Chapter 5 Assignment (Due 12/20)

Chapter 25 Assignment has been posted on the website and on E-portfolio.

It will be due 12/20/10.

Link to Assignment: Chapter 5 Assignment (due 12/17/10)
Link to E-Portfolios (old interface): Link to E-Portfolios

"McLaughlin" Assignment 13 - DUE 12/16

McLaughlin Assignment 13 DUE 12/8

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following question(s) in no less than 150 words:

Now that we have seen the "Inside North Korea" documentary, how would you describe the life of the average North Korean citizen? What aspects did you find most disturbing or surprising? Why? What do you feel are the most significant differences from life in the United States? Do you think every student should see this documentary? Why or why not?

Check out the segments of the documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQXfMMHV8FM

McLaughlin Assignment 12 DUE 12/1/10

McLaughlin Assignment 12 DUE 12/8

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

On November 28^th 2010, the website WikiLeaks began publishing secret diplomatic cables (messages) obtained from a source within the U.S. Army. Some feel that the information contained within these secret messages has threatened the safety of US Citizens and compromised out country’s ability to conduct diplomacy with other nations. Others feel that this incident is little more than an embarrassment for the US and instead should serve as a call to reexamine what the US classifies as “secret” and investigate how a Private in the US Army had access to all these documents. Nevertheless, the question remains what is to be done about WikiLeak’s founder and operator, Julian Assange. Has he committed a crime? If so, what is it and what will the US do about it? Read the following article, which details the situation (be aware-there are multiple pages):

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2034276,00.html

Based on the article, was the U.S. damaged by the data release? How? Also, in your opinion, has Assange committed a crime that the U.S. should apprehend and prosecute him for? If so, what crime has he committed and is he afforded any protection under “Freedom of the Press”? If not, how would you defend his release of hundreds of thousands of secret government documents?

McLaughlin Assignment 11 DUE 12/1/10

McLaughlin Assignment 11 DUE 12/1

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

With the republicans taking control of the House of Representatives, one of their stated goals is to repeal the health care law that was passed earlier in the year. There is question though if the Republicans will have enough power/support for a full repeal. Many believe that Republicans will instead focus on other ways of attacking the law. Read the following articles:

White House’s summary of the Healthcare Law

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/healthcare-overview#works

What the Midterm Elections Results Mean for the Future of Health Care Reform:

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/1103_post_election_health_care_aaron.aspx

Republicans seek Democratic allies in health care fight:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44968.html

Based on the White House summary, what is your opinion of the Health Care Law? Do you think republicans should try to repeal the law? Why/why not? Do you think they will be able to? Why/Why not?

Chapter 25 Assignment (Due 12/6/10)

Chapter 25 Assignment has been posted on the website and on E-portfolio.

Is will be due 12/6/10.

Link to Assignment: Chapter 25 Assignment (due 12/6/10)

Link to E-Portfolios (old interface): Link to E-Portfolios

McLaughlin Assignment 10 DUE 11/24/10

McLaughlin Assignment 10 DUE 11/24/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

The Transportation Security Administration recently instituted stricter screening procedures whereby all passengers on planes will either have to go through a high resolution X-ray machine or be subject to a “frisk” by TSA personnel. Many people have objected to the scans as being too intrusive and say they are a violation of their right to privacy under the 4^th Amendment of the US Constitution.

The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution reads as follows: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Check out the TSA’s article/video on how the technology works (as well as your options as a passenger): http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ait/how_it_works.shtm

And read the following USA Today article on public opinion regarding the scanning: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-01-11-security-poll_N.htm

In your opinion, are the enhanced security screening methods a violation of a person’s right to privacy under the fourth amendment? Why or why not? If so, how would you respond to the argument that it makes air travel safer for everyone? If not, how would you answer the accusation that the scanner is an electronic “strip search”? Lastly, would you be willing to go through the scanning machine? Why/why not?

McLaughlin Assignment 9 (DUE 11/17/10)

McLaughlin Assignment 9 DUE 11/17/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

A critical issue must be decided by the US Congress before the end of the year: what to do about the Bush era tax cuts. In 2000, President Bush lowered the Federal income tax brackets to the levels indicated below. These tax rates were renewed in Bush’s second term and are set to expire December 31 of this year. Without any changes the brackets will go up to the levels indicated below. Basically, Congress faces one of three options: 1) Extend the tax cuts for all brackets; 2) Extend the tax cuts for certain brackets; or 3) End the tax cuts for all brackets.

President Obama has stated his intention was to increase only the last two brackets (33% and 35%) and leave the other brackets at the Bush Era levels. http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/12/obama-says-hes-not-caving-on-tax-cuts/?iref=allsearch

Income Bracket (Single)	Current Tax Rate	New Tax Rate	% of Total Taxpayers in Bracket (as of 2008)
$0-$8,375	10%	15%	25%
$8,376-$34,000	15%	15%	46%
$34,001-$82,400	25%	28%	22%
$82,401-$171,850	28%	31%	4%
$171,851-$373,650	33%	36%	2%
$373,651+	35%	36.7%	1%

Read the follow article (a great guide to the tax cut debate):

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0914_bush_tax_cuts_gale_harris.aspx

If you were a senator or representative in Congress, what would you do about the Bush Tax Cuts? Would you extend them all? Would you extend some but not others? Would you extend none of them? Why? How would you defend your position to angry voters whose taxes you may be raising?