Supreme Court Justices

1.) I found it interesting that Sandra Day O'Conner was the first woman appointed Justice. Whenever she graduated law school, in the 1952, woman were limited in the field. In the beginning, O'Conner worked at San Mateo, California, for the attorney general for free. Sandra was appointed to the Senate in  1974. She climbed her way to the top. Retiring for her husband, he had Alzheimer's, in 2006.
Her opinions were usually the vote needed to decide the final opinion. Example: Bush v. Gore(2000). (Biography.com)
I agree with Sandra Day O'Conner on her opinions. She was 1992 plurality vote in Planned Parenthood v. Casey upheld the decision in Roe v. Wade. It is a woman right. It is state's concerns to protect mother and infant.
In 1998, In the city of New London, Ct. seized Suzette Kelo property for public purposes. Justice O'Conner said the slap in the face was they seized this woman's property to help economic growth in the area. The growth never happened. They took the ladies property for nothing.

2.)Judicial Review is checking to make sure the decision in a case made is fair and just in reason. It makes sure the Constitution is upheld. It should only be used in a case to case basis. Every case is different and needs to be correct and legal in  it's decisions. If we used in for false claims or fraud, however, no one would up hold it then. Distrust.

3.)The Constitution was written as a structure to follow. A guideline, in today's changing world, the law should be interpreted around the foundation of the Constitution. The federal government is in everyone's business to much already today. On this issue, the framers way is the way to go. The changing or reshaping of the law takes away from the reason for the law.

I posted on Taylor Wilson, Stephanie Steele, and Matt Cooper

I feel communication, organizational skills,self confidence, can handle a crisis if it arises, and great management skills.

I researched quite a few presidents before Ronald Reagan. When I first starting paying attention to the president, therefore it was Ronald Reagan I grew up with.First, I looked at FDR, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Franklin D Roosevelt was one of the best presidents American was fortunate to of had. He was a Democrat. He got Poliomyelitis at 39 yrs old.. He was confined to a wheelchair. He was elected in Nov. 1932.  He is the only president to serve four terms, as you all should know now after this class Presidents only serve two terms. FDR. dealt with economic issues of the Great Depression. He made the New Deal to help Americans get on their feet. FDR established the T.V.A. ( Tennessee Valley Authority). On December 7th, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The following year FDR approved the Manhattan Project on December 28, 1942. A little over a year after Pearl Harbor. He died suddenly on April 12, 1945.
This leads me to the next president Harry S. Truman who was vice-president when FDR passed making next up for president. Harry served in France during World War I.as a captain in Field Artillery. He was a Democrat as well as FDR. When Truman received the news that the Manhattan project was a success, Truman was then faced with a tough decision. What to do with the Atomic Bomb? The first one nicknamed " Little Boy" after FDR was dropped on Hiroshima. The second nicknames "Fat Boy" after Winston Churchill Englands Prime Minister was dropped three days later on Nagasaki. In case you don't know Oak Ridge, Tennessee had a big part in this bomb. Everything was hush, hush. My granddaddy worked there. Whenever they showed the films after the bombing my grandfather became very ill. He spent the next 2 years of his life at Eastern State Mental Hospital. He lived with us until I was 16. He was never right again after that.

Last but not least would be Ronald Reagan. He served two years in office. He survived a failed assassination attempt. Reagan changed taxes to help the poor people. Reagan negotiated a treaty with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that eliminated intermediate range nuclear missiles.Reagan ordered Naval escorts in the Persian Gulf which maintained free flow of oil from Iran- Iraq war.
Overall, Reagan years sought to restore prosperity and his goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.(White House .gov)

I cmmented on Stephanie Steele, Sierra Chapman, and Stacey Clark

 This blog couldn't of came at a better time. Did you vote on november the 4th? I did and I am pleased to learn all our representatives got re-elected. Our senators are Lamar Alexander and Robert "Bob" Corker. Our congressman is John "Jimmy" Duncan. Bill Haslam is our Govenor. Lamar and Jimmy have been in office since my teenage years or shortly after. Ha I am telling my old age.

 I agreed with the representatives on Immigration. it is a problem that had turned into a huge dilimea. The legislators have made laws guarding our border. Why does the federal government not uphold the law. Well, I learned about a group called the "Minuteman Project", which consists of citizens survelliuance of our mexican border for illegal immigrants. I personally am against my hard earned money going to someone who isn't an American citizen and is in our country illegal. I as an American citizen don't get any of those benefits. The representatives also voted English the language. Well, duh it is America we sure aren't in Mexico.

 The thing I disagreed with is Homeland Security. The Transportation Security, and The Federal Air Marshall program. I started looking into the Air Marshals and it was disturbing what I found! Before 9/11 there was 33 federal air marshals. Today, it is between 3,000 and 4,000. The actual amount is classified imagine that. There have been 36 Federal Air Marshals arrested since 9/11.  The charges consisted of DUI, Domestic Violence, discharging a firearm at a bar during a fight, Drug smuggling, and possession of stolen government property. Some had felonies and were hired anyway. Really, come on this how the terrorists got in the country to begin with. Does that make you safe people? I knew there was a reason my feet don't leave the ground!



I commented on Matt Cooper, Nikki Stair, and Stacey Clark

I think I would go with the dissenting opinion, because obviously Gore thought the count wasn't right or was unfair.Gore took it to court in Florida so the voted had to be hand counted instead of done by the machine itself.It violated the equal protection clause.

