What's Up with the Mayor's Car?

What does a car tell the public about their chief executive? How does Mayor Plusquellic's car comapre with President Obama's car? Is this car issue newswothy? Why is this being covered now? Is there a story here?

Mayor's Car Story in Beacon Journal

Useful Site to Keep Up-to Date on Health Care Policy Reform

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/

Penny Paper Excerpt-Boston Evening Transcript 1892

click on image to enlarge

I will be sending a link to the research blog I have created titled "Is Marriage Dead?" I would appreciate everyone taking a look and giving some feed back of the comments

Thanks for your time!

http://ismarriagedead.blogspot.com/2009/10/back-ground.html#comments

How's He Doing?

Hold your mouse over a dot for a particular poll's results. Overall currently Approval 50.5 Disapproval 45.4

The White House Now a "Frat House"?

Read this article to:

1/ Learn more on this subject
2/ Decide for yourselves if the media's (NY Times) putting this subject on the front page unfairly biases readers to consider this subject is a "fact" of "high" significance.
3/ Is it worth the print to discuss this?
4/ Comments Welcome

Frat House or No

2008 Election Results: New Orleans

Oops. New Orleans (post Katrina) did go substantially for Obama vs. McCain in 2008 Presidential, although the Staste of Louisiana was won easily by McCain. I was struggling with the geography along the coast (note that Orleans County is coterminous with New Orleans. Look at how fragile New Orleans looks even on this map, being adjacnet to the tidal basin). Check it out..........

Election Results by County

Assignment #5 "Do It Yourself" Party

Develop your own political party, based on a real or imaginary ideology

Include the following 6 components (you can include the subheadings I’ve included or add your own):


1/ Founder (your name plus anyone else who is a co-founder)
2/ Name of Party
3/ Basic Statement of Overall Principles

4/ Basis of Ideology (is there an historical person who is the “spirit” of the party? (E.g., MLK, Gandhi, Lincoln, Jesus, Lenin, Bill Gates, Bono, Caesar Chavez)
5/ Party Platform
*National Defense (terrorism, democracy, changing military, homeland security from internal or external threats
*Economy (jobs, energy development, local manufacturing vs. overseas, decline of traditional industries, poverty, etc.)
*Families (health care, education environment)
*Community (safety, urban sprawl, neighborhoods, segregation
*Government (more or less, taxes, Federal, state, local relationships, election reform)
*Other??
6/Target audience (Angry unemployed workers, frightened moms, energized youth, disenfranchised youth, concerned seniors, folks with no insurance, religious group or sect or some other part of our nation’s population)

Add your party online as with the previous assignment. Remember to prepare your entry in advance so you don't "lose" it online in the process of posting. Due Monday.

More About 527s

More About 527s (click here)

Logo is for the Swiftboat Vets and POWs for Truth 527 organization that contributied to derailing John Kerry's run for the Presidency in 2004

Under federal election law, coordination between an election campaign and a 527 group is not allowed. The heavy spending of key 527 groups to attack presidential candidates brought complaints to the Federal Elections Commission of illegal coordination between the groups and rival political campaigns. These formal complaints included:

2004 Election

"On May 5, 2004, the Republican National Committee accused MoveOn.org, The Media Fund, America Coming Together and America Votes of coordinating their efforts with the John Kerry campaign.
On August 20, 2004, John Kerry's campaign accused Swift Boat Veterans for Truth of coordinating their efforts with the George W. Bush campaign.
Several people who are involved with both organizations have removed themselves to avoid the appearance of conflict. Attorney Benjamin Ginsberg pointed out that it was not uncommon or illegal for lawyers to represent campaigns or political parties while also representing 527 groups. For example, Washington attorney Joe Sandler simultaneously represented the Democratic National Committee and a 527 group airing anti-Bush ads, the MoveOn.org Voter Fund.

In 2006 and 2007 the FEC fined a number of organizations, including MoveOn and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, for violations arising from the 2004 campaign. The FEC's rationale was that these groups had specifically advocated the election or defeat of candidates, thus making them subject to federal regulation and its limits on contributions to the organizations.) (Source: Wikipedia) (Note: this info `not be reliable as it is from an "open source", subject to alteration addtion and deletion by many)

Interest Groups

Decent Summary of Interest Groups:

Interest Groups

Health Care for Your Generation

What Congress Plans for the Young Invincibles (You)

Missing?????????? as of October 15

Missing Topics

Research Paper/Project

Christ
Fellenstein
Gibbons
Hinkle
Olsen
Smith
Watkins
Williams

Oral Report


Moran
Hinkle
Williams

16/17 Year Olds Voting: Your Responses

Here's your replies to the question "Should 16 and 17 year olds have the right to vote? (5 Yes, 16 No)

• I don't think it should be changed


• Yes


• No


• No, don't change the voting age to 16


• No, I don't think they should be allowed. They can be manipulated too easily


• No, because I don't think high school students have the maturity or even knowledge to vote for someone in an election


• Yes!


