Due Wed 4/25 "Jigsaw Activity"

1) Give a quick explanation of the topic and propose a debate resolution of the topic. (a couple of sentence)
This topic is about the Patriot Act increasing censorship in the United States. “The Patriot Act violates the right of Americans to freely express their opinions”

2) Explain why it is an important topic. You choose what to write about, but here are some suggestions if you are stuck: How does it impact your constitutional rights? Can it impact your daily life? Does it empower or disempowered you as an individual? Does it promote or inhibit public discussion? Does it help or hurt people getting along with one another? (short paragraph)
The Patriot Act is allowing the government to request information from libraries and book stores about reading material of American citizens. The Patriot Act was created to “help” the government predict any terrorist attacks. First FBI and police had to show probable cause that some one had committed a crime to receive information, but the Patriot Act now allows them to receive information on people with no probable cause at all of any crime. Another down side is that bookstores or libraries cannot tell or warn anyone the investigation, including suspects. The punishment for violators is jail.

3) Write one or two sentences that explain a good point made by the con side and one or two sentences that explain a good point made by the pro side (2-4 sentences total).
“‘Right after 9/11, American s seemed eager to learn more about the world,’ says Larry Siems, director of International Programs at the PEN American Center. ‘They were reading, buying and checking out books on Islam…But the administration’s overall approach discourages people form seeking information. It is counterproductive. We end up with a society that is more isolated, less able to respond to the rest of the world.’”

Due Tuesday 4/24 - The press in times of crisis

Assume that our next debate will have the resolution, "The press should be censored in times of crisis."

1) Indicate wheter your reading selection is pro or con for the above resolution and write three things that support the pro or con position on this issue.

I read the second part of the reading and it was con against the quote above. and i would definatly have to agree because the press shouldnt be censored becaus ie think the public needs to stay informed. But i understand why the military and goverenment want the press to be censored, its because they have everything to hide.They dont want the public to see some of the things they doa nd turn against them. SO thats why they want the media to be censored. Yes the truth can either help people a lot or hurt them, but at least its the truth and they know there not being lied to. And i think that if you tell the truth it will hurt but, it will hurt a lot less then if you lied and then someone found out.because then a trust issue comes into the picture.


AND


2) Write a paragraph where you state your opinion on the issue. It should include some evidence from the reading, but it does not have to follow each viewpoint to the letter. You can also include ideas and evidence from other sources or individuals.

I agree with the article i read. The media should not be censored during a time of crisis.The people need to be informed, i dont know how many times i can say that to get my opinion across. It is much worse to lie to someone then tell them the truth. It frustrates me when people lie and when they get caught they try to cover it up or blame it on other epople. which happens a lot.

DUE MONDAY 4/23 Viewpoints

1) For chapter 1, write three things based on the reading that supports the above resolution. This is the "pro" argument.

America as a whole is falling apart because everyone wants to express there opinions so much.Many people break the rules of the law. Explicit things are availible to many children very early on so they are getting these ideas in there head very young.

AND

2) For chapter 2, write three things based on the reading that goes against the above resolution. This is the "con" arguement.

Without the freedom to express ourselves through speech, things that have an opinion would never reach the world without being heavily screened, and probably heavily edited. If you strangle someone with rules about what they can say, all it will lead to is rebellion. It took a long time for America to develop into the society of today, many wars and consequences to create our laws, and those laws which we based our country on should be upheld


AND

3) Write a paragraph where you state your opinion on the issue. It should include some evidence from the reading, but it does not have to follow each viewpoint to the letter. You can also include ideas and evidence from other sources or individuals.


In addition to posting this on your blog you should print it out and put it in your notebook. You should have a section in your notebook devoted to the upcoming censorship debate and this should be in there.

DUE THUR 4/19 Don Imus Controversy

1. According to the NAACP, why should Imus be silenced?

They quote "needed to eradicate such hurtful speech from out popular culture."

2. According to Frank Rich, why should Imus not be silenced?

He think Imus shouldnt be censored becauser he isnt the first person in the media to use racial slurs.


3. Do you think Imus should be silenced? Why?

I personally, STRONGLY agree with Frank Rich because was Imus said wasnt racist or any different from the things some music artists say in thier lyircs. And if you think about it if a rap artist were to say 'nappy headed ho's' in his/her song they probley would have a number one hit. I dont think it makes okay to say a certain thing just because your ethinicity.

So maybe Imus did say mean or hurtful things about the basketball players BUT it is no different then what some people sing about. And i dont think the statement he said was racist, i think it was percieved of being a racist comment because he was not black or african american. Also, if you take out the part 'nappy headed' is that racist?? No, it isnt.

I dont think that the basketball players should be passed as innocent non-celebrities without opinions, because everyone has opinions. I think that the NAACP are completely blowing the whole issue out of preportion. I can understand if they followed thru with thier origional plan to suspend his talk show for a couple months or the rest of the season but to completey fire him is not reasonable.

In conclusion, im not agreeing with Frank Rich as in supporting what Imus said. Im just saying I understand why Frank RIch is supporting Imus. And i do as well because i dont think...I KNOW that Imus was NOT the first person to say hurtful things thru the media. So if they want to erase racist and sexist slurs then they probley need to earse one whiole genre of music. As well as a few channels.

DUE WED 4/18 Plato Reading and Blog

1. Why should plays, and acting in them, be regulated? What is potentially beneficial or harmful from acting in a play?

Personally i dont think there is anything is coming out beneficial when Plato is censoring his republic. Because children actually might LEARN froim seeing the bad guys.And i think by censoring the people and not leting hte perform in a certain play because of the character they are playing is going to create a huge problem because i think that will just make people want to play that character.

DUE TUE 4/17- Helpful Blog Comments

Kit Haggard said...
Lauren,

I REALLY like this peice. I chose this one to comment on for two reasons. One, I think that acting justly is HELP the community, not hurt it. If eveyone acted justly and honsetly, there would be far fewer problems in this world today.

Second, I agree with what you said about happiness. I think that it IS diffrent for every peson.

My recomendaition would be to reread things before you post them, thi one for example, was a little inchoherent.

I know that you were feeling baad today, so I hope that you are feeling better!!

Kit

Kits comment really helped me because she told me her opinion on how she felt about my blog i had written and also, told me what she agreed with and what her opinions were on the particular subject.




JulianGrijalva said...

Lauren, i can see that you put a lot of thought into this, does this have to do with your parents? friends? a bit confused on that but i can relate, I've been treated like I'm five, sometimes by teachers. i think though the first sentence "your stupidity enrages me" is a little much, sort of out of the blue, otherwise i like this whole blog, good job.

Julian just as Kit's helped me because he gave me contstructive critism. He told me what he liiked and what worked, and what he thought wasnt very good.





Paige! said...
Im glad that youre not confused with anything. greatt job.


paiges was encouraging but did help me at all at improving what i had done.