progress alone is not enough,” he admitted. “We’ve come a long way, but we have much further to go.” The deal is not legally binding, but rather “will allow each country to show to the world what they are doing.”
Obama also announced that “because of weather constraints in Washington,” he will be leaving before the final agreement is concluded.

Link: neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com

assignement blog:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/18/obamas-copenhagen-speech_n_397152.html

-Obama heald a meeting with world leaders.The world leaders were discussing global warming,and climate change.So far,it seems that non of the leaders can actualy reach a agreement on what t do about the situation.There are people who have their own interests and agendas in mind.Obama and others believe it will be very difficult,and probably impossible to work together to solve the problem.

D.C. Mayor signs same-sex marriage bill

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/18/same.sex.marriage/index.html

This article is about how the District of Columbia' Mayor signed a measure recognizing that same-sex marriage is legal. Now the measure has to go to Congress for a 30 day review period and they think that it is not likely that the Democratic Majority on Capitol Hill would  block the bill. I think that it should be legalized because they are still human beings and we should all be treated as equals. If it becomes legalized, they will join Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/15/dc.gay.marriage/index.html

The Washington City Council voted Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation's capital.Bill was approved overwhelmingly by a vote of 11-2. The bill will be given to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has expressed his support and vowed to sign the bill.If the measure becomes law, Washington will join Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa in allowing legal same sex marriage. A law legalizing gay marriage in New Hampshire takes effect January 1.

North Dakota GOP posts Birther joke on homepage

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/north-dakota-gop-posts-birther-joke-on-homepage.php

The North Dakota republican party made a joke about President Obama's birth certificate. The picture shows him shaking hands with one of the state party crashers, he's given a speech balloon asking to see her invitation. Then she responds by saying, "only if I can see your birth certificate." The political director of GOP felt that it was only a joke, and that it wasn't that big of a deal.

I think that they went too far, like get over the birth certificate issue. This has been an issue since he announced that he was running for president. He won the presidential election, get over it, maybe in four years they can run against him if they even have enough popularity to get enough votes to get up there to his status and they can try to take his spot, but until then just shut up, leave him alone and let him run our country to the best of his ability.

According to the article, Woods visited Earl Woods at a hospice hours before he passed away, but the golfer later returned home, where he had sex with Jungers. The 26-year-old says, "I was beside him wearing nothing but a pair of panties" when Woods received the news of his father's death.

Jungers also claims that Woods was "always tight with money." Was she there for the money or was she there just to have sex? It's rare that someone participates in sexual activity after a death in the family.

North Dakota GOP Posts Birther Joke

the  joke is on the North Dokata  Republican party,who the couple shook hands with the a president of the United States.Michaele Salahi crash the President party, he was given a speech balloon in which he asks to see Salahi's invitation but she responsed if i can see your birth ceritficate.The political director for the North Dakota GOP,it was appropriate to have to have a joke involing    the president allegedly not being born in this country.

Obama TRYIN

many people are blaming democrats for losing there jobs.this year hasn't been a perspiring year for democrats due to be blamed for America going down hill . President Obama blame for brusing all democrats actions. America already going down hill before Obama was president( he's doing the best he can)

obama is trying

many people are blaming democrats for losing there jobs.this year hasn't been a perspiring year for democrats due to be blamed for America going down hill . President Obama blame for brusing all democrats actions. America already going down hill before Obama was president( he's doing the best he can)

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/30/senate-opens-debate-on-health-care-bill/
The House has passed its version of a health care bill, and if the Senate eventually passes its bill, the two measures would be merged by a congressional conference committee.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30568.html


President Barack Obama’s plan to talk tough to bankers in a meeting at the White House Monday morning lost some of its punch when the executives at several top financial institutions could not make the sit-down due to bad weather.
Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack and Citigroup Chairman Richard Parsons were all stuck on the tarmac this morning as their airplanes waited out fog delays. The executives were not in the room for Obama’s 11:10 a.m. meeting, but the White House said they would be piped in via conference call.

Senate approves government funding bill

The U.S. Senate approved 447 Billion dollars in spending for a lot of agencies for 2010.
The vote was 57-36.
Republicans denounced the bill as wasteful spending. The Democratic -controlled Senate cleared a procedural vote needed to end the Republican fillibuster and allow for Sunday's cote to take place.
Among its many provisions, the bill also allows the government to transfer terrorism suspects to stand trial, and allow guns in checked luggage on Amtrack trains.


I think this bill is just for the government to be able to do what they want and not taking into consideration what the American people might want. They are spending to much money on things of this nature when they need to be focusing on more important things.

