Part C:

Amendments 12, 13, 14,and 15 are often referred to as a major turning point in US government policy. Explain the importance of these amendments

The 12, 13, 14,and 15 amendments were very important to the change of American government. The 13Th amendment abolishes slavery, which was huge because slavery was an aspect that America was basically built off of. The 12Th amendment introduce the Electoral College, while the 14Th amendment states that laws can't be made that violates peoples freedom. However, i think that the 15Th amendment i one of the most important amendments because it ensures everyone (except women), all races the right to vote. I agree that these amendments were a turning point in American government because it shows an effort being made towards equality. Even though women are still; left out of these amendments, i think it shows the unity that America is "supposed" to be built on. I do think that it's little too late to add something like this in, it still makes the constitution look grimy.


Why do you suppose these amendments were passed when they were - given how popular white supremacy has been in the US?

I think that these amendments were passed when they were because alot of people started standing up for themselves. Whether it were the slaves, or people in general that felt like they were being treated unfairly. I also think that a main reason these amendments were passed was because people started to realize that people of color weren't that much different from everyone else, and that slavery couldn't and wouldn't last forever. The civil war was also happening at this time which definitely helped move equal rights for blacks, and equal rights for everyone in America. Even though abolishing slavery was a major freedom for black people, blacks were still told what to do and when to do it by whites for many years to come.


Evaluate Amendments 11-27 - which are the most powerful? Which are the most important?

I feel that the 13Th amendment is still one of the most important amendments in the constitution. Just to think that without this amendment my people can still be enslaved in the country that people call "the land of the free". Its just crazy to think about. This amendment allowed my family and many others to live like Americans, and not just the laborers of America. Even though blacks were considered inferior to whites and many other races (depending on who you ask, we are still considered inferior to many races, this was a stepping stone to us gaining or natural freedom. Also a stepping stone to us being looked at as people, and not just property of the country

I also think that the 19Th amendment is very important as well, because it gives women the right to vote. This shows yet another step that America was taking towards equality for everyone. The women's suffrage movement was such a big movement, and it feels good to know that they succeed in getting women the right to vote for all races. I also feel like these amendments are very important because without them this years election would have had a very different turnout. Just to think that my 19 year old sister was able to vote this year because of these two amendments, and that i will too in the near future is a BEAUTIFUL thing

Trampled Wal-Mart Worker Analysis

A few days ago we had an in class discussion about the Wal-Mart worker who was trampled by customers early on black friday. This one incident shows how consumption in America is becoming more and more about competition. Thousands of people lined up early that morning waiting to get into Wal-Mart, to buy as much as possible for the lleast amount of people. It goes beyond getting a bargain... but getting it before the next pereson. An innocent man was killed because impaitient people wanted to get a sale. i thnk its crazy how obsessed people have become with getting a discount and in turn "saving" money. Companies spend drastic amounts of money on marketng, and trying to get these people to come buy these products by giving them little to nothing discounts. It's sad how people fall into the trap. With all of these 20% offs and buy one get one items, people aren'tt realizing that they end up spending more money tahn they potentially have. If they never saw the ad, then they may not have wanted the product, or ever went to buy it. It seems like people are buying things just because they are on sale, not because they need them. I think that it ahs obviously gone too far if an innocent mans life was taken because people wanted to "rack" up on as many materialistic things as possible. This incident shows what a greedy and obsessive socciety we live. Consumers rush out and possibly "kill" to get that new hot item, or get as much as possible for as least as possible. While The companies will do anything to try and get the consumer to buy their product. Its all about money...and having as much as it as possible. I thinkt aht its sad that as kids we are growing up to be very materialistic, and that they next generation will probblly be worse off than we are today.