• No, it would add more complications such as poll problems and other ????


• No


• No, will go with popular vote (what their friends or parents) are saying. Will not have thir own ideas. Too impressionable.


• No


• No


• No, because more issues would probably be hot topics. example being drinknig age, cigarette buying age, etc.


• No, I don't feel 16 year olds should be allowed to vote. I feel that the majority are too immature. Also, it might influence their legal status in court.


• No, most parents hav e the most infuence in the choices their kids make


• Absolutely not. Children at thge ripe age of 18 are also too young. Too many peole like this last edlection voted solely on the fact that Obama was the first African-American President. They could easily vote primarily on whom their parents and family talk about. Bad. Bad, Bad idea!


• Yes, I think it would give younger peole more interest in politics, therefore bringing forth a better future for us


• Yes


• No


• Yes


• No, on the one side, it would let them feel like a part of the whole system and empowered; on the other side, they only have their parents/church giving them clues
  

Extra Credit Civic Participation Assignment

This Extra Credit opportunity will give you 8 extra points on your average quiz grade if done properly.

Attend a public meeting in your community. It can be a City/Village/County Council meeting, a ward meeting, a Township Trustee meeting, A county Commissioner meeting, a neighborhood watch meeting, a block watch meeting, a neighborhood organization meeting, a local school board meeting, a University of Akron-sponsored public meeting, a political party meeting (often monthly), a local or regional planning board meeting, a local park board meeting, a board of zoning appeals meeting, or any similar or related meeting of a public or non-profit body. Consult your local newpaper (daily or weekly) to see what meetings are scheduled in your area. Ask me if you're not sure if your meeting qualifies.

After attending, write a 1 page minimum journal article of your experience, with highlights and/or lowlights. Indicate whether attending made you more or less likely to be involved in local community groups.

Assignment is due on day of final exam.

Extra Credit Voting Assignment in November

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 6:30AM-7:30PM

Vote in your community (if you're registered). Earn 5 extra points on your average Quiz grade. There may be statewide issues on the ballot, and local offices in Akron and other communities. A summary of the statewide ballot issues is available on an earlier post on this website. You'll be guided to visit the Beacon Journal to find summaries of local officials and issues on the ballot and the newspaper's endorsements.

To earn credit, bring proof of voting (most polling places have round "I Voted!" stickers). Or have a polling place employee sign a sheet of paper you provide with date, time and location of polling place.

If you're too young to vote, or are not legally able to registe, submit a summary of one of the ballot issues or a candidate for public office in your community, and you're views on this issue or candidate (if applicable)(at least one page in length). Due Wednesday after election (no later).

Should the District of Columbia Have a Representative in Congress?

Representation issue: currently stalled.........

Why Did He Win?

Members of the Committee Making the Decision

http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB/nomination_committee/members/

Assignment #3-First Amendment Rights and Dog Fighting Videos

For this Assignment, read the following article from CNN. Warning: the embedded video has images that may be very disturbing. The article itself may be very disturbing.
After reading the article, and reviewing your textbook material on Amendment #1 Freedom of Speech, esp. as pertains to obscenity, do you feel the existing Federal law (1999) prohibiting the sale and marketing of videos depicting animal cruelty (except if produced for religious, political, scientific, journalistic, educational, historical or artistc value) should be upheld.

Post your comment by clicking on the comment link below and following the instructions provided. You may need to create a Google, AOL or Yahoo account if you don't have one. You may comment on someone elses's post if you'd like. Provide your answer and the reasons for it. Due next Monday. All students and the public will view your comments.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/06/scotus.dogfighting/

Question in Class-What If.....

Here's some info I found re: what if a law changes, and the crime you committed is no longer an offense:

ABA Family Legal GuideCriminal Justice
Court Procedures
Appeals of Criminal Cases
What if the law changes after a court convicts me?
"If a court convicted you for something that is no longer a crime, you might be able to have your conviction overturned. This also might be possible if a trial court denied you a right that the U.S. Supreme Court later rules is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Your rights will depend on whether the new rule or law is retroactive, that is, applied to past court decisions. As a general rule, a change in the law would be retroactive to your criminal case if the case has been appealed but not resolved at the time the law is changed. If, on the other hand, your case on appeal has been resolved, the change in the law would not be retroactive to your case, unless the change is one that directly enhances the accurate determination of your guilt or innocence."

State of Ohio Ballot Issues-November 2009

1/ Amend Constitution to Provide Compensation for Certain War Veterans

2/ Amend Constitution to Create The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board

3/ Amend Constitution to Allow Casino Gambling in Ohio (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo) and Distribute Revenue to All Ohio

Overview of Issues

Study Guide for Test #2

Here's your study guide for Test #2 a little early to help you prepare as soon as possible.