CONGRESS WORK NEEDED TO BE TURNED IN!!

The work we have been doing on Congress is divided into 2 parts:

Part One:

Definitions of the Roles of People in Congress (25 points)
Committees and their jobs (10 points)
Our Legislators and their positions (15 points)


Part Two:

Views on Representation (10 points)
Graphic Organizer of Legislative Process (20 points)
Matthew Shepard v. Patriot Act (10 points)
Appropriations Notes/Chaka Fattah Requests (10 points)


We will be taking notes tomorrow in class on Congress. I will be checking notebooks during for a notebook grade tomorrow. Tuesday through Thursday, there will be a short review packet on Congress for you to work on. You can use the rest of the time to complete your blog for the week, TeenBiz3000.com, and finish anything you have to do with College Applications. There will be a mini-test/quiz on Congress on Friday.

I will give you a packet on the Executive Branch to work on the three days of Christmas. If you don't finish, it is homework over the break. There is a blog due this week. No blogs after it will be due until we get back to school next year.

Finally, ALL COLLEGE APPLICATIONS MUST BE TOTALLY COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS WEEK. YOUR SCHOOL'S MUST GET THIS INFORMATION BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I don't care how long you have to work on this or how long it takes, you must get it done this week if you want to give yourself the best chance to make a good choice of what school you want to spend four years of your life at: in many ways, this choice will change your life. Spend some time on it.

Regulating Interstate Commerce (the BCS!)

http://www.realclearsports.com/articles/2009/12/12/congress_out_of_its_league_on_bcs.html

This article talks about one of Congress's powers it gets through one of the loopholes in the Constitution: the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Although powers not listed in the Constitution are supposed to be reserved for the states, Congress and the federal government get around by the clause that gives them the right to regulate interstate commerce.

Anything that crosses state lines or involves multiple states can be regulated by Congress.

This article, by conservative columnist George Will, talks about how a Republican Congressman and many others including President Obama, want Congress to get involved in NCAA football through the interstate commerce clause. They want the BCS system to be replaced because it is unfair to smaller schools who don't get to profit like the traditional power houses of football.

Palin on the Rise

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/12/13/palin_on_the_rise_obama_is_old_news_99540.html

As much as we can't really understand or believe it, Sarah Palin now has the same favorability ratings as Barack Obama. Palin is rising in popularity while Obama is declining. Much of this has to do with Obama having to govern and make tough choices. As the economy slowly rebounds, I am sure his approval ratings will go up.

BUT, it is really important to understand how popular Sarah Palin is. Her book Going Rogue is the second biggest seller of all time for a nonfiction book and may become the biggest if it can pass Bill Clinton's book. If democrats don't recognize her popularity and stop treating her like she is a joke, Sarah Palin could be the next President of the United States.

Palin on Conan by Jonay

Jonay's Post:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/12/palin-pokes-fun-at-william-shatner/

Palin appeared Friday night on the Conan O'Brien Show. Actor William
Shanter has previously made fun is Palin by reading some of her
tweets, so on Friday Shanter was back at it again reading exceprts
from her book "Going Rouge". So Palin being the fool that she is she
feed in and read some of his excerpts from his autobiography.

Earmarks!!

This article talks about how Congress has approved 11 billion dollars in what they call earmarks for next year's budget.

Appropriations remember are how the government spends money. Earmarks (which some also consider "pork barrel spending") is money that is for a specific project in a representative or senator's home district or state. It is federal government money, but it only benefits that specific area.

11 billion is a reduction from last year's "earmarks".

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/71951-11-billion-in-disclosed-earmarks-expected-in-fiscal-year-2010

35% of repbulicans wants to impeach obama

Thirty five percent of Republicans wants to impeach Obama for what? reason is it's not yet clarified. the republicans say's that obama don't do things that agrees with grounds for removal of the office. it's crazy how 44% of voters say they would rather have George bush back in office. the officals don't trust obama to the extient that 42% of the republicans don't believe he was born in the united states. while 22% are not sure where he was born. the chances of getting the republicans on his side is close to none.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/10/insurance-coalition-bribe_n_388062.html

Internet users looking for gift cards and other free merchandise are being steered to Web pages inviting them to send e-mails to Congress expressing their views on President Barack Obama's push to reshape the country's health system.  In one instance, people looking for rewards are taken to a Web page run by Get Health Reform Right, a coalition of 10 insurance industry groups that opposes Obama's health overhaul effort. That page lets opponents of the Democratic drive quickly generate a letter to their member of Congress expressing their view. In another, those applying for gifts can end up on the Web page of the American Medical Association's Patients' Action Network, where they can express support to lawmakers for expanding health care coverage.

http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2009/12/10/2009_was_trying_for_obama;_dems_fret_over_2010

Many people are blaming the democrats for the lost of their jobs. This year hasn't been a good year for the democrats due to being blamed for America going down hill. President Obama is the blame for bruising all democrats' actions. I honestly don't think anyone should be blamed for what's going on in America right now. America was already going down hill before Obama was president and he's doing the best he could to fix it. The process of getting America back on track isn't going to happen over night; it is going to take some time and people really need to be a liitle patient and stop pressuring Obama and all other democrats.

