Social Awareness

                                                                                                                                            Sept. 28, 2012

Dear CNN,

I feel like abortion has been a rising issue in America throughout the years. This is not between a mother and her doctor anymore, but between the whole nation and religions. I realize that with each abortion a life is lost, but I don't think the pro-life activists realize what would happen if we had born all those babies.

The country needs to realize that it is not stable enough to feed, clothe, or give healthcare to all those babies. If we would bore all the children we must realize how many of those children would be mentally retarded, inbred, and orphaned. I 100% agree that if you are not mature enough to take care of a baby, then you should not be having sex, but imagine those children's lives.

Mothers would be in poverty with a family of grumbling tummies. We cannot expect a handout from each person with a pocket of cash. Some mothers believe they are doing the right thing by protecting their child from an awful life. In rape cases, do you feel that a wife should be forced to raise and birth a child and man should be forced to raise another mans baby? As a decent person, he probably would not object, but inside that must kill him.

If a child is ten years old and raped by her father, should she be forced to have a baby as a baby that could in the end kill her? Should she be forced to give up her life for something that was not in her control? Pro-life activists should recognize that each life is important that means even the ones that are born and have mental issues when the mother knew that the child would suffer its whole life with spina bifida.

Many children are born with diseases every day, but what if you had AIDS? Would you still have a child and force it to be scorned and ridiculed its whole life for your own mistake or problem? No. I believe its selfish to force a child to live out its life with a crackhead mother, or on the street begging for food, or in an orphanage waiting to have a better life, because his mother chose "life". What kind of "life" does the kid really have? I'd like to see someone tell me that they would rather be alive with a hindering disease that slowly eats at them, than be laid to rest peacefully.

United Nations Essay

 During the ratification of the constitution, the power was split between state and central government avoiding conflict in the states. Many memorable people helped develop the bill of rights in order to lay out our God given rights in the constitution that many people were concerened about. This caused many states to vote for the new constitution.

America is the only country that I know of that follows the constitution in their government and respects it (mostly). We give each citizen the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We give each citizen fair trials and the right to an attorney if you cannot afford one. We are very humane to our citizens and we have more rights than most countries especially women!

Middle East countries have restricted many rights of their citizens by oppressing women and the lower community members. The men and higher "class" citizens get treated like royalty and have much control over the government. Polygamy is legal which is wrong and immoral, but their religion allows it. The federalist explains these rights to us as in the constitution to a happy life.

"If all men were angels, government would not be necessary." This is a very important quote, because its completely true. If all society lived with morals and respect for human life and well-being, a government would not be necessary, because our actions would be from the good of our heart. But because we are not all innocent, all are restricted to laws and limits.

BR 9-27-12

I think schools need to focus more on the organic quality and nutrition in the foods rather than calories. They're completely right about feeding growing kids

BR 9-26-12

I think obesity is a huge issue especially in young adults, but our schools should allow us small amounts of sugar and sweets, because if our body does not get that craving we automatically indulge when we get home. They leave us unsatisfied and our tummys grumbling after lunch; soemtimes we would like a little treat.

Political Quizzes

1st. Post-modern
2nd. Independent leaning a LITTLE towards democrat
3rd. I was definitely a libertarian.
4th. I have been and still am libertarian
5th. This one is way off, because it says I'm conservative
6th. I went from a libertarian to republican overnight.
7th. 100% socialist
8th. 40% conservative and 60% liberal

BR 9-25-12

Although, I do not feel it is the schools job to distribute those products to the students, I feel like it can be very helpful to prevent students dropping out from preventative pregnancies. Things like that should be taught in the home. People need to learn their place as parents, and take control. My goodness, if you're dumb enough to have sex without any contraception or form of transportation to get to the clinic then you shouldn't be risking reproducing. -__- people get dumber and dumber each generation.

BR 9-24-12

Romney was ignorant in saying that 47% of Americans are lazy and muchers, but I'm tired of hearing it. Seriously, Romney is a dirtball, and Obama is a good hearted idiot. The article just restates everything I've heard in the past 4 days.