Fundraising is important yes. I think they should have a fair shot but not because they don't have the funds is absurd. they worry that people also spend to much time trying to get reelected instead of doing enough governing time.In 1974, government set restrictions on how much money can be contributed by one individual and parties.
 When times are good, president party benefits. When times are bad, presidential party suffer. Low turnouts raise questions about government's responsiveness and unequal turnout suggests that government response is unequal.
Low turnout among young people, in contrast to older, means the elected officials may give more attention to issues affecting senior voters such as S.S.I. (Social Security) The younger are benefited costs of education
Younger generation think voting does not apply to them or affect them. In my opinion, everyone needs to vote. It is a right and in other countries it would be considered a luxury I guess. I am thankful for being an American and not in some foreign country where women don't have any rights.


I commented on Stephanie, Steele, Matt Cooper and Taylor Wilson blogs.

1.) On this blog I had to research because I am not set on a particular party. The Republican Party believes that each person is responsible for his or her own place in society.(Republican Party .com) The Democratic Party believes
in ideas and principals that benefit all Americans with opportunity and justice for all . (All things Democratic.com) My family leans to the democratic Party. As I have said earlier, I go for whoever I feel is going to benefit this country the most.If I had to chose I would say Democratic. The Democrats seem to lean toward the most important principals I value. I can relate with both parties still though after researching.

2.) I think yes on this one as well. I think no one agrees on everything. Everyone has their own opinions about politics. Who is to actually say what is right or what is wrong? In today's world I feel there is to much control sometimes. I feel freedom is one thing but no one should abuse their rights or influence but it definitely happens everyday.

3.)I liked two parties I researched The Socialist Party because strive to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control. Non-racist, Classless, Feminist socialist society.
 The second is the Constitutional Party they support Agenda 21, " What is that?", it is the environment and the plan to save it. It was brought in 1982. I think if the environment is not cared for it is a disgrace to drive down the road and see all the trash.


I commented on Robert Johnson, Stacey Clark, and Matt Cooper

I researched all the groups on this list.These are the ones I found interesting. I found out that N.E.A which is the National Education Association. it is the nation's largest employee association who try to advance causes for public education. Their mission is that they believe everyone deserves an education. There is 3 million members. The issues that are at hand today are preventing bullying, school safety, funding, and N.C.L.B No Child Left Behind. The next was A.F.T American Federation of Teachers which is professional teachers champions fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, healthcare and public services for students, families, and  our communities.I agree with these groups and their issues. S.E.I.U is largest union for healthcare, public service and is the most diverse with 56% of members are women. There is also 40% of African American.

I saved the one I was interested in for this: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters. There are 1.4 million members who work in freight and airline industry.  I did extensive research on this group. The issues they are facing includes: Retirement, Transportation, Labor, Anti-Trust and Workplace, trade, Environment and super fund. I learned they were started in 1903 from two leading drivers associations. Jimmy Hoffa, was president from 1958-1971 when he resigned. From early on Hoffa was involved with organized crime. He was imprisoned and sentenced to 13 years in 1967. At one time during Hoffa's leadership the union was largest with 1.5 million members. the way he did business may not of always been legal, but he accomplished things. Hoffa disappeared in July 1975 and was declared legally dead in 1982. The mob was involved, but due to body no one was ever charged with Hoffa's death. He ruffled someone feathers indeed.

I feel if they want the power it is there. The work has to be done and a lot of debating to reach the goals they are reaching for. Some times it isn't enough and sometimes it is to much. Who can really say for sure?




I posted on Mona Manwill, Stacey Clark, and Taylor Wilson

Does objectivity still exist in media coverage of politics? Well some would argue yes, but many more say no. I did a little research on this subject. The media is based on what people need to know not want they want to know. Who has the right to say what is or is not important in this world. I think the news should report the truth not the opinion as to say. Everyone has opinions are they all right or wrong? Who is to say. If you have a job to do you should do it to the best of your ability with honor and integrity. If my name was going behind it I would want it to be the truth.Cable and local channels have changed drastically over recent years. The evening networks news have remained remarkable the same.I think CNN is objective.Fox News and MSNBC are biased. The evening news reports what i feel is closer to the truth. I read an article by Andrew Beargon on Poynter.org that said morning radio shows are the most informative. MSNBC has a conservative view point.Fox News had Moderate or Liberal views. According to FDU Political Scientist Dan Cassino said the results showed " Ideological news sources like Fox and MSNBC are really just talking to one audience."

As for radio shows they are the most listened to hot debates happen, if they don't agree with each other a huge debate usually occurs. I personally have never listened to them.Rush Limbaugh has a conservative view on the issues at hand. Most talk shows are 90% conservative from what I researched. The radio reaches a wide variety of people for listeners reaches smaller people on a closer level. I feel the government has influence on all media to an extent.

Media objectivity is definitely important. It shapes the listener views to their beliefs or to that party's beliefs. According to David Brooks from Catholic Education resource center in an article titled Objectivity in Journalism said,  "There is a dispute whether objectivity can really exist? I think the truth is what we fall short of giving but we always strive for the truth." and in another part he states, " They have to face the facts just as much as anybody else." I think that those statements says a lot.