Rick Warren publicly condemns Uganda Anti- Gay Law

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/10/rick-warren-publicly-cond_n_387512.html

Pastor Rick Warren announced publicly announced his disapproval of the Ugandan law that allows people of Uganda to be sentenced to death for being gay. He felt that he had to go to the media so that people would know that he was not involved in the passing of the bill at all because he feels that it is unjust and unchristian.

I agree with pastor Warren because I don't feel that people should be executed for their sexual preference. That is their choice and that choice shouldn't be able to be taken away from them based on someone else's opinion. People are just too cruel to people or things that they don't understand and I believe that is wrong because everyone is equal and everyone deserves to be able to live their life the way they want. 

http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2009/12/10/bill_protecting_journalists_sources_gets_boost

There is now a bill that protects reporters' confidential sources. I honestly think that is dumb for the simple fact if a reporter's source is confidential how would we know if it is true or not without any way of getting proof. This bill is just giving reporters a way of talking about others without any hidden sources. There is no way of questioning the sources if there was a need.

Obama Nominates Former Palin Aide To Head Alaska Pipeline Project

Obama has nominated an former aide of Sarah Palin to serve as the federal coordinator for the Alaska natural gas pipeline project.  Larry Persily has worked on oil and gas issues for three Alaska governors and stated Legislature. Persily is flattered by the nomination that was announced Wednesday. He is 58 and worked as a deputy commissioner at the Alaska Department of Revenue under Gov. Frank Murkowski. Also in Palin's Washington, D.C. office on oil, gas, Arctic, commerce, transportation and tax issues.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/09/obama-nominates-former-pa_n_386328.html

http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2009/12/10/black_lawmakers_grow_impatient_with_white_house

Many black lawmakers are angry with Obama because of his lack of support toward the minority communities. They are becoming impatient after a year of watching him dedicate trillions of dollars to prop up banks and fight wars while unemployment for blacks increase. Looking at this I kind of feel as though Obama is helping the rich and leaving the poor alone which is wrong. I do not think the lawmakers are over reacting with the way they feel for the simple fact Obama needs to make some changes to the decisions he is making and help those that really need to be helped and not those who are already set.

http://townhall.com/news/religion/2009/12/08/first-person_government-run_health_care_by_stealth

I've read a blog called, FIRST-PERSON: Government-run health care by stealth, which was about how the senate voted on having the Government-run health care closed. The need a stealth plan in order to gain a few more votes for this to happen. I feel as though this should not be closed for the simple fact people need the government- run health plan. From my understanding the government- run helps those who can't pay for their own health care and without that help a lot of complications would take place.

Prison Population Grows To 1.6 Million Across US

The prison population is on a rise! This is not good. In New York the population has dropped but across America it has risen to 1.6 mil. My question is why is it rising so much? I feel as though the reason for the hike of prisoners in America is due to poverty. US Department of Justice, show that as of June 30, 2007, approximately 2.3 million people were incarcerated in American prisons and jails, which is an all time high. This represents an incarceration rate of 762 per 100,000 US residents, the highest rate in the world. If America is the wealthiest country in the world why are their people jailed and hurting? Since this recession people have been hitting all time lows and have been doing things that are unlawful so they can survive. It really sucks that America is so very rich but their people are so very poor. Hopefully in the near future someone will be able to come up with something so that this incarceration rate can slow down..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/08/prison-population-drops-i_n_384728.html

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid showed his fear

Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid showed his fear of losing the health care vote. He let go an outburst that was as offense as it was historically inaccurate:

Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is this:, 'slow down, stop everything, let's start over.' If you think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right. When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said, 'Slow down, it's too early, let's wait, things aren't bad enough.' When women spoke up for the right to speak up, they wanted to vote, some insisted they simply, slow down, there will be a better day to do that, today isn't quite right. When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats we hear today.

Maybe Senator Reid forgets that Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican Party president, or that it was the southern Democrats who were saying "slow down" to the Civil Rights legislation.