1. Answer the following question: Why is there a constitution day and what mandated it?

There is a constitution day to celebrate our rights as citizens and the day that it was ratified.

2. Could you pass the US citizenship test....find five links on the Internet and take the quizzes and post the links and your scores.

 

1. www.blogthings.com/couldyoupasstheuscitizenshiptestquiz/  70%

2. www.factmonster.com/quizzes/citizenship1/11.html   60%

3. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/03/12546953-could-you-pass-the-us-citizenship-test?lite  80%

 

3. Constitution Day Scavenger Hunt with 60-Second Civics
You and your teammates have been given a set of clues to identify nine delegates to theConstitutional Convention that was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1787. In order to complete your task you need the clues provided by your teacher and podcasts from the Center for Civic Education. The podcasts are available at
http://new.civiced.org/framers.

Step 1: Your teacher has assigned you a certain number of podcasts. In listening to them you should be able to determine which nine delegates your clues indicate. As soon as you think you have identified the delegates, check with your teacher to determine if you are correct. If you are, then move on to the next part of the assignment. If you are not, continue listening until you found the correct delegates.

Step 2:
Review the nine correct podcasts and complete the information required in the box adjoining each clue. You must also choose two additional facts about your delegate.
Step 3: Sharing your information. Your teacher will direct your group on how to share the information you have gathered about your delegates with the class.
Constitution Day Scavenger Hunt with 60-Second Civics

Teacher Resource 3: Clue Sheet
Reproduce the chart below in word and complete it. Then separate the clues and randomly group them into sets of nine. Distribute one set to each group.

1. Clue: He refused to sign the Constitution.

Name: George Mason
State: Virginia
Age/Year of Birth: Dec.11, 1775
Two Additional Clues: He worked with George Washington, and led to the creation of the Bill Of Rights.

2. Clue: This delegate was the head of the Virginia delegation to the convention.

Name: George Washington
State: Virginia
Age/Year of Birth: March 16, 1751
Two Additional Clues: Co-wrote federalist papers and guided Bill of Rights.

3. Clue: He practiced in law in Williamsburg.

Name: John Blair
State: Virginia
Age/Year of Birth: 1732
Two Additional Clues: One of the judges at Supreme Court in Virginia and was nominated by Washington

4. Clue: He studied medicine in Scotland.

Name: Benjamin Rush
State: Pennsylvania
Age/Year of Birth: Dec. 24, 1745
Two Additional Clues: Rush was appointed to the Provincial Conference, and then to the Continental Congress a month later

5. Clue: This Framer emancipated his slaves in his will.

Name: George Washington
State: Virginia
Age/Year of Birth: March 16, 1761
Two Additional Clues: Did not originally want to go to the convention. Guided Bill of Rights

6. Clue: He was responsible for the Judiciary Act of 1789.

Name: John Adams
State: Massachusettes
Age/Year of Birth: Oct 30, 1735
Two Additional Clues: Was puritan and agreed with Patriot Cause

7. Clue: He was the chairman of the Committee on Style.

Name: Rufus King
State: Massachusettes
Age/Year of Birth: March 24th, 1755
Two Additional Clues: attended mass. ratification; his occupation was public security interests

8. Clue: He served on the committees that draft both the Declaration of Independence and the Article of Confederation.

Name: Benjamin Franklin
State: Massachusettes
Age/Year of Birth: Jan 17, 1706
Two Additional Clues: Was the postmaster general of the US; Was on the first US postage stamp (now 100 dollar bill)

9. Clue: He studied law in Philadelphia.

Name: George Reed
State: Pennsylvania
Age/Year of Birth: Sept. 18, 1733
Two Additional Clues: Signed the declararion of independence; served as US senator of delaware

10. Clue: He was a roommate of James Madison at the College of New Jersey.

Name:
State:
Age/Year of Birth:
Two Additional Clues:

