WHAT IS PATRIOTISM?

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln

Noah Webster defined "American" as "a native of America; originally applied to aboriginals . . . but now applied to the descendants of Europeans born in America: the name 'American' must always exalt the pride of patriotism." So then what makes American "English" American?

Webster, who once said, "A national language is a national tie, and what country wants it more than America," deeply held the conviction that language was by and for the people, and out of that conviction was born his American Dictionary of the English Language. Starting in 1800, he began compiling the dictionary (it would take 28 years to complete) that would help define the American character.

What does the word patriotic mean to you as an American?

Sectionalism versus Nationalism

Review the definition of sectionalism and nationalism using your class notes, find two current (within the last 40 years) examples of sectionalism and two of nationalism. After you have your examples, state whether you feel they are good or bad for the country. In other words do/did they cause negative reactions. You need only one entry this week, you do not need to respond to another entry.

THRILLER AND GLOBAL WARMING

AFTER VIEWING THE FOLLOWING VIDEO ANSWER THE QUESTION:

THRILLER

WHAT DID THE VIDEO HAVE TO DO WITH GLOBAL WARMING?

Weird News of the Week

Which story in Weird news last week did you think was the strangest? Click on the headlines to refresh your memory, then vote for one story to see whether other users agree. Give a explanation of why you picked the story you did. Don't forget to do a second entry remarking on someone else's choice.

Click here for stories!!

WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW?

After watching the Presidential Debates, what is your impression? Who won, lost, or was it a draw? What impressed you the most, what upset you?
Below is the youtube site to watch the entire debate.
DEBATE

Should an incurably-ill patient be able to commit physician-assisted suicide?

The Right to Die

Go to the following website to read about the Pros and Cons of this issue:

http://www.balancedpolitics.org/assisted_suicide.htm


or read the handout (pick up on 9/24) and take a stance. Once you have decided which side you support you must give reasons and be ready to back up your opinion. Don't forget you need to reply to someone's blog as well as answer the topic.

HERE YOU CAN HAVE MY CHILD!!!

Read the article below and comment. Should parents and legal guardians be allowed to drop off children they feel they can no longer care for regardless of the child's age.

2 BOYS LEFT AT NEBRASKA HOSPITALS UNDER SAFE HAVEN LAW

The Associated Press

Published: September 16, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. - Two boys, ages 15 and 11, were left at Nebraska hospitals over the weekend, the first youngsters surrendered under the state's new safe-haven law that allows caregivers to abandon children and teens as well as infants, officials said.

A 44-year-old woman dropped off her teenage nephew at Lincoln's BryanLGH Medical Center West on Saturday, saying the boy had behavioral problems that she couldn't handle anymore, Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady said. The woman is the boy's legal guardian.

The other boy was left at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha on Saturday, said Alegent Health spokeswoman Kelly Grinnell.

The 11-year-old was dropped off by his mother, who said she believed she could no longer care for him, said Todd Landry, who heads the Department of Health and Human Services' division of children and family services.

The two cases are the first uses of the state's safe-haven law, Landry said. Neither case produced suspicion of child abuse or neglect and neither child appeared to be in immediate danger, he said.

"These were two cases where the caregiver or parent decided the behavior issues were such they felt they could no longer provide good parenting skills," Landry said.

The 11-year-old remained in an Omaha hospital for evaluation and observation Monday, he said. The 15-year-old was temporarily placed in an emergency shelter in Lincoln. The county attorneys and the courts will now step in to determine custody.

Nebraska was the last state in the nation to adopt a safe-haven law, which took effect July 18. It allows any caregiver, not just a parent, to leave a child at any state-licensed hospital without fear of prosecution.

Under previous law, a parent who abandoned a baby could have been charged with child neglect or abandonment, both misdemeanors, or child abuse, a felony.

Most other states have focused their laws on protecting infants.

State Sen. Arnie Stuthman said he introduced the bill intending to protect infants. In a compromise with senators worried about arbitrary age limits, the measure was expanded to include the word "child."

The law doesn't further define child, and some have interpreted that to mean anyone in Nebraska under the age of 19. Others have taken the common law meaning of child - those under age 14.

Stuthman's bill was signed into law as a way of protecting children from immediate danger or harm, said Landry, who didn't believe the two cases Saturday carried that sense of urgency.

