Escalating Debate: Should Obama Send More Troops to Afghanistan?

Part One: This week President Obama announced that he would be escalating the war in Afghanistan. My question to you is: Should Obama send more troops to Afghanistan? Please do not answer with just a yes or no!!! You must give your reason.
Below are two websites that will help you make an educated decision.
10 Fears of U.S. Troops
Five Key Points

Click on the link below and view the pictures.
Afghan Pictures
These pictures give you a insight into the life of the people, our soldiers and the beauty and horrors faced by all in Afghanistan. Pick one of the pictures and give a detailed personal response.

WAR OF THE WORLDS OCTOBER 30, 1938

WAR OF THE WORLDS.
Some listeners heard only a portion of the broadcast, and in the atmosphere of tension and anxiety leading to World War II, took it to be a news broadcast. Newspapers reported that panic ensued, people fleeing the area, others thinking they could smell poison gas or could see flashes of lightning in the distance.
It was also reported that people fled to the streets, contemplated suicide and mass hysteria ensued.

1. After listening to the broadcast, why do you feel people reacted the way they did?
2. What would create this type of hysteria today?
Would it still be fear of aliens? Why or why not?
3. Does the media have a responsibility to the people to not create massive fear. If so, what about 2012? There are movies, "documentaries", and other media out there instilling fear of this date.

SHINE A LIGHT CONTEST

Go to the SHINE A LIGHT webite and read the three entries for the Shine a Light competition. After reading all three, cast your vote. In the blog tell us which one you voted for and why it deserved your vote over the other two.

HOW ARE OUR BILL OF RIGHTS DOING?

Find two current article (2 weeks or newer) dealing with one of the first ten amendments. Read the article. Add the link to your blog and give a response to the articles.

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

Today is the eighth anniversary of 9/11.
There are two sites I would like you to go to:

9/11 Pictures
9/11 Videos

While the video and pictures are very hard to watch/see, after viewing the sites.
1. Eight years ago you were very young, what do you remember about that day?
2. What is you reaction today after viewing the pictures and video.
3. What can the global community do to stop terrorism around the world?

PRESIDENT'S IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SPEECH

After viewing the President's speech in class, please answer the following:
1. What is your response to the speech? (Did it motivate you, etc..)
2. What did you like about the message of the speech and what did you dislike?
3. Do you feel that having a speech on the importance of staying in school should be delivered by the President of the United States? yes/no...why.
4. What other people would be effective in getting the message of the importance of school to all of the American students?

WOULD YOU HELP A STRANGER?

1. An unconscious and bleeding woman was left in a road as several drivers swerved to miss her in south-east London.
The footage was taken from a bus camera, whose driver stopped to aid the woman. The bus cameras captured at least 12 drivers driving around the woman without stopping to help.
The 24 year old female suffered serious head injuries and was lying next to the cur with her head in the gutter.

#2. The accident—a 78-year-old man hit by a car and flung into the air—was shocking enough. Worse, was what happened in the minutes that followed: nothing. Traffic continued to drive by and pedestrians apparently ignored the injured man lying in the street.

#3 Elderly man beaten while onlookers do nothing. Click on the link and watch the video.

Would you have helped the victims, why or why not. Why do you think people did not help? As a community what can we do to make sure people help others?

What is patriotism?

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?

SUMMER'S OVER

There were many important national and global events that happened over the summer. List at least two national events and one global event that you feel had a large impact; Tell us why you feel it did or will impact our world. One catch: While the death of Michael Jackson is sad and yes it was a global event you may not use it as one of your events. (SORRY)

WHAT IS HATE TO YOU?

Give a brief definition of hate using your own understanding of the concept. What types of hate are there and what is the international world doing to stop hate? What can you do as an individual? After you are done read your classmates entries and write at least two responses to their entries.