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?