Stuthman said Monday that he was surprised that two older children were abandoned on the same day. He said the cases didn't meet the intent of his bill, but he said they will open lawmakers' eyes as to the issues affecting children and families.

"I clearly do not believe this was the intent of LB157," he said.

Stuthman and others have said they are open to revisiting the legislation.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE?

Please tell us what is the most important issue in the U.S. today and why? What candidate do you feel most meets your view on the said issue.
If you need help on the political issues of today go to http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/
or http://obama-mccain.info/index-obama-mccain.php.

FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Your first amendment rights, collectively is considered to be the most important out of all 27 amendments. Your mission on this blog is threefold. (three parts) One, decide which of the five freedoms you think is the most important and why. Two, which of the freedoms would you be willing to give up and why?(be careful). And finally, which freedom do you feel should be added?

Dropping the Bomb on Japan, Right or Wrong?

I have given you two articles with very different views on the events leading to the decision on whether to use atomic bombs on Japan and the motive. They say that hindsight is 20/20, however, sixty-two years later people still can not agree on whether America was right or wrong. After reading the articles what is your opinion?

PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND HIDE YOUR CLEAVAGE

Read the following article:

City Aims to Implement Dress Code
Detroit Free Press
Gina Damron
February 8, 2008
Learn about...

* Freedom of Expression


Feb. 8--Brendan Asante wears his pants low and a little saggy.

But the 15-year-old may soon have to hike up his pants if some Auburn Hills officials get their way.

City Council members -- tired of seeing young men in saggy pants with exposed underwear and girls in low cut tops -- are looking into whether the city can implement a sort of citywide dress code to keep such clothing out of public places.

Councilman Henry Knight said a dress code could potentially be enforced under the city's indecency ordinance. The issue, discussed at Monday's City Council meeting, is not yet slated for a council vote.

City Manager Peter Auger said the city attorney and Police Department are researching the legality of such an ordinance.

This worries Brendan.

"The city doesn't have the authority to say what I can wear," said the Avondale High sophomore, who added that his pants drop below his underwear, but that his drawers are usually hidden by his shirt.

Towns such as Riviera Beach, Fla.; Pine Lawn, Mo.; Atlanta and several Louisiana parishes have talked about, implemented or are in the process of implementing similar ordinances targeting saggy pants. Penalities range from community service to fines.

In Atlanta, the American Civil Liberties Union has said it would challenge legislation if approved, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Mark Fancher, a staff attorney for the racial justice project of the ACLU of Michigan, believes such a measure could lead to racial profiling.

"It gives a license to police to ... arrest kids because of the way they're dressed and that's just wrong," Fancher said.

But Knight insists that the council isn't trying to violate anyone's rights.

"It's a hard issue to legislate morality, we know that," Knight said. "But, we're saying, as the city policy makers, we at least need to say, 'Is there something we can do in a situation we believe is a negative impact upon the businesses in our community?' "

Auger said the issue may not be on the agenda for the next council meeting, set for Feb. 18, but will be revisited soon.

Contact GINA DAMRON at 248-351-3293 or gdamron@freepress.com.


Answer the following:

Do you feel an ordinance should be passed or is this a breach of freedom of expression? Make sure to give your reasoning.

SUPER TUESDAY

Well, Super Tuesday is over, twenty-two more states have cast their ballots in the primary. What are your personal opinions of
the outcome of Tuesday? Is there a front runner of the Rep or Dem party? Where do you see the election for presidency headed? Make sure to read and responsd to your fellow classmates entries.

NEW VERSUS OLD CULTURE

After reviewing the changes in old and new culture of the 20's what do you think are some of the changes between your parents culture as teens and yours. Come up with at least two aspects that you feel are different and the impact on society due to these changes.

LOST LIVES: DOES IT MATTER?

During the movie "The Lost Battalion" it is stated many times by the commanding officer that loss of lives are not important, the importance is the end result. Major Whittlesy on the other hand felt the loss of life mattered immensly. What do you feel? Is it the end result that matters or should loss of life be considered when setting up battle strategy?

Fame or Shame

Why do we hold actors and sports figures in such high regard? A recent poll shows that most elementary school students when asked to name a hero will name a actor or sports figure. However, with the recent steroid issues in sports, the "Brittany" saga or O.J. Simpson mess we must question why these types of people would be heroes. Should public personalities private lifes be held up for scrutiny for the public? What do we expect of public personalities? How do we (or should we) react when they do something that we consider wrong?