LINK: legalinsurrection.blogspot.com

The EPA is set to an provide an endangerment finding on CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. With an endangerment finding President Obama can set targets for greenhouse gas reductions without the approval of Congress. Thus, as the President heads into Copenhagen for a world wide conference on global warming he'll be able to assert that he has the authority to achieve drastic cuts in global warming emissions.

LINK: astuteblogger.blogspot.com

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obama-makes-rare-appearance-capitol-hill-push/story?id=9264334

This article is about President obama trying to push the health care bill that they will have it done by the end of this year.He mentioned neither the public option nor abortion, the two issues that Democratic leaders acknowledge continue to vex efforts to find compromise in the Senate.He touted this year's major legislative accomplishments, cited recent encouraging employment news and argued that if Senate Democrats pass the health care initiative, the politics will take care of itself, in 2010 and far beyond.

Palin's father ... she left hawalii

sarah palin has left hawaii because cause she calim that asian made her feel uncomfortable . thats crazy i think . "Hawaii was a little too perfect," Palin writes. "Perpetual sunshine isn't necessarily conducive to serious academics for eighteen-year-old Alaska girls." but Daddy's little girl has a different opinion. according to him the presence of so many Asians and Pacific Islanders made her uncomfortable: "They were a minority type thing and it wasn't glamorous, so she came home.

America Needs More Jobs, Not More Debt

America Needs More Jobs, Not More Debt

This blog is about how america needs more jobs and not debt. It states that as the national debt topped $12 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. This blog also says that "Families are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ but all they are getting from out-of-touch Washington Democrats is more spending and more debt piled on our kids and grandkids. The American people deserve a government that lives within its means and fully commits itself to creating good-paying jobs, and only Republicans have proposed solutions to give them exactly what they want. Now more than ever, America needs more jobs, not more debt." I agree with this blog, we the people need more jobs and we need to know what is happeneing so that we dont pile theses debts on our kids,and grandkids. Also there is out-of-control spending has been a problem for years in Washington, but instead of hitting the brakes on spending as they promised they would, President Obama and Washington Democrats have stepped on the accelerator. Now, instead of working with Republicans to impose real fiscal discipline, Washington Democrats believe the answer is more of the same unsustainable spending and borrowing.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-young/is-obama-selling-us-down_b_254519.html
In this article people believe that President Obama is a lobbyist from Big Pharma in contact with the White House negotiating on their behalf about the "comprehensive" health care reform measures. The White House has signaled that it won't support two things we need in order to fix the problem in return for the Drug Lobby's support on the rest of the package. They say that he is spending money in the wrong places.$80 billion dollars in savings over a decade that we could have legislated ourselves into anyway.

Time to Change Your Performance

Class:

While I realize it is your senior year and you all are focused on applying for college, etc., your work in this class is disappointing.

I have given you ample time in class to complete the tasks assigned and yet very few are turning in the assignments.

Only one student in the class has an A and he has over 100% because he has handled the assignments well and turned in quality work.

It is not hard to pass this class. Remember, you are preparing for the AP exam. Every assignment is going to help you to get college credit in this class. This class had by far the worst grades of all the AP classes last quarter and you are currently on track to do worse this quarter. It is just not acceptable.

You need to step up, put some effort into this course, prepare for the AP exam and do the assigned work.

Every week: You complete a blog assignment and post it to the website. This is not hard, yet most aren't doing it. It will help our class to stay up to date with political current events. Those of you who have been doing it, have been doing a good job.

Every week: You will have a TeenBiz article to complete. You must answer the Multiple Choice questions.

Each Friday you will have time to work on the above two items as well as catch up on other work from the week. Use your time wisely and you will not have to do them for homework. All items are due by Sunday morning when I will grade them.

Finally, classwork: a few notes:

I will be grading all assignments given in class. They are important to prepare for the AP exam, so they will be graded and you will get feedback.

We will begin to take more structured notes about the important aspects of each chapter. This will assure that everyone gets all the information since it is proving difficult for you to successfully read and take notes on your own due to a number of factors.

Finally, I am still grading you for being on time to class. Yours is the only class I have to do this for. Next year, no one will be pressuring you to get to class on time, but if you don't, you will not pass the class. So to get ready for college, I will be using the grade to try to motivate you to get your act together and get to class on time.

You all are capable of passing the AP Government exam. Most schools in the country do this as a half year class. We are doing it as a whole year course to increase the likelihood you will get college credit. But if you continue to put in the effort you are putting in now, you will not be successful.

