Thursday
Reflection
I did reach my goal in creating posts for a government class. It was really hard to keep this up just because I had chisen the topic, "things that would interest teens", well something along those lines. I think i did a fair job though. My blog evolved because I found it easier to relate things we learned in class to real life situations and was able to find articles online to get a bigger education. My first blog was about alcohol and why the drinking age should stay at 21 and its funny how now I feel as though with every new post I have strengthened my opinions and views on many issues. I believe my best blog entry is the best one, I don't know why it is my favorite, but I believe I worked on it the hardest, probably because i needed a good grade. I also think it was the best because despite the trouble I had researching and trying to formulate it into a sensible post, the feeling of accomplishment was greater than any other post. If I had to do it over, I would definitely do it on things I was interested in. Pick a topic that you would like to learn about or one that may relate to you in some way so that you may know the world around you better while not minding it.
Car Accident?
A man whose house was struck by a vehicle this weekend has been arrested because a marijuana-growing operation was found in his basement while emergency workers searched for a potential gas line rupture.
The 26-year-old Independence Township man was arrested when he returned home while the house in the 500 block of Sunnyside Drive was being searched, according to a press release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Information on potential charges and the conditions of those involved in the crash was not available this morning. The incident happened about 10:30 a.m. Saturday after a collision between two vehicles. One of the vehicles ran off the road and stuck the house and a gas meter, the release said. Consumers Energy replaced the meter, but because of concerns that the inner line might have been damaged, firefighters and utility workers forced their way into the unoccupied house, where they found the marijuana-growing operation. Authorities searched the house and seized 12 marijuana plants, 4 pounds of marijuana in 20 separate Mason jars, digital scales, $221, a lap top computer and a marijuana growing manual, the release said.
This man is extremely unlucky, to be found out because a car crashed into his house when he wasn't even home. I would be more angry about the car accident than getting arrested because without the accident he wouldn't have
The 26-year-old Independence Township man was arrested when he returned home while the house in the 500 block of Sunnyside Drive was being searched, according to a press release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Information on potential charges and the conditions of those involved in the crash was not available this morning. The incident happened about 10:30 a.m. Saturday after a collision between two vehicles. One of the vehicles ran off the road and stuck the house and a gas meter, the release said. Consumers Energy replaced the meter, but because of concerns that the inner line might have been damaged, firefighters and utility workers forced their way into the unoccupied house, where they found the marijuana-growing operation. Authorities searched the house and seized 12 marijuana plants, 4 pounds of marijuana in 20 separate Mason jars, digital scales, $221, a lap top computer and a marijuana growing manual, the release said.
This man is extremely unlucky, to be found out because a car crashed into his house when he wasn't even home. I would be more angry about the car accident than getting arrested because without the accident he wouldn't have
Wednesday
Power
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-monitors-said-to-reach-site-of-syrian-massacre/2012/06/08/gJQAnXAYNV_story.html?hpid=z2
From what I understand, the article was describing a massacre of Syrian civilians who contradicted their government in what they called "an uprising". As we all know, Syrian government is not a democracy and their culture relies heavily on tradition and hierarchy. Their government is controlled by a single, powerful family, most likely one that's been in power for a while. The Assad family, the head of the Syrian government, appears to have mercilessly slaughtered civilians who posed even the slightest contradiction to their methods. It was a case where heavily armored militias murdered civilian families who were most likely unarmed and unprotected. I believe that this violence arises from a paranoid fear residing in the current power. Authoritarians fear the loss of their power, since its all they have. They need to control their people with an iron fist, and as a result, there is no room for discourse or civil disobedience, let alone a rebellious thought. Currently, Syria is under the overbearing influence of the Assad family, who has numerous loyal civilians in their military force. These people are lured by the idea of government protection and, in exchange, give full loyalty to the family in power. That is why there are so many loyalist forces, even if they have to kill for their "protection". The US and surrounding countries have little idea on how to handle the situation, especially since their economic success is strained whenever they encounter middle-eastern tension. Is it our responsibility to fix the middle-east? It is in our best interest to, but a direct attack would sacrifice civilians and start another violent outbreak towards the US. Diplomacy, on the other hand, is often a lengthier process that often seems to result in a stalemate or unproductive compromise. Either way, we should not act unless the US is under an apparent threat that requires retaliation. Otherwise, we become a meddlesome annoyance that cannot be respected, thus we lose our power to fix anything.
