2/6/12

What are Federalist Papers? A series of 85 articles promoting the ratification of the US constitution.

Who wrote the Federalist Papers? James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. Publius was the name under which all the papers were published.

Federalist Paper Ten- Federalist Paper ten was the tenth of the federalist papers. It was written by James Madison. It was published on November 22, 1787. This is the most famous of the papers. This paper protected the rights of people by guarding the public against factions. Factions are a group of people that have interests contrary to the rights of other citizens.

Federalist Paper Fifty-One - This paper was also written by James Madison. It was published on February 6, 1788. It addresses that appropriate checks and balances can be created in government, and also advocates a seperation of powers within the national government. Its purpose was to form a more correct judgement of the principles and structure of the government. It says that the government is divided into different branches, and elected by the people.

2/6/12

Pros: A pro would be that schools or other forces couldn't spy on us just because they are suspicious.

Cons: A con of the fifth ammendment would be if someone was doing something wrong we wouldn't be able to see what they were doing. Another one would be if you got caught doing something you wouldn't have to admit anything. I don't think thats right.

1/20

1) What do you know about the US government?
I know that we are free. I know there are three branches of government, and we have a president and vice president. I know that they make all the laws and stuff.

2) What do you think about the US government's role in our society?
I think they play an important role in our society. They control what we do and stuff but it keeps everything together. Without them people would be going crazy.

3) What would you like to know or feel like you need to know about the government?
I would like to know how the government actually works. And the powers of everyone in the government.

1/30 - movie.

I only got to see half of the movie, but what I saw was good. It was kind of slow at first, but then it became interesting. The president starts to like a political strategist names Sydney. He invites her to an important dinner. She really likes him and he really likes her, but she doesn't think it's a good idea for them to be together because he's the president.

2/3/12 extra credit

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/story/2012-02-02/feds-sports-streaming-sites-shutdown/52936118/1

Federal Authorites Shutdown 16 Sports Streaming Websites

Federal authorities shut down 16 websites that broadcasted illegal sports videos. They found out because Tom Brady told reporters that he watched last years super bowl game on an illegal site. A michigan man named, Yonjo Quiroa controlled nine of the sixteen sites. They pressed criminal charges against him. He was charged with copyright infringement. He was held without bond while his immigration status is being reviewed. He recieved profits of over $13,000 from his websites.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-03/loughner-trial-competency/52944870/1

Loughner still not competent for trial

Jared Loughner is charged with 49 felonies dealing with a shooting outside of a supermarket near Tucson. Six people died including a judge and a nine year old girl, 13 other people were wounded. Including Gabrielle Giffords who is a US rep. Loughner was diagnosed with schizophrenia and is staying in a federal hospital in Missouri. He will remain there for four months. His psychologist has concluded that he is not yet competent for trail, which means he is unable to understand court proceedings and is unable to assist his attorney. His hospital staff is being accused of forcing anti-psychotic medicine on him to speed up the trial.

2/2/12

In Lincoln County, elected officials plead guilty to vote fraud. The sheriff, Jerry Bowman and the county clerk, Donald Whitten admitted to lying about votes that they recieved. They illegally manipulated absentee voters to vote for them. They gave non qualified voters ballots and told them to vote for them, and sometimes even marked it for them. There were over 600 absentee ballots. Both people resigned as office.  Bowman could recieve up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 dollar fine. Whitten will recieve 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In my opinion, that is completely ridiculous if you have to cheat to win office then you probably don't deserve it anyways.

2/1/12

Pros: I think the bill is a very good idea. If you're texting while driving, then you arn't paying full attention to the road and your surroundings. You are way more likely to cause an accident if you are texting, so why do it? If you have an emergency where you have to text RIGHT NOW then pull over. Not only could you hurt yourself but others around you. It's dangerous.

Cons: Some cons about this bill is that almost everyone uses their cellphone while driving. It's going to be hard for people, especially teens, to stop. There could be an emergency where you can't get off the road to use your cell.