-Mr. Malone

Radaronline.com has obtained what it says are sexual text messages that Tiger Woods sent to one of his alleged mistresses, cocktail waitress and former reality show contestant Jaimee Grubbs. The racy messages leave no doubt as to what the sender is thinking about:

"I will wear you out...when was the last time you got (bleeped)?" one message read.

Another one from Tiger read, "Send me something very naughty...Go to the bathroom and take (a picture)."

Is that legal?

Glenn Richardson RESIGNS: Georgia House Speaker Out After Attempted Suicide, Alleged Affair

    

                     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/03/glenn-richardson-george-h_n_379093.html

One of the most powerful house speaker resined yesterday after an attempt to kill himself. i guess because of  accusations from his wife that he was having an affair with the lobbyist. he tried to kill himself by swallowing sleeping pills. o yea his wife went on national t.v to let the whole world know who he was having an affair with. He claimed he was dealing with depression. However, we all  know the real reason why he was so down and out. of course the media made it so his message would have no effect on the people.

Sarah Palin Goes Birther on President Obama's birth certficate

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/03/palin-goes-birther-obama_n_379634.html

Sarah Palin believes that President Obama's birth certificate is an issue that is reasonable for politicians to question. His citizenship came about while Palin was on a radio show and Palin was asked if she planned on bringing that up if she ran for president in 2012. She believes that his citizenship should be talked about, but she doesn't feel that she has to bring it up because the electors still want to know themselves.

I don't think that it was a really big deal whether or not the president is a US citizen or not because at the end of the day he still has our best at heart. I really don't believe that Sarah Palin should be so concerned with the President anyway I believe that she is just bitter because she and her running mate were beat out by the first african american president. I think that everyone should leave him alone and let him do his job and stop trying to tear him down.

What about the little man

Everyone is talking about how the banks are being baling out and that things are starting to look up. That some people are getting there jobs back and that the sun coming out after a thunderstorm. They say that we should start to see a change, but what about the little man or woman. What about there overwhelming bills, and there kids that need food, and clothes, and shoes. What about that mother that have no help with the bills, or with the kids. They are not getting any help. 

They are not even qualifying for the help that they need. I think that the problem starts with the big companies. They get al this money and is suppose to trickle money down to the little companies, but they don't. They take the money and spend it they way that they want to spend it on. They buy more supply,and make the prices lower because they have the money and think that the demand for that item will go up but it don't and they once again is out of money while the little company never got the first bailout. 

Things are getting crazy in the world and i think that this change that is suppose to happen need to hurry up and get here, because if a large company get bankrupt and the CEO is still rich. Then we have a problem 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/the-republican-way-keepin_b_369123.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/the-republican-way-keepin_b_369123.html

This post was a bout sarah palin and the book she published people states that there has been many lies to come out of her mouth they don't know what to believe. they were also critizing the way that sarah palin was writing

Doubble Standard

PARKLAND, Wash. — One of four police officers killed in an ambush at a coffee house Sunday fought with the gunman and may have wounded him before the officer died just outside the doorway, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters that investigators were asking area medical providers to report any people wounded by gunshots.
"Troyer said investigators believe two of the officers were shot dead while sitting in the shop, and a third was killed after standing up. The fourth apparently struggled with the gunman out the doorway and "gave up a good fight," getting off a few shots before he was either shot there or succumbed to earlier wounds."

This ariticle was relevent to me becaust the guy obviously commited a horrible act. But the media is not calling him a "terrorist". So what is terrorism? If the suspect name was Muhammad or Ahmad without a doubt it would have been blown up and the media would have made sure he was known as a "terrorist". I just hate that doubble standard if someone does something wrong no matter race or gender let them be criminals. But if someone does a criminal act and their Muslim them automaticly they a deemed to be a terrorist.







http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/29/multiple-police-officers-_n_373119.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/29/lugar-lets-put-health-car_n_373019.html

In this article Obama and his closets friends talk about putting health care on the side and worry about the war and the money.The Rhode Island Democrat said that they should not put health car aside because people pay for health care when they work.So now the big debate is to com up with a solution if they should talk about health care,war and the whole money situation.

Huckabee unsure about another presidential bid

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/29/huckabee-unsure-about-another-presidential-bid/#more-79536

Summary

This blog is about how Huckabee is saying that he don't know if he really want to run in the 2012 election, but he will make his decision in the 2010 midterm election. He said its a will be hard for anyway in the election because of who he is running up aganist. Also he said he really don't want to so it because he has a job that he really likes, but he really don't want to do it though.

