Lions for Lambs

Do you agree with the premise of Lions for Lambs?

If yes, explain what solutions you have to creating a government and media acts more like Lions.

If no, explain in what areas you feel the movie misrepresented government and media, and how they could be portrayed more accurately.

Terrorism

Based on what you have read and seen so far, what do you feel is the main goal of most terrorist groups?

Do you feel the US should play an active role in trying to stop terrorism in other places or focus solely on stopping terrorism in the US?  explain your answer

Libya

Do you feel the US should continue to be involved in the crisis in Libya? 

If yes, explain what role you feel the US should play in the overall operations in Libya and how long that involvement should continue.  Also, how do you justify spending money at a time when any government spending is criticized?

If no, explain why you feel the US should stay out of the conflict.  How do you justify standing on the sidelines while innocent people are being attacked by their own country?  Is there anything the US can do without actively being involved?

Whose to blame?

On Tuesday Governor Walker will give his budget speech.  Also, Tuesday is the deadline to restructure state debt to the tune of 165 million dollars.  If not done by that day, Governor Walker has stated he will have to lay off 1500 state employees in the coming weeks and as many as 6000 after.  Who do you feel will be most to responsible for the loss of jobs related to the budget impasse? 

Do you blame Governor Walker for not compromising even when the unions have given into financial demands?  Explain your response.

Do you blame the 14 democratic senators for staying away even when the republicans have the votes?  Explain your response.

Also, explain what you feel is the best way to end this impasse and create a result that is best for the people of the state of Wisconsin.

Whats next for the stalemate in Wisconsin???

Over the weekend 'unions leaders announced they were willing to concede the financial aspect of the bill in exchange for being allowed to keep collective bargaining.  Governor Walker refused this saying "there is nothing to negotiate".  With Democratic lawmakers still out of state and no end in sight, what do you feel should be done to end the stalemate? 

Make sure to fully explain your answer, don't just take the simple answer to a complex issue; discuss all aspects of your proposal.

Democracy in Wisconsin???

After the 14 democratic state senators in Wisconsin fled the state of Wisconsin there were charges saying they were being undemocratic.  Using the below stated definition of democracy and class reading; do you feel these state senators are a strong example of democractic principles or do you feel they are being undemocratic in refusing to do their job?

 

If  you feel they are being democratic explain why.  Make sure to include examples that support your view.

 

If you feel they are not being democratic explain why.  Make sure to include examples that support your view.

 

De·moc·ra·cy

 1.government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

 

2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.

 

3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.

 

4.political or social equality; democratic spirit.

 

5.the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

Governor Walker and the Budget Repair Bill

Governor Walker introduced a bill on Friday that plans to take away collective bargaining rights as well as pension and insurance benefits from public employees.

Based on the reading and class discussions, do you feel the state legislature should pass the bill?   

If yes, explain why you feel the bill should pass, make sure to address issues of monetary as well as collective bargaining losses to the employees.

If no, explain why you feel the bill should be voted down, make sure to address other ways the governor could potentially lower the budget deficit.

Meltdown

After watching the the video "Inside the Meltdown" you see the foundations of the our economic recession.  What misconceptions do you feel the average american has about the economy, economic stimulus and the our government's role in the problem?

Restoring the American Dream

After reading the article by Fareed Zakaria, what aspect, do you feel, is most important at helping America return to prominence?   Do you feel we are capable actually capable of returning to prominence or are the days of the US as the leader in the world a thing of the past?

Egypt

Use reading from class as the basis for answering the following questions.  Attached is the link to the article if necessary.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/31/egypt.protests.qanda/index.html?hpt=T1

While asking for change is clearly what the protesters want.  What do you think Eyptian President Hosni Mubarak should do to end the protests?  Be specific in your explanation.

Also what role if any should the US play in ending this conflict?

Globalization

Watch the attached video link on globalization.  We will discuss it along with the questions in in class on Wednesday.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE2ufqtzyk

Teachers grading parents?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/26/florida.grading.parents/index.html

Read the attached article.  Do you think it would be a good idea for teachers to grade parents? Why or why not?

State of the Union Address

During the State of the Union Address President Obama said,

"We need to outinnovate, outeducate and outbuild the rest of the world. We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business. We need to take responsibility for our deficit and reform our government. That's how our people will prosper. That's how we'll win the future."

What specific ideas do you have to help the United States economy to prosper?

Welcome!

Feel Free to post any comments or questions to the blog.  Check back regularly for class discussions