Black Friday and Thanksgiving Reflection

During the discussion in class before thanksgiving break, it was constantly brought up that thanksgiving is apart of the "typical" American way of life. a lot of people said that thanksgiving represented celebrating thanks for what you have, and spending time with family. the fact that thanksgiving has to do with the Indians being apart of a genocide which the Pilgrims caused. Even though my family does celebrate thanksgiving, I don't think that we celebrate it like most American families. I feel that it's an excuse for all of my family to get together and have a good time, and not necessarily about the food or giving "thanks" for the things we have. Many of my family members feel like they are thankful/grateful for what they have everyday... so why dedicate 1 day to doing that?
This year I didn't participate in any of the black Friday festivities. The main reason would probably be because I was sick, in all honesty I don't think i would have anyway. Black Friday IS full of bargains, discounts, and great shopping. However it is also full of long lines, arguments, and a lot of aggravation. I find it crazy how obsessed Americans have become with finding a sale and getting a bargain. It's like some people won't even go to a store unless they are getting a discount, or there's a sale going on that day. In America, consumption has basically become a competition. Competition between the companies trying to make the most profit, and between the consumers trying to get the best bargain. I also feel that this whole black Friday thing is a gimmick to get people to spend money we don't have. In actuality, people are spending more money because if they never saw or heard about some these discounts, they would have never spent money on that product. Even though this is great marketing...it feels good to know that I didn't have anything to do with black Friday.

Part B:

Article 4: Paraphrase the Full Faith and Credit . What does this mean for gay marriage?
"Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof."

The Full faith and credit is saying that any state in the United States of America has to respect the laws and beliefs that any other state establishes. So when it comes to gay marriage a couple can get married in a state where the marriage is legal, and move to a state where gay marriage is illegal. The state that they currently live in can't revoke their marriage license just because they are a married gay couple, they have to respect the laws of the state that the couple got married in. I feel that this provision will help move the legalization of gay marriage further along. I look at it as if some one really wants to get married to someone of the same sex, they could just go to a state where its legal (if they are living in a state where its illegal.), and then move back to their original state. It would make more sense if more states just made gay marriage legal, because the residents of that state could always got to another state where their marriage would be legal, and move back to their original state.
However after doing some more research, I learned that many states have passed "their own mini DOMA's" which restrict states from honoring same sex marriages that have taken place in another state. This definitely goes against the Full Faith and Credit clause. I think this is stupid because it kind of gives the gay community that lives in a state where it is illegal, a hard time. From my understanding they are saying you can get legally married in a state that will except it, but if you move back to your home town it won't be acknowledged or excepted. I think that's wrong.



Article 6: What is the Supreme Law of the Land? What is the significance in your opinion, of the "no religious test" clause?

The supreme law of the land is saying that all federal laws, the Constitution etc. is higher than any state law, and that the judges have to abide by this. Basically who is higher than who, and who has more power than who.It is also saying that there is no specific religion needed to qualify for any office or public trust in the U.S. The significance of the "no religious test" is to state that no one will be discriminated against because of there religion. I think that they are also saying that everyone is equal, no matter of their religion. This is important because it's "supposed" to show that our society isn't fully based on religion, and that we are a close knit society. This article is here to make it seem like people can practice whatever religion they want, and it not effect them getting a position in a government office. I don't think that this clause is always true, however I think that it's in the constitution to make people feel like the government is a fair and trust worthy system.




Do "lethal injection" and/or the "electric chair" contradict the 8th amendment? Why or why not?
The 8th amendment states that punishment or bail for a crime shall not be extreme, or unreasonably severe. I believe that both lethal injection and the electric chair agree with the 8th amendment. The death penalty is given to many criminals who have committed "hanus" crimes. Someone who has committed capital murder or was a serial killer deserves one of these punishments. I don't think that someone who has killed multiple people should get a "light" sentence. I think that they should recieve the possibly horrible consequences for their crime. If death is the most severe punishment, then thats what they deserve.
Even though I don't think that lethal injection and the electric chair contradict the 8th amendment, i do think that it depends on a persons definition of cruel, severe, punishment, crime, and overall innocence. Someone may think that the electric chair is overall a cruel and severe punishment, while I think that the electric chair is somewhat justified. The 8th amendment doesn't seem like an amendment that can fully be enforced because it can ultimately depend on ones opinion. If the 8th amendment was changed to state "cruel and unusual punishment is not permitted unless it fits the crime commited", I think it would it would fit with the death penalty. Right now it seems to broad of a rule to follow, which may be why it is often not folllowed.