My comment

When I read this blog I felt like he was being pressured by someone to run in the upcoming 2012 election. I feel like if he know that it will be hard to run against Obama then he should not try. I know if I was him nobody could ever be able to persuade me into something that I know for a fact that I have no real chance of winning. Trying is what they say is a good thing for yu to do but if I know my chances are slim to nothing then I wouldn't want to set myself up for failure.

Tiger Woods injured in a car accident

Oh snap, during the thanksgiving break, Tiger Woods was injured during a car crash. Later it turn out that his wife, Ellin Nordegren was the cause of the car crash. She claims that Woods was seeing a another woman which lead to an arguement that have Woods face scracth up. It also revealed that Woods was distract before the accident. His injuries were serious maybe causing him his golf career

White HousParty Crasher

As you may have heard by now, the Obamas’ first state dinner the other night was party-crashed by Michaele and Tareq Salahi, two uninvited guests who managed to sneak in, get their pictures taken with heavy-hitting politicos including Joe Biden and Rahm Emmanuel, and then immediately post the evidence to Facebook

LINK------   http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/

Obama

The White House announced today that President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on Dec. 9 to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in order to work with the international community to drive progress toward a comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord. The White House also announced that President Obama is prepared to put on the table a U.S. emissions reduction target in the range of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

LINK: OFA Blog:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/24/hillary-clinton-vice-pres_n_369532.html

  forgot to post my link!

                                           BY:Kadidra Johnson

Hillary Clinton Vice President Rumors Flare Up

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/24/hillary-clinton-vice-pres_n_369532.html

    

 You know what i never thought about the time when hillary Clinton herself would  replace Joe Biden. This article is about Hillary clinton being able to replace joe Biden during 2012  Obama re=election ticket celebration. they trying to say that Joe biden is getting too old to run for president in 2016. Well you know what i think about! so is Hillary also. However, joe biden is older but would you want someone that goes threw hot flashes all the time. No i would not. 

Democrats may suffer if they fail to pass health care legislation: Poll

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/23/democrats-may-suffer-if-t_n_367718.html

If democrats don't pass the health care reform legislation that may take a hit in the poll booth. Polls have found that democrats will lose their edge in the congressional ballot. In order for democrats to keep the upper hand they need to pass the health care reform bill.

This Week

Those of you who posted blogs did a great job.

Remember to post the link, and write a summary that includes your opinion. The summary is best when it is nice and short.. about a paragraph.

Then remember to look at someone else's post and comment.

If you guys keep this work up not only will you get a good homework grade in the course, but if you looked at the site and others' postings, you would be really up to date on current events!


Remember: tomorrow is the field trip. it is worth 100 points. Review day Tuesday, then test on Wednesday. No teenbiz this week. Just a blog post by next sunday, 11/30.

see you tomorrow.

Who said big wasn't beautiful?

in LIMA, Peru a gang of people are accused of killing people for their fat. gross i know. 3 people were arrested and told the police how the process was done and why they were doing it. they kill the people and use thier fat for beauty purposes! even though medical experts believe it's untrue that there is an international black market for human fat, though it does have cosmetic applications . still yet we should be afraid! why would anyone want someone else's fat? all i have to say is, if you're voulumpshious and fatty, saty AWAY from the remote Peruvian jungle!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/20/gang-killed-people-for-th_n_364783.html

Lieberman: 'I Don't Think Anybody Thinks This Bill Will Pass'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/22/lieberman-i-dont-think-an_n_366800.html
-In the article,it says that the healthcafre reform plan is actualy still incomplete.There is more that needs to be done with it,and it says that at the state it is in now,it actualy will nort help anyone.Senator Joseph Lieberman(republican) is convinced that the general public does not exactly know what a government funded healthcare reform would do.

obama's holiday ?

Aside from taking a moment to wish the Obamas a "happy and joyous holiday season," FOX News's Major Garrett cut right to the chase in his interview with President Obama in Beijing.

Garrett made it clear from the get-go that the interview would have a "lightning round nature" to it. Covering everything from jobs to Guantanamo to Middle East relations, Garrett's questions focused largely on deadlines and were geared more toward "yes" or "no" answers.

When Garrett asked whether the proposed, 2010 jobs bill would raise the deficit, Obama meandered in his response, giving too layered an answer for Garrett, who had asked the President to "indulge yourself, if you will, in short answers."

Garrett quickly reeled him back in: "Does it raise the deficit or does it not?" Obama responded: "We haven't seen that, and that's part of a reason why I think we want to take a look at the summit."