Here's some key elements for the Chapters 5-8 to make sure you know. These are not test questions, but will give you an idea how well you know the material. Use this study guide in addition to your notes from the text and lectures and the web resource for your text.



Chapter 5 Civil Rights-Toward a More Equal Citizenry

What is the focus of civil rights vs civil liberties?

What are the implications of the Dred Scott case?

What 3 key civil rights Constitutional Amendments passed after the Civil War, and what did they involve?

Jim Crow laws: what were they?

Plessey vs. Ferguson case: what was decided and implications?

Role of NAACP

Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education decisions: implications for schools and society

Dejure and defacto segregation: differences

Civil Rights Act of 1964 and EEOC; Voting Rights Act of 1965

Judicial tests for equal protection under the 14th Amendment: rational basis, intermediate scrutiny and strict scrutiny: how are they applied and when

Affirmative Action's purpose and impact on education

Reverse discrimination

Differences in civil rights efforts for Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians

Civil rights for disabled, gays and lesbians and seniors; know the key civil rights elements for each of these 3 sectors of the population and key legislation

Equal rights for women: historical context and relationship with

African American movement; key milestones, including 3 key events that spurred on the "second" women's rights movement

Male vs. female earnings differences past and present

Comparable pay: what is this? Pros and cons

Burden of proof in sexual harassment cases; who is responsible

Changing nature of role in the military for women

Environmental vs. quid pro quo harassment definition

Chapter 6 Public Opinion-Listening to Citizens

Are voters swayed by something as basic as their use of language?

What values does our politcal culture contain?

Do politicians value more the opinions of certain people on certain subjects?

Opinions vs. judgment: differences

What's a "straw poll"? Push poll? Worm poll?

Who designed the first "scientific poll"?

Surveys are "ubiquitous". What does this mean?

Life cycle and generational effects on political socialization

Family, educational and religious influences

Are most churches fully integrated?

According to authors, does the media have a strong or minimal effect on our political views? Does this surprise you?

Racial and gender differences in political views. Is there a gender gap? A racial gap?

Where is political involvement for women greatest?

3 strains of political culture in most states: what are they (p.134)

Direction, salience, intensity, stability apply to what?

Push and exit polls....definitions please

How do you achieve random sampling in a poll?

What happens if you have a large sampling error?

What's a leading question? Give me an example

4 basic ideologies (p. 142)

Is there a close relationship between public opinion and public policy?

Is confidence in our institutions on the rise? How about trust?

Chapter 7-Political Participation-Equal Opportunities and Unequal Voices

The "rational actor" theory: what does it say?

Are you a "free rider". Explain

Amount of info conveyed and variation in frequency and strength are key aspects of political action in a democracy

What are 5 factors having to do with access to resources for effective political activity?

Dimensions of political engagement: internal and external efficacy, political information, and strength of identification

Does voting increase with age, and then drop off eventually?

Who votes the least in terms of age? Gender? Race? Employment? Education? Income? and Region?

Do we vote in large relative numbers when looking at # of registered voters in other countries?

Our 2 party system stifles participation; we focus on appealing to everyone, and thus lose many

What causes "voter fatigue"?

"Checkbook Democracy" a sign of the times?

What are some ways to improve voter participation?

Public schools are abandoning what traditional function of public schools as related to our democratic heritage?

Chapter 8 Interest Groups in America

Inside vs. outside strategies used by lobbyists

What is an interest group? What do they seek to influence?

How have they been viewed historically? Glue for society or a bunch of passionate rebels who need to be managed?

How are interest groups and political movements different?

Economic, ideological or public interest types

Why have interest groups exoloded over the last several decades?

Where did the practice of "lobbying" get it's name?

Change in character of interest groups over time (role of citizens more passive: relegated to writing checks vs local organization).

Who's the biggest?

Who has the cash?

Who's unrepresented? Why?

Why you join: material, solidary, purposive, assessing motives. What's the strongest reason of these to join?

Give some examples of leadership as a strategy to get traction for an issue. Can you name a leader who has been visible for some causes. Michael Jackson?

Who are the lobbyists?

Why do elected Congresspersons like many lobbyists? What are some of the benefits lobbyisits supply?

Does the White house have lobbyists? Why? Who do they lobby? If Congress won't listen, who can lobbyists turn to?

Agency "capture", "iron triangles" and "issue networks". What are they?

Reulating lobbyists-some examples

What are PACs? What limits are on them?

What are "527" groups? Are they well regluated?

"Political disadvantage theory"

Who is mobilized when you mobilize the "grass tops"?

Coalitions and protests: how effective. Who protests?

What types of groups are young people like you interested in joining?