Is the 4th amendment contradicted by MTA, library, and/or airport searches?
I'm not so sure about this amendment. The 4th amendment says that people and their private property shall not be searched without a warrant, which is supposed to give a balance between society and the police. When taking a trip to the library, the airport, or even some schools, it is normal for our bags to be searched and to go through metal detectors. Even though i know that alot of this searching is for our safety, it is now to the point where I feel somewhat violated when searched. Since 9/11, there are a lot of restrictions with what can be brought on a airplane. i remember having my lotion, perfume, and shampoos taken away from me because they looked "suspicous". I think that this is out of control, but I also know it is ultimately for my own saftey and the saftey for this country. Tchnically being searched at airports and the library is contridicting the 4th amendment, but i don't think that's always a bad thing. In 2008, we have way more threats to our personal security and the sercurity of this ocuntry. I think that these searches (even though annoying) are potentially good for the saftey of our nation.

Constitution Assignment Part A

The Preamble:

In order to have a better form of unity, we as citizens of the United States have to create fairness, guarantee a peaceful homeland, give public protection, urge overall well being, and secure freedoms for ourselves and our future.



Powers and Responsibilities of the Legislative Branch:

• Congress is separated into the Senate and the House of Representatives
• House of Representatives and Senate is elected by the people
• They have to meet annually
• Congress can establish an army, create courts, declare war, and control trade between the states, establish tax and spend the money raised by taxes
• In charge of regulating bankruptcy and immigration issues
• Controls the value of money?
• CONTROLS THE MONEY GOVERNMENT SPENDS
• Can impeach officers in the other branches that abuse their positions.

Powers and Responsibilities of the Executive Branch:

• President is elected by the electoral college (one vote for each member of congress
• The president can pardon criminals, controls military, make treaties, is able to pick many members of the government (with Senate approval)
• responsible for executing laws that Congress passes

Powers and Responsibilities of the Judicial Branch:

• Everyone is entitled to a trial by jury (except in a case of impeachment)
• Jurisdiction over cases involving foreign conflicts and conflicts between states

While reading and taking notes on the Constitution, i felt somewhat surprised and confused. I was surprised by how much power the Congress really has. It seemed like they posses most of the power when it comes to running the country (money, military, laws that we as citizens follow etc.). I was confused while reading mainly because of the language, something that sounded so complicated was actually very simple. I was also confused because it doesn't seem like our culture is based off of this document. I do see a lot of where it may relate to our culture, but there are also some parts where I feel that I never knew that. i;m pretty sure that many people in America also may not be familiar with these facts, or the Constitution in general. I don't know why this makes me feel confused about the Constitution, or makes me feel like the constitution is somewhat bullshit.

Questions and Insights on the Preamble and the 3 Articles:

1. Are there other countries that follow something similar to the Constitution?
2. Why does the Congress have so much power, when the president is the one "running" the country? Why can't the Congress potentially run it by them selves
3. Why is the idea of change put on the president so much, when the Congress has so much of the power?
4. Do we really need a Constitution to run our country?
5. Is the preamble relevant to America today?