11. Clue: He served as the first postmaster general of Wilmington.

Name:
State:
Age/Year of Birth:
Two Additional Clues:

12. Clue: He voted against independence and did sign the Declaration of Independence.

Name:
State:
Age/Year of Birth:
Two Additional Clues:

13. Clue: He voted against the independence, but signed the Declaration of Independence.

Name:
State:
Age/Year of Birth:
Two Additional Clues:

14. Clue: He was born in Connecticut.

Name:
State:
Age/Year of Birth:
Two Additional Clues:

15. Clue: During the Revolution he served as a lieutenant colonel in the dragoons.

Name:
State:
Age/Year of Birth:
Two Additional Clues:

BR 9-21-12

I really wonder what this man did. Also, it says "we miss you." Who is "we" does she have a baby? I don't really think I'd be too convinced that he was sorry, by making another mistake by painting on the van -__- Im not really a romantic.. sooooo.... yeah.

Assignent 9-19-12

1. The First Amendment includes:
      No law can be passed respecting an establishment of religion
     Free excercise of Religion
     Freedom of Speech
     Right to Peaceful Petition
     Freedom of Press

2. It is hard to say exactly how much privacy we have with technology in the 21st century, because everything we search, everybody we contact and everywhere we go is recorded, whether we know it or not. Between siri and GPS, if I share information with somebody on my smart phone, they can find me at anytime. Even the developers of "smart phones" say that everyhting we do on our phones is recorded and put into a system to "better our experience." The phone gets to know you; The internet controls you, and the government closely watches you. We barely have freedom in our own home.

3. The Patriot Act is a law stating that the government can, without your permission, listen in on phone calls, read texts, emails, and messages sent to others. It states that it would be used for tracking of illegal exchanges such as murders or drug deals. It is the government being able to listen in on private conversation, but states that they must stop listening after 60 seconds, because that would be an invasion of personal rights.

4. I believe this is extreme violation of our privacy rights, because the government should not be allowed to read every text or listen on every phone call. This could be embarassing and quite cruel. They're barging more into our homes every day, and we just sit back and allow it because they tell us "it's the law." I think America needs to re-evaluate and re-teach our rights to our students.

5.  There was one case I found that a woman was "protecting her rights" when she wanted to get an abortion. It was between her and her doctor. I dont think this is really an invasion of privacy because thats also like saying you can beat your child, because it is in your household? I think she was just being ridiculous.

6.http://www.govtech.com/security/Controlling-Government-Abuse-of-Our-Right.html?page=2
                                               

BR 9-20-12

Its his own home? I dont think it should be illegal. Its his car; he should know where it's going. He didn't technically do anything illegal, but that lady might want to rethink her choice of husbands. I rest my case. That is extremely weird though.

BR Topless

It is an EXTREME invasion of privacy to take pictures of private property and publically announce them. She has the right to walk out on her lawn naked. What is this world coming to? Perverts.

BR 9-18-12

This article started out talking about hate groups and youtube videos and ended talking about facebook's ban on exposed breasts. Personally, it is my right to post (as long as it is not a threat or libel) anything I want on my facebook or twitter or youtube, as long as the sight does not forbid it. Nudity is allowed on internet sites, just not specifically facebook or other public social networks. If we banned all videos on youtube that mock or criticize a religion or faith, we're going to have to go through a lot of videos. It is not this person's fault that they become more offended than other religions? I'll protect my freedom; internet is part of that freedom. You cannot control that. (SOPA, PIPA)

(Yet Another) BR 9-17-12

First, I'd like to say I think it's ridiculous that a 15 minute video could cause an uproar so amazing in the United States and Islamic countries. We have the right to make and post videos and have our own opinion. This article talked in circles and I didn't really understand the point.

BR 9-17-13

Okay, I realize that obesity is a HUGE issue in the United States and our government is forced to pay for those without health insurance when they have to be treated for heart disease, failure or gastrointestinal problems, but limiting your sugary drinks are not the governments business. Those are basics to be taught in the home. Occasionally I should be allowed as a US citizen to drink a 24 oz. bottle of Dr.Pepper, even if I was not allowed thats not stopping me from eating a big mac or quarter pounder?
"Over 150 Years of Research Shows People Consume What They Want."

