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.