From what I understand, the article was describing a massacre of Syrian civilians who contradicted their government in what they called "an uprising". As we all know, Syrian government is not a democracy and their culture relies heavily on tradition and hierarchy. Their government is controlled by a single, powerful family, most likely one that's been in power for a while. The Assad family, the head of the Syrian government, appears to have mercilessly slaughtered civilians who posed even the slightest contradiction to their methods. It was a case where heavily armored militias murdered civilian families who were most likely unarmed and unprotected. I believe that this violence arises from a paranoid fear residing in the current power. Authoritarians fear the loss of their power, since its all they have. They need to control their people with an iron fist, and as a result, there is no room for discourse or civil disobedience, let alone a rebellious thought. Currently, Syria is under the overbearing influence of the Assad family, who has numerous loyal civilians in their military force. These people are lured by the idea of government protection and, in exchange, give full loyalty to the family in power. That is why there are so many loyalist forces, even if they have to kill for their "protection". The US and surrounding countries have little idea on how to handle the situation, especially since their economic success is strained whenever they encounter middle-eastern tension. Is it our responsibility to fix the middle-east? It is in our best interest to, but a direct attack would sacrifice civilians and start another violent outbreak towards the US. Diplomacy, on the other hand, is often a lengthier process that often seems to result in a stalemate or unproductive compromise. Either way, we should not act unless the US is under an apparent threat that requires retaliation. Otherwise, we become a meddlesome annoyance that cannot be respected, thus we lose our power to fix anything.
Racial Discrimination or Protection of Democracy?
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/14/opinion-voter-id-laws-reminiscent-of-poll-taxes/?iref=allsearch
I'd have to side with the voter I.D. laws on this. I mean seriously it's not really an issue of race some older people may not have a birth certificate but I'm sure states could come up with a way to help them out. Aside from that there is absolutley no disparity between any "race" (the notion of race is outdated as we are all human here I mean come on) we all get a birth certificate it's federal law. Therefore I see no problem in requiring you to be able to prove who you are at the poll. This is not similar to a poll tax at all the poll tax and grandfather clause and the other tests all worked in cohesion to ensure that the poor and former slaves could not vote. This merely requires 22 dollars that the majority of Americans can come up with if they really want to, and if they can't I'm sure many programs will arise to help them out if these laws become for a lack of a better phrase main stream. I believe while voter fraud is not at anything near a crisis level yet if left unchecked it could grow as an unchecked tumor does in the body of a cancer patient. These laws are necessary from keeping illegal immigrants from giving their in put on issues they have no buissiness in deciding. I do not believe these laws would cost Obama the election but every vote counts and honestly I am not as up on the fraud numbers in battleground states so its always possible
I'd have to side with the voter I.D. laws on this. I mean seriously it's not really an issue of race some older people may not have a birth certificate but I'm sure states could come up with a way to help them out. Aside from that there is absolutley no disparity between any "race" (the notion of race is outdated as we are all human here I mean come on) we all get a birth certificate it's federal law. Therefore I see no problem in requiring you to be able to prove who you are at the poll. This is not similar to a poll tax at all the poll tax and grandfather clause and the other tests all worked in cohesion to ensure that the poor and former slaves could not vote. This merely requires 22 dollars that the majority of Americans can come up with if they really want to, and if they can't I'm sure many programs will arise to help them out if these laws become for a lack of a better phrase main stream. I believe while voter fraud is not at anything near a crisis level yet if left unchecked it could grow as an unchecked tumor does in the body of a cancer patient. These laws are necessary from keeping illegal immigrants from giving their in put on issues they have no buissiness in deciding. I do not believe these laws would cost Obama the election but every vote counts and honestly I am not as up on the fraud numbers in battleground states so its always possible
Gender Equality
I was astonished after reading the article on http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/us/rhode-island-father-daughter-dance-stirs-sex-discrimination-dispute.html. In this specific situation I believe that the interpretation of Title IX is misconstrued. A father-daughter dance is tradition and special to fathers and daughters. I know that there is an increasing number of children with single parents, but a mother-son baseball game was scheduled. It was also announced that if a parent was missing then it could be a mother-daughter dance or father-son baseball game. I am not completely against Title IX because it is important in fighting discrimination based on sex. There are still instances where men get payed more than women for the same job. Pay should be based completely on experience and qualifications. Equality has made great strides, but many more are needed to ensure that all human beings are equal
Security versus Rights
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/1030/Supreme-Court-to-consider-how-and-when-police-can-use-drug-sniffing-dogs
I’m all for using drug sniffing dogs, to detect drugs, and I don’t think police did anything wrong. Before they brought the dog up to the man’s font porch they already had enough evidence to be considered probable cause, which is enough to obtain a search warrant. Though they probably should have received a search warrant, and they wouldn’t be in the predicament that they’re in. But I see nothing wrong with it. They can be on the porch the same as anybody else, like a delivery man for example. As for the man with the truck, he was in public property, so I see nothing wrong with it. They don’t actually search their house or vehicle without the dog signaling that it smells drugs. They defiantly shouldn’t be using old dogs, or ones that can longer do their job. The dogs should be regularly tested. While dogs don’t always make accurate decisions, there is no error free way, and the dogs are as close to prefect as it’s going to get. As long as they test the dogs, then I see nothing wrong with it. If I had to guess the outcome, I think that Florida v. Jardines case will not pass. Florida v. Harris has a better shot of passing though they did use an “expired” dog which will make it more difficult.