Garrett grilled the President on his commitment to meeting deadlines, on everything from health care to the South Korea trade agreement. When asked about whether he was disappointed to miss his Guantanamo deadline, Obama acknowledged that, "as usual in Washington, things move slower than I anticipated."

On health care, Garrett focused on the Stupak language in the bill, which has to do with whether federal funds should cover abortions, and has been a source of recent debate. Garrett asked: "Will you sign legislation on Health Care that includes the Stupak language?"

OBAMA

Fort Hood Shooting

The blog that i found interesting is called Could authorities have prevented Ft. Hood shootings. The blog reveals that  a majority of american that authorities could have been prevented the deadly attack at Fort Hood, Texas according to a new national poll. 

Is The Army Corp To Blame?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/18/judge-hurricane-katrina-f_n_363218.html

My blog is about how a federal judge awarded $720,000 dollars to six residents and one business owner who blame the Army Corp for the flooding of New Orleans(Hurricane Katrina). The reason why this is not a really good thing is because it can hurt the government in the long run. It will open the door for more people to sue the government for the damages of Hurricane Katrina. Which will cost billions! I don't think it's right because people are blaming the Army Corp for not preventing a natural disaster that was going to happen. I believe people are being greedy, and looking for a way out. They're just looking for a easy way out. Seriously this happened three years ago, get over yourselves.

At 2,074 pages and $849 billion, Senate health bill arrives

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/19/health.care.bill/index.html

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid unveiled a health care bill that would expand  the insurance coverage to like 30 million more Americans at a costs estimated to be like $849 billion in over 10 years. This bill eliminates funding from the government for abortions; so it wont cover abortions. 

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Health Care Funding

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/18/cmpi-front-group/

The resistance to reforming our nation’s healthcare system has been fueled by entrenched corporate interests. Their deep pockets are funneling money into generating attack ads, funding lawmakers’ campaigns, and hiring lobbyists. These corporate interests are also funding various front groups to make up their own facts and scare the public.

I find that it was kind of selfish for other corporates to be fueled by the health care system.  There are many people need that the health care system and what the government is doing make it not happening.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/16/insurance-runs-out-for-12_n_359920.html

A 12 year boy name Benjamin  was born with no arm under his right elbow. Benjamin's family happens to live in Michigan, one of 33 states where insurance companies are allowed to set annual and lifetime caps on prosthetic coverage. In his 12 years Benjamin had seven prosthetic, which mean his time was up. I feel as though you should not put a cap on insurance for kids in his condition. How do you feel about??????????  

Sarah Palin' Response to the people's magazine.

   

This blog is about Sarah Palin  being  interviewed by the peoples magazine yesterday she was asked that if she was to work in the white house what job would she want. her response was that she would like to be chief of staff because she would like to start appointing people who would see what the  america needs are to get the economy back on the right tract and to better the nation. 

Benjamin French was born with his right arm missing below the elbow. In his 12 years, he has been fitted with seven prostheses. His most recent replacement will cost nearly $30,000 and his doctor says he will soon grow out of it.

But, according to his insurance company, the boy is ineligible for further coverage of prosthetic devices because he has already spent his lifetime maximum benefit.

Is this fair?

President Obama meet half brother in China

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/18/obama.half.brother/index.html

As President Obama spend his time in China he sees his half brother Mark Obama. They talk about his half brother book about his father being a very abusive father and husband to there mother.Mark Obama was so upset that he could not do anything to help his mother during those times thats why he made a book about his life and how its was when he was young and what they have to go through.

Gay Married Couples Suing The Government Over DOMA

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/17/gay-married-couples-suing_n_361118.html

Seven gay couples and three widowers (all married in Massachusetts) brought on a lawsuit towards the government over a federal law that doesn't recognize same-sex unions. The law is called the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution because it denies them access to federal benefits given to other married couples.

The U.S. Department of Justice motioned to dismiss the lawsuit. 

I think the government is being unfair and that the DOMA does indeed violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. It doesn't  give gay couples the same benefits it gives straight couples. I don't think its fair that the government is submitting new laws that violates other laws. 

Controversy over Terrorist Trial

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/11/18/eric_holders_grave_mistake_99197.html

This article is critical of Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try one of the suspected leaders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City in a civilian court.

The interesting part of the article is when it talks about how it is NOT a violation of the Constitution to not give this guy a trial as an American citizen would. Why? Because the Constitution applies only to US citizens!! As an "enemy combatant" this suspected terrorist could be tried by the military instead of a civilian court. Remember: the Constitution only fully protects US citizens.

