2/28 assignment part 2

After you finish responding to these four questions read this article on immigration detainees being released in anticipation of the sequester and this article about offsetting the sequester by eliminating waste and answer the "Top of the Class News" questions 1-3 in a comment.

Once you are finished responding to these articles, take the rest of the class to study for the test you will have next class.

2/28 assignment part 1

Read the following two articles about the "message war" between the Republicans and Democrats over the sequester which kicks in tomorrow.  Here is the article about Obama and the Democrats message.  Here is the article about Boehner and the Republican message.  Answer the following questions in a comment below:

1. What do the articles mean by "message"?  

2. What does this illustrate about the ability of political parties to manipulate public opinion?

3. Which is more revealing about the true motivations of each party, what they are saying or what they are not saying?  Why do you think so?

4.  Do you think there is any media bias present in these articles?  Whatever your answer, please provide evidence and an explanation of your answer.

Sequester much?

The looming March 1st automatic spending cuts (called sequestration) is the hot topic in the news cycle.  First, analyze the following political cartoons and respond to the following question in a post:

1. Which political cartoon do you most agree/disagree with? To what extent do you agree?  Why?






Next, read this FoxNews article about the impending cuts.  Do you agree with Boehner?  Should compromise be the primary focus or should each side stand their ground?  Respond below, either to someone else's post or make your own.

After responding to the FoxNews article, read this CNN article focused more on lack of Congressional urgency.  Should congress be urgent in ensuring these cuts do not happen?  What would it mean for the Pentagon and other governmental agencies if sequestration is upon us?

Finally, go to either FoxNews article or CNN article about impact on the Pentagon if sequestration goes through.

You must comment with an original post or a comment on another classmates post to receive credit for today.  I hope everyone has a good weekend and I will see you next week.

Democrats propose a plan and McCain says what?

Sequestration is looming over Washington with the possibility of automatic cuts to the Pentagon.  Senate Democrats offer a plan to avoid the possibility.   Also, in a new development, McCain says he is satisfied with WH response to Benghazi and is willing end the filibuster and vote on Hagel nomination.

We are talking about party politics so any comments clarifying concepts in Chapter 8 are encouraged!!

Here are two political cartoons that deal with the Hagel nomination:





The first cartoon illustrates the hypocrisy of the Democrats who support the nomination and the second illustrates the hypocrisy on the other side of the aisle.

Also here is an interesting but unrelated article proposing that government benefits are fueling US poverty.  What do you think?  Is this economist right in his analysis?

The State of the Union Address

Tonight on national television the President will exercise his constitutional duty to "from time to time give to the congress information of the state of the union." (Article II Section 3)  I recommend that everyone watch it because next class we are going to talk about it and what role the media plays in informing the public.  You would think that it is difficult to be biased about a speech that has not even happened yet, but here we are.  Read the following four articles from MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and FoxNews, and keep in mind, they are all reporting on the same event that has not even taken place yet.

Consider the following questions while keeping in mind that you must provide evidence for your opinions and analysis.

1. Is there evidence of bias in any of these articles?  If so, explain.
2. If we are aware of bias, and account for it in our analysis, does it matter that it is there?
3. Should journalists work to cover stories in an entirely unbiased fashion?
4. What is the main goal for each of these articles?  To inform and prepare the public before they watch it?  To stir controversy so you come back for more when it (the State of the Union) is over?  To drive home party line talking points?
5. Was I biased in my presentation of these articles?

Also, rank them below (in your opinion) from most  biased (1) to least biased (4).

Comments, questions, concerns and relevant links welcomed below!!

Drones: The Best Option?

Robert Gates, the former Defense Secretary under Bush and Obama, outlines here why drones are the best tool we currently have to fight terrorism, but could use more oversight to ensure that the sitting President (and any future President) does not abuse his power as commander-in-chief.

After seeing some of the statistics in this article, does this change your mind about drones?  Is this our best, most precise option to take out known terrorists?  Does collateral damage even matter?  comments and thoughts below!

Related article:  Read this article on the possibility of a "drone court" to check the President's as of now virtually limitless power in the use of these weapons.

Star Wars: The Drone Wars

Chuck Hagel, a Republican drew ire from fellow Republicans in the Senate during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense.  It looks like we are in for another contentious confirmation hearing when John Brennan is vetted for his potential post as head of the CIA, but this time from members of Obama's party, the Democrats.  The drone program highlighted here on CNN and here on FoxNews explains why the Democrats do not like Brennan.  Also, here is an opinion article on why the government should tell us more about the role of drones in fighting terrorism.

What do you think about the use of drones?  Should the government disclose more information?  Is the governments use of drones on American citizens justified?  Should the government keep these programs under the radar?(pun intended) Comments below!

Here are two NPR doubletake political cartoons on the subject of drones.  The first illustrates it's effectiveness and the second questions the legality.  What do you think??

disclaimer: I do not take credit for the following material, it was retrieved from this website.

Somehow it's our fault?

Policy gridlock has characterized Congress for the better part of the last five years, some would say even longer.  Some blame Congress for not trying to find common ground, but apparently they're not the problem, we are.  Read the linked article here and tell me what you think below in the comments section.

Unit 1 FRQ

Your Unit 1 FRQ will be on one of the three following concepts:
1.  Federalism and political opportunity/participation
2.  Constitutional history and the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation
3. The amendment process and informal Constitutional change

$7,000,000,000

That's how much money was spent on the 2012 campaigns. Seven.  Billion.  Dollars.  Read more about it here.

If you had seven billion dollars how would you spend it?  Does money=speech?  Is this a good thing for America?

Comments below.

NPR "double-take" toons on immigration reform

Which side are you on?  Let me know in the comments section.

disclaimer: I do not take credit for any of the following material.  I retrieved it from this website.