BR 3/31/14

     Racism isn't as harsh and common as it used to be but it definitely still exist. I think as long as people are different to each other, racism will be around. It is very wrong and I would think by now people would have gotten used to each other. In my opinion racism is pure ignorance, people are afraid of what they don't understand.

BR 3/27/14

I believe it is an important job and one you should stick with. People who know what they're doing should pick such an important job.

3 Supreme Court Cases 3/21/14

1. Religion - Sherbert v. Verner

This was a case in which the Supreme court of the United States held that the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment required that government demonstrate a compelling government interest before denying unemployment compensation to someone who was fired because their job conflicted with their religion.

2. School System - Bethel School District v. Fraser

Mathew Fraser, a high school senior, was giving a speech to his classmates as he was running for class office. His speech included some sexual references and innuendos. His candidate was elected, but he suspended for 3 days, and removed from the list of those to speak at graduation. His parents were furious, saying his first amendment rights had been violated. 

3. Minority -  Boy Scouts of America v. Dale 

In this case the Court ruled that the Boy Scouts' First Amendment rights of free expression and association would be violated by enforcement of New Jersey's state antidiscrimination law to prohibit them from dismissing a gay Scoutmaster.

BR 3/20/14

Judicial Activism

Notes

Inferior courts were created by congress to function beneath the Supreme court.
District courts
U.S. district courts are the federal trial courts.
Secret courts?
There are two little-known about multi-judge panels that play a key role in ongoing effects to combat terrorism in the U.S. and abroad.
District Court Jurisdiction
The district courts do not hear cases within original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Most decisions in the federal district courts are final- meaning the case starts and ends there.
Courts of Appeals
12 courts, 1 added to federal circuit
Each court has 6-28 judges and 1 supreme court justice
Normally 3 judge panes
Court of International Trade:
9 Justices
Chief Justice appointed by the president and senate.

BR 3/11/14

1.  Should pharmaceutical companies put people ahead of profits?

Yes, definitely. Someone could lose their life.

2.  Should government be able to compel pharmaceutical companies to provide life saving medicines?

Yes. They tell everyone else what to do, it might as well benefit someone.

Ads

1968
1. Who is the ad targeting? Criminals.
2. Does it send a positive or negative message? Negative, lots of domestic violence.
3. Do you think the ad is effective at delivering its message? Yes, it is very surreal.
4. How is the ad different than it would be portrayed in 2014? Better quality, more statistics.
5.Would your vote be affected by the campaign ad? No.

1996
1. Who is the ad targeting? No one.
2. Does it send a positive or negative message? Positive.
3. Do you think the ad is effective at delivering its message? No, seems generic.
4. How is the ad different than it would be portrayed in 2014?
5.Would your vote be affected by the campaign ad?

1980
1. Who is the ad targeting? No one.
2. Does it send a positive or negative message? Positive.
3. Do you think the ad is effective at delivering its message? Yes.
4. How is the ad different than it would be portrayed in 2014? Our debt would be more intense.
5.Would your vote be affected by the campaign ad? No.

BR 3/10/14

1.  Summarize what you believe to be important in the budget.

Obama has given more tax cuts to lower income taxpayers.

2.  Who benefits the most from the proposed budget?

Low income families.

Notes 3/6&7/14

1.Same number of senators and house of representatives.
2. First tie for presidential election, Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson both had 73 votes.
3. The election of 1800 caused the 12th amendment.

1. A national convention is called every four years to officially nominate presidential candidates.
2. Each state send delegates based on their electoral votes.
3. The device that the party uses to select its nomination for president.
4. Began in early 1900's as a reaction to party boss dominated politics.
5. Two different types ; Delegate selection primary, candidate preference primary.
6. Typically front-loaded (New Hampshire is always the primary).
7. Began as Winner take all.
8. Now moved to proportional representation. (15 percent or more receives delegates in proportion to their votes).
9. A closed meeting of a political party which gather to select delegates to the national convention.
10. Day 2: Adopt platform, keynote address.
      Day 3: Select to affirm choice for vice presidential candidate.
      Day 4: Select and affirm presidential candidate, done by delegates voting, delegate delivers acceptance speech.

Nominee Characteristics

-Typically the current president is nominated.
-Typically has a long run of political experience.
(Governorship has been important)
(Senate used to be a springboard.)
- Typically protestants from large states
- Good speakers who seem to have a stable family life and also have a pleasant and healthy appearance.

BR 3/5/14

If the president dies what do you think the order of succession is?

Vice President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State