I’m all for using drug sniffing dogs, to detect drugs, and I don’t think police did anything wrong. Before they brought the dog up to the man’s font porch they already had enough evidence to be considered probable cause, which is enough to obtain a search warrant. Though they probably should have received a search warrant, and they wouldn’t be in the predicament that they’re in. But I see nothing wrong with it. They can be on the porch the same as anybody else, like a delivery man for example. As for the man with the truck, he was in public property, so I see nothing wrong with it. They don’t actually search their house or vehicle without the dog signaling that it smells drugs. They defiantly shouldn’t be using old dogs, or ones that can longer do their job. The dogs should be regularly tested. While dogs don’t always make accurate decisions, there is no error free way, and the dogs are as close to prefect as it’s going to get. As long as they test the dogs, then I see nothing wrong with it. If I had to guess the outcome, I think that Florida v. Jardines case will not pass. Florida v. Harris has a better shot of passing though they did use an “expired” dog which will make it more difficult.
Due Process
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5049867/
The fact that the fifth amendment is being violated just burns me up. I would have side with the mother on this matter simply because the fifth amendment to me and all of the other 9 amendments in the Bill of Rights supersede all other laws and acts that we have today. Now for the Patriot act I have no problem with the original intentions of its purpose as national security is a top priority of the country, but when you start busting into homes and charging teens with this serious of an accusation lets just say you better have all of your facts in line and evidence prepared. I also have no problem with its increased surveillance methods because monitoring cell phones, checking peoples emails, these sort things are already being done by the NSA on a daily basis for years now. The Patriot act has done good and bad like this situation for example it was wrongly misused, but there are more than likely plenty of cases where it has prevented local or maybe even national tragedies. I feel it has harmed us in the sense that now anyone and everyone can be a suspect by the smallest mistake made over a cell phone or the internet. I will say though that since 9/11 on American soil terrorist attacks have been none to minimal, now if only the same could be said for us overseas. To me though the development of technology has been of great assistance, it has and will continue to harm us as we are not the only one's advancing in this technological era. Conflict through this technology I fear will progress and terrorism will never end which will cause more security measures far more rash than the Patriot act to be taken in the future.
The fact that the fifth amendment is being violated just burns me up. I would have side with the mother on this matter simply because the fifth amendment to me and all of the other 9 amendments in the Bill of Rights supersede all other laws and acts that we have today. Now for the Patriot act I have no problem with the original intentions of its purpose as national security is a top priority of the country, but when you start busting into homes and charging teens with this serious of an accusation lets just say you better have all of your facts in line and evidence prepared. I also have no problem with its increased surveillance methods because monitoring cell phones, checking peoples emails, these sort things are already being done by the NSA on a daily basis for years now. The Patriot act has done good and bad like this situation for example it was wrongly misused, but there are more than likely plenty of cases where it has prevented local or maybe even national tragedies. I feel it has harmed us in the sense that now anyone and everyone can be a suspect by the smallest mistake made over a cell phone or the internet. I will say though that since 9/11 on American soil terrorist attacks have been none to minimal, now if only the same could be said for us overseas. To me though the development of technology has been of great assistance, it has and will continue to harm us as we are not the only one's advancing in this technological era. Conflict through this technology I fear will progress and terrorism will never end which will cause more security measures far more rash than the Patriot act to be taken in the future.
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