Should the guy be tried in New York City? Some say he should because it will show the world how fair of a justice system we have. Others say it is a mistake because he will use the trial as a forum for propaganda of his ideas. Interesting debate. I'm not sure where I fall on this issue.

Business Groups Oppose Emergency H1N1 Paid Sick Leave

www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/17/business-groups-oppose-em_n_360831.html

Business workers are coming into work sick because they aren't getting paid during off time from the N1H1 virus. Chairmen George MIller is trying to pull an emergency bill that will allow employers with more than 15 employees to provide up to at least 5 days of leave with pay. Although the bill may help many work places, it expires in 2 years and it is only avaliable to employees with "flu like symptoms" and the final decision is still left up to the employer. 

I feel that the bill should be extended because nobody knows how long the N1H1 virus will be around and if it lasts for more than 2 years, then all businesses could be at risk of contaminating everyone in the work place.

Hillary Clinton makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

Hillary Clinton went to Kabul Wednesday in a surprise of the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai. Clinton went straight into a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, before having dinner with Karzai.

Richmond Gang Rape Prompts City's Reflection

A friend invited a 16-year-old girl to join them, and she started drinking hard liquor, too. Soon another group of young men came over.

The ingredients for tragedy all were present, experts say. A bunch of men. A vulnerable young woman. Alcohol.

What happened next, authorities say, degenerated into a two-hour-long gang rape by as many as 10 males. Another 20 people allegedly watched as the victim was assaulted, beaten bloody and robbed of her jewelry but they did not stop it or call police.

The incident late last month led to six arrests, captured nationwide headlines and put this community of 103,000 on the eastern San Francisco Bay shoreline through spasms of self examination. Hundreds attended support rallies for the victim.

My thought about Obama bow down to the Japanese emperor was a sign of respect.  When you visiting a country and you visit the monarch, we must show our respects by bowing down since he is the ruler of his country.  Think about it, what if the situation was vice-versa.

OBAMA ROCKS OUT LOUD

President Barack Obama met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in a in Beijing today as part of Obama's three day tour of China and eight day tour of Asia. The two leaders reportedly discussed sensitive economic issues including the dollar yuan exchange rate trade and tariffs, and U.S. fiscal policy, and North Korea and Iran. But Hu and Obama made only general comments to the press, and did not elaborate on any agreements or disagreements. But I can only imagine with the technologies China has it has to be something pretty interesting. The President also bowed to the Chinese President. I don't think that is is that big of a deal i feel like it was completely out of resepct. But when your a giant like our beloved President Obama everyone is looking for imperfections and I think it is way to hyped.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/obama-wow-bow-akihito-.html

While Obama is on his tour of Asia, he made a political gaffe by bowing to the Emperor of Japan.  A few months earlier he did the same to the Saudi King.  Some argue he is respecting culture, but most of the critiques are saying that Obama as the Head of State of the US should never bow (showing subservience) to another head of state.  The fact the Emperor is the son of Emperor Hirohito who issued the attack on Pearl Harbor makes this a bit hard to take for many Americans.  Obama should have stuck to a handshake on this one in my opinion.  He also should have known how this was going to go over, just setting him up for criticism.  

http://wonkette.com/412254/failed-wingnut-loser-unconcedes-ny-23-race

This article talks about the Special Election in upstate New York that was one of the centers of attention during election night.  The conservative candidate lost, but because absentee ballots have gone his way a bit, he has "unconceded" the race, basically saying he is not accepting that he lost anymore.  The blogpost argues that Glenn Beck (a conservative radio host) and others in what they call the "wingnut" media (extremely right wing people on TV) are the ones that are pushing for him to do this.

Can you really unconcede a race after you say you lost?  It's been 3 weeks and the guy he lost to is already in Washington voting on healthcare and other issues!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Blog for AP Government!   This is where you will be posting weekly links to articles about current events in politics from other blogs.  Include with the link a brief summary of your article and your opinion of it or the issue being addressed.

Each week you also need to comment on one of the other blog posts.  Read an article that looks interesting and post a comment or question on that post.

Some Blog Suggestions:

www.huffingtonpost.com

www.dailykos.com

www.realclearpolitics.com

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

www.wonkette.com

This is a homework grade each week.  I will be grading it on Sunday.  Make sure both your post and your response is up to date by then.  

Many Fridays we will have work time on this and Teenbiz3000.com.  If we do not, however, because we are working on something else and you need time in school to access the computer, remember I am available during 8th period any day, every day at 730am, and Mon., Wed., and Fri. from 3-6.

This will be fun and really good for everyone involved with the class.  I'm looking forward to your posts!

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