Assignment for 11/17

Engle V. Vitale
1. What issue was addressed in the case?
The issue in this case addressed an official school prayer and encouraging its recitation.

2. Explain the basic facts of the case.
In this case, a New York state law required the schools to open up with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The law said any students who didn't want to participate didn't have to. A parent of one of the students sued since they thought the law violated the Establishment Clasue of the First Amendment.

3. How and why did the case progress through the courts?
The case progressed through the courts because there was a lot of debate upon the topic since it directly related to a violation of the Constitution.

4. Why was the case heard by the Supreme Court?
It was heard by the Supreme Court because the federal court didn't want to rule on it.

5. What was the Court's decision in the case?
The Court ruled in favor of the student and parent stating that prayer in school was a violation of the Constitution.

6. How does this case impact the nation and its people?
The case, in obvious ways, changed how schools allowed prayer in the school along with how they taught religion.  Though some people agreed with the ruling, some believe that the separation of church and state doesn't apply in this case.

7. What do you think about this case? (Do you think this is an important case? Do you agree with the Court's decision? Any other comments?)  I do think this case is important.  I agree with the ruling since that in my opinon I think church and state should be separated since not everyone believes in the same religion and if one is being followed in a school, it really isn't fair to the other people.

Assignment 11/6

Issue: Abortion
I would address this issue because it is a widely discussed and controversal topic.  In my opinion, I am pro-choice.  I think that everyone should have the choice to decide.  For cases, such as rape and health issues, I especially think this is true. 

Issue: Health Care
I would address this issue because health costs is a huge problem in our ccountry.  Many people can't afford to have health care, but they also van't afford doctor bills.  I think that Obama Care is a goof system, but it does have it's problems.  I don't think any one should be fined if they don't have this or any other health care.  There are also other issues that would need worked out.

Issue: Welfare Reform
I would address this issue because I think that Welfare is a very important system.  I think without welfare, our homlessness rate would rise.  We need these for our people to survive when hard times get too much. With that said, I think the Welfare systems need more restrictions and regulations set with random checkups to make sure they are doing all they said they would to get s certain welfare.

Issue: Air Quality
I would address this issue because I think that global warming is a problem and we do need to find ways to fix it.  In my opinion, we need to take care of our planet or it isn't going to be here for our grandkids, our their grandkids, etc.  We need to get more research done, and spread awareness.  Also, I think that we have advanced some in energy saving, but not everything.

Issue: Cost of Colleges
I would address this issue because I think that college should be cheaper.  Most people in our country can't afford the outrageous tuition costs along with all the other costs associated with going.  I don't think it it should be completly free, but it should be less expensive so that more people in the world would have the chance to attend regardless of the amount of money one has.

I am a Democrat.  I am literally pro-choice everything.  I believe one should be able to choose what makes them happy in life.  I also believe that everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, gender, or sexuality.   

Bell Ringer 11/6

I think that having someone young in the legistaure could be a goo thing.  She can add a point of view never before contributed.  With that said, I also think her young age could also hinder her effectivness as some might not take her seriously.  Also, I think that being young in the legislature is going to give her views as less thoughtout for the whole country.

Assignment 11/5

Issues Addressed:

drugs, pets, healthcare, global warming, recreation,

Candidate Chosen:
I choose the candidate I did because I believed the most in his values. He thought more of the people as a whole, then just benefiting a few. Of the issues addressed, I believed the most with healthcare option and the global warming recognition.

Bell Ringer 11/5

The election results for Barbour County didn't have a higher Republican or Democratic winning rate.  As for the state of West Virginia, Republican candidates won the popular vote for the House and Senate, but a Democrat governor won. The winners were mainly male and one incumbent won.  I think that elections are important because they give the people the freedom to choose their leaders.  I also think it is important to vote because it is a freedom that wasn't always there, and now that it is, we should take advantage of that and feel grateful for it.

Bell Ringer 10/29

Many of these laws, I feel, seem crazy.  I don't think some of them should be a law as they seem unfair to certain people.  I understand, though, that there was probably a reason behind them becoming a law, otherwise they wouldn't be.  If there was plenty of probable cause, I get making some of these crazy things into law.

Bell Ringer 10/30

1. How does this support your defense for the debate on Friday?
This supports my point on the debate because it shows the faults in the death sentence.

2. Do you believe that the court was correct in this instance?
Yes, I believe the court was correct in stalling the sentence until more information is received.