Candidate Test

I sided 91% with Gary Johnson on Healthcare, Domestic Policy, Environment, Economy, Foreign Policy, Immigration, Science, and Social.

9-11 Essay

After the terrible tragedy that happened eleven years ago, our country has never been the same. On September 11, 2001 our country was attacked by Al Queda terrorists causing the twin towers and the world trade center to completely collapse and burn up in flames. This was not only an attack of our buildings and people, but an attack to our American pride. Not only did it kill many people, it tore families apart and left gaping holes in our heavy hearts.

America soon went under extreme surveilance and caused national security to sky rocket. Our airports now are equipped properly to detect any weapon that someone may try to bring aboard the plane. We do background checks for passports and many other searches to ensure America's safety. Instead of taking one hour to board a plane, it now takes almost two to just get through the line. They've enstilled fear in every American traveler since that awful day.
    
Next, it caused extreme racism in America. Nobody can deny it. When you see a man or woman in a turban, you automatically judge them. It's probably not even on purpose, but seeing a terrorist attack on our country made us believe that all Muslims hate Christians, and guess what religion is prominant in America. What would you think if you saw a man in a turban riding on the same plane as you?

The families that were effected are still struggling today with the loss of husbands, sons, daughters, mothers, and even children. To them, every year they are reminded and choose to never forget what happened to our country that Sept. 11, 2001. People lost their jobs, lives, loved ones, and the feeling of safety in their own country. America was knocked down a few notches; like a hit to our ego and our president. Our whole country gathered, cried, mourned, and reflected what had happened on the news.

With all that tragedy, there came good. America reunited! We had forgotten that even in our own cultures and differences, we are still one strong, united country. Iraq was reminded that we will not bow, and they cannot take our safety. America would fight as one, and join together to finish the war that they began.
    

9-11 Collage

Free picture collage created with Smilebox

BR 9-13-12

I'm glad we were recognized, but I wish they would've actually listened to our ideas. All we did was shovel gravel and paint. We had many more ideas on making the school beautiful!

9-11 Timeline

Timeline of Events on 9-11-2001

1. 7:59 am – American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 with 92 people aboard, takes off from Boston's Logan International Airport en route to Los Angeles.

2. 8:14 am – United Airlines Flight 175, a Boeing 767 with 65 people aboard, takes off from Boston; it is also headed to Los Angeles.

3. 8:19 am – Flight attendants aboard Flight 11 alert ground personnel that the plane has been hijacked; American Airlines notifies the FBI.

4. 8:20 am – American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, D.C. The Boeing 757 is headed to Los Angeles with 64 people aboard.

5. 8:24 am – Hijacker Mohammed Atta makes the first of two accidental transmissions from Flight 11 to ground control (apparently in an attempt to communicate with the plane's cabin).

6. 8:40 am – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alerts North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)'s Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) about the suspected hijacking of Flight 11. In response, NEADS scrambles two fighter planes located at Cape Cod's Otis Air National Guard Base to locate and tail Flight 11; they are not yet in the air when Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower.

7. 8:41 am – United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 with 44 people aboard, takes off from Newark International Airport en route to San Francisco. It had been scheduled to depart at 8:00 am, around the time of the other hijacked flights.

• 8:46 am – Mohammed Atta and the other hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 11 crash the plane into floors 93-99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board and hundreds inside the building.
8. 8:47 am – Within seconds, NYPD and FDNY forces dispatch units to the World Trade Center, while Port Authority Police Department officers on site begin immediate evacuation of the North Tower.

9. 8:50 am – White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card alerts President George W. Bush that a plane has hit the World Trade Center; the president is visiting an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida at the time.