Capitalism

Our country is a capitalist society, however there are many different ways to look at it. Capitalism is defined as an economic system in which goods and sources are produced, distributed, and consumed. This is all done through the mechanism of free markets. Capitalism is deeply based on the right to private property and the profit motive. It can also be looked at as an economic system...The main aspects of capitalism is land, labor, and capital. Land is any natural resource (trees, soil, etc.), while labor is any type of work put in to produce and sell the product. Capital is the resources that were used to create more of the product and sell it. People who have money to begin with, will most likely get further in life, because they have more to invest. The main strategy behind capitalism is for businesses to make as much money as possible, while spending as little as possible. his in the end will call for a bigger profit. In capitalism one thing that the consumer and the producer have in common is they both want to get the most out of the money they put towards the product. This is where market price comes in. Market price is where the seller and the consumer meet, the seller is selling for the highest price possible, while the consumer is trying buy for the lowest price possible. The market price of a product solely depends supply and demand. Supply is the total amount of resources/ products for sale at all prices. The demand is the demand of what will be bought. When the demand goes up price and quantity also goes up, however when demand goes down, price and quantity follow it and also go down. When supply goes up the price may go down, but the quantity will go up. in turn when supply goes down, price will go up but quantity will go down. The free market of Capitalism is controlled by a "Invisible Hand". This essentially means that the market is not controlled by a physical thing or person, it will eventually work itself out.

comments on videos

For Janice ---> good video!!!! i like how everything tied together your neighborhood, family, friends etc. i also liked how your personality really came through in your video, you werent just walking around with your camera, bored with the assignment...you had fun with itP.S I WAS FEELIN THT BR33ZY IN THA BACKGROUND LOLZ

For Kati------> kati i loved your video!I oculd see that music is a big part of your life. You and your sisters singing together was so cute

For Binta-----> I LOVED IT!!! i love the clip of you and your sister because you two seem like 2 totally different people.i also like towards the end when your added pictures of your culture. ive practically known you forever and i sometimes forget that you're african. Just those few pictures showed that you deeply value your culture, and that you dont really care what people think about it.

For kiana------>KILLA K!!!!!! nice video. i can see that your family, izzy and your fiends(egypt)oops i mean friends are very important to oyu. im still trying to figure out why you put a picture of a empty stove in your video lolzi liked it though

I, Pencil Response

“I, Pencil” by Leonard E. Read is basically about the in depth history of the pencil. Where most of the products come from, how it’s used, and how the everyday person may take it for granted. The average person doesn’t know how a pencil is made; therefore many don’t realize how many hours of labor and how many people it takes to make this everyday item. Many may not know that that the wood from a pencil comes from the cedar in California, the graphite is mined in Ceylon, and the clay the graphite is mixed with comes from Mississippi. A pencil is a very complex object. The pencil is sent all over jus to make school and office supplies, even if the only ones who appreciate it are first graders. The pencil wants us to realize that there isn’t a mastermind behind it, that there is a mystery at work.

A pencil is a mystery to many, when you look at a pencil all you may see is “some wood, lacquer, the printed labeling, graphite lead, a bit of metal, and an eraser”. The pencil is just seen for its outer features, not the hard work that’s put into it. Even though the pencil is just seen for its finished product and not for the different roles there are in making it, the pencil believes in one thing. He believes “There isn’t a single person in all these millions, including the president of the pencil company, who contributes more than a tiny, infinitesimal bit of know-how”. The pencil feels as if he isn’t the motivation for the many people that contribute to his making, but it all has to do with what skill you have. He also thinks that each man who has a hand in making him exchanges his skill for something in return…and its most likely not a pencil. What grabbed me as I was reading this paper was that the pencil believed there was a “higher power” actually controlling the making of a pencil. He states that “Only God can make a tree. Why do we agree with this? Isn’t because we realize that we ourselves could not make one?” I agree with this because many humans believe we have a lot of control over some things, when in reality a lot of things are out of our control. He also shows us that “I, Pencil, seemingly simple though I am, offer the miracle of my testimony as testimony that this is a practical faith”. From this last sentence of the paper, I got that something as simple as a pencil can have an effect on our faith, and how we view certain things