10. 9:02 am – After initially instructing tenants of the WTC's South Tower to remain in the building, Port Authority officials broadcast orders to evacuate both towers via the public address system; an estimated 10,000 to 14,000 people are already in the process of evacuating.

11. 9:03 am – Hijackers crash United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 75-85 of the WTC's South Tower, killing everyone on board and hundreds inside the building

12. 9:08 am – The FAA bans all takeoffs of flights going to New York City or through the airspace around the city.

13. 9:21 am – The Port Authority closes all bridges and tunnels in the New York City area.

14. 9:24 am – The FAA notified NEADS of the suspected hijacking of Flight 77 after some passengers and crew aboard are able to alert family members on the ground.

15. 9:31 am – Speaking from Florida, President Bush calls the events in New York City an "apparent terrorist attack on our country."

16. 9:37 am – Hijackers aboard Flight 77 crash the plane into the western façade of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., killing 59 aboard the plane and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the building.

17. 9:42 am – For the first time in history, the FAA grounds all flights over or bound for the continental United States. Some 3,300 commercial flights and 1,200 private planes are guided to airports in Canada and the United States over the next two-and-a-half hours.

18. 9:45 am – Amid escalating rumors of other attacks, the White House and U.S. Capitol building are evacuated (along with numerous other high-profile buildings, landmarks and public spaces).

19. 9:59 am – The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses.

20. 10:07 am – After passengers and crew members aboard the hijacked Flight 93 contact friends and family and learn about the attacks in New York and Washington, they mount an attempt to retake the plane. In response, hijackers deliberately crash the plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 passengers and crew aboard.

21. 10:28 am – The World Trade Center's North Tower collapses, 102 minutes after being struck by Flight 11.

22. 11 am – Mayor Rudolph Giuliani calls for the evacuation of Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street, including more than 1 million residents, workers and tourists, as efforts continue throughout the afternoon to search for survivors at the WTC site.

23. 1 pm – From a U.S. Air Force base in Louisiana, President Bush announces that U.S. military forces are on high alert worldwide.

24. 2:51 pm – The U.S. Navy dispatches missile destroyers to New York and Washington, D.C.

25. 5:20 pm – The 47-story Seven World Trade Center collapses after burning for hours; the building had been evacuated in the morning, and there are no casualties, though the collapse forces rescue workers to flee for their lives.

26. 6:58 pm – President Bush returns to the White House after stops at military bases in Louisiana and Nebraska.

27. 8:30 pm – President Bush addresses the nation, calling the attacks "evil, despicable acts of terror" and declaring that America, its friends and allies would "stand together to win the war against terrorism."

28. American citizens gather and mourn for the deaths of their loved ones.

29. The news continues to play the tragedy on TV to remind the U.S. that we are not invincible, but we are also not going to let this happen to our free country.

30. Operation Enduring Freedom, the American-led international effort to oust the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and destroy Osama bin Laden's terrorist network based there, began on October 7.

BR 9-10-12

I enjoy the way Obama speaks and interacts with different races and backgrounds. He is very motivating and captivating in his speeches, and he gets the attention of many. His voice has character and variation unlike Romney's monotone "white-man-speech."

BR 9-6/7

1) Democrats tried to take God completely out of the platform and Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. NO! I disagree; I'm not sure what you want me to say about this, but I hate elections.

2) Uhm, I dont even like Romney, but theres no way (at this point) that taking away our right to bear arms will reduce gun violence. I'm tired of election talk. They're both evil.

3) Nixon sounded pretty good. I think?

BR 9-5-12

WOOOWWWW. Unnecessary! This is not a security issue; why should people be prevented from seeing family members or good friends. Alabama is seriously just trying to be ignorant about this. I have nothing more to say on the matter.

BR 9-4-12

First of all, I'd like to say that when I was younger my tooth better be cavity free and pearly white for me to even receive 5 bucks! Twenty bucks for a child losing a tooth is absolutely ridiculous. Why is there even an article written about this? Each family takes the tooth fairy idea differently and discusses it in different ways. (just like santa or the easter bunny).