Education in America Way of Life...Final

Americans do an average of 13 years of school, which can be considered as a major part of life. However when I asked a young black man what he thought the American way of life was, he replied “you have to do whatever it takes to survive, no matter how much authority or education you have, you always have to listen to what ‘they’ tell you”. This young black man clad in jeans and a baggy white t-shirt didn’t look like he had much going for himself, but tells me that education is basically a waste of time. His opinion on what it takes to succeed in America is being a “sucker, in America you always have to suck up to somebody to get ahead in life”.
He believed that we have to suck up to the professor to get that better grade, but also to our boss to get that raise or promotion. When I asked a middle age Hispanic man the same question a couple of minutes later, he basically said “stay in school, it will help you a lot later on in life”. Two working class men with two totally different views on the part education take in the American way of life.
While talking to my high school principle Mr. Fanning, I saw how different his views were to the other people I interviewed. Even though as a young adult he chose his passion of music over education, he has since realized how his education has benefitted him. By getting an English degree, he has obtained this career which he loves. It may have not really been his dream, but it has become “his life”, and he wouldn’t trade it in for anything else. The first man I interviewed thought that education can’t really make a big difference in the American way of life. He believed that education is put on the backburner and succeeding in America is about “sucking up”, while Mr. fanning believes that it’s about getting an education in something you love, which in turn can make you love life more. Even though he did love music, and made a lot of money doing it, he also sees that his current life is more practical. Mr. Fanning being an educator, I expected this answer from him. But when my aunt gave a similar answer, it surprised me. She has just recently gone back to school fir her doctorates degree after working for HSBC for 19 years. Even though she does think that education is very important in the American way of life, she feels as if “society feels that education validates how smart you are…most people are born with natural talent and education helps to enhance that talent”. She somewhat disagrees with society view of education, and the fact that having a greater education means that you are smarter. Mr. Fanning believes that getting an education can cause you to love something, while my aunt believes you can get a degree in something you love and make it work for you.
“Education will help you succeed if you acquire as much knowledge as possible on what it is you want to do in life. That will lead to a better job/career hence a better way of life”, she in turn believes this is what most Americans strive for. This would be her definition of the American way of life, even though many Americans aren’t able to obtain it.
¾ of the people I interviewed believed that education was a huge part in American society, while 1/4 thought that education can’t really help us in achieving our ideal life. The people around me think that the American way of life is mainly to be happy with life. However when they said life, they were mainly referring to a career. Most believed that a career can lead you to happiness, or defines it in a way. They agree with the fact that education can indeed lead to a better life/career, and this is one of the main ways they would define the American way of life…as education.

first draft of AWOL assignment 3

Aja Hanna
October 10, 2008
Americans do an average of 13 years of school, which can be considered as a major part of life. However when I asked a middle age white business man what did he think the American way of life was, he replied “Everything in this country is about money, however wealth and greed is ruining whatever this country has left.” This was a surprising answer, because he looked like a wealthy man himself. He failed to mention what it took to become wealthy, or how much work it takes. When I asked a middle age Hispanic man the same question a couple of minutes later, he basically said “stay in school, it will help you a lot later on in life.” According to the middle age Hispanic man, having a good education will lead me to a better life, while the rich white man believes that wealth is the only thing that Americans need. He doesn’t think that an education may be the best thing to lead us to wealth, but it is something that all Americans try to obtain.
While talking to my high school principle Mr. Fanning, I saw his view on education in America and how he thinks it affects the American way of life. Even though as a young adult he chose his passion of music over education, he has since realized how his education has benefitted him. By getting an English degree, he has obtained this career which he loves. It may have not really been his dream, but it has become “his life”, and he wouldn’t trade it in for anything else. The first man I interviewed thought that America was mainly about obtaining wealth, while Mr. fanning believes that it’s about getting an education in something you love. Even though he did love music, and made a lot of money doing it, he also sees that his current life is more practical.

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